Arlington Community Education

Learn to paint freely and boldly using acrylic paint. While we will go over the basics like composition, value, and color, the focus will be to connect with your intuition, paint from your heart, and discover your artistic voice. Each week we will focus on a different subject: landscape, still life, human figure, portrait, animals, urban landscape, interior study, and abstraction. All levels are welcome. The class materials list can be found here.

Make a beautiful, unique work of art for your home using upcycled fabric. Rag rugs have a long history in many cultures as a way to give new life to used textiles. Learn how to repurpose bedsheets to make a rag rug using the braid-in technique. Similar to a braided rug, this technique does not require any sewing, knitting, or crochet skills. Learn how to create the rags and weave the rug, plus how to use the braid-in technique to complete other projects. Most materials provided. New and returning students welcome. Note: Please bring scissors. All other materials are provided. However, if you want to use specific colors, please bring your own sheets (flat or fitted in any size) or fabric.

Fix a family heirloom, create a keepsake, or rescue a chair from the trash. Bring a chair you want to re-cane to the first class. It should be light enough to carry and have a series of holes in the wood rail around the seat opening. We’ll prepare the chair, determine the cane size you need to purchase, and discuss how to order materials. Leave the final class with a restored chair and a new hands-on hobby. Please note: Students should send a photo of their chair to Kevin (kevinfbsmith@gmail.com) to confirm that it is the correct type of chair. Materials will cost around $50 and you will be told how to order after the first class.

Refine your sewing and embroidery skills in this hands-on workshop designed for students with prior experience. Begin by sewing a simple yet functional project—a tote or pillowcase. Then, use embroidery to add intricate details and creative flair, turning your project into a one-of-a-kind heirloom. Bring your own sewing machine and get ready to create something truly special. Please note: Bring your sewing machine in good working order. Instructors will email a combined supply list for the workshop, including fabric and embroidery floss.

Experiment with various materials to create unique 5"x5" images as you learn the basics of cyanotype printing in the first session of this two-part class. The second session will focus on enhancing your cyanotypes using monotype printing to make intriguing mixed-media images. You will also be able to create additional prints using monotype methods on other paper types. These two versatile printmaking techniques can be used to create greeting cards, bookmarks, labels, tags, or framed art. Note: Materials are provided, but feel free to bring patterns from home, such as lace, doilies, dried flowers/leaves, photo negatives, etc. Items will be pressed under glass.

Capture the charm and character of historic homes as you learn to draw architectural details and the unique essence of various house styles. Using graphite pencils and markers, you’ll bring your sketches to life, focusing on texture, perspective, and composition. Whether you’re drawn to intricate doorways or unique rooflines, you’ll develop the skills to express the true beauty of old houses. Prior drawing/painting experience is recommended. Please note: The materials list can be found here.

Embroidery is a relaxing and accessible way to be creative. Whether you’ve never embroidered before or want to get back into it, come learn or get a refresher on some basic stitches and explore the use of color. We’ll also look at working with patterned fabrics and easy ways to incorporate stitching into clothing, linens, bags, and more. Please note: An assortment of embroidery thread, needles, base fabrics, and sampler designs will be provided. Students should bring scissors and a bag for transporting items

Turn a unique design of your creation into a gorgeous decorative panel featuring the luminosity and transparency of textured glass. First, create a mold by sculpting details into layers of cut or torn heat-resistant ceramic fibers. Then accent your design with thin pieces of colored glass. Your piece will be topped with clear glass and kiln-fired to form a solid tile capturing all of the details of your mold, exactly as you handcrafted it. Teens are welcome to register if accompanied by a registered adult. Please note: Students must wear closed toe shoes, eyeglasses or safety glasses (glasses can be provided to those who do not have them).

Carving fresh, found wood into useful objects is a fun, relaxing, and satisfying hobby. We will cover an overview of “green” woodworking, including tools, materials, process, technique, and safety. We will talk through the early part of the process of turning a log into a rough carving blank with an axe. Then you will learn safe, effective knife grips so you can carve your project. We’ll wrap up with a discussion on finishing touches, decoration possibilities, and how to continue in the craft. Butter Spreader/Cheese Knife: Wooden spreaders, present in nearly every Swedish kitchen, were traditionally hand-carved. Yours will be great for spreading butter, but also for soft, medium, and crumbly cheeses. This single-session class is perfect for complete beginners. Wooden Spoon: The serving spoons we’ll make have an extra large bowl for generous helpings and a stout handle for ease of use. No prior experience is required, but some familiarity with woodworking, carving, or other handcrafts would be beneficial for this two-night class.

Create a coconut soy-based wax candle and a set of wickless wax melts that release their scent when heated. Learn the ins-and-outs of candle making, including choosing wax, wicks, colors, and fragrances, as well as a bit of history on candles. Combine your favorite color and fragrance to pour your own shaped candle and set of fragrant wax melts. Fun Fact! This class is offered for families too. See Family Classes for more information.

Illustration, the art of visual storytelling, is an exciting form of personal expression. It’s used in so many ways—in children’s books, graphic novels, greeting cards, and posters. We’ll explore key aspects of illustration, such as character design, composition, and sequential storytelling, in this introductory class. Through fun exercises, you’ll generate ideas and uncover the stories you want to tell. All ability levels are welcome—just come ready to draw. Materials: Bring your favorite drawing tools (pens, pencils, markers, colored pencils, etc.) and paper (sketchbook or loose paper, doesn’t need to be anything fancy.)

Start your hand-lettering journey and tap into your creative side with the relaxing art of brush pen calligraphy. You’ll learn the basics, from essential lettering terms to proper grip, posture, and arm/hand movements. We’ll cover key strokes, lowercase letters, letter connections, and helpful tips to refine your skills. Two brush pens and a workbook are included, providing you with everything you need to continue practicing at home. No experience required.

Have fun learning about ceramics by working through the process of making stoneware mugs on the pottery wheel. Receive instruction on how to use the wheel to make the mug bodies, create and attach handles, and apply decorative, food-safe glazes. You will have plenty of time to practice your skills and create a few unique mugs or a matching set. This beginner-focused class includes all materials, tools, and firing.

Create a chain link design for a sterling silver bracelet or necklace in this workshop for beginning and intermediate students. Learn to further develop your fabrication skills, including measurement, sawing, filing, forming, texturing, soldering, and tumbler finishing.

Learn fundamental techniques for designing and fabricating a sterling silver textured band ring. Making a perfect circular form is one of the most basic and important skills in jewelry making. You’ll receive step-by-step instructions in texturing, filing, forming, soldering, sanding, and polishing your ring.

Take up or rediscover the relaxing craft of knitting in this class for beginners and beyond. Reduce your stress as you get a solid foundation in basic skills like casting on and binding off, knit and purl stitches, increasing and decreasing, picking up dropped stitches, and reading a pattern. Get help selecting a project to work on. Additional skills will be introduced based on the level and interests of participants. Instructors will provide materials to use for the first class, or you may bring your own.