Be inspired by the natural world as we explore the grounds of Historic Yellow Springs and apply that inspiration to a major form of self-expression: clothing! Take what you have observed in our short walk through nature and apply it to your art in this beginner-friendly, one day printmaking/textile workshop. In this workshop, you will be guided in the techniques of block cutting and hand printing on a fabric of your choosing to make unique nature-inspired patches to adorn your jackets, jeans, bookbags, etc. Each participant will make and take home all of their unique fabric prints inspired by the flora and fauna of nature, as well as their single custom block that can be reprinted again and again!

Materials list provided upon registration.

• 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!

Discover the vibrant world of alcohol ink in this fun and approachable beginner class! Guided by Lori, you'll explore the fluid, dynamic nature of this exciting medium through live demonstrations, hands-on practice, and personalized guidance. Learn a variety of techniques to harness the unpredictable beauty of alcohol ink and unlock your creative potential.

No experience? No problem! This class is perfect for anyone curious about experimenting with color and flow. You’ll create your own abstract masterpiece and a custom switch plate cover, watching your designs come to life with mesmerizing effects. At the end of the session, we’ll apply a finishing varnish so your pieces are ready to display and enjoy.

Bring your curiosity and leave with two unique creations — and plenty of inspiration to continue your artistic journey!

$40 materials fee payable to the instructor day of the 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!

Slow down and experience art in a new way. This guided workshop introduces reflective looking practices that deepen your connection with artwork beyond first impressions. Through focused observation and simple exercises, participants will explore how patience, attention, and openness can reveal new layers of meaning.

In dialogue with Radical Compassion: Art as Social Action, this session invites you to consider how sustained looking can foster empathy, challenge assumptions, and strengthen awareness of our shared human experience. Participants will engage with selected works in the gallery, alternating between individual reflection and small group discussion.

Registration is encouraged to ensure an accurate headcount. This is a pay-what-you-can experience, with contributions collected at the door.

Learn to break through “artist’s block” this summer in the coolest way possible—by designing your own ice cream! We will dip into our creativity by designing the look and feel of beautiful ice cream packaging AND make real ice cream to enjoy at the end of the day.

Materials: Bring toppings and ingredients you would like to add to your ice cream, plus a sketch pad and any sketch media you enjoy working with! This could include traditional water media like watercolors and gouache, or pencils, pens, markers, colored pencils, or even an iPad loaded with a drawing program like Procreate.

My suggested supplies are listed here: Artist Resource List

Discover the fundamental techniques needed to create expressive and dynamic portraits in the medium of your choice. Through a step-by-step approach, participants will learn to simplify complex forms into manageable shapes while exploring facial anatomy, composition, value, light, and color. Working from observation, students will build confidence creating portraits with depth, structure, and personality. Model fee included in tuition.

Click HERE for a materials list for this course!

• 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!

Create your own sculptural wire bonsai tree in this engaging, hands-on workshop. Using a bundle of wire, participants will shape and form one of four styles: natural, weeping willow, windswept, or forest!

Choose your preferred finish and granite base, and leave with a completed piece ready to display. This process-focused workshop is approachable for all experience levels and offers a rewarding introduction to form, movement, and design through wire.

All materials and equipment are included in the price!

• 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!

Embrace your creative side in this Watercolor Free Spirit Workshop, a fun, afternoon designed for every skill level—from those who have never touched a brush to experienced painters seeking a relaxing refresh—this course begins with an interactive demonstration of techniques. You’ll learn how the brush handles, how pigment reacts with water, and the joy of choosing your own color palette. By focusing on essentials rather than complex, time-consuming advanced methods like painting wet on wet, or layering paint, you will enjoy immediate success and creative satisfaction.

Everyone will be able to create a finished project to take home that very day, choosing personalized note cards or a standalone painting. Using a seasonal themed subject or your own reference photo, you’ll dive straight into the painting process.

Beyond the brushwork, you’ll gain professional insight into the critical differences between student and professional-grade paints, papers, and brushes, as well as essential care tips. You’ll leave not only with a finished piece of art but also with the knowledge to continue painting note cards and more at home.

Bring a touch of handmade charm to your garden with a ceramic bird feeder crafted by you! In this beginner-friendly workshop, participants will learn slab-building techniques to construct a functional and decorative feeder that birds will love.

You’ll roll and shape clay into a teardrop form, add texture using stamps or natural materials, and attach end caps and hanging holes to complete your design. Along the way, you’ll explore surface decoration and handbuilding basics while creating a piece that’s both artistic and useful.

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

• 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.