Saratoga Arts upcoming events

Feathered Friends: Inspired by Amy Tan's The Backyard Bird Chronicles (16 Apr 2026)

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Feathered Friends:

Inspired by Amy Tan's The Backyard Bird Chronicles

taught by Jo Johnson

In this hands-on adult art class, students will explore drawing and painting birds through a variety of approachable techniques, inspired by Amy Tan’s The Backyard Bird Chronicles. We’ll begin by practicing sketching basic bird shapes using pencil, then move into expressive brush and ink work. Students will follow a step-by-step watercolor demonstration to paint a bird, enhancing details and texture with colored pencils. Drawing inspiration from Tan’s observations and artistic journaling, each student will select one of their bird studies to transform into a mixed media collage, combining drawing, painting, and layered materials for a unique final piece. No prior experience is necessary—just curiosity, creativity, and a love of birds.

Find the book, Amy Tan's The Backyard Bird Chronicles here:

https://www.northshire.com/book/9780593536131

All supplies will be provided.

1 session class, Thursday, April 16** from 1 pm-4 pm

$42.50 member/$50 non-member

Price breakdown:

$37.50 member/$45 non-member plus $5 supply fee

**Original dates for this class have changed from Tuesday, April 14 to Thursday, April 16**

Upcycled Paper and Wood Jewelry (18 Apr 2026)

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Upcycled Paper and Wood Jewelry

taught by Mary Frances Millet

In this hands-on class students will explore the creative possibilities of upcycling ephemera (things that exist or are used or enjoyed for only a short time) into one-of-a-kind wearable art. Using a rich selection of materials—including vintage books and magazines, maps, leather, sari fabric, old letters, and a variety of handmade and origami papers—participants will design and create unique pieces of jewelry such as earrings, necklaces, and pins.

This class celebrates sustainability, storytelling, and personal expression, inviting students to transform forgotten fragments into meaningful works of art.

All materials provided. Ages 12 and up welcome.

1 session class, Saturday, April 18, 2026, 10 AM-1 PM

$47.50 member/$55 non-member

$37.50 member/$45 non-member with $10 material fee

Texture painting (20 May 2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Texture Painting

with Danielle McCann

This two-part workshop is designed to introduce participants to the fundamentals of texture painting while building confidence in using dimensional materials to create expressive, tactile artwork. Students will be introduced to texture materials and tools, demonstrations of simple, beginner-friendly techniques, they will create textured base ready for painting and have hands-on experimentation with patterns and movement.

No prior experience with texture painting is required. This course is suitable for beginners as well as artists looking to expand their mixed-media or acrylic painting practice in a relaxed, social setting.

All supplies for this class will be provided including pre-primed canvas, tools, texture medium, acrylic paints and brushes.

2 Session class-Wednesdays, May 20-27, 2026, 6:00-9:00 PM

$115 member/$130 non-member

$75 member/$90 non-member with a $40 material fee

www.thelittlenorwegiancandleco.com

Freeform Mosaic Mandala (21 May 2026)

Thu, 21 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Freeform Mosaic Mandala

taught by Linda Biggers

In this workshop students will make a mandala using slate, stone, tile, smalti and found objects. The mandala will take on a life of it’s own, as the variation of sizes of natural stone create a starburst shape.

Students are welcome to bring found objects to use in their mosaics.

All materials will be provided. All skill levels encouraged to register.

1 session class, Thursday, May 21, 2026, 6:00 PM-9:00 PM

$77.50 member/$85 non-member

Price breakdown:

$37.50 member/$45 non-member plus $40 material fee

http://www.eggshellmosaicart.com

https://www.instagram.com/lindabiggers/

https://www.facebook.com/MosaicsbyLinda/