Studio Arts

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

Monday, October 12 ~ 1pm to 4pm

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

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

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

Creating an Illustrated Field Journal

Friday, September 11 ~ 11am to 1pm

Friday, October 16 ~ 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.

Class Notes: For your safety, closed-toed shoes are required for this class. Please plan to arrive on time. Due to the nature of stained glass projects and the specialized tools and equipment needed to complete them, projects cannot be finished at home. Participants arriving more than 20 minutes after the class start time will not have enough time to complete their project and will not be able to join the class. Refunds will not be issued for late arrivals.

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.

Class Notes: For your safety, closed-toed shoes are required for this class. Please plan to arrive on time. Due to the nature of stained glass projects and the specialized tools and equipment needed to complete them, projects cannot be finished at home. Participants arriving more than 20 minutes after the class start time will not have enough time to complete their project and will not be able to join the class. Refunds will not be issued for late arrivals.

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

Creative Card Making: Celebrate the Fall Season

Thursday, September 24 ~ 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.

*New Class Date: Moved from September 3 to September 24

Community Instructor: Pat Szymanowski

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

Jewelry: Industrial Chic Necklace & Earrings

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

The Art of Alcohol Inks: Abstract Landscapes

Wednesday, September 23 ~ 6pm to 8pm

Friday, October 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

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

Green Door Open Studio Time

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

Monday, October 26 ~ 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

Pastel Sampler: Pears in Chalk & Oil Pastels

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

Discover how much personality a simple pear can have as you explore the fun of creating with both chalk and oil pastels in this beginner-friendly class. We’ll draw from real pears while experimenting with color, texture, shadows, and composition in both mediums. We’ll also try different papers and canvas as we create charming fruit-inspired artworks.

The class will begin with practice exercises and color sampling before participants complete at least two (2) pastel paintings: one on colored paper (approximately 8 x 8 inches) and one on canvas (approximately 5 x 5 inches).

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Watercolor II: October Skies

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

Watercolor enthusiasts will enjoy exploring different approaches to painting skyscapes, from a variety of cloud formations to the changing colors and light throughout the day. We’ll spend the first part of class practicing color mixing, brushstrokes, and blending techniques that apply specifically to clouds and the sky.

In the second part of class, participants will put those techniques into practice with inspiration from puffy clouds on a crisp October day and other types of skyscapes. Each participant will receive two 5 x 7 inch sheets of watercolor paper, one hot-pressed and one cold-pressed, and one 10 x 14 inch sheet of rough watercolor paper, providing an opportunity to experiment with a variety of paper textures. Participants are encouraged to bring their own cloud and sky photos for additional inspiration.

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

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Exploring Gouache: Paint Your Pets

Friday, October 2 ~ 6pm to 8:30pm

Have fun trying a different painting medium while commemorating your beloved pet or pets in a seasonal painted illustration. Gouache is easier to use than it is to pronounce, and participants will learn how to do both while exploring the ways “watercolor’s chalky cousin” can be used on its own and alongside other art materials. No art experience is needed!

Participants will begin with practice exercises before learning how to turn their pet or pets into a simple illustration, transfer the design, and paint their image onto watercolor paper. Completed projects will be approximately 8″ x 8 inches, 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 a clear photo of each animal they would like to include in their painting for reference during class. Photos may be printed or viewed on a phone. Participants are also encouraged to email one or two pet photos to Connie before class so she can be better prepared to help with each illustration. Photos can be emailed as a PNG or PDF attachment.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Introduction to Hand Lettering

Tuesday, October 6 ~ 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

Creative Card Making: Christmas Card Palooza

Thursday, October 8 ~ 4:30pm to 8pm

Get ready for the holidays while creating a collection of twelve (12) handmade holiday cards to send to loved ones or add a special touch to holiday packages. Participants will create four different card designs, making three of each design for a total of twelve cards to take home.

Enjoy an evening of creativity, conversation, and refreshments while learning techniques for making beautiful handmade cards. Handmaking and sending greeting cards is a meaningful way to share love, appreciation, and connection with the people we care about, letting someone know they are valued.

No experience is required, and all are welcome. Feel free to add to the festive spirit by wearing your favorite holiday apparel! Class Note: We recommend wearing older clothes or an apron to protect clothing from ink and glue. Card designs may vary from those pictured.

Community Instructors: Pat Szymanowski & Pat Piper

Watercolor II: Exploring Watercolor Pencils

Monday, October 12 ~ 6pm to 8:30pm

Enjoy exploring the creative possibilities of watercolor pencils while practicing with a colorful and forgiving seasonal subject: pumpkins! Through simple exercises, participants will experiment with different ways to use watercolor pencils, create a variety of effects, and layer them with watercolor paints for added color, texture, and interest.

Then, put your favorite techniques into practice while creating a small mixed-media pumpkin painting to take home. Each participant will receive a 9 x 12 inch piece of watercolor paper. All other supplies are included.

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

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Stained Glass Workshop: Moon

Tuesday, October 13 ~ 12pm to 3pm

Create your own moon 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 moon, ready to hang and measuring approximately 8 × 6 inches.

Class Notes: For your safety, closed-toed shoes are required for this class. Please plan to arrive on time. Due to the nature of stained glass projects and the specialized tools and equipment needed to complete them, projects cannot be finished at home. Participants arriving more than 20 minutes after the class start time will not have enough time to complete their project and will not be able to join the class. Refunds will not be issued for late arrivals.

Community Instructor: Kara Cullenen-O’Dea

Stained Glass Workshop: 3D Pumpkin

Tuesday, October 13 ~ 5pm to 8pm

Create your own stunning 3D glass pumpkin 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, 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 pumpkin, ready to display, measuring approximately 6 × 6 × 5 inches.

Class Notes: For your safety, closed-toed shoes are required for this class. Please plan to arrive on time. Due to the nature of stained glass projects and the specialized tools and equipment needed to complete them, projects cannot be finished at home. Participants arriving more than 20 minutes after the class start time will not have enough time to complete their project and will not be able to join the class. Refunds will not be issued for late arrivals.

Community Instructor: Kara Cullenen-O’Dea

Upcycled Artsy Junk Journals

Thursday, October 15 ~ 6pm to 8pm

Transform an old book destined for the landfill into an artsy, personalized junk journal, sometimes called glue books or visual journals. Fill the pages with colorful collage spreads using found and repurposed materials such as tickets, receipts, tags, maps, notes and letters, stickers, travel brochures, and more. Art supplies and paints will also be available to add your own creative flair.

Each participant will leave with the start of a personalized junk journal, the perfect place to get lost in scrapbooking, scribbling, sketching, coloring, writing, and whatever else inspires you. Materials are provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own special ephemera and found paper items to make their journal even more personal. Consider bringing movie or show tickets, letters and notes, wrappers, stickers, receipts, photos, postcards, scrapbook paper, magazine pages, or other meaningful pieces you’ve collected. You’re also welcome to bring your own blank or used notebook or book to transform. Provided notebook sizes will vary, ranging from approximately 5.5 x 8 inches to 9 x 12 inches.

577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman

Botanical Collage: Moody Book Cover Vignettes

Friday, October 16 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm

Capture the moodiness of the season as you create mixed-media botanical vignettes using watercolor, pen and ink, pressed flowers and botanicals, repurposed book covers, and your own imagination. No art experience is needed!

Participants can choose from three design templates or create an original design while exploring ways to layer watercolor, ink, and natural materials. Everyone will create two pieces and receive two repurposed book covers, six pressed botanicals, watercolor paper, and all additional supplies needed to complete their projects.

Class Note: Each completed piece will be approximately 5 inches by 8 inches, depending on the size of the available repurposed book covers.

577 Staff Instructors: Bennett O. Dowling & Connie Stose

Whimsical Watercolor & Ink Monsters

Friday, October 16 ~ 6pm to 8:30pm

Spend a fun Friday evening stretching your creative skills with 577 Staff Artists Bennett Dowling and Connie Stose as you explore watercolor and ink while creating your own whimsical monsters and fanciful creatures. No prior drawing or painting experience is needed. Bennett and Connie have you covered!

Class will begin with simple guided exercises to help everyone get comfortable working with watercolor and ink. Then, let your imagination take over as you create your own monsters and creatures with instructor support and optional prompts to help you loosen up, experiment, and get the creative juices flowing.

Each participant will receive several sheets of paper suitable for watercolor and ink, with plenty of room to explore and create.

577 Staff Instructors: Bennett O. Dowling & Connie Stose

Acrylic Painting: Pumpkin Harvest Wagon

Monday, October 19 ~ 10am to 2:30pm

Release your inner creativity as you learn how to paint a wagon loaded with pumpkins 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 building an acrylic painting from start to finish. No prior experience needed! 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

Watercolor II: Owl & Moon

Two-part Class:

Friday, October 23 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm

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

Owls hold a special place in the lore of harvest season, and in this two-part class, watercolor enthusiasts will stretch their skills by painting these wise and wondrous creatures in a nighttime scene.

During the first session on Friday, October 23, participants will choose from a variety of species and reference photos, then transfer their chosen design onto watercolor paper using a template or freehand drawing. After a few guided practice exercises, participants will begin building their paintings with the first layers of color in preparation for more detailed work during the second session.

On Friday, October 30, we’ll gather again in the Green Door Studio to continue building layers, adding deeper colors and finer details to bring dimension and depth to each nighttime scene. Completed paintings will make a lovely addition to a gallery wall, nature journal, or seasonal display.

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

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Painted Dot Mandala: Trick or Treat

Saturday, October 24 ~ 9am to 12pm

Learn the basic techniques of dot painting as we work to create a beautiful, Halloween-themed 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

Hand Lettered Halloween

Saturday, October 24 ~ 1:30pm to 3:30pm *New Date

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. *This class moved from September 10 to October 24.

Community Instructor: Melissa Owens

Acrylic Pour Painting: Rainbow Swipe

Monday, October 26 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm

In this special Rainbow Swipe Acrylic Pour class, you’ll create a vibrant abstract painting using bright rainbow colors and a swiping technique that produces stunning cells and movement. No experience is needed, just come ready to have fun and express yourself through art. Each participant will create a one-of-a-kind, 11″ x 14″ pour painting.

Class Note: Participants will receive an email with more information when the paintings are dry and available for pickup in 577’s Welcome Center. 

Community Instructor: Thomas Craley

Jewelry Making: Mixed Metals ~ Stars & Hearts

Wednesday, October 28 ~ 1pm to 3pm

Learn how to turn scrap metal into unique wearable art with just a few tools. Participants will receive support and guidance as they create, customize, and assemble star- and heart-shaped jewelry using copper, brass, or German silver.

Choose to create a pair of earrings and a necklace, or two pairs of earrings, mixing and matching stars and hearts to make each piece your own. All experience levels are welcome. Each participant will also receive a gift box for their finished creations.

Class Note: Please bring reading or safety glasses. All other supplies are included. This class is a themed version of the class previously offered as Jewelry: Industrial Chic Necklace & Earrings.

Community Instructor: Snookie Viviano

Watercolor as Meditation: Stacking Stones

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

Relax into your weekend and get lost in your favorite color through the calming practice of watercolor painting. Begin by exploring the differences between watercolor paints and watercolor inks through simple practice exercises. No painting experience is needed!

Then, settle into peaceful, quiet creative time accompanied by soft music, allowing everyone the space to focus on their painting in a calm, stress-free atmosphere. Using stacks of stones, also known as cairns, as inspiration, participants will create three to four paintings while experimenting with color, materials, and techniques introduced during class.

Each participant will receive one 9 x 12 inch piece of watercolor paper and two 4 x 9 inch pieces of gesso-coated canvas. Completed paintings will vary in size based on each participant’s artistic choices.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose