Financial Literacy for Artists
Part of the Artist Toolbox Series at Garrison Art Center

Garrison Art Center is launching an Artist Toolbox series—practical talks focused on the nuts and bolts of being a professional artist and maker—to help our community build skills that extend beyond the studio. This series offers conversations centered on the essential, real-world aspects of professional creative practice. 

Use the promo code TOOLBOX when signing up for both December talks and get 10% off!

This talk introduces key ideas to help professional artists navigate the practical side of their careers. We’ll explore general approaches to organizing your work, managing your resources, and planning for long-term stability. Participants will gain an overview of concepts related to running an independent practice, developing sustainable habits, and building confidence in handling the everyday challenges that come with creative careers.

 The Artist Toolbox Series is supported by M&T Bank.

Take Your Art Career to the Next Level: Professional Presentation of Your Work

Part of the Artist Toolbox Series at Garrison Art Center

Garrison Art Center is launching an Artist Toolbox series—practical talks focused on the nuts and bolts of being a professional artist and maker—to help our community build skills that extend beyond the studio. This series offers conversations centered on the essential, real-world aspects of professional creative practice.

Use the promo code TOOLBOX when signing up for both talks and get 10% off!

Learn how to confidently share your artwork with the world in this informative workshop led by arts professional Karlyn Benson. Designed for emerging and established artists alike, this session covers the practical skills needed to professionally present, document, and promote your work for opportunities such as exhibitions, residencies, and grants. Benson will discuss the importance of an artist's website, statement, bio, CV, and images, as well as organizational tools to help manage your practice. Participants will gain a clear overview of how to present themselves professionally in order to gain exposure for their work.

The Artist Toolbox Series is supported by M&T Bank.

Are you looking to try your hand at pottery? Have you always wanted to learn how to work with clay and throw on a potter’s wheel? Well, look no further! This 6-week class is a great opportunity to dip your toe into the world of pottery and wheelthrowing and experience what it’s all about. This class is for beginners only; mature teenagers are welcome.

Additional materials are required.

Our class/workshop cancellation policy can be found here.

We believe art should be accessible to all. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. 

This class is designed for senior students who are self-motivated and have their own projects to work on. Instructor will be working on their own piece, for students to observe and to be inspired by. Students are encouraged to bring in their own reference photos to work from. Pastels will be available for use; all other materials need to be supplied by the student.

Our class/workshop cancellation policy can be found here.

We believe art should be accessible to all. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

This traditional figure drawing class emphasizes rigorous observational training to build confidence and control. Sessions begin with several 20-minute poses to warm up and sharpen technique. Every class then concludes with a single, longer pose—held for at least an hour—to allow for deeper study and refinement. A different model is featured each week, offering students fresh perspectives and continual growth in their figure-drawing practice.

Materials are not included. Experienced students can bring their own preferred materials. Supplies recommended for beginners and intermediate students:

• 18 x 24" pad of sketch paper with drawing board (can use GAC drawing board during class if desired)
• Vine charcoal sticks
• Compressed charcoal pencil (2B or softer) and sharpener
• Kneaded eraser
• Tortillon (paper stump)

Focused and mature teens age 15 and up can participate in this adult class with parental/ guardian permission. Please reach out to us if interested.

Our class/workshop cancellation policy can be found here.

We believe art should be accessible to all. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

Creative after-school class inspired by artist and engineer Alexander Calder. Using wire, string, found objects, and accents, young artists can explore sculpture, including toy design. Kids get creative with activities grounded in repurposing, imagination, art, and FUN!

Our class/workshop cancellation policy can be found here.

We believe art should be accessible to all. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

In this five part workshop, participants will make hand-spun yarn from fleece to fiber. It’s a great fit for complete beginners or fiber lovers of any kind - whether they are a knitter, weaver or even farmer. In any craft, it's important to know the origins of the material you’re working with, and this workshop is the perfect opportunity to form a greater understand of the way wool and other fibers work. It’s hands-on, meditative, and a way to engage with local ecosystems and fiber suppliers. 

On the first day, we will prepare a raw fleece from a nearby farm. Through skirting, separating and scouring, we will end up with a clean fleece no longer covered in dirt and lanolin. Participants will learn about the characteristics of wool and other cellulose and protein fibers. 

On the second day, we will dye the fiber into vibrant colors using natural dyes. 

Then, the next day we process the clean fiber through carders and combs - transforming the fleece into top, roving, and rolags ready to be spun. 

On the fourth day, participants will transform their fiber into yarn by hand using a drop spindle, with a spinning wheel available if anyone feels ready for it. It’s a tricky craft that requires a lot of patience, but participants will leave with a great foundation and an excitement to continue spinning. Making your own yarn is so fulfilling and makes every knitted, woven, or crocheted textile even more personal. 

On the last day, participants will be introduced to different methods of making textiles with wool like wet felting, needle felting, and weaving. There will be free time to explore these techniques to create an artwork with our clean wool and yarn - a labor of love from start to finish.

Our class/workshop cancellation policy can be found here.

We believe art should be accessible to all. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

This hands-on class guides students through the process of creating a realistic humpback whale sculpture using needle felting techniques. The class combines wire armature construction with wool sculpting to produce a detailed, lifelike marine creature that captures the graceful form and movement of the humpback whale.

Learn:

-How to design and build a sturdy wire armature to support the whale’s body and fins.

-Techniques for layering and shaping wool to achieve accurate proportions and contours.

-Methods for blending wool colors to create natural-like skin.

All materials provided. Each class will run approximately 3 hours and each student will complete a fully formed needle-felted humpback whale sculpture with a wire-supported structure, ready for display or as a unique handmade gift.

This class is scheduled to be in our print studio, which is only accessible by stairs.

Our class/workshop cancellation policy can be found here. 

We believe art should be accessible to all.  Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.