Enriching Lives Through Art: Adult/Teen Classes

• Alcohol Ink Christmas Balls
• Instructor: Robin Eaton Novak
• Date: Saturday, December 6
• Time: 1:00–3:30 pm
• Ages: Adult (14+)
• Fee: $25 (25% off for members $18.75)*

Get into the holiday spirit with this fun and colorful workshop led by instructor Robin Eaton Novak! Participants will create two beautiful Christmas ornaments by layering vibrant alcohol inks on white glass ornaments. These one-of-a-kind creations make perfect keepsakes or heartfelt gifts for the season.

Each student will receive two 4-inch white glass ornaments and two matching gift boxes, ready for wrapping and gifting! Robin will guide you through the process of blending and layering inks to achieve dazzling, marbled effects that shimmer and shine. No experience necessary—just bring your creativity and get ready for a festive afternoon full of color and cheer! All materials supplied.

Note: Alcohol fumes may irritate sensitive lungs, and isopropyl alcohol can irritate the skin. Masks and gloves will be available upon request. Please wear appropriate clothes for painting, and feel free to bring your own apron if you have one. Art smocks will be available as well.

This is an in-person class and masks are optional. Space is limited so sign up early. Register in person or online at Salmon River Fine Arts Center Square Site. *Financial assistance is available for those who would like to attend and are unable to pay the full fee. Please email the art center with your request. This discounted class is made possible through “Enriching Lives through Art,” a grant generously funded by the John Ben Snow Foundation.

About the Artist: Robin Eaton-Novak. I am originally from the Virgin Islands, where my interest in art first began. Over time, life led me in other directions, and I set my artistic pursuits aside. However, the spark was rekindled when I attended two classes at the Salmon River Fine Arts Center! I currently work as a mental health therapist at Fort Drum, where I incorporate alcohol ink painting as a therapeutic intervention to teach patience, acceptance, and individual perception.

• Felt Bookmark Stitching Class
• Instructor: Charlotte Besaw of Handycandy Mittens
• Date: Wednesday, December 10
• Time: 5-7 pm
• Ages: Adult (+14)
• Class Size- 10-12
• Fee: $35 (25% off for members — $26.25)*

Join us for a warm and welcoming creative workshop led by Charlotte Besaw, the talented maker behind Handcandy Mittens! In this hands-on class, students will explore the basics of hand-sewing, simple stitching, and beginner embroidery while crafting their own cozy felt bookmarks.

Each student will have the opportunity to create two unique bookmark styles:

• ● Teacup Placement Bookmark – a charming felt teacup design that includes a real tea bag tucked inside to take home and enjoy.
• ● Corner Bookmark – a fun, functional style that fits neatly over the corner of your page.

Charlotte will guide participants step by step, offering tips, inspiration, and creative encouragement along the way. All materials are included, and students can personalize their bookmarks with colors, patterns, and decorative embroidery. Perfect for beginners and seasoned crafters alike, this class is a relaxing way to learn new skills and leave with handmade treasures you’ll love to use—or gift! Come stitch, sip, and create with us!

This is an in-person class. Register in person or online at Salmon River Fine Arts Center Square Site. *Financial assistance is available for those who would like to attend and are unable to pay the full fee. Please email the art center with your request. This discounted class is made possible through “Enriching Lives through Art,” a grant generously funded by the John Ben Snow Foundation.

• Ornament Hand Lettering Class
• Instructor: Ashley Gifford
• Date: December 13
• Time: 10 - noon
• Ages: Adult 14+ (or 10+ with an adult)
• Cost: $15

SORRY! CLASS IS SOLD OUT. Join artist Ashley Gifford for a festive and relaxing ornament hand lettering workshop! In this class, you’ll learn the beautiful art of hand lettering, a creative form of writing similar to calligraphy, but with a modern and more playful twist.

Ashley will guide you step-by-step through basic lettering techniques, showing you how to create elegant strokes, curves, and flourishes. Then, you’ll apply what you’ve learned to design and personalize your very own holiday ornaments. Each participant will take home several one-of-a-kind ornaments that make wonderful keepsakes or heartfelt gifts. No experience necessary; all materials are provided! Just bring your holiday spirit and a willingness to try something new.

What you will learn:

• ● The difference between hand lettering and traditional calligraphy
• ● How to use simple tools to create decorative letterforms
• ● Tips for spacing, style, and composition
• ● Ways to personalize ornaments with names, quotes, or festive phrases

This is an in-person class and masks are optional. Register in person or online at Salmon River Fine Arts Center Square Site. *Financial assistance is available for those who would like to attend and are unable to pay the full fee. Please email the art center with your request. This discounted class is made possible through “Enriching Lives through Art,” a grant generously funded by the John Ben Snow Foundation.

• Holiday Horse Acrylic Painting
• Instructor: Brooke Snyder
• Date: Sunday, December 14
• Time: Noon - 2:30 pm
• Age: 16 and up
• Level: Beginner and up
• Fee: $30.00 (25% off for members $22.50)

In this class you will learn to paint a horse with a nice fluffy mane. You will start by tracing your reference photo and then you will apply acrylic paint in thin layers to bring your painting to life. You will learn many different techniques for painting with acrylics, including using different brushstrokes, blending, layering and more. You will also get to experiment with adding other elements to your painting with separate reference photos. This is a very important skill to learn so that you can always make the painting you want without needing the perfect reference photo. Join us and allow me to lead you in creating the paintings you always dreamed you could make. All materials will be supplied.

This is an in-person class. Register in person at the arts center or online at Salmon River Fine Arts Center Square Site. *Financial assistance is available for those who would like to attend and are unable to pay the full fee. Please email the art center with your request. This discounted class is made possible through “Enriching Lives through Art,” a grant generously funded by the John Ben Snow Foundation.

• Five Week Beginner Wheel Throwing
• Instructor: Ann Buchau
• Dates: Wednesdays, January 7, 14, 28 | Feb 4, Feb 11
• Time: 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
• Ages: Adult/Teen
• Maximum enrollment: 5
• Fee: $93.75 per class members/ $125 non members*
• Location: 3-D Studio, Salmon River Fine Arts Center

Learn how to throw basic forms using the potter's wheel. Your instructor will guide you step by step as you learn how to wedge, center and create simple vessels. You will also learn trimming techniques and how to successfully glaze your pots. Students enrolled in this class will also have the option to come in during a designated time on Tuesdays (6-8 pm) or Friday (1-4 pm) to practice and work on their pieces. (Although there will be a monitor, there is no instructor for the open studio.) Total class time is 12.5 hours with the option of an additional 20 hours of open studio time during the class session.

All tools and materials are provided. Students are welcome to bring their own tools; however, all personal items must be taken home at the end of each class. No outside clay or glazes are permitted in the Pottery Studio. This is an in-person class; masks are optional. Register in person at the arts center or online at Salmon River Fine Arts Center Square Site. *Financial assistance is available for those who would like to attend and are unable to pay the full fee. Please email the art center with your request. This discounted class is made possible through “Enriching Lives through Art,” a grant generously funded by the John Ben Snow Foundation.

• Alcohol Inks on Ceramic Light Switch Tiles
• Instructor: Robin Eaton-Novak
• Date: Saturday, January 10
• Time: 9:30 am – 12 pm
• Ages: Adults (16 and older)
• Maximum enrollment: 10
• Fee: $35 (25% off for members — $26.25)*

Add a splash of color and creativity to your home with this exciting Alcohol Inks on Ceramics workshop led by local artist Robin Eaton-Novak! In this class, you'll transform an ordinary ceramic light switch cover into a functional piece of art using vibrant alcohol inks.

Explore the fluid beauty of alcohol inks as you learn techniques for creating abstract patterns and stunning landscape-inspired designs. Robin will guide you through the process of applying inks to ceramic surfaces and sealing your artwork so it’s both durable and decorative. Attendees will be making 2 light switch covers each. This is a fun and relaxing class for all skill levels—no prior experience necessary. Perfect for adding a personal touch to your space or gifting something handmade and beautiful. All materials will be supplied.

This is an in-person class and masks are optional. Register in person or online at Salmon River Fine Arts Center Square Site. * Financial assistance is available for those who would like to attend and are unable to pay the full fee. Please email the art center with your request. This discounted class is made possible through “Enriching Lives through Art,” a grant generously funded by the John Ben Snow Foundation.

• Needle-Felting Landscape
• Instructor: Brooke Morse
• Date: Sunday, January 11
• Time: 10-noon
• Ages: Adults (14+)
• Class size: 10-12
• Fees: $35 (25% off for members — $26.25)*

Unwind and create something beautiful in this relaxing two-hour needle-felting landscape workshop with artist and instructor Brooke Morse. In this beginner-friendly class, you’ll start with a felt background and learn how to punch colored wool into the felt using special felting needles to build soft, layered textures. Brooke will walk you through techniques for blending fibers, creating horizon lines, and adding simple landscape details like trees, hills, and sky gradients.

No experience is needed — just come ready to play with color and texture. You’ll leave with your own wool-painted mini landscape framed to take home and display. Perfect for a cozy creative break and a fun introduction to needle felting! All materials are provided.

This is an in-person class. Register in person at the arts center or online at Salmon River Fine Arts Center Square Site. *Financial assistance is available for those who would like to attend and are unable to pay the full fee. Please email the art center with your request. This discounted class is made possible through “Enriching Lives through Art,” a grant generously funded by the John Ben Snow Foundation.

• FREE Weekly Drawing Class
• Thursday 6 - 8 pm
• Instructor: Ann Buchau
• All ages welcome

Enjoy this online step-by-step drawing class in the comfort and safety of your own home via Zoom. Each week your instructor will focus on a different topic, technique or subject with the ultimate goal of improving and developing your own unique style. This class is open to anyone in our local community with a desire to draw — any age, any level. To attend, simply email us at sr.fine.arts.ctr@gmail.com to get your name on the list. After you register for this free class you will be emailed a link with instructions.

This class is made possible by generous donations from Drs. Patricia and Jay Chapman as well as many of our members and participants.