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Adult Workshops At UpCycle, we celebrate the creative side of ALL of us, not just those who call themselves "artists." Our adult programming provides you an opportunity to connect with your right brain ("get in your right mind") and find new, unusual and beautiful ways to use cast-off and recycled materials. Workshops are limited to 14 participants, and are open to anyone ages 16+. Workshops include all materials! Evenings from 7 - 9 PM (please arrive 5 mins early) Location: UpCycle Creative Reuse Studio 2397 S. Dove St. Alexandria, Virginia 22314 Please note: If we do not meet the minimum registration of 6, the class may be canceled. Registrations are refundable ONLY if made 7 days in advance of the workshop date. REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 12PM DAY OF WORKSHOP |
ADULT WORKSHOPS 2026
Tuesday, April 21: UpCycled Zine Workshop - $20
Join local artist Lost Marbles to learn how to make your own Zine! Zines are small, self-published and handmade art booklets made from folded paper. The beauty of making your own Zines comes from the open-endedness: they can be about anything you want! It could be your art, poetry, writing, photos, a skill you'd like to share, or even a snapshot of whatever is on your mind at the moment. The possibilities are endless - Zines can be drawn, stamped, collaged, sewn onto, and so much more!
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to fold a sheet of paper into a Zine, and then how to decorate it so that it comes together as a beautiful mini-booklet when folded. You'll get to delve into our unique collection of paper ephemera, stamps, multimedia, and more, and leave with a personalized mini art booklet made by you! Join us for a stress-free, relaxing evening of exploring all the artmaking opportunities Zines provide!
Sunday, May 3 from 2-5pm: Tiny Worlds - An Introduction to Teatro Lambe-Lambe - $40
Introducing a special workshop from puppeteer Cecilia Cackley! In this afternoon workshop, you'll learn the basics of lambe-lambe puppetry, a Brazilian form of miniature street theater, and create your own tiny world and puppet show. Cecilia will introduce the principles of a lambe-lambe show, and give you time for creating and experimenting with tiny sets, lights, and characters, using creative reuse materials from Upcycle. This class is perfect for anyone interested in puppets, miniatures and theater, or anyone who loves to learn about new art forms!
Note: This workshop is limited to 10 participants.
Learn more about Cecilia's work at ceciliacackley.com
Thursday, May 14 from 7-9pm: Rescued Paper - Ready to Send - $40
Ever wished there was something beautiful you could make out of all that junk mail? Your recycling bin is full of greeting cards waiting to happen. Come make them a reality! We'll turn junk mail, book pages, wallpaper scraps and more into a custom set of beautiful, gift-ready cards. Local artist Nerissa Alford guides you through building layered collages to send happy mail!
Come join us for a relaxing evening of crafting, where you'll get to hunt through UpCycle's unique collection of blank cards and paper ephemera, and leave with several custom collaged cards that will bring a personal and upcycled touch to any piece of mail you'd like to send. We will have everything you need to complete the project, but please feel free to bring in any junk mail or other paper ephemera, such as catalogs, postcard ads, security envelopes, etc.
Sunday, May 31 from 1-3pm: Torn Paper Blooms - $40
In this laid-back Sunday afternoon workshop, celebrate May flowers by creating a beautiful piece of floral art! We'll turn pre-loved canvases into works of art that make the walls bloom, using paper scraps, painting, and multimedia collage. First, choose your favorite flower (or flowers!). Local artist Nerissa Alford will guide you through sketching and mapping out your chosen floral arrangement, and then we'll get to decorating — no painting or collaging experience needed, just a love of beautiful things and rescued materials. Join us for a crafty afternoon of multimedia creation that celebrates spring in all its blooms.
Thursday, June 11 from 7-9pm: From Mailer to Memory Book - $40
Those cardboard mailer isn’t trash - it’s the base of your next keepsake! We'll take discarded cardboard mailers, cereal boxes, and other similar materials, and turn them into a beautifully custom shaped memory book. Whether you want to create a journal, a sketchbook, a scrapbook of personal photos, or even a book of mini artworks, this class will give you the skills and the freedom to create. Local artist Nerissa Alford will guide you through basic bookbinding and cover decoration. Feel free to bring photos or a few pieces of personal ephemera to make it your own! No experience needed, all materials provided. Come spend the evening learning and creating with us!
Tuesday, April 21: UpCycled Zine Workshop - $20
Join local artist Lost Marbles to learn how to make your own Zine! Zines are small, self-published and handmade art booklets made from folded paper. The beauty of making your own Zines comes from the open-endedness: they can be about anything you want! It could be your art, poetry, writing, photos, a skill you'd like to share, or even a snapshot of whatever is on your mind at the moment. The possibilities are endless - Zines can be drawn, stamped, collaged, sewn onto, and so much more!
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to fold a sheet of paper into a Zine, and then how to decorate it so that it comes together as a beautiful mini-booklet when folded. You'll get to delve into our unique collection of paper ephemera, stamps, multimedia, and more, and leave with a personalized mini art booklet made by you! Join us for a stress-free, relaxing evening of exploring all the artmaking opportunities Zines provide!
Sunday, May 3 from 2-5pm: Tiny Worlds - An Introduction to Teatro Lambe-Lambe - $40
Introducing a special workshop from puppeteer Cecilia Cackley! In this afternoon workshop, you'll learn the basics of lambe-lambe puppetry, a Brazilian form of miniature street theater, and create your own tiny world and puppet show. Cecilia will introduce the principles of a lambe-lambe show, and give you time for creating and experimenting with tiny sets, lights, and characters, using creative reuse materials from Upcycle. This class is perfect for anyone interested in puppets, miniatures and theater, or anyone who loves to learn about new art forms!
Note: This workshop is limited to 10 participants.
Learn more about Cecilia's work at ceciliacackley.com
Thursday, May 14 from 7-9pm: Rescued Paper - Ready to Send - $40
Ever wished there was something beautiful you could make out of all that junk mail? Your recycling bin is full of greeting cards waiting to happen. Come make them a reality! We'll turn junk mail, book pages, wallpaper scraps and more into a custom set of beautiful, gift-ready cards. Local artist Nerissa Alford guides you through building layered collages to send happy mail!
Come join us for a relaxing evening of crafting, where you'll get to hunt through UpCycle's unique collection of blank cards and paper ephemera, and leave with several custom collaged cards that will bring a personal and upcycled touch to any piece of mail you'd like to send. We will have everything you need to complete the project, but please feel free to bring in any junk mail or other paper ephemera, such as catalogs, postcard ads, security envelopes, etc.
Sunday, May 31 from 1-3pm: Torn Paper Blooms - $40
In this laid-back Sunday afternoon workshop, celebrate May flowers by creating a beautiful piece of floral art! We'll turn pre-loved canvases into works of art that make the walls bloom, using paper scraps, painting, and multimedia collage. First, choose your favorite flower (or flowers!). Local artist Nerissa Alford will guide you through sketching and mapping out your chosen floral arrangement, and then we'll get to decorating — no painting or collaging experience needed, just a love of beautiful things and rescued materials. Join us for a crafty afternoon of multimedia creation that celebrates spring in all its blooms.
Thursday, June 11 from 7-9pm: From Mailer to Memory Book - $40
Those cardboard mailer isn’t trash - it’s the base of your next keepsake! We'll take discarded cardboard mailers, cereal boxes, and other similar materials, and turn them into a beautifully custom shaped memory book. Whether you want to create a journal, a sketchbook, a scrapbook of personal photos, or even a book of mini artworks, this class will give you the skills and the freedom to create. Local artist Nerissa Alford will guide you through basic bookbinding and cover decoration. Feel free to bring photos or a few pieces of personal ephemera to make it your own! No experience needed, all materials provided. Come spend the evening learning and creating with us!
BEginners only!
UpCycled sewing series: Pants to Tote Bag
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REGISTRATION FOR THE APRIL 2026 SERIES IS NOW CLOSED. STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT SERIES!
The UpCycled Sewing Series is back ! In these classes, we'll learn how to use our upcycling muscles to sew beautiful and unique creations using fabric from unexpected places. In the beginner-level Pants to Tote Bag Series, we'll join local artist Laly Makes to turn a pair of unused pants into a functional and customizable tote bag that you'll pick up time and time again. Upcycling existing garments is a super easy and accessible way to get into sewing, because it teaches you how garments are constructed and allows you to re-use existing pieces like pockets and belt loops. If there's a pair of pants in your closet that you never seem to wear, let's turn them into a tote! We'll learn how to deconstruct the pants, save pre-made usable pieces like pockets, belt loops, and zippers, and use a sewing machine to put all the pieces back together in a whole new way. Bring your own pair of pants or choose from a few thrifted options, and choose a fun lining fabric from UpCycle's stash. You'll go home with brand-new sewing skills, a new way of looking at unwanted clothes, and a custom tote bag designed by YOU! This series will run for 6 sessions, on Mondays and Thursdays from 7-9pm for 3 weeks. This class is designed for beginning level sewers, but open to sewers of all levels (however, please note that beginning sewing instruction is part of the class). All materials are included, but please feel free to bring your own pair of pants to upcycle if you'd like! April 6th Session 1: Class Intro, Learning to Deconstruct Garments, Choosing Lining Fabric, Bag Design April 9th Session 2: Pattern Drafting & Cutting April 13th Session 3: Sewing Machine Tutorial, Practice April 16th Session 4: Pinning/Assembly, Sewing on Elements April 20th Session 5: Sew Lining, Sew Outer April 23rd Session 6: Topstitching & Finishing |
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Open Studio Maker Break
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Do you have a project you would love to work on, but you just can't find the time? Take a designated maker break with us!
Join us in the studio every Friday from 4-6pm for Open Studio Maker Break, and enjoy the company of other community crafters while you wind down from the week with artmaking. Bring a project you’ve been working on at home or in one of our classes, or purchase some supplies from the shop, and spend a relaxing afternoon creating among your fellow upcyclers! Entry is free, but space is limited. To guarantee a spot, please sign up HERE. Walk-ins are available but not guaranteed. |