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

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

Step into the world of metalworking with a modern twist. In this hands-on class, students will learn how to create custom jewelry using base metal clay—a unique material that can be shaped like clay and transformed into solid metal through heat.

Working with experienced instruction, participants will explore the full process from start to finish. Students will learn how to form, texture, carve, and refine their designs while the material is in its clay state. They’ll also be introduced to essential tools and techniques used in jewelry making, including shaping, detailing, sanding, and finishing.

As the clay is fired, designs are transformed into durable metal pieces. Students will then complete the finishing process by polishing and assembling their jewelry into wearable art.

Throughout the class, participants will build foundational jewelry-making skills while gaining an understanding of how material properties, design choices, and craftsmanship come together.

By the end of the session, each student will walk away with one or more unique, handcrafted metal jewelry pieces—and the skills to continue exploring the art of jewelry making.

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: July 6 - July 10, 2026; 9:00AM to 12:00PM

Age Range: This course is for rising 9th -12th grade youth

Turn raw branches into functional works of art. In this hands-on class, students will explore the unique craft of stick furniture—designing and building one-of-a-kind pieces using natural wood materials.

Participants will learn how to transform sticks, शाखes, and reclaimed wood into structurally sound furniture while developing core woodworking and design skills. The class will cover essential techniques such as selecting and preparing materials, cutting, joining, shaping, and assembling organic forms.

Students will also dive into key design concepts like balance, stability, proportion, and form, learning how to work with the natural shapes of the wood rather than against them. Along the way, they’ll gain experience using a variety of hand and shop tools in a safe, supportive environment.

By the end of the class, each student will complete a small piece of stick furniture—such as a stool, chair, or decorative structure—combining craftsmanship, creativity, and natural materials into something truly unique.

Build it from the ground up—literally

Instructor: Brandon York

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

Date/Time: July 20 - 24, 2026; 9:00AM to 3:00PM

Age Range: Rising 9th through 12th grade youth

Have an idea you’ve been dreaming about bringing to life?

In Design It – Make It!, youth will work with Mixxer instructors Carrie Beach and Thaddeus Prevette to turn their own creative concepts into real, finished projects.

Participants will have access to multiple Mixxer shops, including textile, tech, arts, print, jewelry, and industrial spaces, allowing them to choose the tools and materials that best fit their vision. Whether it’s wearable art, a tech prototype, a custom print project, or a hands-on fabrication build, students will be supported in bringing their ideas to life.

Each day includes structured, hands-on instruction and guided making from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. From 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, participants may stay at Mixxer to continue working independently on their projects with staff support available.

Program fees include up to $100 in materials per participant to help cover project costs.

Before the session begins, each participant will be contacted individually to learn more about their project ideas. Students will also be invited to a pre-program orientation session, where they will tour the facility, meet instructors, and gain a clear understanding of available tools, spaces, and project possibilities.

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

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

3D Modeling & Design Camp 
Explore Tinkercad • Fusion • Blender

In this fast-paced, hands-on camp, students will dive into the world of 3D design by learning three powerful tools in three days—each with its own style, purpose, and creative possibilities.

Tinkercad — Intro to 3D Design Students start with the basics using Tinkercad, an easy-to-learn platform perfect for building confidence. They’ll learn to create simple models, understand 3D geometry, and prepare designs for 3D printing.

Fusion — Engineering & Precision Next, students step into the world of professional CAD modeling. Using Fusion, they’ll learn how engineers design functional parts, explore constraints and assemblies, and create more refined, technical models.

Blender — Animation & Creative Expression On the final day, students jump into Blender, a powerful tool used in film, animation, and game design. They’ll learn the fundamentals of sculpting, textures, lighting, and simple animation to bring their creations to life.

By the end of the camp, participants will understand the strengths of each platform and come away with a set of projects that showcase their creativity, technical skills, and imagination.

Instructor Bio: Lyssa Troemel is a multi-disciplinary artist, puppeteer, and metal worker currently based out of Winston-Salem, NC. She holds an MFA in Animatronics from UNCSA and was a participant in the international Next Gen Showcase program. Prior to moving to Winston-Salem, she ran the Maker Lab at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, IN, served on the board of Puppeteers of America and was also a Resident Artist at Three Rivers Music Theatre where she designed and built many props. She was also the puppet designer and builder for the award-winning shadow puppet music video for the band Silbo Gomero for their song “Whale Fall”. Currently, she is an instructor and artist in many disciplines at Mixxer Community Makerspace.

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