The Workshop Program provides fee-based, artist-led classes in materials such as glass, steel, paper, and wood.

Cancellation Policy: Students must notify YVML of cancellation 30 days before the start date of the workshop for a refund (with the exception of credit card fees). No credit or refunds will be given within 30 days.

In an effort to maintain accessibility, we are offering the following scholarships in Spring Workshops:

1 50% off scholarship in Foundry Metal Casting in Bronze and Aluminum with Chris Collins: May 15-19, 2026

1 Full Scholarship in: 

Mushroom Alchemy: Unlocking Nature’s Hidden Colors with Julie Beeler: February 21 & 22, 2026

Texture and Surface for Steel with Kento Saisho: February 27-March 1, 2026

Introduction to Kiln-Formed Glass Casting with Heidi Schwegler: March 13-15, 2026

Paper Casting Sculptural with SR Lejeune: April 17-20, 2026

Techniques in Steel Jewelry with Rebekah Frank: May 2-3, 2026

Scholarship applications are due on December 12, 2026. Notifications of acceptance will be sent the week of December 22nd. 

All High Desert Locals receive a 10% discount on tuition.

Repair Retreat: October 24, 25, & 26th

9 am - 4 pm

with Claire Beaumont @foreverywear_

Join us for a transformative three-day Repair Retreat, where you'll learn the skills to bring new life to your worn garments and become part of a group focused on sustainable reuse. This workshop is designed for participants who want to deepen their knowledge of garment repair through hands-on demonstrations and individual work time. We’ll start with demos on machine darning, patchwork, knit mending, and zipper repairs. Throughout the weekend, you'll have ample time to work on your own projects, receive personalized guidance, and leave with practical skills you can apply at home. Whether you're a novice or a sewing enthusiast, this retreat offers a welcoming space to learn, create, and rebuild your favorite garments with care and creativity.

$375

Introduction to Stone Carving

October 31, November 1, & 2nd

9am - 4pm

with Cara Chan

Explore the art of stone carving in this three-day workshop, using alabaster—a soft, luminous stone known for its beautiful colors and patterns. Ideal for all skill levels, this hands-on class covers the use of traditional tools like hammers, chisels, rasps, and files to carve, sand, and polish your own sculpture. 

Starting from a sketch, maquette, or abstract imagination, students will learn essential techniques and leave with a finished piece and the skills to continue carving at home. Basic tools are provided and Cara encourages students to bring their own stones. Some alabaster will be available for purchase at YVML.

No prior experience is necessary—just curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to get dusty.

$395 

Area Zero: Yucca Valley November 7, 8, & 9th

10 am - 3 pm

with Leah Bachar, Nathaniel Ober, and Haydeé Jiménez

nettnettradio.com, nathanielober.com, haydeejimenez.net,

Area Zero: Yucca Valley is an immersive three-day workshop inviting participants to explore sound, space, and movement through creative storytelling as a tool for community building, resistance, and celebration in the borderland regions. Drawing from the rich cultural and environmental landscapes of the desert, the workshop emphasizes the use of storytelling to amplify local voices while highlighting the resilience and unique nature of these communities. With a somatic, experimental, and grassroots approach, the workshop engages participants in hands-on creative processes that are both accessible and deeply connected to the land. Rooted in earth art and a commitment to accessibility, these workshops offer a space for participants to create collectively and build sustainable communities in the desert’s complex, ever-changing landscape.

Day 1: Group Walk & Talk, Spatial Exploration, Experimental Storytelling

Day 2: Instrument Design, Instrument Making, Experimental Listening / Improvisation Practice - with Nate Ober

Day 3: Listening & Improvisation Practices, DIY Internet Radio Broadcasting, Radio Broadcast & Public Performance

This workshop is donation-based. Please contribute using the registration form.

Mycomaterials: November 15th

9am - 4 pm

with Sam Shoemaker www.samshoemaker.com

Join Sam Shoemaker for a hands-on workshop exploring the sculptural and material potential of living fungi. Participants will learn how to cultivate and shape mycelium into a variety of functional materials. During this workshop each attendee will build, inoculate, and take home a light fixture made entirely out of mushroom mycelium.

$225

Experimental Slumping & Draping with Fused Glass Panels November 21, 22, & 23rd

9am - 4pm

with SaraBeth Post Eskuche sarabethposteskuche.com

Learn how to make a 2-D fused glass panel with sheet glass and slump it in a kiln to give it three dimensions. Students will create models in clay and create alginate molds to capture forms in plaster and silica. Plaster and silica molds will further be altered with carving techniques to finalize unique molds to melt our glass panels over. Each student will create at least two slumped panels. Two dimensions easily become three with a little heat of 1200-1300 degrees! 

$450

Writing for Art Applications, December 6th

9 am - 4 pm

with Frank Montesonti frankmontesonti.com

Are your application materials dusty, uninspired, or in need of updates? Bring them in! In this workshop, we will review principles of strong art writing and then share and critique each other's statements. The workshop will be led by poet/writing studies professor Frank Montesonti. Frank has helped many artists compose or revise their artist statements and applications for competitive residencies around the country. Artist statements will be the focus, but you may also bring in statements of purpose for individual artist grants, cover letters for art-related jobs, or teaching statements.

$75

Documentation for Artists, December 7th

9 am - 4 pm

with Sarah Lyon sarahlyon.com

This workshop offers practical techniques for photographing artwork using digital cameras, lighting, and seamless backgrounds.  Participants will learn lens and camera settings, lighting methods, and post-processing skills to produce professional-quality images suitable for galleries, online displays, or prints. We will also explore simple methods to take better photos with the equipment that you have, such as your phone, using only natural light. The session covers adapting photography techniques for different art forms, framing and composition to best showcase artwork details. Attendees will have hands-on opportunities to photograph their own work (sculpture or 2D). By the end, you'll gain confidence in capturing high-quality, accurate images of your artwork and connect with other artists!

$75

Intro to Welding: December 13 & 14, 9 am - 4 pm

with Ethan Primason ethanprimason.com

In this two-day workshop, learn the fundamentals of MIG welding steel. Welding processes include a complete explanation of how to use a MIG welder, welding specific types of joints, cutting with a metal chop saw, grinding with angle body grinders, and a thorough explanation of safety procedures. On the second day, students are encouraged to make a small object such as a candle or incense holder in order to practice all of the techniques covered on day one.

$295

Intro to Welding: February 7 & 8, 2026 9 am - 4 pm

with Ethan Primason ethanprimason.com

In this two-day workshop, learn the fundamentals of MIG welding steel. Welding processes include a complete explanation of how to use a MIG welder, welding specific types of joints, cutting with a metal chop saw, grinding with angle body grinders, and a thorough explanation of safety procedures. On the second day, students are encouraged to make a small object such as a candle or incense holder in order to practice all of the techniques covered on day one.

$295

Quilt in a Weekend: February 14 & 15, 2026, 9 am - 4 pm

with Panda Landa  https://pandalandastudio.com

A two day class to learn the basics of improvisational patchwork and how to put together your first quilt! In this two day quilting class we will learn about the radical histories of quilt making, learn to use the sewing machine to create beautiful improvised patchwork, and put our layers together to make a crib size quilt.

$225

Mushroom Alchemy: Unlocking Nature’s Hidden Colors: February 21 & 22, 2026, 9 am- 4pm

with Julie Beeler www.juliebeeler.com

full scholarship available

Step into the vibrant world where art and ecology meet. In this hands-on, two day workshop with artist and Mushroom Color Atlas creator Julie Beeler, you’ll discover the hidden spectrum of color within wild mushrooms and learn how to transform them into dyes, pigments, inks, and paints. Explore sustainable practices while experimenting with mushroom dye techniques, lake pigments, and ink making. Along the way, create a dye journal of swatches, craft a bottle of mushroom ink, and mull your own paint. Together, we’ll unlock fungi’s alchemy and leave with tools, recipes, and inspiration for future creative exploration.

$225

Texture and Surface for Steel: February 27-March 1, 2026

9 am - 4 pm

with Kento Saisho http://www.kentosaisho.com 

full scholarship available

In this three-day workshop, students will get a crash course in MIG welding with steel before diving into some unorthodox techniques that focus on creating unexpected textures and surfaces. Students will learn how to safely use a MIG welder, cut, and grind metal. Then we’ll move into alternative ways of welding with steel rod and sheet metal. On the third day, we’ll explore patinas and other surface treatments. Students will be encouraged to utilize these techniques to create a small object, like a container or candleholder.

$550

Introduction to Kiln-Formed Glass Casting: March 6 - 8, 2026

Day 1: 9 am - 4 pm, Day 2: 8 am - 12 pm, Day 3: 2 pm - 5 pm

with Heidi Schwegler heidischwegler.com

Join us in-person as we take you through each step of the lost wax casting process. Silicone and alginate mold making is also included. Learn the basics of lost wax kiln-casting by transforming found objects into Bullseye glass. Students will learn the essentials for mold-building, wax finishing, material calculation, color mixing, and the theory behind firing schedules.

$425

Introduction to Kiln-Formed Glass Casting: March 13-15, 2026

Day 1: 9 am - 4 pm, Day 2: 8 am - 12 pm, Day 3: 2 pm - 5 pm

with Heidi Schwegler heidischwegler.com

full scholarship available

Join us in-person as we take you through each step of the lost wax casting process. Silicone and alginate mold making is also included. Learn the basics of lost wax kiln-casting by transforming found objects into Bullseye glass. Students will learn the essentials for mold-building, wax finishing, material calculation, color mixing, and the theory behind firing schedules.

$425

Introduction to Wood Carving: April 1 & 2, 2026

9 am - 4 pm

with Karl Burkheimer www.karlburkheimer.com
 

Explore the creation of form through wood carving. Emphasizing basic wood carving techniques as well as readily accessible carving tools this workshop will demonstrate and focus on the creation of non-representable 3-dimensional form. Safety, clamping techniques as well as basic tool sharpening will also be covered.

$225

Paper Casting Relief: April 14 & 15, 2026

9 am - 4 pm

with SR Lejeune www.sarahroselejeune.com

With experimental processes rooted in hand papermaking techniques, students will learn to use paper pulp to hold texture and surface. Beginning with technical basics such as pulp processing and sheet formation, students will apply these skills to an array of non-traditional techniques that use papermaking as a material and conceptual recording device. This workshop will predominantly cover low-relief casting processes such as site-specific paper rubbings and carved and collage low-relief mould making and use. This course will cover ways of working applicable to more improvisational paper studio contexts. All levels are welcome.

$295

Paper Casting Sculptural: April 17-20, 2026

9 am - 4 pm

with SR Lejeune www.sarahroselejeune.com

full scholarship available

Using experimental casting processes rooted in hand papermaking techniques, students will learn to record dimension and texture with paper pulp. Building on technical basics such as fiber processing and sheet formation, students will apply these skills to a variety of non-traditional paper casting methods. This workshop will cover various approaches to found moulds, mould making with oven-bake clay and multi-part plaster mould making and filling strategies. This experimental workshop will emphasize the unique nature of paper as a casting medium through a wide exploration of this material. This course will cover ways of working applicable to more improvisational paper studio contexts, and will dimensionally build on processes taught in Paper Casting Relief. All levels are welcome.

$450

Mummification of the Everyday: April 22 & 23, 2026

9 am - 4pm

with Ry Rocklen wildingcran.com

Over the course of the workshop we will transform found objects into exalted versions of themselves.  We will rediscover the things we know and love through a process of coating, hardening, and adorning.  We will give objects shells, celebrating their forms and existence by preserving them in a myriad of coatings, from plaster bandage, epoxy putty, and paper clay. Once hardened their exteriors will be adorned with a range of materials that suit both the form and the object within it.  We will consider art as an act of preservation and devotion and through the workshop will address issues of interiority, surface, value, and temporality.

$295

Cuttlefish Casting: April 26, 2026

9 am - 4 pm

with Heidi Schwegler heidischwegler.com

Cuttlebone casting is an ancient technique that was used in Mediterranean countries for centuries. This one day workshop is designed to give students a foundational understanding of the casting process. Students will learn how to transfer and carve their design for a small sculpture, pendant, ring, key chain, etc.  into a cuttlefish bone and how to melt either sterling or bronze in a crucible to pour directly into the pattern. We will also go over the steps to remove any sprues or air vents, and how to clean up and polish the final castings so that they are ready to wear by the end of the workshop!

$195

Techniques in Steel Jewelry: May 2-3, 2026

9 am - 4 pm

with Rebekah Frank www.rebekahfrank.com

full scholarship available

If you’re intimidated by using steel for jewelry, this is the class for you. We'll go through the properties of steel, review some of the misconceptions and truths of working with steel, demonstrate how to use jewelry tools effectively, and how to solder or weld components. Through the weekend, we'll focus on technical skill sets so you leave with practical skills you can apply in your own studios. Demos will cover chainmaking, cutting/piercing, soldering, welding, finishing and more. Whether you have some experience with steel or none at all, you are welcome to come learn with us. There will be time for you to bring in your questions and your problem projects to troubleshoot with the group.

$450 

Foundry Metal Casting in Bronze and Aluminum: May 15-19, 2026

9 am- 4 pm 

with Chris Collins www.chriscollinssculpture.com

half scholarship available

In this five day introductory workshop on foundry casting students will make a wax model that will be cast in bronze or aluminum. Techniques covered include wax work, ceramic shell slurry molds, metal casting and finishing. After the wax model is made, students will make ceramic shell molds, the wax will be burned out and bronze or aluminum ingots will be melted and poured directly into the mold. We will also go over the steps to cut off and grind any sprues or air vents, and how to finish/polish and patina the final castings.

$725