Explore the art of portrait painting in this in-depth, multi-week course designed to guide you from foundational techniques to more advanced skills. Learn how to simplify complex forms into approachable shapes and develop a deeper understanding of facial anatomy and structure. Working from a live model, you'll practice imprimatura (underpainting), refine your color mixing abilities, and master the role of light and value to create depth and realism in your work. Step by step, you’ll build confidence in your process while discovering your personal approach to expressive, lifelike portraits. Whether you're expanding your skills or diving into portraiture for the first time, this course offers a supportive environment for growth and creative exploration. 

No Class on Monday, September 1st (Labor Day)

• 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

In this vibrant, hands-on class, young artists will explore a variety of materials and techniques designed to ignite their imagination. Each project encourages creative expression while building fine motor skills, artistic vocabulary, and confidence. From playful experimentation to proud finished pieces, children will discover the joy of making art in a supportive and inspiring environment.

• 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

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!

In this engaging studio-style class, preteens will dive into a wide range of artistic materials and techniques while developing their personal creative voice. Projects are designed to promote problem-solving, critical thinking, and creative risk-taking—building both artistic skill and confidence. Students will be encouraged to explore, experiment, and refine their ideas as they create meaningful, expressive works in a supportive and inspiring environment.

• 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!

https://yellowsprings.org/classes/scholarships/

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!

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.