River Tree Arts offers a variety of art classes and workshops for adults throughout the year. Gain fresh perspectives through a wide range of programs and resources for the novice as well as the expert.

Our instructors are marvelous and very talented. If you are interested in learning more about the faculty, please see our faculty page. By becoming a member of River Tree Arts, you will gain access to special events and also save money on each class. Read more about membership here.

PLEASE BE ADVISED:

  • Don’t dress in your best attire for art classes; art can get messy!
  • Please read all of River Tree Arts’ Policies and Procedures before registering for any event.
  • In the case that a class is canceled due to weather and a student cannot attend the rain-date, refunds will not be issued.
  • Programs are subject to cancellation due to low enrollment so don’t delay and register today!
  • PLEASE BE ADVISED RTA is a NUT-FREE facility. 

PROGRAMS ARE SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION DUE TO LOW NUMBERS, SO DON’T DELAY; REGISTER TODAY AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS FOR adults

Art Workshop: Seashell Artist Palette/Trinket Dish or Sea Glass Ornaments at the Nonantum Resort

Instructor: Ava Bajakian

Located at the beautiful Nonantum Resort, this workshop is a great way to relax and stay creative this summer! Participants will have a choice to create a handmade trinket dish perfect for housing your treasures, a palette to inspire your next creation or ornaments using locally found shells, sea glass and air dry clay. Led by RTA instructor, Ava Bajakian, this outdoor workshop is great for all levels of experience. In the event of rain, the workshop will be held indoors. Price includes all supplies.
Ceramics Class: 4-Week Hand-Building Ceramics Class

  • Dates: (4 weeks) June 30, July 7, July 21, July 28 
  • Time: Tuesday Nights, 6pm-8:30pm (2 ½  hours)
  • Age: Adults 18+
  • Cost: $240 (all supplies included)

Instructor: Susan Palmer

REGISTER HERE

4-week Hand Building Class – Learn the basics of hand building pottery. Throughout the class, you’ll be guided through various clay handbuilding techniques such as pinch pots, coil building, and slab construction. You’ll create functional ceramic pieces like cups, bowls, and plates. Plus, you’ll get to explore glazing techniques to add your own personal touch to each piece. By the end of the course, you’ll have your own handmade pottery pieces ready to take home, along with a newfound appreciation for the art of clay. No wheel required—just your hands and imagination! Clay and all glazes and firing included. Max class size: 8 attendees
Ceramics Workshop: Pinch Pots for Dips

  • When: Friday, July 10 
  • Time: 5:30-8:30
  • Age: Adults 21+
  • Cost: $90 (all supplies included)

Instructor: Susan Palmer

REGISTER HERE

Grab a friend for a fun night of pottery, laughter and creativity! In this chill, beginner friendly 3 hour class, you’ll learn the basics of making pinched bowls and decorating them with underglaze. Whether you’re crafting a keepsake or just enjoying the process, this is the perfect way to unwind. Finished pots will be fired and ready in 2 weeks for pick up. No experience needed. BYOB. Max class size: 8 attendees
Art Workshop: Collaged Tote Bag at the Nonantum Resort

  • Dates:
  • Time: (2 hours) 4pm – 6pm
  • Age: Teens 16+ and Adults
  • Cost: $50.00

Instructor: Ava Bajakian

Located at the beautiful Nonantum Resort, this workshop is a wonderful way to relax and stay creative this summer! Participants will try their hand at a collage technique to create a unique piece of wearable artwork using fabric scraps, ribbon, beads, buttons, and other found objects. Led by RTA instructor, Ava Bajakian, this outdoor workshop is great for all levels of experience. In the event of rain, the workshop will be held indoors. Price includes all supplies.
Ceramics Class: 3 Week Hand-Building Clay Session for Teens & Adults

  • Dates: 2 sessions offered 
    • July Session: (3 week session) July 16, July 23, July 30  REGISTER HERE
    • August Session (3 week session) August 6, August 13, August 20  REGISTER HERE
  • Time: Thursdays, 4-6pm
  • Age: Teens 14+  and Adults 
  • Cost: $185 + $35 materials fee

Instructor: Ava Bajakian

A focused hand-building clay workshop for beginner teens and adults. Participants create functional and sculptural pieces inspired by natural and fruit forms, exploring form, texture, and surface design. Examples of projects: wall vases, fridge magnets, or fruit-shaped trinket/jewelry dishes.
Paint Night with Instructor Erin Ripton

  • Date: Friday, July 17 
  • Time: 6-8pm
  • Cost: $45.00 Members ; $50.00 Non-members per workshop (all supplies included)

Instructor: Erin Ripton

REGISTER HERE

Join us for a fun and relaxing Paint Night at RTA, led by artist Erin Ripton. Channel your inner Picasso as we paint a predetermined “Summer” themed canvas. Erin will guide you through the step by step process of developing your composition, colors and technique, using acrylic paints on a stretched 9 x 12” canvas which will be a keepsake. No experience is needed, and all supplies are included. Just bring yourself and enjoy a creative night out! If you like, BYOB.
Art Workshop: Decoupage Shell Dishes at the Nonantum Resort

  • Date:
  • Time: (2 hours) 4pm – 6pm
  • Age: Teens 16+ and Adults
  • Cost: $50.00

Instructor: Ava Bajakian

Located at the beautiful Nonantum Resort, this workshop is a great way to relax and stay creative this summer! Participants will decorate shell-shaped dishes with tissue paper, collage imagery, and embedded shells. Shells can be sealed for functional or decorative use. Led by RTA instructor, Ava Bajakian, this outdoor workshop is great for all levels of experience. In the event of rain, the workshop will be held indoors. Price includes all supplies.
Ceramics: Open Studio Sessions

Dates: (4 session dates)

Adults 18+

  • Time: 2pm – 5pm (3 hours)
  • When: Tuesdays
  • Cost: $50 per class + $25 (purchase of 1x 25lb bag of clay to be used during the session)

Instructor: Susan Palmer

4-week session of Open Studio Class – This 3 hour studio time is for students who are interested in handbuilding or wheel throwing at their own pace. The instructor would be present but not providing active instruction, this is a self guided class. Attendees need to purchase a 1 x 25lb bag of clay for use during studio time. Glazed and kiln firings included in class fee. Max class size: 8 attendees
Ceramics Workshop: Espresso Cup or Mug Making

  • When: Friday, July 24 
  • Time: 5:30-8:30pm
  • Cost: $90 (all supplies included)
  • Age: Adults 21+

Instructor: Susan Palmer

REGISTER HERE

Grab a friend for a fun and creative night of pottery and laughter. In this chill, beginner friendly 3 hour class, you’ll learn the basics of making mugs and decorating them with underglaze. Whether you’re crafting a keepsake or just enjoying the process, this is the perfect way to unwind. Finished pots will be fired and ready in 2 weeks for pick up. No experience needed. BYOB. Max class size: 8 attendees
Ceramics Workshop: Learn Sgraffito – Decorate a small clay bowl with underglazes and carving!

  • Date: Two Workshop Dates
  • Time: 4 hour (1pm – 5pm)
  • Cost: $185 (all supplies included)

Instructor: Susan Palmer

What is Sgraffito?
Sgraffito is a decorative technique where a surface layer of colored slip or underglaze is carefully carved away to reveal the contrasting clay beneath. The result is a striking, graphic design with depth and texture. In this hands-on workshop, the instructor will begin with a demonstration of the sgraffito technique. Then, students will have the opportunity to paint a pre-made clay bowl using colored underglaze. Students may also incorporate a graphic image of their choice to personalize their design. After the class, all bowls will be coated with a clear glaze and kiln-fired. Finished pieces will be available for pickup two weeks later. All skill levels are welcome—no prior experience necessary!
Ceramics Class: 4-Week Hand-Building Ceramics Class

  • Dates: (4 weeks) August 4, August 11, August 18, August 25
  • Time: Tuesday Nights, 6pm-8:30pm (2 ½  hours)
  • Age: Adults 18+
  • Cost: $240 (all supplies included)

Instructor: Susan Palmer

REGISTER HERE

4-week Hand Building Class – Learn the basics of hand building pottery. Throughout the class, you’ll be guided through various clay handbuilding techniques such as pinch pots, coil building, and slab construction. You’ll create functional ceramic pieces like cups, bowls, and plates. Plus, you’ll get to explore glazing techniques to add your own personal touch to each piece. By the end of the course, you’ll have your own handmade pottery pieces ready to take home, along with a newfound appreciation for the art of clay. No wheel required—just your hands and imagination! Clay and all glazes and firing included. Max class size: 8 attendees
Ceramics: Open Studio Sessions

Dates: (3 session dates)

Adults 18+

  • Time: 2pm – 5pm (3 hours)
  • When: Tuesdays
  • Cost: $50 per class + $25 (purchase of 1x 25lb bag of clay to be used during the session)

Instructor: Susan Palmer

4-week session of Open Studio Class – This 3 hour studio time is for students who are interested in handbuilding or wheel throwing at their own pace. The instructor would be present but not providing active instruction, this is a self guided class. Attendees need to purchase a 1 x 25lb bag of clay for use during studio time. Glazed and kiln firings included in class fee. Max class size: 8 attendees
Paint Night with Instructor Erin Ripton 

  • Date: Friday, August 7 
  • Time: 6pm-8pm
  • Cost: $45.00 Members ; $50.00 Non-members per workshop (all supplies included)
  • Instructor: Erin Ripton

REGISTER HERE

 Join us for a fun and relaxing Paint Night at RTA, led by artist Erin Ripton. Channel your inner Picasso as we paint a predetermined “Summer” themed canvas. Erin will guide you through the step by step process of developing your composition, colors and technique, using acrylic paints on a stretched 9 x 12” canvas which will be a keepsake. No experience is needed, and all supplies are included. Just bring yourself and enjoy a creative night out! If you like, BYOB.

Ceramics: Intro to Wheel Throwing Class over 2 Weeks

  • Dates: August 10 and August 17
  • Days: Mondays
  • Time: 5:30-8:00pm (2 ½ hours) 
  • Adults 18+
  • Cost: $150 (all materials included)

Instructor: Susan Palmer

REGISTER HERE

Two-week session – Intro to Wheel Throwing Class over 2 Weeks. This 2 ½ hour class is for students who want a quick experience learning to throw and trim on a wheel. Classes will run 1 x week on Mondays for two weeks. Students will learn to throw bowls and cups, and learn to trim their pieces. White clay, glazes and firings included. Max class size: 3 attendees