Our Pre-K Make It, Take It class is a hands-on, creative learning experience designed for curious little minds! Each session invites preschoolers to explore art, crafts, and simple projects they can proudly take home. Activities are tailored to strengthen fine motor skills, spark imagination, and reinforce early learning concepts such as colors, shapes, numbers, and letters.

Children will:

Create fun, age-appropriate crafts using safe, easy-to-handle materials.

Learn through themed projects that connect to stories, seasons, or special events.

Open Studio classes give us the opportunity to render things in their true character, unlimited by mediums and the public gaze, all in the atmosphere and presence of other creatives.  Sign up for all 6 sessions here! 

An artist will over see the class to assist students as needed.  Our supplies are available to all participants and students are welcome to bring their own or a project they are working on as well. 

DATES/TIMES: Saturday, January 17th, 2026 | 10:00am-4:00pm

Snow date: Saturday, January 24th, 2026 | 10:00am-4:00pm

AGES: 18+ (unless accompanied by a participating adult) 

Workshop Description:   

After introductions, and a look at various winter inspired examples,  students will be introduced to or review  a substantial # of watercolor techniques  through instructor  demonstration. They will attempt and practice each of the techniques on small papers. Comparing these to their selected photos, they may want to note where techniques will be used in a sketch of their painting and number the order in which they will be applied. The instructor will assist each studentsin this process. Paint!  During several breaks the instructor will address problems  found in common as the composition progresses. Towards the end, students will display their work and discuss the techniques, problems executing them, successful areas and photo graph the works. 

Instructor bio (1 paragraph): 

Barb Steele majored in painting at The Maryland Institute College of Art and taught art in high school for 15 years. She left teaching to found Alloway Creek Gardens where she continued teaching many workshops on plants, companion planting,  dyes and tinctures from plants, and painting plants. She continues to publish articles about plants and is active in teaching in courses like Plants Speak! In it s third year during Week 1  of Common Ground on the Hill June 23-28, 4-5:30 each afternoon.  Students are encouraged to consider registering for that classcommongroundonthehill.org! Barb is teaching acrylic or watercolor  water based painting techniques in “Plants and Their Polinators” Week 3 July 14-18 in the mornings. 

Materials Student Should Bring from home  

Please bring a bag lunch and beverage in a cooler. 

A work apron, cup for water and any watercolor supplies  you already have, including tube paints, brushes, plastic palette or   a ceramic plate to use as a watercolor palette. Pencil, sketchbook.  Bring photos of your favorite winter scenes preferably with snow and sky! 

Learn to draw the human form accurately and expressively. Students will learn tech-niques to translate the model’s proportions and pose onto paper, emphasizing the under-lying structure as well as the details of the figure. This work shop series will have nude models.

All levels welcome.

learn to Assemble your Origami into cool 3-D Sculptures,

All Paper, No Tape, No Glue! With Instructor Ace Phelps the Paper Wizard!

All Skill Levels Welcome

February 14th

2PM-4PM

Ages: 10–16 Dates: Monday, February 16 with a free performance on Saturday, February 21, 2026

Pro for a Day Concert is a unique youth arts experience that connects students with working professional artists through live performance, hands-on training, mentorship, and a public showcase. Designed to inspire confidence, creativity, and a sense of belonging, this immersive program offers students behind-the-scenes access to the music industry while schools are closed.

Participants will attend a free Schools Out, Arts In concert performed by professional artists, observe a live soundcheck, and engage in meaningful conversations about artistic careers and industry practices. Students will then take part in a full-day, conference-style experience featuring small-group breakout sessions focused on artistic identity and branding, performance technique and industry etiquette, and creative development.

Throughout the program, students receive personalized coaching on a piece they will perform alongside professional artists in a Community Talent Showcase on Saturday. The experience concludes with a public performance and reception, celebrating student growth and creative achievement.

This program is ideal for young performers looking to deepen their artistic skills, gain real-world insight into creative careers, and experience what it’s like to be a professional artist—for a day.

February 21st 

2PM-4PM

Lto Assemble your Origami into cool 3-D Sculptures,

All Paper, No Tape, No Glue! With Instructor Ace Phelps the Paper Wizard!