Classes and Workshops

Welcome to the  Womankraft School of the Arts

 

Please note: Pre-registration is required for all students. All classes and workshops are free to low income people 50 years and older. This is made possible by the generous support of individuals, board members, and those who pay workshop fees. Thank you. All classes and workshops are open to adults of all ages for listed fees. Your class fees help us offer more classes and pay instructors.  Fee students must pre-pay before you will be registered. Please call (520) 629-9976 Ext. 2, to sign up for classes and workshops. 

School of the Arts class schedule: (Sep/Dec 2022)

 

YEAR-ROUND CLASSES: Studio painting with Gayle Swanbeck, artist, Director of Exhibits at WomanKraft, and Founder of The School of the Arts. Studio classes are ongoing, join anytime, stop when you are ready. Learn oils, acrylics, or watercolors. Select your own subject matter and proceed at your own pace. Individual instruction is available as you need it. Class limit is 5 people. Classes Wednesday, 10am – Noon. Fee: $60 per 8 weeks. Supplies not included.

 

SEPTEMBER

SECOND CHANCE: HANDPAINTING USED CLOTHES

Bring a piece of your wardrobe (natural fiber only, but not silk), and learn how to turn a stained or damaged piece of clothing into a stunning one of a kind piece of wearable art. 

Thursday, September 1, 1:30 – 4:30pm

Facilitator: Nicole Young

Fee: $20, supplies included to transform your clothing. 

STAINED GLASS MOSAIC VOTIVES: 2 PARTS

Learn to use glass cutters, nippers, etc. It’s fun, functional, and always successful. 

Part I: Friday, September 9, 1:30-4:00pm

Part II: Friday, September 16, 1:30-2:30pm

Facilitator: Linda K

Fee: $25, supplies included. 

MOSAIC ROOF TILE: 2 PARTS

Using clay roof tiles and glass half-rounds, glass squares, and stained glass, you’ll mosaic your own design creation. We use the tiles to edge our walks and plant beds. 

Part I: Saturday, September 10, 1:30-4:30pm

Part II: Saturday, September 17, 1:30-3:00pm

Facilitator: Linda K

Fee: Donate your tile to WomanKraft? Class is free. Take it home? Class is $25. 

TREAT YOURSELF: THE MANI-PEDI

In the all-natural hair and body salon housed in “The Castle,” the Sanctuary is offering a workshop to learn professional techniques and secrets for manicures, pedicures, and more. 

Wednesday, September 14, 10:00am-12:00pm

Facilitator: Jordana Silvestri

Fee: $20, supplies included.

POETRY, PROSE, AND STORYTELLING: 2 PARTS

This workshop will meet twice a month and be open to both women and men. Writers of all levels will work on their skills through writing exercises, sharing, and gentle critiques. The goals will be to develop your own style of writing, and to gain personal comfort performing your work. 

Part I: Wednesday, September 14, 1:30-3:30pm

Part II: Wednesday, September 28, 1:30-3:30pm

Facilitator: Gayle Swanbeck

Fee: $5 for each session, supplies included. 

DRUMMING FROM THE HEART

Always wanted to join a drum circle, but were afraid to ask? This class will unblock that fear. Journey into the sacred and moving experience of drumming. Instruction in basic hand patterns and rhythms will allow you to continue on your drum adventure. Drum rental available. Attend one or all of these sessions. Read on for details. 

Thursday, September 15, 1:30-3:00pm 

Facilitator: Susan Danos

Fee: $10 for each class, *or all four for $30. Drum rental by donation, payable to instructor each class. 

*Other DftH classes are on Thursdays – Oct 13, Nov 17, Dec 15, same time, same place.  

DRAWING AUTUMN FOLIAGE

This workshop will teach you valuable techniques for rendering autumn foliage. We’ll use a variety of dry mediums: pastels, graphatints, and conté 

crayons. 

Wednesday, September 21, 1:30-3:30pm

Facilitator: Gayle Swanbeck

Fee: $20, supplies included. 

COLLAGING CHAIRS

Come help us beautify our classroom chairs! This workshop will teach the techniques of collaging with magazine imagery and special papers like mulberry, banana, tissue, etc. We’ve just bought new chairs and they really want to be collaged. 

Thursday, September 22, 1:30-4:30pm

Facilitators: Jacquie Dinnie

Fee: FREE. 

OIL STICKS AND MONO PRINTS

You’ll design, using oil sticks on a glass pane, (8”x10”), and pull up to three prints. A final application of paint will “clean up” your image, and you’ll walk away with a reverse glass painting as well. 

Tuesday, September 27, 6:30-8:30pm

Facilitator: Mary Theresa Dietz

Fee: $20, supplies included. 

GOURD ON A CORD

The gourd plant has been described as one of Nature’s greatest gifts to humankind. In this class, you will learn to bead a small gourd, approximately 3” tall. Wear it around your neck, hang it on the rear-view mirror, or anywhere you desire. Join our drum teacher, Susan, as she welcomes you to experience her love of gourd beading. Limited to 4 students. 

Thursday, September 29, 1:30-3:30pm

Facilitator: Susan Danos

Fee: $20, supplies included. 

BEADSTRINGING JEWELRY

You can make your own beautiful jewelry in this workshop, while learning how to use special tools and techniques to create long-lasting and unique pieces. Hey, it’s fun, to boot! 

Thursday, September 29, 6:00-9:00pm

Facilitator: Terri McGuire

Fee: $20, plus $10 supply fee, payable to the instructor (if you are a fee student). 

WISE WOMEN’S WRITING WORKSHOP

You can attend one, or all, of these popular workshops. Learn to tap your infinite wisdom, and playfully connect with your inner writer. We’ll journal with writing exercises, topics, and creative surprises. 

Friday, September 30, 10:00am-12:00pm

Facilitator: Ingrid Aspromatis

Fee: $20. *Or all four for $40. 

*Other WWWWs are on Fridays – Oct 28, Nov 18, and Dec 16 – same time, same place. 

OCTOBER

MINI MOSAIC TRAYS: 2 PARTS

You’ll be using stained glass to mosaic a wooden mini-tray in the first half of this workshop. In the second half, you’ll have the option of grouting or resining your finished artwork. 

Part I: Saturday, October 1, 9:30am-12:00pm

Part II: Saturday, October 8, 10:30am-11:30am

Facilitator: Traci Kelly

Fee: $20, supplies included. 

RESIN FRAMES: 2 PARTS

Using a 5”x7” picture frame, you’ll design and execute your assemblage. In the second session, you’ll seal it with a thin coat of resin. It is a way to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. 

Part I: Friday, October 7, 1:30-4:00pm

Part II: Friday, October 14, 1:30-2:30pm

Facilitator: Linda K

Fee: $25, Supplies included. 

TREAT YOURSELF: THE FACIAL

In the all-natural hair and body salon housed in “The Castle” The Sanctuary is offering a workshop so you can learn professional techniques and secrets for facials, skin care, aroma therapy, and more. 

Wednesday, October 12, 10:00am-12:00pm

Facilitator: Jordana Silvestri

Fee: $20, supplies included.

POETRY, PROSE, AND STORYTELLING: 2 PARTS

This workshop will meet twice a month and be open to both women and men. Writers of all levels will work on their skills through writing exercises, sharing, and gentle critiques. The goals will be to develop your own style of writing, to gain personal comfort performing your work. 

Part I: Wednesday, October 12, 1:30-3:30pm

Part II: Wednesday, October 26, 1:30-3:30pm

Facilitator: Gayle Swanbeck

Fee: $5 for each session, supplies included. 

DRUMMING FROM THE HEART

Always wanted to join a drum circle, but were afraid to ask? This class will unblock that fear. Journey into the sacred and moving experience of drumming. Instruction in basic hand patterns and rhythms will allow you to continue on your drum adventure. Drum rental available. Attend one or all of these sessions. Read on for details. 

Thursday, October 13, 1:30-3:00pm 

Facilitator: Susan Danos

Fee: $10. Drum rental by donation, payable to instructor each class. 

FLAT STAINED GLASS MOSAIC: 2 PARTS

Create an 8”x10” mosaic with an abstract or realistic design while learning to use the toolds and tricks of the medium. It’s great fun, and stained glass is always beautiful. 

Part 1: Saturday, October 15, 9:30am-12:30pm

Part 2: Saturday, October 22, 11:30am-12:30pm 

Facilitator: Gayle Swanbeck

Fee: $25, supplies included. 

MOSAIC GARDEN STEPPING STONES: 2 PARTS

Learn to use glass cutters, nippers, etc. It’s fun, functional, and always successful. 

Part I: Saturday, October 15, 1:30-4:30pm

Part II: Saturday, October 22, 1:30-3:00pm

Facilitator: Linda K

Fee: $25. 

PAINTING WITH OIL STICKS: 2 PARTS

You’ll learn to create beautiful artworks with this unique oil painting medium. It’ll free up your style! 

Part I: Tuesday, October 18, 6:30-8:30pm

Part II: Tuesday, October 25, 6:30-8:30pm

Facilitator: Mary Theresa Dietz

Fee: $20, supplies included. 

BEADED BOOKMARKS

Using a wide variety of beads, you’ll create a beautiful and distinctive bookmark while learning the tools and tricks of jewelry-making. 

Thursday, October 27, 6:00-8:00pm

Facilitator: Terri McGuire

Fee: $20, supplies included. 

WISE WOMEN’S WRITING WORKSHOP

You can attend one, or all, of these popular workshops. Learn to tap your infinite wisdom, and playfully connect with your inner writer. We’ll journal with writing exercises, topics, and creative surprises. 

Friday, October 28, 10:00am-12:00pm*

Facilitator: Ingrid Aspromatis

Fee: $20.

*The next WWWWs are on Fridays – Nov 18, and Dec16 – same time, same place. 

NOVEMBER

SECOND CHANCE: HANDPAINTING USED CLOTHES

Bring a piece of your wardrobe (natural fiber only, but not silk), and learn how to turn a stained or damaged piece of clothing into a stunning, one of a kind piece of wearable art. 

Thursday, November 3, 1:30 – 4:30pm

Facilitator: Nicole Young

Fee: $20, supplies included to transform your clothing. 

POETRY, PROSE, AND STORYTELLING: 2 PARTS

This workshop will meet twice a month and be open to both women and men. Writers of all levels will work on their skills through writing exercises, sharing, and gentle critiques. The goals will be to develop your own style of writing, to gain personal comfort performing your work. 

Part I: Wednesday, November 9, 1:30-3:30pm

Part II: Wednesday, November 30, 1:30-3:30pm

Facilitator: Gayle Swanbeck

Fee: $5 for each session, supplies included. 

COLLAGING CHAIRS

Come help us beautify our classroom chairs! This workshop will teach the techniques of collaging with magazine imagery and special papers like mulberry, banana, tissue, etc. We’ve just bought new chairs and they really want to be collaged. 

Thursday, November 10, 1:30-4:30pm

Facilitators: Jacquie Dinnie

Fee: FREE. 

PRISMACOLOR PENCILS AND ABSTRACT ART

Here’s an opportunity to play with Prismacolor pencils and techniques that will help you understand and create a beautiful piece of abstract art. 

Thursday, November 10, 6:00-9:00pm

Facilitator: Terri McGuire

Fee: $20, supplies included. 

RESIN PLATES: 2 PARTS

Using a dinner plate, you’l design and execute your mosaic. In the second half, sealing it with a thin coat of resin. It’s a way to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. 

Part I: Friday, November 11, 1:30-4:00pm

Part II: Friday, November 18, 1:30-2:30pm

Facilitator: Linda K

Fee: $25, supplies included. 

FLAT STAINED GLASS MOSAIC: 2 PARTS

Create an 8”x10” mosaic with an abstract or realistic design while learning to use the toolds and tricks of the medium. It’s great fun, and stained glass is always beautiful. 

Part 1: Saturday, November 12, 9:30am-12:30pm

Part 2: Saturday, November 19, 11:00am-12:30pm 

Facilitator: Traci Kelly

Fee: $25, supplies included. 

STAINED GLASS MOSAIC VOTIVES: 2 PARTS

Learn to use glass cutters, nippers, etc. It’s fun, functional, and always successful. 

Part I: Saturday, November 12, 1:30-4:00pm

Part II: Saturday, November 19, 1:30-2:30pm

Facilitator: Linda K

Fee: $25, supplies included. 

PAINTING WITH OIL STICKS: 2 PARTS

You’ll learn to create beautiful artworks with this unique oil painting medium. It’ll free up your style! 

Part I: Tuesday, November 15, 6:30-8:30pm

Part II: Tuesday, November 22, 6:30-8:30pm

Facilitator: Mary Theresa Dietz

Fee: $20, supplies included. 

TREAT YOURSELF: THE MANI-PEDI

In the all-natural hair and body salon housed in “The Castle,” the Sanctuary is offering a workshop to learn professional techniques and secrets for manicures, pedicures, and more.

Wednesday, November 16, 10:00am-12:00pm

Facilitator: Jordana Silvestri

Fee: $20, supplies included.

DRUMMING FROM THE HEART

Always wanted to join a drum circle, but were afraid to ask? This class will unblock that fear. Journey into the sacred and moving experience of drumming. Instruction in basic hand patterns and rhythms will allow you to continue on your drum adventure. Drum rental available. Attend one or all of these sessions. Read on for details. 

Thursday, November 17, 1:30-3:00pm 

Facilitator: Susan Danos

Fee: $10. Drum rental by donation, payable to instructor each class. 

LET’S DRAW PEOPLE

Using charcoal and graphite, you’ll learn some easy techniques that will let you skillfully draw the human form. 

Wednesday, November 16, 1:30-3:30pm

Facilitator: Gayle Swanbeck

Fee: $20, supplies included. 

WISE WOMEN’S WRITING WORKSHOP

You can attend one, or all, of these popular workshops. Learn to tap your infinite wisdom, and playfully connect with your inner writer. We’ll journal with writing exercises, topics, and creative surprises. 

Friday, November 18, 10:00am-12pm *

Facilitator: Ingrid Aspromatis

Fee: $20.

*The next WWWW is on Friday – Dec16 – same time, same place. 

DECEMBER

TURNING TRASH INTO ART: 2 PARTS

One person’s trash, another person’s art. We’ll use donated broken jewelry, watches, recycled

plastics and more to create figurative or abstract works. Then in the second half, we’ll resin the

piece for a rich finished artwork. 

Part I: Thursday, December 1, 1:30-4:30pm

Part II: Thursday, December 8, 1:30-2:30pm

Facilitator: Gayle Swanbeck

Fee: $25, supplies included.

SHAKE, RATTLE, AND ROLL: 2 PARTS

A gourd can be used for many things. In this class you will learn to make a gourd rattle, full of colors and designs, and beaded down with strings. Join our drum teacher, Susan, and create your own musical instrument. Limited to four students. 

Part I: Friday, December 2, 1:30-3:30pm

Part II: Friday, December 9, 1:30-3:30pm

Facilitator: Susan Danos

Fee: $20, supplies included.

POETRY, PROSE, AND STORYTELLING: 2 PARTS

This workshop will meet twice a month and be open to both women and men. Writers of all levels will work on their skills through writing exercises, sharing, and gentle critiques. The goals will be to develop your own style of writing, to gain personal comfort performing your work. 

Part I: Wednesday, December 7, 1:30-3:30pm

Part II: Wednesday, December 21, 1:30-3:30pm

Facilitator: Gayle Swanbeck

Fee: $5 for each session, supplies included. 

BEADSTRINGING JEWELRY

You can make your own beautiful jewelry in this workshop, while learning how to use special tools and techniques to create long-lasting and unique pieces. Hey, it’s fun, to boot! 

Thursday, December 8, 6:00-9:00pm

Facilitator: Terri McGuire

Fee: $20, plus $10 supply fee, payable to the instructor (if you are a fee student). 

MOSAIC GARDEN STEPPING STONES: 2 PARTS

Learn to use glass cutters, nippers, etc. It’s fun, functional, and always successful. 

Part I: Saturday, December 10, 9:30am-12:30pm

Part II: Saturday, December 17, 11:00am-12:30pm

Facilitator: Linda K

Fee: $25. 

FOAM PRINT MAKING

In this workshop, you’ll be making prints using sheets of polystyrene foam. The foam sheets can be easily drawn on and imprinted with any firm object, stamp, coin, etc. You’ll also learn what a reduction print is and how to create one. 

Tuesday, December 13, 6:30-8:30pm

Facilitator: Mary Theresa Dietz

Fee: $20, supplies included. 

THE ART OF COLLAGE

You’ll be learning how to create intricate and creative collages that peek past the ordinary. We’ll use magazine images and special papers made from banana, mango, rice, and mulberry. 

Wednesday, December 14, 1:30-4:30pm

Facilitator: Gayle Swanbeck

Fee: $20, supplies included. 

DRUMMING FROM THE HEART

Always wanted to join a drum circle, but were afraid to ask? This class will unblock that fear. Journey into the sacred and moving experience of drumming. Instruction in basic hand patterns and rhythms will allow you to continue on your drum adventure. Drum rental available. Attend one or all of these sessions. Read on for details. 

Thursday, December 15, 1:30-3:00pm 

Facilitator: Susan Danos

Fee: $10. Drum rental by donation, payable to instructor each class.  

WISE WOMEN’S WRITING WORKSHOP

You can attend one, or all, of these popular workshops. Learn to tap your infinite wisdom, and playfully connect with your inner writer. We’ll journal with writing exercises, topics, and creative surprises. 

Friday, December 18, 10:00am-12pm

Facilitator: Ingrid Aspromatis

Fee: $20.

TREAT YOURSELF: THE FACIAL

In the all-natural hair and body salon housed in “The Castle” The Sanctuary is offering a workshop so you can learn professional techniques and secrets for facials, skin care, aroma therapy, and more. 

Wednesday, December 21, 10:00am-12:00pm

Facilitator: Jordana Silvestri

Fee: $20, supplies included.

WORKSHOPS AND COVID 19

We are offering, tentatively, the workshops listed above. I say tentatively because it is impossible to predict what may happen wit Covid 19. We are trying to remain flexible and when a workshop runs, it will be as safe as possible. Workshops will be limited to 2 pre-registered students, masks are required, and hand sanitizer will be provided. Should a workshop have a large response we’ll attempt to schedule additional times. Please note a few of our workshops have gone up in cost. This is being done to reflect material costs. Thanks to a very generous donation, scholarships for low income people over 50 are still available. We hope everyone is staying healthy, safe, and practicing creative projects and passions.