Design and create your own unique ceramic planter in this hands-on workshop! Using slab construction techniques, you’ll learn how to build, shape, and assemble a one-of-a-kind planter perfect for your favorite plants. Explore surface textures, decorative elements, and finishing techniques to personalize your piece. Whether you’re new to ceramics or looking to expand your skills, this workshop offers a fun and creative way to craft a functional work of art. By the end, you'll take home a handcrafted planter ready to add a touch of greenery to your 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!

In this full-day workshop, participants will begin by creating a pastel painting inspired by a still life arrangement featuring florals, birds, and fruit. With a focus on color, texture, and composition, you'll learn how to capture the charm of natural forms using soft pastels.

In the second part of the workshop, we’ll experiment with adding layers of collage—incorporating patterned papers, magazine clippings, vintage maps, and other found materials. Through guided demonstrations and playful exploration, you’ll learn how to integrate collage elements into your pastel work to add depth, contrast, and storytelling.

Participants are also encouraged to bring in older pieces of their own artwork to reimagine and transform through collage, giving new life to existing creations.

This workshop is perfect for artists of all levels looking to loosen up, try new materials, and embrace a more experimental approach to making art. photo credit: Andrea Steffen

click HERE for a materials list for this workshop

• 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!

Step into the world of handcrafted design with this immersive Block Printing on Fabric workshop. You’ll learn the time-honored art of block carving and printing, creating your own custom stamp to transfer bold, textured patterns onto natural fabric.

Explore the beauty of repeat patterns, experiment with color, and play with composition as you print onto a tea towel or tote bag—perfect for everyday use or as a unique handmade gift. With hands-on guidance throughout, you’ll leave with both your finished fabric piece and your reusable carved block, ready for future printing projects.

No prior experience is needed—just a curiosity for craft and a love of handmade artistry.

• 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!

Explore the art of cyanotype printing while creating your own one-of-a-kind suncatcher. This hands-on workshop begins with a brief introduction to the history and process of cyanotypes—an early photographic technique known for its striking blue tones.

You'll use prepared cyanotype paper and fabric to create layered, light-reactive prints, then assemble your pieces into a hanging suncatcher using string and beads provided. A selection of natural materials will be available, but participants are encouraged to bring their own flat objects for printing—such as pressed flowers, lace, feathers, or keys—to make their design truly personal.

All materials are included ($45 materials fee). No experience necessary.

This full-day workshop is designed for artists of all levels who are interested in exploring the art of animal portraiture. We will begin by diving into foundational artistic principles that apply to a wide variety of animal subjects—focusing on form, proportion, texture, and expression. Through guided exercises and demonstrations, participants will develop observational skills and techniques that translate across species and media.  Participants are encouraged to bring a reference photo of an animal they love or find inspiring. Using a combination of water-based painting media (such as watercolor or gouache) and drawing materials (like pencil, ink, or colored pencil), each participant will work toward capturing the personality and unique features of their chosen subject.

By the end of the day, you'll walk away with a completed portrait, new techniques, and a deeper understanding of how to bring animals to life on paper.

click HERE for a materials list for this workshop

• 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

Unlock the secrets of abstract and expressionistic painting with EO Omwake's tailored classes, designed to cater to each student's unique preferences. Dive into the essence of creativity, regardless of your painting experience, and learn foundational and advanced skills in the historic Chester Springs Fine Art Studio. Join a community of artists of all levels, working together to explore the nuts and bolts of painting, receiving personalized guidance from EO Omwake, and culminating in a valuable end-of-class critique. Elevate your artistry and enrich lives through your creations – take the plunge and enroll now to unleash your creative potential!

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!

Learn to throw a variety of functional, kitchen-ready pottery, including cups, bowls, plates, and mugs. This class is designed for all experience levels, from beginners looking to build foundational skills to experienced potters aiming to refine their techniques. Through hands-on demonstrations and personalized instruction, you'll explore form, balance, and functionality while developing confidence on the wheel. Whether you’re creating everyday dishware or experimenting with new shapes and styles, this class will help you craft beautiful and practical pieces to use and enjoy.

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!

Beginners will build a strong foundation in wheel throwing through hands-on practice and personalized instruction. Students will learn essential skills including clay preparation, centering, and shaping basic forms such as cylinders and bowls. As confidence grows, the class will explore trimming techniques, handle attachment, surface decoration, and glazing. The final weeks will focus on finishing work and preparing pieces for firing. This class is ideal for those new to the pottery wheel and looking to create functional, finished pieces in a supportive studio environment.

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!