Touchstone Center for Crafts

Pennsylvania’s Premier Craft School

724-329-1370
DONATE NOW
  • About
    • Latest Announcements
    • News
    • Registration Information
    • Backgrounds
    • Blog
    • #5767 (no title)
  • Workshops
    • Scholarships
    • Virtual Workshops
    • Blacksmithing Workshops
    • Ceramics Workshops
    • Drawing & Painting Workshops
    • Glass Workshops
    • Metals & Jewelry Workshops
    • Special Topics Workshops
    • Teen Week
    • Educators Retreat
    • Gift Cards
    • Youth Programming
    • Date Nights
    • Teaching Proposal
  • Events & Exhibitions
    • Virtual Events
    • Virtual Events Archive
    • Events
    • Exhibitions
  • Campus Information
    • Directions
    • Lodging
    • Meals
    • Workshop Hours & Programming Schedule
    • Nearby Attractions
  • Get Involved
    • Artist Residencies
    • Artist Internships
    • Membership
    • Support
    • Opportunities
  • Contact Us
    • Sign Up

Educators Retreat

2021 Workshop Season Update: Touchstone is pleased to be able to offer a modified 2021 workshop season. Based on best practices related to Covid-19, workshops will run at a reduced capacity of 6 participants, all multi-occupancy lodging has been converted to single-occupancy, and mask and social distancing protocols will be strictly enforced. Our updated cancellation policy* can be found​​ HERE and our Covid-19 Policies and Procedures* can be found​​ HERE. *Subject to change.

 

2021 #EducatorsRetreat – July 27-31

Not Just For Art Teachers!

Open to anyone but designed for K-12 educators and those studying to be educators (any subject or grade).

“This has been the best professional development I’ve had in years! It is the best thing I’ve done for myself in a long time.”

-Educators’ Retreat Participant

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. Return to your classrooms revitalized with fresh ideas and unique resources.
 
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).
 
Educators’ Retreat Scholarships are available – please check our scholarship page for more details. Applications due March 15th.
 
Click to Download Educators’ Scholarship Application
 

2021 Schedule


JUL 26-30 | EDUCATORS’ RETREAT | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)
Forging Ahead
Instructor: Anna Koplik

All Levels
$585 Member | $615 Non-Member
$30-$60 Materials and Studio Fees
Download Materials List

Register Now

Come learn the art of blacksmithing in a fun, enthusiastic, and inclusive environment! Pound out the stress of the year as you learn to properly swing a hammer at the anvil, work a coal forge, and have fun forging hot steel! Throughout the week techniques such as tapering, twisting, bending, and spreading steel will be covered in order to give you the skills to complete a variety of projects. In the end, everyone will walk away with their own hand forged objects and the skills and knowledge to forge ahead and continue exploring blacksmithing.

Anna has a passion for teaching blacksmithing and showing beginner smiths the many different possibilities the medium has to offer. Her personal work focuses mainly on tool and utensil making, combining functionality with a refined, delicate aesthetic. Anna attended Pratt Institute (BFA in Jewelry) and has worked at Peters Valley School of Craft, Atlas Forge, Touchstone Center for Crafts, Spirit Ironworks, Inc., and Center for Metal Arts. She has taught blacksmithing at a variety of craft schools including Peters Valley and Touchstone.

Instagram: @arkoplik


JUL 26-30 | EDUCATORS’ RETREAT | 5-DAY (MON-FRI) 
Murals in Clay: Remix
Instructor: Chuck Purviance

All Levels
$585 Member | $615 Non-Member
$90-$120 Materials and Studio Fees
Download Materials List

Register Now

Learn the ins and outs of creating murals in clay with large and small groups either in classrooms or your surrounding community. Over 5 days you will create your own individual mural as well as work together with the rest of the group learning to install a mural on Touchstone’s campus that was created the week prior by Teen Week students. Time permitting, Chuck will also guide you through a raku firing to make a low fire abstract mural as a group. Finished work will be glaze fired.

Chuck is an MFA candidate at Wichita State University, KS. Originally from Pittsburgh, Chuck connected with area school districts in Brockway, Pennsylvania working with k-12 students in ceramics with pottery, sculpture, and ceramic mural works. His community murals can be seen throughout central PA, Uniontown PA, and Wichita, KS.

Instructor website: chuckpurviance.com
Instagram: @chuckpurviance


JUL 26–30 | EDUCATORS’ RETREAT | 5-DAY (MON-FRI) 
Glass Beadmaking Basics
Instructor: Joy Knepp

Beginner – Intermediate
$585 Member | $615 Non-Member
$105-$135 Materials and Studio Fees
Download Materials List

Register Now

Learn techniques for creating beautiful one-of-a kind glass beads using glass rods and a torch. From lighting the torch and melting the glass, Joy will guide you through methods for achieving the desired shapes and patterns in your designs and show you how colors of glass can be layered to build depth and luminescence. Create a painting in glass from the inside out with a floral bead or an implosion bead. You will leave with lampworking skills to add to your toolbox of creativity! 

Joy has been working as a glass artist for more than 15 years and is a retired art educator. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Art and Education from Pennsylvania State University and also studied at Pittsburgh Glass Center, Goggleworks in Reading, PA and various workshops sponsored by the International Society of Glass beadmakers.  Her work has been exhibited and sold in galleries throughout the U.S. Joy is a member of the International Society of Glass Beadmakers, the Three Rivers Glass Beadmakers, PA Art Education Association and the Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh.

Instructor website: joybeadzglass.etsy.com
Instagram: @joyknepp


JUL 26-30 | EDUCATORS’ RETREAT | 5-DAY (MON-FRI) 
Journaling: Drawing
& Painting from Life
Instructor: Roger Hyndman

All Levels
$585 Member | $615 Non-Member 
$50-$80 Materials and Studio Fees
Download Materials List

Register Now

Throughout the course you will learn the benefits of keeping an artistic journal and how to utilize this tool of original drawings and paintings to create one of a kind works of art. Come explore a variety of creative materials such as ink, pencils, charcoal, Craypas, pastels, paint, and mixed media through the process of journaling. Drawing & Painting from Life will introduce you to changing sources of space, composition techniques such as perspective, focal point, balance, color, value, movement, size, and shape. No experience necessary – individuals of all skill levels will enjoy the creative benefits of beginning a journaling practice!

Roger has conducted workshops for artists, arts councils, arts organizations, professional organizations, educators, and engaged in artist residencies.  Roger has partnered with the VIEW (Art Center/ Old Forge, NY), Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts, Yates County Arts Center, Mid-Hudson Teacher Center, SUNY New Paltz, Hartwick College, Syracuse University, University of New Hampshire, Fletcher Farm School, Touchstone Center for the Arts and Crafts, Sagamore Great Camp, and the Saratoga Arts Council.  As an exhibiting artist, Roger has organized and coordinated travel across the United States, Italy, Sicily, Scotland, and France.  Several recent intaglio prints reflect the influence of NANO images, and his travels to the Shetland Islands, Fair Isle, Italy, Sicily, Scotland, France, Canada, and the American landscape.

Instructor website: solarprintmaking.com


Workshops are filled on a first-come-first-served basis. Many fill quickly. Please register at least 15 days ahead of the start of any workshop so that we can count you in! Touchstone makes the determination of whether a workshop will run 14 days in advance of all workshops’ scheduled start date, primarily based on the number of participants registered at that time. 

A processing fee of $15 will be added to 1-5 day workshops.

Nonrefundable COVID-19 Fee: A $10 (1- & 2-day workshops), $15 (3-day workshops), and $20 (5-day workshops) COVID-19 fee will be charged per participant, per workshop during the 2021 season to help offset the extraordinary additional and increased expenses to Touchstone for cleaning, sanitizing, PPE, disposables, and other costs directly related to ensuring health, safety, and social distancing requirements as outlined by the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This fee is nonrefundable.

To view a full listing of the Terms and Conditions as part of your enrollment, download the 2021 Student Guide.

Touchstone Center for Crafts prohibits discrimination in employment, educational programs, and activities on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or association preference. Touchstone Center for Crafts also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to its facilities and programming.

(724) 329-1370

Register Now

Become a Member

Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Mailing List

Touchstone Center for Crafts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance excellence in the arts and crafts by educating and encouraging individuals to develop technical skills, good design, and innovative expression.


Touchstone Center for Crafts stands in solidarity with the Black community and condemns all acts of racism, discrimination, and senseless violence. We firmly believe that everyone has a right to dignity, respect, and equality without fear. As an organization, we commit to listen and learn and to grow. We will continue to work to empower people to use art as a means of expression, a way to build community, and a powerful voice for change.


2021 Registration Is Now Open!

Click Workshops to view offerings in each studio

NEW! Artist Residency Opportunities in 2021!

LEARN MORE


In light of the current COVID-19 concerns and need for social distancing, Touchstone’s staff is working a rotating mix of office hours and remote work until further notice. Office voicemail: 724-329-1370 will be checked daily. Staff members can be reached by email: info@touchstonecrafts.org.

Our offices and campus remain closed to the public. Please follow our social media: Facebook and Instagram, and check out our digital offerings on the Virtual Events page. Thank you for your patience as we take precautions for the health and safety of our staff and community.

Copyright © 2021 · Touchstone Center for Crafts · 1049 Wharton Furnace Rd.
Farmington, PA 15437 · Powered by ThriveHive