Eureka Springs School of the Arts

06/20/2026

Join us this afternoon for the 2026 Mentored Woodworking Residency Reception and Exhibition!

After two weeks of creating, learning, and collaborating in ESSA's Windgate Wood Studio, this year's residency artists are ready to share their work with the community. Come explore handcrafted furniture, wood art, functional objects, and creative woodworking projects developed under the mentorship of master woodcrafter Doug Stowe and assistant mentor Larry Copas.

Meet the artists, celebrate craftsmanship in the Ozarks, and experience the incredible work being created right here at the Eureka Springs School of the Arts. Select pieces will also be available for purchase.

📍 Eureka Springs School of the Arts
📅 Today!
⏰ 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM
🎟 Free and open to the public

Tomorrow, Saturday, June 20, ESSA will host a show and sale of woodworking residents' work from 2-5 PM. Works will be for sale. Residents have been at work for two weeks. You are welcome to attend, and will be impressed by their growth.

The show and remarks by woodworking artists will be held in the machine room in the woodworking studio.

Residents and I are busy finishing our works.

06/18/2026

Earlier this week, ESSA's campus was alive with creative conversation as our 2026 Mentored Woodworking Residency participants joined our 2026 Ceramics Artists in Residence, Erin Harris and Kaitlyn Cierelli, for a special resident meet-and-greet.

The afternoon began in the Ceramics Studio, where Erin shared her current work, including a remarkably realistic ceramic ice cream cone, and discussed her techniques and creative process. Kaitlyn then introduced the group to her recent work, sparking thoughtful conversations about artistic motivations, material choices, and the ideas behind her pieces.

The group then made their way to ESSA's Windgate Wood Studio, where each woodworking resident introduced themselves, shared their goals for the residency, and presented the projects they are currently developing under the mentorship of master woodworker Doug Stowe. Erin and Kaitlyn had the opportunity to learn more about each artist's work, ask questions, and explore the unique approaches each resident brings to their craft.

The afternoon concluded with an inspiring conversation led by Doug Stowe, whose passion for craftsmanship, creativity, and lifelong learning continues to shape generations of artists and makers.

At ESSA, we believe that meaningful artistic growth happens when creatives from different disciplines come together to share ideas, ask questions, and learn from one another. These cross-disciplinary experiences are an important part of our mission and help foster the vibrant creative community that makes ESSA so special.

We hope you'll join us in celebrating the incredible talent, dedication, and hard work of our 2026 Summer Residents at these upcoming events:

🪵 Saturday, June 20 | 2:00-5:30 PM
2026 Mentored Woodworking Residency with Doug Stowe Show & Sale
https://www.facebook.com/share/1FyXBzUAdK/

🏺 Saturday, July 11 | 1:00-4:00 PM
Meet the Artists: 2026 Ceramics Artists in Residence
https://www.facebook.com/share/18e8g1K8ky/

🎨 Saturday, July 18 | 2:00-5:30 PM
2026 Ceramics Artists in Residence Reception Show & Sale
https://www.facebook.com/share/1CpUH3Ws3T/

06/15/2026

📬✨ THE WAIT IS OVER! ESSA'S FALL & WINTER 2026 CATALOGS HAVE ARRIVED! ✨📬

Fresh inspiration is officially in season. 🍂❄️

Our Fall & Winter 2026 catalog is packed with hands-on workshops, creative adventures, and opportunities to learn from incredible artists and makers in the heart of the Ozarks.

🌿 Going digital helps reduce our carbon footprint, so you can browse the catalog online anytime or download a PDF to keep on hand.

📖 View or download the catalog:
https://essa-art.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ESSA_FallWinter_2026_Catalog_Web_pages.pdf

📬 Love the feel of a real catalog? Request a printed copy and we'll happily send one to your mailbox:
https://essa-art.org/request-catalog/

🎨 Ready to register? Browse all workshops online:
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/Search/Registration.aspx

Don't wait too long... many workshops fill quickly! Find your next creative escape and start planning your Fall & Winter at ESSA today.

06/12/2026

🍂 Fall Artist Residencies at ESSA

What could happen if you gave yourself two uninterrupted weeks to create?

Nestled in the Ozark Mountains of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, ESSA's Fall Artist Residencies offer dedicated studio time, inspiring surroundings, and a supportive community of artists.

This fall, we are accepting applications for:
🎨 Painting & Drawing
💍 Small Metals
☀️ Stained Glass

Whether you're developing new work, exploring fresh ideas, or seeking uninterrupted time to create, ESSA provides the space to immerse yourself in the process.

✨ Fellowship opportunities are available.

Learn more and apply:
🔗 https://essa-art.org/artist-residencies/

06/12/2026

See the Figure in a Whole New Way!

Join ESSA Co-founder and prolific artist, Mary Springer, for an immersive four-day exploration of figure drawing at ESSA, August 6th to the 9th.

This workshop goes beyond simply drawing what you see. Through the interplay of light, shadow, negative space, and tone, you'll learn to understand and capture the human form with greater confidence and sensitivity. Whether you're building foundational skills or strengthening an existing practice, figure drawing remains one of the most valuable cornerstones of artistic training.

📅 Figure Drawing with Mary Springer
🗓️ August 6 - 9
📍 ESSA, Eureka Springs

Build observation skills that will strengthen every aspect of your artwork.

Register today:
https://reg131.imperisoft.com/essa-art/ProgramDetail/3731373831/Registration.aspx

06/11/2026

We're humbled to be participating in the very first Louis and Elsie Freund Day in Eureka Springs. This officially kicks off a month of celebration honoring these amazing legacy artists. Commencing on July 6, we'll be hosting special exhibits and programming alongside our friends at Museum of Eureka Springs Art, Eureka Springs Carnegie Public Library, The Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow, Main Street Eureka Springs, Eureka Springs School of the Arts, and Eureka Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 👀

06/04/2026

Ever made a pot this small? 👀

Students in ESSA's Miniature Ceramics on the Wheel workshop took on the challenge of throwing pottery at a tiny scale.

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