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Wednesdays from 6:00 - 7:30pm (Location TBD - check back soon!) Wed. March 18 Wed. April 15 Wed. May 13 Wed. June 10 Looking for a fun community activity to foster hope, ignite your imagination, and nurture connections? Join us for Riverworks' Solarpunk Book Club this spring, hosted in Poolesville. Solarpunk started off as a science fiction sub-genre that rejects dystopian future visions and focuses on building an egalitarian world in harmony with nature and technology. Led by Riverworks Associate Artist and local professor Christine Hubbard, we'll be meeting for lively discussions along with snacks from Locals Farm Market. Each month will focus on a book with Solarpunk features and you will receive an intro to the author/book, discussion questions, resources to learn more, and links to local related organizations and resources. A better world is possible, so let's get to dreaming and doing! (Suggested audience 18+ due to some elements in the books.) Books are not included. Books and dates: The Ministry for the Future, Kim Stanley Robinson: Wed. March 18 Monk and Robot, Becky Chambers: Wed. April 15 Parable of the Sower, Octavia Butler: Wed. May 13 The Fifth Sacred Thing, Starhawk: Wed. June 10

Sunday May 3, 10am-3pm Have you ever wondered what is a junk journal? In this workshop, with Associate Artist Dani Beaulieu, you will explore the possibilities of this addictive creative practice and make a junk journal of your very own. We will create "pockets," "tuck spots," "belly bands," "clusters," "journal spots," "journal cards" and so much more. You will assemble your journal out of scrapbook papers, book pages, vintage ephemera, junk mail and clean cardboard found in the recycle bin! Then you will bind it all together with a simple pamphlet stitch. We will also learn about inking and stamping on your pages to bring additional color and imagery to your journal. All materials will be provided, but if you have materials that you'd like to use, please bring them! This workshop is 5 hours so there is plenty of time to get into the creative zone! Bring snacks or packed lunch if you would like!

Join Christine Hubbard for excursions and learning experiences with the culminating Community Roundtable Discussion. Artists and writers will explore the Solarpunk philosophy, a hopeful and action-oriented movement that imagines sustainable, just, and community-centered futures in action around the world. Through community audits, and collaborative brainstorming, participants will transform this exploration into imaginative and practical responses to local challenges. Participants will craft a creative product of their choice with self-selected materials inspired by Solarpunk. ​​ $245 to participate - supplies not included Open to 12 participants - age 16+ ​ Fri., March 6: Roundtable Cohort Orientation at Riverworks Studio at Alden Farms. The cohort will get acquainted, participate in a gallery walk, and receive an overview of our objectives, schedule, goals, and final project. 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Sat., March 14: Day trip with site visits to Baltimore City. Includes a sustainability tour of practical sites and museums (carpool/caravan). 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.​ Fri., March 27: Hybrid check-in (Alden Farms or Zoom). ​4:00 - 6:00 pm. Sat., April 11: Farm field trip (carpool/caravan). 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.​ Fri., April 17: Work and feedback session, in-person at Alden Farms. 4:00 - 6:00 pm. Fri., April 24: Work and feedback session, in-person at Alden Farms. 4:00 - 6:00 pm. Sat., May 9: Community presentation. To celebrate the work of all participants and to share the experience with the community. This event is free to the public. Time and location TBD.

Creators are invited to join Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) Resident Artist, Marcie Wolf-Hubbard and Riverworks Associate Artist, Christine Hubbard, in exploring a deeper understanding of the C&O Canal. This series will open with a dynamic guided tour of local C&O Canal sites in and around Poolesville to learn their history and analyze their roles in the local community and ecosystem. Participants will then learn techniques to construct “tiny houses” using paper mâché and other mixed media techniques inspired by the site visits. The final creations will be an expression of C&O Canal history. This series is open to all who want to express themselves creatively and delve deeper into local C&O Canal history.​ $150 to participate Open to 12 participants - age 16+ ​​Sat., May 2: Field Trip led by Christine Hubbard.  C&O Canal site visit in the NW Ag Reserve with opportunities to document details via sketch/journal/photography. Attendance is not mandatory, and alternative resource materials will be provided for those unable to attend. 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Thurs., May 21: Tiny C&O Canal Lockhouses Class. Led by M. Wolf-Hubbard. Includes introduction, review of field trip to C&O Canal sites, brainstorming design, and beginning constructing with cardboard and tape. 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm. Fri., May 22: Tiny C&O Canal Lockhouses Class. ​Led by M. Wolf-Hubbard, complete construction, consider environment/placement of building, application of paper mache. 3:00 - 6:30 pm​ ​ Fri., June 12: Tiny C&O Canal Lockhouses Class. Complete projects, finishing with encaustic painting. Consider addition of textures, fabric, and found objects. Encaustic techniques include making photo transfers and using pigment sticks. 3:00 - 6:30 pm. Fri., June 27: Heritage Montgomery Heritage Days. Led by C. Hubbard, Exhibit Tiny C&O Canal Lockhouses at Riverworks in Poolesville (Old Methodist Church); history presentation and roundtable discussion about the connection between community and C&O Canal history, heritage, and place. CRP#6 participant participation optional, but strongly encouraged. 12:00 - 4:00 pm.​​ ​Additional Workshops with MSAC Resident Artist, Marcie Wolf-Hubbard: Sat., May 23: Encaustic Painting Workshop.  5-hour hands-on workshop overviewing and demonstrating encaustic painting techniques. Registration is open to the public. $150 per student. 12:30 - 5:30 pm. Sat., June 13: Made-in-Studio: Tiny Houses in Cardboard and Mixed Media. 3-hour workshop.

Tuesdays from 7- 8:30 PM 2026 Season: January 13th - June 9th $50 materials fee per semester An inclusive choir for adults (and advanced teens) who want to grow their musical skills and sing together! Whether your background is choir, karaoke, or just singing in the shower, you’ll find a welcoming place here. No formal training is required—music reading skills are a plus, but a good ear and willingness to learn are just as valuable. We’ll begin with the fundamentals of choral singing and ensemble work, then grow together toward a cappella singing with rich, close harmonies. Repertoire will span centuries and styles—from Renaissance madrigals to contemporary musicals, pop, and vocal jazz. Throughout the year, singers will have opportunities to perform, including special collaborations with Riverworks’ other music groups, building a vibrant, cross-generational music community. Our Directors: The choir is directed by Christina Carr, a Juilliard-trained opera singer and an active member of the Poolesville community since 2018, and Sarah Paksima, a dedicated Poolesville Town Commissioner and active community leader. Christina and Sarah are both inaugural members of the Riverworks Reserve Wind Ensemble, bringing their deep love for music and their commitment to enriching the local arts scene into every rehearsal. Let’s make music together!

Saturdays 10:15 - 11:15 am January 10th - June 6th, 2026 Class fee is collected at registration. Join any time with a prorated class fee! Explore playing a wide variety of wind instruments, such as saxophone, didgeridoo, harmonica and ocarina! Listen to, and learn about classical composers, practice counting rhythm, and create some awesome art along the way! Please email Yunique Music School Director, Michelle Palmer at Michelle@riverworksart.org with any questions.

* This workshop is located at Sugarland Studios: 15121 Sugarland Road Poolesville, MD 20837 Saturday, Feb 28, 1-4pm Receive step-by-step guidance to make your own ceramic bowl using a wheel, as well as handbuilding. Learn different techniques for decorating, coloring, and creating texture! All materials provided. No prior art experience needed—just curiosity and a willingness to play. The workshop will be led by Heather O’Halloran, a ceramic artist and educator who believes clay is for everyone. She is the founder of Sugarland Studios, where she teaches wheel throwing and handbuilding classes focused on creativity, confidence, and connection. Heather loves helping students of all ages discover the joy of making functional art with their own hands and creating pieces that become part of everyday life. This workshop is a special offering and participants can choose to donate one of their bowls to the upcoming Empty Bowls event, hosting by Riverworks, on March 22, from 4:30-6:30 at Locals Farm Market. Empty Bowls is a global grassroots movement that brings potters, students and community together to raise awareness and funds for local food-related charities. Each guest picks a handmade bowl to take home and enjoys a variety of delicious soups and bread! All proceeds raised will go to the Backpack Bites program, which feeds food insecure students in Poolesville and the Ag Reserve. To learn more about the event, visit: https://www.riverworksart.org/event-details/empty-bowls-2026

Saturday, April 11, 1-4pm Handmade books come in an exciting variety of colors, shapes and sizes. How they handle, what secrets they openly share or hide, what papers are used, all add to their unique character and style. Useful as journals, art platforms, keepsakes or a home for your very own stories. In this introductory book making class, we’ll make 3 different books to form an understanding of how some books are sewn (Pamphlet stitch book), glued (Lotus Book) and folded together (Concertina or Flag Book). On our journey, we’ll see how paper and its grain impact our books, and what tools we need. Marieke is a lifelong artist, educator and maker that works at the intersection of Nature, Design, Engineering and Play. Constantly problem solving, tinkering and imagining, she lives with her family on their tree farm in the Montgomery County Ag reserve, where they endeavor to make space for breath, and native plants & animals. With an educational background in photography, digital art, engineering and social studies, Marieke has taught animation at MC and web design at VisArts & FCC. At FCC she also taught graphic design and helped establish a Makerspace prior to the pandemic. More recently Marieke has been introducing homeschool students to the possibilities of digital art, the tactile nature of fiber art, and the wonders of our local ecology. In her own exploration she’s had the opportunity to study the arts of book & paper making at workshops at Pyramid Atlantic, and Penland. Deeping her play with 2D to 3D transformations, she had the privilege of learning about tin sculptures with artist Bobby Hansson. Marieke's relationship with fiber arts has been more close to home, where her mother taught her the basics of crochet and sewing. "General Doll Hospital" was established early on, and probably involved as much drama as the daytime soap it was named after. Living in West Africa for a time opened up her color and textile language, and impressed on her the magic of re-use. She has had the opportunity to watch Ghanaian weavers and batiks being made in the Ivory Coast. Now she explores the growing world of Japanese amigurumi and transforms fabric scraps into creatures.

The Studios at Alden Farms are open for your use on from 10 am - 2 pm on Tuesdays and 10 am - 1 pm on Sundays. The studio at Alden Farms is a resource for the community. Come to open studios for access to studio space in the front and back studio rooms, with large tables, art supplies, large utility sink, and library. Funds from open studio fees will go into improving the quantity, quality, and variety of art supplies and materials available for use! The studio is already equipped with all kinds of brushes, pastels, charcoal, acrylic paints, small canvases, inks, and more. These open studio sessions will be hosted by a Riverworks' staff member or associate artist, who will be there as a resource, for their perspective and expertise. You can also check out books from the studio library with this studio attendant. The library contains a variety of art guide books, beautiful color plate art books, and in-depth art history books to explore. Please respect the studio space and work with us to make it a clean, organized, and positive space!

Saturday, March 14th, 1-4pm Ready to learn a new skill in a relaxed and friendly setting? Join our beginner-friendly knitting workshop and discover the joy of creating something with your own two hands! Over three cozy hours, you'll learn the essential skills to start your knitting journey, including: Clear, step-by-step guidance on basic techniques like casting on and binding off. Helpful tips for holding your needles and yarn with ease and confidence. A fun, first-project pattern to practice your new craft. Emily is a long-time teacher and knitter who pulls inspiration from nature. She knits for her family which includes two young kids and enjoys teaching others how to knit for themselves and their loved ones. @Wildlingknits on Instagram and Facebook

Wednesday afternoons from 12:00 - 3:00 PM 4 Classes - March 11 - April 1 In this class, we’ll learn to “see” with paint. We will explore color, shape, volume, light, line, gesture, and pictorial space and composition by looking at still life, flowers, interiors, and the stunning early spring light. We’ll also look at some great paintings for inspiration and to understand what makes them great. Students will use acrylic paint and learn basic techniques and methodologies for painting in acrylics. Some drawing experience is helpful but not necessary. Jack Burbridge earned his MFA in painting at American University and lives and works in Silver Spring. He primarily draws and paints from nature - landscape, figure, still-life. You can see his work at the Waverly Street Gallery and online at JackBurbridge.weebly.com.

Friday April 3, 1-4pm Have you ever been curious about fusing glass? Come experience it first hand and make a small piece to hang in your window (or your wall) and one to give away to a child who attends Camp Erin, a weekend camp experience for grieving children that is sponsored by Caring Matters*. The class will provide clear instruction about cutting and chopping glass to construct your piece, show some of the varieties of fused glasses and show you. A few experienced glass cutters will be on hand to help! Both pieces will be available for view the following week after a kiln firing. You will pick which you want to keep and which you want to donate. If there is time, you may be able to do an additional donation. Because of the nature of the glass and limited tools, there will be an 8 person class limit. Ages 16+ are welcome to join! Bring your curiosity and your creativity and let’s have fun! *Caring Matters is a not-for-profit organization that serves children, adults and families facing serious illness and grieving the death of a loved one. Caring Matters also increases community awareness and advocacy about end-of-life concerns, advance care planning and grief. Susan Blumen (#blumensusan on instagram) has played with these sharp glass objects since 2009…a lot more now that she is fully retired from training, coaching and professing.