AOY Art Center upcoming events

Plein Air Gouache with Aida 2-Day Workshop, 7/18 & 19, 2 - 5 pm (July 18, 2026)

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Teaching Artist: Aida Birritteri
Saturday, July 18 & Sunday, July 19, 2 - 5 pm
Rain dates: Saturday, July 25 & Sunday, July 26, same time

Participants will meet on the grounds of the AOY Art Center for this 2-day plein air painting workshop. The instructor will demo and instruct to all of the participants the essential elements of plein air and reach out to them with individual instructions during their painting time.
For example:
How do we look and choose a view and work quickly and spontaneously while
maintaining your color scheme along with the lights and darks?
Light changes in two-hours-time.
Rain dates are July 25 and 26.

For ages 18+.

Here is a link for details regarding AOY Terms & Conditions. Online payment at time of registration is preferred. Please note, if you choose to use the "payment by check" option, that payment option expires two weeks prior to the start of the workshop. Checks must be received two weeks prior to the start date for completion of registration in order to be added to the class roster. Registrations will be cancelled if payments are not received prior to these deadlines.

Plein Air Gouache with Aida 2-Day Workshop, 7/18 & 19, 2 - 5 pm (July 19, 2026)

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Teaching Artist: Aida Birritteri
Saturday, July 18 & Sunday, July 19, 2 - 5 pm
Rain dates: Saturday, July 25 & Sunday, July 26, same time

For ages 18+.

Beautifully Broken: Kintsugi Golden Joinery Workshop, Saturday, July 25, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm (July 25, 2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Teaching Artist: Leigh Ferello

Discover the beauty in imperfection through the art of Kintsugi—the traditional Japanese practice of mending broken pottery with a golden bond. Rather than disguising cracks, Kintsugi highlights them, transforming each piece into a unique and meaningful work of art.
In this 3-hour workshop, you'll mend your own decorative ceramic bowl (provided, styles vary), embracing flaws as part of its story. While traditional Kintsugi uses lacquer and gold powder, we’ll be using modern materials to ensure a comfortable and accessible experience.
Be prepared to take your time and enjoy the journey—this is a mindful, creative process that honors patience, presence, and personal expression.
Please note: Your finished piece is intended for decorative use only (not food/water/heat safe) and bringing a small box may be useful to transport your piece safely home.

For ages 18+.

Students agree to pay a $10 material fee to the instructor the day of the workshop.

The Art of Hand Papermaking: Joomchi, Momigami & Sheet Forming, Saturday, July 25, 1 - 4 pm (July 25, 2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Teaching Artist: Leigh Ferello

Explore three ways to make your own paper using everyday materials and modern methods. Explore the expressive possibilities of paper in this hands-on workshop introducing three distinct hand papermaking techniques.
Participants will learn Joomchi, a Korean method of wet layering and kneading mulberry paper; Momigami, a Japanese process that transforms paper into a soft, cloth-like material; and sheet forming, where recycled pulp is suspended in water and formed into new "sheets" using a sieve.
Working with simple, accessible materials, you’ll experiment with texture, structure, and composition while creating your own unique paper pieces. This workshop emphasizes process, play, and material exploration—no prior experience needed, but you will be using your hands for nearly the entire workshop to manipulate the fibers.
Participants will leave with several papers that will completely dry at home, and the knowledge to continue making paper.
Great for beginners, and can be used in mixed media, journaling, collage backgrounds/fodder, and more.

For ages 18+.
$20 materials fee due to the instructor at the start of the workshop.

This workshop is also offered Saturday, August 8, 1 - 4 PM.

Beginner Oil Painting 4-Day Workshop, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 1 - 3:30 pm (July 25, 2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Teaching Artist: Renee Egan
Saturdays, July 25, August 1, 8 & 15, 1 - 3:30 pm

This is a 4-day painting workshop designed for the beginner student using oil paints. Each student will develop his or her own painting style through creative and technical approaches. They will learn to make great choices during the process of conceptualizing their photo reference.
Techniques taught and discussed:

Color theory and identifying color tubes, practice in paint mixing , using strong value changes as well as dynamic warm verse cool temperature colors when painting.
Brush application will be reviewed and discussed.
Visual presentations on the importance of composition and strategies
that you can apply.

Group critiques as they paint so each student will receive encouragement for better understanding and improvement. Students should bring their chosen photo to class with them.

For ages 18+.

Playful Prints: Gelli Plate Printing for Beginners, Saturday, August 1, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm (August 01, 2026)

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Teaching Artist: Leigh Ferello

Discover the joy of gelli plate printing in this hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop. Gelli printing is a playful, experimental form of printmaking that requires no prior experience and produces beautiful, one-of-a-kind prints.

Participants will explore layering, texture, and mark-making using stencils, stamps, and found objects. You’ll learn techniques such as sgraffito, stamping and impressions, masking, and building layered prints, all while embracing the unexpected and letting go of perfection.

This workshop is designed for beginners, and focuses on creative exploration rather than technical mastery. We will work on 5x3" plates to allow for better control of the medium, more experimentation, and more prints! Participants will leave with a collection of mini prints and the confidence to continue experimenting on their own.

For ages 18+.

A $10 material fee is due to instructor upon arrival, and please bring a package of baby wipes.

Beginner Oil Painting 4-Day Workshop, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 1 - 3:30 pm (August 01, 2026)

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Teaching Artist: Renee Egan
Saturdays, July 25, August 1, 8 & 15, 1 - 3:30 pm

Color theory and identifying color tubes, practice in paint mixing , using strong value changes as well as dynamic warm verse cool temperature colors when painting.
Brush application will be reviewed and discussed.
Visual presentations on the importance of composition and strategies
that you can apply.

Group critiques as they paint so each student will receive encouragement for better understanding and improvement. Students should bring their chosen photo to class with them.

For ages 18+.

ART FUSION: Ink, Fish, & Flow Workshop, Saturday, August 8, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm (August 08, 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Teaching Artist: Leigh Ferello

Unleash your creativity in this immersive 3-hour workshop blending two ancient Japanese art forms: Suminagashi (the art of floating ink) and Gyotaku (the traditional technique of fish printing).
? Suminagashi: Discover the magic of marbling as you guide ink across water’s surface to create hypnotic, one-of-a-kind prints. No two are ever the same—let the chaos flow!
? Gyotaku: Get hands-on with nature as you ink sea life replicas* and press them to paper, capturing intricate textures and lifelike details in a bold, beautiful statement.
Perfect for adventurous beginners and seasoned artists alike.
*no live shellfish is used
Please bring your curiosity—and clothes you don’t mind getting inky.

For ages 18+.
A $12 material fee due to instructor the day of the workshop.

The Art of Hand Papermaking: Joomchi, Momigami & Sheet Forming, Saturday, August 8, 1 - 4 pm (August 08, 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Teaching Artist: Leigh Ferello

For ages 18+.
$20 materials fee due to the instructor at the start of the workshop.

This workshop is also offered Saturday, July 25, 1 - 4 PM.

Beginner Oil Painting 4-Day Workshop, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 1 - 3:30 pm (August 08, 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Teaching Artist: Renee Egan
Saturdays, July 25, August 1, 8 & 15, 1 - 3:30 pm

Color theory and identifying color tubes, practice in paint mixing , using strong value changes as well as dynamic warm verse cool temperature colors when painting.
Brush application will be reviewed and discussed.
Visual presentations on the importance of composition and strategies
that you can apply.

Group critiques as they paint so each student will receive encouragement for better understanding and improvement. Students should bring their chosen photo to class with them.

For ages 18+.

Grit & Grace: A Faux Paper Journey, Saturday, August 15, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm (August 15, 2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Teaching Artist: Leigh Ferello

Discover the alchemy of transformation in this hands-on mixed media workshop where everyday materials become vessels of expression, resilience, and beauty. Grit & Grace: A Faux Paper Journey invites participants to create richly textured faux papers using humble household items like toilet paper, napkins, and paper towels—materials often overlooked or discarded, yet full of hidden potential.

Through the intuitive processes of layering, tearing, staining, and embellishing, we’ll manipulate these fragile fibers into one-of-a-kind art pieces that speak to both vulnerability and strength. By incorporating threads, gold leaf, tea, coffee, chalk pastels, watercolors, and other simple additives, you'll explore how contrast—soft and bold, delicate and rough—can yield unexpected depth and meaning.

This workshop isn’t just about technique—it’s an invitation to reflect. Each layer becomes a metaphor for life’s challenges and graces: what we discard or hide can, with attention and intention, become something strikingly beautiful. No art experience is necessary; just bring your curiosity and willingness to get a little messy. You'll leave with a series of handmade faux papers that can be used in collage, bookmaking, journaling, or simply cherished as art on their own.

For ages 18+.
A $10 materials fee is due the day of the workshop.

Beginner Oil Painting 4-Day Workshop, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15, 1 - 3:30 pm (August 15, 2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Teaching Artist: Renee Egan
Saturdays, July 25, August 1, 8 & 15, 1 - 3:30 pm

Color theory and identifying color tubes, practice in paint mixing , using strong value changes as well as dynamic warm verse cool temperature colors when painting.
Brush application will be reviewed and discussed.
Visual presentations on the importance of composition and strategies
that you can apply.

Group critiques as they paint so each student will receive encouragement for better understanding and improvement. Students should bring their chosen photo to class with them.

For ages 18+.