Youth & Family

Youth Art Adventures: Thanksgiving in the Woods

Friday, November 21 ~ 10am to 11am

Celebrate the season of gratitude through story, music, movement, and hands-on creativity. Designed for children ages 2 to 6 years old and their adult partner, together we will read “Thanksgiving in the Woods” by Phyllis Alsdurf, listen and dance to some fun preschool tunes, and create a fun fall craft with nature’s materials.

If time and weather permit, we will also take a short walk around the 577 grounds finding things in nature to be grateful for.

577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman

Family Pottery: Snowpeople! (Ages 7-17/Adult 18+)

Monday, November 24 ~ 4:30pm to 6pm

Get into the winter spirit with this fun and festive pottery project. In this family class, children ages 7–17 and their accompanying adult (18+) will each create a clay snowperson using simple pinch pot techniques. These handmade snowpeople will be a charming seasonal keepsake to display year after year.

Learn to shape cheerful snowpeople and add fun details, then craft accessories like scarves, hats, or earmuffs to give each piece personality. Once the designs are complete, you’ll decorate the accessories with colorful underglazes to make every snowperson unique.

Staff will apply a final clear glaze and complete the firing after class, ensuring beautifully finished, durable pieces. Expect pickup in about two to three weeks, and we’ll send an email when they’re ready. This class is designed for youth ages 7-17 with an accompanying adult (18+).

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Handmade Holidays: Upcycled Cards, Tags & More!

Tuesday, November 25 ~ 6pm to 8pm

Welcome the holiday season by creating one-of-a-kind and sustainable holiday crafts! As a way to reduce waste and create handmade gifts this season, we will reuse materials like Christmas cards, wrapping paper, gift bags, scrapbook paper, fabrics, ribbon, and more, to create exciting papercrafts to share with friends and family.

Each participant has the option to create gift tags, greeting cards, paper garlands, and/or collages from a plethora of holiday ephemera. All supplies are provided, but feel free to bring any special or antique holiday keepsakes to incorporate into your art—think Christmas cards and notes, stamps, decorated shopping bags, wrapping paper scraps, ribbon, and more.

Class Note: Participants ages 12-15 may join with a registered adult, and ages 16-17 are welcome to attend on their own.

577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman

Youth Pottery: Winter Seal Sculpture (Ages 7-17)

Tuesday, December 2 ~ 4:30pm to 6pm

Make a splash this winter as your kiddo creates their very own adorable seal! In this fun, hands-on pottery class, they’ll shape and decorate their seal using simple techniques—no experience needed. Each child will learn step-by-step how to form their seal and bring it to life with fun details and personality. Add a hat, scarf, or bow tie to give your seal a festive touch!

Once sculpted, everyone will paint their creation with colorful underglazes. After class, our staff will apply a clear glaze and fire it, so your shiny new seal will be ready to take home and display—a perfect winter keepsake or cheerful seasonal decoration. Pottery will be ready for pick-up in about two to three weeks, and you’ll receive an email notification when it’s ready.

Class Notes: This class is open to children ages 7 to 17. No prerequisite or experience is required. Adults are not required to attend youth pottery classes. Youth participants may be dropped off at the beginning of class and picked up at the scheduled end time.

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Family Pottery: Penguin Snack Bowl (Ages 5-6/Adult 18+)

Friday, December 5 ~ 9:30am to 11am

Waddle into winter fun with this adorable family pottery workshop! Designed for children ages 5 to 6 and their accompanying adult (18+), this class is a perfect introduction to working with clay, creating a keepsake you’ll treasure.

Guided by your instructor, families will follow a step-by-step demonstration to form an adorable little penguin using simple pinch pot techniques. Each family will receive a pre-made medium-sized thrown bowl, crafted by our pottery staff, ready for you to decorate or choose a glaze to have it dipped in.

Your penguin will be placed inside to create a charming snack bowl. Once your sculpture is complete, you’ll bring it to life with colorful underglazes. After the workshop, our staff will apply a final glaze to finish your creation. Expect pickup in about two to three weeks, and we’ll send an email when they’re ready. This class is designed for youth ages 5-6 with an accompanying adult (18+).

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Youth Art Adventures: Winter Sleep

Friday, December 5 ~ 10am to 11am

Get ready for the winter season through story, music, movement, and hands-on creativity! Designed for children ages 2 to 6 years old and their adult partner, together we will read “Winter Sleep: A Hibernation Story” by Sean Taylor & Alex Morss, illustrated by Cinyee Chiu, listen and dance to some fun preschool tunes, and create a snowy animal craft with recycled materials.

577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman

Preschool: Cookie Decorating

Tuesday, December 9 ~ 10am to 10:45am

Preschoolers aged two (2) to five (5) and their adult partners (18+) will have fun decorating premade cookies, listening to stories and playing musical games in this fun class. Please state any food allergies at registration.

This engaging experience is designed to spark curiosity and creativity while fostering special moments between you and your little one. Come ready to learn, play, and grow together!

Community Instructor: Elaine Sneider

Family Pottery: Clay Tic Tac Toe (Ages 7-17/Adult 18+)

Thursday, December 11 ~ 4:30pm to 6pm

Play and creativity come together in this fun family pottery workshop! In this family class, children ages 7–17 and their accompanying adult (18+) will design and build their very own tic tac toe game set—perfect for playtime and display. Families can choose to each make their own smaller boards or collaborate on one larger board together.

Guided by your instructor, participants will begin with a quick demonstration on how to form their boards using pre-rolled clay slabs, along with examples for inspiration. From there, you’ll shape your board and game pieces, adding your own creative twist to the design. Once complete, you’ll have the opportunity to decorate your tic-tac-toe set with colorful underglazes or select a single glaze color for our staff to dip and finish after firing. The result—a one-of-a-kind handmade game you’ll enjoy for years to come!

Staff will apply a final clear glaze and complete the firing after class, ensuring beautifully finished, durable pieces. Expect pickup in about two to three weeks, and we’ll send an email when they’re ready. This class is designed for youth ages 7-17 with an accompanying adult (18+).

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Youth Pottery: Story-Themed Bookends (Ages: 7-17)

Tuesday, January 6 ~ 5pm to 7pm

Spark creativity and celebrate the magic of storytelling in this hands-on clay class for youth ages 7–17! Students will design and build their own set of bookends inspired by a favorite book or story. Your instructor will guide students step-by-step as they work with pre-rolled clay slabs to cut out and assemble the base forms for their bookends.

Once the structure is built, students will learn to sculpt simple shapes and figures from clay and securely attach them to their pieces. They’ll have the chance to bring their story to life through creative details and colorful underglaze painting. This project encourages imagination, problem-solving, and hands-on skill building—combining a love of stories with the joy of clay. Finished bookends will be glazed and fired by staff. Families will receive an email when the artwork is ready for pickup, typically 14 to 16 days after class.

Class Notes: This class is open to children ages 7 to 17. No prior pottery experience is required. Youth Pottery Classes are designed to be drop-off classes to support the creative process. Adult guardians will be asked to drop students off at the beginning of class and return at the scheduled end time for pickup. This allows young artists to fully engage, explore, and create independently. 

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Family Painting: Watercolor Snow Families (Ages 7-17/Adult 18+)

Saturday, January 10 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm

Spend a cozy afternoon in the Green Door Studio and enjoy family time getting creative together! Each adult and child pair will explore fun and easy watercolor techniques in the first part of class. In the second part of class, participants will each paint their own personalized “Snow Family Portrait,” using their favorite colors and techniques.

Class Notes: Each registration is for one (1) youth between the ages of 7 to 17, with an accompanying adult 18 years old and older. Due to the small class size, only one adult may accompany the youth registered. If an adult would like to accompany multiple youth participants, please sign up each youth participant individually and list the adult’s name for each registration.

577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose

Preschool: Animal Coverings

Tuesday, January 13 ~ 10am to 10:45am

Preschoolers aged two to five and their adult partners will have fun learning about animals and their coverings, such as shells, fur, and more. This class includes a story, playing musical games, and a craft.

This engaging experience is designed to spark curiosity and creativity while fostering special moments between you and your little one. Come ready to learn, play, and grow together!

Class Notes: Please register each participating child individually; adults attend free as part of their role as caregivers.

Community Instructor: Elaine Sneider

Family Pottery: Valentine Heart Fun (Ages 5-6/Adults 18+)

Friday, January 16 ~ 10am to 11:30am

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a sweet and creative family pottery class! Designed especially for children ages 5–6 and their accompanying adult (18+), this class invites families to work together to make a heart-decorated or heart-shaped dish—perfect for holding snacks, candy, or as a special keepsake—along with a few sweetheart-inspired ornaments.

Your instructor will guide families step-by-step as they form and shape their dish using pre-rolled clay slabs. Participants will have the chance to add texture, stamps, or meaningful words to their creations before painting them with colorful underglazes. This class is a wonderful way to celebrate love and creativity while learning simple pottery techniques together.Finished pieces will be glazed and fired by staff, and families will receive an email when items are ready for pickup, typically two to three weeks after class.

Class Notes: Each registration is for one (1) youth between the ages of 5 to 6, with an accompanying adult 18 years old and older. Due to the small class size, only one adult may accompany the youth registered. If an adult would like to accompany multiple youth participants, please sign up each youth participant individually and list the adult’s name for each registration.

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Kids Explore Nature: Animal Hibernation

Saturday, January 17 ~ 10am to 11:30am

Young explorers will learn all about critters and what they do during the winter season. Designed for kids ages 4 to 7 with an adult guardian, families will meet in the new Green Door Studio to learn about animals that hibernate and migrate, as well as make a recycled 12″ x 12″ cardboard puppet stage with hibernating puppets.

This engaging experience is designed to spark curiosity and encourage meaningful moments between you and your little one. Come ready to learn, grow, and explore together!

Community Instructors: Nancy & John Salerno

Youth Pottery: Valentine Hearts (Ages: 7-17)

Monday, January 19 ~ 10am to 11:30am

Your kiddo will love getting into the Valentine’s spirit with this hands-on pottery class, giving them the perfect opportunity to spend their day off school creating something sweet and special.

Your instructor will guide everyone step-by-step as they craft their own custom heart-shaped dish—perfect for holding little snacks, candy, jewelry, earbuds, change, and other small treasures. Next, students will create a coiled heart pot to stash their secret finds. These adorable pieces will be cherished all year long! Once completed, your child’s creations will be bisque-fired, dipped in their favorite glaze chosen during class, and fired again. Families will receive an email when the artwork is ready for pickup, typically 14 to 16 days after class.

Class Notes: This class is open to children ages 7 to 17. No prior pottery experience is required. Youth Pottery Classes are designed to be drop-off classes to support the creative process. Adult guardians will be asked to drop students off at the beginning of class and return at the scheduled end time for pickup. This allows young artists to fully engage, explore, and create independently. 

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Youth Pottery: Hot Cocoa Mug Set (Ages: 7-17)

Monday, January 19 ~ 2pm to 4pm

Kids can turn their day off school into a hands-on clay adventure as they create their very own hot cocoa mug set—perfect for chilly winter days! Your instructor will guide participants step-by-step as they use a pre-extruded clay cylinder to build their mug, attach a handle, and form a small coordinating dish to complete their set.

Once their pieces are built, kids can let their imagination shine by adding sculpted details—marshmallows, peppermints, candy canes, or any fun winter elements. They’ll also paint their creations with colorful underglazes to make each mug set uniquely their own. This class is a fun, hands-on way for young artists to learn basic pottery techniques while making something they can enjoy all season long. Families will receive an email when the artwork is ready for pickup, typically 14 to 16 days after class.

Class Notes: This class is open to children ages 7 to 17. No prior pottery experience is required. Youth Pottery Classes are designed to be drop-off classes to support the creative process. Adult guardians will be asked to drop students off at the beginning of class and return at the scheduled end time for pickup. This allows young artists to fully engage, explore, and create independently. 

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan

Preschool Move, Play, & Grow: Snow!

Friday, January 23 ~ 10am to 11am

Join our snow- and wintry-themed sensory + motor fun fest for kids ages 2.5 to 5 and their caregiver. All activities are designed and led by an occupational therapist to boost coordination for little hands, eyes, and the whole body, while also supporting sensory processing, social skills, self-regulation, and more. It’s a playful blend of learning, fun, and helping kiddos get ready to conquer the world of play, sports, and beyond.

Class Note: Weather and time permitting, we may venture outside onto the beautiful 577 grounds toward the end of class.

Community Instructor: Mary Davies, MS OTR/L

Family Winter Seed Starting (Ages 7 to 17 w/ Adult)

Saturday, January 24 ~ 10am to 11:30am

Beat the winter blues with your family and get a jump start on your garden together! Winter sowing is a planting method where seeds are started outside in the winter, rather than starting them in a house or building. Using simple recycled containers, the seeds will germinate when ready and are already acclimated to your local climate. With this method, seed germination is believed to be higher than 90%! Each family will prepare and take home three (3) containers, seeds, potting soil, a trowel, instructions, and labels.

Class Notes: Each registration is for one (1) youth between the ages of 7-17, with an accompanying adult 18 years old or older. Due to the small class size, only one adult may accompany the youth registered. Please bring gardening gloves, if desired.

Community Instructor: Sherry Kertesz 

Preschool: Farm Animals

Tuesday, January 27 ~ 10am to 10:45am

Preschoolers aged two to five and their adult partners will enjoy learning about farm animals, listening to stories, playing musical games, and making a craft in this fun class. 

This engaging experience is designed to spark curiosity and creativity while fostering special moments between you and your little one. Come ready to learn, play, and grow together!

Class Notes: Please register each participating child individually; adults attend free as part of their role as caregivers.

Community Instructor: Elaine Sneider

Youth Art Adventures: Playful Penguins

Friday, January 30 ~ 10am to 11am

Discover the joy of penguins through story, music, movement, and hands-on creativity. Designed for children ages 2 to 6 years old and their adult partner, this playful class introduces young learners to the life of a penguin. Together we’ll read “If You Were a Penguin” by Wendell & Florence Minor, dance like a penguin, and create a cute craft.

Class Notes: Please register each participating child individually; adults attend free as part of their role as caregivers.

577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman

Intro to Crochet for Families (Ages 7 to 17/Adult 18+)

Saturday, January 31 ~ 10am to 12pm

Learn to crochet together as a family! Whether you need a refresher or you’ve never picked up a hook before, each adult and child pair will focus on how to tie a slip knot, how to chain stitch (the foundation of crochet), and the single crochet stitch. Each participant will create a project of their choice – a dishcloth, a coaster, a scarf, or a little lap blanket.

Participants will have a variety of yarns and tools on hand to choose from. We’ll start by choosing your desired project, your yarn color, and the correct-sized hook. All supplies are included to reduce beginner frustration from using the wrong tools. Everyone will receive a crochet hook and a ball of yarn, along with handouts for reference when practicing and helping each other at home.

Class Notes: Each registration is for one (1) youth between the ages of 7 to 17, with an accompanying adult 18 years old or older. Due to the small class size, only one adult may accompany the youth registered. If an adult would like to accompany multiple youth participants, please sign up each youth participant individually and list the adult’s name for each registration.

Community Instructor: Annie Johnson

Family Pottery: Chia Pets (Ages 7-17/Adults 18+)

Saturday, January 31 ~ 2pm to 4pm

Chia Pets have outlasted the ’70s—and now you can create one of your very own! Originating in Mexico, these quirky, charming housewares make a delightful project to create together and a fun piece to take home and watch grow.Your instructor will guide families step-by-step through using pinch-pot techniques to build a pet of your choice. Create a hedgehog, turtle, sheep, cat, or dog, and craft a small tray for your pet to sit on and catch any extra water.

Each youth/adult pair may choose to work together on a single Chia Pet or each create their own, taking home a pair of pets if they’d like. Projects will remain unglazed so the ceramic walls stay permeable—an essential feature for sprouting real chia. Once your creations are fired and ready (usually two to three weeks after class), we’ll send an email letting you know they’re ready for pickup—complete with chia seeds from 577 so you can bring your new pet friends to life at home.

Class Notes: Each registration is for one (1) youth between the ages of 7 to 17, with an accompanying adult 18 years old and older. Due to the small class size, only one adult may accompany the youth registered. If an adult would like to accompany multiple youth participants, please sign up each youth participant individually and list the adult’s name for each registration.

577 Staff Instructor: Alison Buchanan