Discover the fundamental techniques needed to create expressive and dynamic portraits in the medium of your choice. Through a step-by-step approach, participants will learn to simplify complex forms into manageable shapes while exploring facial anatomy, composition, value, light, and color. Working from observation, students will build confidence creating portraits with depth, structure, and personality. Model fee included in tuition.

Click HERE for a materials list for this course!

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support our mission! Learn more about it's benefits and discounts!

Only Afternnoon Sessions Available

Calling all future Tomb Raiders, Treasure Hunters, and Indiana Jones's!

This course-- designed to mirror the structure of the field schools that all qualified archaeologists attend and incorporating anthropological techniques and theories in a digestable way-- will help introduce kids interested in "digging up the past" to the practical skills and concepts used in archaeology. Campers will have the opportunity to excavate real artifacts on the campus of Historic Yellow Springs and will learn about the techniques that archaeologists use to bring the past to life for us today. Whether they're passionate about watching old episodes of Time Team or have a an above-average appreciation for all things King Tut, this camp offers an excellent opportunity for the next generation of aspiring archeologists to experience what life is really like on a dig.

Each week will combine learning and hands-on exploration, allowing campers to learn sifting techniques, how to determine the age of artifacts, and how art and archeology have been intertwined for centuries.

Happy digging!

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support the mission of HYS

Morning and Afternoon Available. For all day sign up for both sessions.

Designed for young artists, this camp will immerse participants in a variety of artistic activities, including fine arts and ceramics, all inspired by the vibrant world of native streams and the creatures that call them home. Campers will explore the ecosystem around them, learning about the animals and plants that thrive in these habitats, while creating their own artwork based on their discoveries. Whether they're beginners or budding artists, our camp offers a fun, supportive environment for creativity, exploration, and skill-building. With a mix of individual projects and group activities, every child will leave with a collection of their own artwork and lasting memories of their creative journey!

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support the mission of HYS

This course breaks down the process of portraiture into manageable steps—from blocking in basic shapes, establishing accurate proportions using reference points, to building up value progressions. You’ll learn the best way to approach each stage of a portrait, from initial sketch to final details. We begin by working from photo references to develop your ability to capture likeness, culminating in a live model session. Whether you prefer to sketch loosely or render in detail, you'll learn techniques that adapt to your artistic goals. Model fee included

Click HERE for a materials list for this course.

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support our mission! Learn more about it's benefits and discounts!

Bring a touch of handmade charm into your home or garden with a pair of ceramic bird vessels crafted by you! In this beginner-friendly workshop, participants will learn handbuilding techniques to create two unique bird-inspired forms that can be used as small planters or decorative dishes.

You’ll begin by shaping and texturing slabs of clay using stamps and hand tools to build expressive surface designs. Then, using simple handbuilding methods, you’ll construct and refine a matching pair of ceramic birds, exploring form, balance, and playful detail along the way.

All tools and materials are provided. Finished pieces will be fired and ready for pickup at a later date.

This class is held in a ADA accessable studio space

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support our mission! Learn more about it's benefits and discounts!

Master the SECRETS to mixing accurate colors and values that will take your paintings to the next level.

Presented in a power packed yet relaxed format, you will gain a new understanding of color logic and professional techniques rarely taught in traditional classes.  Experience the confidence shift as you transition from "guessing and checking" to mixing with intentional, effortless precision. Join us for a day of interactive demos and “light bulb moments" designed to break through your blocks and reignite your excitement for oil painting!

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support our mission! Learn more about it's benefits and discounts!

Morning and Afternoon Available. For all day sign up for both sessions.

Designed for young artists, Sky Explorers invites campers to look up and let their imaginations soar. Through fine art and ceramics projects inspired by the sky above us, campers will explore clouds, weather, birds, and planets. Hands-on activities encourage curiosity about the natural world beyond the ground, blending observation, creativity, and artistic expression.

Whether beginners or budding artists, children will enjoy a fun, supportive environment that fosters creativity, exploration, and skill-building. With a balance of individual projects and collaborative activities, every camper will leave with a collection of original artwork and lasting memories from their sky-high creative journey.

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support the mission of HYS

Create your own sculptural wire bonsai tree in this engaging, hands-on workshop. Using a bundle of wire, participants will shape and form one of four styles: natural, weeping willow, windswept, or forest!

Choose your preferred finish and granite base, and leave with a completed piece ready to display. This process-focused workshop is approachable for all experience levels and offers a rewarding introduction to form, movement, and design through wire.

All materials and equipment are included in the price!

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support our mission! Learn more about it's benefits and discounts!