The Barn Studio
The Barn Studio is a hub of creative learning opportunities for all skill levels in visual, performing, and literary art forms that fosters belonging within the creative culture of Yolo County. We embrace the power of creativity and celebrate artistic innovation, risk-taking, and trying new things. We value collaboration to create meaningful experiences and connections through artful processes.
Summer 2025 @ the Barn Studio
Charcoal Portrait Workshops
June 8th, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
August 18th, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Learn to create portraits in this hands-on charcoal workshop designed for artists of all skill levels. Working from a photo or selfie on your phone, you’ll explore essential techniques such as facial proportions, shading, and creating depth with light and shadow. The session emphasizes practical skills you can immediately apply to your personal art-making, from mastering charcoal’s versatility to adding individuality to your portraits. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a completed charcoal portrait and the confidence to incorporate these techniques into your creative practice.
Beginning Gouache Painting
June 21st, 12:00 - 3:00 pm
Gouache paintings excellent for layering and creating beautifully bright paintings. In this one-day workshop, we’ll discuss techniques, planning composition, and how to build a painting in gouache. You will learn how to work with limited colors, through mixing paint, and how to handle the unique properties of gouache paint. You will begin by drawing a composition and end the class with a completed painting!
Explore it!
Youth Barn Studio Camp (7 - 12 year olds)
June 23 - 27, 9am - 12pm
Young artists will dive into an exciting week of artistic discovery, hands-on projects, and skill-building in this immersive studio camp. Each day, campers will explore different mediums, movements, and artists, gaining inspiration from art history while developing their own unique styles.
Advance registration required. Materials are provided. Dress for mess.
YOLO Paint Night: Foodie Prints Paint Party
July 2nd, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Bring your people and join us for a night of wine, playful printing, and foodie-inspired fun at Yolo Arts! Foodie Prints Paint Party is part paint party, part produce-powered printmaking session where fruits and veggies become your tools for creating bold, abstract works of art. We’ll be stamping, rolling, and experimenting with natural textures from things like citrus, corn, mushrooms, apples, potatoes and more to create colorful patterns and playful prints. It’s hands-on, lighthearted, and no experience is needed—just a curiosity for creativity and a love of good vibes. Sip a glass of wine, mingle, and enjoy the inspiring setting of the Yolo Arts property in Woodland. The Gibson House and Barn Gallery will also be open, so feel free to explore and soak in even more art and history. We’ll supply the paints, produce, and all materials—just show up ready to make a mess and some magic.
Fairy Tell it!
Mini Barn Studio Camp (4-6 yo)
July 21 - 25, 9am- 12pm
Let your little artist step into the spotlight in this fun and immersive art camp, where creativity meets storytelling! Perfect for young kids who love art, drama, and making things with their hands. This camp is a wonderful way to spark creativity and confidence while having a blast with new friends!
Advance registration required. Materials are provided. Dress for mess.
Creative Blooms
July 27th, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
In this uplifting acrylic painting class, we’ll celebrate the vibrant energy of nature by painting expressive, abstract florals! This class isn’t about painting the perfect flower, it’s about embracing the joy of color, movement, and self-expression as we explore intuitive painting techniques inspired by nature.
YOLO Paint Night: Disco Ball Dreams
July 23rd, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Round up your party people and join us for a night of wine, shimmery paint, and disco vibes at Yolo Arts! Disco Ball Dreams is turning up the glam! This paint party is all about bold brushstrokes, mirror-ball magic, and a good time. You’ll paint your own masterpiece of a dazzling disco ball set up while sipping a glass of sparkling wine and soaking in the creative energy of the Yolo Arts property in Woodland. The Gibson House and Barn Gallery will be open too, so feel free to explore the art, the history, and the funky vibes. We’ll bring the paints, brushes, and sparkle, you bring your friends and your best disco spirit.
Linoleum Block Printing
August 2nd, 9th, & 16th, 12:30 - 2:30 pm
Have you ever wondered what it's like to make your own stamp? In the first session of this workshop, you will learn the fundamentals of linocutting and custom stamp design. In the second session, you will use carving tools to bring your design to life. During the final session, you will practice various printing techniques and leave with your design printed on paper or fabric and your custom block pattern stamp. No prior experience is necessary!
Paint and Flow
August 3rd, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
August 17th, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
September 7th, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
September 21st, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
This workshop series is an exciting, hands-on experience in intuitive abstract painting. When working with acrylic paints, we often paint in layers, allowing each layer to build upon the one before it. Every layer becomes a piece of art on its own, and by working on the same canvas over multiple days, we’ll explore how a painting can shift and evolve over time. Sign up for just 1 or all 4!
YOLO Paint Night: Pop Portraits
August 6th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Join us for a night of sparkling wine, bold colors, and pop art-inspired portraits at Yolo Arts! Pop Portraits is part paint party, part creative, fun, and relaxing evening where you’ll turn a printed photo into a vibrant, one-of-a-kind portrait. Want to paint yourself? Great! Want to paint your pet, your partner, or your favorite celebrity? Go for it. This is your moment to play with color and personality—no painting experience needed, just a love for creativity and a sense of fun. Enjoy a glass of wine as you paint, hang out, and explore the Yolo Arts property in Woodland. The Gibson House and Barn Gallery will also be open, so you can sip, wander, and take in even more inspiration. We’ll provide all the supplies—you just need to bring a printed photo of the person (or pet!) you want to paint.
YOLO Paint Night: Flow Vibes
August 20th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Join us for a night of wine, paint pouring, and creative flow at Yolo Arts! Flow Vibes is a painting party with a fluid twist where you’ll explore color in motion with playful pours and dreamy drips. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Yolo Arts property in Woodland, this event includes a glass of wine and a relaxed, artsy vibe. The Gibson House and Barn Gallery will also be open for viewing, so take time to wander, sip, and get inspired. We’ll provide the paints, pouring mediums, and all the tools you need—just bring your energy!
Free! Open Studios
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Free! Adult Open Studio
General Participation 18+
Weekly on Tuesday Afternoons
12:00 - 3:00 pm
Artists of all media are invited to the Barn Studio for weekly Open Studio sessions to foster creativity and encourage experimentation in an atmosphere of cultural exchange, conversation, encouragement, and freedom of expression. Weekly Inspirational Prompts are provided to encourage artistic play and creativity along with coffee, tea, and water to keep the energy flowing. Bring your supplies, your next big idea, or work in progress, and join our creative community!
Advance registration encouraged. This session does not have formal instruction.
FREE! School's Out Open Studios
Elementary + Middle (2nd - 8th Grade)
Weekly on Tuesday afternoons
3:30pm - 5:30pm
Engage your child’s creativity in a supportive space where young artists explore 2D art techniques like charcoal, pastels, and paints. Sessions offer guided prompts and the freedom to pursue independent projects.
FREE! Mini Art Studio
Ages 0-4 and their Grown-Up
Weekly on Wednesdays
10:00 - 11:30 am | 12:30 - 2:00 pm
Bring your under 5 little ones to explore their artistic side and get messy at the Barn Studio! Every Wednesday, arts activity stations are set up for you and your mini to discover together, encouraging materials exploration and developing motor skills. Come explore, play, and create together!
Advance registration required. Materials are provided. Dress for mess.