Tag: art workshop

Made by You: Holiday Cake Decorating

A hands-on workshop for cake lovers and creative bakers at heart!

Join us for a cozy, holiday-inspired cake decorating class led by Morgan Hayes of Morgan Made NC. Whether you’re brand new to cake decorating or looking to sharpen your piping skills, this class will guide you through the techniques of vintage cake decorating.

What to Expect:

Upon arrival, you will receive a 4” crumb-coated cake, ready for decorating.
- Be sure to select your cake flavor preference when checking out
Learn how to apply a smooth base coat and practice vintage-style piping techniques.
Experiment with different piping tips to create borders, textures, and festive designs.
Follow along with Morgan’s guided design—or let your creativity flow with your own custom look.

You’ll also take home a cake decorating starter kit to keep creating all season long, including:

Turntable
Offset spatula
Cake scraper
Piping practice sheet
Piping bags
Piping tips

This workshop will take place indoors at MAA Nixie to keep everyone warm and comfortable during the winter season.

About the Artist:
Morgan Hayes started Morgan Made NC in August 2023, but her love for cake decorating began long before that. Inspired by watching her mom decorate cakes growing up, Morgan followed in her footsteps and developed her own creative style. She blends modern and vintage design elements, creating clean, timeless cakes that feel both fresh and classic.

Examples of Morgan’s work:

About Make by You:
Each month, Hub RTP partners with a talented local artist to bring you an intimate, hands-on workshop experience. You’ll explore a new art medium, create something beautiful to take home, and connect directly with the featured artist as they share their inspiration and process. Join us for one—or all—of these creative sessions, each offering a fresh opportunity to learn, make, and be inspired.

Note: By registering and participating in this event, you consent to the recording of your likeness, image, and/or voice and authorize Hub RTP to use photographs, video, and audio recordings containing your likeness, image, and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.

Refund Policy:
Full refunds are available for cancellations at least 7 days in advance. To request a refund, please email programming@rtp.org. Refunds requested at least 7 days prior to the event will be processed to your original payment method within 10 business days of your request. Disclaimer: Please reach out to your financial institution for more information on when the refunded amount will return to your account.

Made by You: Scratch Art

A hands-on workshop for curious creatives and texture lovers!

Discover the striking art of scratch paper, a unique medium where images emerge by removing a dark surface layer to reveal the light beneath. Guided by local artist Adam Cooley, you’ll learn essential mark-making techniques like hatching, shading, and using negative space to bring contrast and drama to your designs.

After practicing the basics, you’ll create your own black-and-white artwork inspired by nature — think trees, animals, leaves, or any subject that sparks your imagination. Adam will offer one-on-one guidance as you explore your personal style through this satisfying, meditative process.

All materials are provided, and no experience is needed — just bring your curiosity and creativity!

This workshop will take place indoors at MAA Nixie to keep everyone warm and comfortable during the autumn season.

About the Artist:

Adam Cooley is an LGBTQIA+ artist and designer whose work spans painting, sculpture, film, fashion, interior design, and performance art. His fantastical imagery and symbolic storytelling have been showcased in galleries and museums worldwide, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and Oxford Town Hall. Locally, his work can be seen at Zeitgeist Gallery (Durham) and Chapel Hill Town Hall, with upcoming exhibitions at Sertoma Art Center (Raleigh) and Cary Arts Center Gallery (Cary).

About Made by You:
Each month, Hub RTP partners with a talented local artist to bring you an intimate, hands-on workshop experience. You’ll explore a new art medium, create something beautiful to take home, and connect directly with the featured artist as they share their inspiration and process. Join us for one—or all—of these creative sessions, each offering a fresh opportunity to learn, make, and be inspired.

Made by You: Yarn & Fabric Art

*Please note that this event has been moved indoors due to weather. We will now be inside MAA Nixie at 1250 Hitchings Way, Durham NC 27713. *

A hands-on workshop for fiber art lovers and DIY creatives!

Join us for an interactive experience where you’ll design and craft a vibrant yarn drawing using colorful fibers and mixed media. This workshop combines weaving, layering, and embellishing with beads to create a tactile piece of art—perfect to hang on your wall or gift to a loved one.

What to Expect:

Choose from an array of yarns, ribbons, and beads to customize your design.
Weave and arrange materials onto a soft canvas surface.
Explore creating a botanical, landscape, or abstract image inspired by your imagination.
Take home a beautiful, textured piece of fiber art that reflects your personal style.

Please note that this event takes place outdoors in the Horseshoe at Hub RTP courtyard in a shaded area. In the case of bad weather, we move the event indoors and will notify attendees via email.

Who Can Attend?

This workshop is open to anyone and is a great activity for families. Please be sure to choose the appropriate ticket when checking out.

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

What to Bring:

Wear outdoor weather appropriate clothing.
All materials are provided—just bring your imagination.

About the Artist:

Robyn Scott is a former art teacher and visual artist who made North Carolina her home in 2015. She loves exploring how paint can express joy, imagination, and the beauty of natural spaces while working with bright color palettes that amplify the radiant hues of the Carolinas. She also works in fibers, mixed media, and pen and ink.

Her work has been shown at Duke Arts & Health Gallery in Durham, Imperial Centre for Arts & Science in Rocky Mount, The Halle Cultural Arts Center in Apex, Artmosphere in Clayton, and the Page-Walker Arts & History Center in Cary, among others. She has a piece included in the permanent City of Raleigh Municipal collection. Robyn also has a BA in Studio Arts from UC Irvine in CA and an MA in Fine Arts from Winchester School of Art in England.

Fiber Artwork Examples by Robyn Scott:

About Made by You:

Each month, Hub RTP partners with a talented local artist to bring you an intimate, hands-on workshop experience. You’ll explore a new art medium, create something beautiful to take home, and connect directly with the featured artist as they share their inspiration and process. Join us for one—or all—of these creative sessions, each offering a fresh opportunity to learn, make, and be inspired.

Note: By registering and participating in this event, you consent to the recording of your likeness, image, and/or voice and authorize Hub RTP to use photographs, video, and audio recordings containing your likeness, image, and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.

Made by You: Mosaic Tile Trays

A hands-on workshop for pattern lovers and DIY creatives!

Join us for an interactive experience where you’ll design and craft a personalized wooden tray using colorful decorative tiles. This workshop combines pattern play, hands-on gluing, and the satisfying process of grouting to reveal a stunning finished piece- perfect as a catch all for your keys, jewelry, or trinkets!

What to Expect:

Choose your tile colors and layout your own unique mosaic design.
Glue down decorative tiles onto a wooden tray base.
Learn how to grout and clean your mosaic to bring out its full vibrancy.
Take home a beautiful, functional tray that reflects your personal style.

Please note that this event takes place outdoors in the Horseshoe at Hub RTP courtyard in a shaded area.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ Mosaic Design – Arranging small tiles into visually pleasing patterns.
✅ Adhesive Application – Properly gluing tiles to wooden surfaces.
✅ Grouting – Applying and finishing grout to seal and elevate your design.

Who Can Attend?

This workshop is recommended for ages 13+. No prior experience needed- just bring your creativity and willingness to experiment with color and shape!

What to Bring:

Wear clothing you don’t mind getting a little messy!
All materials are provided—just bring your imagination

About the Artist:

Bentley Cook’s favorite art mediums include oil paints, charcoal, pastels, and ink drawings. He has sold numerous pieces and participated in multiple art shows throughout the Carolinas. Driven by a passion for teaching others creative freedoms, Bentley fosters creativity through his art. Currently studying architecture in Charlotte, he has a strong interest in urban design. By merging artistic intuition with spatial thinking, he creates pieces that demonstrate both technical precision and imaginative form.

Made by You: Your Story on Canvas

*Please note this event has been moved indoors at Frontier RTP due to weather*

Exploring Personal Narrative Through Art

Join us for a reflective and creative workshop where art meets storytelling. In this hands-on session, participants will explore their personal identity and lived experiences through a mixed media painting, using the power of words and symbols as artistic tools. Inspired by artists such as Jeffrey Gibson, Juan Sánchez, Shirin Neshat, José Bedia, Ed Ruscha, and Barbara Kruger, you’ll gain insight into how language, culture, and identity intertwine in contemporary art.

What to Expect:

A guided conversation exploring how artists use text and symbolism in their work.
A creative exercise where you’ll generate a personal word bank to inspire your artwork.
Time to create a one-of-a-kind mixed media painting that reflects your own narrative.

Who Can Attend:
This workshop welcomes all skill levels- from first-time creators to experienced artists. Come as you are and leave with a piece of art that speaks to who you are.

What to Bring:
All materials will be provided. Just bring your curiosity and come dressed to create!

About the Artist:

Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant recipient, Georges Le Chevallier grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico, studied at the “Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando” in Madrid, Spain, received a BFA in Painting from Cal State University Long Beach, and earned an MFA in Painting at Hunter College in New York City. His mixed-media paintings have been exhibited nationally and internationally in distinguished galleries and museums such as: The Painted Bride Art Center in Philadelphia, Green Hill Center for NC Art in Greensboro, Central Gallery in Budapest, El Museo del Barrio in New York City, El Museo de las Americas in San Juan, Yamanashi Museum in Japan, Centro Cultural de Lavapies in Madrid and the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh. Not only is he a prolific painter, but he has also created multiple public art installations throughout the USA, Mexico, Hungary, Tanzania, France, Guatemala, and Chile. Learn more at www.glcart.com.

Made By You: Bagru Block Print Coasters

A hands-on cultural printmaking workshop!

Join us for an immersive Bagru block printing workshop, where tradition meets creativity! This special session celebrates the centuries-old Indian printing technique of Bagru block printing, known for its bold patterns and deep cultural roots.

What to Expect:

Learn the history and significance of Bagru block printing.
Design your own hand-carved printing block using linocut carving tools (ages 13+ required for carving).
Explore carving and stamping techniques using block printing inks.
Print your unique design onto coasters to take home as a personalized keepsake.

Techniques You’ll Learn:

✅ Block Carving (ages 13+) – Using linocut carving tools to create a custom design.
✅ Stamping & Printing – Applying ink and pressing blocks onto surfaces for clean, vibrant patterns.
✅ Pattern Design – Understanding traditional motifs and how to arrange repeating patterns.

Who Can Attend?

All ages welcome! However, due to the use of sharp carving tools, only attendees 13+ can participate in the carving process.
Kid-Friendly Version (12 & under): Younger participants can create prints safely using styrofoam, pencil, and construction paper with acrylic paint—a fun alternative!
- Must be accompanied and supervised by an adult throughout the activity.

What to Bring:

Wear clothing you don’t mind getting a little inky!
All materials provided—just bring your creativity!

*This workshop will be hosted outdoors, in a shaded area, please plan accordingly.

Don’t miss this exciting chance to explore a beautiful craft and leave with a one-of-a-kind handmade print!

About the Artist:

This workshop is led by Ami Patel, artist and founder of Gallery Box, an organization dedicated to making art more accessible through interactive, artist-led workshops. Gallery Box brings creative experiences directly to communities, ensuring people of all ages and skill levels can explore their artistic side in a fun, welcoming environment. Beyond workshops, Gallery Box works to uplift and support underrepresented artists, helping them develop their own workshops and connect with opportunities to lead events.

About Make by You:

What to Expect:

Who Can Attend?

What to Bring:

About the Artist:

About Made by You:

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