Studio Arts

The Art of Alcohol Inks: Abstract Landscapes

Wednesday, August 19 ~ 6pm to 8pm

Wednesday, September 23 ~ 6pm to 8pm

Discover the beauty and fluidity of alcohol inks in this beginner-friendly, hands-on class as you are guided through the process of creating abstract landscapes using alcohol inks and a few common household items. No two are ever alike!

Each participant will receive three (3) ceramic tiles, each measuring 4 inches, to transform into vibrant, one-of-a-kind art pieces

Class Note: Alcohol ink can be messy. Please wear old clothes or bring an apron.

Community Instructor: Melissa Thomas

Green Door Open Studio Time

Saturday, August 22 ~ 9am to 11:30am

Tuesday, September 29 ~ 9am to 11:30am

Relax and explore your creativity during Green Door Open Studio time. Whatever your experience or artistic goals, this choose-your-own art adventure led by a staff art instructor is the perfect opportunity to expand skills, experiment with new materials, and find inspiration in a supportive, non-competitive arts environment.

Open Studio begins with a mini demonstration to get the creative juices flowing, but the rest is up to you. Continue working on the featured skill or theme, start something new, bring in a project you are working on for some help getting unstuck, get support to repeat techniques you learned in another class, practice your skills, try new techniques, and enjoy the company of fellow art enthusiasts.

Green Door Open Studio participants each receive one 9″ x 12″ piece of watercolor or drawing paper per class and have access to all of the studios art mediums, including paints (acrylic, watercolor, gouache), pencils (graphite, colored, water soluble), inks, pastels (chalk & oil), tools (brushes, easels, gelli plates, etc) and lots more. A variety of additional practice papers for sketching, planning, or collaging are also available. Participants are always encouraged to bring sketchbooks or junk journals.

Class Note: Participants must have taken the Intro to Green Door Open Studio class to register.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose; Avery Bohman

Painted Dot Mandala: Aura 

Saturday, August 22 ~ 9am to 12pm

Learn the basic techniques of dot painting as we work to create a beautiful mandala. In the first part of class, participants will receive step-by-step guidance to practice common mandala elements such as symmetry, petals, and teardrops.

In the second part of class, participants will work independently to create their own beautiful painting on a 6″ x 6″ canvas board with instructor support as needed. All materials will be provided.

Class Note: To help us honor 577’s commitment to sustainability, please bring your tools if you are a returning participant. New participants will receive a new set of tools to keep.

Community Instructor: Shalene Germani

Soft Pastels: Evening Fireflies

Wednesday, August 26 ~ 1pm to 3:30pm

Capture the drama and beauty of a beautiful summer field with fireflies in soft pastel as you explore color, expressive mark-making, perspective, and the basics of working with pastels. No drawing or pastel experience is necessary, and beginners are welcome.

Completed paintings will be approximately 9 x 12 inches. All supplies are included, and each participant will receive an instructional handout.

Community Instructor: Molly Carroll

Intro to Green Door Open Studio

Saturday, August 22 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm

Discover 577’s newest creative haven — the Green Door Studio! This fun and hands-on orientation class is your introduction to the studio and serves as the prerequisite for monthly Green Door Open Studio times and activities.

Learn how to use and enjoy the space while exploring a wide variety of art materials, tools, and techniques. Participants will gain an overview of the available supplies, watch art demonstrations, and enjoy plenty of hands-on practice in mediums such as watercolor and acrylic paints, chalk and oil pastels, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, pen and ink, and more. Along the way, you’ll learn tips and tricks to spark creativity, make the most of your open studio sessions, and move past the “fear of the blank page.”

The class also covers how to care for the studio and tools so everyone can enjoy this shared creative space. We’ll wrap up with a relaxing mini–open studio experience, giving you a chance to create freely, experiment, and begin your artistic journey at your own pace.

Everyone who completes this orientation class will qualify to register for future open studio times. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, you’ll find inspiration, community, and space to create at the Green Door Studio. All supplies included.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Introduction to Hand Lettering

Tuesday, August 25 ~ 6pm to 8pm

Get ready to upgrade your handwriting as we explore the mechanics of hand lettering. Enjoy a fun evening of hands-on learning as we break down the essential hand lettering strokes and practice how to manipulate line weight and flow to help you refine your own signature style.

After practicing our new skills, everyone will create a custom-lettered, 4.25″ x 5.5″ note card featuring a favorite word or phrase. Participants will also receive a dot-ruled notebook and two (2) hand lettering pens to continue using their new skills at home. Whether you want to elevate your snail mail or just find a new creative outlet, you’ll leave with the confidence to keep creating.

Class note: Don’t forget your reading or magnifying glasses, if you use them.

Community Instructor: Melissa Owens

Watercolor II: Keeping a Watercolor Sketchbook

Thursday, August 27 ~ 6pm to 8:30pm

Explore how keeping a sketchbook can be a fun and relaxing way to expand your budding watercolor painting skills. Each participant will receive a 5.5″ x 8″ sketchbook suitable for watercolors. Class time will be spent breaking in our new books as we practice a variety of simple painting exercises and discover a variety of approachable ways to use and fill our sketchbook pages.

No matter where you are in your artistic journey, a sketchbook is the perfect place to practice, experiment, record inspiration, and just have creative fun without any pressure to make a finished project. They also double as a visual record of your life and artistic progress. Everyone will also receive watercolor paint samples and inspirational resources to continue the creative fun at home.

Class Note: This class is designed for those with prior experience. Participants must have completed Watercolor 101.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Jewelry: Industrial Chic Necklace & Earrings

Saturday, August 29 ~ 2pm to 4pm

Friday, September 25 ~ 2pm to 4pm

Learn how to turn scrap metal into unique wearable art with just a few tools! Each participant will receive lots of support and guidance to create, customize, and assemble two items using copper, brass, or German silver metals. The first pair will be copper on copper, and you will choose from various styles of earrings or necklaces for your second project.

All experience levels are welcome. Each participant will receive a polishing cloth and a gift box. The size of completed earrings will vary but will be approximately one to two inches.

Class Note: Please bring reading or safety glasses. All other supplies included.

Community Instructor: Snookie Viviano

Acrylic Pour Painting: Beach Pour

Monday, August 31 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm

Bring the calming beauty of the shoreline to life in this relaxing, beginner-friendly acrylic pour class. Inspired by the natural movement of ocean waves, you’ll create a stunning beach scene featuring rich ocean blues, foamy white surf, and warm sandy tones. Each participant will create a one-of-a-kind, 10″ x 20″ pour painting.

Class Notes: Paintings are left at 577 to dry. Participants receive an email after class when the paintings are dry and available for pick up in 577’s Welcome Center.

Community Instructor: Thomas Craley

Watercolor 101

Tuesday, September 1 ~ 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Discover the joys of watercolor painting through a series of fun and easy exercises designed to explore a variety of basic techniques. You’ll also enjoy learning how to choose the right supplies for your needs, gain an understanding of common watercolor terms, and see examples of the wide possibilities of this amazing medium.

Participants will create a personalized 5″ x 7″ watercolor sketchbook filled with their practice exercises, notes, color samples, and charts. This sketchbook will serve as the perfect resource for beginners and a valuable reference tool for expanding and deepening existing skills. With individual attention provided in a supportive environment, you’ll gain the confidence to continue your artistic journey.

Class Note: This class is a prerequisite for advanced watercolor courses at 577.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Soft Pastels: Harvest Moon

Wednesday, September 2 ~ 1pm to 3:30pm

Saturday, September 19 ~ 1pm to 3:30pm *New Date!

Capture the rich colors and cozy beauty of autumn as you create a soft pastel landscape while exploring color, expressive mark-making, perspective, and the basics of working with pastels. No drawing or pastel experience is necessary, and beginners are welcome.

Completed paintings will be approximately 9 x 12 inches. All supplies are included, and each participant will receive an instructional handout.

Community Instructor: Molly Carroll

Creative Card Making

Thursday, September 3 ~ 5pm to 8pm

Enjoy an evening creating as we send a little love into the world. We’ll spend the first half hour learning a new cardmaking technique—creating a shutter card—and then incorporate it into our designs. Participants will receive a packet filled with paper, envelopes, ephemera, and more, and will create five (5) assorted greeting cards using a wide variety of tools and supplies provided.

Handmaking and sending greeting cards is a meaningful way to share love, appreciation, and connection with the people we care about. It brings us together and lets someone know they are valued. No experience is required, and all are welcome. Class Note: We recommend wearing older clothes or an apron to protect from ink and glue.

Community Instructor: Pat Szymanowski

Watercolor II: Painting Squirrels

Two-Part Class:

Friday, September 4 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm

Friday, September 11 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm

Whether you love their playful antics or loathe their bad manners in your garden, squirrels are a great subject for practicing a variety of watercolor techniques and honing your observational skills. In this two-part class, watercolor enthusiasts will practice both wet and dry brush techniques to create a charming painting of a squirrel.

In the first session on Friday, September 4, participants will choose from a selection of squirrel images and transfer their chosen design onto watercolor paper using either a template or freehand drawing. After guided practice exercises, the remaining class time will be spent practicing wet-on-wet techniques to create the first layers of color and shadow in preparation for more detailed work in the second session.

In the second session on Friday, September 11, we’ll gather again in the Green Door Studio to practice dry brush techniques that will give our paintings the illusion of real fur, along with other finishing touches that will bring dimension and depth to our paintings.

Prerequisite: To register for this class, participants must have taken the Watercolor 101 class at 577.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Watercolor & Ink: Tree Rings

Friday, September 4 ~ 6pm to 8:30pm

Enjoy a relaxing evening getting lost in simple watercolor techniques and easy, repetitive ink lines in this Create Calm class. Participants will be guided step-by-step to create this fun mixed media image of a tree cross-section, using watercolor paints and black walnut ink made here at 577.

Everyone will receive an 8″ x 8″ piece of hot-press watercolor paper along with practice papers to experiment with watercolor and ink techniques.

Create Calm classes are taught by staff instructors and designed to allow participants to experience simple projects in a soothing environment. Each class will focus on beginning methods in a variety of art mediums to help students of all levels tap into our own innate ability to create a state of calm while working with our hands. Expect the first part of these classes to include instruction while the second part is reserved for gentle music and quiet work time to encourage the mind to rest, reflect, and relax in a quiet community.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Paper Flowers: Calla Lily Bouquet

Wednesday, September 9 ~ 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Create a whimsical bouquet of paper flowers with just a few folds, a couple of snips, and a touch of glue. Participants will learn all the skills needed, and everyone will take home a charming bouquet ready to brighten the perfect spot in their home or office. All materials provided. Completed projects are approximately 8″ x 5″.

Community Instructor: Mary Willets

Hand Lettered Halloween

Thursday, September 10 ~ 6pm to 8pm

Get ready for some Halloween handwriting fun as we explore the mechanics of customizing a printed block font to create a seasonal decoration featuring Frankenstein and his bride. Participants will enjoy a fun evening of hands-on learning as we explore altering a printed block font for our theme to make a 5.5 x 8.5 piece of art on cardstock.

We will practice the stylized print, talk about sign layout tips, create a draft in our notebooks, and transfer registration marks to the cardstock to complete our final image. Everyone will take home their finished project, the two markers used in the class, and the skills to make more in the future.

Class note: Please bring a dot-ruled notebook if you have one and reading or magnifying glasses if you need them.

Community Instructor: Melissa Owens

Creating an Illustrated Field Journal

Friday, September 11 ~ 11am to 1pm

The seasonal changes in the natural world can often be overlooked when we don’t take the time to look closely at what is around us. By keeping an illustrated field journal, we can record not only our thoughts, but sketch and draw what we see, creating meaningful pages through the use of word and image.

Using the beautiful 577 grounds for inspiration, new participants in this session will be introduced to the concept of keeping this type of journal and will create their first entry, hopefully inspired to carry on and fill the remaining pages over time. Experienced students are also welcome–learn new tips, gain fresh inspiration in the ever-changing seasons, and build upon past lessons. No writing or drawing experience is necessary, only the desire to have some fun while exploring the natural world around us.

Community Instructor: David Lymanstall

Partner Painting! A Creative Date Night Experience

Friday, September 11 ~ 6pm to 8pm

Create art and memories in this fun class for couples. You and your favorite plus-one will be guided step by step in creating coordinated acrylic landscape paintings while connecting through light-hearted conversation prompts sprinkled throughout the class. This relaxed experience is perfect for partners looking to spark conversation, share a few laughs, and enjoy a playful artistic activity together. No painting experience is needed. Just bring your curiosity and enjoy an evening of creativity and connection!

All supplies are included. Each participant will complete one 9 x 12-inch painting, creating a coordinated set of two paintings per couple.

Community Instructor: Sammi Dougherty

Stained Glass Workshop: Rosy Maple Moth

Monday, September 14 ~ 12pm to 3pm

Create your own Rosy Maple Moth in this beginner-friendly stained glass workshop. Join glass artist Kara O’Dea in the Green Door Studio as she guides you step-by-step through the basics of stained glass, including cutting, grinding, and soldering sheet glass using the Tiffany copper foil method.

This class is perfect for anyone curious about trying stained glass for the first time, as well as those looking to build a strong foundation and continue developing their skills. Each participant will complete a stained glass Rosy Maple Moth, ready to hang and measuring approximately 7 × 7 inches.

Community Instructor: Kara Cullenen-O’Dea

Stained Glass Workshop: Rose Plant Stake

Monday, September 14 ~ 5pm to 8pm

Create your own Rose Plant Stake in this beginner-friendly stained glass workshop. Join glass artist Kara O’Dea in the Green Door Studio as she guides you step-by-step through the basics of stained glass, including cutting, grinding, and soldering sheet glass using the Tiffany copper foil method.

This class is perfect for anyone curious about trying stained glass for the first time, as well as those looking to build a strong foundation and continue developing their skills. Each participant will complete a stained glass rose with stake, ready for displaying indoors or out.

Community Instructor: Kara Cullenen-O’Dea

Autumn Charm: Cork Pumpkin Creations

Thursday, September 17 ~ 2pm to 3:30pm

Give new life to wine corks as you craft adorable handmade, upcycled pumpkins using scrapbook paper, twigs, twine, and hot glue. Choose to keep your design simple, or add even more fall fun with autumn-inspired prints and colors from scrapbook paper.

Each participant will make at least one (1) to three (3) pumpkins, and can take home extra corks to continue the fun at home.

577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman

Whimsical Watercolor Window Boxes

Friday, September 18 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm

Spend a fun and creative Friday afternoon creating a pen & ink + watercolor window box painting with 577 Staff Artists Bennett Dowling and Connie Stose. 577’s window boxes are exploding with beauty this season, and we’ll use this as our inspiration. No prior drawing, painting, or art experience is required. Bennett and Connie will guide you every step of the way!

Bennett will begin with a simple transfer demonstration to skip the drawing and get our window box image started. Next, Connie will share some simple practice exercises to help you get comfortable with watercolors, then show you how to loosen up and create expressive washes that capture the feel of flourishing flowers and plants in a window box. And finally, Bennett will guide you through easy pen and ink techniques to help give your painting it’s final details and definition.

Participants will receive a 9 inch x 11 inch piece of watercolor paper to work with in class, and finished projects may vary in size based on each person’s creative choices.

577 Staff Instructors: Bennett O. Dowling & Connie Stose

Acrylic Painting: Flower Vase

Monday, September 21 ~ 10am to 2:30pm

Release your inner creativity as you learn how to paint friendly flowers in a vase in this hands-on acrylic painting class. You will learn how to mix colors, using a variety of brushes, painting tools, and techniques while learning the stages of an acrylic painting from start to finish. All supplies are provided for you to experience the fun of creating your own work of art on an 11″ x 14″ canvas.

Class Note: You are welcome to bring snacks to enjoy throughout class and we encourage you to bring a lunch for our midday break. (Refrigerator and microwave available).

Community Instructor: Mary Claire Roe

Acrylic Pour Painting: Balloon Smash

Monday, September 21 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm

Experiment with a fun acrylic pour painting technique using an inflated balloon to gently “smash” and lift vibrant layers of paint. As the colors blend and spread, they’ll form beautiful petal-like shapes, soft blends, and unexpected color interactions. Each press of the balloon creates a one-of-a-kind design, resulting in a completely unique 10 x 20-inch pour painting.

Community Instructor: Thomas Craley

Watercolor Mini Paintings

Tuesday, September 22 ~ 6pm to 8:30pm

Spend a fun evening exploring how to paint small with watercolor, no experience necessary! There will be something fun for everyone: less pressure for new painters thanks to small painting spaces and multiple opportunities to experiment, while those with more experience can paint a variety of subjects or enjoy focused practice by painting multiples of the same subject.

Everyone will have a choose-your-own-adventure painting experience as they select subjects of their own or choose from a wide variety of inspiration prompts we’ll have ready to spark your creativity. Paintings can be realistic, abstract, detailed, or loose. It’s completely up to you!

Projects will be completed on a 9 x 12-inch sheet of watercolor paper that can be cut apart into small paintings to frame, give as gifts, use as greeting cards, gift tags, or bookmarks. Participants can also choose to keep the page intact, creating a personalized “quilt” of miniature paintings as a single finished piece.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Painted Dot Mandala: Capri

Saturday, September 26 ~ 9am to 12pm

Learn the basic techniques of dot painting as we work to create a beautiful mandala. In the first part of class, participants will receive step-by-step guidance to practice common mandala elements such as petals, swoops, and walking the dots.

In the second part of class, participants will work independently to create their own beautiful painting on a 6″ x 6″ canvas board with instructor support as needed. All materials will be provided.

Class Note: To help us honor 577’s commitment to sustainability, please bring your tools if you are a returning participant. New participants will receive a new set of tools to keep.

Community Instructor: Shalene Germani

Soft Pastels: Pears

Tuesday, September 29 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm

Discover how much personality a simple pear can have as you explore chalk pastels in this beginner-friendly class. Using both pastels and pastel pencils, we’ll draw from real pears while experimenting with color, texture, shadows, and composition to create charming fruit-inspired artwork.

The class will begin with practice exercises and color sampling before participants complete two (2) to three (3) pastel paintings, each approximately 8 x 8 inches.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose