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Upcoming Classes
I offer classes in both writing and art for individuals and groups of all ages. Keep checking back or sign up for my newsletter (at the bottom of the page) to find out when classes are listed and registration opens. I can also create a Family/Friend Workshop for you and a group up to ten. Contact me to find out how we can make it work.
Don’t ever hesitate to contact me with questions. (Also, if you try to register for a class below and find it is full, let me know and I will start a waiting list.)
About Me:
With a degree in creative writing and art history from Trinity College, and an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts, I’m the author of about 350 books for children and a resident artist at Whiting Mills. I have taught at the University of Hartford, the Mark Twain House, the Connecticut Center of the Book, and the Highlights Foundation, as well as conferences and arts centers.
Create in Community Workshop
For New England Chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and ILlustrators
Details:
- Sunday, September 22, 1pm to 4pm
- Whiting Mills, Studio #410, 100 Whiting Street, Winsted, CT
- Limit 20 people
- $30 (SCBWI members: $25)
Kick off your fall projects with like-minded creatives and treat yourself to an afternoon of inspirational energy at this in-person class with author Dana Rau!
Writing is a solitary endeavor, and yet, over my 30-year career of writing for children, I’ve found that the most creative sparks fly when I am creating with others. The past few years, I’ve also started exploring other mediums beyond words in my art studio at Whiting Mills in Winsted, Connecticut, and I’d love to invite my NE SCBWI community to join me for an afternoon.
Through a series of writing and art exercises, we’ll watch unexpected brilliance, amazing surprises, and creative camaraderie emerge. Whether you are an author, illustrator, both, pre-published, or much-published, come share in the fun!
Follow this link to register: SCBWI
Art Play Day
Details:
- Sunday January 26, 2025, 9am to 4pm
- Whiting Mills, 100 Whiting Street, Winsted, CT
- Limit 20 people
- $160
Treat yourself to a day of creative expression and discovery! Join us at Whiting Mills for a full day to play with art. Your registration includes:
*Two 2½-hour workshops
*Morning coffee, tea, and treats
*Art goody bag
*Lunch
*Time to chat, share, and reflect with fellow artists and attendees.
Recommended for ages 14 and up.
Art Play Day Workshops
Inspirational Playbook
Dana Rau, Author & Artist
Join Dana in her studio to create a vibrant and expressive book. We’ll remind ourselves that art was once synonymous with play by experimenting with paint, stamps, stencils, mark-making tools, and more. Then we’ll cut, fold, and bind our creations (finished book size about 5” by 6”), which we’ll fill with inspirational quotes to reflect our adventurous spirit. No prior experience is necessary.
Multi-Media Landscape
Karann Schaller, Sunlight Artistry
Join Karann at the Sunlight Artistry studio to create a mini landscape scene in a decorative wood frame. We will use paper collage and enamel paint to create whimsical landscape scenes on glass. Your finished artwork will be approximately 5″ by 5″ square. No prior experience is necessary.
Karann’s Bio
Art Play Day Schedule
9:00 Coffee, Tea, and Treats. Check-in, intros, and info to kick off the day
9:30-12 Workshop One
12 to 1 Break for Lunch (included)
1 to 3:30 Workshop Two
3:30 to 4 Recap and Reflect
**Please indicate your lunch choice when registering by writing in your selection in the “notes” section when you check out – Turkey & Bacon Wrap, Chicken Buffalo Wrap, or Tuna Salad Wrap. If you have dietary restrictions, please let us know.
To sign up, click HERE to register through Karann’s website.
Pause, Play, Repeat
8-WeekWriting Workshop
Details:
- 8 weeks, Wednesdays, April 23 to June 11, 2025, 10am to 12pm
- Farmington Valley Arts Center, 25 Arts Center Lane, Avon, CT
- Limit 8 people
- $215
Description:
Are you a writer needing to carve out some creative time?
A non-writer who has always wanted to write?
An artist who wants to venture into a new medium?
This workshop is for you!
Once a week, for eight weeks, we’ll pause from our personal and professional obligations to play with words, with a promise that we’ll repeat it as a habit. Each class, I’ll present an inspirational reading, image, or activity and we’ll discuss. We’ll let that prompt us to write for about 30 of uninterrupted time to see what bits of ourselves escape onto paper. Then we’ll reconvene and chat. We won’t critique each other’s work. Instead, we’ll offer encouragement and gratefulness for any bit of our voices and stories we’re willing to share.
No pressure, no judgment, and no homework. The practice of writing is just that—practice. Prompts lead to the discovery of ideas, emotions, characters, and other special bits. My hope is that you will find a comfortable, safe, and brave space that meets you where you are on your own unique journey as a writer.
REGISTER
Reserve your spot in the PAUSE PLAY REPEAT 8-week workshop at the FARMINGTON VALLEY ARTS CENTER.
Register Today
Modern Calligraphy
Two 2-Hour Workshops
Details:
- Saturday Feb. 1 & Feb. 8, 2025, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
- Whiting Mills, Studio 410, Winsted, CT
- Limit 10 people
- $100
Description:
We may live in a digital world, but there is something precious about handwriting. Modern calligraphy is a style rooted in tradition, while offering more freedom and flow. Over two 2-hour sessions, we’ll cover the basics as we practice lettering with various pens, brushes, and surfaces.
No experience necessary. All materials included.
Introduction to Knitting
Two 2-Hour Workshops
Details:
- Saturday Feb. 8 & Feb. 22, 2025, 1:00 to 3:00 pm
- Whiting Mills, Studio 410, Winsted, CT
- Limit 10 people
- $120
Description:
Over two 2-hour sessions, you’ll learn basic knitting in garter stitch and create a scarf to keep you cozy this winter.
As we knit together, you’ll learn about yourself, too…maybe you tend to knit too tightly, too loosely, or drop stitches. Or maybe you pick it up like a pro! Either way, I’ll be there to troubleshoot with you.
*Week one, you’ll learn to cast on and knit. Once you get the hang of it, you will find it can be a soothing and meditative experience. (And of course we’ll chat and sip tea, too!)
*For homework between classes, you’ll knit on your own!
*Week two, we’ll knit together and then you’ll learn to bind off and create tassels on the ends. (Then, of course, we’ll show off our creations to each other.)
Even though this class is geared toward adults, young artists ages 10 and up are also invited to attend with an adult as long as you both register.
Yarn, needles, and emotional and “technical” support included! (And you can bring home your needles for your next knitting project.)
Inspirational Playbook
Book-Making Workshop
Details:
- Sunday, May 4, 2025, 1:00 to 3:30pm
- Whiting Mills, Studio 410, 100 Whiting Street, Winsted, CT
- Limit 10 people
- $60
Description:
Join me as we create a vibrant and expressive book. We’ll remind ourselves that art was once synonymous with play by experimenting with paint, stamps, stencils, mark-making tools, and more. Then we’ll cut, fold, and bind our creations (the finished book is about 5″ x 6″), which we’ll fill with inspirational quotes to reflect our adventurous spirit.
No prior experience necessary, and all materials will be provided.
This class is geared toward adults, however younger artists ages 10 and up are also invited to attend with an adult as long as you both register.
Alcohol Ink Explorations
TRY IT! Workshop
Details:
- Saturday May 10, 2025, 1:00 to 3:30pm
- Whiting Mills, Studio 410, 100 Whiting Street, Winsted, CT
- Limit 10 people
- $60
Description:
Bring your sense of adventure to this class, where we will try out different techniques to create images with alcohol inks. The saturated colors and wanderings of this medium are the best way to practice a playful approach to art. We’ll explore painting, dripping, blowing, and layering. You will leave with a variety of alcohol ink pictures on Yupo paper.
No prior experience necessary, and all materials will be provided.
This class is geared toward adults, however younger artists ages 10 and up are also invited to attend with an adult as long as you both register.
Felted Mini Landscape
2-hour Try It! Workshop
Details:
- Saturday June 7, 2025, 10:00am to 12:00pm
- Whiting Mills, Studio 410, Winsted, CT
- Limit 10 people
- $60
Description:
Felting is the art of taking loose fibers and turning them into fabric. In this 2-hour workshop, we’ll discuss the basics of landscape, the value of “under paintings”, and practice dry felting techniques. Using a barbed needle, we’ll felt wool roving onto a felt backing and add embroidered details. You’ll leave with a miniature framed 3″ x 4″ masterpiece.
No prior experience is necessary, and all materials will be provided.
This class is geared toward adults, however younger artists ages 10 and up are also invited to attend with an adult as long as you both register.
Felted Rocks
2-Hour TRY IT! Workshop
Details:
- Saturday, June 7, 1:00 to 3:00pm
- Whiting Mills, Studio 410, Winsted, CT
- Limit 10 people
- $60
Description:
Felting is the art of taking loose fibers and turning them into a fabric. In this 2-hour workshop, we’ll practice wet felting. Wrapping rocks with wool, we’ll use our own hands (and some water and soap) to shrink the fibers to create a satisfying combination of softness and solidity. After lots of rigorous hand exercise, you’ll have created two to three rocks to remember the day.
No prior experience necessary, and all materials will be provided.
This class is geared toward adults, however younger artists ages 10 and up are also invited to attend with an adult as long as you both register.
What people are saying...
“Dana is so creative, welcoming, encouraging, and inclusive. Highly recommended!” –Janet L.