Community Art Studio Program

The Community Art Studio Program was inspired by the success of incorporating an art making table within the Charles W. Norris-Brown Distant Thunder Studio exhibit. During that unique exhibition, visitors of all ages were inspired to make art in the gallery by using Norris-Brown’s supplies, and being surrounded by his work. Currently, the Community Art Studio Program is open in the Working Artist Program space and is provided by Canal Street Art Gallery and the Charles W. Norris-Brown Estate along with the ongoing generosity of the community with donations.

The creation of this program directly addresses a need and desire for additional and financially accessible creative outlets, communicated to the gallery by its friends and neighbors. The space is well equipped and art supplies include graphite and charcoal pencils, ink pens, Sumi ink, oil pastels and watercolor paints. A professional variety of watercolor and ink wash brushes, along with palettes and drawing tools are provided. Visitors may choose to work on Bristol board, drawing, watercolor, or rice papers. The program plans to add acrylic, acrylic gouache and pastel paints, cold wax and matte mediums, collage supplies, primed boards and primed canvas. Inspiration may be taken from the landscape, other artworks, a variety of unique objects, a collection of art and design books, and experimentation with the art materials themselves.

The gallery accepts donations of new or unused (only) artist-grade art supplies, and preowned professional artist studio furniture during regular hours, Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

Making Crayons

Workshop with Mike Noyes

Up to 4 participants, Free for Members, $30 each for guests, +1 child age 6-13 per adult.

Learn to make your own crayons. Choose from a collection of over sixty non-toxic oxides, composites and natural earth pigments. Combine melted carnauba wax, beeswax and soy wax with pigments, then pour into moulds. Participants may make up to five colors, additional materials may be purchased from Mike.

Thursday, August 13, 1:00-3:00 pm

Making Pastels

Workshop with Mike Noyes

Up to 6 participants, Free for Members, $45 each for guests

Experience color through powdered pigments and learn to make your own hand rolled pastels. Choose from a collection of over fifty non-toxic oxides, composites and natural earth pigments. Learn to combine gum solutions, pigments and chalk using a mortar and pestle, then to hand roll value gradations on a marble board. Participants may make up to three batches of colors, additional materials may be purchased from Mike.

Saturday,  August 29,  1:00-3:00 pm

Making Watercolor Paint

Workshop with Mike Noyes

Up to 4 participants, Free for Members, $45 each for guests

Learn to make your own watercolor paint. Choose from a collection of over sixty non-toxic oxides, composites and natural earth pigments. Learn to grind gum and honey solution with pigment using a muller on a marble board. Participants may make up to six colors, additional materials may be purchased from Mike.

Thursday, September 10, 1:00-3:00 pm

Making Crayons

Workshop with Mike Noyes

Up to 4 participants, Free for Members, $30 each for guests, +1 child age 6-13 per adult.

Learn to make your own crayons. Choose from a collection of over sixty non-toxic oxides, composites and natural earth pigments. Combine melted carnauba wax, beeswax and soy wax with pigments, then pour into moulds. Participants may make up to five colors, additional materials may be purchased from Mike.

Saturday, September 26, 1:00-3:00 pm

Brush Painting

Workshop with Mike Noyes

Up to 4 participants, Free for Members, $35 each for guests

Learn brush drawing with traditional Chinese and Japanese materials. Soot ink sticks or Sumi ink is used with natural hair brushes on Xuan or Mulberry paper. Line drawings are practiced while observing still lifes. Materials included.

Thursday, October 8th, 2026, 1:00pm - 2:30pm

Judi Forman Jewelry

Exhibitions

Original Stationery

Form and Function Shop

Len Emery Photography

Studio Time Artist Club

Debbie A. 

Barton

Collage

MC Noyes Painting