Intro to Crochet with Gaby Mann
2026-04-11 13:00 - 15:30 (America/Halifax)
Workshop Details:
Dates: April 11 & 25
Time: 1pm-3:30pm both dates
Location: River Art Centre, 8746 Main St, Florenceville-Bristol
Cost: $65 *includes a $15 certificate to Close Knit Friends Yarn Shop to purchase a hook and yarn of your choice!*
*you need a size 6mm crochet hook, and 1 skein (approx 200m) worsted weight wool. You can stop by Close Knit Friends Yarn shop in Upper Kent, OR they will be attending the Fiddlehead Fibre Festival in Florenceville-Bristol on April 10 & 11
Register Now!
info@mccainartgallery.com
(506) 392-6769
In this class, you will learn the most common crochet stitches and use them to make a warm cozy cowl. The class is two sessions. In the first, you will learn the stitches on a practice piece (mug rug) you can take home. You’ll also start your cowl, and be ready to work on (or finish crocheting) it at home. In the second, we’ll refine your technique, solve problems, and show you how to sew the edges of your finished cowl together.
The cowl pattern used in this course is the Chi-Town Cowl by Kathy Kelly.
Chi-Town Crochet Cowl by Kathy KellyAbout the instructor:
Ask Gaby when she learned to crochet, sew, and knit, and she’ll tell you she can’t remember. Her sisters will attest that it started with the trolls. Remember trolls? Along with crayon nail polish and sharpie eyeliner, theirs “acquired” felt clothing (basic pattern design, handsewn seams, closures and decorations). Predictably, the dolls complained; that led to machine sewing, crochet, and knitting. In the following years, her parents went to great lengths to keep her and her sisters trying new things, many decidedly riskier than crocheting! Late, Gaby maintained her university grade average by compulsive note-taking and her sanity by knitting. Fellow residents noticed, and so began her “teaching” career.
There are no refunds on cancellations within 7 days of the workshop

Relief Carving with Megan Billings
2026-04-18 13:00 - 16:00 | River Art Centre, 8746 Main St., Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick
Space
Join local potter Megan Billings for an afternoon of relief carving on clay tiles!
In this workshop, you will be carving on a 6″ x 6″ clay tile with instruction from Megan. After you’re finished carving an image into your tile, you will choose a finish for your tile which will be fired later my Megan.
You are encouraged to bring your own 6″ x 6″ reference image!
What is relief clay carving?
Relief clay carving is a sculptural technique used to carve away the background or add layers on top of a flat surface to create a 3D design. Typically, you use leather-hard clay – meaning not bone dry, but not floppy wet – to carve shapes and shadows to get your desired outcome.
Workshop Details:
Date: Saturday, April 18 from 1pm-4pm
Location: River Art Centre, Downstairs. (8746 Main St, Florenceville-Bristol)
Cost: $40 per person
No refunds on cancellations within one week of workshop
Meet Megan!
Megan has been enamored with clay for over 25 years. She discovered a passion for clay carving during a sculpture class with Peter Thomas at the New Brunswick College of Craft & Design. Megan uses her carved designs with several categories of her creations.

2 Hour Intro to Wheel Class With Jenna Ross
2026-04-26
Learn the basics of “throwing” pottery on the wheel in this 2 hour session. Come ready to be messy, have fun, embrace imperfection, and enjoy the challenge of taming a spinning blob of clay! This one-time session is perfect for absolute beginners or those who have tried it in the past and want a refresher.
For participants who would like to keep their creation: this class includes one finished piece per student (which will be fired & receive a clear glaze coat + second firing, for pickup at a later date). Students can choose to keep additional pieces for a cost of $10/piece.
Course Details:

Sunday April 26, 10am-12pm
Sunday April 26, 1pm-3pm

Location: River Arts Centre,8746 Main St, Florenceville-Bristol
To Register: info@mccainartgallery.com or 506-392-6769
NO REFUNDS ON CANCELLATIONS WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF WORKSHOP!!!
LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE!!!

Clay Animal Planter workshop with Jenna Ross
2026-05-03
Celebrate Spring by making your own functional clay animal planter!
Pottery and plants are a match made in heaven.
In this 3 hour session you will be led through the steps of this basic project using pinch technique to form the pot and then adding sculptural elements to create a fun little creature. Once the pot is formed, we will decorate with coloured underglazes.
After the workshop the planters will all be fired, clear glazed, fired again, and returned to students to pickup at a later date.
In the end, you will have a fully functional (with drainage!) stoneware ceramic planter to home your favourite houseplant.
Open to all levels, no experience necessary, just a willingness to have fun, let go, and get muddy!
Meet Jenna!

“Hi, I’m Jenna and I have a deep love of clay! As it turns out, I love getting my hands dirty. The walls of my home are even (unintentionally) covered in clay. I continue to be amazed at all the wonderful things this wonderful material can do. I’ve been drawn to the magical art of clay shape-shifting on the wheel from a blob to a form since I first watched a potter as a kid.”
Workshop Details:
Date: Sunday, May 3 2026
Time: 9am-12pm OR 2pm-5pm
Location: River Art Centre, 8746 Main St, Florenceville-Bristol
Cost: $40
*No refunds on cancellations within one week
Register online now!

Self-Portrait Workshop with Stephen Hutchings
2026-05-23 - 2026-05-24
Self-Portrait Drawing Workshop
with Stephen Hutchings
Join local artist Stephen Hutchings for a one and a half day Self-Portrait Drawing Workshop with guaranteed likeness!
Date: Saturday, May 23 from 10AM-12PM, and Sunday, May 24 from 10AM-4PM
Location: River Art Centre, 8746 Main St, Florenceville-Bristol
Cost: $55 early bird! $65 if after April 30, 2026
One of the greatest challenges in drawing is achieving a realistic, life-size self portrait using graphite pencils. In this one and a half day workshop, you will get that opportunity! You will use drawing paper with the features of your own face already lightly indicated on it. This establishes the overall positions of your facial features, thereby ensuring a more realistic result. Using a mirror and photograph of your face as a reference, you will draw your facial features and tones to complete your drawing.
Saturday morning, Stephen will photograph you, which will be your reference. You will study examples of eyes, mouths, and noses from photographs and your own face. Your photograph will be processes Saturday afternoon so that when you arrive Sunday morning, you will have a 12″ x 18″ sheet of drawing paper on which your features will be lightly indicated. You will finish your portrait through Sunday’s session, and throughout the day there will be demonstrations of material and technique, as well as plenty of one-on-one opportunity with Stephen.
Materials provided: Drawing paper; a photograph of your face for reference; graphite pencils; small hand held mirror.
*Bring a lunch on Sunday! There is a microwave in the building.

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Self-Portrait Workshop with Stephen Hutchings

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Raku Firing 2026
2026-06-13 09:00 - 17:00
Meet Tim!
“I’m originally from Brandon, Manitoba. I found my passion for clay about 35 years ago in Winnipeg, where I took a class with some inspiring young professional potters. My love for clay deepened in Waterloo, Ontario. I became a member of the local Potters’ Co-op while also finishing a degree at the University of Waterloo.”
Meet Jenna!
“Hi, I’m Jenna and I have a deep love of clay! As it turns out, I love getting my hands dirty. The walls of my home are even (unintentionally) covered in clay. I continue to be amazed at all the things this wonderful material can do. I’ve been drawn to the magical art of clay shape-shifting on the wheel from a blob to a form since I first watched a potter as a kid.”
Join artists Tim Isaac and Jenna Ross for a hands-on Raku workshop that brings fire, clay, and creativity together in an unforgettable outdoor experience. Whether you are a seasoned potter or new to ceramics, this is your chance to take part in the magic of Raku firing from pulling red-hot pots from the kiln to watching dramatic finishes emerge in real time!
Date: Saturday, June 13 from 9am-5pm
Fee: $60 per person
Location: Jenna’s house in Knowlesville (Address will be emailed to participants only for privacy reasons)
To register: Call (506) 392-6769 or email info@mccainartgallery.com
All pots must be bisque-fired prior to the workshop. Participants are encouraged to attend either a Make-it Day, or clay drop-in until April 30th. *Drop-in pricing applies.
What on Earth is Raku?
Raku is an exciting pottery technique involving red-hot pots and combustable materials which can create dramatic effects. Raku dates back to 16th century Japan, although “Western-style raku” has put its own variations on the technique. Raku firing is known for its unpredictability, and each piece is one-of-a-kind! Raku firing is one of the most natural pottery techniques, embracing imperfection and employing all of nature’s elements: Earth, fire, air, and water.
The word Raku translated to English means: ‘happiness in the accident’, pleasure, enjoyment, and delight!

Drawing Trees with Stephen Hutchings - Workshop
2026-07-23 10:00 - 14:00
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Drawing Trees with Stephen Hutchings – Workshop

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Join Stephen for an outdoors for a relaxed, hands-on Tree Drawing workshop, where participants will explore the natural forms, textures, and structure of trees through observational drawing.
Through the workshop, Stephen will guide you through techniques for seeing and simplifying complex natural shapes, capturing bark texture, branch movement, and overall composition. This workshop is suitable for beginners and more experienced artists alike, with an emphasis on slowing down, observing closely, and developing confidence in drawing from life.
Working directly in nature, you’ll have time to sketch, experiment, and develop your own interpretation of the surrounding landscape.
Participants need to bring:
-A sketchbook
-A graphite pencil
-An eraser
Optional:
Charcoal and/or Conte
Date: Thursday, July 23
Time: 10AM-2PM
Location: Beechwood Community Park, at the gate.
Cost: $45
Register by clicking the poster, or by contacting: (506) 392-6769 | info@mccainartgallery.com
Past workshop feedback with Stephen!
Portraits with Stephen: “Stephen is Fabulous!”
Drawing with Stephen: “I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, and learned a lot from every intervention”
Drawing with Stephen: “Very funny instructor”

Clay Drop-in
2026-09-03 18:00 - 20:00
Whether you’ve got a current project or are a brand-newbie wanting to explore clay, join instructor Jenna Ross & other friendly clay-lovers for a casual evening of creativity at the River Art Centre & Studios.

No registration required. Basic instruction is provided to get you started. ….Bring your ideas, gusto, project dreams & we’ll see what happens!

Fee to attend each Drop-in is $5 per person. The first (bisque) firing of any pot you decide to keep costs $10 each piece. Then Glazing costs an additional $10 each piece.

Children aged 7-14 welcome to participate if accompanied by an adult. No experience necessary, just an openness to try! See you there!
For more information contact the Gallery. info@mccainartgallery.com 506-392-6769

Drop-in Days:
VETERANs meet almost every last Thursday of the month from 6-8pm at River Art Centre, 8746 Main St, Florenceville-Bristol

BEGINNERs meet almost every first Thursday of the month from 6-8pm at River Art Centre, 8746 Main St, Florenceville-Bristol

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So you want to get more practice using the wheels
at the River Art Centre…

WHO: The four wheels will be available to use for those who have completed the six week wheel course and have demonstrated an understanding of wheel care and clay management. (You!)

WHAT: You will have access to a wheel and materials during drop-in from 6 to 8. Kindly be prepared for this time to be entirely self-directed (my main focus has to be the drop-in hand-builders). I’ll help point you to clay and the proper reclaim spot when you start. During the evening I’ll gladly answer questions or help troubleshoot but only when/if I have downtime.
(As this setup evolves, we might introduce a system of each potter having their own clay to keep separate and manage on their own, but for now will use the common supply)

WHEN: At any of our monthly dropin sessions (both veteran or beginner, doesn’t matter). See my website or social media pages for upcoming dates. These always land on a Thursday, from 6 to 8 pm.

COST:
-The wheel rental is $20 per session, per person.
-The firing costs remains the same as dropin: $10 per piece per firing ($10 bisque, $10 glaze).

HOW: if you plan to come use a wheel please contact me by the Wednesday night before in order to guarantee a spot. If you don’t book in advance but show up and a wheel is free, you’re welcome to it (but of course this isn’t guaranteed)

2026 Clay Drop-in dates:
Newbies:
September 3, October 8, November 5, and December 3.
Intermediate:
September 24, October 29, November 26, and December 17.
BONUS DROP-IN:
Sunday, September 6, 1pm-3pm

Life, Love & Care: A painting Landscape
2026-09-05 - 2026-11-05
Jennifer Pazienza
Blooms & Burdens, 2023
The artist will be in attendance at the Opening, on September 10 2026, 5-7 pm, Introductions at 5:30
Jennifer will do an Artist talk and a Beginner Oil Painting Workshop later this year or early next year.
(To be added to a list of interested participants let the Gallery staff know)
In Life, Love & Care: A Painting Landscape, Jennifer Pazienza treats us to carefully selected contemplative and liberating paintings made since her work first appeared in the gallery 14 years ago. From her Keswick Ridge, New Brunswick studio hers is an embodied and responsive practice attuned to seasonal change and situated at the frontier of internal and external landscapes. These liminal spaces where past and present realities meet and mingle ground her practice. She ritually begins her signature approach to oil painting by welcoming the poetic challenges trusting the exploratory process endless possibilities an open and limited palette invites. With deceptively simple rules of colour mixing and paint handling, from some blues, reds, yellows and titanium white, Jennifer creates complex surfaces. Transparent, windy washes convey her love of the materiality of paint; graphic mark making identifies her hand and layered shadows tint the transient nature of time. The works presented here are infused with a sensitivity that is neither decorative nor didactic. Instead, Jennifer Pazienza conveys her careful inquiry into how energy, attention, and touch can shape material processes and viewer experience to reignite intimacy and wonder within the contemporary landscape genre.
Artist Statement
Life, Love & Care: A Painting Landscape Mine is an embodied and responsive art practice marked by an old-fashioned love affair with oil paint. Rooted in childhood, it is framed by poetic encounters with other-than-human nature. It is the ground from which my faith in the regenerative healing power of creating landscape imagery for myself and viewers is reaffirmed. In my Sicilian immigrant mother’s, New Jersey backyard garden, I would sit beneath the canopied shelter of a white peach tree. Memories of their branches heavily ladened with ripe fruit straining and rising up against the confines of a garage and potting shed shaped my earliest and most cherished art-making experiences. The perfume of softly blushed-violet wisteria and rambling roses twining the fenced perimeter, mingling with scented green and umber basil and oregano surrounded me. Along with earthy, sun-absorbed cadmium-red tomatoes reflected in the gloss of plump, dusky indigo eggplant, these unwitting sensory-rich lessons in colour and form taught me about physical, emotional and spiritual abundance and scarcity. That landscape was my place for daydreaming, refuge and renewal. It was the counter posture to the careless mishandling of adults stemming from systemic postWWII domestic violence. It is the painting landscape I carry within me to this day. A landscape I have sought to recreate in diverse geographies including Pennsylvania, Texas, Sicily and for the last 33 years, from the sanctuary of my studio on Keswick Ridge in New Brunswick. Through tall windows or en plein air, looking to the Wələstəq, the beautiful and bountiful Saint John River valley and the wild worlds just outside the doors, in moment-to-moment awareness memories twig and mix. The invitation to poetic dwelling in concert with the gift of human agency presences call me to presence. Whether the drape of a branch, the fading face of a flower, the mystical materiality of galvanized steel set against vast skies I paint to understand life, love and care. Thank you, Jennifer Pazienza
CV
Award-winning painter, Jennifer Pazienza was born into an Italian-American New Jersey family. She began making art in the sanctuary of her mother’s garden. The last 30+ years have seen her painting from her Keswick Ridge, NB studio. Retired University of New Brunswick art education professor, published art writer, curator and advocate, Pazienza holds a Bachelor’s degree from William Paterson University, New Jersey (1976). Her MEd (1985) and PhD from the Pennsylvania State University (1989). With over 40+ solo and group shows to her credit in Canada, the US and Italy, Jennifer, was one of nine Canadian artists chosen by Curator Francesca Valente for the juried 2023, Luciano Benetton Imago Mundi permanent exhibition, Art Theorema #3, of which there were 200 works by 170 international artists. Her paintings reside in permanent and private collections in Canada, the US and Europe including, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, Fredericton, NB, McCain Corporation, Florenceville, NB, White Plains Hospital, White Plains, NY, Gallerie delle Prigioni, Treviso, IT and Misterbianco, Sicily, IT. Jennifer Pazienza is represented by Gallery 78, Fredericton, NB; Galerie 12, Moncton, NB and Alex Ferro Gallery, Long Island, NY. Delivering Beautiful Dreamer: Landscape & Memory, a critical reflection on her landscape-based practice, at the closing plenary session of Art & Psyche in Sicily the land of her maternal heritage, is a career highlight.

Painting with Fire - A Life In Clay
2026-09-05 - 2026-11-05
Judy Blake
The artist will be in attendance at the Opening, 10 September 2026, 5-7 pm
Judy Blake will give an artist talk on Friday September 11, 4-5 pm, at the Gallery
Everyone welcome
Judy Blake has pursued a quiet conversation with clay, smoke and fire. This exhibition brings together work from across several decades, revealing an enduring exploration of form, surface and the transformative power of flame. Working with unglazed earthenware, Blake embraces atmospheric firing techniques—including saggar-firing, sawdust-firing and naked raku that allow smoke and fire to become active participants in the creative process. Flames leave their traces, smoke drifts across burnished surfaces and chance becomes an essential collaborator. No two pieces are alike; each bears the unique imprint of its journey through fire.
Inspired by the beauty of the natural world, Blake’s vessels and sculptural forms richly marked surfaces invite moments of stillness and contemplation, speaking of resilience, mystery and the enduring beauty found in simplicity.
Painting with Fire – A Life in Clay celebrates a lifetime devoted to ceramics, where earth, smoke and flame come together to create objects that are both timeless and deeply personal. This exhibition is a testament to an artist’s life of looking closely, working patiently and discovering beauty in the unpredictable gifts of fire.
Biography
Judy Blake has been working with clay since the mid 1970’s. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is included in many private and public collections such as Canada House, London, UK as well as CollectionsNB and the NB Museum. Judy taught for several years in the Ceramics department at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design where she had the opportunity to influence many students during that time. She has received many grants and awards and has had numerous solo exhibitions. In 2025, she was awarded the prestigious Strathbutler Award for Excellence as well as for her contribution to the Arts. Judy experiments extensively with burnished, unglazed surface treatments using alternative firing methods such as sawdust-firing, naked raku and saggar-firing and is one of a small number of Canadians using these techniques. Judy Blake maintains a studio practice in Lincoln, New Brunswick.

Raku Make-it-Day with Jenna Ross
2026-09-27 12:00 - 16:00
Raku Make-It-Day with Jenna Ross

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6 Week Handbuilding with Jenna Ross
2026-09-29
6 Week Handbuilding with Jenna Ross 2-5pm

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6 Week Handbuilding with Jenna Ross 6-9pm

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6 Week Wheel Course with Jenna Ross
2026-09-30
6 Week Intro to Wheel with Jenna Ross 2-5pm

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6 Week Intro to Wheel with Jenna Ross 6-9pm

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Art Appreciation with Celia Gallardo
2026-10-01 18:00 - 19:00
Art Appreciation with Celia Gallardo

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