Andrew and Laura McCain Art Gallery

Children's Professional Learning Day Art Class
2025-12-12 07:45 - 17:30 (America/Halifax) | River Art Centre, 8746 Main St., Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick

Encaustic Painting Workshop
2026-03-07
Encaustic Painting Workshop
Get ready to dive into the world of creativity by learning all about Encaustic painting with Elspeth Hagan!
Workshop Details:
MARCH 7, 2026
FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH:
9AM-12PM, $40
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FOR ADULTS:
1PM-4PM, $60
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AT THE RIVER ART CENTRE, DOWNSTAIRS
8746 MAIN ST, FLORENCEVILLE-BRISTOL
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Register now!
(506) 392-6769
info@mccainartgallery.com
What you will learn:
You will create two images on wood (one framed) using only wax, or if you choose, wax combined with other elements like paper, beads, or pictures. You are welcome to bring their own elements or work with the supplied materials.
*Special care has been taken to adapt the process to ensure a fully non-toxic experience. Heated wax and heat guns will be used with supervision.
But what on Earth is encaustic?
Encaustic “painting” is an ancient artform that uses heated beeswax combined with pigments to create distinctive images. Encaustic uses layered wax, scraped and carved to create beautiful patterns and scenes, and may incorporate other materials like coloured paper, pictures, beads, fibres, or similar mixed media. Oil paints may be used to highlight certain lines. The beauty of encaustic art lies in the distinctive texture, as well as the unpredictable and organic pictures emerging from the wax.
Special care has been taken to adapt the process to ensure a fully non-toxic experience. Heated was and heat guns will be used with supervision.
About your instructor:
Elspeth Hagan taught for almost a decade (part time) in the Studio program (ages 6-14) of the Royal Ontario Museum, as well as developing and delivering art-based museum programming to adults and children. Elspeth developed museum programming – including for seniors and differently abled adults – at the British Museum in London. Elspeth currently leads the River Valley 4-H Arts & Crafts program in Florenceville.
Elspeth has always admired the history and beauty of encaustic painting and has researched and taught this technique to children and adults.
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Introduction to Linocut Printmaking
2026-03-14
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Join local artist Mahala McIntosh for a two-part immersive and hands-on linocut workshop – perfect for beginners and those with experience alike!
Part I: In this workshop, you will learn how to carve, ink, and print your own linocut.
Part II: Building off the skills learned in part I, you will learn about reduction printing and create a 2 colour reduction print.
*You are also welcome to participate in part II if you have taken linocut workshops previously.
Both classes are suited for ages 12+, with those 12-14 accompanied by an adult.
The linocuts will be 4.5″ by 6″ each class. You are welcome to bring your own image to use, and there will be images provided.
Dates: Part I: March 14, 1pm-4pm | Part II: March 21, 9:30am-3pm
Cost: Part I: $30 | Part II: $45 | OR $60 for both
Location: The River Art Centre, Downstairs : 8746 Main St, Florenceville-Bristol
If you have any questions, or wish to register:
(506) 392-6769 or info@mccainartgallery.com
What on Earth is Linocut Printmaking?
Linocut is a technique of relief printing, where you carve a design into a sheet of linoleum using sharp tools commonly called gouges. Once your design is carved, you then ink the linoleum using a roller, and put it ink-side down on the paper or fabric you wish to have the linocut on, and transfer the ink either by pressing with your hand very firmly, or with a press. This technique creates a bold, high-contrast image.
With this technique, the artist carves away the pieces they want to remain the colour of the paper (or fabric). *In reduction printing, after your first ink has transferred nicely, you then carve more away from the same linocut, which allows for multi-coloured linocut prints.
It should be noted that whatever you carve will be mirrored in the transfer.
Linocut is great for allowing bold styles, and is easier to carve than wood making it an excellent entry point for beginners.

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!!!

Open Studio Art Camp - Pop-up Show!
2026-08-08 15:00 - 15:45 | River Art Centre, 8746 Main St., Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick

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
