2026 WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS

with JAN HEATON

Observe flowers with a new perspective using abstraction interpreted in contemporary watercolor. Capture not only what you see, but also your personal response as you focus on line, form, shape, and color. Daily demonstrations, one-on-one instruction, and sharing what you have painted provide the foundation for a dynamic exploration of this nuanced medium.

Learn to simplify and abstract subject matter with minimal marks, and learn a broad spectrum of of techniques to create bold and captivating works on paper. Develop color palettes and imagery to stretch your preconceived ideas of these elements and their initial meaning. This workshop guides artists through how inspiration translates observations into abstract, graphic, and bold watercolors.

All skill levels are definitely welcome. In the classroom, Jan believes all students are individuals with their own personal library of talent and inspiration. Her teaching methods are formed by the fact that everyone learns and makes art in their own way.

Studio fee: $50

with GEOFFREY GORMAN

In this hands-on workshop, participants will explore a wide range of unusual materials—including carved wood, rigid foam, reclaimed objects, vintage hardware, wire, textiles, and found artifacts—to create expressive animal sculptures full of personality and character. Through demonstrations and individual guidance, you'll discover how unexpected materials can work together to suggest movement, anatomy, and narrative. Rather than striving for realism, we'll focus on capturing the spirit and essence of an animal while embracing the surprises that emerge during the creative process. You'll learn techniques for carving, assembling, balancing forms, and integrating found objects into cohesive sculptures that celebrate texture, history, and imagination. Whether you are an experienced artist or new to sculpture, this workshop encourages experimentation, curiosity, and play. By the end of the session, you'll leave with a finished animal sculpture, new technical skills, and a fresh appreciation for the creative possibilities hidden within reclaimed and unconventional materials.

Participants must have some familiarity with basic hand tools.

Studio fee: $40

with BEN LONG

We use our eyes every day to achieve any number of goals, but there's a difference between looking at the world, and seeing the world photographically. Just as musicians have to train their ears to hear pitch, chords and intervals, photographers can benefit greatly from training their eyes to stop seeing what they expect to see, and instead see what's actually in front of them.

In this class we're going to break you out of your seeing habits so you can see the world fresh and so that you can learn to recognize the phenomena in the world that make for good photos. Through exercises, slideshows, group critiques and lots of shooting, this course will prove to you that good photos can happen anywhere, as long as you have the skills to recognize them.

Participants should have a basic understanding of exposure and proficiency with basic image editing. This workshop will use Adobe Lightroom for post-production.

Studio fee: $30

with NEAL AMBROSE-SMITH

Waterless lithography has been practiced for many years, and Master Printmaker Jeffrey Sippel has taken significant steps to make the technique more accessible through his practical, resourceful approach to the studio. This workshop will follow Sippel’s practice and use commercially made acrylic-based litho ink and the fabulous Takach ball-grained plates for wonderful mark making. Let’s have fun using water-based crayons, pencils, and even tempera paint to make incredible prints.

All skill levels are welcome, but some printmaking experience is helpful.

Studio fee: $50

with SARAH HEARN

Participants will make Coptic bound books and fill them with drawings, collages, writing, and inspirations collected while at Quartz Mountain. Paired-station Coptic bound books are ancient and strong. These books have exposed spines and a design style that allows all individual pages to lay flat. After making our books, we will spend the rest of the workshop filling them with drawings, collages, sketches, and writing inspired by our surroundings. The instructor will share a variety of prompts, observation techniques and making modalities. We will take short, guided field walks throughout the weekend. Using loupes, microscopes, phone cameras and binoculars, this workshop combines bookmaking, drawing, collage, and experimentation with fresh modes of observation. Participants will leave with handmade paired station Coptic books filled with drawings and inspiration from the likes of field guides, herbaria, artist books, and the local landscape. Attendees are welcome to bring any personal supplies they would like to use.

All skill levels are welcome. The bookmaking part of this workshop is precise and can feel tedious to some, the drawing, collage, and observation part is a bit looser and experimental. We will be looking closely at small objects for a length of time which could cause headaches for some. Short hikes will be part of the workshop, so please wear comfortable shoes. Participants are welcome to bring their binoculars.

Studio fee: $40

with MARWIN BEGAYE

This workshop will use oil-based inks, and water-based inks on printmaking paper as well as Japanese paper. Advanced techniques of printmaking process and registration methods will be shared. Participants will learn about layering using advance composition, balance, and texture building. The printmaking process of Relief, Tetra Pak (Drypoint), stencil making, chine colle, and hand-drawing will be learned and combined to complete compositions.

All skill levels welcome.

Studio fee: $50