Experience Level: All Levels

Learn the basics of basket weaving and take home a handmade basket at Basket Weaving: The Organizer on Friday, Sept. 25 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in The Studio.  

Instructor Bonnie Rideout will teach techniques such as setting up a base, twining, start/stop weaving, pairing triple twining with an arrow weave, and the use of overlays.  This handy basket can be used anywhere! Faster weavers may be done in less time. 

$95/person. Registration will close Sept 18 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

Experience Level: Beginner  

Learn the basics of low relief wood carving at Woodcarving Basics: Flowers & Leaves on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 1-5 p.m. in The Studio.  

Instructor Lou Ann Koebel will teach students how to safely use a small carving chisel set to define the background and make shallow, controlled cuts, transforming a flat basswood board into a beautiful low relief flower carving. 

$85/person*. Registration closes Sept. 21 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.   

*Students must bring ONE of the following options: 

- 8 Piece WoodRiver Detail Carving Tool Set  

or  

- 12 Piece Schaaf Mini Detail Carving Set – Long Handle  

Experience Level: Beginner (ages 18+)  

Turn copper wire into wearable art while learning a centuries-old technique at Jewelry 101: Viking Weaving on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in The Studio. 

Instructor Billie Theide will share information about this ancient process as students fabricate a tubular copper chain resulting in a flexible and lightweight bracelet or necklace. Students will make handmade decorative end caps and a closure from heavier gauge round copper wire. The chain can remain copper in color or patinated to take on a rich coloration from warm light brown to black.   

Students will receive a toolkit to enable them to continue working at home.

$120/person. Registration closes on Sept. 20 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

Experience Level: Beginner 

Get a first-hand look at how honey bees manage hive activity at Beehive Observation on Sundays, April 12 & 26, May 10 & 24, June 7 & 21, July 5 & 19, Aug. 2, 16 & 30 and Sept. 13 & 27 in The Studio and outside at the beehives.  

Instructor Maggie Wachter will provide an overview of seasonal influences, followed by a peek inside the hives to observe honey bees at work. Traditional and Flow Hives will also be discussed. Each two-hour session may be attended as a standalone or combined with any or all other classes. 

$30/class. Registration will close three days before each class. All sales are final. 

*Students should wear loose-fitting long sleeves and pants, close-toed shoes and bring a protective bee veil and unscented rubber gloves.  

— April 12 
— April 26 
— May 10 
— May 24 
— June 7 
— June 21 
— July 5 
— July 19 
— Aug. 2 
— Aug. 16 
— Sept. 13 
— Sept. 27 

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn about the process of making sourdough bread at Beginner Sourdough Breadmaking on Sundays, Sept. 27 or Oct. 11 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Mansion Kitchen and Carriage House.

Instructor Hannah Fink will cover the basic biology of a ferment and what it means to a sourdough culture, how to mix sourdough, how to maintain a healthy starter in your home and the importance of baking with regionally grown grains. Students will also get hands-on experience as they learn to mix sourdough.

Prepared dough will be available to showcase baking and for students to prepare a snack toward the end of class. Students will take home their own jar of sourdough culture, a sample of gains from Janie’s Mill, as well as printouts of everything covered, simple recipes and a thorough list of resources.

$100/person*. Registration will close 10 days before each course begins or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring a container to take home their sourdough (5-quart capacity preferred)

Experience Level: Beginner  

Carve your own useful or decorative wooden spoon at Woodcarving Basics: Spoons on Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 1-5 p.m. in The Studio.

Instructor Lou Ann Koebel will teach students how to safely use a carving knife and practice the three basic carving cuts. Each student will create a unique and functional wooden spoon to give as a gift or use in their own kitchen!

$85/person*. Registration closes on Sept. 25, or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring a carving glove and basic spoon carving set for right or left hand.

Experience Level: Beginner 

Learn the skills of improvisation, including scene creation and team dynamics at Improve Your Improv on Thursdays, Sept. 10 through Oct. 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Music Barn. 

Instructor Kyle Tasch returns to The Farms to teach this popular course, which will be jam-packed with improvisational fun that uses both short-form games and long-form scenes. 

This will not be a class to sit down, hear lectures, and take notes.  Students will be performing as much as possible to emphasize the mechanics needed to act out an entertaining and meaningful scene on the spot with no lines. There are many elements of improv that are not only useful on stage, but also in everyday life – wherever you might be put on the spot! 

Students who have already completed this class are welcome to join again. Beginners and those experienced in improv are all encouraged to join! 

$25/class. Registration will close two days before each class. 

— Sept. 10
— Sept. 17  
— Sept. 24  
— Oct. 1
— Oct. 8  
— Oct. 15

Experience Level: Intermediate (ages 15+)

Take your watercolor skills to the next level at Intermediate Watercolor  Friday through Sunday, Oct. 2-4 from 12-4 p.m. in The Studio.

Instructor Deb Marett will lead this class tackling some of watercolor’s most rewarding challenges. Using photos of Allerton’s gardens as inspiration, students will explore techniques for painting lush garden scenes, creating glowing light subjects against dark backgrounds, capturing fields of flowers without painting every bloom, and simplifying complex landscapes into fresh, expressive paintings.Students will also cover some basic drawing skills and discuss tips for choosing a scene that will make for a successful painting.

$170/person*. Registration closes Sept. 25 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring:
– Watercolor paint
– A flat palette/mixing tray large enough to work with several colors at once
– Brushes (flat and round, one of the flats at least 1” wide (flat). At least one squirrel hair brush recommended, but not required).
– Watercolor paper – 100% cotton highly recommended
– A sponge or rag
– Photos (either printed or on a phone) to paint