Select a Class

Building Worlds & Characters for Children's Stories: July 25 9:30 AM (English) & 11:00 AM (Spanish)

Join children's book author and illustrator Rocky Casillas Aguirre for an engaging, hands-on storytelling workshop designed for aspiring young writers and creators ages 8 and up. Offered in both English and Spanish, these free one-hour workshops guide students through the exciting process of creating original characters, imaginative worlds, and the beginnings of their own stories.

Through interactive activities and creative exercises, participants will:

• Meet the artist and participate in a fun icebreaker.
• Warm up their imaginations with creativity-building exercises.
• Learn what makes a memorable character and develop an original character using guided prompts.
• Bring their character to life by exploring personality, voice, and action.
• Create a unique setting and world for their character to inhabit.
• Share their creations with the group and reflect on the creative process.

Whether students love drawing, writing, or simply using their imagination, this workshop provides a welcoming space to explore storytelling and develop creative confidence.

Stained Glass Garden Stake Art Class with Sandra Sargent : Saturday, July 25th from 10 AM - 2PM. (Lunch break Included If you want!) Member $60/Non-Member $72. (Supply fee $80) Bring color to your garden with handcrafted stained glass! In this class, students will cut and shape their own glass to create a vertical garden stake featuring layered bands of vibrant color. Using lead channel and guided instruction, you’ll assemble a striking design that catches the light and adds year-round interest to any outdoor space. Finished pieces are approximately 3 feet tall, with 16–20 inches of stained glass. Perfect for beginners looking to build skills while creating something beautiful. Class is held at Studio Underground, 318 Central Ave, basement level and taught by Sandra Sargent from Bending Sunlight Glassworks. Please wear closed-toed shoes and follow all safety protocols the instructor requires! 

Cabin on the Lake A Minnesota Painting Experience with Peggy Paulson: August 1st from 12 PM - 4 PM. (Ages 14+) Escape to the Minnesota Northwoods without leaving the studio! In this relaxing, guided painting class, you'll create your very own stunning lakeside scene -- a rustic log cabin tucked among towering pines on a quiet peninsula, reflected in the still waters of a classic Minnesota lake! No experience necessary. Our step-by-step instruction walks you though every stage of the painting, from your beginning stroke to your final brushstroke. You'll learn professional techniques for painting luminous skies, shimmering water reflections, lush evergreen foliage, and a charming cabin bathed in warm natural light -- all in a single 3-4 hour session! Tuition: Member - $62, Non-Member - $70. (Supply fee included in tuition!) 

What you'll take home: A finished 11x14 canvas painting, a printed reference handout with the full step-by-step process to keep, and a newfound confidence in color mixing, composition, and brushwork! 

What's included: All paints, brushes, canvas, and supplies are provided. Just bring your creativity and a sense of adventure! 

Class is perfect for: Beginners, hobbyists, date nights, girls' trips, team outings, and anyone who loves Minnesota's beautiful lake country! Seats are limited, so reserve yours today and let's paint the Northwoods together! 

Intro to Stained Glass - Copper Foil Method: Saturday, August 8th from 10 AM - 4 PM. Member $60/Non-Member $72. (Supply fee $55)Stained glass has depicted stories, landscapes, scenery, and abstract designs for centuries. Many of our most historical buildings include windows that make vibrant colored sunlight dance across the walls. You can now make your own 5x8 inch panel and experience the art of making sunlight dance.  You will learn to cut and break sheets of glass into the shape that fits your piece. Once each piece is cut you will add the copper foil and complete the piece by soldering it all together. You will go home with a zinc framed piece ready to hang in your window. Class is held at Studio Underground, 318 Central Ave, basement level and taught by Sandra Sargent from Bending Sunlight Glassworks.

Painting with Wool with Artist Char Johnson: August 8 & 15 from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Adult class (18+). In this class, students will learn the basics of needle felting. After transferring their image onto a wool canvas, students will use dyed sheep fiber and a single barbed needle, students will learn to blend, layer and shade, leaving class with a framed, one- of-a-kind “painting” of their chosen image. Pet portraits have been a popular subject, but any image with a central focal point will work! Finished project will measure approximately 8”x10”. Tuition: Member - $95, Non-Member - $111. (Supply Fee Included in Tuition!) 

An Introduction to Mosaic Art with Caron Learned: Saturday, August 15th from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Welcome to the wonderful world of mosaic art!  In this beginner class, each student will have fun learning the basics of this ancient art form. Students will complete one project: a Mosaic Wall Panel which makes a great gift or can be used as a trivet for your favorite pie or hang on your wall.  The class will be divided into 3 parts: Design/Layout and Tile Cutting Techniques, How to Glue and Transfer and Grouting Tips & Tricks. Tuition: Member - $65, Non-Member - $70. ($30 Supply Fee included in tuition total!) For ages 13+!

Close-toed shoes required. Supplies (wall panel, handmade tile, glue, grout, etc.) are included in the tuition/supply fee. Bring a friend, share in the magic of mosaic art. Cheers!

Intro to Stained Glass - Copper Foil Method: Tuesdays, August 18th & 25th from 6:00 - 9:00 PM. Member $60/Non-Member $72. (Supply fee $55)Stained glass has depicted stories, landscapes, scenery, and abstract designs for centuries. Many of our most historical buildings include windows that make vibrant colored sunlight dance across the walls. You can now make your own 5x8 inch panel and experience the art of making sunlight dance.  You will learn to cut and break sheets of glass into the shape that fits your piece. Once each piece is cut you will add the copper foil and complete the piece by soldering it all together. You will go home with a zinc framed piece ready to hang in your window. Class is held at Studio Underground, 318 Central Ave, basement level and taught by Sandra Sargent from Bending Sunlight Glassworks.

Raku Magic: Make It, Glaze It, Fire It! Member: $65, Non-Member: $75, Raku Clay 25lb. for $56 (you can share a bag with others). Ages 14 and up. Tuition includes the Make It class, Raku Glazing class, and the Raku firing!
 
Raku Make It Class: August 18, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm at the Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Avenue N., Faribault. Students can create their pieces during the Make It class on August 18 at the Paradise Pottery Studio. Raku clay must be purchased at the Paradise: 25lb. for $56. Pieces must be dry and at the Paradise by August 22 for the bisque firing.
 
Raku Glazing Class: September 1, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm at the  Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Avenue N., Faribault. Students will glaze their pieces during the Raku Glazing class on September 1. A variety of raku glazes and underglazes will be available.

Raku Firing: September 12, 8:30 am at Dianne Lockerby’s. Raku Firing will be held at Dianne Lockerby’s from 8:30 am until it is finished. The clay pots and sculptures will be loaded into the raku kiln; kiln temperatures are rapidly increased to 1800-1900 Degrees F. Once the glazes melt and smooth out, the pieces are individually removed from the kiln. Pieces are placed in a metal can filled with combustible materials, and the hot pot ignites the combustibles, producing flames. A tight-fitting lid on the can smothers those flames, and the resulting smoke can cause colors to appear on the pots. Students will leave with their finished glazed pieces. Participants must wear cotton clothing (no polyester or spandex), no shorts, and leather shoes/boots (no sandals).  Fire precautions will be taken, and each participant will need to sign a waiver. Lunch on September 12 will be a potluck.

Encaustic Workshop: Painting with Wax with Jodi Reeb Friday, August 28th from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Adult Class (18+). In this exciting one-day Encaustic workshop, you will explore creating translucent, layered paintings only achieved with molten beeswax on Ampersand Encausticbord. A brief history and description of Encaustic painting will be discussed as well as basic supplies and tools, safety, preparation of supports including application of grounds and fusing. An overview of a variety of techniques will be demonstrated such as image transfers, mixing your own paint, creating texture and working with masks and stencils. There will also be lots of studio time and one-on-one instruction. You will create paintings that will develop your aesthetic and artistic voice with this medium. This class could also be used as studio time if you have taken a class with me before. All levels welcome and all supplies including R&F Paints, Ampersand Encausticbord, and Silverbrush Ltd. brushes are provided. Tuition: Member - $105, Non-Member - $117. (Tuition Includes a $45 Supply Fee!)