YELLOWKNIFE GUILD OF ARTS AND CRAFTS
Scheduled mixed media open studio sessions operate on a drop-in basis on selected evenings. Silversmithing equipment is not available for use during open studio sessions but all other mixed media disciplines are welcome.
Each mixed media open studio is hosted by member with experience in one or more mixed media disciplines. Participants are expected to be able to work independently on their own projects as the host may not have the skills necessary to assist with all disciplines.
All participants must be full adult members of the Guild. The fee is $40 per month or $5 per session and must be paid online. Scheduled open studio sessions may be cancelled during holiday periods and do not run during the summer months.
Scheduled fibre open studio sessions operate on a drop-in basis on Friday mornings from 9 am to noon. These sessions are restricted to clean and quiet disciplines such as weaving, knitting, and basketry.
Each fibre open studio is hosted by member with experience in one or more disciplines. Participants are expected to be able to work independently on their own projects as the host may not have the skills necessary to assist with all disciplines.
All participants must be full adult members of the Guild. The fee is $40 per month or $5 per session and must be paid online. Scheduled open studio sessions may be cancelled during holiday periods or if a host is not available and do not run during the summer months.
MANDATORY PREREQUISITE APPLIES
This self-directed class is for individuals who have some experience weaving on a 4- shaft floor loom, and who want to refresh their skills or learn new skills in a group setting. The focus of the class will be weaving with “new-to-you” materials (e.g. silk, merino, linen, alpaca, etc). Weavers will use a scarf pattern of their choice.
Supplies can be purchased directly from a supplier. Jane Stafford Textiles (janestaffordtextiles.com) offers several scarf kits (see photos).
Contact Person: Cayley Thomas / Cynthia Levy
Prerequisites: Prior experience dressing and weaving on a 4-shaft floor loom. Please contact the Guild before registration to validate your eligibility. Age 16 or older.
Cost: $150 (includes 2.5 months of studio access and use of 4-shaft floor loom; participants must supply own scarf pattern and materials)
Registration Opens: September 3, 2025 @ 9:00 am Registration Closes: October 10, 2025
Scheduled pottery open studio sessions currently operate on Wednesday afternoons from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm, Thursday evenings from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm, Saturday mornings from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, and Sunday afternoons from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Each session is hosted by an experienced studio potter who is available to answer questions, ensure that equipment is used safely, and supervise studio chores. Participants are expected to contribute approximately 15 minutes of volunteer time to cleaning and other studio chores during each visit to the studio.
The fee for scheduled open studio access is $40 per month and must be paid online at the beginning of each month. Students enrolled in a pottery class may attend scheduled open studio sessions for free until completion of the class.
Scheduled open studio sessions may be cancelled during holiday periods or if a studio host is unavailable and usually do not run during the summer months.
Are you a studio potter looking for a way to expand your skill-set at the studio? Come out and learn the ins and outs of clay recycling! You will be introduced to all of the steps involved in processing used clay and turning it back into useable material for more fabulous creations. This will include the safe operation of the pug-mill.
Instructor: Michelle Fortin
Prerequisites: Active scheduled open studio potter or full studio potter. Age 16 or older. Adult full membership.
Cost: Free as volunteer training for active scheduled open studio potters and full studio potters. All other registrations will be cancelled.
Registration Closes: January 9, 2026
Mandatory pottery studio orientation is required for all new and former studio potters requesting access to the pottery studio during scheduled open studio or full studio hours. The purpose of this orientation is to review Guild operations to ensure that potters are able to safely use the studio without supervision and are aware of the roles and responsibilities of studio potters such as clean-up and volunteer duties. All potters approved for scheduled open studio or full studio access must complete an orientation session before commencing studio access.
Instructor: Janet Diveky
Prerequisites: Approval from pottery representative for scheduled open studio access following completion of Guild pottery class or assessment of prior pottery studio experience. Age 16 or older. Adult full membership.
Cost: Free for approved scheduled open studio and full studio potters. All other registrations will be cancelled.
Broaden and deepen your hand building skills in a supportive environment. Explore a series of stepwise projects intended to increase your pottery independence.
Instructor: Jenny Tucker
Prerequisites: Completion of Handbuilding - Beginner at the Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts or previous experience approved by the instructor. Age 16 or older. Adult full membership.
Cost: $292 (includes clay)
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 at 7:00 pm Registration Closes: January 9, 2026
Learn the basics of wheel thrown pottery: wedging, centering, throwing simple shapes, trimming, firing and glazing.
Instructor: Melanie Desjardins
Prerequisites: No prior experience necessary. Age 16 or older. Adult full membership.
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm Registration Closes: January 17, 2026
This class will teach you how to center larger amounts of clay and will refine skills learned in beginner wheel classes. It will also introduce students to more advanced skills such as adding handles and lids.
Instructor: Tori Carmichael
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Wheel - Beginner Level 1 at the YK Guild or previous experience approved by the instructor. Ability to center clay and make basic cylinders on the wheel. Age 16 or older. Adult full membership.
Cost: $260 (clay not included; clay must be purchased separately through Guild website)
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm Registration Closes: January 18, 2026
Learn the basic principles of weaving while making a cozy wool scarf! This class provides an introduction to weaving on a rigid heddle loom. The project is a plain (tabby) weave scarf made interesting by a combination of solid and self-striping yarn.
The skills to be learned include direct warping of a rigid heddle loom, threading the warp and tying-on, hemstitching on the loom, working plain (tabby) weave, and adding knotted fringe. All skills are demonstrated and taught during the class.
Registration fee includes all materials plus use of a rigid heddle loom for the duration of the weekend workshop.
Instructor: Constantina Tsetsos
Cost: $175 (includes materials and use of loom)
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm Registration Closes: January 19, 2026
This introductory class will introduce students to the textures and colours of stained glass, glass working tools, and patterns. Students will learn glass scoring, breaking, grinding, copper foiling, soldering and finishing.
Students will complete at least one sun catcher and another small 2-10 piece project of their choosing. A variety of patterns will be available for use in class.
All necessary supplies and materials will be provided.
Instructor: Anna-Maija LaFlamme
Cost: $268 (includes materials and use of tools)
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm Registration Closes: January 22, 2026
Learn the basics of how to mosaic by making your own trivet.
During this short weekend class, students will learn how to design a mosaic, cut and and glue the tiles in place, and finish the trivet with grout. You will make an 8”x 8” mosaic tile trivet – perfect for use on your kitchen counter or dining table, or you could hang it on the wall.
All supplies and equipment are provided.
Instructor: Dot Van Vliet
Cost: $116 (includes materials and use of tools)
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm Registration Closes: January 26, 2026
In this private One-Time Handbuilding workshop for the CFA de Yellowknife, you'll have fun playing with clay!
You will have the opportunity to practice basic handbuilding skills and create a simple pottery object. Your Guild hosts will demo techniques and support you in your efforts to tame the clay.
The goal of the session will be to have fun! In a few weeks, once the pieces have been fired and glazed by Guild volunteers, they will be available for pick up.
Instructors: Melanie Desjardins and Kim Lemky
Prerequisites: Nothing but a positive attitude!
Cost: Free to participants as an event sponsored by the CFA de Yellowknife.
Registration Closes: January 24, 2026
Are you a studio potter looking for a way to expand your skill-set at the studio? Come out and learn the basic recipes behind the creation of some of the Guild's most beloved glazes. You will learn about safe handling of the glaze materials and important steps to follow in preparing glazes at the studio.
Instructor: Olivia Hee
Registration Closes: January 30, 2026
Instructor: TBD
This self-directed class is for individuals who have some experience weaving on a 4- shaft floor loom, and who want to refresh their skills or learn new skills in a group setting. The focus of the class will be weaving a blanket or throw. Weavers will use a blanket pattern of their choice.
Supplies can be purchased directly from a supplier. Jane Stafford Textiles (janestaffordtextiles.com) offers several blanket kits (see photos).
Cost: $150 (includes 2.5 months of studio access and use of 4-shaft floor loom; participants must supply own blanket pattern and materials)
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 9:00 am Registration Closes: February 1, 2026
This intermediate workshop introduces the skills needed to make wheel-thrown plates and platters. Short demonstrations combined with hands-on practice will introduce techniques for throwing, trimming and glazing flat pieces. Forms explored will include spoon rests, small/large plates, and simple platters.
Instructor: Cynthia Levy
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Wheel - Beginner Level 2 at the Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts or previous experience approved by the instructor. Ability to center at least 5 pounds of clay. Age 16 or older. Adult full membership.
Cost: $102 (clay not included; must be purchased through Guild website)
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm Registration Closes: February 5, 2026
In this weekend workshop, we will make a cardboard loom and use it to create a piece of tapestry weaving/art. We will start by warping the loom with cotton cord. Next, we will design your project on paper. Then we will use a variety of yarns and a large-eyed needle to fill in the details.
Designs can be a landscape (which the instructor seems to invariably choose) or any kind of abstract design. Texture can be built though use of different thicknesses of yarn. Bring a picture or idea with you to the first session and we can adapt it if needed.
All materials will be supplied, but students are welcome to bring any leftover yarns that they might want to use up.
Instructor: Cathie Harper
Cost: $166 (includes materials)
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm Registration Closes: February 14, 2026
This intermediate workshop introduces various forms of wheel-thrown chip-and-dip platters. Short demonstrations combined with hands-on practice will develop throwing techniques while tips will be given for trimming and glazing complex flat pieces. Forms explored will include traditional chip-and-dip platters with both integrated and separate fitted bowls as well as creative alterations such as spiral rims and offset bowls.
Prerequisites: Proficiency in throwing on the wheel. Successful completion of Wheel - Plates and Platters workshop at the Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts or equivalent experience approved by the instructor. Age 16 or older. Adult full membership.
Cost: $60 (clay not included; must be purchased through Guild website)
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm Registration Closes: February 19, 2026
Registration Closes: February 27, 2026
Feeling stressed? Come out for some relaxation and stab some wool into a beautiful 3D object. In this class, you will learn how to needle felt and take home an adorable penguin.
Needle felting is a textiles craft technique that can be used to create 3D objects. It involves a special felting needle being used to stab and agitate wool fibers, so they join and bond together.
Instructor: Andrea Korpel
Prerequisites: No prior experience necessary. Age 16 or older. Youth aged 12 to 15 with registration of parent/guardian and approval of instructor (see note below). Current membership at eligible level.
Cost (Full Members): $60 (includes materials) Cost (Casual Members): $70 (includes materials) Cost (Child Members): $60 (includes materials)
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm Registration Closes: March 1, 2026
Note re Youth Participation: Youth aged 12 to 15 may be permitted to participate in this workshop provided that their parent or guardian has registered for and participates in the workshop. Email the Guild at ykguildwebsite@gmail.com to arrange for youth registration.
This class will introduce participants to basic wood carving skills by working with a local medium - green birch. The end product for each participant will be 1 or possibly 2 hand carved spoons or similar kitchen tools such as a spurtle or spatula. The final products will be finished with a food-safe oil such as tung oil or walnut oil.
All materials and tools, including green wood, will be supplied. Participants may choose in advance to purchase their own carving tool kit to keep.
Instructor: Bruce Smith
Cost: $200 (includes materials and use of shared carving tools)
Optional Tool Purchase: $80 (carving tool kit)
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm Registration Closes: February 15, 2026
Learn the ABC’s of hand building: pinch, coil and slab. Improve your techniques and exercise your creativity through a series of step-wise projects.
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm
Registration Closes: March 6, 2026
Scheduling Note: Class schedule does not include April 6, 2026 (Easter Monday).
Instructor: Georgina Williston
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm Registration Closes: March 7, 2026
Instructor: Wendy Stephenson
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm Registration Closes: March 8, 2026
Learn the basics of weaving on a 4-shaft table loom while making some cute and useful mug rugs! This class builds on skills gained through weaving on a rigid heddle loom. The project is a set of 4 mug rugs featuring a variety of twill patterns. Skills to be learned include indirect warping using a warping mill or board, dressing a multi-shaft loom, weaving twill, and finishing with hemstitched fringes.
Registration includes all materials plus use of a 4-shaft table loom for the duration of the weekend workshop.
Prerequisites: Completion of Rigid Heddle Weaving - Houndstooth Placemats/Towels or equivalent weaving experience approved by the instructor prior to registration. Age 16 or older. Adult full membership.
Cost: Test class so registration fee waived.
This condensed wheel course is intended for motivated beginners, former potters seeking a reintroduction to throwing, or potters who have taken classes elsewhere but aren’t familiar with the Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts studio.
Learn or refresh basic skills and become orientated to the Guild so that you can apply for access as an open studio potter in the future. This afternoon course will cover the basics in a condensed format over 2 weeks. You will learn the fundamentals of wheel thrown pottery: wedging, centering, throwing simple shapes, trimming, firing and glazing.
Students should be prepared to participate in scheduled open studio sessions on Thursday evenings and/or Sunday afternoons. Assignments may be given for completion at open studio between classes. Open studio sessions offer extra practice at no additional cost during this 2-week intensive course.
Instructor: Ann Peters
Cost: $210 (includes clay)
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 at 7:00 pm Registration Closes: March 14, 2026
This intermediate workshop introduces teapots. Short demonstrations combined with hands-on practice will develop throwing techniques while tips will be given for making lids, spouts and handles as well as creative alterations to produce a teapot that's functional and personal.
Instructor: Janice Lee
Prerequisites: Proficiency in throwing on the wheel. Successful completion of Wheel - Beginner Level 1 at the Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts or equivalent experience approved by the instructor. Age 16 or older. Adult full membership.
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm Registration Closes: March 19, 2026
A tisket, a tasket, you will be making a beautiful egg basket! This basket features a sturdy handle and "pockets" that are perfect for gathering eggs or Easter chocolates or whatever you choose to harvest.
We will be using a rib-style construction with flat reed to create the basket. Each participant will walk away with a 26 cm x 26 cm basket.
Instructor: Rosanna Strong
Cost: $234 (includes materials)
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 at 7:00 pm Registration Closes: March 20, 2026
Registration fee includes all materials plus use of a 4-shaft table loom for the duration of the weekend workshop.
Cost: $200 (includes materials and use of loom)
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm Registration Closes: March 27, 2026
Registration Closes: April 10, 2026
Feeling stressed? Come out for some relaxation and stab some wool into a beautiful 3D object. In this class, you will learn how to needle felt and take home an adorable sitting fox.
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm Registration Closes: April 19, 2026
Registration Closes: May 1, 2026
Feeling stressed? Come out for some relaxation and stab some wool into a beautiful 3D object. In this class, you will learn how to needle felt and take home a set of dryer balls.
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm Registration Closes: April 26, 2026
Scheduling Note: Class schedule includes May 18, 2026 (Victoria Day).
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm Registration Closes: March 2, 2026
Instructor: Jessica Smart
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm Registration Closes: May 3, 2026
Learn techniques for making consistent and matching wheel-thrown bowls while contributing toward one of the Guild's most popular fundraising events - the annual Canada Day Ice Cream Bowl Sale!
All bowls produced during these sessions will be donated to the Guild for sale at the Canada Day Ice Cream Bowl Sale or other fundraisers. The sessions are therefore free to participants and the Guild will supply clay.
Prerequisites: Scheduled open studio or full studio potter with current full adult membership. Ability to center and throw a bowl. Age 16 or older. Registrations lacking prerequisites will be cancelled automatically.
Cost: Free with all bowls produced donated to the Guild. Clay supplied by the Guild.
Registration Opens: January 6, 2026 @ 7 pm
Registration Closes: May 6, 2026
Registration Closes: June 5, 2026