Tuesdays, May 27, June 3, 10, 17, July 1, 8 (skip June 24)
6 weeks
10:00 am–12:00 pm
Instructor: Nancy O'Neill
Ages 16+ Beginner. Join in on this fun pottery class to learn the basics of hand building! Working with textures, stamps, decals, different glaze techniques, and more, Nancy will guide you through the process of creating your one of a kind pottery pieces. Fee includes up to 25 lbs. of clay, glazes & firing.
Materials needed: Apron, hand towel, and your own pottery tool kit (available at local craft stores or online). Bring any ideas/inspirations you may have. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Leave your rings, watches and bracelets at home.
Register by May 25
Minimum Registration: 3
Maximum Registration: 5
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Paid enrollment in a Womanspace class must be cancelled in order for the student to be eligible for a refund. A refund (minus a $10 non-refundable deposit, minus the 4% service fee) will be granted according to the following:
4 weeks 9:30a–12:30p
No instructor; Independent study
Age 18+. Intermediate–Advanced. Join this fun, independent clay study group and create something you are interested in. You can use forms, natural elements, and your imagination to build practical, unusual or whimsical forms. Your clay partners will be able to offer some guidance, but no specific instruction will be provided. You must be an intermediate to advanced clay worker and be able to work independently. There are lots of tools to play with, lots of colors to choose from and so many choices for you to enjoy. Materials needed: Apron, hand towel, and your own pottery tool kit. Fee includes up to 25 lbs. of clay, glazes & firing.
Register by May 26
Maximum Registration: 6
Wednesday, May 28, June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 9 (skip June 25) 6 weeks
2:30-4:30 pm
Thursdays, May 29, June 5, 12, 19, 26, July 3 6 weeks
10:00a–12:00p
Instructor: Jennie Johnson Sic
Ages 16+ Beginner. Begin your journey learning to throw pottery. This 6-week class is for those with no knowledge of throwing on a wheel or with little experience of throwing and need more practice. The instructor will demonstrate during each class and assist learners with improving their skills. Start by throwing simple forms of cylinders and bowls, then to trimming vessels. Glazing will be demonstrated after the greenware is low fired in the kiln. Each glazed piece will then be high fired to finish the process. Fee includes up to 25 lbs. of clay, glazes and firing.
Materials needed: an apron, hand towel, and your own pottery tool kit (available at local craft stores or online). Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Leave your rings, watches and bracelets at home.
Register by May 27
Minimum Registered: 3
Maximum Registered: 5
Saturdays, May 31, Jun 14, 21, 28 (skip 6/7)
4 weeks
9:00a–12:00p
Ages 16+. [Prerequisite: beginner throwing skills consistently mastered or instructor approval]. This 4-week course will allow you to take your skills further and learn to throw with larger amounts of clay and create more intricate forms such as bottles, plates, and lidded vessels. Students are welcome to suggest forms they’re interested in creating and demonstrations will be given based on interest. Students are also free to work on their own personal projects and receive assistance from the instructor as needed. Fee includes up to 25 lbs. of clay, glazes and firing.
Equipment to bring: an apron, hand towel, and your own pottery tool kit (available at local craft stores or online). Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and leave your rings, watches and bracelets at home.
Register by May 29 Minimum Registered: 3
Saturday, June 149:00–11:00 am
Instructor: Rita Carpenter
Create, connect, and explore together in this joyful, nature-inspired art experience! This special anniversary-year workshop invites child-adult pairs to experiment with watercolor leaf printing and oil pastel techniques, turning natural textures into vibrant works of art. Parents, grandparents, even favorite aunts & uncles are invited. This program is about enjoying time and creating something special TOGETHER.
Take a refreshing break in the labyrinth, then return to finish your masterpiece. All supplies included. Enjoy cookies and lemonade as you make memories through creativity!
Minimum Registration: 5 pairs
Paid enrollment in a Womanspace class must be cancelled in order for the student to be eligible for a refund. A refund (minus a $10 non-refundable deposit, minus the 3% service fee) will be granted according to the following:
Mondays, June 23, 30, July 7, 14
4 sessions
1:00–4:00 pm
Age 16+ Advanced (Prerequisite: Successful completion of intermediate wheel throwing and a handbuilding class, or instructor approval.) This is a fast paced workshop series focusing on creativity, collaboration, and independent study. Instruction focuses on engaging students' creativity and mastery of pottery and handbuilding skills by exploring various advanced techniques and processes. Students are encouraged to explore the bounds of these processes and to share their creative variations with the class.
Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and leave your rings, watches and bracelets at home. Bring hand towel and your own pottery tools (available at craft stores and online). Fee includes up to 25 lbs. of clay, glazes, and firing.
Register by June 21
Minimum registration: 3
Register by June 23
Tuesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5
6:00–8:00 pm
Instructor: Alyssa Noonen
Ages 16+ Beginner. In this 6-week class, you will learn essential wheel-throwing techniques from centering to trimming. Bowls and mugs will be the first forms we practice throwing on the wheel. This class will give the student with little or no experience the opportunity to learn and develop a basic set of wheel-throwing skills. After taking this class, the student will take with them a small collection of functional wheel-thrown pottery, as well as, the skills needed to create more advanced pieces in the future. Fee includes up to 25 lb. of clay, glazes and firing.
Register by June 29
Thursdays, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, August 7 6 weeks
Instructor: Lynette Porter
Ages 16+ Intermediate. Advance your hand-building skills while having fun in this 6-week class. Explore many hand-building techniques to make mugs, plates, functional pieces and pieces students are interested in creating. Create your own texture and templates and explore many decorating and glazing options. Fee includes up to 25lb of clay, glazes and firing.
Register by July 1
Mondays, July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11
Instructor: Anya Nelson
Ages 16+. Prerequisite: Recent experience with wheel throwing and creating basic forms is required to take this class or instructor approval. This course is an excellent opportunity to improve your throwing skills. During this class time, you will work with the instructor to develop your skills into the next level of competency. You will have an opportunity to incorporate new methods into your pieces to make them unique. During this class you will gain the skills to throw larger pieces and improve your form. Students are encouraged to bring their own pottery goals so the instructor can assist each student with completion of personal goals. Fee includes up to 25 lbs. of clay, glazes and firing.
Materials needed: a list of your pottery goals, an apron, hand towel, and your own pottery tool kit (available at local craft stores or online). Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Leave your rings, watches and bracelets at home.
Register by July 5
Maximum registration: 6
Tuesdays, July 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug 5
5 weeks
Instructor: Sue Abare
Ages 18+. Beginning–Intermediate. This class is for those first timers wanting to experience watercolor or someone who wants to expand beginning skills. Have fun exploring the enchantment of water and paint in their irresistible dance. As with all painting, a little drawing experience is helpful. We will discuss preparing paper to paint, brushes and their technique, some color theory — but mostly we will jump in the water, and do it!
Toes in the Water Supply List.pdf
Register by July 6 Minimum Registrations: 3
Thursdays, July 10, 17, 24, 31, August 7
Ages 18+. Intermediate–Advanced. In this four-week class, we will continue to practice our skill building toward simplicity, spontaneity and success. We will discuss value, wetness, color and composition. Do you know what NOT to paint? Ideas abound! Lots of thinking goes on as we continue learning. Students will bring their own supplies.
Register by July 8 Minimum Registration: 3
Thursdays, July 10, 17, 24, 31, August 7, 14 6 weeks
Register by July 8
Fridays, July 11, 18, 25, Aug 1, 8
11:00 am–1:00 pm
Instructor: Jaymee Fedor
Ages 16+. All levels. Want to keep moving forward with your painting skills? Check out this guided open studio class for watercolor and acrylic painters! Jaymee will provide individual instruction based on your creative goals. Feel free to bring your own reference imagery and ideas, or peruse Jaymee’s collection of art samples for inspiration! Some previous painting experience is beneficial, but not always necessary. Absolute beginners should be prepared to work on painting exercises before moving on to individual work. Since instruction is individual, there will be plenty of independent work time as Jaymee spends time with each student. All supplies are included in the class fee, including paper, brushes, canvases and professional grade paints, but feel free to bring your favorites! Register by EARLY! This class fills fast!
Register by July 9
Minimum Registration: 5
Saturdays, Jul 12, 19, 26, Aug 2
Register by July 10 Minimum Registered: 3
Saturday, July 12
10:00a–1:00p
Presenter: Stefi Kruger
[Prerequisite: basic sewing machine knowledge.] Do you want to reuse textiles in your clothing, but you’re just not sure on how to do it? In this class, students will learn how to re-create clothing by sewing with a pattern. This class is designed to take your sewing skills to the next level and teach you how to sew clothing with stretchy knit fabric. Must bring in your machine, manual, and knit clothing that you’d like to use for your re-creation.
A good basic tool kit to bring includes: sharp scissors, pins, thread, bobbin, needles for your machines that matches the fabric you're working with. If you have any specific questions regarding supplies, please email us.
Register by July 10
2:00–4:00p
Instructor: Pat Sullivan
In this fun workshop, we will take wine bottles and cut the bottoms off, decorate, and string with clappers to make recycled art wind chimes. Alternately, we can decorate, wire wrap, and fit the bottles with hummingbird feeders, if you prefer. Either way, you will have a great piece of recycled art to take home and share with your feathered friends! All materials including safety glasses and gloves are provided, closed toe shoes recommended.
Register by July 10 Minimum Registered: 4
Sunday, July 13
Instructor: Rhiannon Yandell
Register by July 11
Minumum required: 3
Tuesdays, July 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12, 19
Register by July 13
Wednesday, July 16, 23, 30, August 6, 13, 20 6 weeks
Register by July 14
Thursdays, July 17, 24, 31
3 weeks
Instructor: Deb Rose
Deb Rose has her M.F.A. in Writing and Consciousness, which means writing for social change. One of the best ways to shift people’s views and thinking is for people to share their experiences. Historically, the books that were published were written by people in power. With self-publishing, hybrid publishing and social media, that dynamic has been changing. Sharing our stories, allowing readers to connect with people of all walks of life helps our world become a more rounded, compassionate place to live in.
Deb will lead us in writing prompts for storytelling and reflection that help bring the themes of our writing forward. Join us for three consecutive weeks or pick and choose which classes you take. No experience is necessary. Bring a journal and writing utensil or laptop.
July 17 – Writing for Resilience
July 24 – The Empowered Path
July 31 – Womanspace: My Personal Journey
Register by July 15 or by two days before each session.
Minimum registration: 4
Saturday, July 19
1:00–5:00p
Instructor: Maggie Magnuson
A great photo can capture where we’ve been — a vacation or just a beautiful spot of nature. Take the next step and use your creativity and imagination along with watercolors and ink to transform your photo into art! Explore some watercolor and ink techniques for practice before embarking on your piece.
Supplies: a couple photos, preferably letter-sized, printed on paper (for tracing). Image suggestion: scenery, buildings and street scene choices work best. Reference material will be available. Watercolor paper, paints and brushes will be provided, but you may bring your own paints and brushes.
Register by July 17
Minimum Registered: 4
Sunday, July 20
Instructor: Cristi Hopp Kniess
Add a pop of color to your summer with this vibrant and playful art workshop featuring alcohol inks! In this session, you’ll discover how this fluid, free-flowing medium behaves in a whole new way on thick canvas tote bags. Unlike smooth surfaces like Yupo paper or ceramic tile, the textured, porous fabric absorbs the ink differently, creating unexpected patterns and blending effects. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just love to experiment, this workshop is all about fun, freedom, and creative exploration. No experience needed — just bring your imagination and leave with a one-of-a-kind, wearable masterpiece! Fee includes all supplies.
Register by July 18 Minimum Registration: 4
Register by July 21
Wednesday, July 23
6:00–8:00p
Instructor: Suni Moon
Channeling the higher you. Changing times can call us to stay in clear contact with our higher self and wisdom. Automatic writing is a tool to help us receive insights that seem well beyond our busy brains. This is an easy practice that gets more powerful as you use it. We’ll cover history of the practice, common steps used, how to prepare yourself and we will complete several writing practices. Please bring a journal and your favorite pen.
Saturday, July 26
Learn about the spiritual and symbolic meanings of mandalas from our own Nicole Landreth, then use your newfound knowledge to make your own hanging mandala of fused glass. Pat will guide you through the placement and composition of your mandala, using a supplied 8-inch circle of glass as your base. Then, you will place pre-fired glass dots and embellishments to make your own design, which will then be fired in the kiln and ready for pick-up in a week. No previous experience necessary — no glass cutting will be required. All materials including safety glasses and gloves are provided, closed toe shoes recommended.
Register by July 24 Minimum Registered: 4
Friday, July 26
6:00–9:00p
Facilitator: Nicole Landreth
All skill levels. Ages 16+. Looking for a fun and relaxing way to spend a Friday evening? Join us for Community Art Studio! Bring your own project and supplies, and enjoy a creative, social, and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re painting, sketching, or working on another craft, it’s a great space to unwind, meet new people, and share stories. The studio is stocked with basic supplies like brushes, pencils, and scissors, but anything more project specific, please bring yourself. Come for the art, stay for the connection!
Studio Fee $5/hour
Register by July 24
Mondays, August 4, 11, 18, 25
Instructor: Kathy Rasmus
Register by Aug 2
Friday, August 8
Instructor: Nicole Landreth
Discover the meditative power of art and words in this uplifting workshop where creativity meets mindfulness. We’ll begin with a grounding meditation, focus our intentions into a personal mantra, and carry that energy into our mandala art. This experience invites calm, reflection, and connection to your inner strength—part of our ongoing exploration of empowerment and resilience through the arts. No art experience needed—just come as you are.
Bring a symbol or image you may want to include in your design. All supplies provided, including canvas, alcohol inks, acrylic markers, and tools.
Register by August 6
Saturdays, Aug 9, 16, 23, 30
Register by August 7 Minimum Registered: 3
Saturday, August 9
10:00a–12:30p
Spend some time learning and experimenting with a few watercolor techniques, then design and create your own unique bookmark. We will be working on floral patterns to begin, but you are welcome to work from your own inspiration as well. This fun and relaxed class is great for any skill level, and a perfect opportunity to invite some friends along and enjoy a creative group outing!
All supplies are provided, including a the bookmark sleeve and cute tassel.
Register by Aug 7
Tuesdays, August 12, 19, 26, September 2, 9, 16
Register by Aug 10
Thursdays, August 14, 21, 28, September 4, 11, 18 6 weeks
Register by Aug 12
Fridays, August 15, 22, 29, September 5, 12
Register by Aug 13
Friday, August 15
Register by August 13
Mondays, August 18, 25, September 8, 15, 22, 29 (skip 9/1)
Register by Aug 16
Tuesdays, August 19, 26, September 2, 9, 16
Register by Aug 17 Minimum Registrations: 3
Register by Aug 18
Thursdays, August 21, 28, September 4, 11, 18, 25 6 weeks
Instructor: Margo Olson
Register by Aug 19
Thursdays, August 21, 28, September 4, 11, 18
Register by Aug 19 Minimum Registration: 3
Friday, August 22
Hose: Deb Rose
In the spirit of celebrating and honoring Dorothy & Elaine, and 50 years of Womanspace programming and community connection, this evening is designed to showcase the creativity, expression, and transformation that has grown from our shared journey. Through learning new skills, discovering inspiration, and finding encouragement, we’ll celebrate the decades of art and personal growth made possible through Womanspace.
Whether through a painting, pottery, poetry, dance, or memoir—we invite you to share the art you've created, the inspiration you've found, or simply come to witness the beauty of our community’s talent and spirit. Let’s celebrate where we’ve been—and help shape what’s next.
Register by August 20
Minimum registration: 10
Tuesdays, August 26, September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Register by Aug 24
Wednesday, Aug 27, Sep 3, 10, 17, 24, Oct 1 6 weeks
Register by Aug 25
Womanspace is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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Womanspace, Inc., 3333 Maria Linden Drive, Rockford, IL 61114-5481 | Phone: 815-877-0118
Office Hours: Monday–Thursday 10:00 am– 5:00 pm