Whether you are looking to cultivate a new creative pastime, refine specialized studio techniques, or unwind in a welcoming community setting, the Boulder JCC offers a rich, diverse lineup of hands-on adult art workshops this season. Guided by talented local artists and master instructors, these offerings provide a supportive, pressure-free space designed for all skill levels.

To accommodate busy workday schedules and offer a creative outlet after hours, the Boulder JCC is excited to introduce a fresh slate of evening workshops starting at 5:30 pm.

Watercolor Exploration with Brian Comber
Wednesday, August 19 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm | $75
Join featured Messinger Gallery artist Brian Comber for an engaging workshop exploring the fluid and atmospheric possibilities of watercolor. Through hands-on demonstrations, you will cover color fundamentals, layering, brushwork, and composition while gaining insight into Brian’s contemporary, emotionally resonant process. All materials are provided, though experienced watercolorists may bring their own supplies.

Embroidery: Hand Embroidery Basics
Wednesday, September 16 | 5:30 – 8:00 pm | $95
Discover the relaxing craft of hand stitching under the gentle guidance of fiber artist Tara Jon Manning. Perfect for beginners or returning stitchers, this single-session workshop teaches running, back, chain, and blanket stitches, leaving you with practical tool knowledge and fresh inspiration for future projects.

Specialty: Mussart
Wednesday, October 7 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm | $42
Explore the transformative Jewish spiritual practice of Mussar through a creative lens. Led by Rabbi Eva Sax-Bolder, this session combines grounding text study with intuitive art-making to help cultivate "tender curiosity" and align daily actions with mindfulness and joy. No prior experience is required, and all materials are included.

Embroidery: Introduction to Sashiko Japanese Embroidery
Wednesday, October 14 | 5:30 – 8:00 pm | $95
Master the meditative art of Sashiko, a traditional Japanese embroidery method that uses simple running stitches to form geometric patterns for fabric embellishment and visible mending. Guided by Tara Jon Manning, participants will explore the rich history of this Edo-period craft in a warm, contemplative environment.

Beyond the new evening sessions, the Boulder JCC is hosting a variety of daytime studio sessions throughout the season:

Botanical Drawing
Mondays, August 17 – 31 | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | $118
Capture the shapes, textures, and colors of autumn produce with teacher Michael Campbell in this supportive three-session series designed for all experience levels. All materials are provided.

Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arranging
Wednesdays, August 26 – September 9 | 1:30 – 3:30 pm | $200
Discover Kado ("the path of flowers") and the philosophy of Sogetsu School style with instructor Eileen Kay, creating both traditional and contemporary seasonal arrangements.

Ceramic artist Rita Vali returns for three distinct hands-on clay workshops this fall:

Wall Pocket Workshop
Thursday, September 17 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm | $68
Hand-build and texture a custom ceramic wall pocket designed to display fresh blooms or herbs.

Menorahs, Candelabras & Candle Holders
Thursday, November 12 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm | $68
Craft functional, light-filled ceramic pieces personalized with stamps, carving, and underglazes.

Hopeful Birds Workshop
Thursday, December 3 | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm | $68
Sculpt a pair of expressive ceramic birds—one to keep and one to donate to a supportive community flock.

Led by expert instructor Sara Goldenberg White, the Boulder JCC's weaving series spans foundational setup to advanced float patterns and double weave structures:

Intro to Rigid Heddle: Table Runner
Thursdays, August 20 – September 3 | 10:30 am – 2:30 pm | $261
Ideal for absolute beginners, this multi-part workshop covers loom setup, threading, and weaving fundamentals while crafting a cotton-bamboo table runner.

Pick Up Stick Patterns
Tuesdays, August 18 – 25 | 10:30 am – 3:00 pm | $151
Expand your weaving repertoire by exploring waffle weave, honeycomb, and supplemental weft float structures. Pre-warped loom and prior experience required.

Double Weave Blanket
Tuesdays, September 15 – 22 & Thursday, October 1 | 10:30 am – 3:00 pm | $325
Learn to weave two layers of cloth simultaneously to create wide projects like baby or lap blankets. Dual-heddle setup required.

Shibori Scarf (Rigid Heddle)
Thursdays, October 8 & 22 | 10:30 am – 3:00 pm | $281
Combine pick-up stick float patterns with Shibori resistance dyeing to create a custom woven scarf.

Color Gamp
Tuesdays, November 10 & 17 | Times vary | $197
Build a powerful project-planning tool in this technique-driven workshop by creating a custom color gamp to see how ten different colors interact within a single warp.

Fringe Finishings & Project Planning
Tuesdays, December 8 & 15 | 10:30 am – 2:30 pm | $134
Round out your technical skills by building a 10-color yarn interaction tool or learning professional off-loom fringe and hem-stitching variations.

Ready to discover your creative side or build on an existing practice? Space is limited for each workshop to ensure every participant receives individual attention and a supportive studio environment. Head over to the Boulder JCC website today to secure your spot or explore the full season schedule. We look forward to welcoming you into class!