You Choose the Project · Use Tools and Supplies From BASE · Get Help When You Need It
Open Art Workshop is open to anyone who wants to make something in any area of visual arts and crafts, from the experienced artist looking for a community of others to work with, to the complete novice who just wants to try something out in a low pressure environment, or the family looking for a fun kids’ activity to fill their afternoon – this workshop is for you!
January Artist of the Month Polly Greathouse will be our guest artist. Polly is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores the vitality and interconnectedness of the natural world. Rather than a single focal point, her work offers immersive landscapes that mirror the experience of being in nature, where everything is alive and interconnected. Stop by to learn from Polly!
WHEN DOES IT HAPPEN? 10am-3pm, the last Saturday of every month (no meetings in November and December 2025). Come anytime during the day, and stay as long as you’d like.
WHAT DOES IT COST? Workspace, use of our tools and any instruction or assistance you need is free; supplies from BASE are “pay what you want” (free to teachers and organizations).
WHAT CAN I MAKE? Almost* anything! Come with a project you want to work on in mind, or pick one from our list of project ideas for all ages and abilities. You are welcome to bring your own supplies and tools, or use ones from BASE. You can work independently, or work with an instructor. Here are just a few ideas of what you can learn and do at the Open Art Workshop:
Watercolor · Embroidery · Mosaics · Book Binding · Charcoal Drawing · Knitting & Crochet · Decoupage · Sewing & Mending · Jewelry Making · Plein Air Painting · Basket Weaving · Picture Framing · Card Making · Kids Art Projects · Block Printing · Stained Glass · Acrylic Painting · Costume Making · Weaving · Collage · UpCycling · Gift Wrapping · Sculpture · Upholstery · Colored Pencil · Wreath Making · Beading · Rubber Stamps · Oil Painting · Quilting · Pastels · Macramé · Miniatures
*We will do our best to accommodate all types of projects, but there may be limitations on what is possible on a particular day due to limitations of space, supplies or tools (supplies and tools are mostly donated, and what is available is always changing), or due to a particular project being too messy or dangerous to be done in a public space. If a particular project cannot be worked on during the Workshop that day, we will do our best to help you figure out how to proceed on a future Workshop date or on your own. Since this Workshop is open to ALL topics and media, we won’t be experts on everything, but we can definitely help you get started.
If you have questions about Open Art Workshop or BASE, please contact Julia Kemerer at 224-633-2426 or jkemerer@brushwoodcenter.org.
