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In this Reggio inspired class for children ages 5-10 we explore our natural creativity in and outside the classroom through hands on meaningful art invitations and play.
This nature infused program takes place over 3 sessions this 2025-2026 calendar year. In the Little Herbalist program, young learners will step into the wonders of the natural world, one plant at a time. Over the course of 16 sessions throughout the year, each class will spotlight a simple Vermont backyard plant — exploring its look, feel, and traditional uses in an age-appropriate way. (Eg. tea, salve, compress)
At Wildflower Atelier, creativity blooms into personal style. In our first session, Wildflower Wardrobe, we will transform everyday clothing into one-of-a-kind statement pieces using techniques like bedazzling, needle felting, and embroidery.
Open Studio offered 2nd & 3rd Tuesdays for After School fun for ages 5-12 from 3-4:30pm starting in November, 2025. Art stations, project ideas, hands on creative fun!
In this Reggio inspired class for children ages 5-10 we explore our natural creativity in and outside the classroom through hands on meaningful art invitations and play.
Art invitations for ages 2+ ... This is a class geared towards children and their caregivers and set up for optimal exploration with bins and paint at the level where little artists are encouraged to create to their hearts content.
This nature infused program takes place at our satellite outdoor classroom on East Hill in Andover, VT. Lead by seasoned teacher Meg Minehan, children are invited to explore and create in a forest school atmosphere. Outdoor mud kitchen, warming “toad cottage” and nature school programming are all part of this wonderful new addition to our programming.
In this fun child led class, we will use simple circuits to make robots that move and spin. Process Art based with an emphasis on play children will learn how to connect and create a simple circuit. They will have a chance to make a doodle bot, and then design their own robot. We will discuss friction, motion and balance in a studio space geared towards arts exploration.
In this playful class for children ages 2-3, we explore the world of cardboard forts you can climb in, potions for mixing, paints we roll cars through and all the fun we can imagine. Each class includes a simple song and movement time that seamlessly branches into our process art stations including our sensory kitchen.
Come create with us — beautiful yarn, branches, pom poms, beads and shells … oh my!
These kits are packed to the brim with our curated collection of natural materials and art invitations to inspire you to play and create. Each one pairing with an online class, these playful kits combine the joy of process art with the observational awareness of loose parts allowing children of all ages to connect with their inner artist let go and PLAY. The Nature Lover series is for anyone who loves to discover and create with the natural world. Open ended, play based and built around encouraging observation, these gentle fun classes and kits nurture creativity in a much needed way.
Each kit comes with a unique array of seasonal and dried natural materials such as dried flowers including zinnia & strawflower, pieces of paper wasp nest, pussywillow, 3-5'“ pine cone, milkweed fluff, garlic stem, plus additional seed heads, flowers & leaves
Each kit also includes a 9X13” piece of parchment paper (work surface), muffin cup liners for easy sorting and storing of materials and one sturdy white corrugated cardboard box big enough to store all 5 kit contents and can be decorated & personalized.
Kit 1: (INTRO TO OBSERVATION + BEESWAX PLAY)
set of 26 crayons (including silver & gold) in cloth bag
3X5” cardstock notecards attached with ring
Notecard with plant names & images to ID the Natural Materials included in all 5 kits
1” modeling beeswax heart
pencil
Mystery Material
In the online class, Emily guides the group through unpacking and looking at kit. Leaf rubbings or sketching materials. We begin our observation of natural materials in our kit. We model beeswax & explore a mystery material together. We decorate/label our new art kits however we want.
Kit 2: (NATURE GLITTER IN A JAR)
Tiny wooden bowl
grinding stone
wooden condiment spoon
1/2 oz glass jar with cork
tiny funnel
“Mystery Material”
In this kit we explore our materials even more! We observe what they are like when we smash them with our fingers and with our grinding stone and bowl. We make “Nature glitter” and collect our favorites in the jar.
Kit 3: (CLAY EXPLORATION)
4oz Air dry clay
4” wooden rolling pin
1.5” heart cookie cutter
20” raffia
“Mystery Material” (The mystery material is new each month and is a fun way to use your senses other than your eyes to explore and guess what may be inside!)
In the class we unpack the materials and notice which ones we like. Participants are invited to roll out clay and cut hearts and press natural materials into the hearts. When done hearts can be strung if you decide to to make a small garland. Free play is also encouraged this is just an idea for project oriented play.
Kit 4: (NATURE MOSAIC)
wooden 3” heart
1 oz glue in reclosable squeeze bottle
wooden clothespins
“Mystery Material”
In this class participants are invited to unpack and observe the materials.
Kit 5:
Mirror
thick water color paper
white glue
“Mystery Material”
#facethefoliage style self portraits are encouraged with this loose parts invitation! We are so excited to turn the mirror on ourselves and use the materials we have been exploring to try to replicate US!
Cost:
$100 for all 5 monthly kits or individually priced (including tax)
**Includes link to our online class where Emily unpacks the kit and sets the stage for discovery, gently preparing the artists for their creative experience.
Link to online class included with kit to come .
Warning: Choking hazard not suitable for children under the age of three. Adult supervision required.
Calling all creative kids! Come create with us in Open Studio on Friday afternoons through early March. Open to all ages baby-adult, this open ended art PLAY is perfect for people looking to spark some joy and explore their creativity in a beautiful, inspiring space.
Join local artist Mindy Fisher for a dip into creativity! With her use of color and her pop-art style of painting, Mindy will guide artists ages 10 through adult to create an 8X8 pet portrait.
Create a fun, unique-to-you, high-quality pair of earrings by the end of the workshop! Shannon Parker of Wisdom River Designs will walk you through the design & creation process of her popular Sticks & Stones Earrings. Over the course of the workshop, you will you will learn to cut, file, sand, wire wrap & manipulate wire to create your own headpins & ear wires.
Meeting 3 Tuesdays from 10:00-2:00
Cost: Sliding scale $108 - $132 ($36-$44 per day)
April 23, May 7 & 21 *Make up day 5/28
This Forest Kindergarten program takes place in the forest and fields of Chester, Vermont. This Nature based outdoor program weaves nature arts and PLAY based learning together OUTSIDE immersed in nature. We allow the children to create their own little worlds using what we gather from our surrounding forests and gardens. This program has lots of opportunities for harvesting and creating nature based art, fairy houses and also real houses for them to play in! Forest and Field Explorers is in its second year and is directed by Emily Burkland and Meg Minehan.
Class size limited.
Program Schedule:
10:00 Drop off / Morning Activity
10:30 Circle gathering / movement activity / snack
10:45-11:45 Free play time / guided nature play
12:00-12:20 LUNCH
12:20-12:30 Story time
12:30-12:45 MUSIC
12:45-1:45 Choice time / sensory play / projects
1:45 Closing circle or game / sharing time
Dates: Sundays March 4, 11, 18
Time: 2:00p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 per student
Join local fiber artist, Amber Paris, for a Sunday afternoon series covering the basics of learning to crochet.
Basic stitches, working in the round and increasing/decreasing will all be covered.
Amber has been an avid crocheter for 20 years and sells her handmade work online and at local stores and markets.
March 4, 11, 18...2:00-4:00
$75 for series- includes all materials
Pre-registration required.
Geared toward ages 10 - adult
www.amberparis.com
Dates: Sunday, November 12th
Time: 12:00p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $50 per student
Learn how to make your own book with the Western Codex binding method in this 3-hour workshop!
Make a journal, a scrapbook, an address book, a sketchbook...the possibilities are endless! We'll cover everything from cover making and binding to special fun techniques to personalize the project. This class is geared toward ages 8+. Space is limited!
Join local artist, Amber Paris, at The Community Art Garden after school on Mondays from October 9th through November 13 from 3:15-4:45 for a unique bookmaking class designed especially for teens! Students age 12 and up are invited to come and learn a variety of interesting bookmaking techniques. Cost is 100.00 for the entire 6 class series and includes the cost of all provided materials. Pre-registration is required, a minimum of 5 registered students will be needed to run the class.
For bio information on Amber, visit amberparis.net.
Dates: Sunday, August 20th
Time: 12:00p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $50 per student
Learn how to make your own book with the stab binding method in this 3 hours workshop. Each student will complete one book - it can be a blank journal, a scrap book, a sketchbook...the possibilities are endless! Reserve and pay for your this workshop online via the button below or contact Emily today to register and pay by cash or check. Instructor: Amber Paris
Amber completed her BFA through Tyler school of Art where she spent a lot of time learning about and making handmade books - she has taught bookmaking to students from ages 4 - adults.
Date: Friday, July 28, 2017
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Cost: $30
Looking for a fun girl's (or guy's!) night out?
Bring some friends and come out to my macrame plant hanger/wall hanging class Friday, July 28 from 7-9...bring a bottle of wine or some beer and learn this sweet craft to give your home a bohemian look!
cost of $30 includes materials to make one plant hanger (bring your own pot/plant) or wall hanging and macrame technique instruction.
Minimum of 5 people to run class.
Pre-registration required.
Come join us here at the studio for sensory art, art stations, nature play, and...ice sculptures! This is being offered during the winter break week for area schools. You are welcome to sign up for either or both days.
Dates: Saturday, November 19th
Time: 12:00p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $36 per student + $10 materials fee
Learn how to make your own book with the Western Codex binding method in this 3-hour workshop!
Make a journal, a scrapbook, an address book, a sketchbook...the possibilities are endless! We'll cover everything from cover making and binding to special fun techniques to personalize the project. This class is geared toward ages 8+. Space is limited!
Reserve and pay for your this workshop online via the button below or contact Emily today to register and pay by cash or check.
Amber completed her BFA through Tyler School of Art; there she spent a lot of time learning about and making handmade books. She has taught bookmaking to students from ages 4 to adult.
Dates: Wednesdays and Saturdays
Time: 10:00a.m. - 10:50a.m.
Cost: $60 / 3 classes OR $25 / drop in
Immerse your child in a sensory adventure! We will paint with our toes, use scented play-dough, & explore sensory art stations.
You are welcome to drop your little one off, but only if your child is able to use the restroom alone, You are always welcome to stay.
