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  • Summer Arts Week: Session 1 - Ages 7-11

    Riverworks Summer Arts Week: Session 1 July 7th-11th, 9am-12pm (longer last session) Ages 7-11 Our youth instructors are collaborating to create a multidisciplinary artistic exploration to celebrate the natural world, taking advantage of the beautiful grounds and sculpture garden around the Alden Farms Studio. Get ready for art, theater, music and movement with our youth instructors! This program will be lead by music teacher Michelle Palmer, visual arts teacher Talia Rizzo and theatre teacher Jennifer Ridgway, each bringing their expertise to the table, with help from Riverworks staff and counselor Charlie Gleason. These sessions will run 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., culminating in a longer final session, time to use the pool at Alden Farms, a potluck, and the opportunity for campers to share their work with parents and family.

  • Reserve Wind Ensemble

    Wednesdays from 7:30-9:00 PM Winter/Spring semester: January 15th - June 4th 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 free-to-join 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. If you are interested in joining or have any questions, email michelle@riverworksart.org Let’s make music together!

  • Made-in-Studio: Paper Quilling

    Saturday, October 11th, 1-4pm Join us to explore an artistic medium that is making a comeback! Come and immerse yourself in the art of paper quilling. During this class , you will learn the foundations of quilling, including paper rolling, shaping and gluing. We will explore the different types of shapes in quilling, use of color, paper types and how to bring it all together to make a beautiful piece of art! Quilling is an art form that involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled, woven, shaped and glued together to create decorative images. Quilling is also known as paper rolling or paper scrolling. The origins are not recorded but some think it began with the origin of paper in China in 105 AD. There are records of French and Italian nuns using torn edges of holy books from the 1200-1600s for decoration of holy pictures. There are sources that also claim it as a suitable pastime for genteel ladies during the Edwardian , Regency and Victorian eras in Britain. Quilling is enjoying a world-wide resurgence in our modern era. It can be used for decorating wedding invitations, birth announcements and ornaments. It also has a place in art galleries in the USA and Europe and is an art form that is practiced around the world. Thank you for your interest! Alison Armour is a self taught paper artist, living locally in Dickerson. She stumbled upon quilling during the pandemic and an obsession was born! She loves “painting” with paper and enjoys sharing her love of this unique art form with others.

  • Made-in-Studio: Painting with Wool

    Saturday September 13th, 1-4pm Learn how to paint with wool! Wool painting is a fiber arts technique using sheep's wool fibers layered and "painted" onto a base felt fabric using a felting needle. Participants will create a textured, vibrant, and unique artwork, displayed in an embroidery hoop frame. Kypriana “Lala” Daniels is the author of the Earth Folk Tales Series, a seasonal collection of children's mushroom-foraging fairy tales. Kypriana has facilitated nature based educational and arts programs for children for 15 years. The programs focus on her passions: honey bees, mushrooms, creative writing, wool needle felting and storytelling. She wild-schools her daughter in their home in the Appalachian foothills

  • Made-in-Studio: Solarpunk

    Friday September 5th, 1-4pm Tales of dystopian futures clog our bookshelves and screens and can make us feel that our destiny is dark and depressed. Cyberpunk sci-fi features a future in which humanity is choked with smog, dimly lit with glitchy neon, and technology is used to oppress and control. In the midst of our current reality, this dim destiny seems like a foregone conclusion. But what if we refused dystopia and instead insisted on and worked toward a brighter, better future for all? This is the ethos of Solarpunk—an approach that centers an egalitarian society, balanced with local ecosystems, and harnesses technology in ways that are restorative and regenerative, not extractive or exploitative. Solarpunk emphasizes low-tech and DIY options and is adaptable to climates and cultures around the world. Associate Artist Christine (Hubbard) Rai has been teaching a college course with a Solarpunk focus since 2022 and is excited to bring this experience to Riverworks. In this dynamic session, she will introduce the Solarpunk philosophy and share examples of art, architecture, and contemporary communities guided by these transformative principles. Participants will craft a creative product of their choice with self-selected materials inspired by Solarpunk—a multimedia creation, an informative image, an inspirational poster, a short story/poem/essay, or a mix of any of these. The session will close with sharing and discussion of our creations and how we can incorporate Solarpunk into our lives and communities. Participants should bring their preferred creative materials. And in the spirit of Solarpunk’s eco-friendly focus, Riverworks will provide a mix of repurposed and natural materials to incorporate into your creations if you like.

  • Summer Arts Week: Session 2 - Ages 12-15

    Riverworks Summer Arts Week: Session 2 August 4th-8th, 9am-12pm (longer last session) Ages 12-15 Our youth instructors are collaborating to create a multidisciplinary artistic exploration to celebrate the natural world, taking advantage of the beautiful grounds and sculpture garden around the Alden Farms Studio. Get ready for art, theater, music and movement with our youth instructors! This program will be lead by music teacher Michelle Palmer, visual arts teacher Talia Rizzo and theater teacher Jennifer Ridgway, each bringing their expertise to the table, with help from Riverworks staff. These sessions will run 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., culminating in a longer final session, with time to use the pool at Alden Farms, a picnic catered by Locals Farm Market, and the opportunity for campers to share their work with parents and family.

  • Made-in-Studio: Tiny Houses

    Friday June 6th, 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 papers. Classes are 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. Ms. Wolf-Hubbard has been working with the medium of encaustic in her art practice since 2010. She uses encaustic in her 2D and 3D artwork. She incorporates encaustic painting with her drawings, including the figure and nature. Her sculpture includes creating dioramas of interiors and exteriors finishing with encaustic paint and oil stick. Her paintings and sculpture in encaustic and mixed media\have been exhibited widely on the East Coast. She has attended the International Encaustic Conference in Province town, MA in 2012 and 2022 to keep abreast of new artists, materials and techniques in encaustic. Ms. Wolf-Hubbard is one of the seventy-nine North American artists included in the book, Encaustic Art in the Twenty-First Century, by Anne Lee & E. Ashley Rooney, 2016. In 2023, Ms. Wolf-Hubbard received a Professional Development grant from the MSAC to attend a three day Construction and Found Object workshop with Susan Stover at R & F Handmade Paints. As a result of the workshop, she has used the techniques, new materials and instruction to hone her skills in creating her 3D sculptures, and also has shared new knowledge with her students.

  • Community Roundtable Project #4

    Led by MSAC Resident Artist, Marcie Wolf-Hubbard and Riverworks Associate Artist, Christine Hubbard, artists are invited to explore a deeper understanding of our sense of place in Poolesville and the surrounding Northwestern Agricultural Reserve. This series will open with a dynamic guided tour of local landmarks and heritage 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 the history and culture of Poolesville and the surrounding Agricultural Reserve. This session is open to all who want to express themselves creatively and delve deeper into local history. The program starts in May and culminates in a Community Roundtable Discussion on June 28 during Heritage Days. Schedule: Session 1 - Field Trip led by C. Hubbard Sat, May 17, 2025, 9:00am-12:00pm Intro, field trip to historic landmarks/heritage sites in the NW Ag Reserve including (1) historic Poolesville core, (2) Martinsburg, and (3) local farmland, including a historical overview, guided analysis through the Place as Text modality, and opportunities to document details via sketch/journal/photography. CRP#4 participant attendance not mandatory; alternative resource materials will be provided for those unable to attend. Session 2 - Tiny House Building Workshop Thurs, May 22, 2025, 2:00-5:30pm Led by M. Wolf-Hubbard, introduction to tiny house building and techniques, brainstorming design and beginning constructing with cardboard and tape. Session 3 - Tiny House Building Workshop, led by M. Wolf-Hubbard Fri, May 23, 2025, 3:00-6:30pm Led by M. Wolf-Hubbard, complete construction, consider environment/placement of building, application of paper mâché. Session 4 - Tiny House Building Workshop M. Wolf-Hubbard Sat, June 7, 2025, 3:00-6:30pm Led by M. Wolf-Hubbard, complete projects, finishing with acrylics, found objects, and/or encaustic painting. Session 5 – Roundtable Presentation at Heritage Days Sat, June 28, 2025, 12:00-4:00pm Led by C. Rai, Exhibit and roundtable discussion about the connection between community, history, heritage, and place. CRP#4 participant participation optional, but strongly encouraged. This artist residency is sponsored in part by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.

  • Made-in-Studio: Alcohol Ink

    Alcohol Ink – not a tattoo after a night out with friends. Have you ever wondered the buzz is all about? Find out, Friday February 2nd! Spend an afternoon with Dani Beaulieu creating striking ink art as we continue to explore fluid art techniques.  Alcohol inks allow one to combine colors and techniques that result in bold and colorful abstract art. We’ll discuss basic techniques for decorating all sorts of materials including paper, plastic, glass, and tiles as home accessories and handmade gifts.

  • Drawing 2 with James Vissari

    A supplement to Beginning Drawing. These practice sessions are accompanied by brief lectures to bring intermediate drawing skills to the next level. Students will further develop skills covered in Beginning Drawing (taking Beginning Drawing is not required if the student has their own drawing experience), including making measurements in a drawing and creating depth and form with shading. Other topics include: 1) Contour & Cross contour 3) Negative space 4) Perspective 5) Light & Shadow 6) Color to greyscale Drawing Gear & SUPPLY LIST One of each 1. One of these sketchbooks: *Zetta Sketch WB 9X12 mixed media zeta series *Epsilon sketch WB 9X12 2.Alpha mixed media premium 3.5 X 5.5" sketchbook 3.Art Alternatives blend Stumps ASST 6pk 4.Art Alternatives tortillon Stumps ASST 6pk 5.General's Kimberly pencil set of 12 6.Generals Art Eraser Set (3) 7.Prismacolor kneaded rubber eraser large 8.Blackwing Two-step Long-point Sharpener 9.Art alternatives sanding pointer 10.Clear plastic 12” ruler (C-Thru B-65 Clear Plastic Beveled Edge 10th/Metric Graph Ruler 12in) 11.Pacific Arc Stainless Steel Solid Erasing Shield 12.Artists alternatives tote board 18 X 18 13.masking tape 1-1/2in X 60yd If you have questions regarding the supply list or need help, please contact James Vissari at: vissarij@yahoo.com

  • Color Theory with James Vissari old

    Thursdays from 10:30-1:00pm January 18, 2024 - February 23, 2024 (6 weeks) Join James Vissari for this 6 week intensive where you will be invited to explore color theory and learn about contrast and values. When you are first exploring color, it can be daunting when you don't trust yourself to choose the right color. This workshop will allow you to gain confidence in your knowledge of color theory and mixing so you create stronger and more aesthetically pleasing paintings. Beginning to intermediate skill levels - age 16+ Supplies needed for class... Quantity 1 each Strathmore 400 series Toned Tan Mixed Media Pad 11X14 Acrylic 60ml Cadmium Red Acrylic 60ml magenta (Optional) Acrylic 60ml Colblat Blue Acrylic 60ml Primary Cyan (Optional) Acrylic 60ml Cadmium Yellow Acrylic 60ml ivroy Black Acrylic 150ml Titanium White Palette Liquitex Small Painting Knife #13 maskingTape 1in wide Art Alternatives Artist Tote Board 18X24 Water Cup Synthetic Water Media Brush Flat 3/4in Synthetic Water Media Brush Flat 1/2in Water Media Brush Flat 1/4in Quantity 2 each 1. Click and go Water Cup Quantity 3 each 1. Grey Matters Synthetic Water Media Brush Flat 3/4in 2. Grey Matters Synthetic Water Media Brush Flat 1/2in 3. Grey Matters Synthetic Water Media Brush Flat 1/4in *Pre-registration is required for all classes - most class registrations close 1-2 days before class - for more information on education standards and class policies found under ABOUT > FAQ. ** Studio and general terrain can be uneven - if you are mobility challenged and have concerns please contact us and we will be happy to help. *** Two extremely friendly dogs are present at Alden Farms studios and often join us in the class space, if you have concerns please contact us.

  • Recorder Lessons (ages 6-8)

    Tuesdays from 5:15-6:15pm A great beginner instrument! Learn to play songs and read music notation, all while developing good practice habits. Fall session: September 12th - December 12th (no class Oct. 31)

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