The Visual Arts Department at the Ashtabula Arts Center offers education for all ages and experience levels, as well as year-round opportunities for artists to showcase their work and network with other artists. The accessibility of our Visual Arts programming is a priority, and classes, workshops, and community art events are offered both on site at the Arts Center and as outreach throughout Ashtabula County. Our facilities include an art studio, clay studio, and gallery. In addition to classes and workshops, individual instruction is available in multiple art forms. Artists and art students also have opportunities to be part of our 13th Street and Straw Hat production teams, helping to create set pieces and projections.
AAC Wooly Wonders Knitting & Crochet Club
for teens/adults with knitting/crochet experience
with Pam Amy, facilitator
Tuesdays
March 3, 17, 31
April 14 & 28
May 12 & 26
9 a.m.
free to participate; no registration required
Help the Wooly Wonders Club keep the community warm! We’re making baby bonnets for Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, and scarves for Samaritan House. If you cannot attend in-person, you can also donate premade baby hats and scarves to the AAC; we will deliver.
Fused Glass Workshops
for age 12 & up/adults
with Beth Burke
Saturdays
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
workshop fee $37
materials fee $10
limit of 15 students
Learn the basics of glass fusing. Create a fun glass- fused masterpiece while being introduced to glass cutting, frit, and enamel techniques. Closed-toe shoes are required. Projects can be picked up after firing.
Mar 14: Glass House w/Stand
May 2: Fairy Doors
Candle Dipping
for ages 8+ with Adult
Instructor Kassie Rice
weeks/wrkshop workshop
Saturday, March 21
12:30-2:30 p.m.
workshop fee $27
materials fee $5
limit of 15 students
Dip your own candles and carve fun designs! Create the perfect gift or decoration.
Retro Frog Scrubby Holder
for teens/adults
with Erica Ledford
Monday March 23rd
6:00-7:30
class fee $37
materials and firing fee $10
limit of 9 students
Glaze a ceramic frog for the kitchen (or the patio, or the bookshelf); all the vintage charm, none of the vintage lead paint.
Sewing 911
for teens/adults
with Nancy Baucom
Thurs, April 9
or Sat, April 25
1-3pm
workshop fee $34, materials fee $15
limit of 8 students
Learn hand-sewing techniques for when a sewing machine is unavailable, whether at home, in an emergency, or on vacation. Participants will learn how to stay prepared using a special kit, which you complete.
Personalized Gnome
ages 12 & up/adults
Instructor Beth Burke
Saturday, April 11
10:30 a.m.-12:30pm
workshop fee $37, materials fee $10
limit of 15 students
Hot Glue Invasion! Come create your very own personalized no-sew gnome.
Fused Glass Workshops
for age 12 & up/adults
with Beth Burke
Saturdays
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
workshop fee: $47
materials fee: $15
limit of 15 students
Learn the basics of glass fusing. Create a fun glass- fused masterpiece while being introduced to glass cutting, frit, and enamel techniques. Closed-toe shoes are required. Projects can be picked up after firing.
Mar. 21: Village Landscape
Apr. 18: Let Your Garden Grow
Life Drawing Club
for adults with life drawing experience
with Ralph Bacon, facilitator
Sundays, 6-8 p.m.
February 15
June 14
modeling fee: $12 with advance registration, $17 walk-in (walk-in payments are cash only) per workshop
This series of studio-style workshops will be held in the green room, and will feature both nude and clothed models. Artists will need to bring their own drawing supplies. Ralph Bacon will be facilitating, but please note that this time is for self-guided drawing, not introductory-level instruction, and anyone registering should have experience in life drawing.
Needle Felting
for teens/adults
with Nancy Nelson-Brotz
Tuesdays, 7:30-9 p.m.
workshop fee $22, materials fee $11
Mar 24 – 3D Toadstools
Mar 31 – 3D Pet Snail
Apr 7 – 3D Potted Succulent
Apr 14 – 2D Redbud Tree
Apr 21 – 2D Gnome Buddies
Apr 28 – 2D Robin Redbreast
May 12 – Highland Cow
May 19 – 2D Nibbling Bunny
May 26 – 2D Grape Hyacinths
Jun 2 – 2D Seeds on the Wind
Chalk Pastels
for teens/adults
with Mary Underwood
Thursdays, 3-5 p.m.
workshop fee $29, materials fee $7
limit of 10 students
Develop a competent understanding and application of the soft, painterly aesthetic of chalk pastels. You will progress beyond simple sketching to create art that feels alive with atmosphere and depth.
April 9 – TBD
April 23 – TBD
May 7 – TBD
May 21 – TBD
Frazzled Bunny
for ages 12 & up/adults
with Beth Burke
Saturday, March 28
10:30 a.m.-12:30pm
workshop fee $37
materials fee $10
limit of 15 students
Hot Glue Invasion! Come Create your very own personalized no-sew bunny.
Canvas and Cocoa
for teens/adults
with Solita Jones
Mondays, 7-9 p.m.
workshop fee $22, materials fee $8
limit of 15 students
Create an 11×14 acrylic painting. Bring a friend and have fun creating easy canvas art! Feel free to bring snacks, pop, or wine — cocoa will be provided!
Mar 30 – Moonrise Over Lake
(blacklight painting)
Apr 27 – Dandelion Sunset
May 18 – Void Cat in Flowers
Glaze a Garden Lantern
Erica Ledford
Monday, April 27
6:00-7:30
workshop fee $37
materials and firing fee $10
limit of 9 students
Glaze a one-of-a-kind lantern suitable for indoor or outdoor use. These lanterns are a great way to add a little glow to your space.
Glazed Soap Dish
for teens/adults
with Erica Ledford
Monday, April 6
6:00-7:30
workshop fee $22
materials and firing fee $10
limit of 9 students
Match your dish to your decor! This handmade, self draining dish will extend the life of your soaps. It can also function as a sponge holder.
Shibori Dyeing
for teens/adults
with Sandy Shellenberger
Saturday, Apr 18
12:30-3 p.m.
workshop fee $52, materials fee $25
limit of 8 students
The word “Shibori” derives from the Japanese verb shiboru, meaning “to wring, squeeze, press.” The closest English translation would be “shaped-resist dyeing.”
