Be the Artist You’re Meant to Be!
JUL 8–12 | 5-Day (MON-FRI)
5 Introductory Weeklong Workshops: No Experience Necessary
$550 Member | $580 Non-Member
Plus Materials and Studio Fees
Affordable lodging and meal plans available
Introduction to Blacksmithing
with Anna Koplik
Learn how to swing a hammer at the anvil, work a coal forge, and have fun forging hot steel! Everyone will walk away with their own hand forged objects.
Only a couple of spots left!
Register Now
Introduction to Wheel-Throwing
with Stacy Larson
Learn the basics of throwing, shaping, and trimming pottery on the wheel with Stacy as your guide. Then expand on your skills with altering and decorating techniques.
Intro to Stained Glass Copper Foil Technique
with Neile Cooper
Learn the fundamentals of creating stained glass pieces with the copper foil technique. You will have your first completed project on the first morning!
Introduction to Jewelry Making
with Erika Broas
Learn the basics of traditional metalsmithing while creating a variety of jewelry forms. You will fabricate pendants, chains, rings, earrings, brooches, and more, and leave with a great base of knowledge and multiple finished pieces!
An Introduction to Drawing
with Aaron Pickens
This intensive workshop is for participants who want to learn and improve the way they draw. Be ready to explore a range of techniques using various types of materials.
2019 Sculpture-based Workshops – Thad Mosley Scholarship
The Thaddeus Mosley Scholarship 
100% Tuition Scholarship: This scholarship provides 100% tuition for any adult-level sculpture-based workshop at Touchstone Center for Crafts. Additional funds may be awarded to offset the cost of housing, meals, travel and materials fees on a case-by-case basis. This scholarship was established in honor of lifelong Touchstone instructor and friend, Thaddeus Mosley.
Interested in applying? Consider one of these 2019 sculpture-based workshops:
Blacksmithing
JUL 22–26
The Art of Welding with Glen Gardner
This hands-on class is focused on the various skills required to join metal parts through the application of heat. Whether your interest lies in creating sculpture, metal furniture or even someday building a bicycle, this workshop will inspire confidence for building those dreams.
AUG 19–23
Forging Sculptural Forms with Aaron DeShields
This week-long intensive will focus on creative methods and problem solving as it relates to the art of sculptural blacksmithing. Developing artists and seasoned smiths alike are encouraged to join!
Ceramics
JUL 22–26
The Narrative Figure with Kyle and Kelly Phelps
Kelly and Kyle share their process from start to finish and how the use of the figure can be the perfect vehicle to talk about topics like politics, environment, race, religion, class, sexuality, gender, poverty, war, and other issues of our time.
SEP 7-8
Making Faces with Travis Winters
Create dramatic faces that tell a story! Travis will guide you through his technique for sculpting faces on hollow forms for sculptural or functional work.
Glass
AUG 12–16
Knitting with Glass with Carol Milne
Learn to knit with glass using Carol’s signature technique! Working with strands of wax, you will knit small objects to transform into glass using the lost wax casting process. All levels are welcome, but beginners should be prepared to be challenged.
SEP 14–16
Introduction to Structural Flameworking with Kit Paulson
Learn the basics of borosilicate flameworking with an emphasis on strategies for building larger structures in glass. Bring grand ideas and expect to learn through lively demos, presentations, and hands-on practice.
Special Topics
June 26-28
Bronze Casting with Rivers of Steel Arts
Join Rivers of Steel Arts at Touchstone for a one-of-a-kind workshop in bronze casting. You will work with leading foundry artist, Ed Parrish, to build and transform your unique creations into solid bronze.
AUG 12–16
The Art and Craft of Metal Mesh Sculpture and ‘Flame Painting’ with Lanny Bergner
Create sculptural constructions and basketry forms out of metal in this fun mesh-working workshop. Then, explore the fascinating world of ‘flame painting’ by using a propane torch to draw/paint on stainless steel mesh.
Scholarship Applications are due Mar 15
Educators’ Retreat
NEW IN 2019! – EDUCATORS’ RETREAT
AUG 5–9 | 5-Days (MON-FRI)
The Educators’ Retreat provides a week for professional development that will enhance an educator’s own creativity while offering rich content that can translate to the classroom. Choose from a variety of studios and delve into the processes as you explore these techniques and share your findings with other educators/artists. At the end of the week, you will have a treasure trove of unique resources as well as a new toolbox of ideas to share with your students!
Not Just For Art Teachers!
Open to anyone but designed for K-12 educators and those studying to be educators (any subject or grade). Act 48 Credits are available for PA educators, sponsored by PAEA (Pennsylvania Art Education Association). (Touchstone is happy to work with education associations from other states to make any special requirements attainable).
Educator Retreat Scholarships – NEW!
50% – 100% Tuition Scholarships: The purpose of this scholarship is to help K-12 Educators participate in this week of programming. Various scholarships are available and open to any K-12 Educator from any district or state. PLEASE NOTE: Thanks to the generosity of the Community Foundation of Fayette County, there are ten, 100% tuition scholarships available for K-12 educators teaching in Fayette County. Touchstone has applied for financial support from several other geographic-specific foundations and we are waiting to hear how much funding of scholarships will be awarded. In the meantime, we encourage ALL EDUCATORS to apply through our general EDUCATOR RETREAT SCHOLARSHIP application process, choosing Educator Retreat workshops as your preference. Download Scholarship Application
All applications must be RECEIVED by March 15.
Please check our scholarship page for a full list of available scholarships.
EDUCATORS’ RETREAT WORKSHOPS – Choose from:
Glass
Light the Fire with Lampworking Techniques
with Joy Knepp
Light the torch of possibilities and see the magic of chemistry as we experiment with reduction glass and color combinations.
Metals & Jewelry
Precious Metal Clay: From Bead to Box
with Lora Hart
Experiment with Metal Clay, a relatively new technology that transforms powder metallurgy from an industrial use to a creative art form.
Drawing & Painting
Creative Journaling
with Roger Hyndman
Take a creative journey into journaling while you explore a variety of materials and discover the many benefits of keeping an artistic journal.
Ceramics
Murals in Clay
with Chuck Purviance
Learn the ins-and-outs of creating murals in clay as a group project in the classroom or the surrounding community.
Blacksmithing
Forged Fashion
with Ellen Durkan
Step outside your comfort zone and try something new – forge something wearable!
For more information visit: Educators’ Retreat
New in 2019! 1-Day Workshops at Touchstone Center for Crafts
Touchstone offers a variety of programming to fit your needs, schedule, and budget. One day workshops are perfect for the person who has little to no experience or an artist who wants to learn a new skill. Our 1-Day Workshops offered on June 15th, 16th, and 22nd are designed for ages 14-Adult. If you’re looking for an experience to share with your son, daughter, niece, or nephew, consider taking a workshop together!
Beginner (Ages 14-Adult)
$165 Member | $195 Non-Member Plus Materials and Studio Fees
Blacksmithing
JUN 15 | 1-Day (SAT)
Crash Course in Forging Utensils I
Instructor: Nathanael Weiss
Register Now
In just one day, you will take an ordinary bar of steel and turn it into a functional object.
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JUN 16 | 1-Day (SUN)
Crash Course in Forging Utensils II
Instructor: Nathanael Weiss
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Taking ‘Crash Course I’ is not required in order to enroll for this course. Those who have taken ‘I’ will have the opportunity to advance their skills.
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Ceramics
JUN 15 | 1-Day (SAT)
Introduction to Handbuilding
Instructor: Meghan Burke
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Discover the many methods and endless options of handbuilding with clay.
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JUN 16 | 1-Day (SUN)
Wheel-Throwing 101
Instructor: Travis Winters
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Have you ever wanted to try your hand at the potter’s wheel? In this one-day introductory workshop, you will!
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JUN 22 | 1-Day (SAT)
Pinching and Coiling: Handbuilding with Clay
Instructor: Meghan Burke
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Take a dive into handbuilding with clay and create a variety of forms. Nothing is off limits with handbuilding!
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Glass
JUN 15 | 1-Day (SAT)
Makin’ MarbleZ I
Instructor: Chad Parker
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Learn how to make a round marble out of a rod of glass!
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JUN 16 | 1-Day (SUN)
Makin’ MarbleZ II
Instructor: Chad Parker
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Dive deeper into marble making techniques. It is not required that you take ‘Makin’ MarbleZ I’ in order to enroll in this workshop.
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Metals & Jewelry
JUN 15 | 1-Day (SAT)
Rings and Things: Jewelry from Roller Printed Metal
Instructor: Maia Leppo
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Use found textiles and materials to imprint patterns onto copper and other metals.
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JUN 16 | 1-Day (SUN)
Found Objects: Rings and Pendants
Instructor: Maia Leppo
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Learn to set your found objects into rings and pendants in this fun, one-day workshop!
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Abraham Pardee will be teaching ‘Tools and Techniques for Intuitive Iron Design’ at Touchstone from July 16–20, 2018
Learn to make and use different tooling for texture and embellishment with hand, sledge, and power hammer.
In this workshop, we will discuss and explore different techniques with an emphasis on controlled material isolation and movement, and how all of these processes can inform design. You will then use what you have learned to execute personal forging projects of your own design. This workshop is suitable for All Levels.
Register NowStarting his studies of metalworking in 2006, Abe Pardee received his BFA in metals from the Appalachian Center for Craft in 2010. He subsequently worked for several professional blacksmiths and completed the two-year Apprenticeship Program at the Metal Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. In 2016, Abe opened Pardee Metal, LLC in Sparta, Tennessee, where he produces forged furniture, sculpture, home goods, and architectural ironwork. He has exhibited his work in museums and galleries around the country, is a 2010 Student Niche Award recipient, and has taught workshops at the Metal Museum and the Appalachian Center for Craft.
To see more of Abe’s work visit pardeemetal.com and follow him on Instagram @pardeemetal