For Ages: 18+

Description: Students will learn how to make a Traditional Egg Basket. This is a classic "rib" basket, woven completely differently than the familiar over under weave of the splint basket weaving. This basket is a bit challenging and is NOT for first time weavers. Students will learn the God's eye construction method and will be able to choose dyed fiber to create a unique basket. 

Class will begin promptly at 10:00am, students should arrive a few minutes early to set up their workstation. 

Supplies List: (Students should bring these items with them)

• Old towel
• Bucket or basin to hold approximately 2 gallons of water
• Sharpened pencil
• Measuring tape
• 12 large wooden clip style clothespins
• A brick or something similar wrapped in plastic wrap
• Spray bottle
• A regular screw driver with a straight slot
• Sharp good-sized scissors
• A pocket knife
• A packed lunch, snacks and drink

Teacher Bio: Joan Betzold grew up in a family of craftsmen/women and attributes much of her success to her “crafty” genes. Healthcare was another part of Joan’s family background; so loving both, she got her B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation so she could share her love of crafting/recreation with many special populations. After pursuing her Master’s degree, she founded a healthcare consulting firm to assist troubled healthcare providers to survive and thrive. In 1998, after the sudden death of her husband, a retired U.S. Army officer, from Agent Orange from Vietnam service, Joan decided life really was too short. After her two children were on their own, Joan began her second career as a basket weaver by turning a hobby into a full time passion. Joan has won many awards in local and state fairs, as well as art shows. She has been featured in Maryland Life Magazine and participates in as many as 45 art/colonial market fairs/craft shows annually in the mid-Atlantic area. Joan’s passion for basket weaving has produced many awards and she is humbled by the fact that she has won “Basket of the Year”, Recycling Project of the Year and People’s Choice Award all at the Maryland State Fair and many other awards at prestigious art shows. For three years she has been honored to be the Basket Weaving Judge at the Maryland State Fair. In 2018, Joan was honored to be the Featured Artist for the Pennsylvania Herb and Garden Show and the Featured Artist for Heart of Lancaster Arts and Craft Show. 

Joan weaves very traditionally, using age old techniques with no molds, nails, glue, tape or staples. Each basket is “one of a kind, made one at a time. “ Joan restores chairs including, caning, splinting, and rushing. Another passion of Joan is repurposing. She combines these two interests in what are becoming her signature unique baskets incorporating vintage kitchen items, gardening and other tools. Joan loves to do custom work and coming up with just the right thing for a customer. Joan enjoys teaching and demonstrating, especially to children as a way for them to be introduced to weaving and handcrafts of the past. This passion has expanded into demonstrating weaving at all shows she attends and teaching weaving almost weekly at a dozen museums/sites in the mid-Atlantic area. Joan is thrilled to have nearly 800 students across the mid Atlantic, many who drive several hours to take a class. Joan’s customers include stores, gift shops, art galleries, individuals, companies, political figures, members of the military, municipalities and other government entities.

Members receive 10% off with promo code MEMBER

For Ages: 6 - 9

Description: Make it and Take it is a hands-on experience for kids to explore crafts that they can take home right away!

Snow date March 18th 

Teacher Bio: Teresa Greenberg has been a Visual Arts instructor for 42 years. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Towson University and a Master’s degree from Loyola College. Her employment experience includes 21 years in Baltimore County Public Schools, 21 years in Carroll County Public Schools, and summers teaching at The Park School Arts Camps. She has worked with at-risk youth, veteran’s groups and professional child care workers. Currently teaching at Spring Garden Elementary in Hampstead, she enjoys the opportunity to guide children as they connect their “inner and outer worlds” to visual Art expression, while collaborating across content areas to provide a rich and seamless learning experience for elementary students.

Members receive 10% off with promo code MEMBER

For Ages: 18+

Note: Unorthodox Figure Drawing may include a partially nude to fully nude model (depending on the theme), all attending artists must be 18+ with a valid ID.

Desciption: Freshen up your sketching skills with Tea & Easel! Hosted by artist, Natalie Vale (aka Natly Vale/Natly Cosplay), Tea & Easel is Carroll County’s only open-figure session combining both muses and mingling! Come enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, meet other local artists, and hone your artistic ability by sketching our diverse group of live models. No prior experience is necessary, and all skill levels are welcome. 

Teacher Bio: Natalie Vale is a published & award-winning costume artist, model, and photographer with over ten years experience. Specializing in original designs, foam smithing, thermoplastics, headdresses, and armor. (IG: @NatlyVale, @TeaAndEasel)

Supplies List: Please bring your favorite medium to work with. For example, but not limited to, a sketchpad, pencils, charcoal, canvas, watercolors, etc.

Members receive 10% off with promo code MEMBER

For Ages: 17+

Description: In this hands-on needle felting workshop participants learn the art of needle felting, a technique used to create three-dimensional sculptures and designs using wool fibers and a special barbed needle. During the workshop, you'll have the opportunity to create your own unique felted chick. 

Please bring your own: Scissors, Wire-cutters, & Needle Nose pliers. All other supplies are included. 

Introduction: The workshop will begin with a brief introduction to needle felting, its history, and the materials involved. The instructor may also share examples of finished projects to inspire participants. Tools and

Materials: You'll learn about the different types of wool fibers, needles, and other tools used in needle felting. The instructor will explain their purposes and demonstrate how to handle them safely.

Basic Techniques: You'll be guided through the fundamental needle felting techniques. This includes learning how to hold and use the felting needle correctly, as well as how to create basic shapes and build up layers of wool.

Hands-On Practice: With your project in mind, you'll start working with the wool and the felting needle. The instructor will provide step-by-step guidance, demonstrating techniques and assisting you as needed.

Troubleshooting and Tips: Throughout the workshop, the instructor will address common challenges and provide tips for achieving desired results. They may also discuss color blending, adding details, and finishing techniques.

Members receive 10% off with promo code MEMBER

For Ages: 13 - 18

Class Session: March 6th, 13th, 27th and April 3rd from 5:00-6:30pm

Optional Class on March 20th from 6:00-8:30pm. Come join a life drawing class with a live fully clothed model! 

Description: Explore your growing creative practice and expand your understanding ofyour chosen medium(s) in a group of independent artists. In this class, the format is up to you! Work with your choice of media including pen and ink, acrylic, colored pencil, collage, watercolor, tablet drawing, and beyond. The class meets once a week and focuses on individual skill and concept development. This can be helpful for growing portfolios for further opportunities and also building a vocabulary around your current artistic interests.

Course Overview: Each class begins with a group conversation and a brief presentation by the instructor to inspire/direct ideas. The presentation will introduce a few artists (a mixture of historic and contemporary artists) that will relate to individual and group conversations.

Each student will then begin work on their projects. For some, this will be brainstorming and research, moving towards bigger projects (drawing, sketching, collaging, photoshopping, etc.). For others, this will be jumping right into executing projects with a variety of materials. This instructor will teach in a roaming style to help facilitate ideas and offer formal reactions.

Each class with wrap up with a small critique to grow students' visual verbal language skills. Here, we will stress avoiding evaluative phrases such as “I like” or “I don’t like” and rather encourage using aesthetic description and even visual connections/relations when speaking to one another about the projects.

Teacher Bio: Seán Boylan is a practicing artist and has been an arts educator for the better part of the last twenty years. From drawing and painting to installation and video/film work, Seán covers a wide gamut of subject matter and material exploration in his practice. As a teacher, he currently works at Carroll Community College teaching painting and fundamentals of art. He has an MFA from the Slade School of Fine Art in London.

Supplies List: Participants are required to have a sketchbook as a mode of individual research. While materials for some mediums will be provided by the Arts Center, students should bring their own supplies for the medium they wish to explore. If the student does not already have their desired tools, the instructor can provide the student with a recommended supply list for that medium.

Members receive 10% off with promo code MEMBER

For Ages: 18+

Note: Unorthodox Figure Drawing may include a partially nude to fully nude model (depending on the theme).

Desciption: Freshen up your sketching skills with Tea & Easel! Hosted by artist, Natalie Vale (aka Natly Vale/Natly Cosplay), Tea & Easel is Carroll County’s only open-figure session combining both muses and mingling! Come enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, meet other local artists, and hone your artistic ability by sketching our diverse group of live models. No prior experience is necessary, and all skill levels are welcome. 

Teacher Bio: Natalie Vale is a published & award-winning costume artist, model, and photographer with over ten years experience. Specializing in original designs, foam smithing, thermoplastics, headdresses, and armor. (IG: @NatlyVale, @TeaAndEasel)

Supplies List: Please bring your favorite medium to work with. For example, but not limited to, a sketchpad, pencils, charcoal, canvas, watercolors, etc.

Members receive 10% off with promo code MEMBER