CCAC Workshops

Workshops are a great introduction to a particular art form or medium and offer an introductory sample at a low or no cost option. CCAC schedules most of the workshops in the area libraries to make access to creative and quality art instruction available to citizens throughout Cattaraugus County. CCAC's art workshops are funded in part by the New York State Council on the Arts and the County of Cattaraugus.

Library Series

All workshops are free. Pre registration is required, please contact library to register

Poetry Class for Adolescents : “Where I'm From”

July 24 | 1-4pm | Randolph Free Library, Randolph 716-358-3712

July 31 | 9:30am- 12:30pm | Ellicottville Memorial Library, Ellicottville 716-699-2842

Instructor: Courtney Ingham

Ages 11-14

Courtney Ingham, a certified public school English teacher will introduce students to the art of poetry. Students will be guided by various prompts and examples to poetically explore what "home" means to them. Conducted in the spirit of fun, this class will inspire while building poetic skills in regards to vocabulary, imagery, metaphor, and more.

Allegany State Park Workshops

All classes will be held at Allegany State Park. Register for these workshops with Pati Andrews at Allegany State Park at354-9101 ext 221 or patricia.andrews@oprhp.state.ny.us. All workshops will take place at The Warming Hut which is located at the Summit Cabin Loop across from the Art Roscoe x-country ski trails.  From I-86 take exit 21 into the park and proceed to the top of the hill. The hut will be on your right across the parking lot.

Nature Journaling: Taking a Closer Look at What We See

July 15, 22, 29 | 10am-12pm

Instructor: Chelsea Allen

Ages 8-12
Journaling is a way to record and recreate an image or artifact from nature. Allegany State Park Intern, Chelsea Allen, will introduce children to art while taking inspiration from nature and the surrounding landscape. The children will be taught how to look at an object and how to draw what they see using a variety of different drawing techniques.

Printing from Nature

July 7, 14, 21 | 9:30am-11:30 am

Instructor: Joan Pingitore

Ages 6-14 and adults (adult supervision is required for younger children)
This fun workshop will give kids and adults a chance to create art from nature and have a beautiful creation to take home with them. Joan Pingitore, a local artist, will guide participants through creating an interesting composition and printmaking techniques. You will make your own piece of art while learning about the environment in the process- while having a great time!

Woodland Fairy House and Flower Friends

August 5, 12, 26 | 1-3pm

Instructor: Julie Mader

Ages 5-7 with an adult | ages 8 & up (and over – grown-ups love fairies too)

Fairies are the tiniest of creatures and to see them it takes a little faith and the right habitat.  Learn how to construct a Fairy House using twigs, bark, leaves, pine needles, pebbles and other gifts from nature; participants will create a wonderful habitat for the State Park Fairies who will love finding a cozy spot to relax.  We will also make little Flower Friends (fairy dolls) who will make the journey home with you from the park experience. 

Park it and Draw

July 12, 19, 26 | 9-11am

Instructor: Todd Plough

Ages 16 and up 

Ever wanted to be able to sit down and capture the feeling of a place in a sketch?  Why not join artist Todd Plough for a session to learn the techniques of the old masters and come away with a drawing you can be proud to show. The workshop will cover every aspect of drawing relative to making a successful plein air drawing as well as how to use the provided materials. The drawing will be done in both black and white charcoal on a rough surface newsprint paper.  The artists will learn about composition and how to achieve atmospheric effects along with how to emphasize their subject.  Your hands will get dirty but you'll walk away with a wealth of information that will enable you to work on your own the next time you find that special place.

Take Better Vacation Photos

August 2, 9, 18 | 9:30-11:30

Instructor: Michael Weishan

Ages 14 and up

This working shop will provide basic instruction in how to take better vacation photos stressing the natural setting of Allegany State Park.  A photographer himself, Michael Weishan will focus on key topics that will enhance your photography skills from camera basics to composition, wildlife photography and many more.

Also see our list of in-depth Community Art & Pottery Studio art classes.