Folk Arts Classes – 2026
Chairperson: Megan Viscio
F01 Dollhouse Workshop
Week: 5 | Grades: 4 & up
Welcome to the world of miniatures where everything is adorably small! Imagine bunk beds that can fit in the palm of your hand or a tiny bookshelf filled with some of your favorite books. Students will learn how to design, construct and decorate their own two story dollhouse with miniature items made from scratch! We will work with materials such as wood, paper, glue, fabric, beads, yarn and other various found objects. We will also explore miniature scale and how to use everyday items to make our own mini treasures. Our class will enjoy a walk in the woods each day to spark creativity and visit fellow students.
NOTE: This is a high demand class. If your child has taken this before, please consider allowing other students to register this year by registering for a different course.
Instructor: Megan Viscio
F02 Beginning & Advanced Blacksmithing
Weeks: 1, 3, 5 | Grades: 7 & up
Beginning and advanced students will develop their skills by making a
variety of projects appropriate to their skill level. Projects may include
hooks, door hardware, or other decorative and practical items. Students
should expect to work hard, with emphasis placed on control and consistency of their work. Blacksmithing students are required to wear long sleeve cotton shirts, long cotton pants, cotton socks, and closed toed shoes or boots, preferably made of leather. Other safety equipment will be supplied.
Instructor: Dave Peterson
F03 Civil War- A Soldier’s Life
Week: 1, 3 | Grades: 5-9*
*older students interested please email registrar@heldebergworkshop.org
This workshop lets students experience the life of New York State’s
“Common Soldier” of the Civil War through a series of hands-on activities. The “recruits” can set up tents, cook over a campfire, sample common food and drink (sampling optional), examine the equipment the soldiers carried and try on uniforms. After being issued wooden rifles the students will be instructed in the manual of arms, learn the drill required to move large numbers of infantry efficiently, and even engage in picket duty on the “front lines”.
Instructor: Ted Shuart
F04 Unbearable Fun
Week: 1 | Grades: 3 & up
Bears, bears and more bears! Learn the art of hand-sewing with a black bear face pillow; paint your own version of a bear shelf-sitter; create a bear-theme garland along with other “bear”y cute projects.
Instructor: Sharon Breisch
F05 Chess for All!
Week: 2 | Grades: *5 – 12
* Younger students who are interested in chess can be admitted to the class.. please email registrar@heldebergworkshop.org with request.
Come learn the basics of one of the oldest board games in the world. You will learn how to set up the board, move the pieces, and play a full game. If you love puzzles and problem solving, chess is for you. Experienced players are welcomed and will be challenged to improve. All are welcome!
Instructor: James Longrod
F06 Weaving Studio – Beginning and Advanced
Weeks: 1, 2 | Grades: 4 & up
Important Prerequisite: All students must be able to independently tie a bow.
Create your own handwoven textile! Choose your colors and set up your loom, then weave your project. Watch as your design grows under your hands! Beginner and advanced students are welcome. Beginner students will learn basic weaving skills on a four harness loom. Advanced students can review these skills as needed, then explore more complex patterns and projects. Students may enroll for multiple weeks to further their skills and complete weavings of their choice.
Instructor: Elena Rose
F07 Peter Rabbit and the Forbidden Garden
Week: 2 | Grades: 3-9
Our hand-sewn Peter Rabbit, in his blue jacket, visits the forbidden garden of Mr. McGregor to eat the vegetables from his garden basket. Learn the art of hand sewing and create our naughty, but adorable, Peter Rabbit and a variety of colorful vegetables to fill the garden basket. Once you learn the basics, the possibilities are endless.
Instructor: Sharon Breisch
F08 Miniature Babydolls
Week: 4 | Grades: 3 & up
If you enjoy cute miniatures, then this is the class for you! Students will learn how to make a miniature babydoll using polymer clay and swaddled with fabric. We will also make a variety of items to go along with our dolls including, cradles, blankets, tiny toys and bottles filled with pretend milk. Design a nursery in a carrying case so that you can pack up all your minis and take them on a walk in the surrounding woods. If time allows, you can make a whole crew of little babydoll bundles!
Instructor: Megan Viscio
F09 Maskmaking
Week: 4 | Grades: 3 & up
Do you like your hands submerged in slime? It’s a messy process, but the masks we create will be astounding! We’ll use Heldeberg rocks as forms, then layer paper strips to produce masks that can be mysterious, funny, fanciful or even frightening. Masks will be painted and perhaps embellished with natural items we find on the Land. Ancient cultures will be our inspiration as we let our imaginations soar!
Instructor: Trisha Zigrosser
F10 Paper Possibilities
Week: 1 | Grades: 6+
Paper is an abundant, inexpensive, colorful, and very versatile resource. It is the perfect material for making models that have the power to be beautiful, fascinating, useful, and so much more! In addition to exploring traditional Origami, we will also create flexagons, zines & journals, a basketball hoop, and more! Join us as we use folding, cutting, scoring, gluing and more to construct a variety of paper projects that will tap into your curiosity and creativity. The only tool you need to bring with you is your hands!”
Teacher: Mark Kaercher
F11 Indians of North America
Week: 3 | Grades: 4 & up
How did the Iroqious and Sioux Indians live? Join us for a weeklong adventure and hear their stories and songs. Explore the woods to find and identify plants, animals, footprints and feathers. Gather natural items to make and decorate a “talking stick”. Visit our longhouse and tipi! Make your own clay pot, an Eastern Indian cornhusk doll, and Plains Indian medicine wheel. Join us and see how the Indians of North America lived!
Instructor: “Standing Woman” (Dawn Marczak)
F12 Revolutionary War: War In Our Own Backyards
Week: 4 | Grades: 5 – 9*
* older students interested please email registrar@heldebergworkshop.org
Six American Revolution historical markers are located within a two-mile radius of the Heldeberg Workshop. The camp itself is on former Mohawk land later owned by Patriot Frederick Crounse. Students can step back in time to those days when local German and Dutch settlers came together to protect their community from raiding Torys and Mohawks. Service in the militia was mandatory from age sixteen. Our “new recruits” will join the 3rd Albany County Militia and learn about the weapons and equipment the militiamen carried and the food they ate. Reproduction weapons and uniforms and a few original artifacts will be exhibited. Students will be issued wooden rifles and be instructed in infantry tactics. Patrols will scout daily for Torys, and we may have to repair and garrison a fort.
Instructor: Ted Shuart
F13 Knit ‘n Nature
Week: 6 | Grades: 4+
Knitting is a wonderfully social craft that will boost your creativity, confidence, concentration, and fine motor skills. This camp will provide a fun, supportive space with tailored knitting guidance so that every participant will create a project that is unique to themselves and their abilities. A few examples of projects may include; scarves, potholders, headbands, or hats. The camp will cover basic knitting stitches, how to read a pattern, and how to select yarn for your project. Students with more experience can try their hand at colorwork or cabling. The best part? Knitting is portable, so we’ll roam the beautiful Heldeberg Workshop campus as we work on our creations.
Instructor: Leiana Hawkins
- Registration is anticipated to open March 10, 2026
- Mailing list families will be notified first
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