Date/Time: June 8 - 12, 2026; 9:00AM to 12:00PM

Age Range: Rising 6th through 12th grade youth

Just like fine jewelry begins with raw materials, great design can start with what others throw away. In this hands-on class, students will explore how upcycled and everyday materials can become the foundation for beautiful, wearable art.

Join Mixxer instructor and CTE teacher Carrie Beach for a week of creative jewelry-making focused on both sustainability and core jewelry design principles. Students will work with repurposed items like newspapers, water bottles, DVDs, and other reclaimed materials while learning universal techniques used across the jewelry world.

Throughout the week, participants will develop essential skills such as measuring, shaping, cutting, drilling, wire wrapping, fastening, and finishing. They’ll gain experience using a variety of real jewelry-making tools and learn how design concepts like balance, texture, durability, and function apply no matter the material.

To cap off the experience, students will design and create a finished jewelry piece that incorporates copper accents, combining upcycled elements with traditional materials for a polished, professional look.

This class empowers students to see waste as possibility, build practical maker skills, and walk away with one-of-a-kind jewelry that reflects both creativity and craftsmanship.

Date/Time: June 8 - June 12, 2026; 9:00AM to 12:00PM

Age Range: This course is for rising 6th -12th grade youth

Create something timeless with your own hands. In this class, students will design and craft a custom leather-bound journal while learning the fundamentals of leatherworking.

Participants will be guided through essential techniques including measuring, cutting, punching, stitching, and assembling leather. Along the way, they’ll explore how to work safely and effectively with leather tools, while also learning how material choices and construction methods impact durability and design.

Students will have the opportunity to personalize their journals with textures, patterns, and creative details, turning a functional object into a unique piece of art.

By the end of the class, each participant will leave with a fully handmade leather-bound journal—perfect for sketching, writing, or capturing ideas—and a strong foundation in leatherworking skills they can build on in future projects.

Instructor Bio: Bonnie Toney’s passion has been creating beautiful things since she was first able to hold a pencil and paintbrush. She got interested in gems and jewelry in elementary school, and sold her first pair of earrings at age 11. A lifelong learner with diverse interests, Bonnie has pursued many types of artistic expression, and it’s not unusual to find several different disciplines contributing to a single piece. Bonnie ran a successful facepainting business for 20 years, in addition to teaching, creating her own art, and raising a family.   A move to North Carolina in 2013 gave Bonnie the chance to spread her wings artistically, pursuing both traditional metalsmithing and metal clay with vigor. She is currently an instructor at Sawtooth School for Visual Art in Winston-Salem and has taught students of all ages at various venues in the Piedmont Triad. Her work is available at multiple locations in the area, including the Sawtooth Gallery in Winston-Salem, the Southwinds Gallery in Kernersville, and the GreenHill Center for NC Art Gallery in Greensboro. Bonnie was the Featured Artist in the Summer 2024 issue of Metal Clay Today. She is also an enthusiastic participant and exhibitor in the Arts & Health at Duke program. Follow Bonnie on social media to see more of her work and her techniques.   “I find inspiration in nature, and in artistic traditions like Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts movement. Elegance of line speaks to me, and I find the interplay of light and color fascinating. I find joy in the creative process, and I love to help others find their joy.”

Date/Time: June 22-26, 2026; 9AM to 12:00PM

Age Range: For rising 9th-12th graders

Discover the intricate balance of skill and artistry in welding. This comprehensive course, led by Mixxer Resident Artist Thaddeus Prevette, offers an introduction into the world of welding techniques and creative expression. The best part is - No Experience is Needed!

Over the five-day session, you'll gain hands-on experience with Arc Welding. Learn how to safely operate welding equipment, understand different metals and their properties, and master essential welding techniques like joint preparation, heat control, and puddle manipulation.

Beyond technical proficiency, this course introduces students to the artistic side of welding. Explore the possibilities of creating unique and visually stunning metalwork. Thaddeus will guide you through design concepts, project planning, and finishing techniques to help you bring your ideas to life.

This course is the perfect opportunity to ignite your creativity and forge your path in the world of metalworking. 

Instructor Bio: Thaddeus Prevette is a sculpture artist who began working with three dimensional objects back in 2016. He graduated from Western Carolina University in 2020 with a BFA in studio art and graduated from East Carolina University with an MFA in sculpture in May of 2023. He participates in public art exhibitions and was commissioned for the design of the ECU 911 Memorial sculpture back in 2021. He works with recycled and repurposed material to create narrative artwork that is influenced by historic and modern mythologies. 

Date/Time: July 6-10, 2026, 9:00AM to 12:00

Age Range: Rising 9th through 12th grade youth

Unleash your inner blacksmith at our week-long Summer Blacksmithing Camp.

Get hands-on with fire and steel as you master the fundamentals of forging, bending, twisting, and shaping metal into unique creations. Under expert guidance, you’ll learn proper techniques and tool functions, gaining the skills to turn raw metal into art. You’ll primarily work with gas-fired forges but also get the chance to experience the raw, old-school power of wood and coal-fired forges. Each day brings new challenges, from crafting functional items to experimenting with decorative twists and designs. Whether you’re a future artisan or just ready to try something awesome, this camp is your forge for creativity and confidence. Grab your gloves—it’s time to heat things up!

Instructor Bio: Thaddeus Prevette is a sculpture artist who began working with three dimensional objects back in 2016. He graduated from Western Carolina University in 2020 with a BFA in studio art and graduated from East Carolina University with an MFA in sculpture in May of 2023. He participates in public art exhibitions and was commissioned for the design of the ECU 911 Memorial sculpture back in 2021. He works with recycled and repurposed material to create narrative artwork that is influenced by historic and modern mythologies.

Date/Time: July 13 - July 17, 2026; 9:00AM to 12:00PM

Age Range: This course is for rising 6th -12th grade youth

Teen Mural Creation – Design & Paint a Mobile Mural

Unleash your creativity and paint BIG in this four-day mural workshop! Each teen will design and create their own 4ft x 4ft mural on professional mural cloth—a flexible surface that can be installed on a wall at home or anywhere you choose. You’ll learn real mural-making techniques, from sketching your design to layering paint for a bold, eye-catching masterpiece. No experience is needed, just a love for art and a willingness to get messy! Be prepared for hands-on work and standing for extended periods as you bring your vision to life, and leave with a stunning, personal mural to take home.

Instructor: Issis Kelly - Multi-Medium Artist and Mixxer Instructor

Date/Time: July 13-17, 2026; 9AM to 12:00PM

Age Range: For rising 9th-12th graders

Discover the intricate balance of skill and artistry in welding. This comprehensive course, led by Mixxer Resident Artist Thaddeus Prevette, offers an introduction into the world of welding techniques and creative expression. The best part is - No Experience is Needed!

Over the five-day session, you'll gain hands-on experience with Arc Welding. Learn how to safely operate welding equipment, understand different metals and their properties, and master essential welding techniques like joint preparation, heat control, and puddle manipulation.

Beyond technical proficiency, this course introduces students to the artistic side of welding. Explore the possibilities of creating unique and visually stunning metalwork. Thaddeus will guide you through design concepts, project planning, and finishing techniques to help you bring your ideas to life.

This course is the perfect opportunity to ignite your creativity and forge your path in the world of metalworking. 

Instructor Bio: Thaddeus Prevette is a sculpture artist who began working with three dimensional objects back in 2016. He graduated from Western Carolina University in 2020 with a BFA in studio art and graduated from East Carolina University with an MFA in sculpture in May of 2023. He participates in public art exhibitions and was commissioned for the design of the ECU 911 Memorial sculpture back in 2021. He works with recycled and repurposed material to create narrative artwork that is influenced by historic and modern mythologies. 

Date/Time: July 20 - July 27, 2026; 9:00AM to 12:00PM

Age Range: This course is for rising 6th -12th grade youth

Create Your Own Comic Book – Storytelling & Illustration 

Bring your stories to life in this exciting character develop workshop! Over the course of the class, you'll create your own character, develop different emoptions and looks, and learn essential drawing techniques to craft a unique comic strip. Whether you're into superheroes, fantasy, or everyday adventures, this workshop will help you turn your ideas into a fully illustrated comic. No experience is needed—just your imagination and a love for storytelling! You'll leave with a comic strip and a character you you can use for future adventures. 

Instructor: Issis Kelly - Multi-Medium Artist and Mixxer Instructor

Dates/Times: July 27-31, 2026; 9:00AM to 12:00PM

Age Range: Rising 6th -12th grade youth

Would you like to learn new ways to build interesting and fun projects? 

Cardboard is one of the most available, low-cost, and easy to work with materials for building interesting things. Come learn to measure, cut and connect cardboard in ways that will give you new ideas how to use the material. 

We will be practicing measuring, learning tool safety, and trying new cardboard techniques.  We will even explore computer aided design (CAD) and laser cutting. Campers will build a desktop storage container, make texture art, and create a project of their choosing that uses their new knowledge.

Instructor Bio