Inspired by the 18th- and 19th-century tradition of collecting natural specimens, artifacts, and unusual discoveries, this collaborative series brings together Historic Yellow Springs and Historic Sugartown for four workshops exploring botanical preservation, ceramics, paper marbling, cyanotype printing, and traditional bookbinding.

Each workshop can be enjoyed independently, or attend two or more to build a collection of materials for your own Cabinet of Curiosities journal.

• Saturday, October 24 | Historic Yellow Springs | 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.Collecting & Preserving Specimens — Sarah Rafferty
  • Explore ways to collect, dry, and press botanical specimens. Create a small ceramic element by pressing a natural specimen into clay to make a unique button or fastener.
• Saturday, October 31 | Historic Sugartown | 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.Traditional Paper Marbling — Ramon Townsend
  • Learn the historic art of paper marbling and create one-of-a-kind decorative papers for future covers, endpapers, or journal pages.
• Saturday, November 8 | Historic Yellow Springs | 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.Cyanotype Specimens
  • Transform plants and natural objects into striking blue-and-white cyanotype prints for display, journaling, or future creative projects.
• Saturday, November 21 | Historic Sugartown | 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Traditional Bookbinding — Ramon Townsend
  • Bring your collected materials together in Historic Sugartown’s working bindery. Learn traditional bookbinding techniques to create a handcrafted journal incorporating your marbled papers, cyanotypes, specimens, and other discoveries. Those attending two or more previous workshops can create a more finished, personalized Cabinet of Curiosities journal

Each workshop can be enjoyed independently, or attend two or more to build a collection of materials for your own Cabinet of Curiosities journal. No previous experience is required. To participate in the bookbinding workshop, you must attend at least one of the three preceding workshops so you have materials to incorporate into your journal.

• 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! 

Bring the beauty of autumn indoors with a handmade ceramic leaf bowl! Use real leaves as inspiration to create a nature-inspired bowl with beautiful textures and details. Perfect for seasonal décor or everyday use.

All tools and materials are provided. Finished bowls will be fired and ready for pickup at a later date.

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!

One of the most exciting techniques in gel plate printing is creating a “ghost print”—the beautiful image that’s left behind after the first pull—so I thought it would be a fun play on words for Halloween. The class would focus on layered prints using botanicals, vintage papers, image transfers, metallic accents, and rich autumn colors to create artwork that’s more whimsical and sophisticated than spooky.

$15 Materials Fee payable to the instructor

• 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 beginner friendly workshop, you’ll learn the art of Shibori, a Japanese manual hand-dyeing technique which produces beautiful patterns in fabric in a range of blues using Indigo dye. Four different patterns will be taught - you’ll choose two techniques to prep your fabrics. Teens 14+ registered w/parents welcome

$35 materials fee covers one of the options listed below!

Students may choose to create:

• One 8"x72" silk scarf and One 11"x60" scarf  OR
• Two 18"x18" cotton pillow covers w/zippers OR
• One large cotton tote bag w/pocket 19"x17"x9.5" 

Indigo dye is a magical process turning blue from a green dye. 

Come see why everyone loves Shibori!

• 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!

Learn the basics of how to use gouache (pronounced GWASH), watercolor's opaque cousin. We will start the morning by completing a cheat sheet, learning a dozen basic application techniques and properties of gouache. In the afternoon, we will practice using gouache in a small painting.

How to Use Gouache: Refer to the "Watercolor & Gouache, Student Supplies" list HERE

• 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!

• 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 workshop is for Veterans or Active Service Members only

Dive into the world of relief printmaking! Perfect for beginners eager to explore a timeless art form, we'll earn the basics of designing, carving, and printing your own unique creations using linoleum blocks. With hands-on guidance and plenty of practice, you'll develop the skills to produce beautiful to share with friends and family.

• 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 workshop is for Veterans or Active Service Members only

Immerse yourself in the modern version of Japanese Raku pottery. Discover the unique techniques of decorating, glazing, and rapid firing that define this distinctive art form. With step-by-step instruction to guid you through the smoke and fire process, you'll create and finish your own stunning Raku piece. Students will chose from a selection of pre made forms to paint and fire. 

• 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!