With so much contemporary abstract art leaning toward installation and holistic experience, perhaps it’s time to start thinking about expanding our horizons beyond drawing and painting. How about building assemblages that emerge from the picture plane? Or blurring the bounds of architecture, painting and sculpture in our work? In this class we’ll encourage finding completely new ways to express ourselves, new surfaces to adorn, new combinations of media to explore. Time to take chances! As always, we’ll spotlight pioneers of abstract art at the end of each class. ***NO CLASSES: 12/25, 1/1, 1/15, 2/19.

If you don't have time for the six-week class, come and join us for a one-night class.

Ideal for beginning or "rusty" knitters. Casting on, ending a project, and repairing mistakes will be covered, as well as mastery of the basic knit and purl stitches, the foundation of all knitting.  All levels of ability are welcome! Bring size 7 knitting needles, 1 light color Supersaver Red heart yarn (7 ounces), 1 small pair of scissors, and a tape measure. 

Painting your pet is easier than you think with the help of Shirley! She sets you up for success by sketching your pet ahead of time and then mixes the exact colors you need specific to your pet, and you do the rest! This class is designed for absolute beginners and people who think they can’t paint! Bring a friend and join us for a fun night together! Please email shirl.art5050@gmail.com at least 5 good, quality photos of your pet after signing up!

This fun assemblage class is a creative spin to help you manifest goodness and set an intention for your year ahead. During our time together, I will show you how to construct a spirit house constructed using cold connections, collage, distressing and other sculpture techniques that are easy and fun. Kit includes base shape, collage and distressing materials as well as fun vintage items to choose from. Each Spirit House will be a unique creation - no two will be the same. Workshop is 2 Days: 12/4 + 12/5. There is a $25 materials fee, payable to the instructor at first class.

This one time paint and sip style class is intended for people who want a fun and creative evening. The instructor is fun and easy to follow as she teaches you through creating your own painting. Join alone or invite a friend, this is a perfect environment to flex your artistic muscles and have fun! This will be an acrylic painting of some colorful buoys hanging to dry. Feel free to improvise and choose your own colors while the teacher explains the method! So grab your coffee and settle in for a fun evening!

Come make a holiday wreath or kissing ball with fresh greens, pinecones and learn to make a beautiful bow. Other decorations are available.  

There is a materials fee of $30 for wreath or kissing ball materials.

Come create an original piece of hammered sterling silver jewelry. You will be able to make a pendant or earrings. There will be a variety of stones/beads and silver to choose from. Please bring any jewelry tools you may have.

The materials fee of $10 is due at first class and is paid to the instructor. Additional materials may be purchased if needed.

Introduction to the Pottery Wheel - Hampden Academy

Melanie Crowe

Satisfy your curiosity about clay! Come get your hands dirty in this fun introduction to throwing clay on the pottery wheel! This 4 session class will provide hands-on instruction covering the fundamentals of throwing clay: centering, opening, pulling up and shaping your pots. You’ll learn about the stages that clay goes through – from wet, to leather-hard, to bone-dry and about the hand-tools used for trimming and creating texture on pots. Please wear casual, loose fitting clothes and closed-toe shoes that can get dirty.

Three Sessions to choose from, each limited to 4 students due to the number of pottery wheels. 

Session 2 : December 4, 6, 11, 15 (Glaze Day) Pick Up Work After 12/18  6-7:30 pm

Course Fee: $40 Materials fee $25 paid directly to the instructor at the time of the class. (cash or check only)