Summer Youth Workshops at 577
Registration opens Wednesday, April 1 at 9am
Summer is just around the corner, and we’re excited to welcome young learners back to 577 for a season of creativity, exploration, and hands-on discovery.
This year’s Summer Youth Workshop lineup offers opportunities for both budding artists and young musicians to grow their skills in a supportive, inspiring environment. Whether working with clay or making music, each program is designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and create meaningful experiences.
Youth Pottery: Slab of Summer Workshop
For Young Artists Ages 7–17
Get ready to roll up your sleeves, play with clay, and bring your imagination to life at 577. Led by our 577 Pottery Staff, this fun and creative weeklong workshop invites young artists to explore the endless possibilities of clay.
Throughout the week, participants will learn foundational hand-building techniques such as pinch, slab, and coil while creating a new project each day. Inspired by animals, nature, and the beauty of 577, each piece reflects both creativity and skill-building. Toward the end of the week, students will glaze one of their pieces, with the remaining items finished by staff due to firing limitations.
This workshop is designed to support independence and creative exploration, making it a great fit for both new and returning students. It’s also ideal for siblings or families with multiple children in the same age range.
Session Options (Click the week for more info):
- Week A: June 15–19 | 9:30am–11:30am
- Week B: June 22–26 | 9:30am–11:30am
- Week C: July 27–31 | 9:30am–11:30am
Fee: $175 (all supplies and firings included)
Important Notes:
- No prior pottery experience required
- This is a drop-off class to encourage independent creativity
- Please arrive on time for both drop-off and pick-up
- Participants registering for multiple sessions will create new designs each week
577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan
Alison is a BGSU graduate with a K-12 art education degree and Bachelor of Fine Arts. As a creative ceramicist and member of the Education and Programs team, Alison works as a pottery class instructor and assists in the responsibilities of the operation, development, care, and maintenance of the pottery studio.
Riverwalk String Workshop
Grades 6–12
July 20–24 | 9am–3pm
We’re excited to welcome back the Riverwalk String Workshop, a weeklong immersive experience for young musicians looking to grow their skills and deepen their love of music.
Students will receive high-quality instruction from professional musicians while also participating in mindfulness and creativity sessions led by the Toledo Mindfulness Institute. This unique combination supports both musical development and personal growth, helping students build focus, confidence, and self-expression.
Participants will work in small groups and individually, and will also enjoy live performances on-site, including Riverwalk’s Ensemble-In-Residence, the Orion Trio, and a faculty concert. In addition, students will take part in two nature-based art activities led by 577 staff.
The week concludes with a special student performance on Friday from 2pm to 3pm, held on the Outdoor Stage and open to the public.
Instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass
Fee: $250 (includes lunch each day)
Location: Virginia’s House – Dining Room
Registration Deadline: July 13 at 9am
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE & REGISTER
Important Notes:
- Minimum of 2 years of private instruction required
- Optional video submission is strongly recommended for ensemble placement
- Registration is subject to review; those not accepted will receive a full refund
Community Instructors: Cole Habekost, Alex Munson, & Isabella Weik
Cole Habekost is a violinist and composer from Toledo, now performing in New York City. He has premiered dozens of works for solo violin or chamber ensemble since 2020. As a champion of new music, Cole collaborates with an ever-expanding network of composers from around the world. Cole’s personal mission is to use sound to inspire and enrich lives. He strives to ease the suffering of others through compassionate and altruistic music making. Cole is a graduate of the Toledo School for the Arts and holds a Bachelor of Music from Bowling Green State University, studying under Caroline Chin, and a Master of Music from the Manhattan School of Music, studying with Curtis Macomber.
Alex Munson currently serves as an orchestra director for the Toledo School for the Arts. There, he teaches three levels of orchestra, two levels of guitar, general music, and co-directors the TSA mariachi band. Alex regularly collaborates with artists at the school through performances, and arts integration. Most recently, the TSA String Orchestra received a superior rating at the 2025 OMEA State Orchestra Adjudication under his direction. Alex is also an active performer and regularly performs for schools and other organizations on many instruments including violin, keyboard, trumpet and voice.
Isabella Weik is the President and CEO of Toledo Mindfulness Institute. She has been immersed in mindfulness practices from a young age, inheriting the legacy of the Toledo Mindfulness Institute founded by her parents. This unique upbringing has led her to share this gift with businesses, community organizations, and institutions across the Midwest. As a trained Jazz musician, she has brought her background of vocal jazz into her career through hosting Sound Healing Concerts and offering weekly sound baths at TMI. Isabella’s work is driven by a profound desire to reduce suffering in the world. She believes in cultivating deep roots, much like a tree, to foster growth and resilience.
