Artful Connections: 2026 Season

Now in its fifth season, Artful Connections continues to grow as one of Cornwall Manor’s most beloved and enriching creative programs. This year’s lineup celebrates the depth, diversity and joy of the arts—with offerings led by talented and professional teaching artists who bring expertise, passion and heart to every session.

Our 2026 season invites residents to learn new skills, express themselves, connect with neighbors and experience the wellness benefits that come from creative engagement. Whether through movement, music, making or mindfulness, this year’s classes offer something for everyone.

2026 Artful Connections Class Line Up

🎶 CM Sings with Tyler Canonico‑Dilley

Lift your voice and join your neighbors in a welcoming group singing experience. Tyler brings energy, encouragement and a love for music that inspires confidence and community—no prior musical experience required.

💃 Social Dance with Christy Kam

Move, mingle, and enjoy the rhythm of ballroom and social dance styles. Christy’s classes promote connection, balance and fun, making them a favorite for residents who want to stay active while learning something new.

🌀 Spirals and Fans with Jude Hawkins

Explore movement, flow, and gentle expression through Jude’s Spirals and Fans workshop. This class emphasizes creativity, presence, and fluidity—perfect for all.

Spirals and Fans, a workshop for making special greeting cards will begin with a session of abstract watercolor painting and tissue paper tie dying. At our second meeting we will cut our watercolors into spirals and create a folding fan with our tissue.

🌈 Wet Felting with Ellen Siberlicht

Join Ellen Silberlicht to learn about wet felting, while exercising your creativity. Felting is an ancient craft that is currently making an impression on the art world. You will experience the transformation of sheep’s fluffy wool into a tight fabric wall or table piece. We will felt a blooming flower arrangement in wool creating a colorful bouquet to brighten any space. If you wish to create something different from the floral image, you can bring a photo of something that inspires you and I will offer a short instruction as to how best to achieve your vision.

🪵Woodworking with Lee Flanick

A resident favorite returns! Under Lee’s steady guidance, participants learn woodworking basics while crafting practical and decorative pieces. This class is ideal for those who enjoy working with their hands and seeing their ideas take shape.

🥁 Social Drumming with Dani Fiore

Feel the beat, find your rhythm, and join the circle. Dani’s engaging drumming sessions foster connection, relaxation, and energy—offering the perfect combination of music and mindfulness.

🏠 Clay Tea Light Houses with Tessa Medeiros

Create charming, hand‑built clay tea light houses that glow with warmth and personality. Tessa’s approachable ceramics instruction invites creativity from residents at every experience level.

Participants will use the slab method and various techniques to create surface texture and decorations to build functioning tea light houses. Work will be glazed and fired and returned to Cornwall Manor for pickup.

🎨 Small Watercolors with Carrie Feidt

Explore the beauty of watercolor on a manageable scale. Carrie’s calm, supportive instruction helps participants experiment with color, composition, and technique—resulting in delightful miniature works of art.

Students will use watercolor paints to recreate a photo of their choice. Photos will be provided, or you can bring your own! For our first class, students will have the option to follow along step by step and paint a small scene for the upcoming winter season. Paper and envelopes will also be provided in order to attach a small painting to greeting cards if desired.

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