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Orange Co. Arts Commission

Promoting and strengthening the artistic and cultural development of Orange County, North Carolina

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Classes


UPCOMING CLASSES

CeramicsCollage & PaperCrochetMusic & Performing ArtsPainting & DrawingYouth Classes

    

Ceramics

empty chair in front of pottery wheelCeramics Open Studio Pass
October 26th – December 11th
$145
Ages 18+

Independent studio time for potters who want space to work on their own. Open Studio gives you access to the shared wheel and handbuilding areas, plus shared tools and equipment, during set weekly hours — no instruction, just time and space to make.
Register


six cups stacked up togetherLeveling Up on the Wheel with Kaylin Tsukayama
Mondays: Oct 26, Nov 2, Nov 9, Nov 16, Nov 30, Dec 7
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
$225 for 6 weeks
Ages 18+

This class builds on basic throwing skills to give you more control, height, and consistency. Through demos, practice, and individual feedback, you’ll work on pulling even-walled cylinders, throwing taller and with heavier amounts of clay, making matching sets, and throwing off the hump. Class tuition includes: weekly class instruction, 25 pounds of clay (firing & glaze included), and access to open studio hours.
Register


three handmade mugs

Beginning Wheel: First Spin with Evelyn Ward
Mondays: Oct 26, Nov 2, Nov 9, Nov 16, Nov 30, Dec 7
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
$225 for 6 weeks
Ages 18+

This six-week class takes you from your very first lump of clay to finished, glazed pots. You’ll learn to center, open, and pull up walls to throw cylinders and bowls, then move on to shaping, trimming, and adding handles and other attachments. Class tuition includes: weekly class instruction, 25 pounds of clay (firing & glaze included), and access to open studio hours.
Register


clay snail figure

Clay Creatures with Anna Schroeder
Tuesdays, Oct 27, Nov 3, Nov 10, Nov 17, Dec 1, Dec 8
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
$225 for 6 weeks
Ages 18+

Build your own animals and critters from pinch pots, coils, slabs, and solid clay. You’ll learn to join hollow forms, sculpt faces and features, and layer texture and bright underglaze to bring your creatures to life. Open to all levels. Class tuition includes: weekly class instruction, 25 pounds of clay (firing & glaze included), and access to open studio hours.
Register


two sets of hands shaping a bowl on a pottery wheelBeginning Wheel: First Spin with Aliyah McAllister
Tuesdays, Oct 27, Nov 3, Nov 10, Nov 17, Dec 1, Dec 8
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
$225 for 6 weeks
Ages 18+

This six-week class takes you from your very first lump of clay to finished, glazed pots. You’ll learn to center, open, and pull up walls to throw cylinders and bowls, then move on to shaping, trimming, and adding handles and other attachments. Class tuition includes: weekly class instruction, 25 pounds of clay (firing & glaze included), and access to open studio hours.
Register


geometric ceramic plattersHandbuilding Vessels: Form, Function & Beauty with Amy Deystone
Wednesdays, Oct 28, Nov 4, Nov 11, Nov 18, Dec 2, Dec 9
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
$225 for 6 weeks
Ages 18+

A good pot is well built and a pleasure to look at. In this class, you’ll aim for both. You’ll cover the core methods of pinching, coiling, and slab construction, with a focus on sound joins, even walls, and managing clay as it dries. Class tuition includes: weekly class instruction, 25 pounds of clay (firing & glaze included), and access to open studio hours. 
Register


someone holding two handmade mugsCup Club! with Amy Irish
Wednesdays, Oct 28, Nov 4, Nov 11, Nov 18, Dec 2, Dec 9
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
$225 for 6 weeks
Ages 18+

Throw mugs and tumblers you’ll reach for every morning. Amy covers throwing consistent cylinders, shaping lips that feel good to drink from, trimming clean feet, and pulling and attaching comfortable handles. You’ll explore a range of drinking vessels to inspire your own forms. Mixed levels welcome. Class tuition includes: weekly class instruction, 25 pounds of clay (firing & glaze included), and access to open studio hours.
Register


someone shaping a pottery piece on a wheelMixed Levels Wheel Throwing with James Ward
Thursdays, Oct 29, Nov 5, Nov 12, Nov 19, Dec 3, Dec 10
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
$225 for 6 weeks
Ages 18+

Move past the basics and start making pots with more intention, control, and refinement. You’ll work toward taller, more resolved forms with clean profiles, starting with well-crafted bowls and moving on to mugs with handles, bottles, and closed forms. Class tuition includes: weekly class instruction, 25 pounds of clay (firing & glaze included), and access to open studio hours. 
Register


two handmade bowlsHandbuilt Pots for the Table with Amy Irish
Thursdays, Oct 29, Nov 5, Nov 12, Nov 19, Dec 3, Dec 10
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
$225 for 6 weeks
Ages 18+

Handbuild plates, bowls, and serving dishes to use at your own table. Amy covers rolling and compressing even slabs by hand and on the slab roller, working with templates and slump or hump molds, joining seams so they hold, and finishing rims and feet so pieces sit level. Class tuition includes: weekly class instruction, 25 pounds of clay (firing & glaze included), and access to open studio hours.
Register


someone placing a clay pot on a metal rack

Beginning Wheel: First Spin with Jessica Sandford
Fridays, Oct 30, Nov 6, Nov 13, Nov 20, Dec 4, Dec 11
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
$225 for 6 weeks
Ages 18+

This six-week class takes you from your very first lump of clay to finished, glazed pots. You’ll learn to center, open, and pull up walls to throw cylinders and bowls, then move on to shaping, trimming, and adding handles and other attachments. Class tuition includes: weekly class instruction, 25 pounds of clay (firing & glaze included), and access to open studio hours. 
Register


clay luminary with tea light in itLet It Glow: Clay Luminaries with Ryan Catalano
Saturday, November 7th
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
$75
Ages 18+

Make a glowing clay luminary to light up your home this winter. Ryan covers building a hollow form, then carving and piercing patterns into the walls so candlelight shines through. 
Register


blue ceramic bowl

Get Centered: A Night on the Wheel with Ryan Catalano
Friday, November 13th
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
$75
Ages 18+

Curious about the pottery wheel? This one-night workshop is the perfect way to try it out. Ryan walks you through the basics of centering, opening, and pulling up walls, and you’ll throw a cup or small bowl of your own. Just come ready to get a little muddy. No experience needed. All materials included.
Register


clay hearts with patterns stamped in them

Homemade for the Holiday: Clay Ornaments with Aliyah McAllister
Saturday, November 14th
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
$75
Ages 18+

Create a set of one-of-a-kind ceramic ornaments in this festive handbuilding workshop. Aliyah guides you through rolling slabs, cutting shapes, and pressing in texture with stamps, lace, and found objects, then adding color with simple hand-painted underglaze designs. 
Register


 ceramic mushrooms in grassMagical Mushroom Garden with Aliyah McAllister
Friday, November 20th
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
$75
Ages 18+

Bring a little forest magic home. Aliyah, the artist behind SunSoul Bowls, shows you how to sculpt whimsical clay mushrooms using pinch and coil techniques. You’ll shape caps and stems in all sizes, add character with texture, gills, and spots, and try marbling contrasting clays for an earthy, organic look.
Register


ceramic pot in the shape of a bellyBelly & Bloom with Kaylin Tsukayama
Saturday, December 5th
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
$75
Ages 18+

A body-neutral art workshop for fat, plus-size, and bigger-bodied folks. Kaylin guides you through building a planter modeled on your own form: curves, folds, and all. You’ll shape your figure in clay, then add the details that make it personal.
Register

  

Collage and Paper Arts

collage of botanical magazine scrapsThe Great Collage Adventure with Kathy Burnside

Saturday, October 17th
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
$45
Ages 18+

Collage is more than just cutting and pasting—it is the art of reimagining. In this mixed media workshop, we will dive into the fundamental aspects of the craft, exploring how to combine texture, color, and found imagery to tell a brand-new story. Materials provided. 
Register


paper accordion bookSeasonal Concertinas: Exploring Micro Seasons with Accordion Books with Stacey Hayes
Saturday, November 14th
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
$40
Ages 18+

In this session, we will slow down to notice subtle shifts in the current landscape. We will use expressive watercolors, found natural materials, and writing prompts to map the ‘glimmers’ of the present season and house our reflections in a hand-crafted accordion book. Also known as a concertina, the accordion book with its small format and ability to expand and contract, is an ideal container for images and words informed by the unfolding season. No previous art or writing experience is required. All materials are provided.
Register

 

Crochet

crochet zombie headsCrochet Zombie Heads with Amanda Blanchard
Saturday, October 31st
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
$100
Ages 18+

What better way to celebrate spooky season? In this class, you will be crocheting a form of an amigurumi head, then delving deeper into sculpture and engineering to create pop-out eyes for added spookiness. Crochet experience needed. 
Register

   

Music & Performing Arts

Rounds for Peace community sing with audrey smith

Rounds for Peace: Community Sing with Audrey Smith
Wednesdays: Oct. 28th, Nov. 4th, Nov. 11th
6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
$25 per individual session (or Pay What You Can: Sliding scale $5-$25)
Ages 18+

Rounds for Peace: Community Sing invites singers of all skill levels to join together in song for one night a week on select Wednesdays. The class will focus on finding your voice and experiencing the joy and power of group singing while learning a collection of 2, 3, and 4 part rounds centered on themes of peace, friendship, understanding. We welcome the spectrum of all singers!
Register


two people standing, making expressive posesImprov and the Art of Failing Wonderfully with Dylan Grewen
Thursdays, November 5th – December 10th (NO class Nov. 26)
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
$140 for 5 weeks
Ages 18+

Improv is a fun, low-pressure way to express yourself, think on your feet, and break out of your routine. Improv and the Art of Failing Wonderfully can teach you how to turn up the volume of your imagination while turning down the volume of your inner critic. No scripts, no pressure—just games, exercises, and scenes designed to help you embrace spontaneity and find joy in the unexpected.
Register

   

Painting & Drawing

Drop-In Life Drawing Studio with Tom Stevens
2nd Tuesdays of the month: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
4th Tuesdays of the month: 2:30 – 4:30 PM
Eno Arts Mill Classroom
$15 per session
Ages 18+

Join us for Life Drawing sessions facilitated by Tom Stevens. Each session will start with a round of 2 and 5 minute poses, followed by three rounds of 20 minute poses. No instruction, but a great opportunity to practice your life drawing/painting skills from poses by a live nude model. Artists provide their own materials. No photography or video allowed in the sessions.
Register


watercolor of two bicyclistsIntermediate Watercolor Course (Watercolor 2) with Ryann Carey
Wednesdays, November 11th – December 16th
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
$175 for 6 weeks
Ages 18+

This intermediate watercolor class is designed for students who have completed an introductory course (does not have to be one from Ryann) and would like to continue their skills. We’ll continue working on foundational techniques, explore style and composition, and develop our own independent project. 
Register


hanging watercolor ornamentsWatercolor Ornaments with Ryann Carey
Saturday, December 12th
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
$90
Ages 18+

Create unique watercolor ornaments with Ryann Carey. You will learn basic watercolor skills and ideas for creating good compositions in a small format. Students will have an opportunity to practice skills before turning your vision into a ready-to-hang ornament. Each student will take home finished ornaments for keepsake holiday decoration or gifting.
Register

Youth Classes

Teen Arts Collective: LGBTQIA+
with Natalia Torres del Valle
Every Tuesday
5:00 – 6:00 PM
Eno Arts Mill Classroom
FREE

This weekly group is a safe and creative space for LGBTQIA+ identifying teens. Group sessions are led by Natalia Torres del Valle, MA, Registered Expressive Arts Therapist #2104. Interest in any art form is welcome. Basic visual art materials are provided and teens are encouraged to bring supplies to express themselves in their favorite artistic medium (i.e. visual, music, writing, movement, drama). Sessions begin with a grounding exercise, an art exploration centered on a theme, and ends with group processing. Email Natalia with interest at: Natalia Torres del Valle contact@littlehouseartstherapy.com


FAQ’s

Cancellation Policy

No refunds will be given for cancellations within 7 days before the beginning of class (first date in a series, or a single workshop). If a cancellation occurs due to weather, illness, or other unforeseeable event, we will work with the instructor to offer a make-up class. If this rescheduled date does not work for you, you will receive a refund for the class or the portion of the series you’re not able to attend.

Financial Assistance

We want everyone to be able to enjoy the benefits of self expression, regardless of financial standing. If you would like to take a class but need financial assistance, please fill out our scholarship request form here.

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(919) 245-2129
437 DIMMOCKS MILL RD., SUITE 17 | HILLSBOROUGH, NC 27278
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