Creative Arts   

Scent is the sense most strongly connected to memory, with the power to calm the nervous system, shift mood, and bring us back to ourselves in an instant. Plants, too, support our regulation and well-being in ways we often overlook. Join Ella to explore the foundations of horticultural therapy and deepen your connection to the natural world through scent, touch, and creative practice.

We’ll begin the class by awakening our senses through playful scent explorations, guessing herbs, passing around fresh plants to touch and smell, and noticing how each aroma makes us feel. Participants will learn how to harvest and dry lavender at home, following the process from the plant to the dried botanicals we’ll be working with.

Together, we’ll craft personalized aromatherapy jars filled with dried lavender and colorful flowers to take home or gift. Using leaves and small nature treasures, we’ll also create handmade rubbings on tags/cards for each jar, a simple, heartfelt “to and from” keepsake inspired by the world around us. No prior experience with aromatherapy or crafting is required. We’ll close by enjoying a special homemade treat.

Leave feeling grounded, refreshed, and carrying the scent of lavender with you long after the day ends.

Watercolor is a luminous and expressive medium that invites creativity and exploration. In this course, students will continue to develop foundational watercolor techniques—including wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, color mixing, and composition—while adding a new dimension: drawing. Basic drawing concepts will be introduced and practiced to help students create more realistic and refined watercolor paintings. With guided instruction and hands-on exercises, you'll gain the confidence and skills to bring your artistic vision to life. Let your imagination flourish as you blend drawing and watercolor into vibrant, dynamic works of art.

This course will assume some familiarity with watercolor basics such as wet-on-wet, dry brush techniques, color mixing, and brushwork, as these will not be the primary focus of instruction. If you’re new to watercolor, we recommend starting with Watercolor Foundations: A Two-Week Workshop, where these foundational skills are taught.

Take a look at some pictures from Jackie Meier's past classes here.

Watercolor is a luminous and expressive medium that invites creativity and exploration. In this course, students will continue to develop foundational watercolor techniques—including wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, color mixing, and composition—while adding a new dimension: drawing. Basic drawing concepts will be introduced and practiced to help students create more realistic and refined watercolor paintings. With guided instruction and hands-on exercises, you'll gain the confidence and skills to bring your artistic vision to life. Let your imagination flourish as you blend drawing and watercolor into vibrant, dynamic works of art.

This course will assume some familiarity with watercolor basics such as wet-on-wet, dry brush techniques, color mixing, and brushwork, as these will not be the primary focus of instruction. If you’re new to watercolor, we recommend starting with Watercolor Foundations: A Two-Week Workshop, where these foundational skills are taught.

Take a look at some pictures from Jackie Meier's past classes here.

Master your iPhone’s built-in video camera features, including adjusting resolution, frame rates, focus, exposure, and sound. Learn how to plan, shoot, and edit professional-quality videos using the different shooting modes, like video, cinematic, slow-motion, and time-lapse.

Topics covered include:

• Video settings (professional video formats, resolution, and frame rates)
• Lighting and audio features
• Shooting modes (Action, Cinematic, Slo-mo, Time Lapse)
• Advanced stabilization
• Utilize tools, i.e. the Grid and Level Zoom and more

Join us in learning to make a beautiful keepsake with UV resin. Students will use resin to embed different items of their choosing into bezels and molds to make either one necklace, one pair of earrings, or one keychain. No prior experience necessary.

Discover the joy of needlepoint in this introductory workshop where you will learn four foundational stitches while creating a vibrant 4x4-inch canvas, with each square inch featuring a different stitch. Perfect for beginners, this class combines creativity, color, and technique, giving you a small but satisfying project to showcase your new skills.

In this unique and relaxing workshop, paint beautiful nature imagery on river stones using acrylic paint and high gloss varnish. Students will learn the essentials of acrylic painting techniques, including layering, glazing, and dry brushing. This workshop consists of a demo, independent art-making, and an end-of-class art share.

Inspired by Impressionist masters like Van Gogh and Monet, this outdoor pastel drawing class will teach you to capture light, color, and movement in nature. Surrounded by the blooming trees and lush greenery of Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers, the warmth of the sun and the fresh spring breeze will inspire your creativity.

Who doesn’t deserve a custom-designed beaded necklace or two? And how satisfying that it’s created by you. The project will be tailored to the student’s ability to build on their skills to design and implement unique jewelry. Students should be comfortable with basic beadweaving techniques.

Take a look at some pictures from Marianne Olbermann's past classes here.

Join fashion designer Kathlin Argiro for a presentation and hands-on fabric flower workshop that brings heritage craftsmanship into the present.

Begin with the story of M & S Schmalberg, America’s last remaining fabric flower factory, and learn how this iconic Garment District atelier continues to serve fashion, theater, and film. Watch a live demonstration of the traditional hand-pressed techniques that define this rare craft.

Then create your own fabric flower using authentic, hand-pressed petals from the atelier itself. You’ll leave with a beautifully finished piece, and a deeper appreciation for the artistry and skill behind this enduring New York tradition.

Crocheted flowers are fun and easy to make and can be used for all kinds of personal and household embellishments. They also make beautiful gifts. In this workshop, you will create a variety of floral designs and make a stunning floral wreath. Students who do not wish to purchase or make a wreath can use the flowers to embellish their own bags, clothing, hats, etc, on their own. This class is for students with basic crochet experience.

Develop a personal sketchbooking practice focused on capturing moments in time. Explore pencil, pen, and ink, watercolor, and mixed media through guided exercises that strengthen observation, creativity, and personal expression. Open to all levels. 

In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, weave this attractive flag basket that measures 12” by 2”. The basket in the photo is woven in space dyed reed; there will be patriotic space dyed reed and several other color options available. This hanging basket will be useful for holding small flag stakes, dried or fresh flowers or grasses, or even matches for your fireplace. It will weave up quickly and will be ready to use indoors or outside.

Take a look at some pictures from Robin Ingram's past classes here.

Explore the growing practice of embroidery on paper by transforming classic postcards into textured, dimensional pieces. In this class, students will work on heavy paper rather than traditional fabric, creating multiple designs in a range of themes and color palettes. You will learn how to properly pierce, stitch, and finish paper without tearing it, and how to adapt familiar embroidery techniques to a nontraditional surface. By the final session, you will have a collection of finished postcards and the skills to continue working confidently with embroidered paper.

Take a look at some of Melissa Shinsato's sample embroidered postcards here.

Curious about Chinese ink painting? This three-session course offers a simple and approachable introduction. Students will begin with calligraphy-inspired brush exercises to develop control and understand how lines are formed. These techniques will then be applied to painting. In the first class, students will complete a fish painting. In the following two sessions, they will explore painting cosmos flowers, gradually building their skills and completing a second artwork. The class focuses on exploring brush movement and encouraging personal expression. By the end of the course, students will take home two finished paintings.

This meditative art requires a bit of patience, letting go, and breathing. The art of sumi ink marbling gives a unique and fun effect without using water stabilizers or thickeners. (Sumi ink is a traditional Japanese, carbon-based black ink.) All you need is a slow, guided hand and the willingness to keep going. Finished marble art will be on rice paper, and once dry, it can be used in scrapbooks, as journal covers, and/or as wall art.

Take a look at some pictures from Carlise Azmitia's past classes here.

In this one-session workshop, students will explore the expressive qualities of the traditional Chinese brush. We will practice basic brush strokes and learn how different amounts of pressure and ink create a variety of lines and textures. Participants will then apply these techniques to paint a beautiful iris flower. We will focus on creating flowing lines for the petals and leaves, and learning how to use ink and color to bring the flower to life.

Take a look at some pictures from Sinrong Chen's past classes here.

Similar to the original Acrylics on Canvas class, students will receive step-by-step instructions that will result in a finished painting for beginners and more seasoned artists alike. However, in this class, students will focus on completing a single subject over the course of four classes in order to practice skills such as sketching, proportions, washing, color values, light source, and composition.

Take a look at some pictures from Cherilyn Santiago's past classes here.

Discover the relaxing and creative art of needle felting as you craft adorable animal baubles inspired by the Kawaii style. Kawaii, a Japanese aesthetic meaning “cute” or “adorable,” celebrates charm, simplicity, and playful design through soft colors, rounded forms, and expressive features. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn essential needle-felting techniques while creating charming mini animals such as a seal, blue budgie bird, froggy, or another animal of your choice. These 2-inch felted baubles are perfect as ornaments, keychain charms, backpack buddies, or small gifts. Each student will work on two animal baubles, gaining confidence in shaping, detailing, and finishing felted forms along the way. Whether you’re brand new to felting or already a fan, this class offers a cozy, creative way to unwind and make something irresistibly cute.

Take a look at some pictures from Carlise Azmitia's past classes here.

Learn how to see the world like a professional photographer. This step-by-step guide will show you how to document your travel experience with confidence, using pro photography tips and tricks. Learn the essentials of “what, when, where, and how” to create photos that really stand out wherever you go. Composition guidelines will also be discussed to add interest and impact to your images. For all skill levels and all cameras/smartphones.

Learn how to make your own glycerin-based soap. Local soap artisan Jill Staffin will teach you how simple it is to make soap using a natural base. Students will learn about the different forms of soapmaking (melt and pour, cold process, and hot process) and then craft two bars of glycerin-based soap with their choice of color, scent, and embeds/exfoliants. No experience necessary.

Take a look at some pictures from Jill's past classes here.

This workshop explores the artistic potential of tissue paper and inks, with an emphasis on layering, translucency, and vibrant seasonal color. Using delicate papers and fluid pigments, you’ll develop an expressive abstract piece while experimenting with texture, movement, and intuitive composition.

Participants will try tearing, layering, blending, and mark-making techniques to build dynamic works bursting with bright, summery hues. The class encourages play, spontaneity, and freedom of expression—no prior experience necessary. Just come ready to explore color, texture, and the joy of making something bold and beautiful.

Take a look at some pictures from Fiona Agababian's past classes here.

Acrylic pour painting is a fluid art process where acrylic paints are mixed with a pouring medium and then allowed to flow freely across a surface, creating organic swirls, marbling, and unexpected designs. In this class, students will be using the direct pour technique, in which they will pour the paint directly onto a canvas and then gently tilt and move it, guiding the paint as it flows. Each student will produce two canvases.

May is bursting with new life as our world warms. May, named for the Roman Goddess “Maia,” symbolizes growth and fertility, making it the perfect month to fill our horizontal journals with all things “pink”. This delightful class will study and draw, using our easy-to-follow skill shares and templates, tree blossoms like Magnolia, Dogwood, Eastern Redbud, and Cherry...Rhododendron and Rose bushes...Peony, Geranium, and Tulips. Each two-page spread in our 5” x 8” journals will honor this beautiful time of year and become a treasured keepsake for the future. We welcome, as always, new artists as well as seasoned ones, and all materials are provided in our colorful packets with the exception of a 5” x 8” Horizontal Journal.

In this one-session workshop, students will explore the expressive qualities of the traditional Chinese brush. We will practice basic brush strokes and learn how different amounts of pressure and ink create a variety of lines and textures. Participants will then apply these techniques to paint a beautiful cherry blossom branch. We will focus on creating expressive branches and soft blossoms, and learning how to use ink and gentle color to capture the feeling of spring.

Take a look at some pictures from Sinrong Chen's past classes here.