Studio Arts

Watercolor: Misty Winter Woods

Friday, February 27 ~ 6pm to 8:30pm

Paint a misty woodland with just one color of watercolor paint. Perfect for beginners or watercolor enthusiasts looking to stretch their skills, we’ll start by learning or reviewing how to paint with watercolors, and practice simple techniques for painting trees in a landscape.

In the second part of class, participants will choose a favorite color and use their new skills to paint their own winter woods. Everyone will receive a 9″ by 12″ sheet of watercolor paper to create one painting, or choose to divide the paper and create two or more smaller paintings or cards.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Creative Card Making

Thursday, March 5 ~ 5pm to 8pm

Thursday, April 9 ~ 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 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 Instructors: Pat Szymanowski & Patricia Piper

Intro to Green Door Open Studio

Saturday, March 7 ~ 9am to 11:30am

Friday, April 10 ~ 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

Green Door Open Studio Time

Saturday, March 7 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm

Friday, April 10 ~ 6pm to 8:30pm

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

Acrylic Pour Painting: Open Cups Method

Monday, March 9 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm

Unleash your creativity in this exciting, hands-on pour painting class. Learn the proper mixing of pouring mediums and paint, how to layer them in cups, and finally, to flip them onto your canvas to create unique abstract art. You’ll gain a solid understanding of the essential supplies, measurements, and techniques needed to continue your fluid art journey. Everyone will complete a 14″ × 14″ painting that will be left in the studio and picked up at a later date once it’s dry.

Class Notes: You will receive an email with more information when the paintings are dry and available for pick up in 577’s Welcome Center. Once paintings are available, if you are unable to pick up your projects within 30 days, please contact us as soon as possible. Any projects either not picked up or no contact with 577 has been made 30 days after paintings are available for pickup, will become the property of 577. Please contact us with any questions.

Community Instructor: Thomas Craley

Whimsical Watercolor Greenhouses

Friday, March 13 ~ 1pm to 3:30pm

Spend a fun and creative Friday afternoon creating a pen & ink + watercolor greenhouse with 577 Staff Artists Bennett Dowling and Connie Stose. No prior drawing or painting experience is required ~ Bennett and Connie have you covered!

The class begins with Connie, who will guide you through simple practice exercises to get you comfortable with watercolors before learning how to let loose and create beautiful washes that mimic plants in a humid greenhouse. Next, Bennett will walk you through pen & ink tips and tricks and a simple transfer technique, helping you bring your greenhouse to life.

Paint this lush greenhouse, and we’ll help to beat those end-of-winter blues! Finished projects will be approximately 9″ x 12″.

577 Staff Instructors: Connie Stose & Bennett O. Dowling

Watercolor 101

Friday, March 13 ~ 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

Jewelry: Industrial Chic Necklace & Earrings

Saturday, March 14 ~ 2pm to 4pm

Saturday, April 18 ~ 2:30pm to 4:30pm 

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 Painting: River’s Edge

Monday, March 16 ~ 10am to 2:30pm

Discover your inner artist as you learn to paint a river’s edge in this fun and friendly hands-on 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

Soft Pastels: Wildflower Path

Wednesday, March 18 ~ 1pm to 3:30pm

Tuesday, March 31 ~ 1pm to 3:30pm *Just added!

Learn how to paint a beautiful wildflower path 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

Creating an Illustrated Field Journal

Friday, March 20 ~ 11am to 1pm

Friday, April 10 ~ 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

The Art of Alcohol Inks

Tuesday, March 24 ~ 6pm to 8pm 

Tuesday, April 28 ~ 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

Pressed Flower Frame Workshop

Friday, March 27 ~ 5:30pm to 7pm

Create a beautiful pressed flower work of art in a rectangular glass frame. Participants will work hands-on with real pressed flowers and leaves, learning about floral arrangement, composition, and design.

All materials will be provided, and no experience is required. This is a beginner-friendly workshop offering participants a chance to create with nature and leave with a finished 5″ x 7″ frame. Participants are also welcome to bring any of their own pressed flowers.

Community Instructor: Mariah Maddox

Collage Art: Ode to Women

*New date coming soon

In honor of Women’s History Month, participants in this workshop will create personalized collages to pay tribute to the women who have inspired and shaped their lives.

Vintage scrapbooking paper and other collage papers will be available, but everyone is also encouraged to bring photographs, letters, and any keepsakes that they’d like to include in this visual love letter. Participants will be invited to engage in conversation with guided reflective prompts. Completed projects will be approximately 8.5″ x 11″.

Community Instructor: Mariah Maddox

Watercolor II: Keeping a Watercolor Sketchbook

Friday, March 27 ~ 6pm to 8:30pm *Rescheduled date

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 taken Watercolor 101.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Painted Dot Mandala: Luck of the Irish

Saturday, March 28 ~ 10am to 1pm

Learn the basic techniques of dot painting as we work to create a mesmerizing mandala in lucky shades of greens and golds. In the first part of class, participants will receive step-by-step guidance to practice making common mandala elements such as swoops, petals, 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

Pysanky: Ukrainian Decorated Eggs

Saturday, March 28 ~ 1pm to 4pm

Pysanky are eggs decorated with intricate designs, created by “writing” on the shells with wax and dyeing them in a variety of colors. In this new hands-on class, learn the basic techniques of this traditional Ukrainian art form by creating your own egg and discover the history and meaning behind the symbols, patterns, and colors.

Each participant will complete one egg in a beginner design, and leave with the tools, supplies, and confidence to continue this art form on their own. The class fee includes a kit with a kistka (writing tool), 5 dye packets, beeswax, and pages of information, instructions, and patterns.

Class Notes: Participants will leave their completed eggs at 577 to dry. Everyone will receive an email with pick-up information from 577 once the eggs are dry, generally within 7 business days after the class. Dyes are safe but will stain–please bring an apron or wear appropriate clothes.

Community Instructor: Julie Richardson

Stained Glass Workshop: Luna Moth

Monday, March 30 ~ 12pm to 3pm

Create your own stunning luna moth in this beginner-friendly stained glass workshop. Join new instructor, 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 finished luna moth, ready to display, measuring approximately 6 × 5 inches.

Kara is a Columbus native who’s been passionate about making stained glass for 17 years. She seeks out vibrant colors and whimsical subject matter, bringing stained glass out of its traditional places and into modern decor. Kara teaches workshops all over Ohio and in her own storefront in Columbus.

Community Instructor: Kara Cullenen-O’Dea

Stained Glass Workshop: Vining Plant

Monday, March 30 ~ 5pm to 8pm

Create your own decorative vining plant in this beginner-friendly stained glass workshop. Join new instructor, 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 finished vining plant, ready to display, measuring approximately 8 × 5 inches.

Kara is a Columbus native who’s been passionate about making stained glass for 17 years. She seeks out vibrant colors and whimsical subject matter, bringing stained glass out of its traditional places and into modern decor. Kara teaches workshops all over Ohio and in her own storefront in Columbus.

Community Instructor: Kara Cullenen-O’Dea

Watercolor II: Daffodils

Friday, April 3 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm

Watercolor enthusiasts will learn a variety of ways to approach painting joyful daffodils, including how to paint from a transferred image, tricks to draw & paint daffodils, and how to paint daffodils with simple brush strokes.

Participants will also enjoy a visit from special guest 577 Organic Landscape Horticulturist Bennett O. Dowling, who will stop by to share the interesting features that make daffodils unique.

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

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Acrylic Pour Painting: Sunflower

Monday, April 6 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm

Celebrate the joy and warmth of sunflowers in this fun, beginner-friendly acrylic pour painting class! Inspired by the bold yellows, rich browns, and organic movement of sunflowers in bloom, participants will learn how to create a vibrant, 12″ x 12″ abstract floral piece using fluid acrylic techniques.

You’ll be guided step-by-step through paint mixing, color selection, and a pour technique designed to mimic the flowing petals and textured center of a sunflower. Each piece is completely unique—no drawing or painting experience required.

Class Notes: You will receive an email with more information when the paintings are dry and available for pick up in 577’s Welcome Center. Once paintings are available, if you are unable to pick up your projects within 30 days, please contact us as soon as possible. Any projects either not picked up or no contact with 577 has been made 30 days after paintings are available for pickup, will become the property of 577. Please contact us with any questions.

Community Instructor: Thomas Craley

Soft Pastels: Spring Stream

Wednesday, April 8 ~ 1pm to 3:30pm

Wednesday, April 22 ~ 1pm to 3:30pm 

Capture the beauty of a spring stream in soft pastel as you explore color, expressive mark-making, perspective, and the basics of working with pastels. No drawing 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

Introduction to Hand Lettering

Wednesday, April 8 ~ 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

Painted Dot Mandala: Cherry Blossom

Saturday, April 11 ~ 10am to 1pm

Learn the basic techniques of dot painting as we work to create a mandala inspired by cherry blossoms. In the first part of class, participants will receive step-by-step guidance to practice making common mandala elements such as uniform dots, teardrops, walking the dots, and top 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

Acrylic Painting: Pine Trees on Rocky Cliff

Monday, April 13 ~ 10am to 2:30pm

Discover your inner artist as you learn how to paint pine trees on a rocky cliff with a cloudy sky and distant mountain in this fun and friendly hands-on 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

Jewelry: Upcycled Knitting Needle Bracelets

Tuesday, April 14 ~ 6pm to 8pm

Create one-of-a-kind upcycled bracelets from old, mismatched knitting needles. Learn how to bend and stamp your jewelry with special jewelry-making tools. Each participant will make four (4) bracelets in a variety of colors and styles: one hammered & stamped bracelet, one small bangle, and two cuffs. All supplies are included.

577 Staff Instructors: Avery Bohman & Lindsay Grider

Junk Journaling 101

Thursday, April 16 ~ 5:30pm to 8pm

Junk Journaling is a relaxed, creative way to collect life’s sweet but fleeting moments without the pressure to be perfect. In this class, participants will create two pages, including an introduction page, while learning how to get started and how to find materials that match their personal style and memory-collecting goals.

Participants will receive extra materials and a junk journal pack with paper and stickers to take home and continue the junk journaling fun.

Community Instructor: Jessica Rheinholz

Watercolor: Exploring Ferns

Friday, April 17 ~ 1:30pm to 4pm

Explore simple techniques for painting ferns with watercolors in this special Earth Month class. Open to anyone with or without watercolor experience, we’ll start with simple warm up exercises and learn easy techniques to create our own fern paintings. We’ll also use the upcycled pages of a vintage botanical guide as inspiration and even paint on! Fun and eco-friendly, painting on old book pages adds an element of interest and whimsy to the transparent layers of watercolor paint.

Everyone will receive two (2) fern guide pages, a 4.5 x 6 inch piece of watercolor paper, and a variety of practice sheets. All book pages were collected from a damaged book destined to be recycled or thrown away.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Watercolor II: Vintage-Inspired Botanicals

Two-Part Class:

Monday, April 20 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm

Monday, April 27 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm

In this two-part class, watercolor enthusiasts will learn how to paint a detailed botanical image reminiscent of vintage floral illustrations.

In the first session on Monday, April 20, participants will choose from a limited selection of botanical images and spend time transferring the image onto our watercolor paper, either with a template or drawing by hand. After guided practice exercises, the remaining class time will be spent painting the first light layers of color in preparation for more detailed work in the second session.

In the second session on Monday, April 27, we’ll gather again in the Green Door Studio to add deeper colors and finer details, bringing dimension and depth to our flowers and leaves.

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

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Stained Glass Workshop: Hanging Box

Tuesday, April 21 ~ 12pm to 3pm

Create your own stunning 3D hanging glass box with four or five sides in this beginner-friendly stained glass workshop. Join new instructor, 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, and how to use a jig.

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 box, ready to hang and display, measuring approximately 4 × 5 inches.

Kara is a Columbus native who’s been passionate about making stained glass for 17 years. She seeks out vibrant colors and whimsical subject matter, bringing stained glass out of its traditional places and into modern decor. Kara teaches workshops all over Ohio and in her own storefront in Columbus.

Community Instructor: Kara Cullenen-O’Dea

Stained Glass Workshop: Grasshopper Flowerpot Friend

Tuesday, April 21 ~ 5pm to 8pm

Add a touch of whimsy to your favorite flower pot with this handmade stained glass grasshopper made by YOU. Join new instructor, Kara O’Dea, in the Green Door Studio and learn 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 weather-proof stained glass grasshopper, ready to display and measuring approximately 3 × 6 inches.

Kara is a Columbus native who’s been passionate about making stained glass for 17 years. She seeks out vibrant colors and whimsical subject matter, bringing stained glass out of its traditional places and into modern decor. Kara teaches workshops all over Ohio and in her own storefront in Columbus.

Community Instructor: Kara Cullenen-O’Dea