Unwind with painting, wine, and fun! In this relaxed class, our expert instructor will guide you step-by-step to create your own masterpiece. Perfect for all skill levels, enjoy socializing, snacks, and a variety of wines. All materials provided—just bring your creativity! 21+

Instructor: Victoria Kragthorpe

Choose from the following dates:

Date: Friday, August 1, 6:00-9:00pm

Fee: $45

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Enjoy a relaxing evening glazing pottery, drinking micro brew and tasting appetizers. Our resident potter will walk you through the process of glazing two pottery pieces of your choice, from mugs to bowls to plates. There will be plenty of breaks for socializing and enjoying beer and appetizers. No art experience required. Come learn in a fun and supportive environment surrounded by your friends. Ages 21+.

Instructor: Bruce Bartos

Date: *Thursday, July 3, 6:00-8:30pm

Fee: $50

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We have all heard the musical sounds the mighty river makes as it winds through Grand Rapids: from riffles across rocks to the rushing over the Blandin dam as it makes its way south.  Join this fun class to explore some river songs, go on two field trips (in Grand Rapids), and share your writing (sketching, painting, poetry) as we share a lunch (bring your own bag and drink) together beside the river. We will also incorporate a visit to the famous KAXE radio station “on the river.” First session will be at the MacRostie with session two and three to be further detailed in class. Bring any favorite river music or words to first class. Coffee provided.

Instructor: Judy Nelson

Date: Wednesdays, June 11-25, 10am-12pm

Member Fee: $45 Public Fee: $55

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Discover the art of basket weaving in this beginner-friendly workshop! Guided by experienced instructor and artist Shannon Lucas Westrum, you’ll create the Helena Basket, a versatile and stylish piece featuring a solid pine base for durability and an oak swing handle for added charm and functionality. This basket includes a solid pine base and a pre-made oak handle. Participants can also choose colorful lashing to finish their baskets.

The finished basket measures approximately 8.5” x 6” x 5.5” (11” with the handle), making it perfect for organizing small items or gifting. This hands-on workshop is designed for beginners and includes instruction in techniques like twining, weaving, and lashing using natural rattan materials. All materials are provided, and you’ll leave with a beautiful handmade basket and the skills to create more in the future. Instructor will provide all necessary tools (shears, weights, towels, wash tubs, etc). Hand dexterity required. Ages 14+.

There will be a 1/2hr lunch break. Lunch will not be not provided.

Instructor: Shannon Lucas Westrum & Jesse Westrum

Date: Saturday, June 28, 10:30am-3:30pm

Member Fee: $65 Public Fee: $75

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Writing and music can be a great healer in times of strife. Based on the work of Julia Cameron, Thich Nhat Hanh, Amy Tan, Bob Seger, Bob Dylan, Kate Wolf, Amanda Gorman and Abigail Thomas, this class will guide you to set aside time each day to write down your thoughts (for your eyes only). We will share insights, epiphanies, ideas, and yes, our fun laughter; no criticism allowed. Sharing your writing is always optional but always appreciated. Coffee provided.

Instructor: Judy Nelson

Date: Wednesdays, July 9-23, 10am-12pm

Member Fee: $45 Public Fee: $55

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Create a cheerful gnome with as much detail and color as you’d like. Gnomes can range in height from 2”-5” tall. Needle felting uses a barbed "needle" to felt loose wool into any shape you want through repetitive needle pokes. You will have the opportunity to choose your own shape and color palette. Instructor will provide all tools and materials needed including a wide variety of colors, and core wool. Banaids are provided as well! Requires finger and hand dexterity, bring your glasses or readers. Please note that finger pokes are common.

This workshop is scheduled for two hours, unfinished pieces can be completed at home. Each student will bring home their own kit with a set of needles, a wood handle, and a felting pad. Additional wool and needles can be purchased in the workshop. Ages 12+

Instructor: Shannon Lucas Westrum & Jesse Westrum

Date: Thursday, July 10 from 4-7pm

Member Fee: $54 Public Fee: $64

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This four-week class is for all levels of those interested in learning more about abstract art and becoming looser in their painting style. We will look at master painters of abstract art and learn about their approach, which we can apply to our own painting efforts. Abstract art is intuitive on many levels and makes use of the painters feelings which in turn affects their painting. Acrylic paint, inks, oil crayons and markers are some of the media used in this class. We will also use different tools to apply color to paper and canvas such as twigs, palette knives, crayons, cardboard, markers and even your fingers. Each of these tools make for interesting and loose shapes in design. This approach to art is fun and can produce new and exciting shapes that only you can produce. Come for a fun experience in making art and learning new approaches using exaggeration, simplification, and asymmetry. A supply list will be emailed upon registration.

Instructor: Jan Stenson

Date: Thursdays, July 10-31, 10:30am-12:30pm (please note new dates!)

Member Fee: $125 Public Fee: $135

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Have a good time thinking like da Vinci and the Masters of painting! Discover how masters like da Vinci saw the world and created their art. This is a carefree and mischievous painting and drawing workshop aimed at discovering the techniques and styles of renowned artists, to gain insight to improve our skills while painting and drawing and having fun experimenting.

Instructor: Karlyn Berg

Date: Saturday, July 19, 10:30am - 1:30pm

Member Fee: $70 Public Fee: $80

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The workshop provides an opportunity for participants to step into the instructor’s process, engaging with the same themes of observation, connection, and conservation that inspired her photography in the group exhibition, In Praise of Pollinators. Nature journaling is using words, pictures, and numbers to collect and record observations, questions, connections, and explanations on the pages of a notebook. All participants will get a “Your Quick Start Guide to Nature Journaling” and “7 Ways to Connect with Nature” Zine developed by Wild Wonder and a list of simple Nature Journaling activities that they can do on their own. In addition, they will receive the Monarch Educational Zine that was developed during Ann’s mentorship with Creature Conserve. This mindfulness-based workshop introduces participants to pollinators while integrating nature journaling, mindfulness practices, and creative observation. It offers scientific insights and creative prompts to help participants engage with their environment through visual, written, and oral formats. Ages 16 +

Instructor: Ann Gorman

Date: Saturday, July 26, 10:30am-12:30pm

Member Fee: $25 Public Fee: $35

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This class is for you if you have writing you are saving. It could be cards from/to your grandmother, or a piece you wrote for a eulogy, or a poem you wrote in third grade, or a children’s book you want to see published, or maybe your marriage vows. In this class we will gather to appreciate, support and honor our writing endeavors. You will get ideas for how to preserve and honor your writing (or maybe a family notebook you found). And what writing do you want to do in the next year? It’s exciting to think about writing; come share your stories! Coffee provided.

Instructor: Judy Nelson

Date: Wednesdays, August 6 & 13, 10am-12pm

Member Fee: $35 Public Fee: $40

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Tuesday open pottery sessions are designed for beginners or advanced students to use our pottery studio. This is an open studio, which means it is not a class but free working time with an instructor to help with questions or limited assistance. Please enter in the 3D door on the Highway 2 side.

Instructor: Bruce Bartos

Time: Tuesdays, 6pm - 8pm

Student price: $10 Adult price: $15

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Tuesday Open Paint is an informal, weekly drop-in session for anyone working in a 2-dimensional medium (painting, drawing, collage, etc.). While no instruction is provided, attendees benefit from sharing their projects and process and creating in a supportive and encouraging environment. Sessions are free for members and no registration is required. Please bring your own supplies.

Time: Tuesdays, 10 am - 1pm

Member Fee: FREE Public Fee: $5