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Downeast Community Dance
Sundays 10:00am - 11:30am, Dance Studio
Join us for the Downcast Community Dance, a recurring gathering designed to bring movement, music, and connection to Bar Harbor. Hosted at ArtWaves, this inclusive event welcomes dancers of all levels to come together and share in the joy of creative expression.
The dance takes place on Sundays from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of the month, offering a rhythm to your week and a space for both beginners and seasoned dancers to feel at home.
$10 suggested donation.
For questions or more information, please contact susan.sassaman@pronton.me
Which Stitch?
Mondays from 9 AM - 12 PM in the Kaleidoscope studio.
Which Stitch? is a community group where participants bring their current fiber and needle projects to work and converse with each other. Participants are welcome to use ArtWaves' supply of materials to knit, crochet, sew, mend, embroider, weave, felt, cross stitch, and so much more! Beginning instruction can be provided and the occasional special guest will introduce new techniques and demo their work.
This ongoing group maintains an email list for people interested in receiving regular updates and information. If you would like to be included, please email office@artwavesmdi.org.
Which Stitch? is a drop-in group, no registration is required. It is free for ArtWaves Members and a $5 suggested donation for non-members
Which Stitch: Sew Down
The first Monday of every month from 9 AM - 12 PM in the Kaleidoscope studio.
Join us on the first Monday of every month for a Sew Down where the Which Stitch? group makes reusable produce bags! This is an easy way to make a difference by upcycling unwanted clothing and fabric that has a detrimental effect on the environment. Participants will leave with a bag to take home and hopefully leave some to share.
The Sew Down is organized by Claire T Weinburg and Paige Collins. They provide these bags free to the community as D.A.R.N. (Downeast Artist Recycle Now) bags. Claire can be reached at claire@dulseandrugosa.com
Which Stitch? (and the Sew Down) is a drop-in group, no registration is required. It is free for ArtWaves Members and a $5 suggested donation for non-members
Learn the fun and practical skill of sewing together!
Accomplished sewers Paige Collins and Emily Owens will guide you through the basics of operating a sewing machine and a serger. This workshop is designed for children ages 8 and older who must be accompanied by an adult, making it a perfect opportunity to learn a new skill as a team. You'll make a bag for all your things and a crown for your next tea party. If you have a yard or two of a favorite cotton fabric, feel free to bring it to the class but it's not required. You will leave with a finished project or two.
Space is limited to ensure personalized attention for every group. One purchased ticket covers attendance for two people.
Join expert sewers Paige Collins and Emily Owens for a comprehensive introduction to the basics of operating a sewing machine and serger.
This workshop is designed for older teens and adults who are eager to learn the foundational skills needed to start machine sewing. Over two hours, you'll gain confidence with both the sewing machine and the serger. Paige and Emily will walk you through essential techniques and skills. You'll have your pick of simple fun projects like fabric bags, napkins and wrappings for presents. If you have a yard or two of a favorite cotton fabric, feel free to bring it to the class but it's not required.
Class size is intentionally limited to ensure every participant receives ample one-on-one time and attention on the machines.
Create a miniature beacon of light in this hands-on Clay Lighthouse Lantern class with artist Mariah Reading!
You'll learn fundamental clay hand-building techniques to sculpt and construct your own miniature lighthouse. Mariah will guide you through adding architectural details and creating openings so your finished piece can perfectly house a small LED tea light.
This fun, interactive class is perfect for all ages!
All materials and instructions are provided. Just come ready to sculpt! This is a two part class to allow for the clay to dry between classes so that participants can paint their sculpture.
About the Instructor: Mariah Reading is an eco-artist and strong advocate for the existence, preservation, and accessibility of the National Parks. She was born and raised in Bangor, Maine where the surrounding landscape gave her a deep appreciation of nature’s beauty that was reinforced by her degree in Visual Arts at Bowdoin College. The 2016 National Park Centennial propelled her Recycled Landscapes, designed to bring attention to the need of preserving and protecting the environment. Having already visited 33 National Parks, she plans to continue her project in all 63 US National Parks. Mariah has dedicated herself to the field of eco-art through Art Residencies at Denali, Zion, Acadia, Guadalupe Mountains National Parks, working as an Arts In the Parks Volunteer at the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, assisting in Yosemite Facelift efforts, developing a K-12 STREAM curriculum with University of California Santa Barbara Oceanography students, and creating conservation workshops with the Channel Islands National Park. She has exhibited work in San Antonio, TX; Seattle, WA; Fort Collins, CO; McKinley Village, AK; Brunswick, ME; and Kamuela, HI; Poughkeepsie, NY; Davis, CA; Rockland, ME; and Portland, ME. From April through September, Reading has worked as an environmental interpreter.
Thursday, November 13th, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM in the Kaleidoscope Studio
In this workshop, you'll learn the beautiful art of mosaic as you design and adhere colorful glass pieces onto a sturdy wreath form.
No experience is necessary! Mariah will provide clear, step-by-step instructions and guide you through the entire process, including:
All tools and materials are provided. You'll leave with a gorgeous, finished glass mosaic wreath ready to display!
Friday, November 14, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM in the Fine Art Studio
In this class, instructor Mariah Reading will guide you step-by-step as you learn to plan, tape, and paint a classic quilt-square pattern onto a large 2ft x 2ft wooden square. These iconic, colorful squares are traditionally hung on barns, but they make striking, durable artwork for your porch, shed, or home wall, too!
No previous painting experience is necessary. All materials—including the wooden square—are provided, just bring your enthusiasm and your favorite beer or wine to enjoy while you create a piece of art.
Saturday, November 15th, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM in the Kaleidoscope Studio
About the Instructors: Dave and Lisa Roy have been stained glass artisans for over 20 years. For 10 years, they owned and operated a full service stained glass studio in Bucksport. Their work can be seen in hospitals, churches, and many private residences across the world. You can see more of their work at www.stubborncowglass.com
Long Pose Figure Drawing
Saturday, November 15th, 1 - 4 PM in the Fine Arts Studio
We are reviving our long pose figure drawing sessions. Like our Thursday sessions, the long pose sessions will feature a live, nude model and there will be no drawing instruction provided. The session will start with a series of gestural warm ups and then will feature a pose that spans the majority of the time, with the model taking a break about every 20 minutes.
$15 per session
Friday, November 21, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM in the Fine Art Studio
Instructor Mariah Reading will show you how to arrange, adhere, and embellish beautiful pieces of sea glass onto various ornament bases. You'll learn techniques for designing your ornament, securing the glass, and adding finishing touches like wire-wrapping, ribbon, or beads. By the end of the evening, you’ll have a set of unique, ocean-inspired treasures perfect for gifting or hanging on your own tree!
All materials, including a lovely assortment of sea glass, will be provided. Just remember to bring your favorite beer or wine to enjoy while you craft.
Monday, November 24th, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM in the Kaleidoscope Studio
Join artist Mariah Reading for a fun night of block printing and tote bag design! During this casual class, you'll learn the fundamentals of block printing by creating your own custom design, then use your carved block to print a unique pattern onto a canvas tote bag or clothing you bring.
All materials and instructions are included, so just come ready to create!
Tuesday, November 25th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM in the Kaleidoscope Studio
This is a fun, hands-on opportunity for the whole family to get creative together. Mariah will guide you through assembling and decorating a wreath base using a rich selection of seasonal elements like faux leaves, berries, small gourds, pinecones, and ribbons.
You'll learn simple techniques to arrange your elements for a stunning, cohesive look, resulting in a gorgeous, finished wreath perfect for your front door or as a centerpiece.
This activity is designed to be engaging for all ages and skill levels. All necessary materials and instructions are provided.
Tuesday, November 25th, 2:00 - 5:00 PM in the Kaleidoscope Studio
Learn to craft charming, permanent décor in this Felting Gourds workshop with artist Mariah Reading.
In this class, you will master the art of dry felting as you sculpt a three-dimensional gourd entirely out of 100% natural wool. Mariah will guide you through the process of building a solid core, shaping the unique curves of the gourd, and adding subtle color and texture with the felting needle.
This is a fun, hands-on opportunity to learn a versatile sculptural technique! No experience is necessary. All materials are provided, and you will leave the class with your own finished wool gourd to display or gift.
Intermediate Realist Oil Painting with Ernie McMullen
Saturdays, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, November 29, 2025 - February 7, 2026, in the Fine Arts Studio
This course is designed for students who already have some experience with oil painting and want to deepen their skills in the realist tradition. We’ll explore how artists across history—from the Old Masters of the Renaissance to 19th-century realists—used oil paint to capture the world with precision, atmosphere, and emotion. By studying their methods, you’ll gain insight into how realism evolved and how you can apply those timeless approaches to your own work.
What You’ll Learn:
Art History in Context: Discover how realist painters like Caravaggio, Vermeer, and Courbet shaped the language of realism. We’ll discuss how their innovations in light, perspective, and subject matter continue to influence contemporary painting.
Color Theory for Realism: Build a stronger understanding of how color relationships create depth and mood. We’ll cover warm vs. cool contrasts, limited palettes, and how colors interact with one another. A strong emphasis will be placed on developing and refining a personal color palette.
Oil Painting Techniques: Refine your brushwork and layering skills through methods such as underpainting, glazing, scumbling, and alla prima. You’ll learn how to control edges, textures, and values to create convincing form and atmosphere.
Course Structure:
By the end of this ten week course, you’ll not only have a stronger command of oil painting techniques but also a deeper appreciation for the history and theory that make realism such a powerful tradition.
About the Instructor:
Ernest McMullen is a landscape painter who finds his subject matter on the coast, surrounding waters and interior of Mount Desert Island, Maine. His abiding interest is in evoking the mysterious blend of form light and spirit found on the island with an approach that is firmly based in realist oil painting traditions. He was a founding faculty member at College of the Atlantic where he taught visual arts for 42 years.
The first Friday of the month from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, drop into the studio for a relaxed and creative felting session led by instructor Mariah Reading.
This is an informal, drop-in group perfect for both seasoned felters and curious beginners. Each week, Mariah will be working on a specific felting project that you are welcome to follow along and make, providing a great way to learn new techniques.
All felting supplies will be available for you to use, whether you want to work on Mariah's featured project or pursue your own felted creation. It's a wonderful time to socialize with other fiber artists, keep your hands busy, and enjoy the calming, repetitive motions of felting!
Come learn, create, and connect!
Friday, December 5, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM in the Fine Art Studio
Instructor Mariah Reading will lead you through a relaxing and fun evening of assembly, focusing on how to string and combine various natural and festive elements. Whether you prefer a woodland theme with pinecones and berries, or a bright, whimsical look with beads and ribbons, you'll learn techniques to create a beautiful, continuous piece of décor perfect for draping over a mantel, doorway, or tree.
All materials will be provided, giving you a wonderful selection of items to work with. Just remember to bring your favorite beer or wine to enjoy as you socialize and craft.
Instructor Mariah Reading will guide you through simple, effective printmaking techniques—including carving stamps and using easy block-printing methods—to create repeated patterns and designs. You'll leave with a unique supply of hand-printed cards and a sheet or two of custom wrapping paper!
All materials, including paper and printing supplies, will be provided.
Just remember to bring your favorite beer or wine to enjoy as you socialize and craft your festive stationery.
Instructor Mariah Reading will introduce you to the art of mosaics. You'll learn how to plan your design, cut and place colorful tiles, and finish the piece with grout. By the end of the evening, you will leave with a completely finished, durable trivet that's perfect for protecting your table or adding a splash of color to your kitchen.
All materials, including the trivet base, tiles, and grouting supplies, will be provided. Just bring your creativity and your favorite beer or wine to enjoy as you craft.
1345-A State Highway 102Bar Harbor, ME 04609207-266-0010office@artwavesmdi.org
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