Free demonstration!

Wood carver John Pupparo will show how a block of wood can be turned into a delightful figurine or a flat relief design.

John has 15 years of wood carving experience and is still exploring various design challenges and skill improvements, as well as discovering various wood types as carving mediums. He hopes that by demonstrating actual carving projects, interest and appreciation of the carver’s skill will encourage people to want to learn how to carve.

A wood carving class will be taught by John at the AAO on April 25th, 10–noon. There will be a small fee, which will cover all materials and tools needed to start learning how to carve.

Instructor: Jessica Joyce Kelly

March 21st, 10 am to noon

Participants will learn about Color Theory (the study of how colors interact and impact perception and emotions), and about the Color Wheel. How to mix colors and what hues, tints, shades, and tones are. How to use the brush to apply and to manipulate the paint for intentional, expressive results. And finally, how to paint a landscape.

All supplies and materials needed will be provided.

Fee: $15.00
No registration needed, first come, first served.

Art with Coffee: It’s like 2 hours of SPA TIME for your mind! Bring your own coffee or other beverage! We’ll supply all the materials and the inspiration. Make art along with a variety of guest instructors. No experience necessary!

No need to register; just come!

All ages are welcome; children under 12 should attend with a participating adult.

Saturdays 10:00 am–noon, $15 per person

March 14^th
Wood Carving Demonstration by John Pupparo
FREE

March 21^st
Jessica Joyce Kelly, Basic Acrylic Painting Techniques
$15 per participant

March 28^th
NO Art with Coffee:
Come to the Lakeside Statewide Opening Reception
7–9 pm

April 4^th
Monotype Printmaking Marathon 8 am–8 pm
FREE

April 11^th
Antonia D’Amato, Making Miniature Journals
$15 per participant

April 18^th
Theresa Bower, Paper Marbling
$15 per participant

Every spring for thousands of years, the people of Ukraine have used dye and beeswax to decorate eggs, representing their hopes for peace, health, freedom, and abundance. Pysanky eggs are a uniquely Ukrainian cultural practice that has persisted despite suppression by the USSR and threat from the ongoing war. Designs are created by applying melted wax to the egg with a stylus, and the eggs are dyed rather than painted. The result is a beautiful egg decorated with crisp lines, intricate designs, and vibrant colors.

Suggested donation: $10 per participant

Join us in observing Pysanky for Ukraine, an international annual celebration in which people write (decorate) Ukrainian eggs in a show of support for the people and culture of Ukraine. Started in 2014 by Kathy Verrelli of Ontario, the event has grown to include many hundreds of people worldwide, all writing pysanky together on April 1 each year, connected via Zoom. Our event will be collecting donations to support the Medical Aid fund of Ukraine24, Ukraine’s official giving platform.

Drop in to the AAO between 11 am and 5 pm to write one or more pysanky! No prior experience is necessary. Eggs, wax, tools, and dyes will be provided, and an instructor will be on hand to help you get started. There will be no formal class, so come any time and stay as long as you like. All ages are welcome, but hot tools are used, and children must be supervised.

Instructor: Blake Oliveira

This class will introduce students to the potter’s wheel: preparing clay, learning to center, and creating a cylinder. Once a cylinder is achieved, students will learn about basic utilitarian shapes through demonstrations. Students will also learn about drying clay properly, trimming the base of pots, kiln firing, and basic glazing techniques. Students who have taken one class are welcome to continue in order to improve their wheel skills.

This 6-week class meets Fridays, 5–7:30 PM,
from April 3–May 8, 2026

Cost: $250 for AAO members, $290 for non-members. All supplies included.

• Class size limit: 6
• Age and/or skill level: adults = 16+, no prior ceramics experience necessary

To register for this class, click here.

Instructor: Marybeth Sorendo 

This pottery class for intermediate and advanced level students will focus on personalized wheel-thrown projects with demonstrations for guidance. Students will be encouraged to experiment with underglazes, colored slip, and clay, and test glazes. In addition, students will assist with loading both bisque and glaze kilns.

This 6-week class meets Wednesdays, 5–7:30 PM,
from March 4 to April 8.

Class size limit: 6

Cost:
Members: $250
Non-members: $290

To register for this class, click here.

Instructor: Toni Cantu

This class will introduce students to the potter’s wheel: preparing clay, learning to center, and creating a cylinder. Once a cylinder is achieved, students will learn about basic utilitarian shapes through demonstrations. Students will also learn about drying clay properly, trimming the base of pots, kiln firing, and basic glazing techniques. Students who have taken one class are welcome to continue in order to improve their wheel skills.

This 6-week class meets Sundays, 4–6:30 PM,
from March 8 – April 12, 2026

Cost: $250 for AAO members, $290 for non-members. All supplies included.

• Class size limit: 6
• Age and/or skill level: adults = 16+, no prior ceramics experience necessary

To register for this class, click here.

Spring is coming, and events are building at the AAO!

Remember, you must be a current member of the AAO to participate in the Members’ Show, the Holiday Sale, and other members-only events. Members save on class fees, too!

Check your membership status on the Membership page.

You can renew your membership with PayPal or Venmo, by mail, or in person.

New members are always welcome!