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

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

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn printmaking processes at Lino Cuts & Prints on Sunday, October 4 from 1 to 6 p.m. in the Mansion Library.

For a very long time, printmakers have transferred images from specially prepared plates to paper, fabric, wood and metal. In this workshop, instructor Billie Theide will help students learn to design, carve, prepare ink and transfer images to make unique works of art. Each student will get a toolkit that will enable them to continue to work at home.

$145/person. Registration will close September 27 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

Experience Level: Beginner; all ages (children under 13 must have an adult register with them) 

Learn how to decorate cookies at Cookie Decorating on Sunday, October 4 from 3-5 p.m. in the Mansion Dining room.

Learn to decorate cookies with royal icing, crusting butter cream and rolled buttercream! Instructor Jennifer Holhubner will demonstrate and explain wet-on-wet technique, outlining and flooding. Each participant will receive directions to decorate five cookies.

$75/person*. Registration will close Sept. 27 of when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring a take-home container.

Experience Level: Beginner

Craft traditional witches' brooms using locally grown dried flowers and foraged materials at Besoms: A Witch’s Broom Workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Illinois Arboretum Shed.

Learn about the lore and history of besoms in the world of the occult and witchcraft. This is the perfect Halloween or fall activity! Students will take home their own handmade besom made from natural materials!

$65/person. Registration will close Sept. 29 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn about the art of stained glass at Intro to Stained Glass: Pumpkin on Thursday, Oct. 8 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in The Studio.

Instructor Kari Keller will teach students how to cut, shape and assemble a stained-glass pumpkin to take home. Grinding, fitting and soldering will be covered.

$100/person*. Registration will close Oct. 1 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

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

Instructor Kari Keller will teach students how to cut, shape and assemble a stained-glass pumpkin to take home. Grinding, fitting and soldering will be covered.

$100/person*. Registration will close Oct. 2 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

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

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.) 

Step away from traditional fall décor and create a pumpkin bursting with personality at Pumpkin Mischief: Mixed Media Workshop on Sunday, Oct. 11 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in The Studio. 

In this fun and beginner-friendly mixed media workshop, students will create an expressive pumpkin on a 12" x 12" canvas while exploring a variety of creative techniques and materials. Using acrylic paints, Gelatos, Posca paint markers, and Mod Podge, you'll learn how to build vibrant color, add playful details, and create whimsical finishing touches. 

The pumpkin design will be pre-drawn on each canvas, making this class approachable for artists of all experience levels. Participants are welcome to follow the sample painting or customize their pumpkin with their own favorite colors and creative flair.

$115/person*. Registration will close Oct 4 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

*All supplies will be provided