Studio Arts

Soft Pastels: Peony Field

Tuesday, August 19 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm

Learn how to paint a beautiful impressionistic landscape using soft pastel! You’ll explore color, expressive mark-making, perspective, and the basics of pastels. No experience with drawing or pastels is necessary and beginners are welcome!

All supplies are included and everyone will receive an instructional handout. Projects will be completed on 9″ x 12″ paper.

Community Instructor: Molly Carroll

Paper Flowers: Whimsical Daisy Bouquet

Wednesday, August 20 ~ 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Create a whimsical bouquet of paper daisies 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 vase 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

Acrylic Painting: Eastern Bluebird

Monday, August 25 ~ 10am to 2:30pm

Discover your inner artist and learn to paint an Eastern Bluebird perched on a branch in this fun and friendly class. We’ll use various colors, brushes, tools, and techniques as we learn the stages of building an acrylic painting from start to finish. No experience is necessary, and all supplies are included for you to create an 11” x 14” painting in a relaxing atmosphere.

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

Creative Nature Collages: Flower Power

Thursday, August 28 ~ 6pm to 8pm

Create a late summer floral collage by cutting & pasting recycled book pages, scrap paint and marbled pages, scrapbook paper, magazines, old greeting cards, and more into a beautiful and one-of-a-kind piece. Experiment with fun petal shapes and sizes, vase patterns, and bold color palettes. Inspiration and examples will be provided.

Stabilo woody pencils and other drawing utensils, such as crayons and oil pastels, will also be available to add more detail and fun mark-making to paper scraps. Finished collages will be on 9″ x 12″ blank or speckled paper. Depending on the weather, we will take a quick walk around the grounds to draw inspiration from the flower landscapes around 577. All supplies are included, but feel free to bring any ephemera you would like to incorporate.

Class Note: Participants ages 12 to 15 may attend with a registered adult.

577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman

Watercolor II: Hummingbirds

Friday, August 29 ~ 1pm to 3:30pm

Designed for those with some watercolor experience, this class will help to build your creative skills while we have fun painting a colorful hummingbird. We’ll start with a series of practice exercises that will focus on lifting, layering, and wet-on-wet techniques. Next, we’ll put our experience to use as we work step-by-step to paint our hummingbirds together. Completed paintings will be approximately 4.5 inches by 6 inches. All supplies provided, just bring your curiosity and creativity!

Prerequisite: To register for this class, participants must have taken at least one watercolor class at 577.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Watercolor 101

Friday, August 29 ~ 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Friday, October 10 ~ 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

Creative Card Making

Thursday, September 4 ~ 5pm to 8pm

Enjoy an evening creating and join us in sending a little love into the world. We’ll spend the first half hour learning a new technique and incorporating it into our cards. Participants will receive a packet full of paper, envelopes, ephemera, and more, and will learn how to make 5 (five) all occasion cards, with access to all the tools and supplies they’ll need.

Hand-making and sending greeting cards is a way of spreading love, appreciation, and connection to those people we care about. It’s a way to bring us together and let someone know we value them. No experience is required, and all are welcome.

Class Note: We recommend you dress in older clothes or wear an apron to protect from ink and glue.

Community Instructors: Pat Szymanowski & Patricia Piper

Soft Pastels: Lake Sunset

Tuesday, September 9 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm

Learn how to paint a beautiful impressionistic Lake Sunset using soft pastel! You’ll explore color, expressive mark-making, perspective, and the basics of pastels. No experience with drawing or pastels is necessary and beginners are welcome! All supplies are included and everyone will receive an instructional handout. Projects will be completed on 9″ x 12″ paper.

Community Instructor: Molly Carroll

Watercolor: Sunflowers

Friday, September 12 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm

Capture the beauty of sunflowers with watercolor paint in a relaxed and supportive environment. We’ll use simple practice exercises to get familiar with using watercolor paints before we work on your own small painting. Completed projects will be approximately 8 inches by 8 inches. All experience levels welcome and all supplies are included.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Watercolor: Mandalas

Friday, September 12 ~ 6pm to 8:30pm

Relax into your weekend with some creative self-care as we work to paint a watercolor mandala in the colors and design of your choice – no drawing or painting skills necessary! Completed mandalas will be approximately 12 inches by 12 inches.

In the first part of class, we’ll get familiar with watercolor paints and learn how to transfer our selected image. The second part of class is reserved for quiet work time and gentle music to encourage the mind to rest, reflect, and relax in a peaceful community. All supplies are included, and all experience levels are welcome.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Creating an Illustrated Field Journal

Friday, September 19 ~ 11am to 1pm

Friday, October 17 ~ 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 19 ~ 6pm to 8pm

Create art and memories in this fun couple’s class. You and your favorite plus-one will be guided step-by-step to paint coordinated acrylic landscape paintings, while connecting through light-hearted questions sprinkled throughout class. This relaxed experience is perfect for partners looking to spark conversation and share a playful artistic activity. No painting experience is needed, just bring your curiosity and enjoy a night of creativity and connection!

All supplies are included. Each completed painting will be approximately 9″x12″ (one per person, 2 per couple).

Community Instructor: Sammi Dougherty

Botanical Eco Print: Flower Pounding

Saturday, September 20 ~ 10:30am to 1pm

Discover the magic of flower pounding in a class that blends the beauty of the garden with hands-on creativity. Guided by 577’s own Organic Landscape Horticulturist Bennett O. Dowling and Community Engagement Coordinator Avery Bohman, you’ll begin with a walk through the grounds to gather fresh flowers and foliage, then turn your nature finds into a vibrant textile masterpiece.

Using 100% cotton fabric, approximately 12–13″ x 18–19″, you’ll learn the basics of botanical eco-printing—how to prep your fabric, choose your materials, and experiment with color and texture. The result: a one-of-a-kind wall hanging, finished with a 13″ magnetic wooden poster frame.

Cost includes all materials. Feel free to bring your own hammer or mallet if you have one. *Please note: Flower pounding requires heavy forearm movement and pressure in repetitive motion.

577 Staff Instructors: Bennett O. Dowling and Avery Bohman

Acrylic Pour Painting: Balloon Smash

Monday, September 22 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm

Unleash your creativity in this exciting hands-on pour painting class! Learn the Balloon Smash technique as you explore color and texture to create your own stunning painting. In this class, you’ll gain a solid understanding of the essential supplies and techniques needed to continue your fluid art journey. By the end, you’ll take home a beautiful 10″ x 20″ painting showcasing your newfound skills.

Class Notes: Paintings must stay at 577 to dry for at least three days. You will receive an email with more information when the paintings are dry and available for pick up in 577’s Welcome Center.

Community Instructor: Thomas Craley

The Art of Alcohol Inks

Tuesday, September 23 ~ 6pm to 8pm

Monday, October 13 ~ 6pm to 8pm

Explore the beauty and unpredictability of alcohol inks while creating three (3) unique 4.25″ x 4.25″ tiles. You’ll learn the basic techniques of this low-stress/high-reward medium that allows you to “go with the flow.”

No experience is necessary. All supplies are included.

Community Instructor: Melissa Thomas

Jewelry: Industrial Chic Earrings

Wednesday, September 24 ~ 3pm to 5pm

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

Paper Flowers: Romantic Roses

Wednesday, September 24 ~ 7pm to 8pm

Wednesday, October 15 ~ 1:30pm to 2:30pm

Create a beautiful bouquet that lasts forever! In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to craft three lifelike paper roses. Choose from a palette of rich, elegant colors to personalize your blooms, then arrange your finished flowers in a petite glass vase—perfect for gifting or brightening up a special corner of your home. All supplies are included, and finished arrangements measure approximately 7 inches tall by 4 inches wide.

Community Instructor: Mary Willets

Watercolor ll: Fun with Fish

Friday, September 26 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm

Watercolor enthusiasts will enjoy learning how to approach painting fish as a subject. A variety of fish and their anatomy will be covered, such as goldfish, sardines, walleye, etc, and participants are welcome to bring and work from their own reference photos. Everyone will get practice painting in wet and dry techniques, and will have fun using iridescent watercolor paints to capture the sparkle of fish scales.

*Prerequisite: This class is designed for those with prior experience. Participants must have taken at least one watercolor class at 577.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Watercolor: Colorful Abstracts

Friday, September 26 ~ 6pm to 8:30pm

Enjoy an evening of relaxed creativity as you explore a variety of techniques for painting abstract watercolors. Whether you’re picking up a brush for the first time or looking to loosen up and practice in a laid-back setting, this class is a perfect fit for all experience levels, especially beginners eager to give watercolors a try. All supplies are included.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Drawing Made Easy

Saturday, September 27 ~ 10am to 1pm

Explore an easier way to approach drawing! This fun and supportive class includes interactive exercises designed to sharpen your ability to see color and form in new ways as you draw and create a vibrant finished piece. Everyone will benefit from personalized guidance while learning multiple techniques to build confidence in their unique mark-making abilities.

Participants will take home complete or almost complete drawings and sketches, pencils, instructional handouts, and their improved drawing skills. Perfect for beginners and artists of any level looking to strengthen their abilities and fine-tune future artwork.

Community Instructor: Sammi Dougherty

Acrylic Painting: Old Barn

Monday, September 29 ~ 10am to 2:30pm

Discover your inner artist and learn to paint an old barn with colorful autumn trees and foliage in this hands-on, fun and friendly class. We’ll use various colors, brushes, tools, and techniques as we learn the stages of building an acrylic painting from start to finish. No experience is necessary, and all supplies are included for you to create an 11” by 14” painting in a relaxing atmosphere.

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

Painted Dot Mandala: Decorate a Mug

Tuesday, September 30 ~ 6pm to 8pm

Learn the basic techniques of dot painting as we create a beautiful mandala decoration on the outside of a porcelain mug. In the first part of class, participants will receive step-by-step guidance as they practice common mandala elements on ceramic tiles. In the second part of class, participants will work independently to paint the first layer of dots on their mugs, with as much instructor support as needed. Participants will take their mugs home to allow the paint to fully dry before finishing the top dots and baking their mugs in a home oven to seal the paint.

All materials will be provided, including a mug for each person. Mugs are approximately 4.5″ tall and 4.5″ in diameter. Participants are also welcome to bring their own oven-safe mug with a smooth surface, in a similar size. This class is open to both beginners and intermediate dot painters.

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

Creative Card Making

Thursday, October 2 ~ 5pm to 8pm

Enjoy an evening creating and join us in sending a little love into the world. We’ll spend the first half hour learning a new technique and incorporating it into our cards. Participants will receive a packet full of paper, envelopes, ephemera, and more, and will learn how to make 5 (five) all occasion cards, with access to all the tools and supplies they’ll need.

Hand-making and sending greeting cards is a way of spreading love, appreciation, and connection to those people we care about. It’s a way to bring us together and let someone know we value them. No experience is required, and all are welcome. Class Note: We recommend you dress in older clothes or wear an apron to protect from ink and glue.

Community Instructors: Pat Szymanowski & Patricia Piper

Fused Glass: Scarecrow

Thursday, October 2 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Discover the colorful, creative world of fused glass in this fun and beginner-friendly class. With step-by-step guidance from your instructor, you’ll design and create a charming scarecrow face, perfect for displaying on a stand or on a yard stake. No experience is necessary, and all materials are included. Each finished scarecrow will measure approximately 7 inches.

After class, your pieces will be carefully fired in a home kiln to fuse the glass. Once complete, they’ll be returned to 577 for pickup. Participants will receive an email with pick-up information from 577 once the instructor returns completed projects, generally within 7 business days after the class.

Come explore the beauty of glass and leave with functional art you’ll be proud to use!

Community Instructor: Geneen Wise

Painted Dot Mandala: Spooky Mandala

Saturday, October 11 ~ 10am to 1pm

Learn the basic techniques of dot painting while creating a mesmerizing mandala. Participants will be guided to make common mandala elements and techniques such as petals, teardrops, lollipops, and swoops, with a few Halloween-themed elements added for fun!

All materials and acrylic paints will be provided along with a step-by-step pattern, allowing participants to work at their own pace with instructor support. Paintings will be completed on a 6 inch by 6 inch canvas board. Class Note: To help us honor 577’s commitment to sustainability, please bring your tools if you are a returning student. New students will receive a new set of tools to keep.

Community Instructor: Shalene Germani

Jewelry: Industrial Chic Necklace & Earrings

Saturday, October 11 ~ 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

Watercolor for Kids: Pumpkins

Monday, October 13 ~ 2pm to 4pm

Looking for a fun and creative way to spend the day off from school? This youth art class, designed for ages 7 to 12, invites young artists to explore the beauty of watercolor through seasonal subjects. We’ll begin by practicing watercolor tips and tricks, experimenting with techniques that bring color and texture to life. Then, we’ll turn our focus to observing the unique shapes, shades, and details of pumpkins, using them as inspiration for our artwork.

With plenty of guidance and encouragement, participants will have the freedom to make their work their own. Each artist can choose to use their final 9×12″ sheet of watercolor paper to create one or two detailed pumpkin paintings, or four smaller pumpkin-themed cards perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Class Notes: This class is open to children ages 7 to 12. No prerequisite or experience is required. Adults are not required to attend this youth watercolor class. Youth participants may be dropped off at the beginning of class and picked up at the scheduled end time. Please remember to be on time.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Acrylic Pour Painting: Chameleon Cell Pattern

Monday, October 20 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm

Unleash your creativity in this exciting hands-on pour painting class! Learn the Chameleon Cell technique as you explore color and texture to create your own stunning painting. In this class, you’ll gain a solid understanding of the essential supplies and techniques needed to continue your fluid art journey. By the end, you’ll take home a beautiful 12″ x 12″ painting showcasing your newfound skills.

Class Notes: Paintings stay at 577 to dry for at least 3 days. You will receive an email with more information when the paintings are dry and available for pick up in 577’s Welcome Center.

Community Instructor: Thomas Craley

Soft Pastels: Autumn Lake

Wednesday, October 22 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm

Learn how to paint a beautiful impressionistic autumn lake using soft pastel. You’ll explore color, expressive mark-making, perspective, and the basics of pastels. No experience with drawing or pastels is necessary, and beginners are welcome. All supplies are included, and everyone will receive an instructional handout. Projects will be completed on 9″ x 12″ paper.

Community Instructor: Molly Carroll

Christmas Card Palooza

Thursday, October 23 ~ 4pm to 8pm

Get ready for the holidays in this festive class creating elegant and classic Christmas cards you can send to loved ones or use to decorate holiday packages. Learn a variety of techniques including dry and heat embossing, masking, stamping, layering, and embellishing on beautiful papers, some with metal foils.

Enjoy making beautiful cards, meeting fun new people, and savoring some yummy holiday treats. Each participant will make 12 cards: 3 each of 4 different designs. No experience is required, and all are welcome. Class Note: We recommend you dress in older clothes or wear an apron to protect from ink and glue.

Community Instructors: Pat Szymanowski & Patricia Piper

Whimsical Painted Book Covers

Friday, October 24 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm

Spend a fun and creative afternoon with 577 Staff Artists Bennett Dowling and Connie Stose creating a charming seasonal painting on repurposed book covers. Participants will choose a book cover, select either a house or window template, and learn how to transfer, paint, and personalize their image with gouache paint and ink pen. No prior drawing or painting experience is required; Bennett and Connie have you covered!

Completed projects will be approximately 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, actual sizes and colors of book covers will vary. Projects will also include a choice of ribbon or string for displaying the finished project on a wall.

577 Staff Instructors: Bennett O. Dowling & Connie Stose

Watercolor II: Exploring Watercolor Pencils

Friday, October 24 ~ 6pm to 8:30pm

Enjoy exploring the various ways you can use watercolor pencils while practicing with a colorful and forgiving seasonal subject: fall leaves. We’ll use simple exercises to learn how water can be used to create different effects, and how the pencils can be layered with watercolor paints for added fun and interest. This exploration will lead to your work on a small mixed-media leaf painting using your favorite techniques. No previous drawing or painting experience necessary!

Participants will receive a 9″ x 12″ piece of watercolor paper. All experience levels welcome and all supplies included.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Acrylic Painting: Impressionistic Landscape

Saturday, October 25 ~ 2:30pm to 4pm

Enjoy a creative afternoon painting with acrylics as we dive into the vibrant world of impressionism–no experience needed! Participants will learn to fearlessly mix and apply color like the masters as we explore mark-making and paint application techniques to create depth and atmosphere.

This relaxed class will also cover building perspective and understanding color theory step by step with lots of guidance, empowering you to paint expressive landscapes full of life and movement. All supplies are included, but participants are welcome to bring their own favorite paint brushes. Each completed painting will be approximately 9″ x 12″.

Community Instructor: Sammi Dougherty

Acrylic Painting: Crashing Waves on Rocks

Monday, October 27 ~ 10am to 2:30pm

Discover your inner artist and learn how to paint a crashing wave on rocks in this hands-on, fun and friendly class. We’ll use various colors, brushes, tools, and techniques as we learn the stages of building an acrylic painting from start to finish. No experience is necessary, and all supplies are included for you to create an 11” x 14” painting in a relaxing atmosphere.

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 Rose

Artist Trading Cards: Flowers & Foliage

Tuesday, October 28 ~ 6pm to 8:15pm

Explore the wonders of this collaborative art form, a way to create and share art with others. Artist trading cards (ATCs) were started in the 90s to make art accessible to all and to build community between fellow artists and crafters. They are meant to be traded and not sold.

In this class, our theme will be flowers and foliage through bright colors and shapes, collage, and more, although participants may choose to explore other themes as well. Experiment with mixed media using acrylics, drawing utensils, paper scraps, and more, to create standard 2.5″ x 3.5″ artist trading cards. Paper types will vary, but most will be crafted on repurposed playing cards.

Each participant will create at least three (3) to four (4) cards to keep, and one (1) to two (2) to trade with another person in class! Start an ATC collection, continue to trade with others, frame or hang up, or incorporate these fun little cards into future art projects. Inspire others, share ideas, and have fun!

577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman

Watercolor: Cat Portraits

Wednesday, October 29 ~ 6pm to 8:30pm

Let’s celebrate National Cat Day (October 29) by enjoying a fun evening learning how to create a portrait of your favorite furry friend using easy watercolor techniques. Participants will be guided step by step to transfer their pet’s image onto watercolor paper and paint a small portrait. No drawing experience is needed, and dog portraits are also welcome.

Participants will learn basic watercolor skills and can choose to paint in a realistic or whimsical style. Completed projects will be approximately 5″ x 7″, suitable for framing, and great to keep or give as a gift. All experience levels are welcome, and all supplies are included.

Class Note: Each participant must bring or send a clear, front-facing, 5″ x 7″ headshot photo of their pet’s head/face. Photos must be printed on computer paper OR photos can also be emailed as a PNG or PDF attachment and they will be printed for you and ready for class.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Fused Glass: Set of Four Ornaments

Thursday, October 30 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Discover the colorful, creative world of fused glass in this fun and beginner-friendly class. With step-by-step guidance from your instructor, you’ll design and create a unique set of four ornaments. Participants will choose inspiration from a variety of holiday designs to personalize their ornaments, perfect for home display, gift giving, or both. No experience is necessary, and all materials are included. Finished ornaments will vary in size based on the selected designs.

After class, your pieces will be carefully fired in a home kiln to fuse the glass. Once complete, they’ll be returned to 577 for pickup. Participants will receive an email with pick-up information from 577 once the instructor returns completed projects, generally within 7 business days after the class.

Come explore the beauty of glass and leave with functional art you’ll be proud to use!

Community Instructor: Geneen Wise