Rich Holck will oversee and guide you through the hands-on process of loading, firing, unloading, cleaning, and maintaining a wood kiln. Learn how to build the fire and operate the kiln at each stage, read the atmosphere of the kiln to time your stokes, and how to place wood across the width of the firebox to maintain even heat. Gain understanding of how kiln oxygen levels may fluctuate and ways of controlling oxygen levels by adjusting dampers and air openings. Consider factors like the quantity of wood per stoke, stoking frequency, and the size and type of wood to use. When introducing salt into the chamber, discuss its effects on the pottery, kiln, and kiln furniture. During unloading, observe the results of your collective efforts on the finished works, and how the process details come together to shape the end result.

In this one-day workshop, we’ll explore the expressive potential of pen and ink drawing. In the morning, participants will learn foundational techniques for using pen to create both line and tone, focusing on mark-making, hatching, and crosshatching to build depth and texture. Through guided exercises, you'll develop confidence with this versatile and bold medium. In the afternoon, we’ll apply these techniques to a variety of subjects—people, places, and everyday objects—working both with and without ink washes to explore contrast, mood, and composition. This workshop is ideal for artists of all levels who want to loosen up their drawing style, explore dynamic techniques, and sharpen their observational skills.

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!

elebrate the beauty of late summer by starting your own botanical sketchbook inspired by the vibrant natural surroundings of Historic Yellow Springs. In this relaxed, hands-on workshop, participants will explore techniques for observing and rendering seasonal plant life—whether it’s a delicate wildflower, a garden vegetable at its peak, or an earthy woodland mushroom.

Through guided instruction and individual exploration, you’ll learn foundational drawing and watercolor techniques that bring botanical subjects to life on the page. This workshop is perfect for beginners looking to start a sketchbook practice, or for artists seeking fresh inspiration and new ways to document the world around them.

Click HERE for a materials list for this workshop!

Unlock the expressive power of the palette knife in this dynamic one-day workshop. Without the need for preliminary sketching, you'll jump right into painting, using bold strokes and rich textures to bring your vision to life. Whether you're creating vibrant still lifes or emotive abstract scenes, this spontaneous approach encourages creativity, experimentation, and a fresh perspective on your process. Perfect for artists looking to loosen up and explore new techniques in a supportive, hands-on environment.

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!

In this hands-on workshop, explore the art of creating vibrant paste papers and transform them into beautiful, functional pieces. Participants will begin the day by experimenting with a range of surface design techniques, using stamps, found objects, and even natural botanicals—gathered from the Historic Yellow Springs gardens or brought from home—to create unique, layered patterns.

As the papers dry, students will shift focus to simple bookbinding structures, creating reusable templates and learning how to construct journals, portfolios, or folded book forms. Additional ideas for using decorated paper—such as handmade cards, collages, and embellishments—will also be explored.

This workshop is perfect for artists, crafters, and paper-lovers looking to combine surface design with book arts. All levels welcome.

Discover the exciting and unpredictable art of Raku firing. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll explore unique glaze effects and the dramatic transformation that occurs when red-hot pieces meet the elements. Perfect for makers who enjoy bold, one-of-a-kind results. Bring 6-10 bisque fired, average sized pots made of Raku clay or stoneware (low-fire clay will not survive the process). All glazes will be provided. Space is limited. Raindate: October 5th, 2025

A Collaborative Workshop Series with Historic Yellow Springs & Historic Sugartown

Design and craft a one-of-a-kind sketchbook in this immersive, four-part workshop series that blends creative printmaking and traditional bookbinding techniques. Offered in partnership by Historic Yellow Springs and Historic Sugartown, this hands-on experience invites you to explore two historic sites while creating a functional and personal work of art.

Session 1: Traditional Paper Marbling 

Historic Sugartown | October 25, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Begin your journey in Historic Sugartown’s 19th-century bindery, where you’ll learn traditional paper marbling techniques that date back centuries. Create a collection of one-of-a-kind hand-marbled papers to use in your final sketchbook. If you'd like to incorporate your own specialty papers, bring a few sheets—we’ll guide you through prepping them for binding during the final portion of this session.

Sessions 2 & 3: Creative Printmaking for Your Sketchbook 

Historic Yellow Springs | November 1 & 8, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

In these two sessions, artist Laura Stockdale will guide participants through printmaking techniques to personalize the pages of their sketchbook. You'll create a decorative frontispiece—similar to those found in historic books—and explore options for adding sections that showcase original printwork. These pages can include different types of paper, layouts, and textures, offering a dynamic and deeply personal touch to your final book.

Session 4: Bookbinding with Leather or Cloth

Historic Sugartown | November 15, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Return to Sugartown to complete your sketchbook in the working bindery. Using hand tools and traditional techniques, you’ll sew and bind your printed and marbled pages into a hardcover book, choosing from leather or hand-dyed book cloth in a variety of colors. The final sketchbook can be up to 9x12 inches in size and will be a durable, heirloom-quality piece. 

In this workshop, Taylor will demonstrate how she layers surface decoration techniques at the leather soft, leather hard, and bone dry stages to create colorful, tactile porcelain pottery. Slip trailing, refining by carving, and underglaze painting with paper resists will be covered. Strategies for choosing color palettes, fixing or incorporating mistakes, and composing a compelling surface will be discussed. These techniques can also be applied to stoneware.

Taylor Sijan is a full-time studio artist from Catawba Island, Ohio. She earned a BFA in 3-D Arts from Bowling Green State University (2016), completed two years of post-baccalaureate study in ceramics at Wichita State University (2016-2018), and obtained an MFA with ceramics emphasis from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2021). She has taught workshops at institutions including Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft, Peters Valley School of Craft, Gasworks NYC, The Hudgens Center for Art and Learning, Touchstone Center for Crafts, Saratoga Clay Arts Center, Sugar Maples Center for Creative Arts, and Wooten Clayworks.