Crafts & Cocktails

  • General visual arts
Clifton Cultural Arts Center: 3412 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA
Jan 17 2025
May 16 2025

Schedules

Chandeliers & Champagne (Jan 17) (01/17/2025-01/17/2025) Registration closed

Supporter Level
$52.00
FULL TUITION
$30.00
Scholarship Level I
$23.00
Scholarship Level II
$15.00
Scholarship Level III
$12.00
  • Mon 
  • Tue 
  • Wed 
  • Thu 
  • Fri6:00 - 8:00 pm
  • Sat 
  • Sun 

Description

 

Schedule Description

Using paper, pompoms, and fairy lights, we will create a hanging masterpiece using humble materials. While enjoying a delicious champagne cocktail to celebrate the new year.

 

About the Instructor

Melinda Welch

Melinda E. Welch earned her Master’s degree and teaching license in Art Education from the University of Cincinnati’s school of Design Architecture, Art and Planning. Melinda’s Masters thesis focused on developing a visual arts curriculum for a community arts center.

Currently, Melinda is teaching for the Clifton Cultural Arts Center and leading art classes at Bridgeway Pointe, UC Health, an assisted living residence.

Melinda’s teaching experience includes 14 years as Art Director at the Wyoming Fine Arts Center. While Art Director, she developed her vision for a visual art community driven by a strong, cohesive art curriculum and relationships with her students and families. She sought to connect with surrounding communities by integrating free art programming through connections with local schools, libraries and recreation centers. She often collaborates with diverse music teachers, and other non-profit organizations such as Elementz and BioKoto.

While in graduate school, she was employed by Kennedy Heights Art Center to teach adult and youth art classes. She also taught after-school art at Pleasant Ridge Montessori and the Pleasant Ridge Library. Her student teaching experience includes Walnut Hills High School, Sherwood Elementary, North Avondale Montessori, and Anderson High School. For the Contemporary Art Center, she taught an arts integration curriculum at Bond Hill Elementary. For the CAC she also led art programing at various local schools and in the UNMuseum. She has completed internships at the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Taft Museum of Art, Manifest Gallery and Prairie Gallery. She was part of a youth community photography program in conjunction with Happen Inc, Prairie Gallery and the Mill Creek Restoration Project.

Melinda is an active and experienced artist who works in ceramics, photography, collage and whatever else strikes her artistic fancy. She and her husband reside in Camp Washington with their two children.

 

Tuition

Registration period

Registration for this schedule starts on 11/15/2024 and ends on 01/17/2025

Restrictions

Participants must currently be 21 years to 111 years old.

Relief Sculptures & Painkillers (Feb 21) (02/21/2025-02/21/2025)

Supporter Level
$52.00
FULL TUITION
$30.00
Scholarship Level I
$23.00
Scholarship Level II
$15.00
Scholarship Level III
$12.00
  • Mon 
  • Tue 
  • Wed 
  • Thu 
  • Fri6:00 - 8:00 pm
  • Sat 
  • Sun 

Description

 

Schedule Description

You’ll design and create a stunning relief sculpture tile using air-dry clay and oil pastel resist techniques. Our instructor will be there to lead you through the process, helping you shape your tile and apply vibrant oil pastels to create beautiful effects.

While working on that, slip down to the Virgin Isles with the famous concoction of pineapple juice, coconut, and rum.

 

About the Instructor

Jessica Geary

Jessica Geary has been sharing her love for art with students for 11 years. She has experience teaching preschool, after-school programming, and a variety of art classes. Jessica is passionate about helping students discover their own creative spark and strives to make art fun and accessible for everyone. She delights in seeing students explore different mediums, from drawing to sculpture and everything in between.

Jessica believes art is about expressing individuality and experimenting with new ideas. Her classes focus on building skills while encouraging each student to develop their unique style. She is dedicated to guiding and supporting students as they take creative risks and find joy in their artistic journey.

When she’s not teaching, Jessica enjoys spending time in local coffee shops, embracing her role as a mom to four children, cherishing moments with friends and family, and pursuing her own artistic endeavors. Always eager to learn new things, she brings that enthusiasm back to the classroom to inspire her students.

 

Tuition

Registration period

Registration for this schedule starts on 11/15/2024 and ends on 02/21/2025

Restrictions

Participants must currently be 21 years to 111 years old.

Glass Etching & Gimlets (Mar 21) (03/21/2025-03/21/2025)

Supporter Level
$52.00
FULL TUITION
$30.00
Scholarship Level I
$23.00
Scholarship Level II
$15.00
Scholarship Level III
$12.00
  • Mon 
  • Tue 
  • Wed 
  • Thu 
  • Fri6:00 - 8:00 pm
  • Sat 
  • Sun 

Description

 

Schedule Description

You'll design and create a stencil to etch your own unique bottle, jar, or glass. Our instructors will guide you through the etching process, helping you craft a stunning piece of art.

Don't forget to sip on your refreshing gin gimlet while you work.

 

About the Instructor

Jessica Geary

Jessica Geary has been sharing her love for art with students for 11 years. She has experience teaching preschool, after-school programming, and a variety of art classes. Jessica is passionate about helping students discover their own creative spark and strives to make art fun and accessible for everyone. She delights in seeing students explore different mediums, from drawing to sculpture and everything in between.

Jessica believes art is about expressing individuality and experimenting with new ideas. Her classes focus on building skills while encouraging each student to develop their unique style. She is dedicated to guiding and supporting students as they take creative risks and find joy in their artistic journey.

When she’s not teaching, Jessica enjoys spending time in local coffee shops, embracing her role as a mom to four children, cherishing moments with friends and family, and pursuing her own artistic endeavors. Always eager to learn new things, she brings that enthusiasm back to the classroom to inspire her students.

 

Tuition

Registration period

Registration for this schedule starts on 11/15/2024 and ends on 03/21/2025

Restrictions

Participants must currently be 21 years to 111 years old.

Wind Chimes & Whiskey Sours (Apr 18) (04/18/2025-04/18/2025)

Supporter Level
$52.00
FULL TUITION
$30.00
Scholarship Level I
$23.00
Scholarship Level II
$15.00
Scholarship Level III
$12.00
  • Mon 
  • Tue 
  • Wed 
  • Thu 
  • Fri6:00 - 8:00 pm
  • Sat 
  • Sun 

Description

 

Schedule Description

Wind made into sound! Use different materials to make windchimes that will sooth the soul.

While the sounds blend together, we'll also blend together the sweet, sour, and bitter tastes in a delectable whiskey sour that will soothe your palate.

 

About the Instructor

Melinda Welch

Melinda E. Welch earned her Master’s degree and teaching license in Art Education from the University of Cincinnati’s school of Design Architecture, Art and Planning. Melinda’s Masters thesis focused on developing a visual arts curriculum for a community arts center.

Currently, Melinda is teaching for the Clifton Cultural Arts Center and leading art classes at Bridgeway Pointe, UC Health, an assisted living residence.

Melinda’s teaching experience includes 14 years as Art Director at the Wyoming Fine Arts Center. While Art Director, she developed her vision for a visual art community driven by a strong, cohesive art curriculum and relationships with her students and families. She sought to connect with surrounding communities by integrating free art programming through connections with local schools, libraries and recreation centers. She often collaborates with diverse music teachers, and other non-profit organizations such as Elementz and BioKoto.

While in graduate school, she was employed by Kennedy Heights Art Center to teach adult and youth art classes. She also taught after-school art at Pleasant Ridge Montessori and the Pleasant Ridge Library. Her student teaching experience includes Walnut Hills High School, Sherwood Elementary, North Avondale Montessori, and Anderson High School. For the Contemporary Art Center, she taught an arts integration curriculum at Bond Hill Elementary. For the CAC she also led art programing at various local schools and in the UNMuseum. She has completed internships at the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Taft Museum of Art, Manifest Gallery and Prairie Gallery. She was part of a youth community photography program in conjunction with Happen Inc, Prairie Gallery and the Mill Creek Restoration Project.

Melinda is an active and experienced artist who works in ceramics, photography, collage and whatever else strikes her artistic fancy. She and her husband reside in Camp Washington with their two children.

 

Tuition

Registration period

Registration for this schedule starts on 11/15/2024 and ends on 04/18/2025

Restrictions

Participants must currently be 21 years to 111 years old.

Pour Painting & Piña Coladas (May 16) (05/16/2025-05/16/2025)

Supporter Level
$52.00
FULL TUITION
$30.00
Scholarship Level I
$23.00
Scholarship Level II
$15.00
Scholarship Level III
$12.00
  • Mon 
  • Tue 
  • Wed 
  • Thu 
  • Fri6:00 - 8:00 pm
  • Sat 
  • Sun 

Description

 

Schedule Description

Pouring paint over a terracotta planter is so much fun! Choose your colors and make a bright pot. We will have some starter succulents available to take home.

Then slip into a summer vibe with everyone's favorite summer refresher, a piña colada!

 

About the Instructor

Melinda Welch

Melinda E. Welch earned her Master’s degree and teaching license in Art Education from the University of Cincinnati’s school of Design Architecture, Art and Planning. Melinda’s Masters thesis focused on developing a visual arts curriculum for a community arts center.

Currently, Melinda is teaching for the Clifton Cultural Arts Center and leading art classes at Bridgeway Pointe, UC Health, an assisted living residence.

Melinda’s teaching experience includes 14 years as Art Director at the Wyoming Fine Arts Center. While Art Director, she developed her vision for a visual art community driven by a strong, cohesive art curriculum and relationships with her students and families. She sought to connect with surrounding communities by integrating free art programming through connections with local schools, libraries and recreation centers. She often collaborates with diverse music teachers, and other non-profit organizations such as Elementz and BioKoto.

While in graduate school, she was employed by Kennedy Heights Art Center to teach adult and youth art classes. She also taught after-school art at Pleasant Ridge Montessori and the Pleasant Ridge Library. Her student teaching experience includes Walnut Hills High School, Sherwood Elementary, North Avondale Montessori, and Anderson High School. For the Contemporary Art Center, she taught an arts integration curriculum at Bond Hill Elementary. For the CAC she also led art programing at various local schools and in the UNMuseum. She has completed internships at the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Taft Museum of Art, Manifest Gallery and Prairie Gallery. She was part of a youth community photography program in conjunction with Happen Inc, Prairie Gallery and the Mill Creek Restoration Project.

Melinda is an active and experienced artist who works in ceramics, photography, collage and whatever else strikes her artistic fancy. She and her husband reside in Camp Washington with their two children.

 

Tuition

Registration period

Registration for this schedule starts on 11/15/2024 and ends on 05/16/2025

Restrictions

Participants must currently be 21 years to 111 years old.

In-person location

Clifton Cultural Arts Center: 3412 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA

Description


On the third Friday of each month, craft a unique piece of art while enjoying the evening's signature cocktail (or any other drink).

Ages

Ages 21+

Fair Share Pricing

LEARN MORE

With Fair Share Pricing, CCAC is eliminating the need for scholarship applications so that everyone has access to the arts and can express themselves. If you are unable to pay the full tuition amount, simply choose one of the provided scholarship levels. If you are in a position to pay more, we encourage you to select the Supporter Level or to make a donation upon checkout. You can find guidance HERE on which tuition level we suggest, but the decision is up to you — we will never ask for additional verification or paperwork

Support for the Fair Share Pricing program comes from the Gerald H. Fitzgerald Scholarship Fund and contributors like you.