Eureka Springs School of the Arts

06/01/2026

Pastels in March. Watercolors in May. Plenty of creativity in between. 🎨✨

This spring, our 2D studio welcomed artists of all experience levels for two inspiring workshops led by accomplished regional artists.

In "Pastel Techniques", students spent three days with Cynthia Kresse exploring soft pastels through both realism and expressive abstraction. Participants learned layering, blending, and composition techniques while creating artwork from their own reference photos and personal artistic styles.

A few months later, "Intro to Watercolor" instructor Julie Hop guided beginning painters through color mixing, wet-on-wet techniques, direct painting, and loose floral studies. Students left with new skills, fresh confidence, and plenty of colorful creations.

One of our favorite connections between these workshops? Julie Hop was actually a student in Cynthia's pastel class before returning to ESSA to teach her own watercolor workshop. We love seeing professional artists continue to explore new mediums, learn from fellow artists, and remain lifelong students of their craft.

Feeling inspired? There are still several upcoming 2D workshops on the calendar:

🎨 **Water-Based Oil Painting** with Jessica Ames-Russell | June 12-14
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3731373638/Registration.aspx

✏️ **Intro to Drawing** with Mary Springer | June 20
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3731373639/Registration.aspx

🖌️ **Portraits in Watercolor** with Marlene Gremillion | July 24-26
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3731373737/Registration.aspx

🎨 **Line and Wash** with Barbara Iglehart | August 14-16
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3731373834/Registration.aspx

Join us in the studio and discover where your creativity can take you next.

05/27/2026

Ready to bring a portrait to life in watercolor? Join Marlene Gremillion for a 3-day workshop focused on capturing expression, depth, and personality through watercolor portraiture.

Students will learn how to build a portrait step by step using a limited palette while focusing on value, color, and shape to create realistic facial features and soft transitions. Marlene will demonstrate glazing techniques that gradually reveal the form and character of the subject, then provide hands-on guidance as students paint at their easels.

Whether you’re looking to strengthen your watercolor skills or try portrait painting for the first time, this workshop offers a welcoming and supportive environment to learn. Previous watercolor experience is helpful, but beginners are welcome too!

🖌 Portraits in Watercolor
📅 July 24–26
👩‍🎨 With Marlene Gremillion

Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot today!
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3731373737/Registration.aspx

05/26/2026

Today we're highlighting two past workshops from Fall of 2025 that gave students the chance to learn traditional skills from talented instructors. Check out the photos and read on to learn more, and see how you can jump in on the action.

In Weaving on a Frame Loom with Dawn Ward, students learned the foundations of weaving, including warping a loom, basic techniques, and finishing their work for display. Each participant left with a finished woven wall hanging and a tabletop loom kit to continue creating at home.

In Build a Viking Chest with Doug Stowe and Dale Custer, students worked across ESSA’s Windgate Wood and Iron studios to craft a white oak Viking-style chest complete with hand-forged hardware. The workshop combined woodworking and blacksmithing techniques into one unforgettable experience.

If you’re interested in taking a workshop in fiber arts, woodworking, or blacksmithing, check out these upcoming workshops at ESSA:

Intro to Furniture Design | with Steve Palmer
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3731373634/Registration.aspx

Mini-Dovetail Chest | with Steve Walter
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3731373833/Registration.aspx

Build a Viking Chest | with Doug Stowe and Dale Custer
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3732353033/Registration.aspx

Felted Pods | with Dawn Ward
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3731373830/Registration.aspx

From Wool to Wardrobe: French-Style Scarf, Handbag & Beret | with Treka Wenner
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3732343836/Registration.aspx

Beyond the Basics: Tapestry Weaving Tips & Techniques | with Dawn Ward
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3732343930/Registration.aspx

05/21/2026

Only a few seats remain in these upcoming ESSA workshops! ✨🎨

If you’ve been thinking about taking a class, learning a new skill, or spending time making art with other creative people, this is your sign to jump in.

🪑 Intro to Furniture Design with Steve Palmer | 5/27–5/31
Design and build your own small table while learning woodworking techniques and shop skills.
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3731373634/Registration.aspx

🐾 Fluffy Watercolor Friends with Cynthia Schanink | 5/29–5/31
Paint soft fur, bright eyes, and expressive details in watercolor while creating your own furry friend.
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3731373636/Registration.aspx

🎨 Water-Based Oil Painting with Jessica Ames-Russell | 6/12–6/14
Discover solvent-free oil painting techniques through guided demos and hands-on practice.
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3731373638/Registration.aspx

✏️ Intro to Drawing with Mary Springer | 6/20
Build confidence in drawing through exercises focused on form, value, contour, and proportion.
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3731373639/Registration.aspx

⚡ Intro to Plasma Cutting with Robert Babcock | 6/26–6/28
Learn to shape and sculpt metal into whimsical artwork using a plasma torch.
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3731373730/Registration.aspx

🌈 Intro to Stained Glass with Dennis Heter | 6/26–6/27
Create your own stained glass night light while learning Tiffany-style stained glass basics.
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3731373731/Registration.aspx

These workshops are intentionally small so every participant gets personalized instruction. Once the remaining spots are gone, they’re gone!

🔗 Learn more and view all upcoming worksgops here: https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/Search/Registration.aspx

05/19/2026

The streets of downtown Eureka Springs turned into a moving work of art during the 2026 ArtRageous Parade 🎨✨

From giant flowers and whimsical costumes to live music, bubbles, handmade floats, and creative chaos around every corner, this year’s parade celebrated the imagination and community spirit that make Eureka Springs unlike anywhere else.

Take a look at the full blog and relive the magic:

🔗

The 2026 ArtRageous Parade transformed downtown Eureka Springs, Arkansas, with costumes, live music, public art, performers, and community creativity during May Fine Arts Month.

05/14/2026

Discover the intricate art of Kumiko woodworking in this immersive four-day workshop with Steve Walter.

Kumiko is a centuries-old Japanese woodworking technique that transforms small pieces of wood into delicate geometric lattice patterns through precision joinery and craftsmanship. In this workshop, students will learn the process of cutting Kumiko grids and designs using both machines and hand tools while building a traditional-style Andon lamp to showcase their work.

Participants will:
🪵 Create handcrafted Kumiko panels
🪚 Learn machine and hand tool techniques
🏮 Apply rice paper to finished panels
✨ Build a wooden lamp frame from start to finish

Introduction to Kumiko: Build an Andon Lamp
📅 July 9 – 12
👤 Instructor: Steve Walter
📍 ESSA

Whether you’re a woodworker, design enthusiast, or simply curious about traditional craft, this workshop offers a rare opportunity to explore the beauty and precision of Kumiko firsthand.

Sign up here: https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3731373733/Registration.aspx

05/12/2026

🍂❄️ ESSA’s Fall & Winter 2026 Workshop Registration is officially OPEN! ❄️🍂

This season’s lineup is packed with opportunities to forge, turn, weave, weld, throw, paint, design, and create alongside an incredible community of makers and artists.

✨ Workshops fill quickly, so register ASAP to grab your spot!

🎟️ EARLY BIRD SPECIAL

Use code: FALLINTOEARLYBIRD2026 for 10% off your registration for a limited time only.

🔗 Register now:
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/Search/Registration.aspx

🎁 Want to give the gift of art to someone special?
ESSA Gift Certificates are available here:
http://essa-art.org/gift-certificates/

We can’t wait to see what you make this season. 🍁🔥

05/11/2026

🚨 Workshop registration opens tomorrow! 🚨

ESSA’s Fall & Winter 2026 workshop registration launches May 12th, at 10 AM!

Explore hands-on classes in:
⚒️ Blacksmithing
🪵 Woodworking & woodturning
🏺 Ceramics
💍 Jewelry & metalsmithing
🧶 Fiber arts
…and more!

Use code FALLINTOEARLYBIRD2026 for 10% off registration through July 15th. Scholarships are also available for qualifying students to help make workshops more accessible. Learn more and apply here: https://essa-art.org/scholarships/

Popular workshops can fill within hours, so register early to secure your spot!

Preview Fall & Winter 2026 workshops by clicking the link below. Click the 2026 Fall Winter option under the Semester box to filter only new workshops.

View workshops here: https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/Search/Registration.aspx

05/08/2026

PHOTO DUMP! 📸✨

We already miss the ArtRageous Parade. 💛

From giant puppets and painted faces to dancing in the streets and cheering from the sidewalks, this year’s parade was pure color, chaos, creativity, and community in the very best way. So here’s a BIG photo dump because honestly… 70 photos still doesn’t feel like enough.

Thank you to everyone who marched, waved, danced, built, painted, played music, volunteered, and showed up to celebrate art with us. Our hearts are still somewhere downtown under a pile of candy.

Tag yourself, tag your friends, and relive the magic with us. 🎨🥁🌈

05/07/2026

Registration for ESSA’s Fall & Winter 2026 Workshops Is Almost Here!

The countdown is on! Enrollment for ESSA’s Fall & Winter 2026 workshop season begins on Tuesday, May 12th at 10 AM.

Get an early look at the upcoming lineup of art and fine craft workshops featuring fresh new offerings alongside beloved returning classes.

To browse only Fall & Winter workshops, visit the workshop search page and select the semester filter “2026 Fall Winter.”

Spot a workshop you love? Click the star to save your favorites so you’re ready the moment registration opens.

Start exploring now at https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/Search/Registration.aspx