Creative Arts

Haywood Community College offers continuing education courses in fiber, clay, metals/jewelry, hand wrought metals, woodcarving, wood furniture construction, stained glass, basketry, seasonal floral design, painting, music, computer design, photography and so much more. Check back often for updated schedules and class offerings.  Please click on class titles for more information.

Exploration: Drawing & Collage

Unlock your creativity and explore the fascinating world of mixed media. Designed for artists of all levels, this course delves into the diverse processes and methods used to create stunning drawings and mixed media art. Learn More

Finding Gallery Representation

Navigating the world of gallery representation can be challenging for emerging artists. This comprehensive class will demystify the process and help you find the proper gallery to showcase your work. Learn More

Intro to Digital Photography 2

As a continuation from Photography 1, students will be guided through hands-on exercised designed to master concepts. The introduction of Adobe Lightroom will serve to enhance post-processing skills, but directly through the camera. Students can transform their understanding of photography and begin to develop their unique artistic vision. Learn More

Beginning Wheel Throwing

Through demonstrations and one on one coaching, we will learn all the steps to create simple forms such as bowls, cups, and bud vases. Learn More

Beginning Handbuildling

In this class, students will learn the fundamentals of handbuilding with clay, no prior experience is needed! Each week you will complete a different project based on a new technique. Learn More

Guided Open Studio

This class is perfect for those who have already taken a beginning or intermediate pottery class and are looking to hone their skills. Students will identify a project to work on during the class and work at their own pace to complete the project. Learn More

Intermediate Wheel

Want to take your wheel throwing to the next level? This class will cover forms and techniques such as making plates, lidded jars, throwing with larger amounts of clay, and learning to trim feet and attach handles. Learn More

Intro to Drawing

Learn to visually interpret what you see and capture this on paper. We will cover basic drawing fundamentals: line, contour, shapes, shading, controlling tones, proportion, perspective and composition. While using pencil, a variety of subject matter including still life, nature, people and buildings will be explored. Learn More

Drawing 2

Let’s keep nurturing your creative side together. Clarify your identity, vision, and voice. Commit to a weekly practice of how to visually interpret what you see and capture on paper. We will sharpen our artistic skills with drawing fundamentals: line, contour, shapes, shading, controlling tones, proportion, perspective, and composition. Learn More

Intro to Painting

Painting is lots of fun and using acrylic paint is one of the best ways to be introduced to creating colorful art. We are going to demystify color theory by exploring the elements of color and how colors relate to each other. Learn More

Painting 2

Clarify your identity, vision, and voice. Commit to a weekly practice of how to visually interpret what you see and capture on paper. We will sharpen our artistic skills with painting fundamentals: color, line, contour, shapes, shading, controlling tones, proportion, perspective, and composition. Learn More

Pigments and Painting

This class will explore oil painting basics and making natural pigments from mostly foraged and wild materials like soil, clay, rocks, and charcoal. Learn the ancient craft of pigment while making your own natural material found in Appalachia. Learn More

Watercolor for Intermediate Students

This class is an extension of the very popular Fall beginning watercolor classes. In this class we will cover watercolor techniques such as glazing, negative painting, and painting textures. Basic knowledge of watercolor painting is necessary. Learn More

Canning Made Simple

Home Canning both economical and a healthy alternative to processed commercial foods. It can also be very rewarding as it can unite friends, family and the community. Learn More

Essential Wilderness Skills

Join us for our Essential Wilderness Skills Course, a fun and friendly exploration designed for everyone, whether you're a beginner or just looking to refresh your skills! Learn More

Backyard Beekeeping

This 15-week course is designed for those who are seriously interested in becoming a beekeeper and maintaining a honey bee apiary. Learn More

Broom Making

Explore the lost art of broom making and get swept up in the process! In this class, you’ll learn a little about the history of broom making in the region and the materials needed to tie a variety of hand brooms. We’ll start with a simple whisk and progress to a traditional Appalachian style and Japanese folk brooms. Expect to leave with 4-6 hand brooms and a fun new hobby. Learn More

Weave a Seat

Save a seatless chair from the trash heap! In this workshop, you’ll learn to use Shaker tape to bring function back to a ubiquitous chair form that can be found in thrift stores and on roadsides all over the country. Weave new life into a treasured heirloom or create one of your own over the course of an afternoon. Learn More

Intermediate Metalsmithing: Mixed Metals

Elevate your skills at the jeweler’s bench with this next-level class designed for intermediate and advanced beginner students. Dive into essential techniques like sweat soldering and pick soldering while working on projects such as pendants or a multi-link bracelet. Learn More

Intermediate Violin & Cello

This course is for violin or cello students that have either completed the beginner class, have prior experience, or have submitted a brief audition file to the instructor. Learn More

Violin & Cello for beginners

Through music we learn to become storytellers! This introductory course welcomes students with little to no strings experience for both violin and cello. Learn basic sight-reading skills, ear-training exercises, practice scales, and explore different musical styles such as classical and fiddle tunes. Learn More

Simple Garment Alterations

Learn the essential skills to alter and customize your clothes with confidence. From hemming pants to taking in seams, adjusting sleeves, and achieving the perfect fit, you will learn practical techniques for making simple changes to your favorite garments through demonstrations and hands-on practice. Learn More

Getting to Know Your Sewing Machine

Get to know your sewing machine! In this class we will do a deep dive into understanding and getting comfortable using your machine. In addition to covering parts, functions, and essential tools, we will master threading and bobbin winding. Learn More

Quilting

Come learn the basics of choosing and project-cutting with a ruler and rotary blade. Sewing will take place on one of our babyloc machines. These classes are for beginners and accomplished quilters. Bring the projects you are working on now and quilt them on one of our longarm 3 quilters. Learn More

Upholstery

Students should bring a simple desk or dining chair with a seat bottom or a footstool for their first project. You will dive right in on your first day of class. Learn More

Handmade Wardrobe Studio

Handmade Wardrobe Studio is an ongoing, open-format class is designed for sewing students to work on creating their own handmade wardrobe in a supportive studio environment. Each week, participants will have three hours of dedicated sewing time to work on their individual projects, with guidance from the instructor. Learn More

Advanced Fiction

Advanced Fiction Writing Workshop provides the space for a writer to write. Students will take their writing to the next level, submitting their work for close-reading and review by their peers and the instructor. Learn More

Oral Storytelling: Personal Stories

Remember when you said, ‘at least this will make a great story some day’? You lived to tell the tale, now you have the chance to share it! From inception to completion; learn, practice, and tell short personal stories based on your true life experiences. All ages and comfort levels welcome, Learn More

Oral Storytelling: Folktales

The word storytelling seems to be everywhere these days — this class gives you an opportunity to dive into, practice and perform this original, ancient and connective folk art. As writer Patti Digh reminds us, “the shortest distance between two people is a story.” Learn More

Oral Storytelling: Ghost Stories

The word storytelling seems to be everywhere these days — this class gives you an opportunity to dive into, practice and perform this original, ancient and connective folk art. In this 6-week long class, we will look into and perform Ghost stories and Historical stories. Learn More

Small Table

This course will build on skills students have learned in the beginner class and guide them through the construction of a small table of their own design, using basic woodworking tools that are easily accessible. No prior woodworking experience is necessary, but classes are recommended in order. Learn More

View All Classes Catalog Degree Programs

About Creative Arts

Western North Carolina is fertile ground for craft arts and artists. Over the last 50 years, the area has blossomed into an internationally recognized destination for working artists, craftspeople, shops, galleries and craft education.

Haywood Community College’s Creative Arts programming offers an innovative, affordable, groundbreaking craft education.

  • The HCC Craft programs draw students from across the United States and beyond.

  • The college’s state-of-the-art, LEED certified, green building is a model for art and craft education.

  • The Creative Arts Facility is over 40,000 square feet in size containing both studio and gallery space.

  • Class sizes are small, with teacher-student ratios designed for an optimal studio education.

We welcome students from next door to across the country.  We have individuals that make our campus their vacation destination to participate in workshops and classes, or are lucky enough to have this amazing resource in their backyard.  Continuing education classes vary in price depending on class length and cost of materials, but remain the same for each participant regardless of residency.

If you ahve an idea for a Continuing Education Creative Arts class, please contact our Coordinator at ajhornsby@haywood.edu.

For More Information

828-565-4152 or hcc-creativearts@haywood.edu