This comprehensive workshop is designed to help high school students prepare a strong, competitive portfolio for college art program applications. Students will receive guided instruction on selecting and refining artwork, developing cohesive bodies of work, and presenting their pieces professionally for submission.

Participants will learn what colleges and universities look for in an art portfolio, including technical skill, conceptual development, originality, and process documentation. The workshop will cover portfolio organization, photographing artwork, writing effective artist statements, and understanding digital submission platforms such as SlideRoom.

Through personalized feedback, group critiques, and one-on-one guidance, students will leave with a clearer direction for their artistic voice and a structured plan for completing and submitting their portfolio on time.

Ideal for juniors and seniors planning to apply to art schools, design programs, or fine arts departments, this workshop equips students with the tools, confidence, and strategic insight needed to present their work at a professional level.

For Ages: 18+ (Students ages 12-17 may register with an adult)

Description: Create Meaningful Mirrors, Frames and Collages with Upcycled Materials! Upcycle found objects into a unique mosaic! All it takes is one unexpected find to begin a collection of materials to create a story. While exploring diverse textures, shapes and colors, you will learn a process of arranging a mosaic, based on materials that appeal to you! The catalyst for the theme is derived from objects that spark a memory or begin an imaginary story. Using traditional and unconventional materials and mosaic tools, we will create a one of a kind mosaic art experience. Materials of ceramics, glass, metals, wood, shells, beads (my favorite) and wires will be provided to share. You are encouraged to bring along objects/materials that could be included in your unique mosaic and to share.

Supplies: 

• A found object that brings you joy that could be part of your mosaic or hang from your mosaic
• Materials to share: broken or not- tiles, plates, glass, rocks, jewelry
• If you have them: Goggles, gloves, a metal file, any cutters applicable

Instructor Bio: My love of environmental art naturally thrives in upcycling materials into jewelry, mobile sculptures, and mosaics for indoors and outdoors. As a Baltimore County Art Teacher of K-12, one highlight was sharing environmental art projects at a National Art Educators Convention in New Orleans. I’ve enjoyed mentoring many art interns from McDaniel College, Towson University and Maryland Institute of Art. Since retired, I was invited to become a partner at Off Track Art Gallery here in Westminster, I volunteer in the Reisterstown Improvement Association projects and am now the President of the Franklin Garden Club. I’m excited to share ideas and materials for upcycling mosaics and to hear about the treasures you bring to this creative workshop!      

Members receive 10% off with promo code MEMBER

Workshop organized in partnership with Off Track Art Gallery. Visit the gallery at 11 Center Street and their website https://www.offtrackart.com/ for more information. 

Join Karen Peck in a workshop on Painting the Fall Landscape in Pastel.  In this class we will explore painting with soft pastels through the process of layering pastels to create a fall landscape. Karen will review briefly the variety of pastels from hard to soft, the choices in papers, underpainting processes, mark making, and layering. Karen will demonstrate the process of creating an underpainting with watercolor of a fall landscape. She will demonstrate the layering of pastels to create subtle changes in color and value and invites you to paint your own fall landscape. 

Materials Students Should Bring from home or purchase, with names of suppliers:

• old cloth and apron 
• soft pastels in a variety of colors (amazon sells- Rembrandt, Mungyo, Sennelier, Mount Vision, Jack Richeson) 
• pastel paper preferably sanded and white or cream in color(amazon sells U-Art, Pastel Premier, Canson Mi-Teintes, Luxarchival, Pastelmat)  
• backing board 
• Please bring several fall landscape photos to be used as a reference. 

The Art of Zentangle®: A Journey into Mindful Creativity

Discover the Zentangle® Method—an easy-to-learn, meditative, and joyful way to create beautiful art through simple, structured patterns. In this relaxing class, you’ll learn how simple lines and patterns can flow together to create stunning art. Each stroke becomes a moment of mindfulness, helping you unwind, focus, and reconnect with your creative spirit. You’ll leave with beautiful finished pieces and a sense of joy. No prior artistic experience is needed—if you can hold a pen, you can Zentangle®! All supplies are included.

Jaqui MacMillan believes that healing happens through art and music. In the early 1980s, she earned her degree in Graphic Art, Design, and Fine Art from the University of Maryland. Since 1987, she has been teaching private and group art and craft lessons in a wide variety of mediums. Her artwork has won multiple awards and has been published and distributed around the world. As a double-certified Zentangle® teacher (CZT, 2016 and 2019), Jaqui teaches at senior centers, art centers, community colleges, and at her shop and studio—Magnolia House Studios in Westminster, Maryland.