Summer

Explore the profound impact of storytelling and how it shapes our world, points of view, and how we express ourselves.

Discover and play with color using pigmented slips. This workshop will focus on low-fire decorating techniques and methods of hand building utilizing coils and slabs.

Using the self as source, students will learn an interwoven combination of slab, coil, and pinch construction methods to hollow-build a self-referential bust. Build skills in how to create an interior clay armature, enlarge a maquette, and sculpt the figure!

Learn the art of sterling silver “paper-clip” chain making in this hands-on workshop, where you’ll craft your own unique necklace while exploring essential jewelry techniques in a creative and inspiring environment.

This workshop is designed for experienced pianists to improve their performance skills and repertoire. Practice and learn alongside professional and performing piano artists in our beautiful William M. Lowman Concert Hall.

Explore the uniquely classic Hopi technique of silver overlay metalsmithing. Silver overlay, as a technique for conveying traditional Hopi designs in silver, originated in 1938 from drawings produced at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Later, Fred Kabotie (Hopi), a noted former Idyllwild Arts faculty, taught this technique for World War II veterans’ classes held from 1947-1951 in Arizona.

Spend a week with creative souls developing a new perspective on mastering the secret techniques of advanced wheel throwing! Create intricately detailed ceramic pieces while mastering size, design, and balance. Join us for a journey in creativity and skill-building!

This workshop, led by master screenprinter Jacob Meders, introduces the art of screen printing with a focus on cultural identity and altered perceptions of place. Participants will develop their own designs using 2-D principles, create a matrix for screen exposure, and experiment with techniques like rubylith cutting. The hands-on experience includes printing on paper, fabric, and t-shirts, allowing for an interdisciplinary exploration of personal and cultural expression.

Idyllwild Arts is honored to welcome Diné master weavers and sisters Barbara Teller Ornelas and Lynda Teller Pete for their 28th year teaching in the summer program. This workshop will provide a hands-on view of the world of Navajo weaving, supporting you as you weave your own Diné inspired rug.

This hands-on workshop explores the artistry and cultural significance of Lakota-style hand drums and moccasins. Participants will craft a hand drum from elk hide and rawhide lacing while learning about its role in ceremonies and social songs, as well as create custom-fit moccasins using traditional materials like elk buckskin and latigo hide.

Experience the art of quillwork firsthand and engage in the entire process, from extracting quills from a Porcupine pelt to cleaning, dying, and using them as an embroidery fiber. The workshop will culminate in creating your own smoked, brain-tanned deerskin drawstring pouch adorned with embroidered quills.

Learn the fundamentals of hot glass art and the technical and philosophical elements to inspire your work with expert one-on-one guidance from renowned Hopi glass artists.

*Due to popular demand, in addition to this first glassblowing session, we are also offering a second session. You may enroll in both weeks or just one. For returning students, the second session will be an opportunity to dive deeper into your newly established glassmaking skills and advance to making larger objects with greater detail.

Create wheel-thrown forms, learn underglazing and texturing techniques, and explore essential preparations and firing techniques for successful soda firing.

This surface workshop explores screen-printing, stenciling, and underglaze transfers on greenware. Create layered, dynamic surfaces on hand-built forms, experiment with custom silk screens and color palettes, and learn techniques to enhance your decorative style.

A no-nonsense, comprehensive course that pursues oil painting from life.

Join students of all levels to gather around a round table to bead, talk, laugh, and learn. You will receive detailed hands-on instruction and demonstrations on creating an array of beaded wearable art projects using quality materials such as Swarovski crystals and Czechoslovakian glass cut beads.

Learn the fundamentals of hot glass art and the technical and philosophical elements to inspire your work with expert one-on-one guidance from renowned Hopi glass artists.

*Due to popular demand, we are excited to offer this second glassblowing session. You may enroll in both weeks or just one. For returning students, this second session is the opportunity to dive deeper into your newly established glassmaking skills and advance to making larger objects with greater detail.

Learn to properly gather, process, and work with plant materials to create a Cahuilla Basket. Along the way, you will learn about Cahuilla Basketry’s cultural significance in Cahuilla communities.

Idyllwild Arts is honored to welcome Diné master weavers and sisters Barbara Teller Ornelas and Lynda Teller Pete for their 28th year teaching in the summer program. This Level II workshop offers a more in-depth experience ideal for beginning weaving students as well as more advanced students who have projects they may need troubleshooting with or completing.

Design patterns and create colorful collages in semi-precious stones as you learn how to operate lapidary equipment to cut, grind, and polish stones to set into the silver form of your choice, such as bracelets, pendants, belt buckles, and rings, which you will create!

*Due to popular demand, we are excited to offer two Navajo Inlay Jewelry sessions.. You may enroll in both weeks or just one. For returning students, the second session provides the opportunity to dive deeper into your newly established jewelry making skills and work on additional projects or continue a larger project.

Learn the Hopi-Tewa method of creating polychrome pottery, which utilizes traditional materials and techniques such as hand building, polishing, painting, and traditional firing.

This workshop, led by experts in California native plants, creates community through a learning journey that includes meadow talk conversations, a field trip to local Cahuilla rock art sites, and an in-depth analysis of the medicinal properties of California native plants that have cured and maintained the health and wellness of Indigenous people for millennia.

Learn the basics of seat weaving with Danish paper cord and take home a completed walnut and Danish cord stool.

Discover how to create tableware by blending wheel throwing, slabs, and bisque mold-making techniques, mastering consistency and precision in every form.

Create three dimensional relief surfaces while expanding your handbuilding skills using soft slab construction.

What does it mean to write with the environment? How does the environment shape the content and form of our work? This workshop will focus on environmental writing across genres and how they can contribute to our overall practice of writing eco-literature.

Get an introduction to the timeless art of stained glass and the fundamentals of its creation. Taught by glasswork artist Ramson Lomatewama, this workshop is unique because it is taught through the worldview of Hopi culture.

A lighthearted workshop geared toward building acting improv technique and tools while having lots of fun.

From the Real to the Surreal, Shopping Malls to Emmitt Till:
Examine the world of documentary poetics by studying the poetry of contemporary poets and using their work as models for your own poems.

Design patterns and create colorful collages in semi-precious stones as you learn how to operate lapidary equipment to cut, grind, and polish stones to set into the silver form of your choice, such as bracelets, pendants, belt buckles, and rings, which you will create!

*Due to popular demand, we are excited to offer this second Navajo Inlay Jewelry session. You may enroll in both weeks or just one. For returning students, this is the opportunity to dive deeper into your newly established jewelrymaking skills and work on additional projects or continue a larger project.

Idyllwild Arts is honored to welcome Diné master weavers and sisters Barbara Teller Ornelas and Lynda Teller Pete for their 28th year teaching in the summer program. This Level III workshop is optimal for those interested in expanding their already established skills in weaving. This workshop also welcomes beginners but emphasizes completing projects, troubleshooting, and learning more about weaving techniques, wool dying, and spinning.

This program is designed to introduce students to the many varied forms of art. Students will discover the joy of making one of a kind designs as their creativity unfolds and develops throughout the week.

*This is a Junior Artists program and will follow those guidelines outlined in our FAQ section.