Upcoming events

Apr
11

Try-It: Weaving

Try-It: Weaving
with Laura Ballard
For ages 16+
$50-$70
(Sliding scale payment)


Dip your toe into the vast waters of weaving with this try-it class! Through a small project, such as a bookmark, participants will learn a quick and easy way to direct warp a rigid heddle loom, experiment with different types of weaving fiber and learn about different weft-faced weaving techniques and patterns to incorporate. Skills from this class can be the foundation for the intermediate weaving classes and projects. 

View Event →
Apr
13

Beginner Weaving Part 1

Beginner Weaving-Mug Rugs
with Laura Ballard

2 day workshop
Monday, April 13th & Thursday, April 16th, 6-9pm

$140-$180
Sliding scale payment.
Ages 13+

Learn all the basics of weaving on a rigid heddle loom. Students will learn how to plan a project, warp their looms, weave 4 mug rugs or coasters and how to hem stitch and finish their projects. This class will be the foundation for all other weaving classes and must be taken before more advanced classes. 

Laura Ballard has been obsessed with weaving and fiber since taking a class in high school. After receiving her degree in art education, she explored fiber more while working at North Country School in Lake Placid, where she had access to a flock of sheep, spinning wheels, looms and lots of kids excited to experiment. After moving to Ithaca, Laura began teaching art at EAC Montessori with a fiber curriculum including felting, batik, natural dyeing, spinning and weaving. Laura has over 15 years of experience teaching fiber classes and is excited to share her passion for weaving with a new audience at The Clay School!

View Event →
Apr
16

Beginner Weaving Part 2

Beginner Weaving-Mug Rugs
with Laura Ballard

2 day workshop
Monday, April 13th & Thursday, April 16th, 6-9pm

$140-$180
Sliding scale payment.
Ages 13+

Learn all the basics of weaving on a rigid heddle loom. Students will learn how to plan a project, warp their looms, weave 4 mug rugs or coasters and how to hem stitch and finish their projects. This class will be the foundation for all other weaving classes and must be taken before more advanced classes. 

Laura Ballard has been obsessed with weaving and fiber since taking a class in high school. After receiving her degree in art education, she explored fiber more while working at North Country School in Lake Placid, where she had access to a flock of sheep, spinning wheels, looms and lots of kids excited to experiment. After moving to Ithaca, Laura began teaching art at EAC Montessori with a fiber curriculum including felting, batik, natural dyeing, spinning and weaving. Laura has over 15 years of experience teaching fiber classes and is excited to share her passion for weaving with a new audience at The Clay School!

View Event →
Apr
17

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

View Event →
Apr
24

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

View Event →
Apr
25

TRY-IT Batik


In this two-hour Batik workshop, participants will create designs on cloth using wax resist and dyes.

Participants will practice using tjantings and brushes to apply melted wax, and learn how to layer color to create effects with transparent dyes. The final batiks will be ironed and can be dry-cleaned to complete the process. 

You can choose to create a set of dinner napkins, a bandanna, or cut our cotton cloth to a custom size for a pillow top, or funky patches for your favorite jeans. If you're a quilter, you can create your own fabric squares to incorporate into your quilting projects!

*Bring a black and white drawing that you’ll use for your design. Anything goes, it can be a nature motif, (fish, snails, plants, or your sweet cat, to name a few). It can also be a scene, a map, portrait, album cover, or graphic pattern. Think about the colors you might use. It can be a 1-color, 2-color or 3 color design.  
  

Optional: bring an apron, embroidery hoop of any size, rubber gloves.
All materials will be provided.

About the instructor:
Wendy Kenigsberg is an art educator and a maker at heart. In her work at the Johnson Museum she designs programs for school groups that link gallery visits to hands-on art-making processes. She enjoys experimenting with new and traditional techniques, and encourages students to explore new materials in their studio work.
Wendy holds a BFA from RIT and a Master of Arts in Teaching from RISD. She’s a member of the Clay School, and can be found there glazing her hand-crafted ceramic buttons.

View Event →
Apr
25

Be Gay Do Crafts

Come gather with us for Be Gay, Do Crafts!—a monthly queer craft night rooted in creativity, connection, and collective joy. Held every 4th Saturday, 6–9pm, this is an open, welcoming space to slow down, make art, and be in community.

Each session offers pearler beads, coloring pages, friendship bracelets and shrinky dinks—easy, accessible crafts perfect for zoning out, chatting, or quietly co-creating alongside others. We’ll be surrounded by music, queer media, and the gentle magic that happens when we make things together.

$10
All genders & identities welcome

No skills required, come as you are
Maximum queer joy!

NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Come make something. Come make friends. Come be gay.

View Event →
Apr
26

The Revolution will not be televized: a zine making workshop for collective liberation

with Sol Alexandria

When: Last Sunday of the month from Jan. 25th-May 31st.

Where: The ART Room

Time: 2:00-4:00pm

Cost: Pay what you can

To register, email Sol at solfree.connect@gmail.com

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised is a hands-on zine-making workshop rooted in radical imagination, collective truth-telling, and creative liberation. We’ll explore zines as tools of resistance, ritual, and revolutionary storytelling—holding grief, joy, rage, vision, and deep love for our people. Together, we’ll amplify truths not found in headlines, honor DIY publishing lineages, and channel our wisdom into tangible offerings. Come as you are, bring your visions and heart, and let’s make something that refuses erasure and radiates possibility.

The revolution will not be televised; it will be made by hand!

View Event →
Apr
29

Botanical Illustration in Gouache: Composition & Arrangement

Botanical Illustration in Gouache: Composition & Arrangement


Wednesday, April 29th, 6-9pm


How do you take the complexity of leaves, stems, and flowers and arrange them into a visually-pleasing composition? This three-hour class will teach you how! We’ll go over the basics of composing a pleasing image, then dive into techniques for layering different shapes, creating depth in your composition, and guiding your viewer’s eye where you’d like it to go. We’ll balance accuracy with beauty to produce gorgeous botanical compositions in gouache, and touch on some ways to add small lively details to your pieces. Paint, paper, and brushes will be provided. 

NOTE ABOUT WORKSHOP MATERIALS:
Paints, brushes and substrates are provided for use during the course of a workshop. If you find that you love the paint, kits are available to purchase with Julian. Cash or Venmo payments accepted. 

About Julian:

Julian Plum (he/they) is a queer, transmasculine picture book author and illustrator living in Newfield. Working primarily in gouache, his work blends bright colors and warm, tactile brushstrokes. Mostly, Julian's work celebrates our neighbors: the frogs, mice, wood sorrel and mushrooms in our backyards and woods. When he isn't painting, Julian can be found mostly in his garden, negotiating with chipmunks about blueberries.

View Event →
May
1

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

View Event →
May
2

Try-It: Weaving

Try-It: Weaving
with Laura Ballard
For ages 16+
$50-$70
(Sliding scale payment)


Dip your toe into the vast waters of weaving with this try-it class! Through a small project, such as a bookmark, participants will learn a quick and easy way to direct warp a rigid heddle loom, experiment with different types of weaving fiber and learn about different weft-faced weaving techniques and patterns to incorporate. Skills from this class can be the foundation for the intermediate weaving classes and projects. 

View Event →
May
6
to May 7

Painting Lively Animals in Gouache

Painting Lively Animals in Gouache
with Julian Plum
2 day workshop
May 6th & May 7th, 6-9pm

$160-$180

All levels are welcome. Ages 16+ 
The breathtaking diversity of animal life on this planet can be pretty intimidating even for a seasoned artist. This two-day workshop will give you a solid handle on painting our many-legged neighbors, from bugs to bears.  Day one will focus on drawing technique. We’ll capture movement, form, and faces, identify what’s interesting about the animals we’re drawing, and talk about proportion and scale. Day two explores putting brush to paper and painting what we’ve drawn. We’ll talk about color and volume, and learn to create textures from fur to feather to scale in naturalistic and interesting ways. 
Paint, paper, and brushes will be provided. 

NOTE ABOUT WORKSHOP MATERIALS:
Paints, brushes and substrates are provided for use during the course of a workshop. If you find that you love the paint, kits are available to purchase with Julian. Cash or Venmo payments accepted. 

About Julian:
Julian Plum (he/they) is a queer, transmasculine picture book author and illustrator living in Newfield. Working primarily in gouache, his work blends bright colors and warm, tactile brushstrokes. Mostly, Julian's work celebrates our neighbors: the frogs, mice, wood sorrel and mushrooms in our backyards and woods. When he isn't painting, Julian can be found mostly in his garden, negotiating with chipmunks about blueberries.

View Event →
May
8

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

View Event →
May
9

The Clay School's 11th Birthday Party and Annual Member Sale

View Event →
May
15

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

View Event →
May
22

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

View Event →
May
23

Be Gay Do Crafts

Come gather with us for Be Gay, Do Crafts!—a monthly queer craft night rooted in creativity, connection, and collective joy. Held every 4th Saturday, 6–9pm, this is an open, welcoming space to slow down, make art, and be in community.

Each session offers pearler beads, coloring pages, friendship bracelets and shrinky dinks—easy, accessible crafts perfect for zoning out, chatting, or quietly co-creating alongside others. We’ll be surrounded by music, queer media, and the gentle magic that happens when we make things together.

$10
All genders & identities welcome

No skills required, come as you are
Maximum queer joy!

NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Come make something. Come make friends. Come be gay.

View Event →
May
29

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

View Event →
May
31

The Revolution will not be televized: a zine making workshop for collective liberation

with Sol Alexandria

When: Last Sunday of the month from Jan. 25th-May 31st.

Where: The ART Room

Time: 2:00-4:00pm

Cost: Pay what you can

To register, email Sol at solfree.connect@gmail.com

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised is a hands-on zine-making workshop rooted in radical imagination, collective truth-telling, and creative liberation. We’ll explore zines as tools of resistance, ritual, and revolutionary storytelling—holding grief, joy, rage, vision, and deep love for our people. Together, we’ll amplify truths not found in headlines, honor DIY publishing lineages, and channel our wisdom into tangible offerings. Come as you are, bring your visions and heart, and let’s make something that refuses erasure and radiates possibility.

The revolution will not be televised; it will be made by hand!

View Event →
Jun
5

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

View Event →
Jun
12

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

View Event →
Jun
13

Try-It: Weaving

Try-It: Weaving
with Laura Ballard
For ages 16+
$50-$70
(Sliding scale payment)


Dip your toe into the vast waters of weaving with this try-it class! Through a small project, such as a bookmark, participants will learn a quick and easy way to direct warp a rigid heddle loom, experiment with different types of weaving fiber and learn about different weft-faced weaving techniques and patterns to incorporate. Skills from this class can be the foundation for the intermediate weaving classes and projects. 

View Event →
Jun
19

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

View Event →
Jun
26

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

View Event →
Jun
27

Try-It: Watercolor Painting

Try-It: Watercolor Painting
Saturdays
June 27th, July 25th, August 29th
11:00am-1:00pm
$40-$60 (sliding scale payment)
ages 12+


Enjoy an afternoon of experimentation and fun while learning the fundamentals of watercolor painting.
In these two-hour workshops, participants will learn basic techniques in paint application, mixing on a palette, and texturing.
Through a hands-on approach in a group setting, participants will have access to all materials needed to receive a thorough lesson. Open to all levels of experience!


About the instructor:
Bri Bustin
has been painting for over 20 years. She has a degree in Fine Art and specializes in acrylic, mixed media and watercolor. 

View Event →
Jul
25

Try-It: Watercolor Painting

Try-It: Watercolor Painting
Saturdays
June 27th, July 25th, August 29th
11:00am-1:00pm
$40-$60 (sliding scale payment)
ages 12+


Enjoy an afternoon of experimentation and fun while learning the fundamentals of watercolor painting.
In these two-hour workshops, participants will learn basic techniques in paint application, mixing on a palette, and texturing.
Through a hands-on approach in a group setting, participants will have access to all materials needed to receive a thorough lesson. Open to all levels of experience!


About the instructor:
Bri Bustin
has been painting for over 20 years. She has a degree in Fine Art and specializes in acrylic, mixed media and watercolor. 

View Event →
Aug
29

Try-It: Watercolor Painting

Try-It: Watercolor Painting
Saturdays
June 27th, July 25th, August 29th
11:00am-1:00pm
$40-$60 (sliding scale payment)
ages 12+


Enjoy an afternoon of experimentation and fun while learning the fundamentals of watercolor painting.
In these two-hour workshops, participants will learn basic techniques in paint application, mixing on a palette, and texturing.
Through a hands-on approach in a group setting, participants will have access to all materials needed to receive a thorough lesson. Open to all levels of experience!


About the instructor:
Bri Bustin
has been painting for over 20 years. She has a degree in Fine Art and specializes in acrylic, mixed media and watercolor. 

View Event →

Apr
10

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

View Event →
Apr
3

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

View Event →
Mar
29

The Revolution will not be televized: a zine making workshop for collective liberation

with Sol Alexandria

When: Last Sunday of the month from Jan. 25th-May 31st.

Where: The ART Room

Time: 2:00-4:00pm

Cost: Pay what you can

To register, email Sol at solfree.connect@gmail.com

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised is a hands-on zine-making workshop rooted in radical imagination, collective truth-telling, and creative liberation. We’ll explore zines as tools of resistance, ritual, and revolutionary storytelling—holding grief, joy, rage, vision, and deep love for our people. Together, we’ll amplify truths not found in headlines, honor DIY publishing lineages, and channel our wisdom into tangible offerings. Come as you are, bring your visions and heart, and let’s make something that refuses erasure and radiates possibility.

The revolution will not be televised; it will be made by hand!

View Event →
Mar
28

Be Gay Do Crafts

Come gather with us for Be Gay, Do Crafts!—a monthly queer craft night rooted in creativity, connection, and collective joy. Held every 4th Saturday, 6–9pm, this is an open, welcoming space to slow down, make art, and be in community.

Each session offers pearler beads, coloring pages, friendship bracelets and shrinky dinks—easy, accessible crafts perfect for zoning out, chatting, or quietly co-creating alongside others. We’ll be surrounded by music, queer media, and the gentle magic that happens when we make things together.

$10
All genders & identities welcome

No skills required, come as you are
Maximum queer joy!

NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Come make something. Come make friends. Come be gay.

View Event →
Mar
28

Beginner Batik Workshop

Beginner Batik
with Wendy Kenigsberg
ages 16+

$100-120 (sliding scale price). 

In this one-day Batik workshop, we’ll create designs on cloth using wax resist and dyes.

We’ll practice using tjantings and brushes to apply melted wax, and learn how to layer color to create effects with transparent dyes. Our final batiks will be ironed and can be dry-cleaned to complete the process. 

You can choose to create a set of dinner napkins, a bandanna, or cut our cotton cloth to a custom size for a pillow top, or funky patches for your favorite jeans. 

*Bring a black and white drawing that you’ll use for your design. Anything goes, it can be a nature motif, (fish, snails, plants, or your sweet cat, to name a few). It can also be a scene, a map, portrait, album cover, or graphic pattern. Think about the colors you might use. It can be a 1-color, 2-color or 3 color design.  
  

Optional: bring an apron, embroidery hoop of any size, rubber gloves.
All materials will be provided.

About the instructor:
Wendy Kenigsberg is an art educator and a maker at heart. In her work at the Johnson Museum she designs programs for school groups that link gallery visits to hands-on art-making processes. She enjoys experimenting with new and traditional techniques, and encourages students to explore new materials in their studio work.
Wendy holds a BFA from RIT and a Master of Arts in Teaching from RISD. She’s a member of the Clay School, and can be found there glazing her hand-crafted ceramic buttons.

View Event →
Mar
27

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

View Event →
Mar
25

Botanical illustrations in gouache: fungi

Botanical Illustrations in Gouache Painting Series
with Julian Plum
Ages 16+
$70-$90 (Sliding scale payment)

Botanical Illustration in Gouache: Fungi
Wednesday, March 25th, 6-9pm
Though not strictly botanical, in our woodland home, we’re surrounded by one of the most interesting fruiting bodies in the natural world: mushrooms! They come in a spectacular array of shapes, sizes, and colors. This three-hour workshop will go over techniques for observational drawing in the field and at home, the shapes & growth patterns of various local mushrooms, and techniques for building interesting colors & textures.  Paint, paper, and brushes will be provided.

NOTE ABOUT WORKSHOP MATERIALS:
Paints, brushes and substrates are provided for use during the course of a workshop. If you find that you love the paint, kits are available to purchase with Julian. Cash or Venmo payments accepted. 

View Event →
Mar
22

Hand Sewn Doll workshop

Hand Sewn Doll Workshop
with Julia Gray
Experience level for students: Beginners to Moderate 
Age requirement:  High School ages and up
(A younger student is possible but they might not finish within the 4 hours)

Sunday, March 22nd
12:00-4:00pm
$100-$120

Sewing a doll is therapeutic. All dolls have personality & making one yourself can unlock wonderful feelings. Infusing this doll with an article of clothing from a loved one can bring joy.  Hand sewing slows the heart rate and creates a space for meditation.  I will encourage you to use colors unconventionally, variety is the spice of life.  Materials will be provided, however if you have a fabric stash (wool sweaters in particular) please bring it.  The doll measures approximately 22” & has a wool knit body, wool stuffing and cotton fabric clothing.

View Event →
Mar
20

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

View Event →
Mar
18

Weaving: tea towels

Weaving: Tea Towels
with Laura Ballard
2 part workshop
Level: mixed level (beginner and intermediate welcome)

Wednesday, March 11th & Wednesday, March 18th
6:00-9:00pm

$160-$180 (sliding scale payment)
Ages 13+

It is so satisfying to weave your own towels- a functional piece of decor for your home! In this multi-level workshop, beginner students will have a choice of simpler patterns and will start the first class at 5:15 to warp their looms while students that have taken another weaving class or try-it weaving workshop have the option to create the color and weave patterned towels pictured. Participants get to choose the color and pattern to make their own unique cotton towel. 


Laura Ballard has been obsessed with weaving and fiber since taking a class in high school. After receiving her degree in art education, she explored fiber more while working at North Country School in Lake Placid, where she had access to a flock of sheep, spinning wheels, looms and lots of kids excited to experiment. After moving to Ithaca, Laura began teaching art at EAC Montessori with a fiber curriculum including felting, batik, natural dyeing, spinning and weaving. Laura has over 15 years of experience teaching fiber classes and is excited to share her passion for weaving with a new audience at The Clay School!

View Event →
Mar
13

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

View Event →
Mar
11

Weaving: tea towels

Weaving: Tea Towels
with Laura Ballard
2 part workshop
Level: mixed level (beginner and intermediate welcome)

Wednesday, March 11th & Wednesday, March 18th
6:00-9:00pm

$160-$180 (sliding scale payment)
Ages 13+

It is so satisfying to weave your own towels- a functional piece of decor for your home! In this multi-level workshop, beginner students will have a choice of simpler patterns and will start the first class at 5:15 to warp their looms while students that have taken another weaving class or try-it weaving workshop have the option to create the color and weave patterned towels pictured. Participants get to choose the color and pattern to make their own unique cotton towel. 


Laura Ballard has been obsessed with weaving and fiber since taking a class in high school. After receiving her degree in art education, she explored fiber more while working at North Country School in Lake Placid, where she had access to a flock of sheep, spinning wheels, looms and lots of kids excited to experiment. After moving to Ithaca, Laura began teaching art at EAC Montessori with a fiber curriculum including felting, batik, natural dyeing, spinning and weaving. Laura has over 15 years of experience teaching fiber classes and is excited to share her passion for weaving with a new audience at The Clay School!

View Event →
Mar
7

Try-It: Weaving

Try-It: Weaving
with Laura Ballard
For ages 16+
$50-$70
(Sliding scale payment.)


Dip your toe into the vast waters of weaving with this try-it class! Through a small project, such as a bookmark, participants will learn a quick and easy way to direct warp a rigid heddle loom, experiment with different types of weaving fiber and learn about different weft-faced weaving techniques and patterns to incorporate. Skills from this class can be the foundation for the intermediate weaving classes and projects. 

View Event →
Mar
6

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

View Event →
Feb
28

Be Gay Do Crafts

Come gather with us for Be Gay, Do Crafts!—a monthly queer craft night rooted in creativity, connection, and collective joy. Held every 4th Saturday, 6–9pm, this is an open, welcoming space to slow down, make art, and be in community.

Each session offers pearler beads, coloring pages, friendship bracelets and shrinky dinks—easy, accessible crafts perfect for zoning out, chatting, or quietly co-creating alongside others. We’ll be surrounded by music, queer media, and the gentle magic that happens when we make things together.

$10
All genders & identities welcome

No skills required, come as you are
Maximum queer joy!

Come make something. Come make friends. Come be gay.

View Event →
Feb
27

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

View Event →
Feb
26

Weaving: Cowls (2 day workshop)

Weaving: Wool Cowls
with Laura Ballard
2 day workshop
Level: mixed level (beginner and intermediate welcome)

Tuesday, Feb. 24th & Thursday, Feb. 26th, 6-9pm

$160-$180
Sliding scale payment.
Ages 13+

Create a piece of wearable art out of the gorgeously hand dyed Rios wool yarn. The merino super wash is so soft and vibrant, it is impossible to make something that isn’t beautiful from it. Beginners with some background in fiber (knitting, crocheting or some weaving) can join us to create a plain weave cowl in the colors of their choosing. Intermediate weavers that have taken at least one weaving class at the Art Room will have the option to make a cowl in the log cabin color and weave pattern that is pictured. Log cabin pattern weavers will learn how to use a warping board to count their warp instead of the direct warping method we have used in other classes. If you would like to see the color choices in person, visit Connected Stitches in Dryden to choose your 2 skeins of Rios wool.   https://connectedstitches.com/ If you are not sure if this class is right for you, reach out directly to Laura at Laura.rose.bill@gmail.com


Laura Ballard has been obsessed with weaving and fiber since taking a class in high school. After receiving her degree in art education, she explored fiber more while working at North Country School in Lake Placid, where she had access to a flock of sheep, spinning wheels, looms and lots of kids excited to experiment. After moving to Ithaca, Laura began teaching art at EAC Montessori with a fiber curriculum including felting, batik, natural dyeing, spinning and weaving. Laura has over 15 years of experience teaching fiber classes and is excited to share her passion for weaving with a new audience at The Clay School!

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Feb
25

Botanical Illustration in Gouache: Foliage

Botanical Illustration in Gouache: Foliage
Wednesday, Feb. 25th, 6-9pm

with Julian Plum


The natural world is full of interesting forms and colors, and our green neighbors are some of the most spectacular. In this three-hour course, you’ll learn how to paint vibrant, interesting leaves in gouache. We’ll go over observational drawing, leaf shapes & types, techniques for creating depth, and finishing details to really bring your plant illustrations to life.

NOTE ABOUT WORKSHOP MATERIALS:
Paints, brushes and substrates are provided for use during the course of a workshop. If you find that you love the paint, kits are available to purchase with Julian. Cash or Venmo payments accepted. 

About Julian:

Julian Plum (he/they) is a queer, transmasculine picture book author and illustrator living in Newfield. Working primarily in gouache, his work blends bright colors and warm, tactile brushstrokes. Mostly, Julian's work celebrates our neighbors: the frogs, mice, wood sorrel and mushrooms in our backyards and woods. When he isn't painting, Julian can be found mostly in his garden, negotiating with chipmunks about blueberries.

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Feb
24

Weaving: Cowls (2 day workshop)

Weaving: Wool Cowls
with Laura Ballard
2 day workshop
Level: mixed level (beginner and intermediate welcome)

Tuesday, Feb. 24th & Thursday, Feb. 26th, 6-9pm

$160-$180
Sliding scale payment.
Ages 13+

Create a piece of wearable art out of the gorgeously hand dyed Rios wool yarn. The merino super wash is so soft and vibrant, it is impossible to make something that isn’t beautiful from it. Beginners with some background in fiber (knitting, crocheting or some weaving) can join us to create a plain weave cowl in the colors of their choosing. Intermediate weavers that have taken at least one weaving class at the Art Room will have the option to make a cowl in the log cabin color and weave pattern that is pictured. Log cabin pattern weavers will learn how to use a warping board to count their warp instead of the direct warping method we have used in other classes. If you would like to see the color choices in person, visit Connected Stitches in Dryden to choose your 2 skeins of Rios wool.   https://connectedstitches.com/ If you are not sure if this class is right for you, reach out directly to Laura at Laura.rose.bill@gmail.com


Laura Ballard has been obsessed with weaving and fiber since taking a class in high school. After receiving her degree in art education, she explored fiber more while working at North Country School in Lake Placid, where she had access to a flock of sheep, spinning wheels, looms and lots of kids excited to experiment. After moving to Ithaca, Laura began teaching art at EAC Montessori with a fiber curriculum including felting, batik, natural dyeing, spinning and weaving. Laura has over 15 years of experience teaching fiber classes and is excited to share her passion for weaving with a new audience at The Clay School!

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Feb
22

The Revolution will not be televized: a zine making workshop for collective liberation

with Sol Alexandria

When: Last Sunday of the month from Jan. 25th-May 31st.

Where: The ART Room

Time: 2:00-4:00pm

Cost: Pay what you can

To register, email Sol at solfree.connect@gmail.com

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised is a hands-on zine-making workshop rooted in radical imagination, collective truth-telling, and creative liberation. We’ll explore zines as tools of resistance, ritual, and revolutionary storytelling—holding grief, joy, rage, vision, and deep love for our people. Together, we’ll amplify truths not found in headlines, honor DIY publishing lineages, and channel our wisdom into tangible offerings. Come as you are, bring your visions and heart, and let’s make something that refuses erasure and radiates possibility.

The revolution will not be televised; it will be made by hand!

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Feb
21

Beginner Batik Workshop

Beginner Batik
with Wendy Kenigsberg
ages 16+

$100-120 (sliding scale price). 

In this one-day Batik workshop, we’ll create designs on cloth using wax resist and dyes.

We’ll practice using tjantings and brushes to apply melted wax, and learn how to layer color to create effects with transparent dyes. Our final batiks will be ironed and can be dry-cleaned to complete the process. 

You can choose to create a set of dinner napkins, a bandanna, or cut our cotton cloth to a custom size for a pillow top, or funky patches for your favorite jeans. 

*Bring a black and white drawing that you’ll use for your design. Anything goes, it can be a nature motif, (fish, snails, plants, or your sweet cat, to name a few). It can also be a scene, a map, portrait, album cover, or graphic pattern. Think about the colors you might use. It can be a 1-color, 2-color or 3 color design.  
  

Optional: bring an apron, embroidery hoop of any size, rubber gloves.
All materials will be provided.

About the instructor:
Wendy Kenigsberg is an art educator and a maker at heart. In her work at the Johnson Museum she designs programs for school groups that link gallery visits to hands-on art-making processes. She enjoys experimenting with new and traditional techniques, and encourages students to explore new materials in their studio work.
Wendy holds a BFA from RIT and a Master of Arts in Teaching from RISD. She’s a member of the Clay School, and can be found there glazing her hand-crafted ceramic buttons.

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Feb
20

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

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Feb
13

ART Cafe

LIKE A RESTAURANT, ONLY YOU ORDER AN ART PROJECT FROM OUR MENU. THEN SIT & ENJOY WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT (6:00-9:00PM).

FOR ALL AGES*, A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CREATIVE EXPERIENCE.

*ages 15 and under require adult supervision.

No registration required!

ART FEEDS THE SOUL.

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Make a Macramé Plant Hanger
Dec
13

Make a Macramé Plant Hanger

Make a Macramé Plant Hanger
with Eisha Neely
Level: beginner, ages 14 and up
Saturday, 12/13, 2-4:00pm

$40-$60 (We invite you to pay what you can.)


Make your own macrame plant hanger! You’ll learn three basic macrame knots and use them to make a hanger suitable for a 5” plant pot. All materials for the hanger are provided, including a terra cotta pot.

Click HERE for more information and registration.

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Beginner Weaving
Dec
8
to Dec 10

Beginner Weaving

Beginner Weaving-Mug Rugs

with Laura Ballard

2 day workshop: Monday & Wednesday, 12/8 & 12/10, 6:00-9:00pm

$140-$180 (We invite you to pay what you can.)

Learn all the basics of weaving on a rigid heddle loom. Students will learn how to plan a project, warp their looms, weave 4 mug rugs or coasters and how to hem stitch and finish their projects. This class will be the foundation for all other weaving classes and must be taken before more advanced classes. 

Click HERE for more information and registration.

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Beginner Batik
Nov
29

Beginner Batik

Beginner Batik

with Wendy Kenigsberg

ages 16+

Saturday, 11/29, 12:00-4:00pm

$100-$120 (We invite you to pay what you can.)

In this Batik workshop, we’ll create designs on cloth using wax resist and dyes.
We’ll practice using tjantings and brushes to apply melted wax, and learn how to layer color to create effects with transparent dyes. Our final batiks will be ironed and dry-cleaned to complete the process.

*Bring a black and white drawing that you’ll use for your design (18”x 24” maximum). Anything goes, it can be a nature motif, (fish, snails, plants, or your sweet cat, to name a few). It can also be a scene, a map, portrait, album cover, or graphic pattern. Think about the colors you might use. It can be a 1-color, 2-color or 3 color design.  

Optional: bring an apron, embroidery hoop of any size, rubber gloves.
All materials will be provided.

Click HERE for more information and registration.

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TRY-IT:WEAVING
Nov
22

TRY-IT:WEAVING

Try-It: Weaving- Mug Rugs
with Laura Ballard
Age 14+. Ages 8-13 can register with a caregiver (2 spots).

Saturday, 11/22, 6-8pm

$40-$60 (We invite you to pay what you can.)

Try-It: Weaving is a great option for those curious about weaving without wanting to commit a lot of time, as well as being a fun evening activity to do with friends or family. The rigid heddle looms will be set up and ready to weave on, participants can show up and choose their colors to make 1-2 mug rugs that they can take home with them that day. 

Due to limited seating, we require at least 72 hours notice for cancellations and rescheduling. 

Click HERE for more information and registration.

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Make a Macramé Plant Hanger
Nov
17

Make a Macramé Plant Hanger

Make a Macramé Plant Hanger
with Eisha Neely
Level: beginner, ages 14 and up
Monday, 11/17, 6-8:00pm

$40-$60 (We invite you to pay what you can.)

Make your own macrame plant hanger! You’ll learn three basic macrame knots and use them to make a hanger suitable for a 5” plant pot. All materials for the hanger are provided, including a terra cotta pot.

Click HERE for more information and registration.

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Intermediate weaving
Nov
10
to Nov 19

Intermediate weaving

Intermediate Weaving
with Laura Ballard

2 day workshop:
Monday, Nov. 10th, 6-9pm
& Wednesday, Nov. 19th, 6-9pm

$140-$180 (We invite you to pay what you can.)

Go beyond the basics in these project-based workshops. Weave larger projects such as wash cloths, placemats and hand towels and learn how to warp and weave patterns on a rigid heddle loom. Beginner Weaving is a prerequisite to taking this course. 

Click HERE for more information and registration.

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Watercolors: Card Decorating
Nov
4

Watercolors: Card Decorating

Watercolors: Card Decorating

with Micki Volpini


Tuesday, Nov. 4th
6:00-8:00PM
$40-$60
We invite you to pay what you can!
Just in time for the holidays, participants can craft cards and decorate with watercolors. Participants will have the chance to practice watercolor techniques and make several cards. 

Different mediums also taught with various techniques. 
All materials included.

Click HERE to sign up.

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