Art and Craft Workshops at Wiawaka 2025
Multiple Tea Bag Painting
July 9th, 2026
2:00pm-4:00pm
Instructor: Ruby Silvious
Cost of the workshop is $65, this includes material fees.
Participants will create miniature paintings on emptied used tea bags, using watercolor and gouache. All levels welcome. Supplies are included. Bring your imagination and impress yourself!
Ruby Silvious transforms everyday materials into captivating works of art. She rose to prominence with 363 Days of Tea, a yearlong project turning used tea bags into miniature paintings. Her innovative use of unconventional canvases—including used tea bags, eggshells, leaves, wine corks, paper bags, and receipts—challenges traditional notions of art.
Silvious is the author of 363 Days of Tea (2016) and Reclaimed Canvas (2019), both chronicling her creative journey. Her work, often inspired by global travels, has been featured in CNN Travel, Vogue Italia, Disney Malaysia,The Guardian, Der Spiegel, and the internationally syndicated Ripley's Believe it or Not, among others. Her art is exhibited and collected worldwide.
Weaving Workshop
July 14th, 2025
10:00am-4:00pm (12-1pm break for lunch)
Instructor: Linda Schultz
Cost of the workshop is $55, this includes material fees, day pass and lunch.
Weaving with Linda Schultz. Want to learn how to weave on a small scale? Learn how to create a small weaving on a 3” X 5” cardboard loom. Learn the weaving language and different weaving stitches. Go home with a small weaving. All supplies are included. Feel free to bring your own yarn if you would like.
Linda is a retired art educator. She holds an MS in art education from the State University of New York, a Certificate of Completion from the Art Farm Gallery for studies in Chinese Brush painting and a Certificate of Completion as an Expressive Arts Education Facilitator from Salve Regina University.
Watercolor Workshop with Diane Swanson: Architecture in the Landscape
July 14th, 2026
10:00am-12:00pm
Cost of the workshop is $55
Striking a balance between controlling the medium of watercolor while allowing the paint to do what it wants to do is key to having a satisfying watercolor painting experience. Watercolor artist Diane Swanson will offer a few ways and techniques to help participants work towards that balance in a relaxed easy setting.
Participants will practice watercolor technique demonstrated by the instructor to learn some of the magic of the medium, then will apply these techniques in creating their own watercolor painting inspired by Wiawaka’s varied architectural elements harmoniously set in nature. Diane will work with each artist through the process, with tips on how to handle composition, color and brushwork.
All abilities welcome, all materials supplied, but participants are welcome to bring their favorite brushes if they have them.
Painting with Patrice
“Calla Lily” by Georgia O'Keeffe
July 16th, 2026
2:00pm-4:00pm
Instructor: Patrice Jarvis-Weber
Cost of the workshop is $50, this includes material fees.
"Calla Lily Turned Away" was created by Georgia O'Keeffe in 1923. The ethereal setting of this lily has smooth flowing lines of white and green with subtle shading and highlighting. Come paint this O'Keeffe flower with me and bring home your own version of this piece.
Patrice has been part of the Adirondack art community for over 25 years. She studied art and art history and has worked as a photographer, calligrapher, sign painter, and a teaching artist. She was part of the staff at Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council, later organized community art events, and was a board member of the Lake George Arts Project. Throughout her career she has taught art to all ages. Presently Patrice is the teaching artist at the World Awareness Children’s Museum in Glens Falls. Many of her 2-hour classes are inspired by the art of the masters.
July 21st, 2025
10:00am-12:00pm
Instructor: Joanne Quinlivan
Intro to Pastels
Come join Joann to learn about pastels and create your own work. Capturing the landscape with a rich palette, Joann Quinlivan embarks on each painting as a journey in which her love of nature and affinity for color can be expressed. Her award winning work has been juried into numerous National pastel competitions.
She is past President of the United Society of Pastel Artists in So. California and past VP of the Adirondack Pastel Society. She has been teaching a beginners pastel workshop at the Hedges, an Adirondack Resort, for the past five years. Her classes build familiarity with the medium, help students observe light and color value and each student gets individual attention. It’s a fun and easy going introduction to pastels.
Cost of the workshop is $50, this includes material fees.
$60 for the workshop and a day pass.
Marbling Paper
July 23rd, 2025
2:00pm-4:00p
Instructor: Pam Golden and Deb Ogdon
Cost of the workshop is $30
Join us to experience the wonderful ancient process of marbling paper! In this workshop we will talk about color and learn how to swirl drops of ink onto a watery surface. The participants will create beautiful fluid patterns, and then place paper on top - to absorb the colors. Such joyful fun and beauty!' The marbled papers will be used to create unique greeting cards and cover the pages of a blank journal.
Pam is a professional artist/educator. She works with clay and mixed media. Her sculptures have been exhibeted nationally including First Night/Boston, Artsplosure/Raleigh, the Burchfield-Penney Art Gallery, the Fuller Museum of Art and South Shore Art Center.
Deborah Odgen is a graduate of The Art Institute of Boston, Fine Arts Program. She is an accomplished visual artist with 35 plus years in the field of Arts and Antiques, Marine Repair and Restoration, and her Custom Decorative Design Painting Business.
Watercolor Workshop with Diane Swanson: Painting the Lake
July 23rd, 2026
10:00am-12:00pm
Instructor: Diane Swanson
Cost of the workshop is $55
Striking a balance between controlling the medium of watercolor while allowing the paint to do what it wants to do is key to having a satisfying watercolor painting experience. Watercolor artist Diane Swanson will offer a few ways and techniques to help participants work towards that balance in a relaxed easy setting.
Participants will practice watercolor technique demonstrated by the instructor to learn some of the magic of the medium, then will apply these techniques in creating their own watercolor paintings inspired by the stunning beauty of Lake George. Diane will work with each artist through the process, with tips on how to handle composition, color and brushwork.
All abilities welcome, all materials supplied, but participants are welcome to bring their favorite brushes if they have them.
Painting with Patrice
“Summer Birch” by Patrice
August 4th, 2026
2:00pm-4:00pm
Instructor: Patrice Jarvis-Weber
Cost of the workshop is $50, this includes material fees.
You will find birch trees reaching for the sky throughout the Adirondacks. Enjoy painting this ornamental tree in full summer bloom to take home as a keepsake.
Patrice has been part of the Adirondack art community for over 25 years. She studied art and art history and has worked as a photographer, calligrapher, sign painter, and a teaching artist. She was part of the staff at Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council, later organized community art events, and was a board member of the Lake George Arts Project. Throughout her career she has taught art to all ages. Presently Patrice is the teaching artist at the World Awareness Children’s Museum in Glens Falls. Many of her 2-hour classes are inspired by the art of the masters.
Learn to make an original Quilted Ornament Design
August 17th, 2026
9:00am-3:00pm lunch break 12-1
Instructor: Nan Wohlfahrt
Cost of the workshop is $60 this includes lunch
Join us for a delightful crafting experience where you’ll learn to create a stunning quilted ornament on a foam ball using many pins. In this workshop, students will learn the art of folding fabric and placing it precisely on the foam ball to create beautiful ornaments. You’ll also discover how to add the perfect finishing touches with bows and other embellishments. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, this class offers a fun and creative way to make unique ornaments for any occasion!
All materials for completing an ornament will be provided.
With over six years of experience in creating intricate quilted ornaments, Nan Wohlfahrt has honed a deep understanding and passion for this unique craft. Known for meticulous attention to detail and a creative flair, Nan transforms simple materials into stunning decorative pieces. Although new to teaching, Nan is confident in her ability to guide others through the process, offering clear and patient instruction. Join Nan in a hands-on workshop to learn the art of quilted ornaments, where you’ll gain valuable skills and create beautiful keepsakes.
The Pink Lotus represents inner beauty. The golden yellow behind shades of pink will make this flower glow. Under Patrice's instruction you will add layers of stronger pink shades to transition from one shade to the next. The ruby red tips of each petal will define the details of this delicate floral painting.
Patrice has been part of the Adirondack art community for over 25 years. She studied art and art history and has worked as a photographer, calligrapher, sign painter, and a teaching artist. She was part of the staff at Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council, later organized community art events, and was a board member of the Lake George Arts Project. Throughout her career she has taught art to all ages. Presently Patrice is the teaching artist at the World Awareness Children’s Museum in Glens Falls. Many of her 2-hour classes are inspired by the art of the masters.
August 13th, 2026
2:00pm-4:00pm
Instructor: Patrice Jarvis-Weber
Painting with Patrice
“Pink Lotus”
Cost of the workshop is $50, this includes material fees.
Watercolor Workshop with Diane Swanson: Late Summer Flowers
August 18th, 2026
2:00pm-4:00pm
Cost of the workshop is $55
Striking a balance between controlling the medium of watercolor while allowing the paint to do what it wants to do is key to having a satisfying watercolor painting experience. Watercolor artist Diane Swanson will offer a few ways and techniques to help participants work towards that balance in a relaxed easy setting.
Participants will practice watercolor technique demonstrated by the instructor to learn some of the magic of the medium, then will apply these techniques in creating their own watercolor paintings inspired by some of the late summer's garden blooms. Diane will work with each artist through the process, with tips on how to handle composition, color and brushwork.
All abilities welcome, all materials supplied, but participants are welcome to bring their favorite brushes if they have them.
August 14th, 2025
10:00am-12:00pm
Instructor: Joanne Quinlivan
Intro to Pastels
Come join Joann to learn about pastels and create your own work. Capturing the landscape with a rich palette, Joann Quinlivan embarks on each painting as a journey in which her love of nature and affinity for color can be expressed. Her award winning work has been juried into numerous National pastel competitions.
She is past President of the United Society of Pastel Artists in So. California and past VP of the Adirondack Pastel Society. She has been teaching a beginners pastel workshop at the Hedges, an Adirondack Resort, for the past five years. Her classes build familiarity with the medium, help students observe light and color value and each student gets individual attention. It’s a fun and easy going introduction to pastels.
Cost of the workshop is $50, this includes material fees.
$60 for the workshop and a day pass.
Framing Floral Messages: The Victorian Language of the Flowers
August 19th, 2025
3:30pm-5:30pm
Instructors: Catherine & Pam Golden
Cost of the workshop is $30, this includes material fees.
Today we appreciate flowers for their beauty. We choose a bouquet or centerpiece for the color of a flower, its scent, hardiness, or appearance. In the etiquette-bound Victorian period, however, people sent flowers to communicate feelings of love, joy, disdain, or caution. There was a language of flowers, also called floriography, popular on both sides of the Atlantic. Floral meanings have not disappeared. Today, we still associate a rose with love and send chrysanthemums at times of mourning. But in the nineteenth century, there was a full dictionary of floral meanings, which we will explore in this session. Catherine will first present a history of the Victorian language of flowers. Then participants will choose some of these flowers (dried or fabric) to create bookmarks with floral messages. Pam will guide us in this activity. At the end of the workshop, we will admire each other’s creations and share our floral messages.
Drawing Leaves with Graphite Pencils
August 26th, 2025
1:00pm-3:30pm
Instructor: Nancy Lyons
Cost of the workshop is $30, this includes material fees.
In this 2 ½ hour class, students will be introduced to graphite pencils, and learn techniques such as shading, toning and blending different types of leaves. They will watch a quick demonstration by the teacher before creating their own drawings of leaves. Beginner- Intermediate Materials Provided Or Bring Your Own Graphite Pencils (2H, H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
Nancy Lyons is a retired educator and a lifelong artist who loves to teach and share her art with others. Her preferred mediums are pastel, colored pencils, graphite pencils and watercolor. Nancy teaches art classes throughout the Capital District. She is a member of the Colonie Art League and Adirondack Pastel Society and has received various awards in juried shows.