Adult Education
Classes crafted & led by teaching artists
Fall: October 13 - December 6
There will be no adult classes or workshops from November 23 to November 29
Registration opens August 13th at 5PM
Class registration closes October 9th at 5PM
Registration for workshops closes 48 hours before first lesson
Our offerings:
-
The Arts League offers weekly classes in various mediums. Classes meet once a week.
All 6-week classes include a free 7th week of Open Studio times to finish up projects or simply to create.
-
The Arts League’s workshops run from one to four weeks. These shorter offerings are ideal for tight schedules or for anyone looking for a crash course.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Most of our classes and workshops are designed to be accessible to people of all skill levels. Make sure to read the description carefully to see if it is a good fit for you!
-
Unless otherwise noted in the class description, The Arts League will provide all necessary supplies.
-
If a registration is cancelled more than two weeks before the first day of class, The Arts League will provide a full refund.
If a registration is cancelled within two weeks before the first day of class, The Arts League will provide a 50% refund.
If a registration is cancelled after class has begun, no refund will be provided. Transfers or credits may be offered on a case by case basis.
If you need to make a change to your registration, contact us.
If you have additional questions, contact us.
6-Week Classes
Monday
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
MONDAYS
10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/30
6PM - 8PM
Open Studio Week:
11/30 - 12/6
Class Description:
Oil paint is a flexible and forgiving medium with an intimidating reputation. This good-natured boot camp will focus on speed and dynamism, developing students’ comfort level and joy when working with oils. Classes will work from a still life, spending one or two sessions on each painting. In addition to color, value and accuracy, students will learn enough easy-to-follow safety practices so that they may set up a home studio affordably.
NOTE: A $25 MATERIALS FEE IS INCLUDED WITH THIS CLASS.
Teacher Info:
Jack Tobin-Gross is a multimedia illustrator and materials nerd. He studied at several DIY collectives as well as the Art Students League, Spring Studio and MICA, and holds a BFA from Alfred University. Originally from NYC, he lives and works in Philadelphia as an educator and general artist for hire.
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
MONDAYS
10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/30
Time: 6 PM - 9 PM
Open Studio Week:
11/30 - 12/6
Class Description:
Build a foundation in all aspects of pottery, developing skills and techniques for making functional pieces you can use and enjoy. Demos and hands-on instruction in throwing, trimming and glazing will allow students of all levels to develop and refine their work. Students will develop their ability to see, explore ideas and create with curiosity. This is primarily a class for those developing wheel throwing skills but several projects will incorporate hand building techniques. Come and discover the possibilities with clay!
Required Supplies:
Clay: Available for purchase using the add-on below or in the studio on arrival. No outside clay is allowed.
Tools: Available for purchase using the add-on below or in the studio. We also have a limited supply of shared tools.
Weekly open studio hours:
Monday: 3:00pm- 6:00pm
Thursday: 3:00-6:00pm
Friday: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Teacher Info:
Isabel Llosa is a Philadelphia-based artist whose work is inspired by the natural world, with a particular focus on human-nature interactions and shapeshifting animals as a motif for emotional growth. Isabel explores the connection between ceramics, painting, and poetry and practices these art forms in conversation as a site for processing climate grief, physical and emotional trauma.
Tuesday
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
TUESDAYS
10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17
6PM - 8PM
Open Studio Week:
11/30 - 12/6
Class Description:
ALL LEVELS: From absolute beginners to intermediate painters, all students will receive individualized, step-by-step guidance.
Slow down and enjoy a creative autumn escape. Autumnal Dreams celebrates the beauty, mystery, and atmosphere of the season, designed to be as relaxing or as skill-focused as you would like it to be.
Students will create paintings inspired by their own selection of meaningful autumn memories and favorite photographs. Think golden leaves, candlelight, twilight skies, gardens, forests, cozy interiors, seasonal travels, or any image that captures the magic of fall. Bring between one and six reference images on your phone, and Jo will guide you in transforming them into a beautiful, personal painting.
Instruction is available in both oil and acrylic painting, and students are welcome to choose their preferred medium.
You are invited to shape your own experience in the class. Some students may want to focus on technical growth, while others may simply enjoy slowing down, making art, and celebrating the season through painting.
Come paint, unwind, and enjoy a welcoming creative space while making a keepsake that captures both a meaningful memory and your own autumn creative journey.
You'll learn to:
Build strong compositions from personal reference images.
Create atmosphere through color, light, and shadow.
Mix rich seasonal color palettes.
Use expressive brushwork to describe texture and form.
Develop a painting from initial sketch to finished piece.
NOTE: A $25 MATERIALS FEE IS INCLUDED WITH THIS CLASS.
Teacher Info:
Jo Gamel lives and works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she attended Moore College of Art & Design. She has taught painting, illustration and and drawing at Moore College of Art & Design, University City Arts League, and Mural Arts Philadelphia. She is also the Artist Liaison for The Jane Gallery, located on 3rd Street in Old City, and the director of the gallery at The Art League. Gamel studied Contemporary Art Gallery Management at Sotheby's, New York.
Gamel has exhibited her work internationally at institutions such as the Louvre Museum in Paris, Chelsea Old Town Hall in London, the European Museum of Modern Art in Barcelona, and Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. She has received several honors including the Women in Art Excellence Award from Artio Gallery in London and the Excellence in Painting Award from Moore. Her work has also been featured in Create! Magazine as well as a guest speaker on many premiere art podcasts.
She is passionate about helping students build confidence, develop their skills, and discover what is possible in their own painting practice.
Instagram – @jogamel
Website - www.jogamel.com
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
TUESDAYS
10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17
Time:
6-8 PM
Open Studio Week:
11/30 - 12/6
Class Description:
In this course we will learn all basic elements of tapestry weaving. Each student will receive a loom and learn to prepare the loom to weave. We will then use this setup to all weave a sampler which will teach the basics of tapestry weaving. Once we have all gained this confidence and experience students will then begin to work with designs of their choosing. Students will have the option to work with as simple or complex designs as they choose with plenty of oversight and assistance from their instructor. This class is intended to be a fun and approachable introduction to a complex craft form. We will look at many books of tapestry from around the world so students can connect further with the history and beauty of the medium. Every student will leave with their own tapestry as well as a loom and the knowledge to continue weaving.
NOTE: THERE IS A $25 MATERIALS FEE FOR FIRST-TIME PARTICIPANTS. IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME TAKING THIS CLASS, PLEASE SELECT THE MATERIALS FEE ADD-ON BELOW. MATERIALS MUST BE PURCHASED AT LEAST SEVEN DAYS BEFORE THE FIRST LESSON.
Teacher Info:
Tali Burry-Schnepp is a weaver, printmaker and painter practicing in West Philadelphia. She has a BFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts where she studied traditional painting and printmaking techniques that inform her interest in historic art making processes. Tali is dedicated to exploring fine art and craft mediums as a means of bringing the beauty of the human hand back into our everyday lives. Her work often revolves around themes of nature and often uses materials directly sourced from the natural world.
Instagram - @_throwingmud
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
TUESDAYS
10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17
Time: 6 PM - 9 PM
Open Studio Week:
11/30 - 12/6
Class Description:
Build a foundation in all aspects of pottery, developing skills and techniques for making functional pieces you can use and enjoy. Demos and hands-on instruction in throwing, trimming and glazing will allow students of all levels to develop and refine their work. Students will develop their ability to see, explore ideas and create with curiosity. This is primarily a class for those developing wheel throwing skills but several projects will incorporate hand building techniques. Come and discover the possibilities with clay!
Required Supplies:
Clay: Available for purchase using the add-on below or in the studio on arrival. No outside clay is allowed.
Tools: Available for purchase using the add-on below or in the studio. We also have a limited supply of shared tools.
Weekly open studio hours:
Monday: 3:00pm- 6:00pm
Thursday: 3:00-6:00pm
Friday: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Teacher Info:
James Lee is a Korean American ceramicist based in Philadelphia. Inspired by his heritage and a childhood surrounded by celadon vases and moon jars, he blends traditional Korean pottery forms with modern design to create work that connects history and innovation.
Website - www.pearfaceclay.com
Instagram - @pearfaceclay
Wednesday
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
WEDNESDAYS
10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2
NOTE: TAL will be closed on 11/11. A make-up lesson will be held on 12/2
6PM - 8PM
Open Studio Week:
11/30 - 12/6
Class Description:
If you have had sewing machine experience and are looking to dive into the world of making your own clothes, this is the class for you!
You must bring:
1. A pair of elastic waistband shorts or pants that you like the fit of and want to copy
2. Fabric for your new pants
About 2-3 yards of fabric, depending on size and length preference
Light to medium weight / loose / flowy is best
The Resource Exchange in NE Philly is a great option for second-hand materials).
Class 1 and 2: We will begin by looking at the construction of our existing clothing items, tracing the pattern pieces for our new version onto paper, and making any adjustments needed, like adding a flare detail, increasing the length, or turning pants into shorts.
Class 3 and 4: Cutting out our pants from our new fabric and beginning to construct the new pair.
Class 5 and 6: Completing pant construction and adding any final detail to our pants + show and tell!
Teacher Info:
Emily Hermann is a fiber artist, writer, teacher, and sustainability professional. She explores themes of devotion, truth, love, and creative re-use of materials through her art. Self-taught through YouTube videos, Emily began her sewing journey with thrift-flips, upcycling, and self-drafting garments in 2021. While she dabbles in other art forms (i.e., knitting, print-making, ceramics, embroidery, poetry writing, and drawing), sewing remains her favorite form of creative expression. She’s been teaching sewing classes at the Arts League since Spring 2024.
Instagram - @hemswithem
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
WEDNESDAYS
10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2
NOTE: TAL will be closed on 11/11. A make-up lesson will be held on 12/2
Time: 6 PM - 9 PM
Open Studio Week:
11/30 - 12/6
Class Description:
Build a foundation in all aspects of pottery, developing skills and techniques for making functional pieces you can use and enjoy. Demos and hands-on instruction in throwing, trimming and glazing will allow students of all levels to develop and refine their work. Students will develop their ability to see, explore ideas and create with curiosity. This is primarily a class for those developing wheel throwing skills but several projects will incorporate hand building techniques. Come and discover the possibilities with clay!
Required Supplies:
Clay: Available for purchase using the add-on below or in the studio on arrival. No outside clay is allowed.
Tools: Available for purchase using the add-on below or in the studio. We also have a limited supply of shared tools.
Weekly open studio hours:
Monday: 3:00pm- 6:00pm
Thursday: 3:00-6:00pm
Friday: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Teacher Info:
Clare Farrow is a ceramic artist based in Philadelphia. Her work, featured in international exhibits, centers wheel-thrown and wood-fired pottery, where she explores the dynamic interplay between meticulously crafted forms and the spontaneous, unpredictable surfaces created by the kiln’s atmosphere. Clare finds joy in teaching and offers classes for both teens and adults at studios across the city.
Instagram - @claremarieclay
Thursday
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
THURSDAYS
10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19
Time:
6-8 PM
Open Studio Week:
11/30 - 12/6
Class Description:
This is an opportunity to explore the visual world and your creative relationship to it no matter what experience you have with drawing. The course will support students by teaching drawing foundations as well as encouraging experimentation. Each week, working both indoors and out, students will experience new ways of approaching in their drawing, in order to gain new skills and a greater understanding of their style.
Teacher Info:
Tali Burry-Schnepp is a weaver, printmaker and painter practicing in West Philadelphia. She has a BFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts where she studied traditional painting and printmaking techniques that inform her interest in historic art making processes. Tali is dedicated to exploring fine art and craft mediums as a means of bringing the beauty of the human hand back into our everyday lives. Her work often revolves around themes of nature and often uses materials directly sourced from the natural world.
Instagram - @_throwingmud
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
THURSDAYS
10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19
Time: 6 PM - 8 PM
Open Studio Week:
11/30 - 12/6
Class Description:
In this hands-on class we will explore traditional carving techniques using hand tools. Students will learn how to transform a block of wood into a completed sculpture- from the initial sketch to finishing methods. Topics to be discussed include wood as a medium, safe tool handling, care, and sharpening, and woodcarving tradition and technique from around the world.
NOTE: THERE IS A $25 MATERIALS FEE FOR FIRST-TIME PARTICIPANTS. IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME TAKING THIS CLASS, PLEASE SELECT THE MATERIALS FEE ADD-ON BELOW. MATERIALS MUST BE PURCHASED AT LEAST SEVEN DAYS BEFORE THE FIRST CLASS.
Teacher Info:
John Ryan is sculptor, puppeteer and illustrator currently based in Philadelphia. He has toured with the nationally recognized Catskill Puppet Theater for many years and is a founding member of Thought Alarm Theater. John has taught classes through Hartwick College, The Upper Catskill Community Center of the Arts and various other organizations
Social Media - @john_ryan_studios
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
THURSDAYS
10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19
Time: 6 PM - 9 PM
Open Studio Week:
11/30 - 12/6
Class Description:
Build a foundation in all aspects of pottery, developing skills and techniques for making functional pieces you can use and enjoy. Demos and hands-on instruction in throwing, trimming and glazing will allow students of all levels to develop and refine their work. Students will develop their ability to see, explore ideas and create with curiosity. This is primarily a class for those developing wheel throwing skills but several projects will incorporate hand building techniques. Come and discover the possibilities with clay!
Required Supplies:
Clay: Available for purchase using the add-on below or in the studio on arrival. No outside clay is allowed.
Tools: Available for purchase using the add-on below or in the studio. We also have a limited supply of shared tools.
Weekly open studio hours:
Monday: 3:00pm- 6:00pm
Thursday: 3:00-6:00pm
Friday: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Teacher Info:
Angelique Scott is a Caribbean-American artist, educator, and activist whose work explores Afro-diasporic material culture through the use of clay, fiber (hair, satin, cotton), cowrie shells, indigo, and found objects. She creates both utilitarian and decorative pieces that adorn and hold space for connection, witnessing, reflection, and confrontation—offering an embodied way of understanding and remembering. Scott’s studio practice is rooted in self and community preservation, functioning as a form of protest against systemic violence—particularly capitalism, racism, and sexism. She received her BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University and her MFA from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture. Scott maintains a vibrant studio arts practice investigating spirituality, wellness, and communal healing through craft.
Instagram - @ceramics.byangelique
Saturday
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
SATURDAYS
10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21
12 PM - 2 PM
Open Studio Week:
11/30 - 12/6
Class Description:
This is an intro class to alternative processes in photography. No camera? No problem. In this class, we will explore cyanotype, anthotype, phytograms, lumen printing and making pinhole cameras. Learn ways to capture memories using nature and materials in your home.
Students will also be conceptually challenged to think about how their materials relate to their subject matter.
Students should leave with one print from each process taught in the class.
NOTE: A $25 MATERIALS FEE IS INCLUDED WITH THIS CLASS.
Teacher Info:
Adriana Burgos is a printmaker and photographer from Philadelphia. Her work revolves around her cultural background. She enjoys printmaking and alternative processes of photography because they require her to have her hand in the craft making her work feel more intimate than other mediums.
Social Media - @arte_con_adriana
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
SATURDAYS
10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21
12 PM - 2 PM
Open Studio Week:
11/30 - 12/6
Class Description:
Explore the basics of soldering brass/silver. Students will be walked through techniques but most of the class will be exploratory learning via hands on challenges (project runway style).
This class is ideal for those who like puzzles, design, patterns, and systems. This class is also for those who collect small trinkets or rocks.
Students will learn how to solder metals together using small hand held torches, and how to saw/file metal.
This is an exploratory class, focusing on best practices and technique. Students will walk away with the knowledge they need to work on larger multi-week projects in Hot Connections 2.
NOTE: A $25 MATERIALS FEE IS INCLUDED WITH THIS CLASS.
Teacher Info:
aviva is a multimedia designer and material artist, they are on a perpetual quest to work with every medium, with processes bending heavily toward tactile experimentation
Instagram - @palindrome.princess
Sunday
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, 11/22
11 AM - 1 PM
Open Studio Week:
11/30 - 12/6
Class Description:
Learn how to make your own jewelry from scratch in this beginner-friendly, hands-on class. Each session, you’ll learn a new skill and work with materials like copper, brass, beads, and chains to create your own full jewelry set—designed by you and made with your hands.
Perfect for beginners, first-time makers, and anyone curious about jewelry making. No experience needed—just a willingness to try something new and creative.
Students will learn essential jewelry-making techniques including shaping, hammering, forming, texturing, soldering, and finishing metal, along with basic wire work and assembling elements like chains and beads. Each class introduces a new skill that builds toward creating different types of jewelry pieces.
By the end of the course, each student will walk away with a complete handmade jewelry set including earrings, a ring, a bracelet, and a necklace—all designed and made by them.
NOTE: A $25 MATERIALS FEE IS INCLUDED WITH THIS CLASS.
Teacher Info:
I am a silversmith and founder of Ninimosi Jewelry. Working from a small home studio in Jenkintown, PA, I hand-forge each piece using recycled precious metals and traditional metalsmithing techniques. My work is rooted in personal history, slow fashion, and the belief that jewelry making is a form of art that creates wearable art while expresses individual personality. My goal is to spread traditional jewelry-making skills, ensuring the craft remains alive and human in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Social Media - @ninimosidesigns
Website - ninimosi.com
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
SUNDAYS
10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, 11/22
Time: 10 AM - 1 PM
Open Studio Week:
11/30 - 12/6
Class Description:
Build a foundation in all aspects of pottery, developing skills and techniques for making functional pieces you can use and enjoy. Demos and hands-on instruction in throwing, trimming and glazing will allow students of all levels to develop and refine their work. Students will develop their ability to see, explore ideas and create with curiosity. This is primarily a class for those developing wheel throwing skills but several projects will incorporate hand building techniques. Come and discover the possibilities with clay!
Required Supplies:
Clay: Available for purchase using the add-on below or in the studio on arrival. No outside clay is allowed.
Tools: Available for purchase using the add-on below or in the studio. We also have a limited supply of shared tools.
Weekly open studio hours:
Monday: 3:00pm- 6:00pm
Thursday: 3:00-6:00pm
Friday: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Teacher Info:
Josh Landow is a wheel-throwing focused ceramic artist with 30 years of experience. His work tends to be very precise and angular in nature. He's been involved with The Arts League as a studio monitor and teacher since 2016.
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
SUNDAYS
10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, 11/22
Time:
4 PM - 7 PM
Open Studio Week:
11/30 - 12/6
Class Description:
Build a foundation in all aspects of pottery, developing skills and techniques for making functional pieces you can use and enjoy. Demos and hands-on instruction in throwing, trimming and glazing will allow students of all levels to develop and refine their work. Students will develop their ability to see, explore ideas and create with curiosity. This is primarily a class for those developing wheel throwing skills but several projects will incorporate hand building techniques. Come and discover the possibilities with clay!
Required Supplies:
Clay: Available for purchase using the add-on below or in the studio on arrival. No outside clay is allowed.
Tools: Available for purchase using the add-on below or in the studio. We also have a limited supply of shared tools.
Weekly open studio hours:
Monday: 3:00pm- 6:00pm
Thursday: 3:00-6:00pm
Friday: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Teacher Info:
Riley Watson is a queer sculptor and potter currently based in Philadelphia, with a BFA in ceramics and painting from Alfred University. Watson's purpose as an artist and teacher is to inspire intellectual and artistic growth. They believe that art is more impactful as a process than as a product, and that teaching is a collaborative endeavor. Students can expect to learn lessons in patience, mindfulness, observation, and problem solving through both wheel throwing and handbuilding.
"As an instructor I am just one of the resources your registration entitles you to. That means it's my job to help you reach your goals and make the most out of this experience."
Workshops
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
THURSDAYS
11/5, 11/12, 11/19
Time:
6 PM - 8 PM
Class Description:
Get more out of your clothes! Students in this class will bring in clothing to decorate, alter, and make unique. Many different materials and techniques will be available in this class, including fabric markers and paint, decals, stamps, embroidery, and hand and machine sewing, making it perfect for an advanced sewer or a first timer. Students will transform a garment into a work of art. The focus is on creativity, expression, and fun. Students will walk away with one-of-a-kind clothing and the ability to say "hey thanks, I made it!" when receiving compliments on their new outfit.
Teacher Info:
Dev is a fiber artist, educator, and musician. Dev has been teaching fiber arts in the Arts League’s youth program since 2024. Dev centers playfulness and fun in her creative process, and practices upcycling as her main creative outlet.
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
THURSDAYS
11/5, 11/12, 11/19
6PM - 8PM
Class Description:
Discover how intentional color choices can strengthen representation, composition, and mood: In this class we'll explore self-portraiture, develop skills in observation, color mixing, composition, and expressive painting with a limited color-palette.
This workshop is open to all-levels. It is ideal for anyone interested in painting, portraiture, or developing their observational skills, whether exploring self-portraiture for the first time or looking to refine their artistic practice.
Participants will study a variety self portraits painted by contemporary and art-historical giants, practice color mixing, observational drawing, and portrait painting techniques. Students who complete the assignment will create an expressive self-portrait using a limited color palette.
Objectives:
- Develop observational drawing and painting skills using a mirror or reference image.
- Learn how to mix a wide range of colors from a limited palette.
- Understand the relationships between color, value, temperature, and light in portrait painting.
- Explore techniques for creating form, depth, and expressive color with intentional color choices.
- Build confidence in painting from observation while experimenting with personal expression.
Teacher Info:
Skye Volmar graduated in 2015 with a BFA in Painting from The Rhode Island School of design. Her work often centers expressive figure painting, portraiture, flowers, and still lives. She's currently a dual-degree MFA, MSW candidate at The University of Pennsylvania.
Social Media: @skyevolmar | @studio.volmar
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
Dates:
10/15 or 10/29
Time:
6 PM - 8 PM
Class Description:
Students will learn to repair existing garments using scrap denim and sashiko thread. We will use a whipstitch and hand-sew the patches to the back of a hole in a pair of jeans as a form of visible mending. Students will walk away with a repaired/mended garment as well as a new skill they can apply to future projects.
Teacher Info:
Sharon Hillman (she/her) is a textile artist, illustrator, and designer in South Philly. She creates one-of-a-kind upcycled clothing, accessories, and home decor using reclaimed and secondhand materials. She also teaches a variety of workshops including machine and hand-sewn appliqué, mending, and sashiko.
Instagram - @funhousestudiophl
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
SATURDAYS
10/31, 11/7, 11/14
Time:
2 PM - 4 PM
Class Description:
This is a beginner-friendly workshop, though some sewing machine experience will help. Students will:
- Bring in clothes that have rips or fit issues (holes in socks or other items, pants with gaping waist, bottoms that need hemming, items that are too big in the waist, or any other issues)
- Learn alteration and mending techniques to make their clothes last longer
- Learn about clothing construction
- Learn how to troubleshoot challenges
- Learn to change sewing machine feet and needles
- Learn to put in a zipper, new button, and elastic (as needed)
- Leave with one or more altered/mended clothing items and the knowledge of how to do it again!
- Make friends and community of like-minded crafters
Teacher Info:
Emily Hermann is a fiber artist, writer, teacher, and sustainability professional. She explores themes of devotion, truth, love, and creative re-use of materials through her art. Self-taught through YouTube videos, Emily began her sewing journey with thrift-flips, upcycling, and self-drafting garments in 2021. While she dabbles in other art forms (i.e., knitting, print-making, ceramics, embroidery, poetry writing, and drawing), sewing remains her favorite form of creative expression. She’s been teaching sewing classes at the Arts League since Spring 2024.
Instagram - @hemswithem
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
MONDAYS
11/2, 11/9, 11/16
6 PM - 9 PM
Class Description:
Carve your own ring in wax using an ancient jewelry-making technique, then finish it in metal after it’s cast offsite. This beginner-friendly class guides you from design to polished, wearable piece, giving you a one-of-a-kind ring you made entirely yourself.
Perfect for beginners, creatives, and anyone curious about jewelry making without prior experience. Ideal for those who enjoy hands-on, meditative work and want to create something personal and meaningful.
Students will learn beginner wax carving techniques, including shaping, refining, and adding texture to their designs. The class also introduces the basics of designing for casting, and students will gain skills in finishing and polishing metal after casting.
Each participant will complete a carved wax ring they design on their own during the first week. After it is cast in metal, they will finish and polish it themselves during the second week workshop. Students will leave with a one-of-a-kind ring of their own design and a full understanding of the wax-to-metal process from concept to finished piece.
NOTE: A $25 MATERIALS FEE IS INCLUDED WITH THIS WORKSHOP.
Teacher Info:
I am a silversmith and founder of Ninimosi Jewelry. Working from a small home studio in Jenkintown, PA, I hand-forge each piece using recycled precious metals and traditional metalsmithing techniques. My work is rooted in personal history, slow fashion, and the belief that jewelry making is a form of art that creates wearable art while expresses individual personality. My goal is to spread traditional jewelry-making skills, ensuring the craft remains alive and human in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Social Media - @ninimosidesigns
Website - ninimosi.com
FALL: OCTOBER 13 - DECEMBER 6
MONDAYS
10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/30
6PM - 8PM
Open Studio Week:
11/30 - 12/6
Class Description:
This class offers an introduction to quilting on a domestic or home sewing machine, using the foundational nine-patch block to create a patchwork quilt known as an Irish Chain. The finished quilt will feature machine piecing and straight line quilting.
This class is suitable for participants who are comfortable using a sewing machine and looking to explore the basic steps and processes of quilting.
Participants will learn basic techniques including strip piecing, web piecing, and machine binding.
Walk away with a lap- or baby-sized Irish Chain quilt!
Teacher Info:
Krystle Merchant is a quilter and sewist currently living in Germantown. She opened Zipped & Printed, focused on incorporating African wax prints into handmade accessories and apparel, in 2015 and added quilting to her practice in 2020. She has been teaching since 2008 and loves to try new crafts between quilting projects!
Instagram - @zippedandprinted