There’s something for everyone on the Arts Center of Yates County’s workshop schedule this year. Whether you’re an accomplished artist, have never picked up a paintbrush, or prefer to express your creativity in different directions, you can find something interesting to do at the Arts Center.
Creative workshops this spring run the gamut from learning about (and tasting!) artisan cheeses of the region to opportunities to get started painting with an in-depth introduction to the popular Golden Paints to assembling and using a homemade tortilla press. Students can spend time each day during school vacation enjoying a wide variety of creative activities as well. Former students of Bob Gillespie can relive “the good old days” in his middle school art class by picking up a pencil or paintbrush again (for the first time in how many years?) under the direction of their much loved teacher.
Planning is already underway for an exciting summer of creativity, which will include a variety of pottery classes (and open studio time) for adults and children at the Arts Center’s lakeside facility, Sunny Point; classes in oil, watercolor and pastel painting; Plein Air painting; porcelain painting; glass blowing and more. Thanks to support from the Nord Family Foundation the Arts Center will once again offer youth classes twice a week throughout the summer, taught by a variety of enthusiastic and engaging teachers.
Unleash your creativity at an Arts Center workshop – or talk with us about scheduling a special class for a special occasion! Celebrate a birthday, anniversary, wedding or a family reunion creating with a group of friends! (Looking for a class in something special? Ask at the Arts Center and we’ll see what we can do!)
Spring Workshop Schedule (always growing and changing!):
For Adults
Art of Wine – Tuesdays, March 7, March 21, April 4, April 18, May 2 7 – 8:30 pm Arts Center Back by popular demand! Local winemakers discuss their art and illustrate with tastings. An in-depth look at local wines and how they’re made- come to one, several or all! Must be 21 to take these classes. $12 members, $15 not-yet-members
Artisan Cheeses of Western NY – Thurs, March 23, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Arts Center Instructor: Carl Moody The northwestern area of the Finger Lakes is producing some of the most interesting and most thoughtfully created artisan cheese in the state. Cornell Cooperative Extension Dairy Porcessing Specialist (and Harvest NY team member) Carl Moody will share what and how cheesemakers are doing as well as samples of some of their best work. $12 members, $15 not-yet-members
Tortilla Making - Saturday. April 1 1:30 am – Noon Arts Center Instructor: Tom Close Assemble a wooden tortilla press and learn how to make fresh, handmade tortillas and flatbreads. A fun activity for the whole family! (Assembly required – students should be old enough to use a screwdriver and follow directions to assemble the press) $20 adults, $15 families (minimum 1 adult and 1 child for family rate) or $7 students
Painting with Pat - Wed. April 5, 12, 19, 26 11 am – 3 pm Arts Center Instructor: Pat Tribastone Explore still life oil painting with award-winning artist Patricia Tribastone. The class will cover a variety of techniques and studio activity. $150 members, $175 not-yet-members
Golden Paints Lecture – The A-to-Z of Acrylics - Saturday, April 8 10 am - noon Arts Center Instructor: Patti Mollica Learn how acrylics can be used as grounds for other media, get key information on color mixing for brilliant hues and blending and explore the use of gels to create unique textured surfaces. Advance registrants receive free product samples – a great way to get started in painting! $5/person
Golden Paints Workshop – The A-to-Z of Textures and Surfaces - Saturday, April 8 2-5 pm Arts Center Instructor: Patti Mollica Experiment with a variety of materials offering dramatic textural possibilities for watercolor, pastel, acrylic and oils! Participants will receive 12 pre-treated surface panels, product samples and have the use of Golden Paint products during class. Great for beginners! $55 members, $60 not-yet-members
Rediscovering Art with Mr. Gillespie – Thursdays, May 4 & May 11 7-9 pm Arts Center Instructor: Bob Gillespie Rediscover the fun of drawing, painting and expressing yourself artistically with noted artist (and popular former Penn Yan Middle School art teacher) Bob Gillespie. No experience or prerequisites (except middle school art lass with Mr. G back in the day?) necessary. $32 members , $40 not-yet-members
For Kids:
Tortilla Making
Saturday, April 1 10:30 – Noon Instructor: Tom Close Arts Center
Assemble a wooden tortilla press and learn how to make fresh, handmade tortillas and flatbreads. A fun activity for the whole family! (assembly required - students should be old enough to use a screwdriver) $7 students/ $20 adults/$15 families (minimum 1 adult & 1 child for family rate)
Playing in the Dirt!
Friday, April 14 10 am– 3:30 pm Instructors: Deb Poplasky/Marnie Lersch Arts Center
Get ready for Earth Day by creating with clay in the morning and sculpting terrariums and dioramas in the afternoon! $10 (bring a lunch)
Flubber
Monday, April 17 10 am –noon Instructor: Kelly Devine Arts Center
Make your own fun, flying(?) rubber balls, shoes and more. $5
Fairy Houses
Tuesday, April 18 10 am –noon Instructor: Marsha Devine Arts Center
Use natural materials - sticks, vines, nuts etc to create a place where fairies can hang out in your garden! $5
Splatter Painted Landscapes
Wednesday, April 19 10 am –noon Instructor: Linsey Shepardson Arts Center
Throw and flick paint with a purpose! $5
Rope-a-dope
Thursday, April 20 10 am –noon Instructor: Deb Poplasky Arts Center
Create awesome colorful rope for friendship bracelets, belts, purse-straps and more! $5
Recycled Magazine Silhouettes
Friday, April 21 10 am –noon Instructor: Linsey Shepardson Arts Center
Celebrate Earth Day by creating colorful animals using strips cut from old magazines. $5
