Special Topics Workshops

Beginner
$295 Member | $325 Non-Member
$15-$45 Materials and Studio Fees

Get your camera off AUTO mode and take manual control for better photos! Learn to understand the mechanics and features of modern digital cameras so that you can capture beautiful photos in nearly every situation. Rick will cover the basics of exposure (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, etc.), advantages of lens focal lengths, and how light and composition are integral to capturing stunning images. You will learn various styles and techniques such as portraiture, landscape, documentary, and abstract art as well as computer editing techniques. Students will bring their own digital camera(s), tripod, and laptop computer to class.

Rick is a native of Pittsburgh who began his photography career in 2004. He is an accomplished wedding, portrait, and fine art photographer who was originally tasked with shooting promos and concerts for a music magazine. His work has been featured in numerous publications, on national websites, and graced the walls of university galleries and museums. Rick is currently the photographer for Life in the Pointe, Nevillewood Living, and Real Producers magazines, as well as the marketing coordinator at Douglas Education Center in Monessen, PA.

Instructor website: picsure.net

Beginner
$550 Member | $580 Non-Member
$90-$120 Materials and Studio Fees

Throughout this workshop, you will develop and execute your own 18″ x 18″ wall mounted mosaic panel, creating a painterly image. Using cut paper and other idea generation methods, Jonathan will guide you through the process and share examples of his own work. Mosaic is a great way for anyone to learn fundamental fine art building block ideas.

Jonathan has been creating wall-mounted panels and sculptures for the last 27 years. His work can be seen at Citizens Bank Park, the National Constitution Center, University of Pennsylvania, Dickinson college, Nemeurs Alfred I DuPont Childrens Hospital, Philadelphia Family Court, Drexel University, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Lower Merion High School, Overbrook High School, Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, Jewish Theological Seminary, Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center for Jewish Life, National Liberty Museum, and the Barbara and Harvey Brodsky Enrichment Center of the Philadelphia Jewish family and Children’s Center.

Instructor website: jonathanmandell.com
Instagram: jonathanimandell

All Levels 
$405 Member I $435 Non-Member
$100-$190 Materials and Studio Fees* 

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. Starting with the creation of a pattern from wax, oil clay, or other basic materials, you will go on to invest your pattern design in resin-bonded sand molds and work with the teaching artist to cast each object on the final day of the workshop.

Ed has over twenty years of experience and a life-long dedication to the exploration of metal arts. He currently works with Rivers of Steel Arts as the lead foundry artist, developing foundry and metal art programming. Ed received his BFA in sculpture from East Carolina University. He then moved to Pittsburgh where he began working as an artist blacksmithing and fabricator and was part owner of Red Star Ironworks. He has been an independent artist, taught foundry classes out of his private studio, and has worked in the film industry as a special effects technician and specialty prop maker. He exhibits his work nationally, including a solo exhibit at the Irma Freeman Center for Imagination. 

website: rosarts.org

All Levels (Ages 14-17)
$550 Member | $580 Non-Member
$75 Materials and Studio Fees

Come and learn the many 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. Throughout this workshop, you will explore a variety of creative materials such as ink, pencils, charcoal, Cray-Pas, pastels, paint, and mixed media through the process of journaling. Changing sources of space, composition techniques such as perspective, focal point, balance, color, value, movement, size, and shape will be covered as you take your creative journey in journaling.

Roger has conducted workshops for artists, arts councils, arts organizations, professional organizations, educators, and engaged in artist residencies. He has partnered with the VIEW, Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts, Yates County Art Center, SUNY New Paltz and numerous other organizations, colleges, and universities. As an exhibiting artist, Roger has organized and coordinated travel across the US, Italy, Sicily, Scotland, and France.

Instructor website: solarprintmaking.com

All Levels
$550 Member | $580 Non-Member
$75-$100 Materials and Studio Fees

Create biomorphic and geometric sculptural constructions and basketry forms out of metal mesh in this fun mesh-working workshop. Explore the myriad of form making possibilities as you manipulate, cut, and connect various wire mesh and explore the fascinating world of ‘flame painting’ by using a propane torch to draw/paint on stainless steel mesh. Lanny will share his extensive 35 years of experience working with mesh through demonstrations of the unique techniques that he uses in his work, including wire wrapping, edging techniques, and incorporating silicone caulk and glass frit.

Lanny hails from Washington state, received his BFA in sculpture from the University of Washington and his MFA in sculpture from Tyler School of Art, Temple University. His work is exhibited internationally and in numerous museum collections including the Seattle Art Museum, Museum of Art and Design, NY, Fuller Craft Museum, MA, and the Central Museum of Textile, Poland. He is a previous winner of a Gold Prize at the Cheongju International Craft Biennale in Korea and was one of five American artists who exhibited in the prestigious 13th International Triennial of Tapestry in Lodz, Poland. His work is included in numerous publications including the Artistry in Fiber, Vol. 2: Sculpture published by Schiffer Publishing, Inc.

Instructor website: lannybergner.com

All Levels
$550 Member | $580 Non-Member
$45-$75 Materials and Studio Fees

With an emphasis on mixed-media, this workshop is specially created to address the interests of artists working in fiber and fiber-related techniques such as quilting, weaving, and surface design. Lorraine will cover the basics of working in encaustic as well as encaustic application techniques to enhance or create structure and texture, color mixing, layers, surface manipulation, and the creation of pattern using stencils, candy molds, and tjaps. Working two or three dimensionally, you will be encouraged to develop a personal vocabulary and explore current content interests by combining the infinite possibilities of encaustic in combination with fiber structures, surfaces, and stitch.

Lorraine is a former Assistant Professor at Tyler School of Art, Temple University, a workshop instructor, and an award-winning artist. She holds an MFA from Tyler School of Art, a BS from Philadelphia University, and an AAS in computer graphics from Moore College of Art & Design. She has a diverse art background with skills that include painting, sculpture, graphic design, interior design, textile design, photography, digital imaging, etc. She recently won third place in Sculpture Form Art of the State at the State Museum in Harrisburg, PA, recently completed an artist residency at Jentel Foundation and her work was recently acquired by Kelsey-Seybold Cancer Center in Houston, TX.

Instructor website: lorraineglessner.net
Instagram: lorraineglessner1

Beginner
$550 Member | $580 Non-Member
$15-$35 Materials and Studio Fees
Additional materials fee to be paid to the instructor depending on the amount of materials used.

Willow is a renewable resource and has been used for centuries in the art of basket making. Learn how wild and cultivated willow can be grown, harvested, and woven into basket forms. Focusing on the basic rib-style techniques used in willow basketry, you will learn everything from making handles and rims to lashings, scalloming, slyping, shaping with ribs, and finishing techniques. Through sampling and creating classic basket shapes, you will learn how to design and create your own rib style willow baskets and weave 3-4 baskets in 5 days.

Jo has been using willow in her basketry work for over 38 years. Her work has been featured in magazines and books and in exhibits across the US, including the exhibit A Measure of the Earth at the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. Teaching throughout the US, she is also a co-organizer for several retreats – The Willow Gathering and Willow Weekend. She is a board member of the National Basketry Organization and has worked with other board members to grow the basketry community. She has also hosted several basket tours to Ireland, Scotland, Spain, France, Denmark, Wales, and England.

Instructor website: willowridgebaskets.com

Beginner (Ages 14-Adult)
$295 Member | $325 Non-Member
$30-$60 Materials and Studio Fees

Explore methods for making small frame looms out of everyday objects. You will learn a variety of tapestry and conventional weaving techniques through a series of small projects and leave with your own miniature looms and the knowledge to make beautiful woven objects with them!

Fran is an accomplished fiber artist based in Northwestern, New Jersey. She owns and operates Collier Singh Textiles, LLC, a small textile production company that makes custom knitwear and handwoven textiles for design houses and artist studios. Fran received her BFA from the University of North Texas in Denton, TX and has studied textiles in Japan and India, which has greatly influenced her work as an artist.

Beginner
$395 Member | $425 Non-Member
$35-$65 Materials and Studio Fees

Delve into a fun exploration of creating 3-D forms from handmade felt! You will learn the basics of laying out wool for wet felting, how to create elements to decorate your sculptures, and how to use resist to produce three-dimensional or relief forms. Join Rae for this playful course exploring the endless creative possibilities of this fascinating material!

Rae Gold is a Pittsburgh-based, nationally acclaimed fiber artist who creates unique pieces by hand-dying wool, silk, felt, and knits. With over 30 years creating wearable fashions, Rae’s more recent work focuses on creating three-dimensional wonders. She draws inspiration from other felt artists including Andrea Graham, Anita Larkin, Maria Friese, Pam MacGregor, Marjolein Dalinga, Dagmar Bendar, Charlotte Sehmisch, and Lisa Klakulak. Her work is exhibited locally, nationally, and internationally. Rae’s work has also been featured in Worldwide Colours of Felt by Ellen Bakker and Dimensional Cloth: Sculpture by Contemporary Textile Artists by Andra F. Stanton.