Youth Summer Program
Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Rd, Worcester, MA 1605
About
The Youth Summer Program includes hands-on activities such as pottery, painting, jewelry-making, woodworking, stained glass, and metalsmith skills and techniques. Participants work with stained glass using copper foil (Tiffany-style) stained glass techniques, including cutting, foiling, and soldering, and explore metal forming, etching, stamping, and wire wrapping. The program also features weaving on different types of looms, natural dyes, polymer clay sculpture techniques, and fiber arts techniques such as embroidery, sewing a decorative pillow, and crocheting.
• Ages: 7–13 years old
• Schedule: Full-day workshops run for 8 weeks from 9:00 am–3:00 pm, with optional Morning Care from 8:00 am–9:00 am and Afternoon Care from 3:00 pm–5:00 pm
• Price: Pricing starts at $252, with specific sessions ranging from $252 to $450
Weaving activities include weaving on a frame loom and using methods such as sumac, twining, stripes, clasped weft, rya, tufting, and making more complex shapes and designs in weaving. The program uses natural dyes and includes dyeing fibers with marigolds, cochineal, and madder, as well as dyeing yarn to weave and extracting pigments. Polymer clay sessions cover shaping, texturing, color-blending, and sculpture techniques.
Crochet instruction includes starting a chain, making single and double crochet stitches, and making a magic circle. Session options listed in the program include Color My World: Stained Glass Exploration, Metal Magic: Create Your Own Wearable Art!, Fantasy Game Making, Weaving/Natural Dyes/Fiber & Form, The Miniature Village with Polymer Clay, Fiber Art Adventure: From Loom to Luxe Pillow, Crochet Creatures & Creations!, and Creative Chemistry: Maker Lab. Separate program offerings are available for 7–9 year olds and 10–13 year olds.
The Youth Summer Program is offered by the Worcester Center for Crafts, which was established in 1856 as the Worcester Employment Society and completed its 153rd year in 2009. The organization’s mission is to cultivate creativity through education, celebration, and the elevation of the art of craft. It is a community-based arts organization that focuses on craft education, assisting artists in gaining visibility and marketplace prominence, supporting entrepreneurship in the arts, and promoting an appreciation for fine craft and handmade objects.
The Worcester Center for Crafts has an alliance and partnership with Worcester State University, and Worcester State University’s Visual and Performing Arts classes in art and music meet in its studios, with student transportation provided by the Sagamore Shuttle. The leadership team includes Elaine McKenna-Yeaw, Executive Director; Candace Casey, Gallery & Handcrafted Shop Director, Event Coordinator; Lindsey MacLean, Handcrafted Shop Manager, Registration Assistant; Tom O’Malley, Ceramics & Photography Department Head, Studio Liaison; Amanda Baldi, Registrar, Assistant to the Executive Director; Tomo Sakai, Glass/Metal/Youth Department Head; and Mar’Kee Thomas, Healing Arts Department Head. The program notes the presence of expert instructors who foster creativity and describes a safe and supportive environment with a nurturing atmosphere. Families can use code SUMMER26 at checkout to receive $20 off enrollment, valid through 3/15/26.
Last updated January 27, 2026.
• Ages: 7–13 years old
• Schedule: Full-day workshops run for 8 weeks from 9:00 am–3:00 pm, with optional Morning Care from 8:00 am–9:00 am and Afternoon Care from 3:00 pm–5:00 pm
• Price: Pricing starts at $252, with specific sessions ranging from $252 to $450
Weaving activities include weaving on a frame loom and using methods such as sumac, twining, stripes, clasped weft, rya, tufting, and making more complex shapes and designs in weaving. The program uses natural dyes and includes dyeing fibers with marigolds, cochineal, and madder, as well as dyeing yarn to weave and extracting pigments. Polymer clay sessions cover shaping, texturing, color-blending, and sculpture techniques.
Crochet instruction includes starting a chain, making single and double crochet stitches, and making a magic circle. Session options listed in the program include Color My World: Stained Glass Exploration, Metal Magic: Create Your Own Wearable Art!, Fantasy Game Making, Weaving/Natural Dyes/Fiber & Form, The Miniature Village with Polymer Clay, Fiber Art Adventure: From Loom to Luxe Pillow, Crochet Creatures & Creations!, and Creative Chemistry: Maker Lab. Separate program offerings are available for 7–9 year olds and 10–13 year olds.
The Youth Summer Program is offered by the Worcester Center for Crafts, which was established in 1856 as the Worcester Employment Society and completed its 153rd year in 2009. The organization’s mission is to cultivate creativity through education, celebration, and the elevation of the art of craft. It is a community-based arts organization that focuses on craft education, assisting artists in gaining visibility and marketplace prominence, supporting entrepreneurship in the arts, and promoting an appreciation for fine craft and handmade objects.
The Worcester Center for Crafts has an alliance and partnership with Worcester State University, and Worcester State University’s Visual and Performing Arts classes in art and music meet in its studios, with student transportation provided by the Sagamore Shuttle. The leadership team includes Elaine McKenna-Yeaw, Executive Director; Candace Casey, Gallery & Handcrafted Shop Director, Event Coordinator; Lindsey MacLean, Handcrafted Shop Manager, Registration Assistant; Tom O’Malley, Ceramics & Photography Department Head, Studio Liaison; Amanda Baldi, Registrar, Assistant to the Executive Director; Tomo Sakai, Glass/Metal/Youth Department Head; and Mar’Kee Thomas, Healing Arts Department Head. The program notes the presence of expert instructors who foster creativity and describes a safe and supportive environment with a nurturing atmosphere. Families can use code SUMMER26 at checkout to receive $20 off enrollment, valid through 3/15/26.
Last updated January 27, 2026.
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