Experience Level: Beginner (Ages 16+; all minors must have a parent/guardian on-site or a signed participant waiver.) 

Take a step towards a healthier relationship with money in Rocks & Feathers: Understanding the Emotional Weight of Money on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 6-8 p.m. in The Studio. 

Financial stress is about more than money. Emotions such as fear, shame, guilt, overwhelm, and scarcity can shape the choices we make and the results we experience.  In this interactive workshop, participants will identify the emotional "rocks" they may be carrying around money and learn how to replace them with empowering "feathers" that support healthier financial habits and decisions. Through guided discussion and reflection, students will gain greater awareness of the beliefs and emotions influencing their financial lives.  

This workshop is ideal for individuals, couples, and families who want to create a healthier relationship with money and develop a shared understanding of the emotional side of financial well-being.

$75/person. Registration closes Oct. 19 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

Experience Level: Beginner

Keep your mind active with an easy-to-learn and fun instrument at Beginning Mountain Dulcimer on Saturdays, Oct. 24 through Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in The Studio.

Instructor Lou Ann Koebel will lead students through basic chords and strum patterns that will give them the ability to play rounds, fiddle tunes and much more! Playing the dulcimer requires only a love of music and a desire to create beautiful sound - it is a simple instrument that requires little musical knowledge. 

$225/person* Registration will close Oct. 21 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring their own dulcimer. Dulcimers are available to rent by emailing the instructor at koebel@illinois.edu.

Experience Level: Beginner (All ages; parents/guardians are not required to register with their children, but all minors must have a parent/guardian on-site and they are encouraged to be present for those 13 and younger.)

Create a unique piece of art out of locally sourced alpaca fiber at Needlefelt Goldfinch on Thursday, October 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. in The Studio.

Stephanie Block of Sundrop Alpacas will walk students through the needlefelting process to make a goldfinch, which can be customized to make them look authentic, whimsical or anything in between. The class is perfect for those wanting to learn a new art form.

Take advantage of a fun opportunity to bring a friend or family member for a $10 add-on fee as you work together on a single project kit!

$65/person* + $10/person for add-on (limit one). Register here. Registration will close Oct 22 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*A $15 discount is available during registration for those who bring their own needlefelting tools.

Experience Level: Beginner/Youth

Learn how to decorate fall-themed cookies at Fall Cookie Decorating for Kids on Sunday, November 1 from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Evergreen Lodge.

Instructor Jennifer Holhubner will demonstrate and walk youth through classic buttercream frosting application and other techniques. Each participant will complete 3 fall-themed cookies.

$40/person*. Register here by Oct 25. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the instructor

Champaign-Urbana native Jennifer Holhubner taught herself how to decorate cakes when she was 16 years old and took up cookie decorating in 2019.

“Although they intimidated me, I forged on and got better with each order. I still have room to grow as we all do in whatever task we take on,” she said. “But I love to share the aspects of baking and decorating. I can actually now say, I am cookier!”

Jennifer also teaches decorating classes at Parkland College.

Experience Level: Beginner/Youth

Learn how to decorate fall-themed cookies at Fall Cookie Decorating for Kids on Sunday, November 1 from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Evergreen Lodge.

Instructor Jennifer Holhubner will demonstrate and walk youth through classic buttercream frosting application and other techniques. Each participant will complete 3 fall-themed cookies.

$40/person*. Register here by Oct 25. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the instructor

Champaign-Urbana native Jennifer Holhubner taught herself how to decorate cakes when she was 16 years old and took up cookie decorating in 2019.

“Although they intimidated me, I forged on and got better with each order. I still have room to grow as we all do in whatever task we take on,” she said. “But I love to share the aspects of baking and decorating. I can actually now say, I am cookier!”

Jennifer also teaches decorating classes at Parkland College.

Experience Level: All Levels (Ages 15+; parents/guardians are not required to register with their children, but all minors must have a parent/guardian on-site.) 

Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season by painting a beautiful Christmas ornament in Holiday Radiance: Watercolor Workshop on Friday, Nov. 6 from 6-9 p.m. in The Studio. 

In this relaxed, beginner-friendly workshop, students will explore watercolor techniques while adding touches of metallic watercolor and acrylic marker details to create a painting that sparkles with holiday charm.  

The ornament design will be lightly pre-drawn, allowing everyone to focus on enjoying the painting process rather than worrying about drawing. Students are encouraged to make the piece their own by experimenting with different ornament colors, ribbon choices, and creative details. By the end of class, you'll leave with a festive watercolor ready to frame, display, or gift for the holidays. All supplies are provided, and no previous watercolor experience is necessary. 

$115/person*. Registration will close Oct. 31 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

*All supplies will be provided 

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn about the art of stained glass at Intro to Stained Glass: Feather on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in The Studio.

Students will assemble an elegant feather suncatcher design. Participants will also learn how to cut glass, grind, foil, and solder. All skill levels are welcome. All supplies and safety gear will be provided.  

$100/person*. Registration will close Nov. 5 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should wear closed-toe shoes. Safety glasses and gloves will be provided.

Experience Level: Beginner (All ages; parents/guardians are not required to register with their children, but they are encouraged to be present for those 13 and younger.)

Create a unique piece of art out of locally sourced alpaca fiber at Needlefelt Owl on Saturday, November 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. in The Studio.

Stephanie Block of Sundrop Alpacas will walk students through the needlefelting process to make an owl, which can be customized to make them look authentic, whimsical or anything in between. The class is perfect for those wanting to learn a new art form.

Take advantage of a fun opportunity to bring a friend or family member for a $10 add-on fee as you work together on a single project kit!

$65/person* + $10/person for add-on (limit one). Register here. Registration will close Nov 7 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*A $15 discount is available during registration for those who bring their own needlefelting tools.