Experience Level: Beginner (All Ages 16+) 

Learn how to quilt in one class at Quilt-As-You-Go Potholders on Saturday, June 6 from 1 to 5 p.m. in The Studio.  

Instructor Jennie Ingram will introduce students to commonly used quilting terms, helpful tools like rotary cutters and mats, and heat proof materials used in sewing items like potholders. Then, students will use their sewing machines to both piece and quilt their quilt block at the same time. Finally, students will bind their pieces to have a pair of finished potholders by the end of class. 

Students should bring a sewing machine they are comfortable using.* Closed-toe shoes are recommended. 

$80/person. Register here. Registration will close May 30 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

*A limited number of sewing machines are available for rent. Please contact Olivia Bunting to secure a machine. 

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. 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 

Jennie Ingram is a lifelong crafter who has been sewing, costuming, quilting, crocheting, and making jewelry since childhood. She received her MFA in Costume Design from UIUC in 2007 and has worked in costume shops across the country including Idaho Shakespeare Festival and Williamstown Theatre Festival. 

She spent six years as the Costume Shop Manager at Western Kentucky University, where she enjoyed expanding her student’s skill sets by offering workshops in quilting, corsetry and jewelry making. Since leaving academia she has run an Etsy shop selling handmade charm bracelets, and other gifts. 

Jennie is also a moderator and active member of LettuceCraft.com, a forum where members share their handmade creations. Her Halloween sampler quilt, titled Stitch ‘n Witch, was shown at the 20th Annual Festival of Quilts in Urbana.

Experience Level: Beginner

Join the barn quilt movement by creating your own painted quilt block to use on the inside or outside of your home at Barn Quilt Painting on Saturday, June 13 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in The Studio.

Students will begin with one of three options on a pre-primed board with their choice of design already drafted (choose between two star and sunburst designs at registration). Students will tape and paint at their own pace, choosing from a wide variety of colors.

Instructor Jane Cade will share a history of barn quilts, techniques, tips, and discuss how to properly seal your finished piece after the paint has dried for 48 hours. Leave with a 20×20″ wooden ‘quilt block’ to keep for yourself or share your talents and give someone a handmade gift.

$90/person. Registration closes June 6 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia 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

Jane Cade is a retired teacher from Clinton Junior High School. She has been painting barn quilts for eight years and sells her work online and at craft festivals. She teaches classes at Parkland Community College and will be teaching classes at her workshop beginning next year.

Experience Level: Beginner (All Ages 13+) 

Learn basic drawing and watercolor techniques at Watercolor Birds on Sunday, June 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Allerton Mansion Dining Room. 

Instructor Shannon Percoco will lead students in a simple drawing technique to create a graphic transfer of a bird. Students will then learn some basic watercolor techniques to give their drawings life. At the end of the class, students will leave with two completed watercolor birds 

Students are encouraged to bring the following items*: 
— a watercolor pallet 
— watercolor brushes in various sizes 
— pencil and ink pens 
— paper or sketchbook suitable for watercolor 

*Students can choose to use Allerton supplies for a $10 use fee at registration. 

$60/person. Register here. Registration closes June 7 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia 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 

Shannon Percoco is a local art teacher with almost 30 years experience. She is a current UIUC professor who teaches aspiring art teachers. Shannon earned her BFA in Painting from UIUC and has experience painting with watercolors, acrylics, and oils. 

Experience Level: All Levels (All Ages 15+) 

Create a bright, expressive bird illustration full of personally at Quirky Bird Watercolor Workshop on Saturday, June 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. in The Studio. 

Instructor Emily Tackitt will guide students through this workshop for all levels focusing on expressive color and loose, playful textures. Students will be able to explore layering vibrant watercolor washes, adding energetic line work, and using splatter and mark-making techniques to bring character and movement into their painting. 

This class focuses on building confidence with watercolor through an approachable, step-by-step process and suitable for all levels of artists looking to experiment and enjoy a relaxed and encouraging experience. 

$110/person*. Registration will close May 9 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

*All supplies will be provided. 

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia 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 

Emily Tackitt is the artist behind Moonbeam Jellyfish and works in mixed media, blending watercolor, acrylic, gouache, ink, drawing, and collage to create whimsical, fantasy-inspired artwork. With a process that is playful and intuitive, Emily is often guided by curiosity, storytelling, and whatever feels magical in the moment. Her classes are designed to feel supportive and accessible, encouraging students to build confidence through a thoughtful, step-by-step creative practice. 

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn printmaking processes at Lino Cuts & Prints on Sunday, June 28 from 12 to 5 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.

$140/person. Registration will close June 21 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodation to participate, please email Olivia 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

Billie Theide is a former chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she is Professor Emerita. Theide is a metalsmith, jeweler and ceramicist. Her work is in public art collections around the world including the Smithsonian, Museum of Arts & Design in New York City, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the Racine Art Museum, among others.

She is the recipient of a Visual Arts Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and five Artists Fellowship Grants from the Illinois Arts Council. Theide has been recognized for her excellence in teaching and is a Distinguished Member and Past-President of the Society of North American Goldsmiths.

About The Farms

The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.

Experience Level: All Levels

Make your vacation photos into works of art at Watercolor Travel Journal on Friday through Sunday, July 10 to 12 from 12 to 4 p.m. in The Studio.

Instructor Deb Marett will teach the basics of watercolor painting, drawing skills and putting a layout together to create pages in journals that capture memories and turn them into a cherished keepsake that can be expanded.

On the first day, students will experiment on practice paper, focusing on how to break down images into simple shapes, the principles of watercolor, painting light to dark, mixing colors, handling brushes and other basics.

The second day, students will put together a page layout with thumbnail sketches and create pages in their journals, as well as a painted page.

On the third day, students will continue painting their journals, go outside and paint on location, and learn some basics of plein air painting.

$170/person*. Register by July 3. All sales are final.

*Students should bring:
— 5”x8” or larger book with quality cold press with 140# watercolor paper (spiral bound or bound to lay flat is the best). Suggested book: Hahnemuhle
— Watercolor paint set – suggested brand: Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor OR this similar pallet
— Sketchbook 4”X6” or larger
— Watercolor brush set (not waterbrush pens), including a flat brush at least 1” wide and large mop brush – suggested set: ARTIFY
— Mechanical pencil­
— Waterproof ink pen
— Eraser small in diamet

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email 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

Deb Marett is a professional artist whose work focuses on equestrian scenes, figurative scenes, and portraiture. She always travels with watercolors and a travel journal.

“It is an amazing way to remember moments of the trip, and spend time soaking up the places I visit,” Marett said.

She loves sharing her knowledge and teaching, and finding ways to make painting and drawing fun and accessible to anyone who wants to explore their creative side.

Experience Level: Beginner (ages 12+)

Learn about soft pastels and ways to use them through basic mark-making techniques at Introduction to Pastel Painting on Sunday, July 12th from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Mansion Library.

Serious artists ages 10 and older can sign up for this course, where award-winning artist Mandy Roeing will help students learn about pastels and paint to create a simple still life to take home. More than just a one-time painting project, this class is intended to give you basic pastel painting skills and knowledge that you can build on to continue creating.

$85/person (Ages 12+. Ages 12-15 need to be accompanied by a registered adult). Register by July 9th. 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

Award-winning artist Mandy Roeing resides in Downs with her husband and their two daughters. Inspired by the beauty and tranquility of nature, Roeing creates color-filled landscapes and beachscapes that go beyond representation to capture the emotion of a place.

All of Roeing’s paintings are done in soft pastels, a beautiful and versatile medium that she is passionate about sharing with others through both her work and classes. She is an instructor at the McLean County Arts Center and the Peninsula School of Art and holds regular classes in painting and drawing at her own studio and gallery space in downtown Bloomington.

Mandy earned her BFA in Studio Art from the University of North Carolina in 2004. She is the Vice President of the Illinois Prairie Pastel Society and an active member of the Peoria Art Guild. Her work has been published in The Pastel Journal magazine and the IAPS Globe and is in numberous private collections throughout the country and abroad.

Experience Level: All Levels

Learn the basics of weaving and take home a basket at Basket Weaving: Long Way Home on Friday, July 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in The Studio.

$100/person. Registration will close July 10 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia 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

Bonnie Rideout wove her first basket in 1994 and quickly caught the “basket bug.” She created a business — Bonnie’s Baskets in Decatur — in 2006 to teach others to weave. She is also a traveling instructor and has taught weaving in 18 states.

Find out more about Bonnie on her website, Facebook, Instagram and Etsy pages.

About The Farms

The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, health & wellness, history, nature & outdoor education, or science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.