This class is designed for anyone who would like to explore the medium of watercolor without the commitment! Experiment with techniques such as glazing, masking, wet on wet, hard edges and much more. Find out if watercolor is for you. This class is also good for beginners who would like to play with watercolor techniques in an instructive setting. No experience necessary.

Tuesday, June 8
5 – 9 pm

Instructor: Iva Neveux
Ages: 15 and up | All levels

Students will learn the basics of mosaics, including techniques, design and grouting. Using various materials, students will work towards a 10” x 10” mosaic mirror or 6 x 12 plaque project. All materials provided but students may bring other objects (stones, jewels, beads, etc.) to incorporate into their piece. This class is intended for those unfamiliar or new to mosaics but all skill levels are welcome. At the end of the workshop, students will be given a grouting demo and take home grout kit. Students can take the grout home or may choose to complete the project with guidance at a later date at Copper Cat Studios in Sparks. Please plan to bring a sack lunch. Please wear close toed shoes, as we will be cutting glass and it doesn’t feel good to get glass between your toes! Also if you are bringing a beverage (non-alcoholic please!), make sure it is in a covered container.

Sunday, August 29
10 am – 3 pm

Instructor: Katie Packham
Ages: 15 and up | All Levels

Welcome to the world of Batik! This Bali-inspired workshop will excite you with possibility. Using materials found in your home, students will create eye-popping, colorful paintings on fabric that can be used as blankets, pillows and clothing. The instructor will guide students step-by step through this easy and accessible artform. 

Sunday, September 12
9 am – noon

Instructor: Lauren Gandolfo
Ages: 15 and up | All Levels

In this 3-hour workshop we will experiment with everything but the kitchen sink painting tools! The kitchen is our inspiration, from spices to utensils. Be prepared to renew your excitement about watercolors as we play with textures, washes and special effects. All students will leave the workshop with a plethora of ideas and experiences.

Thursday, July 22
6 – 9 pm

Instructor: Lauren Gandolfo
Ages: 15 and up | All Levels

We are going to go on an Italian adventure where we will copy the Murano masters by creating colorful floral bursts in easy-to-use polymer clay. Students will learn how these small “thousand flowers” sculptures can then be used as pendants, earrings, rings, belt-buckles and beyond. Polymer clay is an extremely pliable, intensely colored material that bakes hard in your own oven. 

Sunday, August 8 
9 am – noon

Instructor: Lauren Gandolfo
Ages: 15 and up | All Levels

In this two day workshop, students will take raw fleece directly sheared from a local sheep and wash it and comb it, known as carding. Students will then spin it with a home made drop spindle into yarn. Finally, students will dye the yarn with Koolaide!. This fun and lively workshop will give you the skills to make your own yarn from local resources and then later knit, weave or crochet it into a project of your choice.

Wednesday and Thursday, July 7 and 8
6 – 9 pm

Instructor: Lauren Gandolfo
Ages: 15 and up| All Levels

Have you ever desired a sketchbook that includes more than one type of paper? Or perhaps a certain size? This class teaches you how to make your own unique sketchbook with endless possibilities for paper type, color, size and thickness. Once you learn the basics of sketchbook making, it is a great way to recycle and reuse stray papers and makes a great gift for friends and family that enjoy journaling or sketching. The class covers book making techniques and students will learn the French link stitch for the book binding. Participants will also be given a zine that covers all the instructions from the class for reference. 

Saturday, July 24
10 am – 2 pm

Instructor: Kellee Morgado
Ages: 15 and up | All Levels

Supplies: Students are required to bring their own paper for the sketchbook pages. The paper must be 8.5 inches by 11 inches or 11 inches by 17 inches. If it is larger, it should be trimmed down to one of these sizes prior to the start of the class. Paper should also be text or book weight, between 60lb to 80lb. Please bring a minimum of 24 sheets of your 8.5 in by 11 in or 11 in by 17 in text pages. Cover weight paper for the sketchbook cover will be provided. 

This introductory class explores both the form and content of the book with consideration to its movement, alternate readings, and potential sculptural effects. The lotus fold invokes play and experimentation; lending itself to discovery and surprise in both the maker and viewer. We will explore various methods of content generating using hand processes with emphasis on pochoir. Students will leave with their own finished artist book. We will cover a variety of basic bookbinding techniques including proper folding and gluing practices. 

Saturday and Sunday, July 31 and August 1
10 am – 2 pm

Instructor: Kellee Morgado
Ages: 15 and up | All Levels

This class will explore the origins of yarn. Taking raw wool freshly sheared from local sheep, students will wash it, card it, spin it into yarn and dye it. Students will finish the class with a custom skein of yarn that they have made from start to finish. All materials to be supplied by instructor. 

Tuesday and Wednesday, June 22 and 23
6 – 9 pm 

Instructor: Lauren Gandolfo
Ages: 15 and up | All Levels

If the thought of using artificial light intimidates you, or type of gear to use, this class is perfect for you. This class will start with the basics of lighting concepts, and the different types of light and gear to use for portrait, product or still life. 

In class demonstrations will take the mystery out of using artificial light, followed by hands-on work with different lighting equipment, so students can see first-hand how to work and manipulate light.

Don’t worry about the cost of lighting, as demos and hands on work will include different lighting setups at different price points, which will help eliminate the cost barrier of working with lighting.

From continuous light sources to small flash, no matter the budget, students will leave class with a firm grasp of not only lighting techniques and terms, but also have a better sense of what direction they should go with lighting and gear purchases.

Class Prerequisites: Basic DSLR

Monday – Wednesday, August 16 – 18
6 – 9 pm

Instructor: M.D. Welch
Ages: 15 and up | All Levels

Required Gear: Students need to bring their cameras, lenses, charged batteries and manuals to class. If students already own lighting equipment, they can bring it to class for the hands-on portion of class.