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

Create a unique slab-constructed mug and personalize it with a custom relief print in this hands-on ceramics workshop. Learn slab-building techniques, surface decoration, and how to transfer a relief design onto clay. No prior experience needed!

• 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 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!

Create a one-of-a-kind ceramic trinket dish using simple handbuilding techniques in this relaxed, beginner-friendly workshop. You’ll shape and personalize your dish with texture, stamps, or sculptural details—perfect for holding jewelry, keys, or small treasures. No prior experience needed—just bring your creativity and enjoy a fun, hands-on introduction to working with clay.

• 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 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 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.