Community Calendar

Join Melissa from Melspace Creative for a six-week, hands-on introduction to rug tufting inspired by bold pop art design. This beginner-friendly course will guide you step-by-step from initial sketch and color planning to tufting, carving, and final finishing techniques. Each week builds the last as you learn tufting fundamentals, develop your design, and gain confidence using professional tools and materials. No prior experience is necessary, just bring your creativity and leave with a vibrant, one-of-a-kind rug you’ll be proud to show off.

Tickets are $225 ($187.50/members and adults 25 and under). Reserve your spot online or with Guest Experience at (479) 657-2335 today.

All materials provided. Class runs June 13 – July 24 (no class the week of July 4).

Sign up before June 1st and get $10 off !

About the Instructor
Melissa is a self-taught rug tufter specializing in pop art and whimsical abstract art. She began her tufting journey in 2021 and quickly fell in love with the textures and creativity the medium provides. Each piece of rug art is one-of-a-kind, so no two pieces are ever exactly the same. Melissa enjoys designing her own pieces the most, allowing nostalgia and her love of color to fuel each new piece. As an Arkansas native, you can find her most often in person at local pop-ups and craft markets around Northwest Arkansas!

Piece together the traditional art of quilting in this beginner-friendly six-week mini quilting course. Inspired by the America 250: Common Threads exhibition, students will explore classic quilting patterns while creating their own mini quilt top.

You’ll begin by learning accurate measuring and cutting techniques, then progress to piecing fabric squares together using a sewing machine. This course emphasizes foundational skills, craftsmanship, and design—no prior experience necessary.

Tickets are $225 ($187.50/members and adults 25 and under). Reserve your spot online or with Guest Experience at (479) 657-2335 today.

All materials included. Class runs Sundays, June 14 – July 26 (see dates below). Classes are 14+.

Designed for both beginner and intermediate painters, this six-week watercolor course offers a supportive environment for artists at all levels. Beginners will build a strong foundation by learning essential techniques such as color washes, dry brush, masking, and layering. Intermediate students will have the flexibility to pursue individual or specialized projects, receiving expert guidance and thoughtful feedback from the instructor and peers. Whether you’re looking to explore new ideas, strengthen your skills, or learn watercolor for the first time, this course provides something for everyone.

Tickets are $219 ($182.50/members and adults 25 and under). Reserve your spot online or with Guest Experience at (479) 657-2335 today.

All materials are included. Class runs June 14 – July 26 (no class the week of July 4).

Curious what happens behind the studio doors at ESSA? Join us for a relaxed afternoon exploring working studios, meeting artists, and experiencing the creative energy that fills campus during the summer season.

Guests will enjoy instructor demonstrations and view student work from summer workshops, including Intro to Plasma Cutting with Robert Babcock, Intro to Stained Glass with Dennis Heter, and Turning Fine Platters with Ray Taylor while exploring ESSA’s scenic Ozark campus.

The stroll will also feature a special sneak peek at works in progress from ESSA’s 2026 Summer Ceramics Artists in Residence, including demonstrations and a brief artist Q&A.

Free, family-friendly, and open to the public.

RSVP on the Facebook Event page here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HsrFGNSr9/
Learn more: https://essa-art.org/events/studio-strolls/

Piece together the traditional art of quilting in this beginner-friendly six-week mini quilting course. Inspired by the America 250: Common Threads exhibition, students will explore classic quilting patterns while creating their own mini quilt top.

You’ll begin by learning accurate measuring and cutting techniques, then progress to piecing fabric squares together using a sewing machine. This course emphasizes foundational skills, craftsmanship, and design—no prior experience necessary.

Tickets are $225 ($187.50/members and adults 25 and under). Reserve your spot online or with Guest Experience at (479) 657-2335 today.

All materials included. Class runs Sundays, June 14 – July 26 (see dates below). Classes are 14+.

Designed for both beginner and intermediate painters, this six-week watercolor course offers a supportive environment for artists at all levels. Beginners will build a strong foundation by learning essential techniques such as color washes, dry brush, masking, and layering. Intermediate students will have the flexibility to pursue individual or specialized projects, receiving expert guidance and thoughtful feedback from the instructor and peers. Whether you’re looking to explore new ideas, strengthen your skills, or learn watercolor for the first time, this course provides something for everyone.

Tickets are $219 ($182.50/members and adults 25 and under). Reserve your spot online or with Guest Experience at (479) 657-2335 today.

All materials are included. Class runs June 14 – July 26 (no class the week of July 4).

Piece together the traditional art of quilting in this beginner-friendly six-week mini quilting course. Inspired by the America 250: Common Threads exhibition, students will explore classic quilting patterns while creating their own mini quilt top.

You’ll begin by learning accurate measuring and cutting techniques, then progress to piecing fabric squares together using a sewing machine. This course emphasizes foundational skills, craftsmanship, and design—no prior experience necessary.

Tickets are $225 ($187.50/members and adults 25 and under). Reserve your spot online or with Guest Experience at (479) 657-2335 today.

All materials included. Class runs Sundays, June 14 – July 26 (see dates below). Classes are 14+.

Designed for both beginner and intermediate painters, this six-week watercolor course offers a supportive environment for artists at all levels. Beginners will build a strong foundation by learning essential techniques such as color washes, dry brush, masking, and layering. Intermediate students will have the flexibility to pursue individual or specialized projects, receiving expert guidance and thoughtful feedback from the instructor and peers. Whether you’re looking to explore new ideas, strengthen your skills, or learn watercolor for the first time, this course provides something for everyone.

Tickets are $219 ($182.50/members and adults 25 and under). Reserve your spot online or with Guest Experience at (479) 657-2335 today.

All materials are included. Class runs June 14 – July 26 (no class the week of July 4).

RD holds secular, science-based addiction recovery support groups every Monday. We are LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent led/friendly. Harm reduction approaches welcomed. Sober curious folks are welcomed. Anyone questioning their relationship to substances is welcomed. No student observers, please.

Using principles learned from the Fundamentals, Figure/Head, and Painting classes, we’ll apply our knowledge and skills to Great Master artworks. We’ll learn watercolor basics (wet on wet,wet on dry, color mixing). Each week we’ll look at various artists such as Rubens, Rembrandt, Winslow Homer and more. From each, we’ll cover the human figure, landscapes, and abstracts.

All levels welcome!

Course Outline

Week 1: Overview/Review, Wet on Wet, Wet on Dry/Damp, Water Control, Brushes

Week 2: Simple Volumes, Visualizing simple masses, Value

Week 3: Monochrome, Using Black and Earth-tones

Week 4: Warm and Cools

Week 5: Color, Working with Primaries, Color Mixing

Week 6: Long-Form Master Study, Applying our skills to a single study