Celebrate Historic Yellow Springs’ role in marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with botanical artist Margaret Saylor in this unique two-part Making History workshop series.

Inspired by a remarkable composite volume from the archives, featuring 37 hand-colored engravings originally illustrated by naturalist James Sowerby, this historic text once guided physicians and apothecaries in the identification and use of medicinal plants during the Revolutionary era. In the winter session, participants will work from high-resolution scans of these plates to begin their own botanical sketchbook or art journal—a personal reference to the medicinal plants documented by William Woodville in Medical Botany. 

Guided by Margaret Saylor, artists will develop observation and illustration techniques, record notes, and build lasting skills for documenting nature through art. The summer session, part two of the series, invites participants to draw live medicinal plant specimens inspired by the historic plates, expanding their journals with direct field observation. This immersive series offers a rich blend of art, science, history, and hands-on practice to deepen your botanical art practice and connection to historic herbal knowledge.

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!

Paint a layered, imaginative forest scene using techniques pioneered by Eyvind Earle for his work on Disney's 1959 animated film Sleeping Beauty. Using opaque gouache paint, we will learn to layer colors into an intricate, woven texture resembling Medieval tapestries and Persian miniature paintings. 

Clcik 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.

"They say 'Go Big or Go Home'... and while the world of Zentangle is usually under 4 inches, we are going big for this workshop. This mega Zentangle-inspired mandala will be done on a 12x12 inch 'tile".  Perfect for framing. Bring your Zentangle kit, or purchase a kit for $13 from the instructor. Previous Zentangle experience is not required, but is helpful. There will be some additional supplies needed for this class. List will be sent after registration.

• 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!

The qualities of clay at the greenware stage, as it progresses from soft to dry, allow for a wide range of surfacing techniques that can bring detail, narrative, color, or depth to your ceramic pieces. In this one day workshop, Celia will demonstrate sgraffito, inlay, water etching, underglaze painting, and underglaze trailing on light and dark colored clays. Celia will talk about ways to transfer sketches to your pieces, how moisture and timing impact mark marking, and achieving a water color effect using underglazes. Participants will receive tiles to practice the techniques on and are also welcome to bring pieces at the leather-hard and bone dry stages to use. Come away with new approaches to surface decoration that can be used to create illustrations, abstract designs, or make patterns on functional or sculptural forms.

About: Celia Feldberg is a ceramic artist based in Philadelphia. She earned her BFA in ceramics from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2019 and has exhibited nationally, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show and the Flower City Pottery Invitational.

She is a long-term resident artist and instructor at The Clay Studio of Philadelphia and has taught at community studios and craft schools such as Haystack Mountain School of Crafts and Snow Farm. Her work has been featured by The Ceramic Shop, Pottery Making Illustrated, Tales of A Red Clay Rambler, and The Potters Cast, and she served as glaze technician for Ben Carter’s Complete Guide to Low-Fire Glazes for Potters and Sculptors.

Learn more: www.celiafeldberg.com 

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 centered around the wonders of the animal kingdom. We will explore the natural world and learn about native species, using these animals as inspiration for creativity. Whether they’re beginners or budding artists, our camp provides a fun and supportive environment for exploration, skill-building, and self-expression. With a blend of individual projects and group activities, each child will leave with a collection of their own animal-themed 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

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 imaginative world of fantasy creatures. Campers will explore their creativity by designing and creating their own unique species, bringing fantastical beings to life through art. Whether they’re beginners or budding artists, our camp offers a fun and supportive environment for artistic exploration and skill-building. With a mix of individual projects and group activities, every child will leave with a collection of their own fantastical 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

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. We will explore the natural world around us and take a look at some of our native plant species and use them in craft projects that capture their magic. Whether they're beginners or budding artists, our camp provides a fun, supportive environment for 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.

• 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