Creative Arts

Create three one-of-a-kind ornaments. Work with porcelain (the purest and best clay) and a variety of cookie cutters, stamps, and textures to design your ornaments. Work must slowly dry before firing. Instructor will apply a glossy clear glaze to finish your creations. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Pieces will be ready for pickup at HCC 4-5 weeks after workshop. 

Enjoy creating a lap blanket with a pin loom, a weaving technique that can be used to make many other products such as blankets, purses, scarves, wall hangings, and more. Pin loom, needle and one skein of yarn will be provided. Students are welcome to bring yarn from home. ALL LEVELS WELCOME! Instructor: Beverly Polk. (S) 

Many artists plan initial concepts by sketching with pens, but intricate and expressive illustrations can also be created using pen and ink as the sole medium. Picasso and Dali experimented with pen and ink throughout their careers. Pen and ink is still commonly seen in comic books, medical illustrations, and fantasy drawings. Learn the basics of pen and ink with particular focus on mark-making, use of line, composition, and contrast. Estimated cost of materials is $30. Instructor: Kara LaRose. (S). No class Nov 24.

For students with basic sewing experience, this course focuses on constructing a button-up shirt with sleeves and a collar. Learn how to take body measurements, select the right pattern size, and build essential garment-making skills through hands-on practice. Students need to bring their own sewing machine. Instructor: June Piper-Brandon. No class Nov 25.

In this cozy, creativity-focused course, students learn how to transform fleece fabric into beautiful, personalized blankets using decorative crochet edging. After learning foundational techniques in weeks 1-2, students explore a new edging pattern each week, building confidence and creative expression. No prior crochet experience required. Instructor: Londa Scott Forte. (S). No class Nov 28.

Learn the fundamentals of crochet while creating classic granny squares. In this beginner-friendly course, students will practice basic stitches, yarn handling, and pattern construction. By the end, participants will have completed a collection of granny squares ready to use in projects such as blankets, bags, scarves, or pillows. Instructor: Londa Forte (S) 

Measure your own body shape in the key areas for garment making and make your chart. Make your own basic sleeveless tunic pattern including darts at the bust. Using your own fabric, cut your tunic and sew it at home. All pattern making materials provided. Instructor: Lee Andersen. (S) 

Select patterns you have previously drafted and learn how to manipulate and personalize them to create a garment that reflects your individual style. Explore options for adjusting fit, shape, and fabric choices, then cut and prepare your garment for construction. The class concludes with a fun photoshoot where you can wear and showcase your finished design. 

Students will learn about modern quilt tools, how to safely use a rotary cutter, how to choose fabrics, how to make a 9-patch block and basic machine applique, constructing the quilt top, sandwiching the quilt, basic machine quilting, and binding. No prior knowledge of quilting needed. Students will need their own sewing machine. Instructor: June Piper-Brandon (S) 

There is something special about holding an artfully-crafted paper book in your hands. With a little time and creativity, bookmaking is a skill that anyone can master! This beginner’s course will cover the basics, from simple Coptic-bound books to building clamshell boxes. Expect to create three projects that will establish the skills you’ll need to create books and similar projects for years to come! Estimated cost for materials is $50. Instructor: Kara LaRose (S) 

Explore what it takes to create and run a successful fashion business. Using a bubble map, identify key elements including sourcing, design, sewing, sample making, photography, marketing, logo making, website development, sales, financing, production, shipping, and returns, and discover how each area connects to build a thriving brand. 

Bring your imagination and build a new prop each week — horns, swords, and more — while learning smart construction techniques, like adjustable fit. Perfect for makers ready to level up their costume skills. Instructor: Elyzabeth Morgan. 

Start from the very beginning! Students will gain hands-on experience with their cameras as they learn digital camera operation and photographic principles. Class includes a discussion of basic composition principles. Bring a digital camera (charged or with fresh batteries), and its manual to class. Instructor: Walter Calahan. Enroll early; class size limited to 12. 

Optimize the use of your smart phone camera and efficiently manage your photo collection. Move beyond a quick snapshot to create memorable images as you learn various aspects of digital photography: exposure, focus, panorama, and high dynamic range. Experiment with composition and editing to enhance images. Bring a smart phone (Apple or Android). Instructor: Walter Calahan. 

Learn the fundamentals of drawing through observation- based exercises designed to build confidence and technical skill. Explore line, shape, value, proportion, and composition while working with graphite, charcoal, and other dry media. No prior experience necessary, just a willingness to experiment and enjoy the process of learning to see and draw with greater accuracy. Instructor: Damon Hurbon (S) 

Vincent van Gogh, Georgia O’Keefe, and Claude Monet all chose floral subject matter throughout their careers because of the forms, textures, and colors unique to botanics. This course will teach you to replicate multiple organic forms and textures using charcoal and soft pastels. Plant and floral imagery will be the focus of observational drawing and a variety of stylistic approaches will be covered. All levels of experience welcome. Instructor: Kara LaRose. (S) 

Enjoy drawing with the brilliant color and control of hard pastels. (These are not oil pastels.) Observe simple shapes and render the sphere, cylinder, and cube while searching for the shadows that they cast. Practice shading and blending to create a variety of drawings. All levels of experience welcome. Instructor: Pat Flaherty. (S) 

Learn to draw in fashion proportions. Create your own croque to design on. Develop your brand identity, label and signature. Design garments using three different media. All materials provided. 

Learn the basics of garment sewing by creating lounge pants with an elastic waistband and pockets. Take accurate body measurements to determine your pattern size, select appropriate fabric, and learn the proper order of garment construction. This class is designed for beginners who are familiar with their sewing machine. Bring your sewing machine to class. Instructor: June Piper-Brandon. (S) 

materials, methods of application, and techniques to create small-scale paintings of a variety of subjects. Students will learn about the unique features and effects possible with the watercolor medium, which will serve as the building blocks for future watercolor adventures! No drawing experience needed. Instructor: Maecy Ohlinger. (S) 

Explore the fundamentals of oil painting through time-tested classical methods. This course welcomes adults of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced artists, and focuses on materials, color mixing, composition, and traditional techniques to build confidence, control, and expressive skill in oil paint. Instructor: Damon Hurbon (S) 

This course is designed to familiarize students with the basic principles and tools of the relief printmaking processes. A variety of mark making, layering and texturing techniques will be explored, as well as the creative potential in common household items. No previous experience is necessary. Instructor: Maecy Ohlinger. (S) 

Kantha stitching has been practiced in what is now northeast India and Bangladesh for at least 1,500 years. Based on recycling and upcycling old cloth into new works of art, Kantha imagery ranges from purely geometric, to abstract motifs, to plant, animal, and human figures. No matter the subject matter, Kantha stitching is built on a simple running stitch, making it easy for inexperienced stitchers to explore, while also offering more advanced stitchers endless opportunities for artistic expression. Instructor: Cynthia Gossage.(S) 

Faces are fascinating, and artists have created portraits for millennia. They have used charcoal, graphite, oil paint, watercolor, acrylic and more. In this class, we will use thread and cloth as our media of choice. We will explore the work of contemporary textile portraitists while we develop our own renderings of people and animals, real and imagined. Instructor: Cynthia Gossage. (S)

No class March 23

Pottery courses are offered at two levels. Monday class is for beginners. Discover new techniques to shape beautiful creations. Learn about glazing, hand building and advanced decorating methods. This is not a wheel class. Materials fee covers clay, paints, tools, and glazes. Students are responsible for purchasing additional materials, if desired. Class is nine weeks. Enrollment limited, please register early. (S) 

In this cozy, creativity-focused course, students learn how to transform fleece fabric into beautiful, personalized blankets using decorative crochet edging. After learning foundational techniques in weeks 1-2, students explore a new edging pattern each week, building confidence and creative expression. No prior crochet experience required. Instructor: Londa Scott Forte (S) 

Create a stylish, one-of-a-kind quilted jacket while building garment construction skills. Learn pattern preparation, fabric selection, quilting techniques, and jacket assembly. Perfect for confident beginners and experienced sewists looking to transform quilted fabric into a wearable, comfortable, and fashionable layer. Some sewing will be completed as homework. 

This beginner-friendly class helps new sewists understand and confidently use their sewing machine. Students learn setup, threading, bobbin use, tension, presser feet, and basic stitches, building the skills needed to start sewing with ease-perfect for beginners or anyone returning to sewing. Students must bring sewing machine. Instructor: June Piper- Brandon. 

Learn essential pants-making techniques, including fitting and sewing pleats, darts, and zipper closures. Students will develop construction skills while creating a well-fitted pair of pants and gaining confidence in garment assembly and finishing methods. Instructor: June Piper-Brandon. (S) 

Learn how to identify and use 50 different types of fabrics and fibers. Create a reference book with swatches. Supply fee includes swatches, three ring binder, materials to decorate it, and a lighter to burn the fabrics. 

Bring your UFOs (unfinished objects) and pieces needing alterations and transform them into bold, original wearable art. Combine abandoned projects, learn from fellow makers, and tap into Lee’s wildly creative mind—she’s only a thousand mistakes ahead of you! A playful, skill-building class for curious, fearless creators. Instructor: Lee Andersen. 

Join us as we pull back the curtain on a Sunday movie matinee concert of the Academy Award-winning movie Amadeus LIVE with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Attend a pre-concert talk and discussion with an HCC Performing Arts faculty member and discover more about the movie and its music, conducted by Keitaro Harada and joined by the Cathedral Choral Society. The following Sunday head over to the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and meet your class for the concert, preceded by an exclusive backstage tour. *Concert ticket (@ $45) must be purchased separately. Additional information including a discount group ticket link for the class will be sent upon registration. To ensure concert seating with the class, please register as early as possible. 

Join this vocal ensemble which performs traditional and contemporary choral literature. Also available as a one-credit course (MUSP-131). 

Bring your guitar to this group class open to students of all ability levels, and build a fundamental understanding of the basics of music reading and guitar playing. The main focus is the discipline of classical guitar technique and style with emphasis on note reading and individual development. Some instruction will be offered in other styles of guitar music as well. Students will be grouped with others of similar guitar experience. Instructor: Bruce Casteel 

Join us as we pull back the curtain on a Coffee Series concert of Rachmaninoff Second Piano Concerto and Ravel with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Afkham. Attend a pre-concert talk and discussion with an HCC Performing Arts faculty member and discover the power and beauty of “Rach 2”, performed by pianist Lukas Vondracek. Written at the dawn of the modern age, Rachmaninoff, Boulanger, Bartok, and Ravel’s iconic La Valse reflect the same restless moment. The following Friday morning, head over to the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and meet your class for the 11 a.m. concert, preceded by an exclusive backstage tour. *Concert ticket (@$45) must be purchased separately. Additional information including a discount group ticket link for the class will be sent upon registration. To ensure concert seating with the class, please register as early as possible. 

Ready to transform from a casual music listener into a synth wizard? Guided by composer and music technology instructor William Scanlan Murphy, this hands-on course harnesses the magic of the synthesizer to play, tweak, and invent an entirely original musical soundscape. Whether you want to recreate legendary song riffs or turn the everyday sounds of the world around you into a digital masterpiece, this lab is your playground. You will learn the software (yours to keep), build your own custom patches, and acquire the art of sonic alchemy. If you are already struggling with a synthesizer (software or hardware), help is here! 

Led by Gemini Piano Trio pianist Dr. Hsiu-Hui Wang, this seminar will be held in an informal masterclass setting and cover all aspects of musical knowledge, wisdom, wellness, and piano performance preparation and planning strategies. This seminar aims to provide a fun and supportive atmosphere to help students build confidence, offers performing experienc- es, and nurtures their appreciation for music. Students will have the opportunity to participate in discussions and give constructive feedback to their peers, as well as the opportunity to perform in the post-seminar recital with instructor approval. Students interested in registering for this seminar may contact Dr. Wang at HWang@HowardCC.edu.

This course offers two sessions.  Class will be held in Monteabaro Recital Hall.

Led by Gemini Piano Trio pianist Dr. Hsiu-Hui Wang, these two or four one-hour sessions, plus performances, will be held in an informal masterclass setting and covers all aspects of musical knowledge, wisdom, wellness, and piano performance preparation and planning strategies. This seminar aims to provide a fun and supportive atmosphere to help students build confidence, offers performing experiences, and nurtures their appreciation for music. Students may participate in discussions and give constructive feedback to their peers, as well as perform in the post-seminar recital with instructor approval. Students interested in registering for this seminar may contact Dr. Wang to audition at HWang@HowardCC.edu.

This course offers four sessions. Class will be held in Monteabaro Recital Hall.