“Create With Me” sessions are designed to encourage creative exploration, experimentation, and play in a relaxed, supportive environment. Rather than a formal art class with step-by-step instruction, these gatherings offer participants the opportunity to create alongside artist Jessica Shiner and fellow creatives. Throughout the session, Jessica is available to offer guidance, encouragement, creative prompts, and helpful suggestions when needed.

Each session begins with a brief warm-up exercise in participants' art journals to help spark creativity, quiet self-judgment, and ease into the creative process. From there, attendees are invited to explore their own ideas, materials, and artistic interests at their own pace.

These sessions are open to artists, makers, and creatives of all experience levels—from seasoned artists to those who haven't picked up a paintbrush in years. In fact, anyone who believes they "aren't creative" is especially encouraged to attend. “Create With Me” is a welcoming space to reconnect with curiosity, discover new forms of self-expression, and experience the joy of creating without pressure or expectations.

Your Session Includes:

• Use of art supplies (paint, brushes, stencils, ephemera, etc)

• Art journal

• Informal coaching as needed

• Use of space for 2 hours (shared with up to 13 others)

Sessions: $35/session

• Saturday, July 25: 10:30AM-12:30PM

• Friday, August 7: 10:30AM-12:30PM

• Saturday, August 7: 10:30-12:30PM

August 15th 10AM-4PM - $90/person

This workshop, for both beginners and advanced artists, will focus on measuring the proportions of the animal figure. We’ll learn to look for key skeletal landmarks while thinking about the animal's range of motion. We’ll cover how to use perspective and will also touch on how far a strong silhouette goes towards bringing life to our figures. Class will begin with an introduction, then move to a brief demonstration, and the remaining time will be spent working from a reference photo. This class is open to both drawing and painting mediums.

Materials list:

Painting oils/acrylics:
- Paints: Titanium White, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, Ultramarine BlueAll other colors are optional
-Brushes: A variety of brush sizes and shapes, as well as, both stiff and soft bristles are recommended.
-Palette Knife: I use a medium/small metal diamond shaped palette knife for both mixing and application of paint.
-Artist Palette: A proper wood or glass palette is recommended, palette paper will work fine for this workshop. Please avoid creative substitutes (such as watercolor palettes, paper plates, anything wrapped in tinfoil, etc.) as they tend to cause problems during the painting process.
-Surface: A primed and stretched canvas, or hardboard panel is best for painting. A heavy bodied paper, such as watercolor paper, will also work.
-Lint Free Rags or paper Towels
-(Optional) For oils -Turpentine, Odorless Turpiniod, or Mineral Spirits:Good for cleaning brushes, but I just use soap and water. For Acrylic- jar for water

Drawing:

-Pencils and Graphite Sticks: A range of leads from H-B’s is recommended, however a classic #2 pencil is hard to beat.
-Charcoal: Soft vine charcoal, compressed charcoal sticks, charcoal pencils, and charcoal powder are all recommended.
-Erasers: A kneaded eraser and a rectangular white eraser are both great. I often use pink pencil cap erasers.
-Artist Sandpaper Block or Stump: A great tool for toning a surface, and sharpening pencils and charcoal sticks.
-Surface: For graphite I recommend a heavy bodied hot press paper such as Bristol Vellum. For Charcoal, a heavy bodied charcoal or watercolor paper will work. My preferred paper for charcoal is Rives BFK.
-Paper Towels and Artist brushes: For blending.

September 19, 2026 10AM-4PM - $90 per person

This class takes us outdoors to Long’s Park where we respond directly to what the landscape has to offer. \We’ll start by discussing the features of the landscape and some strategies for how to get the most out of our time painting.  We'll focus on finding a compelling composition, the use of color and tone, understanding the effects of atmospheric perspective to create a convincing sense of depth, as well as methods for rendering specific features of the scene. We end each class with a brief critique.  This class is open to beginners and advanced students of any painting or drawing medium.

**The class will meet at Lancaster’s Long’s Park

Materials list:

Painting oils/acrylics:
- Paints: Titanium White, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, Ultramarine BlueAll other colors are optional
-Brushes: A variety of brush sizes and shapes, as well as, both stiff and soft bristles are recommended.
-Palette Knife: I use a medium/small metal diamond shaped palette knife for both mixing and application of paint.
-Artist Palette: A proper wood or glass palette is recommended, palette paper will work fine for this workshop. Please avoid creative substitutes (such as watercolor palettes, paper plates, anything wrapped in tinfoil, etc.) as they tend to cause problems during the painting process.
-Surface: A primed and stretched canvas, or hardboard panel is best for painting. A heavy bodied paper, such as watercolor paper, will also work.
-Lint Free Rags or paper Towels
-(Optional) For oils -Turpentine, Odorless Turpiniod, or Mineral Spirits:Good for cleaning brushes, but I just use soap and water. For Acrylic- jar for water

Drawing:

Pencils and Graphite Sticks: A range of leads from H-B’s is recommended, however a classic #2 pencil is hard to beat.
-Charcoal: Soft vine charcoal, compressed charcoal sticks, charcoal pencils, and charcoal powder are all recommended.
-Erasers: A kneaded eraser and a rectangular white eraser are both great. I often use pink pencil cap erasers.
-Artist Sandpaper Block or Stump: A great tool for toning a surface, and sharpening pencils and charcoal sticks.
-Surface: For graphite I recommend a heavy bodied hot press paper such as Bristol Vellum. For Charcoal, a heavy bodied charcoal or watercolor paper will work. My preferred paper for charcoal is Rives BFK.
-Paper Towels and Artist brushes: For blending.

July 18, 2026 10AM-4PM, $100 per person

This workshop, for both beginners and advanced artists, will focus on finding gesture and measuring the proportions of the human body. These are two crucial steps to understand if we want to grow as figurative artists. We’ll learn to look for key skeletal landmarks while thinking about the body's range of motion. This will help us tackle the figure in a variety of poses. We’ll cover how to use perspective in our figure drawing. This workshop will also touch on how far a strong silhouette goes towards bringing life to our figures. To achieve this we will be working with a simple single figure setup. Students should have their materials ready to work at the beginning of class. Class will begin with an introduction, then move to a brief demonstration, and the remaining time will be spent working from the model. This class is open to both drawing and painting mediums. 

Materials list:

Painting oils/acrylics:
- Paints: Titanium White, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, Ultramarine BlueAll other colors are optional
-Brushes: A variety of brush sizes and shapes, as well as, both stiff and soft bristles are recommended.
-Palette Knife: I use a medium/small metal diamond shaped palette knife for both mixing and application of paint.
-Artist Palette: A proper wood or glass palette is recommended, palette paper will work fine for this workshop. Please avoid creative substitutes (such as watercolor palettes, paper plates, anything wrapped in tinfoil, etc.) as they tend to cause problems during the painting process.
-Surface: A primed and stretched canvas, or hardboard panel is best for painting. A heavy bodied paper, such as watercolor paper, will also work.
-Lint Free Rags or paper Towels
-(Optional) For oils -Turpentine, Odorless Turpiniod, or Mineral Spirits:Good for cleaning brushes, but I just use soap and water. For Acrylic- jar for water

Drawing:

-Pencils and Graphite Sticks: A range of leads from H-B’s is recommended, however a classic #2 pencil is hard to beat.
-Charcoal: Soft vine charcoal, compressed charcoal sticks, charcoal pencils, and charcoal powder are all recommended.
-Erasers: A kneaded eraser and a rectangular white eraser are both great. I often use pink pencil cap erasers.
-Artist Sandpaper Block or Stump: A great tool for toning a surface, and sharpening pencils and charcoal sticks.
-Surface: For graphite I recommend a heavy bodied hot press paper such as Bristol Vellum. For Charcoal, a heavy bodied charcoal or watercolor paper will work. My preferred paper for charcoal is Rives BFK.
-Paper Towels and Artist brushes: For blending.

Join this hands-on creative mending class and learn how to transform your clothing using fabric scraps into beautiful, functional art. All materials are provided. You’ll learn essential hand-stitching techniques for decorative patching, and create your own unique patch. By the end of the class, students will gain the necessary skills to design and apply decorative patches on their clothing, giving new life to their favorite garments through thoughtful, sustainable craftsmanship.

When: August 8th, 10AM-1PM

Where: The Lancaster Art Vault, 100 N Queen St, Lancaster PA

Cost: $50 - all materials included

The Acrylic Pouring technique aka Fluid Art allows you to apply color in puddles, pools, and marble-like patterns. Pouring results in a smooth, glossy paint film that is perfectly even and blemish free. There are no paintbrushes necessary for this technique. We will be making acrylic paint fluid and pouring onto the canvas. This class is particularly popular with beginners as it allows you to create quick paintings with dramatic, contemporary results. Ann will demonstrate two different techniques to pour fluid paint onto a 12”x12” canvas.

All supplies will be provided by the instructor. You must be forewarned though, this technique is quite addictive!

When: May 30, 1:00-4:00 PM

Where: The Lancaster Art Vault,

100 N Queen St, Lancaster PA

Cost: $80

Join this hands-on creative mending class and learn how to transform your clothing using fabric scraps into beautiful, functional art. All materials are provided. You’ll learn essential hand-stitching techniques for decorative patching, and create your own unique patch. By the end of the class, students will gain the necessary skills to design and apply decorative patches on their clothing, giving new life to their favorite garments through thoughtful, sustainable craftsmanship.

When: May 23rd, 10AM-1PM

Where: The Lancaster Art Vault, 100 N Queen St, Lancaster PA

Cost: $50 - all materials included

April 11, 2026 10AM-4PM - $100 per person

This class takes us outdoors where we respond directly to what the landscape has to offer. If this class is held indoors we will be working from a shared reference. We’ll start by discussing the features of the landscape and some strategies for how to get the most out of our time painting.  We'll focus on finding a compelling composition, the use of color and tone, understanding the effects of atmospheric perspective to create a convincing sense of depth, as well as methods for rendering specific features of the scene. We end each class with a brief critique.  This class is open to beginners and advanced students of any painting or drawing medium.

Materials list:

Painting oils/acrylics:
- Paints: Titanium White, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, Ultramarine BlueAll other colors are optional
-Brushes: A variety of brush sizes and shapes, as well as, both stiff and soft bristles are recommended.
-Palette Knife: I use a medium/small metal diamond shaped palette knife for both mixing and application of paint.
-Artist Palette: A proper wood or glass palette is recommended, palette paper will work fine for this workshop. Please avoid creative substitutes (such as watercolor palettes, paper plates, anything wrapped in tinfoil, etc.) as they tend to cause problems during the painting process.
-Surface: A primed and stretched canvas, or hardboard panel is best for painting. A heavy bodied paper, such as watercolor paper, will also work.
-Lint Free Rags or paper Towels
-(Optional) For oils -Turpentine, Odorless Turpiniod, or Mineral Spirits:Good for cleaning brushes, but I just use soap and water. For Acrylic- jar for water

Drawing:

Pencils and Graphite Sticks: A range of leads from H-B’s is recommended, however a classic #2 pencil is hard to beat.
-Charcoal: Soft vine charcoal, compressed charcoal sticks, charcoal pencils, and charcoal powder are all recommended.
-Erasers: A kneaded eraser and a rectangular white eraser are both great. I often use pink pencil cap erasers.
-Artist Sandpaper Block or Stump: A great tool for toning a surface, and sharpening pencils and charcoal sticks.
-Surface: For graphite I recommend a heavy bodied hot press paper such as Bristol Vellum. For Charcoal, a heavy bodied charcoal or watercolor paper will work. My preferred paper for charcoal is Rives BFK.
-Paper Towels and Artist brushes: For blending.

May 9, 2026 10AM-4PM, $100 per person

This workshop, for both beginners and advanced artists, will focus on finding gesture and measuring the proportions of the human body. These are two crucial steps to understand if we want to grow as figurative artists. We’ll learn to look for key skeletal landmarks while thinking about the body's range of motion. This will help us tackle the figure in a variety of poses. We’ll cover how to use perspective in our figure drawing. This workshop will also touch on how far a strong silhouette goes towards bringing life to our figures. To achieve this we will be working with a simple single figure setup. Students should have their materials ready to work at the beginning of class. Class will begin with an introduction, then move to a brief demonstration, and the remaining time will be spent working from the model. This class is open to both drawing and painting mediums. 

Materials list:

Painting oils/acrylics:
- Paints: Titanium White, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Yellow, Ultramarine BlueAll other colors are optional
-Brushes: A variety of brush sizes and shapes, as well as, both stiff and soft bristles are recommended.
-Palette Knife: I use a medium/small metal diamond shaped palette knife for both mixing and application of paint.
-Artist Palette: A proper wood or glass palette is recommended, palette paper will work fine for this workshop. Please avoid creative substitutes (such as watercolor palettes, paper plates, anything wrapped in tinfoil, etc.) as they tend to cause problems during the painting process.
-Surface: A primed and stretched canvas, or hardboard panel is best for painting. A heavy bodied paper, such as watercolor paper, will also work.
-Lint Free Rags or paper Towels
-(Optional) For oils -Turpentine, Odorless Turpiniod, or Mineral Spirits:Good for cleaning brushes, but I just use soap and water. For Acrylic- jar for water

Drawing:

-Pencils and Graphite Sticks: A range of leads from H-B’s is recommended, however a classic #2 pencil is hard to beat.
-Charcoal: Soft vine charcoal, compressed charcoal sticks, charcoal pencils, and charcoal powder are all recommended.
-Erasers: A kneaded eraser and a rectangular white eraser are both great. I often use pink pencil cap erasers.
-Artist Sandpaper Block or Stump: A great tool for toning a surface, and sharpening pencils and charcoal sticks.
-Surface: For graphite I recommend a heavy bodied hot press paper such as Bristol Vellum. For Charcoal, a heavy bodied charcoal or watercolor paper will work. My preferred paper for charcoal is Rives BFK.
-Paper Towels and Artist brushes: For blending.

Alcohol Inks are a highly fluid color that are vibrant and fast drying. They are also moisture-resistant and permanent once dry, and will work perfectly on almost any clean, oil-free surface. Alcohol inks can be used to make stunning paintings on a variety of non-porous surfaces. These concentrated inks are alcohol-based and waterproof. They are semi-transparent, which means they can be layered and combined to create gorgeous effects. Ann will show you several techniques on a variety of different substrates, and give you ample time to create your own beautiful pieces. No experience is necessary to dive into this beautiful medium!

Saturday, March 14, 1-4PM

OR

Saturday, April 18, 1-4PM

$90/ per person; all supplies included

Critique Community and Coffee!

Critique Club is a welcoming space for artists of all levels — from beginners to established professionals — to bring in their artwork for feedback and discussion. The club is not just about receiving critique; it's also an opportunity to engage thoughtfully with fellow artists, share perspectives, and grow together through open conversation about each other’s work.

We hope you will join us on the Second Saturday of each month for coffee, critique and cpmmunity!

Held on the Second Saturday of every month March 14, April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11…

10:30AM-12:00PM

FREE EVENT!

REGISTRATION IS REQUESTED BUT WALK-INS ARE WELCOME

It’s requested to only bring one piece to allow for time to be distributed evenly to all participants.

2nd Tuesday of every month from 6-9PM. Registration Required

Join Lancaster Art Vault for a Figure Drawing session with a live model for beginner and experienced artists (Adults 18+ only). Next Sessions: Tuesday, May 12, June 9, July 14, August 11, September 8....

Sessions are uninstructed & artists must bring their own drawing/painting supplies. Tables and easels are available.

Each session is 3 hours and costs $20.

Lancaster Art Vault is located at 100 North Queen Street, Lancaster.

Email Info@LancasterArtVault.com for more information.

Minimum 5 participants for session to be held.