Saturdays, 10 am - 12 pm. September 26, October 3, 17, 24, 31, November 7. (6 weeks)
image credit: Peter van Ryn
$153 for members / $180 non-members + $25 materials fee
Having trouble choosing an art medium? This six week course lets you sample a variety of the art forms offered at BFAC. You'll get a chance to work with several of our instructors and try something new each week!
Sept 26 - Soft Pastel with Moumita Roychowdhury
Oct 3 - Gelli Printing with Anne Williamson
Oct 17 - Collage with Erica Gosselin
Oct 24- Felted Card with Peter van Ryn
Oct 31- Watercolour with Robert Achtemichuk
Nov 7- Ceramics with Akycha Surette
*Instructors and mediums subject to change
To learn more about these instructors and their work, please visit:
Moumita Roychowdhury: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/roychowdhury
Anne Williamson: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/williamson
Erica Gosselin: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/gosselin
Peter van Ryn: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/van-ryn
Akycha Surette: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/surette
Please note:
With 2 or more weeks notice, we deduct 10% payment processing servicing fees from the total amount refunded or offer store credit with no deductions.
Saturday, October 17, 1 - 4 pm.
$38. 25 Members / $45 non-members + $10 materials fee
Learn how to make your own Pumpkin and Crow polymer clay magnets step by step with direction. You will learn some tips and tricks for using polymer clay tools to give your creation that spooky spark of life!
Saturday, October 17, 1 - 4 pm
$38.25 Members / $45 non-members + $10 materials
To learn more about Connie and her work, please visit: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/melnik
The fundamentals of still life center on composition, lighting, colour, texture and perspective. Attention to detail is important as metal, fabric or glass reflect light differently. The methods used in this workshop allow artists to explore symbolism and mood turning ordinary objects into meaningful studies.
Saturday, October 24 AND Sunday 25. 1 - 4pm
Members $76.50 / non-members $90 + $10 materials fee
Create and finish your own small tapestry in this 2 day introductory course. You will learn basic tapestry techniques and exercise your sense of colour and design using a frame loom. Patterns (optional) and a variety of yarn will be provided.
Saturday, October 24 AND Sunday 25. 1-4pm
Members $76.50 / non-members $90 + $15 materials fee
To learn more about Peter and his work, please visit: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/van-ryn
Saturday, October 24, 1 - 4 pm.
$38.25 members / $45 non-members + $10 materials fee
To learn more about Akycha and her work, please visit: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/surette
Create and decorate tiny hand-built clay houses in this creative, relaxed workshop for all levels. All materials included.
Sunday, October 25, 1 - 4 pm.
$38.25 Members / $45 Non-Members +$5 materials fee
To learn more about Moumita and her work, please visit: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/roychowdhury
In this creative watercolour workshop, you will transform your favourite family recipe into a treasured keepsake. We will cover the anatomy of a recipe: structuring ingredients, measurements, and cooking steps. We will incorporate loose washes, sketches and creative layouts to make your journal a precious piece of artwork to pass on to future generations.
In this class we’ll create a landscape that celebrates the bright, bold colours of autumn using needle felting techniques and richly coloured wool. All the required tools and materials will be supplied. Demonstration and direct instruction will allow you to create a felting that is ready for framing. No prior experience is required. Experienced artists, artisans and returning students will be able to bring their skill set and experience to the scenes as well.
Saturday, October 31, 1 - 5 pm
$51 Members, $60 non-members + $30 materials fee (3 projects or more as time permits)
To learn more about Susan and her work, please visit: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/clarke
To the Moon! Making Jewelry with a Celestial Theme
Capture the magic of the night sky and the brilliance of the sun in this jewelry-making workshop. Whether you are a total beginner or a seasoned maker, this will be the perfect opportunity to design and create high-quality celestial pieces as you explore and learn jewelry-making techniques. You will have time to complete several projects. Along the way, you’ll learn or build on foundational techniques such as stringing, beading, and working with wire.
For Beginners: Don’t be intimidated! Instruction and individual support ensures you feel confident and walk away with jewelry you’re proud of.
For Experienced Makers: Enjoy an inspiring environment where instruction is tailored to your skill level.
Cosmic Buffet: A highlight of the workshop is a curated Bead Bar with a wide variety of themed charms, beads, and creative findings to make every piece unique. This Cosmic Buffet features premium materials to help you capture the sky (iridescent crystals and shimmering beads, glittering stars and solar charms, glowing crescent moons and golden sunbursts, silver and gold accents).
Project Options * Stellar Drop Earrings: Learn how to design and make asymmetrical earrings (Moon and Star or another cosmic combination), or bead shimmering crystal earrings in a traditional style. * Celestial Bracelet: Add a favourite focal bead or charms to your stretch or wire strung bracelet. * Galaxy Pendant: Learn how to create an intricate wire pendant or secure a stone using artistic wire-wrapping techniques. * Orbit Necklace: Learn how to wire wrap beads, stars or other cosmic components to make your own delicate chain, or create links for a bolder look.
What to Bring Magnification option: If you use reading glasses or a personal magnifier for close-up work, please bring them along. Inspiration option: Feel free to bring photos or sketches of celestial jewelry you love. Enthusiasm: Everything else—including all tools, beads, and findings—is provided for you!
Saturday, October 31, 1 - 4 pm.
Come sculpt & glaze a surprise Halloween pottery project themed "cats & bats & rats." All materials included.
Saturday, November 7, 1 - 5 pm
$51 Members, $60 non-members + $20 materials fee
In this 4 hour workshop, learn assemblage techniques and use a variety of new and up-cycled materials to create this season's fashion trend - a three-dimensional brooch that can be converted into a pendant. Mixed media jewelry is considered a form of wearable art. Perch your creation on your shoulder, jacket and hat or use the pin-into-pendant converter to wear it as a necklace.
All the required tools and materials will be supplied including speciality items.
Treat yourself or bring a friend! No prior experience is required. Whether you're crafting a gift or adding to your own collection, you're sure to have fun.
Samples pictured showcase student work.
Saturday, November 7, 1 - 4 AND November 8, 1 - 3
$63.75 members / $75 Non-Members + $10 materials fee
In this 2 part workshop participants will learn how to create a felted poppy brooch using the wet felting technique. We will work with fine wool and decorative fibres to create a three-dimensional poppy, and each participant will finish their own unique handmade brooch in time for Remembrance Day. The workshop is suitable for beginners, and experienced felters alike.
Saturday November 7, 1 - 4 pm AND November 8, 1 - 4 pm
$76.50 Members / $90 Non-Members + $15 materials
In this two day workshop, we will paint garden flowers. Using acrylic paint and a limited palette we mix the greens, oranges and violets to capture the beauty of the purple coneflower. We will start with the background on our first day and finish the flowers and additional details on our second day.
All materials provided
Sunday, November 8, 2 - 4 pm
$25.50 Members / $30 Non-Members + $5 materials fee
Saturdays, 10 am - 12 pm. November 14, 21, 28, December 5, 12. (5 weeks)
image credit: Erica Gosselin
$127.50 for members / $150 non-members + $25 materials fee
Want to explore art with a range of media? We have it all in this special class: drawing, beading, painting, felt craft and pottery- try your hand at everything and see what ignites your passion!
Nov 14 - Conte Drawing with Baz Kanold
Nov 21 - Felted Ball & Acorn Top Ornaments with Michael Rouse
Nov 28 - Ceramics with Akycha Surette
Dec 5 - Intuitive Painting with Erica Gosselin
Dec 12 - Beaded Jewelry with Anne Williamson
Michael Rouse: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/rouse
Baz Kanold: https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/kanold
Saturday, November 14, 1 - 4 pm
$38.25 Members / $45 Non-Members + $10 materials fee
To learn more about Edward and his work, please visit:
https://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/hanson
This workshop is for artists new to soft pastel or with some experience we'll explore creating art based on identifying shapes and layering. We'll start with a short introduction to soft pastel materials and work from urban scene source material to assist in composition and inspiration.
Please note that the Pastels in this course are NOT Oil Pastels.
Members $38.25 / non-members $45 + $5 materials fee
Join award-winning artist Mark Yungblut as he guides participants through the delicate process of papercutting. Participants will be introduced to the technique via hands on instruction, and will learn the basics by creating their own unique work of art from stencils provided. All materials will be provided, and no experience is necessary.
$38. 25 Members / $45 Non-Members + $7 materials fee
Sunday, November 22, 1-4pm
Members $38.25 / Non-Members $45 + $10 materials fee
Sunday, November 22, 1 - 4 pm
Create and decorate a textured ceramic tree in this creative, relaxed workshop for all levels. All materials included.
Saturday, November 28, 1 - 4 pm
$38.25 Members / $45 Non-Members + $5 materials
Discover your hidden talent in drawing by taking this drawing workshop. Yes, you to can learn and have a basic mastery of fundamental drawing techniques. Learn the proper types of paper and pencils to use, how to make objects look three dimensional through shading and devices to make your drawing look spatially correct and more. These techniques will get you started on more drawing on your own.
Saturday, November 28, 1 - 4 pm.
Do you love to send out holiday cards as a part of your celebrations? Are you interested in adding a touch of home-made to your holiday or birthday gifts this coming year? Join us for a holiday card linocut workshop with Baz! Together we'll learn the basics of linocut, and create a design that we can use to decorate our holiday cards for many years to come. Whether you're a beginner or have done lino before, this session is welcoming of all skill levels, and makes for an incredible experience to share with a friend or family member. Come prepared with ideas and inspiration for your piece!
Saturday, December 5, 1 - 5 pm
Celebrate the season in style! Whether you prefer classic holiday colours or full-on festive glam, craft your own custom earrings. In this 4 hour workshop you’ll learn how to plan your design and apply jewelry-making techniques for a polished look. You'll have time to make multiple pairs - perfect for treating yourself or gifting someone special.
A rich buffet of quality materials, nickel-free components for making stud, drop, dangle, chandelier, or clip-on earrings and jewelry-making tools will be provided. Treat yourself or bring a friend! Whether you're crafting gifts or adding to your own earring collection, all skill levels are welcome to join the fun.
Saturday, December 5, 1 - 4 pm
$38.25 Members, $45 Non-Members + $7 materials fee
Give old holiday cards a second life! In this creative workshop, you will learn fun collage techniques to transform recycled materials into stunning, handmade greeting cards. Whether you're sending them to colleagues or close friends, you'll leave with unique holiday cards you will be incredibly proud to share this season. Please bring your own stash of old holiday cards to use in your designs and share with fellow participants!
Please bring old holiday cards if you have them.
Saturday, December 5, 1 - 2:30
$38.25 Members $45 Non-Members + $10 materials fee
Create your own festive, winter holiday ornaments. Each participant is invited to make a maximum of 10 ornaments.
All materials included.
Saturday, December 5, 3:30 - 5
Sunday December 6, 1 - 4 pm
$38.25 Members / $45 Non-Members + $10 materials
Sunday, December 6, 1 - 4 pm
Members $38.25 / $45 Non-Members + $6 materials fee
Quilling is the art of rolling and twisting thin lengths of paper into various shapes. During this class you will choose from a variety of colours to create a poinsettia flower. This is a project that does not require any previous quilling experience, just fine motor skills and a bit of patience. If you do not finish your project within the aloted time, materials and instructions will be provided for you to take with you for an additional $2.00.
Saturday, December 12, 1 - 4 pm
$38.25 Members / $45 Non-Members + $5 materials fee
All we’ll need is some wool, a cookie cutter, a felting needle and some embellishments to create some beautiful seasonal decorations for your home or to give as a gift! This is a great introduction to needle felting using a cookie cutter as a guideline, but also a very fun and creative way to spend an afternoon no matter what your prior experience. At the end of the workshop, students will have at least one needle felted decoration, ready to hang or pop in a gift box.
$38.25 Member / $45 Non-Member + $5 materials fee
There's something a little magical about writing a story onto an egg. This winter, learn the centuries-old Ukrainian art of pysanky and spend an afternoon crafting an ornament unlike anything else on your tree.
Armed with hot beeswax and a traditional kistka, you'll trace a proud, antlered deer and a flurry of snowflakes onto your egg, then send it through a series of rich, jewel-toned dye baths. Each colour hides beneath a fresh layer of wax, holding its secret until the very end — when the wax finally melts away and your design blooms into colour all at once. It's equal parts art and alchemy, and the reveal never gets old.
In Ukrainian folk art, the deer's sweeping, ram-like curled antlers are its most distinctive feature — a mark of strength, vitality, and good fortune. Paired with the snowflake, a symbol of winter's quiet magic, the design becomes as meaningful as it is beautiful. Hang it as the centerpeice of your tree, gift it to someone who'll treasure it, or start a new holiday tradition of your own.
No experience needed — just curiosity and a love of a little seasonal wonder.
What's included:
IVISIT the BUTTON FACTORY ARTS HOMEPAGE
LOCATION: 25 Regina Street South
Waterloo ON N2L1R8
Monday - Friday: 10 am - 7 pm
Saturday - Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm
CONTACT US:
519-886-4577
Membership and rentals:
operations@buttonfactoryarts.ca
Program inquiries:
programs@buttonfactoryarts.ca
