Spring/Summer 2024 Course Schedule
Limited Enrollment – Sign Up Early!
Additional fees apply when you register online.
FOR CURRENT STUDENTS, PLEASE NOTE THAT EFC HOSTS SPECIAL COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. CONTACT OUR GALLERY FOR OPEN STUDIO AVAILABILITY.
Students are considered registered when tuition is paid in full. Payment is required and will be processed at the time of registration. If, after paying, a student is unable to attend, tuition will be refunded; less a $25 processing fee (in addition to any online processing fees if paid online). Refund possible only if student withdraws (by phone or in writing) at least 10 days prior to the first class.
Saturday, March 9 AND Saturday, March 16
10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Instructor: Peggy Thrasher
Mad weave makes you a little crazy! Stretch your brain while learning to make a colorful woven mat made of ribbon, to create an optical illusion of three dimensional blocks. Mad weave is woven in three directions, with a 60 degree angle between weaves, rather than the standard two directions with a 90 degree angle. Weavers use a 2-1 twill (over two, under one).You will first weave a flat 36 ribbon base, and learn how Mad Weave is constructed. Then the ends will be tucked into the back of the base creating a clean edge. Felt will be glued onto the back of each 6 1/2”X5 1/2”X1/8’ mat for a neat appearance. You will receive enough materials to make 2 mats, but will not finish both during the workshops. If you enjoy math, knitting, marquetry woodworking, and concentrating on puzzles, you will enjoy this class if your brain can think in patterns. Bring embroidery scissors, and 6 tiny alligator clips, (with no teeth). Prerequisite: A good night’s sleep!
Saturday, March 16
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Instructor: Eliza Goodell
Students will learn to make pysanka, a Ukrainian Easter egg, decorated with traditional Ukrainian folk designs using a wax-resist method. Using a stylus, beeswax and dyes, several layers of color are built up on the egg’s surface. When complete, the wax is melted off, revealing the vividly colored design. Materials fee includes all the supplies needed to create your Pysanky Egg. No artistic experience necessary and beginners are welcome!
Saturday, April 13
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Instructor: Tif Farmakis-Day
The Bonsai Tree represents peace, balance, harmony and luck and are typically given as presents to symbolize friendship, loyalty, love and respect. Ths workshop will flex your creativity while learning how to make one of these stunning trees out of wire! Students will explore the tools and techniques of wire sculpture, with emphasis placed on shaping and twisting the wire to form a bonsai tree with full foliage and root flow. The finished sculptures will then be mounted to a rock base. All materials included and everyone will take home a finished tree to display in your home! (Ages 13+)
Saturday, May 4
10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Instructor: Tif Farmakis-Day
The Force is strong with this fun class! For beginning to experienced felters, discover the joys of needlefelting while creating your own Baby Yoda (Grogu), BB8 or Ewok soft sculpture! Students will learn the art of sculpting in wool using wool roving and sharp, barbed needles. Starting from scratch to complete the form, everyone will complete one of 3 Star Wars characters to choose from. Materials fee includes instructional packet, wool, needles and foam mat to take home. (Ages 11+)
MAY SESSION:
Saturday, May 4
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
JUNE SESSION:
Saturday, June 15th
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Instructor: Wendy Harrington
Learn the art of creating a beautiful journal by repurposing papers, fabrics, and other found materials into a unique keepsake. You will design your Treasure Journal cover, create your personalized pages and add embellishments. Your handmade Treasure Journal can serve almost any purpose imaginable – planner, scrapbook, diary, or journal for travel, art, hobby, gardening – the possibilities are endless. Simple crafting techniques will transform everyday materials into your cherished work of art. Materials fee includes Fabri-Tac glue to take home, and access to a wide variety of vintage, new and recycled materials. Please bring fabric/sharp scissors and a 12” ruler. You are welcome to bring any small amounts of paper, old photos, ribbon, fabric, trims, doilies, or other flat keepsakes to add a personalized touch to your journal. You will leave with a completed Treasure Journal, designed and handmade by YOU!
Saturday, May 11
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Instructor: Lynn Goldberg
In this fun class, students will learn how to weave a basic square basket that will be great for storing napkins or whatever you desire! The square form is the base for many different style baskets. These baskets will be woven with 3/8” natural flat reed that contains beautiful colored accents. To finish off the baskets, students will also learn how to weave a standard rim to the top of the basket. Open to all skill levels.
Saturday, May 11
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Instructor: Gerry Willging
Learn how to put shapes ,value and color on paper or canvas using colored and printed tissue paper. We will also learn to make your own collage papers using a Gelli Plate and stencils. We will use coasters, and notepaper to make small works of art. Bring a sharp pair of scissors, and a small bottle of acrylic matte medium or mod podge and a cheap brush to apply it.
Saturday, May 18
10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Instructor: Tif Farmakis-Day
For all skill levels, learn how easy it is to create a three dimensional butterfly, moth, or dragonfly using basic felting techniques. Using a simple wire armature, textured fibers (roving), and sharp, barbed needles to complete the form, you will see your creature come to life! There are endless possibilities once you have learned the technique. Materials fee includes: instructional packet, wool, needles and foam mat to take home. (Ages 11+)
Saturday, June 29
10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Instructor: Tif Farmakis-Day
Why paint indoors when you can go out into the open air? In this ‘en plein air’ class, students will learn how to capture Exeter’s beautiful historic downtown by exploring innovative painting and drawing techniques! Open to all skill levels, students are encouraged to bring any medium they prefer and create a unique cityscape filled with color and texture! Instruction begins at the gallery and will include emphasis on selective perception and learning how to omit various details without losing the essence of a scene. Demonstrations will also focus on design, color and application of your chosen medium. Students will need to bring their own artist’s stool and depending on medium used, a portable easel. Come, explore and create with us! (Ages 13+)
Saturday, July 27
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Instructor: Tif Farmakis-Day
For beginning to experienced felters, learn how to transform Merino wool into a whimsical octopus! This class will introduce students to the fundamentals of wet felting: fiber selection, design layout, three dimensional shaping and more. Materials fee includes all the supplies needed to make your own wet felted octopus. (Ages 13+)
Sunday, March 24
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Instructor: Carol Ellis
Titanium is a lightweight, inexpensive, hypo-allergenic metal that creates a range of colors from browns and golds, to vivid blues, magentas and purples. Learn to prepare the metal for best color results and sample various finishing techniques. Students will learn the basics of working with Titanium and will come home with finished earrings, pendant or pieces to be used in future projects. Participants will learn cold connections and additional metals can be used to add their titanium to other designs.
Thursdays, April 11 – June 6 (8 Weeks)
(No class April 25)
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Instructor: Lia Gormley
In this 8-week afternoon course, students will expand on the topics and skills learned in the beginning jewelry class. The curriculum is flexible based on what students want to make and learn. Beginning Jewelry or a past jewelry workshop is required to take this course. Silver will be available to purchase for a separate fee. (ages 16+)
Saturday, April 20
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Instructor: Carol Ellis
Argentium is a special silver alloy that doesn’t tarnish and offers many amazing properties that are different from sterling. You will discover how to fuse wire into circles, and shapes, then fuse them to sheet metal, all without solder! Experiment with granulation, an ancient technique of fusing tiny balls onto a back plate, difficult to do with sterling, but magical with Argentium! (Ages 16+)
Wednesday, May 8
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Instructor: Carol Ellis
The 03/30 workshop filled up quickly, so we're offering another session in May! This one-day afternoon class is a fun way to introduce students to metalworking, you will learn to size, file, form and fabricate 3-5 stackable rings! Students will then complete the project using a variety of finishing techniques. Some jewelry and torch experience are helpful, but not necessary. Materials, tools, and supplies provided. Beginners are welcome! (Ages 16+)
Saturday, May 18
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Instructor: Lia Gormley
In this new workshop your instructor will show students how to fabricate a prong setting for a cabochon gemstone using wire and join the prong setting to earrings or pendant. Materials, tools, and supplies provided. Beginners are welcome! (Ages 16+)
Saturday, June 1
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Instructor: Carol Ellis
Put a fresh spin on an ordinary ring. Create rings that are as fun to wear as they are beautiful. Students will make two separate ring bands, one wider than the other that will be fabricated together to allow the thinner band to move freely over the wider band. Several jewelry making techniques will be demonstrated: soldering, forming, and hammering to make your own spin ring. Copper and studio tools will be provided.
Mondays, April 8 - May 27 (8 Weeks)
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Instructors: Linda Decelle
This 8-week Monday night course is for beginners who have little or no experience working with clay. Explore several pottery techniques from hand building, using coils, slabs, and pinch pots, to learning to throw on a wheel. Glazes and firings included. Bring a towel to use during class. (Ages 16+)
Tuesdays, April 9 – June 4 (6 Weeks)
(No class April 23)
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Instructor: Sarah Burns
In this kid-friendly workshop, explore a variety of pottery making techniques from hand building, using coils, slabs, and pinch pots, to working on a wheel. Students may choose to focus on hand building, the wheel, or both to create a variety of forms. Glazes and firings included. Bring a towel to use during class.
AFTERNOON SESSION: FULL!
Tuesdays, April 9 (No class April 23) – June 4 (8 Weeks)
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
EVENING SESSION: FULL!
Tuesdays, April 9 (No class April 23) – June 4 (8 Weeks)
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Instructor: Sarah Burns
Explore a variety of pottery making techniques from hand building, using coils, slabs, and pinch pots, to working on a wheel. Students may choose to focus on hand building, the wheel, or both to create a variety of forms. Glazes and firings included. Bring a towel to use during class. (Ages 16+)
Wednesdays, April 10 – May 29 (8 Weeks)
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Instructor: Lori Dilmore
This course will introduce simple throwing techniques, with weekly demos and instruction given on the wheel. Students will learn at their own pace and be guided toward creating a variety of forms. Continuing students can refine and expand their capabilities to work on more challenging forms, matching sets, larger pieces, and/ or special projects. Glazes and firings included. Bring a towel to use during class. (Ages 16+)
THURSDAY SESSION: FULL!
Thursdays, April 11 – May 30 (8 Weeks)
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
SATURDAY SESSION: FULL!
Saturdays, April 13 – June 1 (8 weeks)
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Instructor: Roger Cramer
Explore a variety of pottery making techniques from hand building, using coils, slabs, and pinch pots, to working on a wheel. Students may choose to focus on hand building, the wheel, or both to create a variety of forms. Glazes and firings included. Bring a towel to use during class. (Ages 16+)
APRIL SESSION: FULL!
Saturday, April 6
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
MAY SESSION: FULL!
Saturday, May 18
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Instructors: Jessica and Larry Lubowsky
This fun and intensive workshop will introduce you to the basics of how to throw a pot on the potter’s wheel from start to finish. This hands-on, workshop is ideal for students who have never worked in clay or haven’t touched clay in years. In just four hours, Complete at least one piece to take home after it is fired in the kiln. Bring a towel to use in class. (Ages 16+)
Saturday, April 20
10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Instructor: Tif Farmakis-Day
Celebrate spring! Experiment with the many creative ways to paint these delightful song birds. Using color, line, composition, texture and form, students will learn how to capture each bird’s unique form and expression. Students may bring their own images of birds, though photos will be provided. Everyone will leave with a finished painting. Open to first time and experienced artists. Materials fee includes instructional packet, canvas, acrylic paint set, palette and brushes to take home. (Ages 11+)
Tuesdays, May 7 - May 28 (4 Weeks)
11:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Instructor: Tif Farmakis-Day
For beginners and beyond, explore and discover all the fascinating facets of the watercolor medium in this 4-week ‘en plein air’ class! Class begins with a demonstration at the gallery highlighting various painting techniques, then after a short walk to Swaze Parkway, students will implement their new found skills to create unique compositions. We will also focus on shape, color, texture and value to emphasis the different elements in their work. Materials fee includes a portable watercolor palette and brushes to take home. A materials list can be provided for those who wish to bring their own supplies, please let us know in advance. (Ages 13+)
Saturday, June 15
10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Instructor: Tif Farmakis-Day
Learn the foundations of working with acrylics while creating your own underwater scene with sea turtles! A versatile medium, acrylics can be used in thin layers like watercolors or in more opaque applications like oil paint. Using color, line, composition, texture and form, students will experiment with the many different ways to use the medium to create their own unique masterpiece! Students may bring their own images of turtles, though photos will be provided. Everyone will leave with a finished painting. Open to first time and experienced artists. Materials fee includes instructional packet, canvas, acrylic paint set, palette and brushes to take home. (Ages 13+)
Saturday, July 13
10:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Instructor: Tif Farmakis-Day
For all levels, discover the wonders and challenges of watercolor while capturing the essence of the Summer Season! Working from observation and imagination, students will learn how to create depth and luminosity in their work through the glazing process while also learning to “let loose” and embrace the “happy accidents.” Demonstrations and Photos will be provided. A Materials List can be provided for those bringing their own supplies, please let us know upon registration. (Ages 13+)
Sunday, March 17
10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Instructor: Tif Farmakis-Day
For beginning to experienced felters. In this introductory workshop, students will learn the art of sculpting in wool using wool roving and sharp barbed needles. Everyone will complete their own chosen animal (think lambs or bunnies). We will start from scratch to complete the form. Materials fee includes instructional packet, wool, needles and foam mat to take home. (Ages 10+)
Saturday, March 23
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Instructor: Libby Mortensen
Make a small bunny sculpture with fiber artist Libby Mortensen! Explore basic wool sculpting techniques, including wrapping, shaping, blending colors, and surface felting. Learn about felting tools and surfaces, various gauges of needles, and types of wool best suited for needle felting. Some felting experience helpful. *Includes optional $10 Tool Kit with needles and foam pad. (Ages 15+)
Saturday, March 30
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Instructor: Bill Mitchell
Learn all about screenprinting or continue to develop your skills and ideas! Students will utilize speedball water-based block out stencil printmaking techniques for paper or fabric. All materials are included and all levels of experience are welcome! (Ages 16+)
Saturday, April 6
9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Instructor: Sarah Koff
Experience nature first hand and create a linoleum block print! This ‘au plein air’ workshop begins with a short walk around downtown Exeter. Students will focus on color, pattern, and composition, then head back to the studio with sketches to design, carve, and print their inspirations. Learn about the craft of printmaking using toxin free inks.
Friday, April 26
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Instructor: Libby Mortensen
Make a felted nest with wee eggs with fiber artist Libby Mortensen! Explore basic wool sculpting techniques, including wrapping, shaping, blending colors, and surface felting. Learn about felting tools and surfaces, various gauges of needles, and types of wool best suited for needle felting. Some felting experience helpful. *Includes optional $10 Tool Kit with needles and foam pad. Companion class to make a bird for your nest is available! (Ages 15+)
Saturday, April 27
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Instructor: Gerry Willging
Create a colorful, original necklace while learning the art of nuno felting! A simple technique, nuno felting involves applying a very thin layer of silk, yarn, or cotton pieces to merino wool to create the overall design. Using soap, water, and lots of agitation, the fabric textile will emerge, then shaped and cut to your desired design. Please bring a pair of sharp scissors, plenty of towels, and some decorative buttons to add to your piece. (Ages 16+)
Saturday, April 27
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Instructor: Libby Mortensen
Make a small sitting bird sculpture with fiber artist Libby Mortensen! Explore basic wool sculpting techniques, including wrapping, shaping, blending colors, and surface felting. Learn about felting tools and surfaces, various gauges of needles, and types of wool best suited for needle felting. Some felting experience helpful. *Includes optional $10 Tool Kit with needles and foam pad. Companion class to make a nest for your bird is available! (Ages 15+)
Saturday, June 8
10:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Instructor: Peggy Thrasher
Make a small basket by coiling with pine needles! Learn about different kinds of pine needles, and how to prepare them to make baskets. Begin the coiling process with a slice of walnut shell, then start with the wrapping stitch, continue with the naturally spiraling chain stitch, and then the wheat stitch to finish your basket. Some students will not finish the process during class, but will have the information to easily finish on their own.
Saturday, June 1
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Instructor: Tif Farmakis-Day
Create a needle felted seascape, ready to frame! Open to all skill levels, students will learn how to “paint” with wool using various textured fibers (wool roving) and sharp barbed needles. The finished piece can be framed and hung, used as a pillow cover, or a trivet. Instructional hand- outs, picture references, and tips will be provided. Students may use their own imagination or bring in photos to work from.