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

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!

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

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!