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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.

Saturday, May 23 12:30-5:30 pm In this one-day encaustic workshop, resident artist, Marcie Wolf-Hubbard, will introduce students to the medium of encaustic. Traditional encaustic (pigmented molten wax mixed with damar resin) is an ancient medium which has been used for more than two thousand years. All skill levels are welcome. Supplies will be provided and include encaustic medium (beeswax and damar resin) along with encaustic paint which is the encaustic medium with pigment added. Ms. Wolf-Hubbard will set up workstations equipped with electric griddles and crock pots to heat the encaustic medium and paint. We will apply the molten wax with a brush (natural bristle) onto a surface. The process includes using a heat tool to initially warm the surface and then fuse to the layers below (fuse between subsequent layers of the encaustic.) The heat tools we will use in class are embossing guns, as they do not draw as much power as a heat gun and are thus safer in the classroom. We are grateful for the Maryland State Arts Council's Artist-in-Education program support for this workshop!

Riverworks Summer Arts Week: Ages 12-15 Aug 3-7 (Mon - Fri) Get ready for art, theater, music and movement! Riverworks' youth instructors have created for you a multidisciplinary artistic exploration to celebrate the natural world, taking advantage of the beautiful grounds and sculpture garden around the Riverworks Studio at Alden Farms. Monday - Thursday, August 3 - 6, 9:00am - 12:00pm Friday, August 7, 9:00am - 1:30pm (12:00-1:30 share your work and picnic with family!)

Friday June 13, 1-4pm Drop-in workshop led by Marcie Wolf-Hubbard to create tiny houses in one afternoon, constructing with cardboard, and finishing with acrylics and collage paper. This workshop is for all skill levels. We will include spending time outdoors, using the surrounding landscape for inspiration and source material, as well as using ‘found objects’ to incorporate and ‘upcycle’ into art projects. Marcie Wolf-Hubbard joins Riverworks this spring as a Resident Artist through a grant received from the Maryland State Arts Council. Marcie Wolf-Hubbard, a teaching visual artist that works in encaustic and mixed media, received her B.A. from the University of Maryland in Studio Art and studied Fine Art and Illustration at the Maryland Institute, College of Art. Ms. Wolf-Hubbard has been teaching “Building a Tiny Community in Mixed Media,” since 2018. In September 2024, she presented at the International Teaching Artists Conference (ITAC7) in Auckland, NZ demonstrating the Tiny House project to teaching artists and arts organization leaders from around the world.

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.

Sunday May 3, 10am-3pm Have you ever wondered what is a junk journal? In this workshop, explore the possibilities of this addictive creative practice with Associate Artist Dani Beaulieu and make your own junk journal. Learn to create "pockets," "tuck spots," "belly bands," "clusters," "journal spots," "journal cards" and so much more. Assemble your journal out of scrapbook paper, book pages, vintage ephemera, junk mail, and even cardboard found in the recycle bin! Bind it all together with a simple pamphlet stitch. Learn about inking and stamping on your pages to bring additional color and imagery. All materials are 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 to stay in the zone.

Wednesdays from 6:00 - 7:30pm, upstairs at Locals 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

Wednesdays from 7:30-9:00 PM 2026 Season: January 14th - June 10th, 2026 The Reserve Wind Ensemble is Riverworks' community band for members of our community with experience playing wind instruments of any kind. If you have a high school experience level with your instrument, even if you haven't played in years, this a great way to get back into playing, practicing and even performing. This community band is led by Yunique Music School director Michelle Palmer, who organized the Reserve Wind Ensemble in Fall of 2023. The Reserve Wind Ensemble meets at the Riverworks Studio at Alden Farms (19215 Beallsville Road, Beallsville) every Wednesday night from 7:30 - 9:00pm. There is a $50 annual fee to join. Performance opportunities include a Spring Concert and appearances at The Taste of Riverworks, Pride Fest, Locals and more! If you are interested in joining or have any questions, email michelle@riverworksart.org Let’s make music together!

Wednesdays 6:00 - 7:15 pm January 14th - June 10th, 2026 Class fee is collected at the time of registration. Join any time with prorated fees! These exciting instrumental lessons encourage budding musicians ages 10-14 to learn to perform and work and play their instruments as a group. Learn not only music theory and technique but also build teamwork skills by rehearsing and performing with their peers, guided by Yunique Music School Director, Michelle Palmer. The Junior Band will have multiple performance opportunities including a Spring Recital and appearances at Taste of Riverworks, Pride Fest, Locals and more! For new students: email Yunique Music School Director, Michelle Palmer at michelle@riverworksart.org to take an evaluation lesson to see if your child’s experience level is appropriate for this band.

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. 4:00 - 6:00 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.

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!

Saturday, May 9 1-4pm Have you ever heard of Artist Trading Cards (ATC)? ATCs are 2.5 by 3.5 in size, the same format as modern trading cards except they are tiny works of art with big creative potential. Join Associate Artist Dani Beaulieu for a fun Made-in-Studio workshop where we will experiment, connect and create small works of art meant to share and trade. We will draw, color, stamp, ink and collage on our cards. You will leave with several cards to trade, give away or just keep for yourself! All materials are provided. No experience is necessary. Sign up today!