Studio Arts: Other Media Classes

Use stained-glass and vitreous glass tiles to interpret a realistic image in mosaics. Learn to discern color values, identify shapes, and define planes to enhance your work.

Use stained-glass and vitreous glass tiles to interpret a realistic image in mosaics. Learn to discern color values, identify shapes, and define planes to enhance your work.

Woodblock printing and linocut printing are ideal for creating bold images made up of patterns and textures. This course is an introduction to the relief print, from techniques of design and transfer through cutting and printing the block. Students design and produce their own editions, using nontoxic materials and employing both one-color and two-color techniques.

The elegance and aesthetic harmony of ikebana—Japanese flower arranging—have inspired poets and artists since its founding. In this course for beginning and continuing students, participants learn basic styles of ikebana as taught by the Sogetsu School of Ikebana in Japan.

The elegant and enduring Italic script has a venerable legacy. Begin your study of these versatile hand-written alphabets, which translate well into many practical and artistic applications.

Get an introduction to stylized lettering, including altered block letters, botanical borders, and illuminated initials with vines and flourishes.

The beautiful decorations of religious and secular manuscripts are centuries-old Islamic traditions. Guided by a graduate of the Turquoise Mountain Institute, explore the elements of gold-leaf manuscript illumination in the Afghan tradition.

Examine Eastern traditions as you discover calligraphy’s connection to language, literary arts, and religion.

Create three different chain designs using wire-working, forming, texturing, and fusing techniques, and take home a necklace or bracelet.

Showcase a flat-backed stone or a personal treasure in a cold-connected pendant you design. Construct your mixed-metals piece with piercing, rivets, and a cut-and-folded prong setting.

Enjoy a creative afternoon with sculptor Kevin Reese, exploring the colorful world of Alexander Calder’s moving art and making mobiles of your own.

In this three-night workshop, learn to create your own hand-crafted jewelry. This experience is perfect for the student new to jewelry making, or those with experience who want to refresh their skills.

Creating a unique bead-and-wire pendant is as easy as 1-2-3! The workshop is recommended for wire-workers of all levels.

Create a stunning ring in textured sterling silver using a rolling mill, jeweler’s saw, and cold-connection riveting techniques.

Working with piercing and riveting techniques, frame a favorite photo, small artwork, or even a special stamp in a pendant that’s perfect for gift-giving.

Have fun as you learn the fundamentals of floral design from Smithsonian Gardens horticulturist Sarah Tietbohl. She shares design techniques as well as handy tips and tricks as you create a stunning centerpiece for your holiday dinner table, foyer, or living room.

Take a break from the stress of the season to enjoy an entertaining and informative afternoon with an orchid expert and come away with an elegant holiday present to give to special someone on your list or to keep for yourself.

Learn about the tradition of pysanky, the colorful Ukrainian Easter eggs, as you master the egg-waxing and dyeing processes used to create them.

Bring home the beauty of the Smithsonian's inventive botanical holiday decorations when you create a wreath guided by a horticulturist from Smithsonian Gardens.

Bring home the beauty of the Smithsonian's inventive botanical holiday decorations when you create a wreath guided by a horticulturist from Smithsonian Gardens.

Bring home the beauty of the Smithsonian's inventive botanical holiday decorations when you create a centerpiece guided by a horticulturist from Smithsonian Gardens.