Classes

An evening outing of fun! Our monthly Chill Clay Nights allow anyone, regardless of their familiarity with clay, to come to our Ceramics Center and get their hands dirty. Beginners will benefit from the introductory instruction in a laid-back setting, and more experienced makers will enjoy practicing their skills in our welcoming community studio. We invite you to attempt functional forms for everyday use - bowls, mugs, and maybe more. While there is no pressure to create a masterpiece in two hours, we are happy to fire 1-2 small pieces for those of you who want to keep your works of art. This is a low-key creative social gathering, and great for dates, friends, coworkers, parents with older children, and anyone else who wants to give the potter’s wheel a spin!

Reserve time in our Studio to use our wheels - just for practice, or to continue your ongoing projects during staffed hours. Our studio managers will be on hand to lend support and pointers when needed. Open Studios are open to members and the general public alike.

If you are brand new to clay, or are looking to build up your pottery skills, this class is for you! In this course we will go through the basic steps and processes to make pottery in a variety of ways. These sessions will provide the tools, materials, and space to learn new techniques in hand building, wheel throwing, trimming, and glazing, with guidance and time for creative exploration along the way. Level: Beginner

with Sam Deering

Session 1: Sunday November 5th 1:30-4 PM
Session 2: Sunday November 12th 1:30-4 PM
Session 2: Sunday November 19th 1:30-4 PM
Session 2: Sunday December 3rd 1:30-4 PM

A quintessential form in ceramics, the teapot is a combination of multiple parts working in unison to serve a specific purpose. In this workshop, students will learn how to create the body of a teapot, its lid, spout, and handle, then combine them together to make a finished form that is balanced and functional. Combining many pieces to make one form with clay is challenging, and a large part of this workshop will be learning not just how to make the various aspects of a teapot, but how to combine them in a way that maintains the visual tension of the vessel while still being useful and easy to handle. We will make multiple versions of each respective part to get the hang of each form, working iteratively, coming away with at least one complete teapot at the end. (Weekend workshop; 4 sessions) Some experience on the wheel required.

With a focus on the wheel and incorporation of hand-built elements, James Mitschmyer will shepherd students, from beginners to veteran potters, to taking their work to the next level. From Sprig molds, hand-building to perfecting or learning basic wheel-throwing techniques, this class focuses on the individual interests of the participants. (Once a week; 8 sessions) Level: All levels welcome.

In this workshop we will explore combinations of hard (ceramic) and soft (felted wool) mediums to create a mixed media sculpture. We make the clay forms on the first day, fire them in the kiln, and then incorporate felted elements on the second Saturday of the workshop. We will also discuss how a sculptor’s choice of media can influence how a sculpture is interpreted. No experience in either technique is necessary. Ages 15+

Vince Dovydaitis will take you through the ins and outs of the space's CNC router operation. Includes recommendations on design tools, software used to operate the CNC, and how to prepare the machine and your work.

The focus of this class is to expand on the skills students already have, and emphasize the finer details of their practice, with the goal of being able to consistently make different forms.

Students will be challenged to refine their technique and gain confidence in working with larger amounts of clay. Classes will cover a variety of forms, asking students to strengthen different techniques for each: lifting clay and establishing smooth lines, managing wall thickness and shaping, and creation of forms that incorporate multiple parts (such as teapots and pitchers) and alterations (darting, carving, texturing, etc.).

We will spend time looking at our work, assessing the qualities we do and do not like about a particular form, and identifying changes to make in our next attempts. In this way, we will emphasize aesthetic quality and develop our artistic eyes and voices. This class is about refinement and exploration, quality over quantity, and celebrating as we turn weaknesses into strengths.

Recommended Pre-Requisites: basic throwing skills and a willingness to push yourself technically and creatively. Ages 18+ unless pre-arranged with the instructor.

• Pit-Firing Workshop with Kimberly Kersey-Asbury

Saturdays, February 1st, 2-5pm and February 15th, 9am-7pm

Two sessions/6+ hours

Pit-firing, the oldest known firing method in the world, remains an accessible and fun way to create beautiful organic surfaces on pottery. Students will learn the basics of the process and its rich history, as well as some contemporary innovations. In the first session, Kimberly will cover the unique considerations for making and decorating pieces especially for pit-firing. In the second session, students will work together with their instructor to load the pots into the outdoor pit, then build and maintain the wood-fueled fire that completes this interactive process. Students are invited to participate in only the decoration and loading, or to stay for the all-day firing. Pit-firing is an opportunity to connect deeply with the materials and processes of the ceramic arts, and it is also a wonderful community builder! Bring your curiosity and can-do attitudes to this mid-winter alternative firing. No experience needed/all levels welcome.

Get your textiles questions answered and build your skills with our Open Studios! This season we're adding something new, the studio will be open for all projects but we'll have special focus on some skill building and social time!

Weeks 1 and 3 of each month: Simple starter sewing, we'll have a project each month to help new sewists and those who need to dust of their skills to get comfortable using the machines

Week 2: Mending circle, Sunday's after Repair Café are a great time to learn your own fixing skills from zipper replacements to visible mending and embellishments

Week 4: Fiber circle, bring your knitting, crochet or other fiber art and join our cozy group stitch and chat in the textiles room with expert advice from our textiles leads on those stubborn stitches.

This is a By Donation event. Your contributions keep our textiles space thriving.

Make your own stool to take home, holy cow! Perfect for new woodworkers, this class covers everything from measuring, cutting, shaping and planing the wood to sanding and staining the finished stool. Don't worry if you have never used any of these tools before, our instructor Alan will draw upon his decades of experience as a professional woodworker to guide you through each step of the process.

Age Range: 18+
Level: Beginner / All Levels

A beginner woodworking course where you will learn how to make a unique cutting board with 'bubble' inlay! In this course, our instructor Alan will teach you the basics of woodworking and guide you through the process of creating a practical and stylish art piece. No two will look alike! At the end of this course, you will not only have a beautiful cutting board to use in your kitchen, but you will gain valuable woodworking skills including the tricks that Alan uses to get perfect inlay in his boards.

Age Range: 18+
Level: Beginner / All Levels

Woodturning Lvl. 1 Class

This course will teach you the basic steps needed to turn a small wooden bowl from tree to finished piece. Through discussion, question and answer periods, as well as demonstration and hands on experience, you will gain the knowledge and confidence needed produce a wooden bowl. Our goal, is to make you feel comfortable enough continue to visit MAXT and explore woodturning on your own. The small class size and abundance of tools and attention is designed to help you through the exploration of this craft.

The class will include instruction on wood selection, design, and finishing techniques all while focusing on safety and control.

Woodturning Lvl. 2 (intermediate)

This course will further your understanding of the steps needed to turn a small wooden bowl or enclosed vessel from tree to finished piece. Our goal, through creative class projects, is to make you feel more comfortable around the shop and challenge your design sense. Membership at MAXT is recommended but not required. The intent is for you to continue to explore woodturning on your own and build a community that supports wood turning and woodturners. The small class size and abundance of tools and attention is designed to help you through the exploration of this craft.

We will discuss wood selection, design, and finishing techniques all while focusing on safety and control. Natural edge bowls, turning “air”, and hollow forms will be discussed and supported. All meetings will start with a demo and then convert into supported design and production time. Surface treatments and carving will be discussed as well.

April 4 - May 23, 2023

Tuesday Evenings, 6:00-9:00pm

With a focus on the wheel and incorporation of hand-built elements, James Mitschmyer will shepherd students, from beginners to veteran potters, to taking their work to the next level. From Sprig molds and hand-building to perfecting or learning basic wheel-throwing techniques, this class focuses on the individual interests of the participants. (Once a week; 8 sessions) Experience Level: Beginning through Advanced.

Printmaker/Ceramic Artist Kim Cunningham will lead a workshop in carving one-of-a-kind block print stamps which will be used to texture clay slabs for creative clay constructions. Participants will design and carve at least two small rubber stamps, which they will begin by stamping on paper before moving on to clay slabs. The slabs will then be used to make coasters, tiles and vessels. Each participant should come away with several unique pieces. (2 sessions; 9 hours total)

The wood lathe is a wonderful tool for creating quick, quality projects… basic forms are easy to learn, and the creative possibilities are endless. This class will introduce beginners to the safe and thoughtful use of the wood lathe. The projects, including key rings, bottle stoppers, spinning tops, and tree ornaments, are perfect for learning basic techniques while exploring form, color, and texture. They also make great gifts.

Age Range: 18+
Level: Beginner / All Levels

Craft a beautiful, functional bowl in this fun class. Doug will guide students through taking a rough sawn board to a complete bowl ready for your morning cereal Bowls start with kiln-dried lumber. We’ll mount the blanks on the lathe then use gouges and scrapers to bring our bowls to shape. We’ll also learn about reverse-chucking, which will allow us access to both the outside and the inside of our projects. Finally, we will sand, apply finish, and clean-up the bottom. We will also touch on design considerations and various surface treatments.

Age Range: 18+
Level: Beginner ? All Levels

It is a handy skill to be able to quickly turn a tool handle. Whether for new tool tips or old tool restoration, making your own handles saves time, money, and offers a chance to customize the handle to your needs. In this class, we’ll cover such things as pre-drilling, keeping the tenon concentric, adding the ferule, and other basic turning and design considerations. If you’ve got a tool in need of a handle, bring it along.

Captive rings offer an interesting and playful design element that can be added to a variety of spindle projects. They add movement and sound, and often leave folks wondering “how did they do that anyway?” Captive rings are not difficult to turn, but there are a few tools and tricks that can aid in consistency and help to finish them off nicely. In this class, we’ll cover a variety of tools, techniques, and projects designed to make captive rings a part of your turning arsenal.

Resin and wood combine to make beautiful one of a kind creations and you can learn how they’re made in this workshop brought to us by SL Creations and Sarah Laperle. Sarah has designed a ocean themed charcuterie board for students to recreate.


Each student receives a pre-cut board for them to apply the resin. Mix your own colors and watch as the ocean comes alive as you pour over the board.


Day 1 - Lay the resin and cure overnight
Day 2 - Sand and finish
Board size 1”x10.5”x13.3”

Shibori is a centuries old art using resist techniques and indigo dye to create patterns on fabric. In this three hour class, students will create patterns on a cotton tea towel using simple stitches and learn how gathering can alter the dye process. We will use a vat of true indigo dye to bring the patterns to life, and provide inspiration on how to create future projects at home. Wear dark clothing or items you don’t mind getting messy!

All materials provided

Session 1: Throwing Session I - 9:30am-1:30pm, Saturday, June 24th

Session 2: Throwing & Trimming Session II - 9:30am-1:30pm, Sunday June 25th

Join us for a weekend of throwing and trimming, as we use the pottery wheel to learn the ins and outs of bowls. This form is a common sight in the home, is as functional as it is versatile, and can be altered and personalized in so many ways. This workshop will guide participants through both wheel basics, and the throwing and glazing skills needed to design and create bowls of your own.

All Levels.

Craft + Beer is an opportunity to make something awesome with your friends in a relaxed setting. A pint is included in the cost of admission!

If you’ve been curious about watercolor or have some experience and just want to play, please join us at Post and Beam on August 30th, We will explore the world of how watercolor moves, blends drips and drys. There are no expectations. It’s a chance to learn and explore the wonders of watercolor. All of the materials will be supplies, but if you have your own, please feel free to bring them.

Craft + Beer happens at Post and Brewery in Peterborough, monthly.

Session 1: Session I - 9:30am-1:30pm, Saturday, July 8 (4 hours)

Session 2: Session II - 9:30am-1:30pm, Sunday, July 9 (4 hours)

Session 3: GLAZING Day - 10:00am - 1:00pm, Sunday, July 22 (2 hours)

Used for millennia to store and transport goods, age and ferment food and drink, and show off social status, the jar is synonymous with pottery and its rich history. In this workshop students will use the potters wheel to throw a form, learn how to throw a lid, how to trim both, use texture or color to decorate, and in the final session how to glaze the jar so it’s visually appealing and functional. Combining these techniques participants will create their own jar to use in the home, or simply admire.

Some experience on the wheel is recommended.

Session 1: Session I - 6-9pm, Tuesday, August 8 ______ (3 hours)

Session 2: Session II - 6-9pm, Thursday, August 10 _____ (3 hours)

Session 3: GLAZING Day - 6-8pm, Tuesday, August 22________ (3 hours)

There’s nothing better than enjoying your morning coffee out of your own handmade mug. So join us in this mug making workshop where we’ll learn about and use different techniques to craft our own unique mugs. Participants will use the potters wheel to throw a vessel, learn how to pull and attach handles, decorate with texture or color, and in the next session do any final decorating and glazing to get our finished work. We’ll cover all the steps necessary to create your morning masterpiece.

This workshop is beginner friendly.

Session 1: On the Wheel - Saturday Morning, July 1, 10:00am-2:00pm

Session 2: Glaze Session - Saturday Morning, July 15, 10:00am-1:00pm

Description:

Spend a day playing with form and experimenting. Bottles are a fun and classic shape that can be made on the wheel. During this workshop, we will practice pressure and pulling methods to create a small series of bottles. Students will be encouraged to use creativity and add their personal style to their artwork. Intended for potters with some wheel throwing experience, this workshop includes one day for creation and finish work, and another for glazing.

Session 1: Handbuilding Session I - 9:30am-1:30pm, Saturday, August 12 (4 hours)

Session 2: Handbuilding Session II - 9:30am-1:30pm, Sunday August 13 (4 hours)

Session 3: GLAZING Day - 10:00am - Noon, Saturday, August 26 (2 hours)

Description:

Ceramic whistles, ocarinas, shakers, and horns each balance form and space in miraculous ways to make noise! join us at the studio as we explore different clay instruments, how they work, and how you can design and make your own. There will be clay, space, time, and firings provided so you can play and discover new sounds through clay. All Levels

Session 1: Handbuilding Day - 2:00-4:00pm, Tuesday, July 11 (2 hours)

Session 1: Handbuilding Day - 2:00-4:00pm, Tuesday, July 18 (2 hours)

Session 3: GLAZING Day - 2:00-4:00pm, Tuesday, July 18 (2 hours)

A different spin on making clay bowls! Ceramicist and art educator Karrie Mitschmyer will guide you through creative approaches with slabs to construct one-of-a-kind eye-catching bowls. Beginner’s welcome.

Get on the Lathe for this quick primer on how to create your own custom turned pens! Working from kits and your choice of wood, penmaker Bryan Field will walk you through the process of making your own pen. You'll learn how to safely use a lathe and turning tools, precision measuring and shaping, adding hardware, and finishing techniques. It's a perfect beginning turning class and you will go home with a beautiful pen of your own making!

Age Range: 18+
Level Beginner / All Levels

This 8-week class will be focused on throwing shapes and then manipulating them off the wheel. Using the wheel as a tool for creating instead of the entirety of creation will change your perspective of how to produce great artwork. Removing pieces from the wheel also allows for more sculptural exploration. Students are encouraged to think outside the box and combine throwing and hand building skills. Artists who attend will be encouraged to cut and re-assemble their pieces to challenge themselves. Students will throw cylinders, alter them into other shapes and use a variety of techniques to develop unique and creative artwork. This class requires fundamental throwing skills and is geared towards intermediate and advanced students. Tools are provided, but students are encouraged to bring their own set. (Once a week; 8 sessions)

Ceramics can take many forms, and this course will explore a delicate side of the clay experience. Handbuilding is a simple and accessible way for all to enjoy clay. During this weekend workshop, we will explore ways to manipulate clay into wearable artwork. Prepare to create beads, pendants, earrings and more! Silver jewelry clasps, hooks, and other additional pieces will be provided so you can walk out of the studio at the end with finished pieces to wear right away. (2 sessions; 5 hours total) All Levels.

Join our 3D printing expert John for a full introduction to using the FormLabs resin printers here at MAXT! Learn about the properties and capabilities of resin prints and the printing process. Students will then prepare an stl file for a miniature model for printing and see their creation starting to emerge. Fully printed and cured prints will be available to pickup within approximately 1 week.

Age Range: 18+
Level: Beginner

Urban Sketching is a way of visually recording a place or experience. It is often an activity shared with other artists on location, but it can also be a personal visual record of your life and travels. The drawings are loose and quick impressions done with any medium, but often with pen and watercolor. In this workshop you will be introduced to simple methods of drawing buildings and outdoor environments around Peterborough. You will learn how to create a sketch by understanding shapes, details and color. Basic perspective and simple watercolor techniques will be introduced. Playful experimentation is encouraged and perfection is not required. If you have a portable chair, please bring it along. Simple watercolor and pen/paper supplies will be provided, however if you already have these or other tools you would like to use, please bring them along.
Age Range: 14+
Level: Beginner

Turn forgotten trinkets and dusty knick-knacks into gleaming new earrings to treasure with this fun class. Jen will guide students through selecting, disassembling and recombining thrifted and sentimental pieces of jewelry into new and exciting creations. Materials are provided but students are welcome and encouraged to bring their own pieces to revive.
Age Range 18+
Level: Beginner

Create a stunning ornamental gemstone tree with our wire wrapping teacher Gabby. Each unique tree is assembled from gemstone chips and jewelers copper wire then anchored to a beautiful section of natural stone. Perfect to add some extra ambience to a peaceful place in your home

Age Range: 14+
Level: Beginner

Turn forgotten trinkets and dusty knick knacks into a funky, chunky bracelet to treasure with this fun class. Jen will guide students through selecting, disassembling and recombining thrifted and sentimental pieces of jewelry into new and exciting creations. Materials are provided but students are welcome and encouraged to bring their own pieces to revive.

Age Range: 18+
Level: Beginner

Get your hammer arm ready for our ring making class! Instructor Gabby will guide you through the process of taking jeweler's copper wire and a variety of beads and stones to create your own unique hammered ring, sized to fit you or a special someone!

Age Range: 14+
Level: Beginner

A special class with Bur Oak Studio, travelling from Indiana! Whimsy and repurposing are at the heart of these fabulous, adjustable necklaces! Jennifer will walk you through simple jewelry making techniques to make a one of a kind necklace using parts of colorful, old aluminum knitting needles & crochet hooks. You will choose from a large selection of more beads in glass, ceramic, semi-precious stones and more- whatever catches your eye & tickles your fancy! Necklace is a braided cotton or hemp with a sliding macrame clasp for adjustability.

Age Range 10+
Level: Beginner

A special class with Bur Oak Studio, travelling from Indiana! We’ll take cut up ‘beads’ from aluminum knitting needles, and use the wonderful palette of colors to make 3 pairs of bright and unique recycled material earrings to keep or give as gifts! Several ear wire choices available. Please let us know if you have metal allergies.

Age Range: 10+
Level: Beginner

Turn forgotten trinkets and dusty knick knacks into a big statement necklace to treasure with this fun class. Jen will guide students through selecting, dissasembling and recombining thrifted and sentimental pieces of jewelry into new and exciting creations. Materials are provided but students are welcome and encouraged to bring their own pieces to revive.

Age Range: 18+
Level: Beginner

Get to grips with wire wrapping and be ready to design your own pieces after this class. Instructor Gabby will guide students first through a basic wrapped gemstone pendant, then through a more advanced piece to really show off a beautiful stone cabochon.

Age Range: 14+
Level: Beginner

Get creative with color and fiber with Dave! Students will explore the world of acid dyeing yarn through creating 3 custom colorways using kettle, hand paint and speckling techniques on beautiful wool yarn bases. A perfect crash course in dyeing for knitters, crocheters and more. Dave will guide you every step of the way to creating stunning colors with over a decade of experience in indie dyeing and fiber arts teaching.

Age Range: 14+
Level: Beginner

Dive into the meditative art of coil basketry with local artist Devin. Using natural rope and locally produced yarns, students will learn the foundations of coil basketry and build up unique and beautiful small vessel. A perfect beginners class for relaxation and colorful expression!

Age Range: 14+
Level: Beginner

Step into a world of rich color and textures with oil paints! Instructor Alicia will guide students through techniques and materials in traditional and water mixable oils. After practicing skills and composition, students will work on producing their very own 8" x10" masterpiece!

Age Range: 18+
Level: Beginner

Come play with watercolors and enjoy watching your colors flow and merge.

In this workshop we will learn the basics of how to work with watercolors by mixing colors, exploring the amount of water to use and how these elements respond on different papers. We will learn different techniques, from wet on wet to wet on dry and more.

We will begin the class with experimentation and loose play, getting you comfortable with the magic that can happen with watercolor. From your playful explorations, you will create several handmade cards to take home, inspired by nature or from your own imagination. Basic materials and card sets will be supplied but if you have your own watercolor and paper, please bring them to the class.

Age Range 14+
Level: Beginner

The perfect introduction to CNC with expert Vince! V-Carve a sign or decorative item on our CNC. Over 3 sessions, the class will cover: What is v-carving? Compiling and customizing a 2D design using Inkscape. Sample designs and fonts will be provided. Importing and preparing your design for v-carving using Fusion 360. Simulating your toolpaths. Setting up and cutting your design on the CNC. Finishing your item


Age Range: 18+
Level: Beginner

Dive into programming with Python and take away your very own MicroBit computer to experiment and grow your Python skills! Chris will guide students through a series of mini tasks using the MicroBit mini computer and a simple web based interface. Students will build programs to use the MicroBit's inbuilt LEDs, buttons and sensors to see their programs at work in the real world. Bringing your own laptop is advised, PCs are also available for use in our computing lab.
Age Range 14+
Level: Beginner

This course provides you with instruction on the use of one of the most powerful 3D modeling software available - 3DS Max. 3DS Max is used in a wide variety of applications: from animation, to gaming, to architectural rendering. The first class will help you familiarize yourself with the 3DS Max user interface and features, and get started on your first modeling and animation projects. Students can start a free trial version of 3DS Max or decide to purchase an annual indie license for $280. This course is taught by John Anderson of Ragdoll Animation Studio in Antrim. How far you go is up to you - this class will be repeated and students can advance and practice by joining future sessions.

Age Range 14+
Level: Beginner

Join experienced art educator Kelsey for this fun and creative linocut course. Students will explore nature themes through sketching and carving their own linoleum block design. Students will have the opportunity to print their design on a variety of paper and cards to show their work to the world!

Age Range: 18+
Level: Beginner

Join experienced art educator Kelsey for a special youth session of this fun and creative linocut course. Students will explore nature themes through sketching and carving their own linoleum block design. Students will have the opportunity to print their design on a variety of paper and cards to show their work to the world!

Age Range: 12-18
Level: Beginner

Get ready for Fall and warm up with a new skill. The perfect class for absolute beginners, students will learn to measure, cut, sew and fill a handy microwavable heating bag. A great first piece for learning the foundations of sewing and working with fabric, ready to take on any project or MAXT course!

Age Range: 14+
Level: Beginner

Get into screen printing with this fast and fun workshop! Professional screen printer Carrie will give a short talk on the screen printing process from digital design to screen preparation and printing. Students will then get to try their hand at printing a spooky design from our premade screens.

Age Range: 14+
Level: Beginner

Get into screen printing with this fast and fun workshop! Professional screen printer Carrie will give a short talk on the screen printing process from digital design to screen preparation and printing. Students will then get to try their hand at printing a design filled with love from our premade screens.

Age Range: 14+
Level: Beginner

Make a statement with this beginner crochet project! Nicole will guide students through basic crochet stitches to learn the versatile granny square construction. Nicole will have design ideas and instructions to turn your pieces into a fun and funky simple statement sweater, with help available to complete your project free at every Monday Fiber Circle! Materials generously provided by donations to MAXT.

Age Range: 14+
Level: Beginner

Join seasoned textile arts instructor Erica for this quick and easy introduction to quilting. Students will learn how to select, measure, cut and stitch fabric into a pieced quilt top. This top will then be used to create a simple quilted tablemat by layering with batting and backing fabric, then using a simple 'stitch in the ditch' quilting method. Perfect for beginning sewists, no experience required!

Age Range: 14+
Level: Beginner

Are you ready to dust off your sewing skills or get started in learning the basics of machine sewing? Join us in the textiles studio to make a thread catcher with a pin cushion. This fun and useful project is perfect skill builder for beginner sewists and a quick and easy project for those who are more advanced. Feel free to bring your own special fabric (approximately 1/2 yard), or use some of the fabric we have on hand in the studio. Quilting cotton, linen, or any moderately stable woven fabric will be suitable for this project.

Age Range: 14+
Level: Beginner

Get ready to scare away enchantments this spooky season - or just add a little bit of Boho charm to your living room! Learn the basics of macramé with talented cord handler Kate and produce your very own witch bell decoration in soft colored cotton with cheerful chimes.

Age Range: 14+
Level: Beginner

Create a dastardly duo of spooky projects in this special Friday the 13th workshop. Nicole will guide students through summoning an adorable amigurumi crochet ghost. In this class you will learn the basics of 3 dimensional shapes and finishing techniques for stuffed creations.Dave meanwhile will lead a group through extracting a needle felted eyeball pincushion from nothing more than wool roving. Costumes encouraged, basic crochet experience (single, increase and decrease) a plus but beginners welcome.

Age Range: 14+

Level: Beginner / All Levels

Go from needle novice to knitting ninja in this fun class. Join experienced fiber arts teacher and knitwear designer Erica as she guides you through the knit, purl and a few extra tricks. Students will have the skills, pattern and materials to complete their very own beginning hat at home.

Age Range: 14+
Level: Beginner

Gardening season may be coming to an end, but there's still time to play with plants! Add some retro charm to your home with this beautiful Macramé Plant Hanger class. Our instructor Kate will guide you through the basics of macramé and each student will leave with their very own potted plant buddy in a stylish cord hammock.

Age Range: 14+

Level: Beginner

The Estuary skirt from Sew Liberated is a timeless A-line skirt that is easy to sew and to wear. It features several elevated details such as the angled patch pockets and the front button placket, both of which are optional and customizable. The elasticated back waist allows for comfort and fitting ease. This skirt is a workhorse in your wardrobe and can be customized to suit your unique preferences. This class is suitable for all levels. If you don’t have any sewing experience at all, we advise completing an intro to sewing class prior to the start of this class. Students will need to provide 2.5-3.5yds of garment fabric for the size and style of their choice

Age Range: 18+
Level: All Levels

Explore the world of green wood turning and rustic texture in this two part class. Students will work with instructor Jim to get familiar with the wood lathe and safety before embarking on turning their final piece from a green wood bowl blank cut straight from the tree!

Age Range: 18+
Level: All Levels

Join professional maker of fine furniture Louie for this fascinating class, Students will be guided through the fundamentals of working with wood from selecting timber to measuring, cutting, milling and joinery. Louie will be on hand to offer expert guidance every step of the way as students move into finishing and decorative details to create a unique tool caddy.

Age Range: 18+
Level: All Levels

A great beginning course for middle school students with experienced instructor Doug. Students will learn how to safely work in the woodshop using lathe tools to turn a wood block into a fast and fun finished piece. Perfect for kids who want to explore, build and create!

Age Range: 12-18

Level: Beginner

Learn to carve a spoon from a tree. This class will focus on gaining skills with two main tools of spoon carving – the sloyd (straight) knife and the hook knife. We will explore wood grain, learn different strokes and maintenance with each knife, and learn how to care for your body while carving. Students will leave the class with their own spoon, handouts of further resources, and the empowerment to continue learning and making things out of wood. This is a great class for beginners, as well as folks with some experience carving who are looking to brush up / reengage!

Age Range: 18+

Level: Beginner

Dive a little deeper into woodturning with this beginner friendly two part class. Students will learn to turn the box shape and then create a close fitting lid. Perfect for a first project to keep or gift! Jim will guide students through all the steps from box blank to finished piece, whilst learning about the fundamentals of wood turning and lathe safety.

Age Range: 18+

Level: All Levels

Dig into wood carving with this weekday evening multiseries with Lee Spoons. In this class, which meets 4 Tuesday evenings in November from 6-9, you will learn the skills to carve your own wooden utensils, and enter into the world of green wood carving. Students will work with a sloyd knife and hook knife to create a set of spoons, perfect for gifts over the winter holidays, or for use in your own kitchen.

Students will leave the class with their own sloyd knife, as well as a finished set of spoons they have made over the course of 4 weeknight sessions. Students will learn in-depth spoon carving techniques, as well as how to sharpen and maintain their tools and stretch your body. Come join us, and leave with a new skill to last a lifetime.

Age Range: 18+

Level: All Levels

Come and get creative in our jewelry space! Grab some vintage goodies, bead and findings from our stash and let your creativity take off. MAXT volunteers will be on hand to help break apart, recombine, clean and polish forgotten relics into new shining treasures. Bring your own broken pieces and we’ll even help you give them a new lease of life!

Tools and materials are provided. Free for members and students in ongoing jewelry classes. $10 for public entry.

Every third Wednesday of the month 6-8p

Join MAXT and Post and Beam Brewery for a relaxing evening of jewelry making with a side of craft beer. Our instructor Gabby will lead us through making a wire wrapped pendant with your choice of semi precious stone. All materials and a pint are included!

Hop down to Frogg's brand new location in Swanzey for our Craft + Beer. Join instructor Hallie of The Blank Space Collection to learn the basics of embroidery and make a cute little frog, designed just for this event! Have a relaxing evening crafting, all materials included and enjoy your first beer on us.

Serve your holiday appetizers in style with this Shapely Charcuterie Board!

Doug will guide students through turning a rough board into a beautiful, smooth and shapely piece to brighten up your dinner table. We'll learn how to select wood, mill, cut, cut, shape and finish a piece that you'll be proud to show off. Doug's classes are always a fun time and with years of experience teaching woodshop he'll make sure everyone leaves with some great new skills!

No knitting or jewelry experience required and it comes with a beer?! It's our ever popular Craft + Beer at Post and Beam. Join MAXT instructor Sarah for a fun class turning wire and beads into statement knit earrings. A great relaxing evening crafting and your first beer is included!

Learn the basics of acid dyeing in this fast and fun class! Students will dye a large, 5ft long fringed silk scarf using premixed dyes. Make beautiful and colorful, organic mixes and patterns with this foolproof technique. Fantastic for a pop of color in winter outfits or a last minute

Celebrate New Hampshire Pint Days with MAXT at Post and Beam! Learn the basics of block printing whilst enjoying a craft beer in a beautiful building. Each student will produce a set of 4 wooden coasters with their very own beer themed print,. Tickets also include your first beer to test them out!

This class will introduce beginning students to the safe and thoughtful use of the wood lathe. Here students will learn to easily create simple shapes while discovering how woodturning can open the door to an infinite variety of creative possibilities. The class will begin with a discussion of shop safety as well as a discussion of wood as a material.

Students will leave with a few small projects such as key rings, spinning tops, light pulls, tree ornaments, or mini baseball bats.

Designed for students aged 12+

Learn lathe and woodshop safety, then craft a beautiful, functional bowl in this fun class. Doug will guide students through taking a rough sawn board to a complete bowl ready for your morning cereal Bowls start with kiln-dried lumber. We’ll mount the blanks on the lathe then use gouges and scrapers to bring our bowls to shape. We’ll also learn about reverse-chucking, which will allow us access to both the outside and the inside of our projects. Finally, we will sand, apply finish, and clean-up the bottom.

Age Range: 12+

Get in the holiday spirit in the woodshop!

A great introductory class to wood turning. Students will learn the basics of lathe and tool safety with our experienced instructor Doug. Then it's on to making some jolly holiday ornaments with some beautiful woods in a variety of forms. Learn the same skills as our other beginning wood turning courses with a holiday twist. It's a regular Santa's workshop!

Join fantastic fiber artist Devin Donohue for this creative class. Students will learn the principals of needle felting and creating compositions with fiber. Each student will head home with new skills and a unique 10"x12" landscape of a beautiful woodland scene.

Make new friends at MAXT with this fun class. Students will make two gnomes with distinctive personalities, working with our lathes, hand tools, paints, faux fur and 3D printed accessories A fun class to bring some more whimsy to your holiday season or simply make a buddy to live on your desk..

Bring your old sweater and we'll bring the bling! It's a fun holiday upcycling adventure at our Ugly Sweater Factory.

We've been saving goodies all year to make some truly wild creations, we've got ornaments, felt, glitter and tinsel galore ready to create your own garish fashion faux pas. We'll have some hot chocolate, holiday music and even a photo booth set up to model your creations.

Just bring your enthusiasm and a garment you'd like to decorate, leave your good taste at home.

Families welcome, suitable for kids age 8+ (must be accompanied by an adult)

This is a FREE event, donations appreciated.

This workshop guides you through every step in the process of hand-making paper with recycled materials, using traditional papermaking methods. You’ll also get to experiment with different methods such as stenciling and embossing to make your paper that much more unique! Materials are generously provided by donations to MAXT, though you’re encouraged to bring some of your own junk mail and other paper items to recycle.

Join experienced art educator Kelsey for a holiday linocut printmaking workshop. Choose between card making or gift tags. Students will design and carve their own linocut block and have the opportunity to print their design on cards (envelopes provided) or gift tags.

Come celebrate the cold, dark months of winter learning how to carve a spoon to stir honey into your tea. You’ll carve this spoon from a branch of white birch, and learn to work with a sloyd knife and hook knife. Students will come away from the class with an *almost* finished spoon, a tin of spoon finishing butter to finish their spoon at home, and an introduction into the world of green wood carving.

We'll even send you home with some holiday tea blend and a cute little ribbon for the perfect mini gift package, cute as a button!

Craft + Beer is back at Frogg, dave is returning with this fun linocut class. Bring your imagination and we'll provide the rest. Learn to sketch, cut and print your own unique linocut design on a cute notebook - perfect for collecting those family recipes this holiday season. Plus as always your first beer is on us!

This is a 21+ event

Join us for a fun and festive class of beginner friendly metalsmithing! Smithing instructor Krystal will guide students in making a shiny new addition for their tree. We will learn proper sawing, filing, texturing, and polishing techniques on brass sheet metal to create your own unique ornaments. Students will walk away with a finished piece ready for holiday display!

Make merry with the Junior Creatives in this next series!

The MAXT Makerspace series for Middle Schoolers

Everyone loves to receive hand made gifts over the holiday season, whatever you celebrate. This year give your kids the chance to create something really special with our expert instructors. From textiles to woodwork, jewelry to fine art they'll explore 6 skills over the 6 weeks and create 6 amazing gifts!

Climb aboard our entrepreneur-ship and sail off on a new adventure with Junior Creatives, sign ups are now open for our Spring session.

Each themed session brings new and exciting ways for middle schoolers to express their creativity, build some fantastic maker skills and work as a team to produce a final piece they can all be proud of!

Chapter 2: Maker's Market

Wednesdays 3-5p

Mar 20-Apr 17 / May 1-15

This session our Junior Creatives mean business!

On May 15, MAXT will be turned into a beautiful miniature market full of fantastic creations, open to friends and family. Only one problem, we have no booths, no goods, we don’t even have any artisans!

Time to get to work! Our Junior Creatives will start with getting right into making, creating pieces with 6 different types of media and skills in the Makerspace. Each week they’ll be given the freedom to pursue their own theme and designs.

Then it’s on to designing their booths, turning their works into a display they can be proud to say is all their own work.

Finally we invite friends and family to the big party, if you’ve been to Night Market, you know that MAXT likes to make a big splash to show off our artists!

In this two-hour workshop participants will go through a series of guided making exercises that are intended to bring both novelty and grounding to their making practice. Pairing a mindful approach to the creation of forms, marks and language, participants will leave with new conceptual tools and ways of being in their studio practice. Whether one is new to their art practice or have been making for decades there will be something of value and consideration for every one.

Requirements include: A willingness to work in periods of silence. A willingness to play. A desire to prioritize your process. All Levels

"The object isn't to make art, it's to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable." Robert Henri

This class will be focused on working with larger amounts of clay and throwing bigger pots. Students will increase the amount of clay, and exercise their ability to build wider and taller. This concept will be explored through stacking smaller vessels to create larger pieces as well as using quantities of clay 5lbs or greater. If you have foundational wheel skills and are ready for a new challenge, this is the class for you! We will explore historical pottery of large shapes and sizes that will inspire our own work. This class is targeted to intermediate level ceramic artists. Tools are provided, but students are encouraged to bring their own set.

Level: Intermediate

Utilizing a hand-cut slab method, instructor Jim Cusmano will lead you through the design process, whether you choose to work in the abstract or realistically, to create interesting pictorial tile surfaces. Time will be spent finishing your works with a variety of decorating techniques, from stains, to underglazes to traditional glazes. Use these techniques to decorate your home or create a portable work of art. Students will make two 7x7 designs.

No experience necessary.

Using a variety of hand building techniques, students will create detailed sculptures. These sculptures will focus on abstraction of form and shape through clay. Starting with sketching ideas, students will be challenged to explore how volume is created in three dimensional space without specific realistic sculptural goals. Slab, coiling, and pinching methods will be used to develop unique abstracted ideas. If you are curious about clay and are ready to explore new ways of playing with it, sign up now!

Start your sewing journey this year with a unique recycled project. Sarah will guide students on how to transform an animal feed bag into a durable, waterproof and reusable tote. A fantastic beginner sewing project for something fun and practical and a perfect introduction to our textiles studio at MAXT.

Get ready for the snowy slopes with our winter sports expert Zach! We've been helping out with winter sports tune ups with our Repair Café and now it's time to teach you! Come and join us for this demo and seminar on how to tune up your own winter sports gear, then come on by to MAXT during our Repair Café or Open Studio days to use our kit.

This is a free event, donations are appreciated.

Learn a new fun and additive skill! Students will create monotype prints with acrylic paints and stencils on a gel plate, using everything from rice paper to tissue paper. These monoprints can be used as individual pieces of art or as part of a collage. Working with experienced artist Kate Allen, students will explore color, texture and technique to create a collection of pieces on different media.

Dive into the world of silver smithing with this introductory class with Krytsal Hjelm. Students will learn how to work with sheet silver, wire and prepared turquoise stones to create their own unique piece of fine jewelry. A fantastic introduction to the use of our jewelry shop from hand tools to bench top polishers, rotary tools and our high temperature soldering setup.

If you’ve had that little itch to pick up a pencil and learn to draw, this might be the class for you. Learning to draw is about taking the time to see and observe the world around you more closely. We will practice drawing with a variety of simple objects, both natural and man-made. We will learn how to make observations and transfer what we see onto paper. There will be playful exercises to help get us started and a range of materials to use during the two day sessions. Materials are provided, students are also encouraged to bring their own media to work in.

Get to grips with the basics of digital design and turn your ideas into reality with this practical 3D printing class. John Anderson will guide students through image sourcing, manipulation in vector graphic software and converting into a printable stamp face object in 3DSMax. Students will then be guided through the basics of printing, cleaning and creating their own papercrafts with personalized stamps produced on our FormLabs printers.

Explore the fascinating world of bookbinding and create a unique home for your artistic exploration with this course. Students will learn how to create folded signatures using a variety of papers, cut, stack and bind them into a cover of their own design and finish with a tough waxed cord binding. The perfect class to accompany our wide variety of art courses this season!

Take some extra time with Bryan to explore the world of pen turning on our lathes here at MAXT. Students will start with a simple two piece pen, learning to cut blanks, drill, turn and assemble a pen. This class then dives deeper into creating more advanced pen designs using the same slimline kit, students will learn different ways of building and embellishing turned pens. Each attendee will leave the class with am minimum of two finished pens. This is a great class for true beginners or as a follow on course from Bryan's previous Pen Turning classes.

Drawing facial features can be intimidating , but in this class we will simplify the process by breaking down the process into easy steps. Bring a black and white copy of a face of choice ( your own, a friend…) or use images that we provide to study the facial features. If you already have your own favorite drawing supplies bring those . We supply a variety of pencils and grafite sticks and drawing paper for this class. Bring a curious mind and you are all set.

Get your geek on with this multi week miniatures painting course. Students will learn how to prepare a commercial minature, collectable or 3D print for painting then work with a pre-prepared example piece to learn techniques. This class wil cover the principals of lighting, airbrush use, brush layering, washes, drybrushing, metallics, organic textures and weathering. We'll also cover the best practices for choosing paints and tools for future projects.

A perfect introduction to the MAXT woodshop, students will learn to create their very own door harp in a custom design. In this class you'll create a unique instrument from an a beautiful piece of ash. Students will be using the table saw, band saw, scroll saw, learn about milling, basic joining and finishing as well as thinking about design and function. Come and make music with us!

Get your mitts on a great fiber arts project! Fabulous fiber artist Chris Huntington will take students through the basics of continuous strand weaving on her specially made looms. Then, those squishy woven squares will be turned in to soft, warm fingerless mitts to wear home. A great fast fiber arts class and some classy finished pieces in locally hand dyed colorways of fine merino wool.

Smash! Dig deep into our treasure trove of jewelry parts and pieces with Gabby to create your very own upcycled creations. We have pound and pounds of vintage goodies here at MAXT to harvest for parts and expert guidance from Gabby to use our jewelry tools and notions to create something new and unique. Students will leave with a minimum of one finished bracelet, necklace or set of earrings - anything you can make, you get to keep!

Have pots of fun with the whole family in this fiber arts class. Students will learn to make simple potholder looms from kits made here at MAXT and them produce their very own potholders using a simple weaving method. A great way to pick up a fun new skill.

Get a head start in the art of stranded colorwork knitting with this fun fair-isle class. Get to grips with working with multiple colors in this simple beginner friendly pattern. We'll have everything you, just bring a sense of adventure and some basic knitting skills (cast on, knit, purl, bind off).

Add a big splash of color to your fiber arts with this beginners guide to yarn dyeing. Professional indie dyer Dave will guide students through the basic of acid dyes from color choice to mixing, application and setting. Students will design their own unique colorways and apply them to a beautiful merino wool super chunky yarn. Each student will leave the class with a full kit to turn their creation into a quick, knitted, winter hat!

Make new friends at MAXT! Amigurumi is the art of creating cute, miniature stuffed characters, everything from a classic bear to a coffee cup. Add some extra cuteness to your making, we'll provide everything you need - just bring a sense of fun and basic crochet skills (chain, single and double crochet, fasten off).

Spring is on the horizon and gardeners hands are going to need some love! Never fear, Katherine Gekas is here to share some expertise in creating a soothing hand lotion with extracts of locally sourced herbs. Students will learn the extraction process and use pre prepared oils and tinctures to blend their own moisturizing salve.

Have you taken some of our beginning wood turning classes here at MAXT? This is the perfect next step, Turning Start to Finish is a multi week course designed to enhance your skills and learn the art of designing pieces from wood selection to final high quality, finished pieces. Students will have the opportunity to explore different types of gouges, attempt more challenging forms and will produce multiple pieces throughout the series.

Make lathe tools on the lathe?! Bryan will guide students through his personal process of creating turned tools handles, cutting, grinding and tapping steel bar stock and fitting carbide tips to produce a multi functional tool for wood turning. Perfect for those with their own lathes or some extra street cred when turning in the MAXT studio!

In this three part series, professional screen printer Carrie will take students through the entire production process. Learn to select and edit vector images, produce transparencies and transfer to screens before printing your own designs. This class will take you from the digital realm through a journey into the dark room and finally to our press to learn everything you need to be a screen printing whiz!

Stretch your sewing skills and get started with our long arm quilter here at MAXT. Students will learn how to prepare and load a fabric 'sandwich' for quilting and learn the basics of operating the long arm before practicing on a simple whole cloth piece.

Join us for a unique way to capture the beauty of Spring and the returning sun! Students will use sun activated dyes to print their own unique designs on a cotton tote. A huge variety of images can be captured and the class will include some time to forage for fallen leaves and other natural materials to include in their designs. We'll also have on hand some fun tools and items from the makerspace to incorporate!

Get eggcited for this cracking class! Learn the satisfying art of Pysanky, the traditional Ukrainian art of wax resist egg dyeing. Students will learn how to use the kitska tool to apply layers of wax, dye their creations in successive colors and how to finish their piece by blowing the egg for preservation. Students will end the class with at least one intricate egg, depending on their pace most students will create multiple pieces.

Dive into the world of silver smithing with this introductory class with Krystal Hjelm. Students will learn how to work with sheet silver, wire and prepared stones to create their own unique piece of fine jewelry. A fantastic introduction to the use of our jewelry shop from hand tools to bench top polishers, rotary tools and our high temperature soldering setup.

Celebrate the coming of Spring with this new class from popular fiber arts instructor Devin Donohue. A common symbol of springtime across cultures, these fuzzy ovoids will brighten up any vernal table. This is a great introduction to needle felting, learning to control, shape and embellish wool forms and end up with a set of seasonal decorations!

Spend a day making your own fabulous earrings! Using wire, we will make french ear wires, dangles, hoops and much more. Making earrings can be easily done using a few hand tools and a little imagination. Wire, and some sheet metal, plus beads will all be used. Silverplated, sterling, goldfilled and copper wire will be used.

A new Open Studio for 2024! Join our woodshop daring duo, Rick and Rhonda for help with your projects. This is a great time to get assistance with our equipment, get general woodworking advice and to catch up on your projects from our series classes.

This is a free event, donations are appreciated to help with running costs.

Wondering what MAXT is all about? Book yourself on to one of our weekly tours and learn all about our mission to get the Monadnock Region making! Meet our staff, take a tour of our workshops, find out all about our programs and memberships and get your making questions answered. These tours are free, family friendly and open to all!

Start the New Year with a bit of personality and a pint. It's time for a new Craft + Beer at Post and Beam Brewing!

CJ Burton presents Sonderbots! These personalized junk robots are a canvas for your creativity, inspired by the concept of 'sonder'—the profound realization that each of us shares a connection through common objects and experiences. CJ has meticulously curated an array of robot components in a mini factory setting, enabling you to assemble your distinctive Sonderbot. Utilize an eclectic mix of blocks, nuts, bolts, and various other elements to bring your unique vision of a Sonderbot to life.

Make a new friend, get your first beer on us - what a wonderful way to spend an evening.

This event is hosted at Post and Beam Brewing, 40 Grove St Peterborough
This is a 21+ event.

Come on down to diVINE on Main for our first event in the new for 2024 Art + Wine at diVINE. Join Kelsey Fleet for a relaxing afternoon of art exploration. Attendees will begin by creating a simple accordion style sketchbook and then use mixed media to begin to fill it with their own sketches, drawings and ideas. A snack plate or glass of wine is included in the class, with more goodies available to purchase from diVINE.

Create a stunning ornamental gemstone tree with our wire wrapping teacher Gabby. Each unique tree is assembled from gemstone chips and jewelers copper wire then anchored to a beautiful section of natural stone. Perfect to add some extra ambience to a peaceful place in your home Plus your first beer is on us!

Bring some inspiration to this playful afternoon of Art + Wine @ diVINE. Kate Allen will lead this exploration into the art of mixed media collage, with materials from a huge range of sources from hand made papers, found objects and even music sheets. A snack plate or glass of wine is included in the class, with more goodies available to purchase from diVINE.

This class is hosted at diVINE on Main - 32 Main St, Peterborough

Join MAXT at Frogg Brewing for a fantastic night of knots! At the end of your rope? Need to unwind? Macramé with a beer is what you need. Learn the basic knots with Erica, our fiber arts expert and get all the skills and materials you need to create this cute pennant piece. Plus get your first beer on us!

This is a 21+ event, held at Frogg Brewing, 580 Sawyers Crossing, Swanzey

We've got a great new excuse for playing with your kid's toys! Lego Letterpress is a great introduction to relief printing with movable elements. Make your own printed signs and pixel art, plus it's just really fun. As always at Craft + Beer your first drink is on us.

This is a 21+ event hosted at Post & Beam Brewing, 40 Grove St, Peterborough

This class is perfect for beginners and will cover the basics of coil building and introduce/play with the concept of building something on a team in addition to individually. We will take a unique co-creation approach in this class, with the opportunity to work on pieces collaboratively, sharing ideas and skills along the way. This four week course will introduce and develop the versatile coil building approach to creating with clay and demonstrate ways to combine wheel throwing and handbuilding, adding slips, and glazing techniques.

No experience necessary. Ages 16+

Roll up! Roll up! To the MAXT County Fair. There's a whole host of games and fun… or, there will be. Let’s just say our fete is in the hands of the Junior Creatives!

In this intensive summer making program, our wannabe carnival entrepreneurs will build and test fairground games, with expert guidance from MAXT staff and instructors. From boat racing to target practice and ring toss we’ll have a variety of summertime favorites.

They’ll get to work with a wide variety of materials around the workshop: building with wood, sewing, painting and creating something they’ll be proud of. Then, there’s a chance to show off to their families on our final day during the MAXT County Fair with refreshments, fairground prizes and good old fashioned fun.

Junior Creatives programs are designed for grade levels 5-8. If you have questions about if this program is suitable for your child, please contact us.

This summer program is one that’s sure to make a big impression!

In this intensive art and making program we will explore a host of creative printing techniques in our printshop. We’ll screen print shirts, explore relief, intaglio and mono printing methods, carve, etch, build with Lego, and even make the paper.

We haven’t forgotten it’s summer and they’ll be etching….. I mean itching to go outside - so we’ll be super sizing some printing techniques to print on giant paper!

We’ll wrap the whole week off with an art show for family and a portfolio of work to take home in their own accordion artbooks.

Junior Creatives programs are designed for grade levels 5-8. If you have questions about if this program is suitable for your child, please contact us.

A wonderful introduction to woodturning and using green wood, this is a perfect introductory class - but there's plenty for the experienced turner too!

Bryan will take students through the first steps of using of the wood lathe to produce a beautiful bowl that will naturally change shape into a softened organic form as it dries.

Students will explore turning a bowl using only one tool, the 60 degree Ellsworth, or Irish grind, bowl gouge. The key to a good bowl is a sharp tool and we will spend time learning how to put the perfect edge on our gouges. Following the sharpening tutorial we will take our blank, place it between centers and turn a tenon so the bowl can be held in a chuck. The next step is to shape the outside of the bowl. We remove the bowl from centers and place it in the chuck and hollow it out. Bowls are left unfinished until they are dry. As they dry their shape will change and you are left with a bowl that was designed both by you and by nature.

What better way to relax in an evening than drinking a beer and slowly, carefully embroidering some choice language. Vent your frustrations artistically in this fun class. Learn the basics of cross stitch pattern reading, simple design and create a colorful (language) mini masterpiece in cotton or hand dyed (pardon my) French silk. Plus your first drink is on us.

This is a 21+ event, hosted at Frogg Brewing. 580 Sawyers Crossing Rd, Swanzey, NH 03446

We all take photographs when we travel, but they are fleeting moments captured in our phones. A travel sketchbook is a way to record important memories with words and visuals. This documentation slows down your thoughts and describes your trip with more detail and emotion.

You will learn basic quick sketching techniques that will help you find your style. Perfection is not the goal, taking the time to reflect and draw has more power than a perfect sketch.

There will be an introduction to perspective, techniques for capturing a space or object quickly and insights into light and contrast. We will use pen and watercolor and create a small sketchbook for you to use during the class. There will be two classes held at MAXT and one meet up in Peterborough where we will sketch on location. Practice is encouraged during the week between classes, but not required.

Take some time to get comfortable in our woodshop with John. This is a perfect introductory course to woodworking, learning how to cut, plane, joint, laminate and generally get a good tour of what our space has available. Students will work with a variety of woods to create their own set of beautiful, patterned coasters.

Have fun and meet new people while learning about art and drawing.
The class will explore art history while learning basic drawing techniques. If you have
done some drawing and want to hone your skills, you can work at your own level. The
goal of this class is to improve the student’s drawing ability, develop art appreciation,
and to produce at least one finished portfolio piece.

The instructor, Andrew Bills, is an accredited art teacher with decades of experience,
both as a professional artist and as an art educator.

Learn to make your own jewelry findings and wire chains. Customize your designs by crafting your own ear wires, clasps, pin backs and simple chains by hand without use of a traditional torch and gas tank. In addition, participants will learn to use cold connections (such as rivets) to connect pieces together without soldering. Joy will teach piercing, sawing, drilling, and other low-tech jewelry techniques designed to allow you to work in metal with no need for a lot of tools.

In this one day class, we will make several rings that will stack together. Each ring is different yet all go together. Using assorted wire of different thickness and width, we will shape them into rings, solder them, and using hammers to create textures. We will also add beads pre-made silver bezel cups with small cabochon stones and other decorative elements on each ring to provide a variety of rings.

This one day workshop will introduce you to simple metalsmithing skills such as working with wire to make simple wire jewelry and some sheet metal that we will cut out, texture with hammers, drill holes to connect ear wires or link together. Simple hand tools will be used like pliers, metal shears, hammers, and more used to work with metal. Copper and brass will be provided for students to use.

During this two-session workshop, Sarah will demonstrate how to transform wheel-thrown pieces into unique vessels and forms. Participants will learn how to alter your thrown pieces into ovals and other geometric shapes. We will work through simple forms to more complex forms, demonstrating with combining forms and adding brushed clay slips. There will be individual work time along with the demonstrations.

Crochet yourself a new wardrobe with Nicole! This 2 part class will teach the process of measuring, swatching, pattern adaptation through to crocheting and finishing your pieces. Class one will focus on preparation and getting started. Class 2 will teach you some great crochet techniques, get hands on help with your project and learn techniques to get great finished items.

Practice materials are included. Students will need to provide or purchase materials of their choice for their garment.

Get a great introduction to the woodshop at MAXT and make yourself a fun, rustic shelf for your home. In this 3 part class students will learn how to select, measure, cut, plane, use the router and finishing techniques. Your finished book tree can be wall mounted or free standing and makes a beautiful addition to a reading space.

Have you dabble in linocuts or taken a beginner printmaking course? Are interested in developing your printmaking skills? Come join us as we learn to make a two color reduction print! In this course we will start with a single linoleum block, and go through the process of carving and printing with two colors of your choice, based on your design. We will practice registration and color mixing. At the end of the two classes you will have multiple copies of a finished art print to take home!

Get Hooked on Crochet with this new series. Join any time in the series, come as often as you like, your $20 registration fee covers all your materials. The Get Hooked series takes you from which way round the hook goes, through basic stitches and pattern reading to more complex stitch designs. You'll end the series with a fun sampler scarf. Get Hooked is also supported by a full learn to crochet booklet, with linked videos and your starting kit comes with a bamboo hook and high quality hand dyed yarn!

Nicole has generously donated her time for this course so donations on site are appreciated to help fund more fiber arts programs at MAXT.

Join Sarah for this family friendly beginning sewing class and journey into upcycling! Learn how to cut, sew and install a zipper into a bag using some fantastic donated feed sacks. Turning heavy duty, plastic feed sacks into rustic treasure and get some great skills along the way.

16 and under must be supervised by an adult.

Learn to make 100% natural skin loving soap with Andrea. Now based in Marlborough creating art with her new business Big Barn Pottery, she still makes soap after years of being a professional soap maker in NYC.
In this class you will learn the basics of cold process soap making. As an introductory class we will cover safety procedures, ingredients & adding natural colorants and scent.
During this three hour class as a group we will first discuss what makes a good bar of soap, then measure out ingredients, blend and pour our soap, getting an understanding of saponification.

After 48 hours everyone in the class will be able to pick up and take home several bars of soap.

*** This is an 18+ Class. Soap making requires caustic lye. For Safety students must wear long pants, long sleeve shirts and footwear that completely covers their feet. ****

Bring some sparkle and shimmer to your life by learning all about stained glass! We're excited to open up a new stained glass area at MAXT for spring 2024 and kick it all off with some great beginner classes.

Learn to create in stained glass, making a beautiful 5 pointed star in vibrant colored glass. Students will learn how to safely handle glass, to select the correct pieces for their project, cut, grind, foil, solder, and polish. A full introduction to this beautiful artform.

2 2hr sessions per course

Join Siobhan for this fun, introduction to garment sewing. Learn the basics of measurements, pattern reading, cutting, sewing and finishing all in a single afternoon!

Students will work on the free pattern Augustina, a piece designed for women's sizes XS to 4X. All materials are provided and students will head home with a custom cut pattern for their size to recreate.

Have you wanted to make items that are not only beautiful but also useful? Learn how to hand-build a butter dish for your kitchen. Handmade ceramic butter dishes are a simple and beautiful way to keep soft butter available. Your instructor will walk you through a step-by-step process to create your unique and functional work of art! Students will have the opportunity to add details and designs independently with texture and underglazes. Skills learned in this workshop will transfer to other slab-built forms. All experience levels are welcome. Students will have one day to build and one day to decorate and glaze their work. If students cannot attend the second session, the instructor will select and glaze their work for them. (2 Sessions)

Craft + Beer is an opportunity to make something awesome with your friends in a relaxed setting. A pint is included in the cost of admission!

For our next Craft + Beer night, Larry Antonuk will introduce us to the world of fly tying. Did you ever want to tie your own fishing flies? Or tie them for someone who fishes? In this class we’ll learn all the basic concepts needed to produce some simple (but very effective) dry and wet fly patterns.

All materials and tools will be provided – you’ll be going home with several flies of your own design. This class is good for all levels, but especially for those just testing the waters.

Craft + Beer happens at Post and Brewery in Peterborough, monthly.

In this course we'll cover techniques for making your vehicles look factory fresh with the airbrush and brush painting. Then we'll mess them all up with weathering! Take your model making to the next level.

This class will cover model preparation, preshading, color selection, track and wheels, heat blooms and exhaust soot, glow effects, decals, chipping, dusting, oils and weathering powders.


Some example models will be available for this course but it is recommended you bring your own piece to work on. Please let us know ahead of time if you don't plan to bring a model.

Examples of suitable pieces to work on:
Any 28mm scale wargames piece (Games Workshop or similar). 1/35 scale military models, cars or similar. Fully assembled and primed grey.

Bring the family for this fun, spontaneous art class with Gabby! Learn how to mix, pour and create with acrylic paints and pouring mediums. We'll have a range of fun colors including neons and metallics to play with. Each student will create multiple pieces on small canvases.

Suitable for ages 10+, children must be accompanied by an adult.

Join Cassidy for an afternoon of free art exploration to create some wonderful abstract pieces. Enjoy a glass of wine or an appetizer from diVINE as you work on blind contour drawings of plants and human figures with a curated playlist of music. Be expressive during this sensory experience to create free flowing designs with markers, pencil and pastel before turning your inspirations into an abstract painting with acrylic on board.

This class is hosted at diVINE on Main - 32 Main St, Peterborough

Join Doug for this fabulous introduction to spindle turning techniques on our lathes! Students will learn how to produce a beautiful, unique candlestick from a single, solid blank. The class will cover basic lathe tools and safety and explore the process of turning straight, concave and convex shapes, learning about sequencing production steps and discussing form and function.

Learn the screen printing process from start to finish in a single day class with Carrie!

Students will learn the process of screen coating, development, washing and finally printing their designs. Each student will leave with 3 finished t-shirts from a wide choice of sizes and colors provided by Carrie, plus practice shirts from the MAXT supply.

Students can pick from hundreds of designs for their pieces from Carrie's stock (from years of professional screen printing) or bring their own.

Design parameters:

Design must be printed in black ink using an inkjet printer on an inkjet transparency. Design must fit on an 8.5" x 11" sheet. No lines in any element of the design should be smaller that 2mm.

This class includes a 1hr break for lunch.

Hop on down to Frogg for an evening of beer and books with Kelsey. Students will learn how to create a notebook from a variety of papers and cardstocks using basic bookbinding techniques. From cutting to folding, stitching and finishing. There will also be the opportunity to add embellishments like decorated covers and ribbon bookmarks for adventurous makers. Plus your first beer is on us!

This is a 21+ event hosted at Frogg Brewing, 580 Sawyers Crossing, Swanzey, NH

Feel lost with basic skills? Feel like a fool around the most simple of repairs? Did your dad never show you anything?

MAXT volunteers are here to help! Our new Fool’s Guides Series, Mondays 5.30-6 are quick, FREE mini classes on basic skills. Drop in and learn in our judgement free zone!

Join accomplished furniture maker Louis Lovas for this introduction to furniture making. Students will learn fine finishing and joinery, working to shape beautiful hardwood boards into this eye catching wood and brass jewelry hanger.

Students may require extra time to finish the piece outside of class and are encouraged to come to our Monday Woodshop Open Studio between the sessions.

Come and tinker with us!

MAXT will be renovating and enhancing a vintage synth into an, electronic art piece. We need your help to clean, fix the electronics, build in digital visuals, paint, upholster and more. Meet our makers and learn new skills in this FREE program

Program Launch Date 6/8 - help us make a plan for our finished piece.
Work sessions - Weds evenings starting 6/19

Join us for a new Open Studio. Our Fiber Arts Circle is a FREE weekly event to come along and sit, knit, crochet, felt, weave and more! Bring your project and join our social circle, get some help from fellow fiber enthusiasts, get inspired to start something new or just chat whilst you weave in those darn ends!

Donations appreciated to help fund MAXT's facilities and events.

A great summery way to get some new textiles skills!

Join Nicole as we explore turning fabrics into vibrant t-shirt yarn, suitable for all kinds of chunky knit and crochet projects from rugs to baskets and of course bags. With your newly made yarn, Nicole will guide students through simple finger crochet and working with large scale hooks to create your own beach / market bag ready to take on those summer adventures.

Fabric will be provided from our textiles donations at MAXT, if you have something you would like to include in your piece, bring it along.

Drypoint is a very atmospheric form of printmaking which allows you to make multiples that have rich, dense blacks as well as fine lines and subtle details. You will learn the basics of drypoint using a plexiglass plate, a sharp needle tool to scratch into the plate, oil based etching inks, and MAXT’s etching press. You’ll walk away with a small edition of black and white prints you can keep or give as gifts.

No experience necessary. Ages 12 and up. We have some aprons, but it never hurts to bring your own and/or wear clothes you don't mind getting ink on.

Join Bill Cass, artist and Associate Professor in Printmaking at New England College to make some truly unique prints!

Monotype prints are one of a kind images produced on a smooth plate by selectively removing ink, each print is as unique and creative as you want to make it. CMYK prints use primary colors just like your home computer printer to be able to create a whole rainbow of tones.

Bill will guide students through the process of designing, layering and removing inks on Perspex plates and finally using our press to transfer your impressions to paper.

Students should bring at least one photo or sketch to work from for their piece. Prints will be produced on an 8" x10" plate

A new adventure in wire with our instructor Gabby, Copper Coil Bonsai is a more in depth dive into the world of wire wrapping and sculpture.

Students will create their own bonsai garden complete with pot and accessories built around the centerpiece of a coiled wire tree. The tree is a great standalone project, or a next step in your wire journey from Gabby's gemstone tree classes.

So join us for a relaxing afternoon making miniature worlds!

“It is remarkable how the seemingly simple act of cutting paper and gluing elements can have a profound impact on your life” -- Laurie Kayner, MA

Collage is a joyful art form that will encourage creativity and self-expression. With paints, papers, natural elements, etc., you can create a visual record of everything that is you! You will learn techniques and use a multitude of ephemera: papers, glues, mark-making tools, natural elements, photos, etc. Collage offers many creation opportunities, such as art journaling, bookmaking, handmade cards, and wonderful art. ALL LEVELS

Make a splash at our next Craft + Beer with Yarn Dyeing!

Join indie dyer Dave for this fast and fun introduction to acid dyes and yarn. Choose from a buffet of high quality wool yarn bases from lace and sock to super chunky. Then get to work learning how design your own colorways, mix, apply and set your colors. If the weather co-operates we can even dye outside and be inspired by the beautiful gardens in downtown Peterborough. Plus your first beer is on us!

This is a 21+ event hosted at Post and Beam Brewery, 40 Grove St, Peterborough

Please wear old clothes or an apron for dyeing just in case.

Enter the vibrant world of water soluble monoprints with Kelsey and really make an impression!

Students will learn how to build and manipulate colors on a plexiglass plate using Caran D'ache water soluble wax pastels. This unusual medium allows colors to be applied like wax crayons but manipulated and blended like watercolors or oil pastels. Students will then use the press to transfer their piece to paper, creating a unique print in rich vibrant color. The ghosted image remaining on the plate can be redrawn or manipulated to form a series of related pieces.

This 4-week class combines structured exercises, prompts and activities with a bit of independent making time. Classes will incorporate readings, writing prompts, drawing meditations, claywork meditations, and time to work on individual projects with guidance if desired. The goal of this mini-course is to help direct your making practice towards an intentional and meaningful process. After all, the objects we make in the studio are really just a byproduct of “art;” “art” is the personal practice developing when we’re in the studio manipulating materials.

Students should bring a sketchbook and/or journal, favorite tools, and a spirit of exploration. Clay and related firing fees are included.

Moving to Noone Falls is a perfect opportunity to build a workspace that is more user friendly for members present and future as well as proving better facilities for teaching.

That's where the Workshop Organization Team comes in!

Bring your skills and spend some time making our space better for everyone as we build and implement a system of color coding, workshop logs, machine guides and signage to be installed at the new space. There's a lot to do and every little helps.

Kickoff meeting July 11 5.30-7.30p with flexible working times to be decided by the group.

Join us for a fun day of sewing for all ages in the textiles room!

Everyone is welcome to join our volunteers to learn the basics of fabric cutting and stitching as we work together to create colorful bunting. We want our new textiles space at Noone Falls to be full of color and patterns, this is the perfect way to make your mark for years to come.

Light refreshments will be provided

Come and learn how to build high quality wooden counter tops with volunteers Paul and Rick and help furnish our new space!

We have had generous donations of locally sawn pine and some beautiful vintage cast iron café table bases, perfect to create some outfitting our textiles space with purpose built sewing machine tables.

During this program attendees will learn how to work with rough boards, measure, cut, joint, plane, glue and finish into high quality counter tops.

Your registration fee will help cover the consumables and every attendee will be gifted a MAXT shirt and a special trinket as thanks for coming to one of our Making Our Move courses!

Join MAXT member John Whelan of Dead Tree Legacy to turn trash into treasure!

During this course, students will learn how to select items, clean, design and refit into custom lighting. Students are encouraged to bring some items to transform, a variety of pieces of interesting junk will also be available. Create a haunting piece to add some extra spook to your Halloween, or turn a treasured broken heirloom into something new and stylish to light up your home.

John is filling in for our original instructor Patrick Cogan, John creates a wide variety of lamps from beautiful natural deadfall wood he mills himself in the Monadnock region.

Are you are bargain hunter? Free pile bandit? Roadside racoon? Us too!

In this session, learn some simple techniques to brighten up your finds with great bones. From how to build jigs and cut down chair legs to how to clean, fill, prepare, paint and use simple surface coverings. Students will help to refinish a set of reclaimed bar stools to create new seating for MAXT workshops.

Making Our Move classes are reduced price programs to help MAXT improve our space whilst teaching new skills. All attendees with receive a MAXT shirt and a special thank you trinket as part of their ticket. Your fee helps to pay for consumables used in the class.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from an expert in their field!

Sally Ray has recently moved to the area after decades in the movie industry, creating costuming and special effects for a host of major films from Men in Black to Galaxy Quest, Tron Legacy and many, many more. Sally was Head of Production at the Jim Henson Creature Shop for 8 years amongst other impressive credits.

In this class, students will learn the fundamentals of silicone mold making from an object they provide (we'll have some options on hand too), around 2" in diameter. They will learn to to plan, prepare and pour their silicone to create an accurate mold. In the second class students will learn how to take their rough molds through the process of preparing for casting and create their own candle to take home. Sally will also demonstrate resin molding.

Begin your exploration into the world of natural dyes in this fun introductory class!

Students will learn the basics of collecting, processing and dyeing with easily available plant materials from the kitchen to the flower garden. Students will experiment with mordants and multiple different dye types, leaving the class with their own collection of hand dyed sock yarn minis (100-150g total) in a range of soft plant tones.

A relaxed visual storytelling experience through fabric and stitches with Empowered Threads Studio.

Throughout history and across cultures humanity has preserved and told its stories through fabric and stitches. Join us for a fun and interactive evening exploring this expressive art form. A wide variety of fabric and thread will be available for you to choose from, but this can also be a poignant opportunity to use fabric that is sentimental to you, so feel free to bring in some of your own supplies. This class is suitable for all levels and can be a wonderfully free and unique way for beginners to engage in hand sewing in a meaningful and personal way. Simple stitches and more complex embroidery techniques will be taught as needed.

Plus your first beer is on us!

This is a 21+ event hosted at Post & Beam Brewing, 40 Grove St Peterborough

The art of traditional sign writing begins with a handful of basic techniques that can produce vibrant artwork across a spectrum of styles and uses. Learn the fundamentals of designing and producing traditional, hand-painted signage and help MAXT give its visitors clear (but creative!) directions throughout our new space at Noone Falls. Instructor Lorin Baeta has nearly 20 years of professional signmaking experience with formal education in graphic design, and studied traditional hand lettering under the world class signwriters and pinstripers responsible for the sets and decor in Cars Land at Disney’s California Adventure Park.


Making Our Move classes are reduced price programs to help MAXT improve our space whilst teaching new skills. All attendees with receive a MAXT shirt and a special thank you trinket as part of their ticket. Your fee helps to pay for our artisan's expert instruction and consumables used in the class.

Chapter 3: Monster Factory

Scare up some fun in the next session of Junior Creatives! Each themed session brings new and exciting ways for middle schoolers to express their creativity, build some fantastic maker skills and work as a team to produce a final piece they can all be proud of.

Our team of mad scientists will get to work to create some monstrosities for the spookiest night in town - we’ll be creating displays for Monadnock Country Club’s Spooky Walk!

The Junior Creatives will design and build their own showpiece displays from a whole host of materials with expert help to fit our theme of creepy plant life. From strangling vines to man eating flowers, it’s theirs to imagine! The Mini Makers elementary school group will provide support with their own small themed pieces and decorations to fill out a whole MAXT room.

New for Fall! Mini Makers is our program for grades 1-4

Scare up some fun in Mini Makers: Ghosts, Ghouls and Gluesticks! Each themed session brings new and exciting ways for elementary school makers to express their creativity, build some fantastic maker skills and produce a final piece they can all be proud of.

Our team of gruesome ghouls will get to work to create some monstrosities for the spookiest night in town - we’ll be creating displays for Monadnock Country Club’s Spooky Walk!

Each week we’ll work on a different small project in this year’s creepy conservatory theme, from eyeball plants in pots to hanging vines. We’ll cut, glue, paint, build, draw and more with all kinds of materials.

Then we’ll join forces with the Junior Creatives middle school group who will create some big centerpiece monsters, together they’ll fill out a whole MAXT room!

Get some professional carpentry skills is this special weekend course with Carter.

Students will embark on the project of creating new studio booth walls for MAXT at Noone Falls and end the class with marketable skills in carpentry to be able to work on home renovation projects or begin their journey into employment with a contracting company with a portfolio piece.

Over the two days students will work as a team to learn about how to approach a project brief, selecting materials and basic design, building solid and square frames, sheathing and finishing as well as using jigs for repeated work and how to work to a deadline.

There will be a 30min break for lunch each day.

This is a reduced price course as part of our Making Our Move series to build a new home for MAXT at Noone Falls - be part of our future and learn some great new skills! Students will also receive a free MAXT t-shirt and a small trinket as a thanks from us for taking part.

Join us for a playful introduction to polymer clay!

Kelsey will guide students through a deliciously whimsical process to design, shape, bake and paint your very own food themed tic-tac-toe board from polymer clay. A pizza, a waffle with fruit topping, a plate of pasta - time to play with your food!

This is a special family session - make one board together as a family, kids age 6+ are welcome to attend with an adult., Makes a great gift for someone special. One ticket per family

Hide your treasures away in this adorable mushroom shaped coil basket!

Join Devin for another magical class in fiber arts, learn how to create a coil basket, play with form and color as well as exploring different ways to create a lidded shape.

Join us to create your very own spider desk pet. Honor your favorite spider species and bring it to life via needle felting!

Students will learn the basics of crafting needle felted sculpture with Devin, using fiber, wire armatures and beads to create their very own adorable arachnids.

Join experience jewelry instructor Joy Raskin for this fantastic class! We are so happy to have Joy join us, with two decades of teaching experience she’s going to be doing some amazing things.

Chains such as Egyptian spiral chain, Viking ( knitted) chain, wirewrapped links with beads chains, basic link chains will be covered. Using 14g. to 26g. round wire, we will wrap, bend, knit, hammer, spiral our way to make your own chain samples, and a chain to be worn.

Explore the basics of modern calligraphy and decorative hand lettering in Calligraphy 101 with Lorin Baeta of Letterly Signs & Lettering. We’ll cover the anatomy of script letterforms, and practice writing and drawing with different tools to learn the essential strokes that all letters are made from. Each student will receive a craft pumpkin to personalize with their newly developed skills. Focusing on signage and lettering for the past 7 years, Lorin has produced calligraphic works for weddings, businesses and private commissions, as well as personalizing countless seasonal and decorative keepsakes at fall and winter craft fairs.

Have you ever wanted to paint a mural but weren’t sure where to start? Let an experienced muralist lead you through the process of designing, transferring and painting your art on a wall, all while beautifying MAXT’s new home at Noone Falls! In Muraling 101 you’ll receive design pointers, review the many techniques for transferring your design, and play with industry-favorite tools and materials for installing your mural right on the walls of MAXT Makerspace. This course meets to learn and practice once a week for four weeks, then you’ll have four more weeks to complete your work at your own pace before we reveal it to the public in an artists’ opening evening. Instructor Lorin Baeta is a local artist with public murals and signage you may have spotted at small businesses, farms or schools in and around Peterborough.

Create your own amazing miniature world with Sean of Gluckspilz Gifts, his whimsical work is instantly recognizable from galleries and fairs around the region - now you can learn the process!

Students will work with whole selection of natural materials, collected with Sean's unique view of the woods. During the class students will learn how to approach designing with natural pieces, to select and shape, build and embellish a unique fairy house inspired by Sean's eye-catching style.

Join Eric for a fun evening of chainmail jewelry! Get to grips with the basics of interlocking links in a variety of weave patterns.

Learn the Half-Persian 3-1 weave, and how to turn it into a versatile bezel. We'll be wrapping your choice of supplied cabochons, to make a pendant.

You'll also have the opportunity to learn your choice of three weaves that make beautiful earrings, and make a pair of earrings to take home. We'll be teaching Box, Byzantine, and Captive Bead weaves.

Sue Ann offers some sketching and drawing FUN! Let her take you from "I can't draw a straight line" to the confidence of realizing you don't usually use straight lines to draw. :-)


In just five days, you'll discover you can draw anything better!


Beginners through experienced artists - Anyone who just wants to come and play!
Instruction * Exercises * Fun!

* * *
Things you'll learn about:


Tools - how to use them
Pencils
Papers
Erasers
How to measure


Art Terminology
Value
Hue
Shade


Skills
How to see like an artist
How to edit what you see Light on Form
Why basic geometric shapes are your friends
We'll draw a cone, cylinder, cube, sphere, pyramid, mobius strip
Concave and convex drawings

Join our experienced wood turning instructors Bryan Field and Jim Fischer for this deep dive in to wood turning. This is an extremely small, very hands on course taking only 4 students per session.

This curriculum is based on “Let’s Go For a Spin” The American Association of Woodturners'‘ recommended guide for beginners.

Over 6 weeks students will cover a wide range of wood turning techniques, from the basics of spindle and bowl turning to completing a final display piece of their own design. Students will create multiple projects along the way in a variety of woods all provided as part of the class fee.

Students are expected to practice their skills between sessions, additional open studio hours are available Mondays 6-8p for our regular Woodshop Open Studio as well as turning specific hours provided for this course on Weds 10/23, 10/30, 11/6 and 11/20 6-8p. Scrap wood and some blanks will be available during these hours.

Week 1 will begin with the basics of technique with guidance from both Jim and Bryan. Each tutor will take turns teaching a wide variety of projects including small ornaments, bowls, platters, lidded boxes and green wood pieces from weeks 2-4. In the final class students will be provided with a blank and work on designing and turning a piece of their choice.

"In this beginner-friendly wheel-based class, we will revisit the fundamental techniques of pottery, from centering clay all the way to glazing our creations. Expect personalized attention and plenty of hands-on practice to build your confidence and skills. We will also cover some intermediate techniques including throwing with and without tools, pulling taller and wider forms, throwing "off the hump," and more! As you progress, we'll experiment with different forms and incorporate texture and decoration techniques, allowing you to express your own voice and style as a ceramic artist. Whether you're drawn to sleek, minimalist designs or intricate, organic motifs, this class gives you time, space, and instruction to support your exploration!"

This class is a great fit for students who have previously taken our Beginning Clay or All-Levels Ceramics class and wish to focus on working with the potter's wheel. New beginners are welcome too!

Get a relaxing pint and breathe out for this evening of very Zen drawing. Take your Zoom meeting and dentist waiting room doodles to the next level with Gabby’s instruction. Learn how to layout and build up complex, organic, drawn designs using pencil and marker. A very calming, meditative process - perfect for ending a busy day. Plus your first drink is on us!

Take the next step on your stained glass journey with Sue!

* Students must have taken our Stained Glass for Beginners course, or have equivalent experience in cutting, grinding and soldering stained glass pieces*

Students will choose from a variety of deigns to make more complex sun catchers or pieces that can be framed. You'll have access to a wide variety of glass, including textured and marbled colors to make a truly unique piece, Sue will guide you through cutting curves, working with more difficult materials and constructing larger glass pieces.

In this wheel-based workshop, Ben Putnam will teach multiple techniques for creating lidded vessels from thrown and altered pots. Gallery, cap, and flange styles will be covered, as will tips and tricks for well-formed and trimmed lids that fit perfectly. Special glazing considerations will be discussed, and students can book 1:1 glazing sessions if choosing to bisque-fire pieces made during the workshop. Build your skills, push beyond open cylindrical forms, and create beautiful and functional ceramic storage jars

This workshop will explore the possibilities of clay as a canvas for slip, underglaze, and carving decoration. We will learn a variety of techniques for surface decoration, including: sgraffito, Mishima, stencils, slip and underglaze transfers. Please note students will be creating a library of techniques on tiles, but are encouraged to bring a leather-hard greenware piece to finish with any of the techniques that are explored.

In the deceptively simple Captive Bead chainmail weave, cages of metal rings display beads held in their centers, to dramatic effect. Participants will be provided with all materials needed, including a choice of beads and chainmail rings. Make your unique design, and create a bracelet to take home. Once you get the hang of it, this weave is simple enough that a chat and a cold brew fit right in. In fact, your first beer is on us!

This is a 21+ event held at Post & Beam Brewing - 40 Grove St, Peterborough

Summer's at an end and it's time to put away the t-shirts.... or is it?

Why not turn some of those that didn't survive the season in the best of shape into a cool basket with Nicole?! Learn how to turn t-shirt fabric into chunky yarn then crochet your way to a beautiful and useful basket. We'll have plenty of fabric to work with, but you can bring your own to include. No crochet experience necessary.

Plus as with every Craft + Beer, your first pint is on us!

This is a 21+ event held at Post & Beam Brewing, 40 Grove St, Peterborough.

Make merry with the Mini Makers in this next series! The MAXT Makerspace series for grades 1-4.

Everyone loves to receive hand made gifts over the holiday season, whatever you celebrate. This year give your kids the chance to create something really special with our expert instructors. From textiles to woodwork, jewelry to fine art they'll explore 6 skills over the 6 weeks and create 6 amazing gifts!

You don’t need fancy tools to work with resin and make quality pieces. In fact, you probably have almost everything you need to get started already at home! In this make and take class, you’ll learn how to properly mix resin, helpful tools for getting rid of bubbles, and how to remove sharp edges from fully cured pieces. All without breaking the bank.

In this class, you’ll learn:

- How to protect yourself and your workspace

- How to properly measure and mix resin

- How to get bubbles out of resin without fancy or expensive equipment

- How to personalize your pieces with glitter and mica powder

- How to safely clean up the edges of fully-cured pieces at home

- How to assemble finished pieces into wearable jewelry

Each participant will be provided with a box containing:

- Silicon earring mold

- Small spray bottle of rubbing alcohol

- Cuticle trimmer

- De-burring tool

- Small bag of jewelry findings (please note that pliers are not provided but are available at MAXT if you don't have them at home)

- Print out of tips and tricks with everything from the class

- Print out helpful supplies and where to find them

- Extra popsicle sticks

- Ziplock bag

The box itself can be used to transport your pieces home, providing a flat surface and a cover to keep out dust and dirt. The Ziplock is to keep everything else together in one place. Each student will create multiple sets of earrings with their mold.

Additional safety information:

Two-part resin epoxy works by creating a chemical reaction when the two parts combine, which produces fumes. The fumes should not be breathed in and should not come in contact with eyes. Working in a large room / well ventilated area reduces the risk of inhalation but participants may wish to bring their safety respirator mask and / or eye protection. MAXT will have eye protection and masks on hand.

This is a family friendly class, age 8+ are welcome with an adult. Please purchase on ticket per attendee.

Dive into the power of positive affirmations before the busy holiday season with Hannah
Banana!
Create two special & unique works of art alongside Hannah Banana during this positive
energy-focused workshop. Together, you will discuss powerful affirmations that can help
you through the busy holiday season while getting creative with a variety of materials.
In this workshop, you will create both a positive affirmation magnet and a piece of 4x6 wall
art.
The session starts with basic brainstorming activities to get the creative juices flowing.
Students will then design their magnet & matching wall art using acrylic paints, paint pens
& 2d embellishments.

During this course, students will be taught basic embroidery stitches while creating a small holiday ornament in a 3” wooden hoop. Each student will be provided with a handout to follow along with the instructor’s demo and have the opportunity for one-on-one assistance when needed. All materials included.

Erin Boyle is a New Hampshire-based textile artist who specializes in original hand embroidery. She established her own small business, My Darling Threads, in 2022 and has been selling her stitch work around New England since. She’s excited to share her passion for embroidery through her intro course at MAXT. Visit mydarlingthreads.com or check out her instagram @mydarlingthreads to view more of her work.

Dive into the traditional art of English paper piecing with Patricia!

This introductory class is perfect for kids (age 8+ with an adult) and adults alike. Learn how to cut and hand sew accurate shapes to make this adorable little wreath. Perfect as a stand alone class or as a first step in creating some full sized complex pieces with this resurgent art form.

Create a centerpiece to be proud of for your holiday meals!

Join John in the woodshop as we learn to turn a rough board into a unique, high quality hardwood chopping board, perfect for bread at the thanksgiving table or charcuterie over the holiday season.

Students will learn how to take a rough board through milling, cutting to shape with the chop saw, table saw and bandsaw, drilling on the drill press and then finishing with fine sanding and oil ready for the table. Students will work on their own designs for handles, board shape and hanging holes.

Join Lorin Baeta of Letterly and our very own Dave Broughton for this fun class to glam up your gift giving!

It's two classes in one, with students rotating after 1 hour with some thrown in festive cheer. Give those presents some real handmade chic.

Lorin will guide students through basic Calligraphy skills to create beautiful hand lettered gift tags to say it with style this holiday season.

Dave will dive into the basics of block printing using our linocut tools and simple school erasers to guide students through creating their own block printed classy kraft wrapping paper.

Join Certified Zentangle Teacher Gracie Buckman for this fun introduction to a relaxing new art form.

Are you looking for a creative outlet to help you relax, maybe a distraction from certain family members over the holiday season?

If you think you are not an artist, or that you have no creativity, or that you can’t even draw a straight line, then this class may be for you. If you are looking to relax and unwind from the stresses of life, then this class may be for you. If you are looking for an artistic type of meditation, then this class may be for you!

Anyone can learn the Zentangle Method. When we “tangle”, we draw simple lines that form into patterns; these patterns are put together to create something beautiful.

Zentangle is meditative by nature. It is a great way to take time out and relax. In Zentangle, we start with gratitude, and we believe that everyone has an inner artist, and everyone is creative. Even though we are drawing structured patterns, no two tiles ever come out the same. The size of a Zentangle tile is small, about 4 by 4 inches, so in no time at all you will have created your little masterpiece!

In this 3-hour workshop, we'll briefly cover chainmail basics, and then teach the Celtic Visions chainmail weave. We'll then learn how to form it into the Celtic Visions Star, which makes an elegant pendant (or a delightful ornament!). We'll discuss design options, and provide plenty of direct support. Participants will leave with a pendant in their choice of colors, and are welcome to make more pendants or a bracelet to match as time allows. Beginners welcome! This workshop is suitable for all skill levels, and all tools and materials are provided.

In this workshop you will learn how to make cold process soap safely and with confidence. This introductory class covers safety procedures and the knowledge of formulating a recipe using lye, water and oil. Each student will be hands on and guided making their very own batch of soap. Your batch will make four bars of soap you can give away as a gift or personal use.
All materials are included in the price of this class.

Go on a whimsical woodland adventure with Sean. Our resident maker of magical worlds has foraged natural materials for this class to create his signature mini mushrooms dressed up for the holidays.

Learn the process of turning foraged finds into fun fungi, each student will create multiple mushrooms / ornaments to adorn their homes of the holidays - or all year round!

Get ready for snuggle up and read season with Gabby!

Come along for this fun class of wire wrapping to create your very own custom bookmark with a big and bold stone setting, perfect for your own reading adventures or to gift to the book lover in your life.

Join us for a special Homeschool Handmade Holiday session, reduced price classes from MAXT for your young creators.

MAXT is an EFA vendor and our classes are eligible to be purchased with your class wallet.

Learn the basics of acid dyeing in this fast and fun class! Students will dye a large, 5ft long fringed silk scarf using premixed dyes. Make beautiful and colorful, organic mixes and patterns with this foolproof technique. Fantastic for a pop of color in winter outfits or a last minute gift.

This session is for children in grades 5-8 equivalent, adult helpers welcome

Join us for a special Homeschool Handmade Holiday session, reduced price classes from MAXT for your young creators.

MAXT is an EFA vendor and our classes are eligible to be purchased with your class wallet.

Lorin from Letterly leads this fun class into the world of hand lettering. Students will learn some basic calligraphy skills from our professional sign writer and muralist, finishing up with their own hand lettered craft pumpkin for the festive season.

This session is for children in grades 1-4 equivalent, adult helpers welcome

Join us for a special Homeschool Handmade Holiday session, reduced price classes from MAXT for your young creators.

MAXT is an EFA vendor and our classes are eligible to be purchased with your class wallet.

Learn how to cut and hand sew accurate shapes to make this adorable little wreath using the traditional art of English paper piecing. Perfect as a stand alone class or as a first step in creating some full sized complex pieces with this resurgent art form.

This session is for children in grades 5-8 equivalent, adult helpers welcome

Join us for a special Homeschool Handmade Holiday session, reduced price classes from MAXT for your young creators.

MAXT is an EFA vendor and our classes are eligible to be purchased with your class wallet.

It's a fun morning in the woodshop with Molly! Students will learn how to decorate with scorch markers and wood burning tools, sand and finish pre cut blanks before adding felt and a beautiful wax coat. A great introduction to the woodshop for our younger makers and a fantastic family game to play at home or gift for the holidays.


This session is for children in grades 1-4 equivalent, adult helpers welcome

Join us for a special Homeschool Handmade Holiday session, reduced price classes from MAXT for your young creators.

MAXT is an EFA vendor and our classes are eligible to be purchased with your class wallet.

It's a fun morning in the woodshop with Molly! Students will learn how to measure, drill on our drill press, sand and complete with a wax coat a beautiful solid votive holder. Made from locally harvested wood, this piece is perfect for gifting or simply lighting up your family table this winter.

This session is for children in grades 1-4 equivalent, adult helpers welcome

Join us for a special Homeschool Handmade Holiday session, reduced price classes from MAXT for your young creators.

MAXT is an EFA vendor and our classes are eligible to be purchased with your class wallet.

It's a fun morning in the woodshop with John! Students will learn how to measure, cut, drill on our drill press, glue, nail, sand and complete with a wax coat a beautiful ring toss game. A fun addition to any family game night or a great gift for the holidays!

This session is for children in grades 5-8 equivalent, adult helpers welcome

Join us for a special Homeschool Handmade Holiday session, reduced price classes from MAXT for your young creators.

MAXT is an EFA vendor and our classes are eligible to be purchased with your class wallet.

Join our dye master Dave for this fun class to catch the last of the 2024 sun! Students will learn how to create unique designs from foraged materials and tools from our shop in a range of beautiful rich color. Everyone will leave with their own tote bag, great for holding art or for gifting this holiday season.

This session is for children in grades 1-4 equivalent, adult helpers welcome

Join us for a special Homeschool Handmade Holiday session, reduced price classes from MAXT for your young creators.

MAXT is an EFA vendor and our classes are eligible to be purchased with your class wallet.

Sew something special with Sarah! Students will learn how to cut and prepare a feed sack then sew and finish this fun project. A great beginning project, one that we teach regularly for our adult classes. Each student will take home a tote, perfect for carrying treats at the farmer’s market or gifting this holiday season.

This session is for children in grades 5-8 equivalent, adult helpers welcome

Join us for a special Homeschool Handmade Holiday session, reduced price classes from MAXT for your young creators.

MAXT is an EFA vendor and our classes are eligible to be purchased with your class wallet.

Brighten up those festive packages with your own hand printed kraft wrapping paper! Students will learn how to create simple stamping blocks of their own designs from school erasers using linocut tools. Then we'll stamp up a storm with colorful inks and paints to create their own sheets of paper. the perfect accompaniment to our other holiday making classes.

This session is for children in grades 1-4 equivalent, adult helpers welcome

Join us for a special Homeschool Handmade Holiday session, reduced price classes from MAXT for your young creators.

MAXT is an EFA vendor and our classes are eligible to be purchased with your class wallet.

Tie your morning up with this creative class. Students will draw their own designs then learn the process of converting them into nail and string art pieces on prepared boards. Perfect for decorating their rooms, or as a unique holiday gift.

This session is for children in grades 5-8 equivalent, adult helpers welcome

Join Crystal of Peony Place for a fun holiday workshop! You will learn how to construct a set of coordinating heirloom stockings for family and friends. With just a bit of up-cycled fabrics, and an imagination, you can craft some truly unique pieces. Materials will be provided, but you may bring your own. You will leave with at least one completed stocking and instructions to make more. Basic sewing skills are greatly recommended, but not required. Cider, cocoa and snacks will be provided.

Sally’s decade of work as a special fabricator for film and television can be seen in films from Gremlins 2 to Men in Black. She then went on to project manage puppet builds for films such as Disney’s George of the Jungle and Tron: Legacy.

This class will provide hands on experience and practical knowledge of making a a puppet head from patterned foam while exploring character development by applying different features and finishes. You can even puppet yourself! Hand sewing experience helpful!

Make some bubbles to go with your suds! This month's Craft + Beer features Kristen from The Vintage Herb Company showing us how to make her big, beautiful bath bombs. Make a little luxury for yourself as we hit that weather for nice warm baths, or save them for holiday gifting.

Each attendee will leave with 3 7oz bath bombs plus molds to make more at home and your first beer is on us!

This is a 21+ event hosted at Post & Beam Brewing, 40 Grove St Peterborough

Join professional sign writer Lorin from Letterly for this class full of holiday cheer!

Students will learn how to manipulate vinyl stencils and acrylic paints to produce their own unique, solid wood holiday themed sign from a selection of pre-cut options. A great way to relax and produce a fun piece for brightening up you home this winter. Plus your first beer is one us!

Join us this winter and create your own pottery on the wheel! Let’s put the “fun” in “functional” as we develop the skills to make personalized, useful forms such as mugs, bowls, cups and more. From wedging through glazing, Carolyn will guide beginners and continuing students through the fundamentals of wheel-thrown pottery. With weekly instruction and additional practice time, this course welcomes students to explore their creativity and can serve as a stepping stone to intermediate and advanced courses. Pre-requisites: no experience needed; ages 18+ unless pre-arranged with studio staff.

Do you sometimes feel like you’re going in circles with your wheel skills? Wren joins us this winter to help throwers at all levels set and strive for their individual goals in a small group setting. Lessons will focus on consistency; expanding one’s repertoire of forms; throwing bigger; altering; adding attachments; and use of texture tools, colored slips, and underglazes to create dynamic surfaces. With Wren’s instruction and the support of your fellow students, you can leave the Clay Clinic with improved skills and a keen eye for ceramic design. Some wheel experience is recommended.

Handbuilders of all skill levels are invited to join Mary Roberts, our first Artist-in-Residence, for a deep dive into a range of handbuilding techniques. Mary will cover her version of the coil/pinch method, stiff slab construction, and more. Students will explore the functional and sculptural values of 3-dimensional form using handbuilding, as well as development of surface treatment and design. This is a great place to start for anyone interested in handbuilding, and it’s a next step for returning students who enjoyed Mary’s fall workshop. Don’t miss out!

Students in grades 5-8 can join us for our kid-centric class, expanding on skills they may have learned at school, or getting the chance to play with clay for the first time! Focusing on pinch pots, small sculptures, coil-, and slab-building, students will build fundamental skills while creating their own fun and functional ceramics. Working together in a safe and welcoming environment, instructors will introduce good habits with clay, and inspire students to continue on in their own creative endeavors. No experience necessary; can be repeated.

This class is for all those middle schoolers who have asked to try the wheel over the past few seasons of Middle School Clay! Max will cover each step of creating pottery on the wheel, from preparing the clay through to trimming and adding attachments to pieces. We will explore bowls, cups, and other forms as students’ interest leads us. Pre-requisite: any previous Middle School Clay: Handbuilding class.

Push the boundaries of slab-built cylinders in this texture free-for-all. Beginning with hand-rolled and stretched slabs, Lulu will demonstrate how to create expressive textures on clay. Once students have prepared their texture collections, Lulu will share her method of joining smaller pieces together in a process reminiscent of collage, quilting, and the Surrealist game “Exquisite Corpse.” These textured slabs can be formed into cups, vases, utensil crocks, planters, and more. The second session will cover glazing techniques to highlight the weird and wonderful texture on your pots. We will provide a variety of tools for creating texture, but students are encouraged to bring their own tools and found materials as well. No experience needed.

An evening outing of fun! Our monthly Chill Clay Nights allow anyone, regardless of their familiarity with clay, to come to our Ceramics Center and get their hands dirty. Beginners will benefit from the introductory instruction in a laid-back setting, and more experienced makers will enjoy practicing their skills in our welcoming community studio. We invite you to attempt functional forms for everyday use - bowls, mugs, and more. Each month, the lesson will focus on a different form, giving students time to practice and time to play. While there is no pressure to create a masterpiece in two hours, we are happy to fire one piece for each of you who want to keep your works of art! This is a low-key creative social gathering, and great for dates, friends, coworkers, parents with older children, and anyone else who wants to give the potter’s wheel a spin!

Get ready for those cold winter nights with some cozy family games! Each week our Mini Makers (Grades 1-4) will learn some new maker skills and create a copy of a family classic game. We'll create with wood, textiles, polymer clay and more in this hands on session to create some pieces to be proud to play with family. 6 weeks - 6 sets of skills - 6 games.

Get ready for those cold winter nights with some cozy family games! Each week our Junior Creatives (Grades 5-8) will learn some new maker skills and create a copy of a family classic game. We'll create with wood, textiles, polymer clay and more in this hands on session to create some pieces to be proud to play with family. 6 weeks - 6 sets of skills - 6 games.

Gain confidence in drawing and painting faces! Join local artist specializing in lively female portraits Sue Ann Hum.

Sue Ann will teach basic proportion and shapes, and photo transfer. You’ll be encouraged to embrace your own style and abandon any attempt at perfection!
Students will use whatever medium they want to develop the final project. Copyright-free photos will be provided, or student may use their own photos.

Students are encouraged to bring their own materials for the final two weeks of the course to allow them to work in their favored media. A selection of media will be available at MAXT.

All materials will be provided for the first 4 weeks of the session.

Students are required to have basic drawing skills, this is a great course to continue education from Sue Ann's Basically Drawing or from previous offerings at MAXT.

Accompanying images represent Sue Ann's work and class subjects may vary.

MAXT's brand new flagship High School Program

16 weeks of making with learning opportunities in our new workshops equipped with 3D printers, laser and vinyl cutters, printing presses, screen printing, textiles equipment, stained glass, electronics and more!

Young Creatives is designed to assist local high school aged youth to become independent artists. The program will work through a semester long syllabus, building a robust set of transferable skills.

Students will begin by learning creative thinking and design skills both by sketchbooking and thorough powerful digital design tools. The program will then proceed through education in a variety of skills and equipment at MAXT. Students will then be allowed agency in choosing a specialism, designing a product and creating their own final exhibition. The majority of the final third of the semester will be focused on students practicing their chosen skill and developing and manufacturing a product. The series will culminate in a final public exhibition with items for sale, hosted at a local community space.

Mentorship by MAXT staff and volunteers is an important part of the program, offering guidance in how to think creatively as well as offering experience and critique. MAXT is a safe space for all to experiment and students will be expected to be self motivated in problem solving and pursuing their own goals as a maker.

MAXT has secured some generous grants to support Young Creatives in 2025. We are able to offer this program at a significantly reduced rate, just enough to cover the materials for the makes students will get to keep as a portfolio.