All levels welcome

We will learn how to make cyanotypes directly from nature and objects using the beautiful yet simple 19th century printing process. Plants and objects are placed directly on paper that has been coated with the cyanotype solution and is then exposed by sunlight and simply developed in water. Students will use pre-coated paper and learn how to hand coat fine art paper to achieve exquisite prints. The process is fun, organic, and open to all levels. No previous photo experience is required.

Bryan Whitney is a fine art photographer in New York who specializes in alternative techniques from x-rays to lens-free imaging and cyanotype printing. He has exhibited widely and teaches at the International Center of Photography, Penumbra and other locations.

Fee: $435 (Course Fee: $330 + Lab Fee: $65 + Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $40)

All levels welcome

This popular workshop invites participants to dive straight into creating acrylic paintings from initial concepts to a finished piece. Attendees will learn basic painting techniques and will be encouraged to draw upon learned life experiences, new ideas and underlying inspiration. This workshop will give participants new insights as to how to take risks, learn from experimentation, and make artistic expression a fulfilling, life-long endeavor.

Kárin Lowney-Seed is an accomplished working artist whose bold, confident and colorful paintings have been exhibited throughout the United States. Featured as a popular guest artist at The Sugar Maples Creative Center, Kárin takes personal pride in elevating her student’s artistic talents sharing her extensive knowledge of technique, color and space. She holds both MFA and BA degrees from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Fee: $540 (Course Fee: $440 + Lab Fee: $60 + Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $40)

Skill Level: Beginner – Advanced

This course takes place in our beautiful, well-lit, dedicated 2D studio, designed specifically to inspire focus and creativity. This 8-week course is for artists of all levels. Each week, you will work on individual projects, moving from initial vision and foundational skills to material exploration and style refinement. Under guidance, you will navigate technical problem-solving, finalize a cohesive body of work, and participate in a final studio showcase. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned artist, this supportive environment is designed to expand your vocabulary, polish your skills, and (re)discover your unique style.

Fee: $335 (Course Fee: $275 + Lab Fee: $20 + Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $40)

All levels welcome

Dive into the vibrant, unpredictable world of abstract painting in this immersive 3-day workshop. Using the versatility of water-based mediums—watercolor, acrylics, and inks—you will explore techniques that emphasize texture, color harmony, and a variety of different approaches to mark-making. This workshop is designed to help you "loosen up." We will move beyond brushes to experiment with palette knives, spray bottles, and unconventional tools to create dynamic, layered, and deeply personal artwork. Whether you are a beginner looking for a creative outlet or an experienced artist wanting to break through a creative block, this session will provide the tools to develop your own unique abstract voice.

Loreen Oren graduated from Cornell University with a dual degree Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, followed by a Master of Architecture degree from Pratt Institute. Art and design was instilled in her from a young age, and she is a third-generation architect and artist. Loreen has traveled to over 40 countries, which has provided inspiration for her work. She works in various mediums, including watercolors, ink, acrylic and oil paint, but linear repetition inspired by nature is the essence.

Fee: $420 (Course Fee: $330 + Lab Fee: $50 + Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $40)

All levels welcome

The letters of the alphabet can be a foundation as well as a place for experimentation. Using a fascinating series of hands-on and messy exercises developed by this award-winning instructor, students will explore non-traditional ways of making marks, generating letters, and inventing pictorial narratives. These methods can be applied to designing typefaces, adding new dimensions to calligraphic practice, creating personalized fonts, and even lead to unique ways of observing our world.

Cyrus Highsmith is a letter drawer, teacher, author, and graphic artist. He teaches type design at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). He wrote and illustrated the acclaimed primer Inside Paragraphs: Typographic Fundamentals. In 2015, he received the Gerrit Noordzij Prize for extraordinary contributions to the fields of type design, typography, and type education. In 2017, he became Creative Director for Latin Type.

Fee: $305 (Course Fee: $220 + Lab Fee: $45 + Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $40)

All levels welcome

In this hands-on workshop, Betsy demonstrates how to bypass the frustrating parts of making representational art using simple methods she has developed to make the process fun. Participants will learn how to transfer a basic sketch, make it look "realistic" right away by introducing the darkest darks, simplify what you see, and choose the most dominant colors. Participants will leave with their completed painting plus easy-to-follow methods for continuing their journey. All levels are welcome, from novice to expert. Tools and materials will be provided.

Betsy Jacks is a Hudson Valley-based visual artist. She grew up in New York City and was Director of Marketing for the Whitney Museum of American Art. For two decades she was the Executive Director of the Thomas Cole National Historic Site — an art museum and home of the 19th-century landscape painter. She has won numerous awards, including New York State Museums Individual Achievement Award of Distinction. Her work has been exhibited widely and is in the collection of the Albany Institute.

Fee: $430 (Course Fee: $330 + Lab Fee: $60 + Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $40)

All levels welcome

Join us for a hands-on introduction to Relief Printing. While always visceral, this printmaking process is conducive to personal approaches as varied as high detail or free flowing. Learn exciting techniques for carving designs and imagery into linoleum blocks and how to print your unique artworks. Explore personal imagery and storytelling along with the fathomless possibilities and qualities this tactile process provides. Perfect for beginners and/or artists looking to enliven and expand their practice.

Martin Kruck’s artwork has been featured in 25 solo exhibitions and in over 100 group exhibitions in Germany, Estonia, United Kingdom, Northern Ireland (UK), and the United States. He has received artists grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, and the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. He is a Professor of Art/Printmaking at Kean University Jersey City.  

Fee: $310 (Course Fee: $220 + Lab Fee: $50 + Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $40)

All levels welcome

Join us for an immersive introduction to oil painting. Using the historic and vibrant world of food ‘still-lives’ as our inspiration, learn the fundamentals of capturing light, color, and form as we build layers of oil paint to create exciting depth and illusion. Participants will be introduced to approaches that consider the rich narrative threads weaving together food, culture, and human experience. Receive lots of individual attention and engage in group discussions as we practice daily painting methods. Perfect for beginners and those looking to refine their skills.

Mia Brownell’s paintings use the illusionistic conventions of traditional food still-life painting to explore larger conversations about being human. Referencing 17th-century Dutch realism and the swirling forms of molecular imaging, her work considers food as more than sustenance, examining how it is grown, processed, marketed, and consumed, and how it functions as a cultural signifier. Through illusionistic depictions, she probes questions of identity, values, and the parallels between microbiology and the social constructs that shape who we are. Mia is a Professor of Art & Design at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.

Fee: $520 (Course Fee: $440 + Lab Fee: $40 + Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $40)