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. 12X24X30 inches per share

Create a functional and decorative ceramic wall vase using simple slab-building techniques and textured surface design. In this beginner-friendly workshop, participants will construct a wall-mounted pocket vase perfect for displaying flowers, dried botanicals, or small studio tools.

You’ll learn how to roll and shape clay slabs, form and join the vase structure, and experiment with texture using stamps, natural materials, or hand tools. With step-by-step guidance, you’ll gain confidence in handbuilding while designing a piece that reflects your own style.

All materials and tools are provided. Finished wall vases 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.

Celebrate Historic Yellow Springs’ role in marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with botanical artist Margaret Saylor in this unique two-part Making History workshop series.

Inspired by a remarkable composite volume from the archives, featuring 37 hand-colored engravings originally illustrated by naturalist James Sowerby, this historic text once guided physicians and apothecaries in the identification and use of medicinal plants during the Revolutionary era. In the winter session, participants will work from high-resolution scans of these plates to begin their own botanical sketchbook or art journal—a personal reference to the medicinal plants documented by William Woodville in Medical Botany. 

Guided by Margaret Saylor, artists will develop observation and illustration techniques, record notes, and build lasting skills for documenting nature through art. The summer session, part two of the series, invites participants to draw live medicinal plant specimens inspired by the historic plates, expanding their journals with direct field observation. This immersive series offers a rich blend of art, science, history, and hands-on practice to deepen your botanical art practice and connection to historic herbal knowledge.

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!

Ready to scratch the surface of pottery design? In this beginner-friendly pottery workshop you will be introduced to the technique of Sgraffito. Sgraffito (skrah-FEE-toh) is a decorative technique that involves scratching or scraping through a layer of slip or underglaze to reveal the contrasting colored clay beneath. In this hands-on workshop, you will carve bold black + white patterns into tiles.This 3-hour workshop is geared for beginners (ages 16+) and anyone sgraffito-curious. Tiles will be made ahead of time (so no 'pottery skills' are required for this workshop). Carving tools will be provided.

• 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.

This is a fun and deeply relaxing way to enter the meditative and expressive world of weaving. In this beginner frame loom weaving workshop, you will learn various weaving techniques as you work intentionally with cotton yarn to create a handwoven bookmark for your favorite book! From setting up your loom to finishing your piece you will be guided through the weaving process. During our time together you will be encouraged to play and explore, creating a handwoven bookmark uniquely created by you! Materials Fee: $12

• 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 personalized ceramic house number plaque that’s both functional and beautiful. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll use slab-building techniques to design and construct a custom address plaque, incorporating natural textures from leaves, flowers, and stems pressed directly into the clay.

Participants will choose their plaque’s shape, layout, and number style, then add surface details that reflect their own aesthetic. With step-by-step guidance, you’ll learn how to cut, shape, and attach your design elements while exploring texture and composition.

All tools and materials are provided. Finished plaques 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.

Join a unique collaborative firing experience that brings together local ceramic artists and students from Montgomery County Community College (MCCC). Participants will work side by side with college students and their instructor, sharing in the full wood-firing process—from loading and firing to unloading and kiln maintenance.

Learn to manage each stage of the firing: building the fire, reading the kiln atmosphere, maintaining even heat, and adjusting dampers and air flow. Discussion will include wood selection, stoking rhythm, and the effects of salt introduction on both clay and kiln surfaces.

This collaborative firing offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas across experience levels while contributing to a shared creative process. Participants should be comfortable working in a group setting with MCCC students.

Note: this is a half share size: 12" x 24" x 15"

Design and hand-build your own functional and decorative ceramic yarn bowl in this beginner-friendly workshop. Using slab-building techniques, you’ll construct a custom bowl designed to keep yarn neatly in place while you work.

Under the guidance of an instructor, you’ll learn how to roll and shape clay slabs, join seams, and form a sturdy base. Once assembled, you’ll add your personal touch through carved or sculpted details—turning your piece into a one-of-a-kind creation that’s as beautiful as it is useful.

Whether you’re a ceramic enthusiast or a fiber artist looking to craft your own studio companion, this hands-on session offers a fun introduction to clay construction and surface design. All materials and tools are provided.

Finished pieces will be fired and ready for pickup at a later date.