Join us for a morning of learning various techniques for finishing, hanging, or preparing a rug for a gallery exhibit. All past Folk Art Rug Hooking students AND anyone who has a damaged or unfinished hooked rug to be completed are welcome. Numerous examples will be provided to illustrate each strategy, and with Janet's guidance and support, students will select and start using the one they want.

In addition to a sewing machine, iron and board, and labeling supplies, Janet will also have some books and used tools that are popular with intermediate rug hookers ready to make a bigger commitment to the craft.

If you would like to email Janet in advance, please send a photo of the trivet, chair pad, small, or room-size hooked rug you would like to bind and finish to jconnerhookedrugs@gmail.com, so she can plan exactly what materials to bring. Handouts will include outlines of the various methods, a bibliography, and website listings.

Bring sharp fabric scissors, hand sewing needles, pins, and heavy-duty thread (quilting, upholstery, or button threads are best).

If you have cotton twill rug binding you want to use, bring it. If not, there will be different materials available for purchase.

Janet Conner, BS in Art Education from Moore College of Art & Design, is a member of the Saco Valley Fiber Artists and exhibits regionally and at ME Fiber Arts Center. Her hooked designs, as well as those of her students', have been highlighted in Finishing Hooked Rugs and Rug Hooking Magazine. In 2016, Janet co-authored the book Rug Hooking Traditions with James and Mercedes Hutchinson. She released Magnificent Hooked Rugs, influenced by Western art history, in 2020. She teaches both domestically and abroad.

Watch Brianne as she designs her signature arrangement, then get hands-on instruction as you create your own masterpiece! Celebrate the return of spring with fresh blooms and make new friends. Come sip, play, and create alongside your local florist! Materials for one arrangement and light refreshments will be provided.

Please wear closed-toe shoes for safety.

NOTE: Registration closes at noon on 4/25.

Brianne Emiser is the owner of stem & vine, a florist shop located in downtown Biddeford. An avid gardener herself and a seasoned event florist, she has significant knowledge of plant life, local florals, seasonality, and sustainability practices. She graduated with a degree in biology and art, which plays a direct role in her love of creating with flowers.

Bind, fold, and twist your cloth to create beautifully dyed patterns while using Japanese resistance-dyeing dating back to the 8th century. Explore techniques with a selection of objects for manipulating the fabric using a pre-reduced indigo dye. Leave with four dyed-by-you creations: two tea towels, a tote bag, and the fourth–bring an item of your choice! Dye ingredients, vat, washbasin, materials for manipulating fabric, booklet of instructions, tea towels, and tote bag provided.

Bring one pair of heavy-duty plastic gloves and one light-colored 100% cotton item to dye (T-shirt, handkerchief, pillowcase, etc.). Wear clothing for dyeing and bring a lunch/drink.

Note: Dyeing is outside, so wear weather-appropriate clothing.

Kristen Bartlett, owner of Alley Oop Apothecary, established in 2020, practices many forms of art and has studied drawing, oil painting, graphic design, and photography. Additionally, she has been passionately immersed in the foodie and holistic worlds most of her working life and brings decades of experience and knowledge about both food and local producers of food through her former work as a local producer forager for Whole Foods Market.

Let's mend together! With the instructor and fellow students, we'll share practice and take time out of our busy lives to repair worn clothing. Start off each class with a mini-lesson on a certain mending technique, then break into groups to work on mending projects. Bring an article of clothing (or two) each session that you would like to mend, and learn techniques to help fix them! Supplies will be provided, but please bring a pair of scissors and any specific tools that you would like to use. All levels are welcome, but a familiarity with hand stitching will be helpful.

Sara Ottomano has more than 10 years of experience teaching art classes. She enjoys encouraging others to play with materials, explore sustainable artmaking practices, and create stories together.

We live close to the ocean, so why not include images from the sea in your cards? Join Faith and learn to make the following cards: one with a pull cord to reveal a hidden scene and birthday message, the second uses embossing and die cuts with shells to send an encouraging note, and the third has a raised scene of sea birds and a message of well wishes. The techniques you learn can be used to create other cards for other occasions, and the instructor will provide instructions, all materials, and show you examples of other cards using the same techniques. Registration closes at noon on 5/5.

Faith Garnett began teaching card making in 2009. She sells her original greeting cards online.

In this intermediate crochet course, we will work on the creation of granny squares to create a finished product. Create multiple granny squares, which can be pieced together into a bag, blanket, or sweater.

Bring a size 5 crochet hook and at least 3 oz. each of four different colored worsted acrylic yarns (avoid dark colors; no black or navy).

Renee Parker works full time as an instructional designer. She has taught as an adjunct instructor at York County Community College since 2019 and regularly facilitates workshops and retreats. In her spare time, she does as much sewing and crocheting as possible.

Expand your wire-wrapping skills! Build on the foundational knowledge you learned in Wire Wrapped Sea Glass Jewelry and learn more intricate wire techniques while incorporating finer metals into your designs. Continue exploring creative ways to turn found objects, like sea glass, into wearable art. Bring your favorite tools (basic tools available for use in class), your own sea glass, or choose from the instructor's collection. Leave with a sophisticated piece that reflects your evolving design style. Registration closes at noon on 5/12. Tuition includes materials.

Required: Attendance in a Wire Wrapped Sea Glass course with Jessica.

Jessica Muise, a multidisciplinary artist and educator has been teaching and making art throughout New England for the last 15 years. She is passionate about using the arts as tools for social change and serves as a creative economy advisor to several arts organizations and artist-led coalitions.

Review camera settings, composition, and how to get great images of nature's best, like moose, birds, seals, and other subjects! Learn how to set up a blind to get great images. Discuss the best options in lenses for this type of photography and tripods to get the best stability for your images!

Preregistration required, with registration closing at noon on 5/12.

Zoom link provided by instructor.

Please have a computer, a stable internet connection, and your fully charged digital camera.

Steve McGrath is a professional freelance photographer and teacher with 25 years of experience. His love of the great outdoors led him to his true passion–nature photography. Steve was an active member of the Gateway Camera Club for many years and has won many ribbons and awards at fairs and competitions through the group and on his own. Many of his images have been published in school textbooks.