Courses

put your creativity to work

Try something new.  Learn skills from pottery to poetry to permaculture.  Explore your creativity, and engage your senses.  Find the space to write that book and meet a new community of like-minded friends.  

ADULT CLAY CLASSES

Schedule of Events
POTTERY ON THE WHEEL with Macayla Sandusky: Tuesday Evenings
May 13
POTTERY ON THE WHEEL with Macayla Sandusky: Tuesday Evenings

Join us in the clay studio this summer for this all-levels, 6-week pottery class. We’ll get our hands dirty and make great pots!

DREAMY FORMS AND SURFACES with Macayla Sandusky: Thursday Evenings
May 15
DREAMY FORMS AND SURFACES with Macayla Sandusky: Thursday Evenings

Make functional coil-thrown vessels using surface decoration techniques to illustrate imaginative narratives. Learn how to build textured mugs with coils as well as throwing on the wheels.

EMPTY BOWL, FULL HEART MAKERS DAYS IN THE CLAY STUDIO
Jun 21
EMPTY BOWL, FULL HEART MAKERS DAYS IN THE CLAY STUDIO

Come join Craigardan and Empty Bowl Full Heart in creating bowls for the 2024 fundraiser to support local food pantries.  No experience is necessary! This is a fun event for adults and teens 12 and older.

2025 Wood Kiln Firing Workshop
Sep 1
2025 Wood Kiln Firing Workshop

Join us for a week-long workshop in the Adirondacks to gain hands-on experience learning about the exciting process of wood firing with Kyle Brumsted.

SUMMER APPLEBARN SERIES

SHORT COURSES and WORKSHOPS

Schedule of Events
2025 Spring Writers Intensive
Apr 28
2025 Spring Writers Intensive

Craigardan will welcome acclaimed writer & mentor Kate Moses of Birds & Muses for a week-long spring writer’s intensive at Craigardan.

POTTERY ON THE WHEEL with Macayla Sandusky: Tuesday Evenings
May 13
POTTERY ON THE WHEEL with Macayla Sandusky: Tuesday Evenings

Join us in the clay studio this summer for this all-levels, 6-week pottery class. We’ll get our hands dirty and make great pots!

DREAMY FORMS AND SURFACES with Macayla Sandusky: Thursday Evenings
May 15
DREAMY FORMS AND SURFACES with Macayla Sandusky: Thursday Evenings

Make functional coil-thrown vessels using surface decoration techniques to illustrate imaginative narratives. Learn how to build textured mugs with coils as well as throwing on the wheels.

POETRY: PLAYING WITH WORDS with Theresa-Xuan Bui
May 30
POETRY: PLAYING WITH WORDS with Theresa-Xuan Bui

Join 2025 Teaching Fellow Theresa-Xuan Bui for an immersive two-week course that invites participants to explore experimental writing practices.

LET’S MAKE ZINES! with Sally Pirie
Jun 26
LET’S MAKE ZINES! with Sally Pirie

Join 2025 Teaching Fellow and award-winning cartoonist Sally Pirie as we learn how to turn our own small-moment stories into beautiful mini-magazines (or, “zines’).

FOOD STORIES, THE FOOD SYSTEM AND NOURISHMENT with Jenny Breen
Aug 14
FOOD STORIES, THE FOOD SYSTEM AND NOURISHMENT with Jenny Breen

Join 2025 Teaching Fellow Jenny Breen for hands-on cooking classes that will bring together stories about our food, where it comes from, how we prepare and experience it, and why it matters for our health and the health of our planet.

2025 Wood Kiln Firing Workshop
Sep 1
2025 Wood Kiln Firing Workshop

Join us for a week-long workshop in the Adirondacks to gain hands-on experience learning about the exciting process of wood firing with Kyle Brumsted.

FLEECE TO FABRIC with Lauren McElroy
Sep 9
FLEECE TO FABRIC with Lauren McElroy

Join 2025 Teaching Fellow Lauren McElroy to learn the timeless techniques for transforming raw wool into beautiful handspun yarn.

Photo Courtesy of The Crafters Box

EVENTS

Schedule of Events
BRIDGING DIVIDES DISCUSSION SERIES: Mental Health in the Arts (and in everything else!)
May 8
BRIDGING DIVIDES DISCUSSION SERIES: Mental Health in the Arts (and in everything else!)

We will have a conversation with writers Michele Parker Randall, Gregory Amos, and Jumi Bellow about their experiences with mental health, their creative journeys in response to those experiences, and mental health as a spectrum which is experienced differently by all of us.

SPRING LAMB JAM!
May 17
SPRING LAMB JAM!

Come experience the sights, sounds, and textures of farm life as we celebrate the arrival of Spring! From meeting our playful lambs to exploring the world of bees, learning about composting, and getting creative with wool, this family-focused event is perfect for all ages.

BRIDGING DIVIDES DISCUSSION SERIES with the Uncertainty Academy: Data, Art, and Action
May 22
BRIDGING DIVIDES DISCUSSION SERIES with the Uncertainty Academy: Data, Art, and Action

We will have a conversation with artist Tal Beery, scholar Joshua Moses, and this year’s Uncertainty Academy cohort. Science and art have at times been viewed as opposing forces, and at other times, as necessary and even intertwined allies.

TUESDAY BEGINNER MTB RIDES with Mark Nassan
Jun 10
TUESDAY BEGINNER MTB RIDES with Mark Nassan

Join us at Blueberry Hill Trails in Elizabethtown every Tuesday evening (weather permitting) for group mountain bike rides with local guru Mark Nassan. This is geared towards beginners but all levels are welcome for this fun, supportive, laid back group ride.

EMPTY BOWL, FULL HEART MAKERS DAYS IN THE CLAY STUDIO
Jun 21
EMPTY BOWL, FULL HEART MAKERS DAYS IN THE CLAY STUDIO

Come join Craigardan and Empty Bowl Full Heart in creating bowls for the 2024 fundraiser to support local food pantries.  No experience is necessary! This is a fun event for adults and teens 12 and older.

ALUMNI WEEK 2025
Jul 7
ALUMNI WEEK 2025

Craigardan’s alumni return to the Adirondacks this summer for some fun, camaraderie, and rest — and they also help us setup and execute our 3rd Annual Summer Firing Celebration!

(3rd) ANNUAL SUMMER FIRING CELEBRATION
Jul 12
(3rd) ANNUAL SUMMER FIRING CELEBRATION

Join us for our annual summer event! We’ll celebrate the fire that brings us together, the summer harvest, and the community of artists, scholars, and creatives all around us.

BRIDGING DIVIDES DISCUSSION SERIES: Storytelling; Narrative and Nuance
Jul 31
BRIDGING DIVIDES DISCUSSION SERIES: Storytelling; Narrative and Nuance

We will have a discussion with artists Michael “Yoko” Amos, Erica Berry, and Gayle Burnett about their work as writers and storytellers, and about using the power of the medium to have difficult conversations that touch on topics such as climate change, racial inequity, and politics.

KIDS + TEENS

Schedule of Events
SPRING LAMB JAM!
May 17
SPRING LAMB JAM!

Come experience the sights, sounds, and textures of farm life as we celebrate the arrival of Spring! From meeting our playful lambs to exploring the world of bees, learning about composting, and getting creative with wool, this family-focused event is perfect for all ages.

TUESDAY BEGINNER MTB RIDES with Mark Nassan
Jun 10
TUESDAY BEGINNER MTB RIDES with Mark Nassan

Join us at Blueberry Hill Trails in Elizabethtown every Tuesday evening (weather permitting) for group mountain bike rides with local guru Mark Nassan. This is geared towards beginners but all levels are welcome for this fun, supportive, laid back group ride.

EMPTY BOWL, FULL HEART MAKERS DAYS IN THE CLAY STUDIO
Jun 21
EMPTY BOWL, FULL HEART MAKERS DAYS IN THE CLAY STUDIO

Come join Craigardan and Empty Bowl Full Heart in creating bowls for the 2024 fundraiser to support local food pantries.  No experience is necessary! This is a fun event for adults and teens 12 and older.

(3rd) ANNUAL SUMMER FIRING CELEBRATION
Jul 12
(3rd) ANNUAL SUMMER FIRING CELEBRATION

Join us for our annual summer event! We’ll celebrate the fire that brings us together, the summer harvest, and the community of artists, scholars, and creatives all around us.

WEEKLY EVENTS

Schedule of Events
TUESDAY BEGINNER MTB RIDES with Mark Nassan
Jun 10
TUESDAY BEGINNER MTB RIDES with Mark Nassan

Join us at Blueberry Hill Trails in Elizabethtown every Tuesday evening (weather permitting) for group mountain bike rides with local guru Mark Nassan. This is geared towards beginners but all levels are welcome for this fun, supportive, laid back group ride.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Past Events
Portugal - 2025 International Clay Retreat
Feb 7
Portugal - 2025 International Clay Retreat

CLAY + FOOD + FIRE! Join us in Portugal this February for an unforgettable 10-day experience with Sam Taylor and Mark Shapiro!

APPLEBARN TALKS: Dr. Lise Deguire, Carly Marie DeMento, Hannah Plummer
Oct 11
APPLEBARN TALKS: Dr. Lise Deguire, Carly Marie DeMento, Hannah Plummer

Free and open to the public

APPLEBARN TALKS: Elissa Lash, Lauren McElroy, Elise Jeanmaire
Oct 4
APPLEBARN TALKS: Elissa Lash, Lauren McElroy, Elise Jeanmaire

Free and open to the public

TRAIL WORK DAY
Sep 28
TRAIL WORK DAY

Craigardan’s 320 acre campus is a patchwork of new fields and previously logged forest navigated on a network of skidder tracks and new trails. We need your help clearing debris, stabilizing soils, and creating paths to open up new possibilities for walking, skiing, biking, and exploring the property.

APPLEBARN TALKS: Virginia Chang, Chauna Craig
Sep 27
APPLEBARN TALKS: Virginia Chang, Chauna Craig

Free and open to the public

WOOD KILN FIRING + COMMUNITY POTLUCK
Sep 25
WOOD KILN FIRING + COMMUNITY POTLUCK

Stop by the kiln house any time on Wednesday (5am - 10pm) to experience the wood kiln firing - a centuries-old mix of science and art!

APPLEBARN TALKS: Suma Nagaraj, Hannah Rose Roberts
Sep 20
APPLEBARN TALKS: Suma Nagaraj, Hannah Rose Roberts

Free and open to the public

WHEEL BUILDING
Sep 18
WHEEL BUILDING

Join us and learn the basic concepts of wheel building with Mark Nassan of Leepoff Cycles!

EMPTY BOWL, FULL HEART MAKERS DAYS IN THE CLAY STUDIO
Sep 14
EMPTY BOWL, FULL HEART MAKERS DAYS IN THE CLAY STUDIO

Come join Craigardan and Empty Bowl Full Heart in creating bowls for the 2024 fundraiser to support local food pantries.  No experience is necessary! This is a fun event for adults and teens 12 and older.

APPLEBARN TALKS: Molly Hurley, Betsy Power, Chad Michael Lange
Sep 13
APPLEBARN TALKS: Molly Hurley, Betsy Power, Chad Michael Lange

Free and open to the public

EMPTY BOWL, FULL HEART MAKERS DAYS IN THE CLAY STUDIO
Sep 12
EMPTY BOWL, FULL HEART MAKERS DAYS IN THE CLAY STUDIO

Come join Craigardan and Empty Bowl Full Heart in creating bowls for the 2024 fundraiser to support local food pantries.  No experience is necessary! This is a fun event for adults and teens 12 and older.

APPLEBARN TALKS: Lisa Orr
Sep 6
APPLEBARN TALKS: Lisa Orr

Free and open to the public

BUILDING A ROCKET KILN with Lisa Orr
Sep 2
BUILDING A ROCKET KILN with Lisa Orr

We’re hosting potter Lisa Orr on campus this week to build a quick-firing kiln that is fueled with wood (but not a wood-fired kiln!).

APPLEBARN TALKS: Samuel Bowser, Michael Heyman, Harri Nourse
Aug 30
APPLEBARN TALKS: Samuel Bowser, Michael Heyman, Harri Nourse

Free and open to the public

BICYCLE MAINTENANCE
Aug 24
BICYCLE MAINTENANCE

Join us and learn to fix your bicycle with Mark Nassan of Leepoff Cycles!

APPLEBARN TALKS: Allison Dobbs, Leanne Rabesa, Brian Mihok
Aug 23
APPLEBARN TALKS: Allison Dobbs, Leanne Rabesa, Brian Mihok

Free and open to the public

APPLEBARN TALKS: Seemi Choudry, Karla Krupala
Aug 16
APPLEBARN TALKS: Seemi Choudry, Karla Krupala

Free and open to the public

GROUNDS for CREATION: With Allison Dobbs and Leanne Rabesa
Aug 15
GROUNDS for CREATION: With Allison Dobbs and Leanne Rabesa

Join 2024 Teaching Fellows Allison Dobbs and Leanne Rabesa for two hours of live music, art, and the common grounds between them.

APPLEBARN TALKS: Michiko Theurer, Karina Yanes, Jennifer Steil
Aug 9
APPLEBARN TALKS: Michiko Theurer, Karina Yanes, Jennifer Steil

Free and open to the public

APPLEBARN TALKS: Audrey Blood, Jessica Mendoza, Emily Olick Llano
Aug 2
APPLEBARN TALKS: Audrey Blood, Jessica Mendoza, Emily Olick Llano

Free and open to the public

BACKYARD BEES
Aug 2
BACKYARD BEES

This introduction to beekeeping with novice beekeepers Michele, Sam, and Laura may just inspire you to maintain a hive or two of your own - if we can do it, so can you! Pre-registration is appreciated, but not necessary.

STORYTELLING WORKSHOP with Michael “Yoko” Amos
Aug 1
STORYTELLING WORKSHOP with Michael “Yoko” Amos

Unlock the power of storytelling with us! Calling all aspiring storytellers to join our 2023 Craigardan Alumni Yoko for a captivating and free two-night workshop on storytelling.

APPLEBARN TALKS: Kiki Liu, Hendree Milward, Emily Sullivan Smith
Jul 26
APPLEBARN TALKS: Kiki Liu, Hendree Milward, Emily Sullivan Smith

Free and open to the public

APPLEBARN TALKS: Emily Carter, Amanda Kelly, Tessa Holmes
Jul 19
APPLEBARN TALKS: Emily Carter, Amanda Kelly, Tessa Holmes

Free and open to the public

EXPERIENCING CLAY with Kiki Liu
Jul 16
EXPERIENCING CLAY with Kiki Liu

Join 2024 Teaching Fellow Kiki Liu for a beginners course to hand building with clay.

(3rd) ANNUAL SUMMER FIRING CELEBRATION
Jul 13
(3rd) ANNUAL SUMMER FIRING CELEBRATION

Join us for our annual summer event! We’ll celebrate the fire that brings us together, the summer harvest, and the community of artists, scholars, and creatives all around us.

APPLEBARN TALKS: Emily Caris, Christie Gardiner, Beth Reitmeyer, Holly Friesen
Jul 5
APPLEBARN TALKS: Emily Caris, Christie Gardiner, Beth Reitmeyer, Holly Friesen

Free and open to the public

APPLEBARN TALKS: Sue Ellen Herne, Bessie Mbadugha, Fran Hoepfner
Jun 28
APPLEBARN TALKS: Sue Ellen Herne, Bessie Mbadugha, Fran Hoepfner

Free and open to the public

APPLEBARN TALKS: Katherine Orfinger, Fanxi Sun, Emilia Gonzalez
Jun 21
APPLEBARN TALKS: Katherine Orfinger, Fanxi Sun, Emilia Gonzalez

Free and open to the public

APPLEBARN TALKS: Michele Parker Randall, Juliet Phillips, Susan Hutner
Jun 14
APPLEBARN TALKS: Michele Parker Randall, Juliet Phillips, Susan Hutner

Free and open to the public