Creative Arts

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 1

In this course, students will delve deeper into the fundamental techniques of photography, building on the essentials to create more dynamic and intentional images. We will explore how to capture close-up photographs using aperture, convey movement through shutter speed, and compose visually striking images using foundational principles like the rule of thirds, cropping, and expert composition. 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

Make a Mug

This course is open to artists of all skill levels. You will learn to create unique utilitarian artwork and learn a new technique each week. Create a pinch pot, coil-built mug, and slab-built mug. Learn more

Surface Design

Using examples from prehistoric pottery to modern day, we will make pots and learn different ways to make them uniquely our own with surface design. 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

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

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

Beekeeping Workshop

This four-hour course is designed for those interested in becoming North Carolina beekeepers. Discussions will cover apiculture, honey bees, and an understanding of their role in the environment. 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

Jewelry Gifts Series: Let's Make Earrings

No jewelry making experience needed in this class! You'll craft stunning earrings perfect for yourself or as a gift. You will make 1 up to 4 sets of earrings depending on your work. Learn More

Jewelry Gifts Series: Let's Make a Locket

Design a timeless locket that tells your story. In this beginner-level class, you’ll learn to work with mixed metals and discover essential jewelry techniques to craft a locket that can hold a small photo or note. Learn More

Jewelry Gifts Series: Let's Make A Pendant

We’ll walk you through forming, wrapping, and finishing techniques to make your pendant truly special. By the end of the session, you’ll have a unique necklace, ideal for keeping close to your heart or giving as a thoughtful gift. Learn More

Blacksmith: Hatchet Creation

Throughout this course, students will further hone their forging skills into creating their own hatchet. The project will include punching and drifting the eye of the hatchet, forging the cutting edge to shape, grinding the blade and making the handle. 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

Intro to the Jeweler's Bench

Begin your journey at the jeweler’s bench with this hands-on course, designed to teach essential techniques. You’ll create pendants, rings, or bracelets, working primarily in copper to refine your skills. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or an intermediate student looking to enhance your abilities, this class offers the perfect foundation for your jewelry-making journey. Learn More

Setting Stones

In this class, students will learn to set stone using many variations such as prong setting with bezel or making your own design. The projects will be a ring, bracelet, pendant, and earrings. Learn More

Looking Glass Lead Panels

Leaded stained glass is a lot like putting a puzzle together. you get to create your own design and piece it together, making a delightful suncatcher that catches the eye. you will create two or more pieces in this class to take with you. 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

Garment Construction

Join this immersive 10-week sewing course in which you will master sewing machine operation, explore textiles and notions, gain an understanding of sewing patterns, and learn the ins and outs of how a garment is made. 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

Simple Sewing Projects

A sewing class that is focused on practicing foundational skills while tackling simple sewing projects each week. Each project incorporates multiple techniques, so students can build skills by doing, all within a supportive and engaging environment. 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

Drafting Foundation Patterns for Apparel

This class will provide an opportunity for students to create foundation blocks/slopers for a front and back bodice with darts, a basic sleeve, and a skirt. There's so much to learn in this class, don't miss it! 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

Woodworking: Keepsake Box

Students will be guided through the construction of a Keepsake box of their own design, using basic woodworking tools that are easily accessible. No prior woodworking experience is necessary. Learn More