Hot Art Sampler

Discover the art of fold-forming - perfect for beginners and intermediate students alike. Learn how to create stunning, one-of-a-kind earrings using this innovative metalsmithing technique that transforms flat sheets of copper into intricate, sculptural designs. You'll master essential skills such as soldering, hammering, texturing, and patina application while crafting your own wearable art. By the end of the course, you’ll leave with handcrafted earrings, each reflecting your own unique style and creativity. All materials and tools will be provided.

Dawn Grady

Dawn Grady is the owner and designer behind Junebug Jewelry Designs, a bold, handcrafted jewelry line known for its unique blend of copper, Argentium silver, and semi-precious gemstones. With over a decade of experience, Dawn has mastered a variety of metalsmithing techniques, learning from renowned artisans. She has transformed her passion for jewelry-making into a thriving business, creating one-of-a-kind and limited-edition pieces that resonate with women who love to stand out. Dawn is excited to share her expertise with new jewelry makers, encouraging creativity and individuality in every piece.

Batik Painting is a form of batik that uses cotton material, hot wax, and procion dyes that are applied with a brush rather than tub dyeing. This allows for greater control of details and range of color. The size and subject matter of the batik will be decided by the student. Designs will be available to use or students can create their own images. Two or more batiks will be completed during the 4 week class.

Deb Jones

Deb Jones has been an art educator in public schools for many years and is excited for this opportunity to share her love of batik with others. She creates her own batik artwork in her studio in Okeana, Ohio. Her work has been shown locally at CCAC, Fitton Center for Creative Arts, Strauss Gallery, Pyramid Hill, and Rosewood Art Center, as well as other regional, national and international shows.

Experience the magic of Raku Ceramics in our Hot Sampler Series. You’ll dive into the ancient Japanese art of Raku firing, where heat plays a vital role in creating unique and stunning pieces Throughout the course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of Raku ceramics, including hand-building techniques and glazing methods. Witness the transformation of your pieces as they are removed from the kiln at high temperatures and placed into combustible materials, resulting in beautiful, unpredictable finishes.

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.

Use the power of melting with 3D pens and printers to create intricate designs and sculptures, exploring various techniques to manipulate materials with precision.

Mandolin Schreck

Mandolin Schreck is an accomplished artist and educator with a degree in Architecture and Fine Art from DAAP, where they graduated in 2019. With a passion for inspiring young minds, Mandolin has spent three summers running DAAP camps for kids and has also led the summer Design Lab for two years. Their diverse experience includes working in art galleries and over five years as an assistant in various art studios, where they have developed skills across multiple mediums such as 3D modeling, ceramics, mold-making, printmaking, pastel work, and film photography.