A variety of arts-focused workshops and pre-college programs are being offered during Summer Arts at Alfred, which welcomes artists and art educators to the Alfred University campus and beyond as part of Summer at Alfred 2026. One highlight of Summer Arts program is a pair of workshops set against the stunning seascape of coastal Maine.
In the June 1-5 workshop, “Body, Landscape, and the Creative Process in Coastal Maine,” taught by Colleen Wahl, associate professor of dance in Alfred University’s Performing Arts Division, participants will experience an immersive residency-workshop set on the coast of Maine.
Each morning begins with guided somatic movement practice to connect body and mind. Afternoons invite reflection and creative work — writing, drawing, dancing, or painting — inspired by excursions into the region’s breathtaking landscape. “Through embodied awareness, participants will unlock new insights in their creative process and return home with fresh inspiration and renewed energy,” according to the program description.
Wahl is a somatic movement educator, author, and dance artist. She directs Integrated Movement Studies, a graduate certificate program in Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies. Author of “Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies: Contemporary Applications,” she integrates movement, nature, and reflective practice to guide others in creative renewal and embodied exploration.
Carole Volpe, director of communications for the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, will instruct a workshop, “Seeing Light: Manual Photography Intensive in Coastal Maine,” Aug. 3-7.
Participants will immerse themselves in the stunning landscapes of coastal Maine during this hands-on photography intensive.
Designed for photographers eager to take full creative control of their cameras, this workshop explores the art of shooting in manual mode — mastering shutter speed, aperture, and ISO to capture the perfect exposure. According to the program description, “Daily excursions along the coast offer endless inspiration, while guided lessons help participants refine their eye for light, composition, and storytelling through imagery.”
Volpe is a Rochester, NY-based portrait, lifestyle, and sports photographer whose work celebrates authentic connection and adventure. The owner of a studio in Avon, NY, Volpe brings decades of experience behind the lens. Her curiosity and love of exploration infuse her photography with warmth and vitality.
Alfred Summer Arts 2026 features Summer Arts workshops in a variety of media designed for participants of all levels—including artists, educators, high school students, visiting professionals, and community members—as well as a number of pre-college art programs. Spend a day, a week, or an entire month immersed in hands-on experiences in our renowned studios and facilities working with our amazing faculty.
Specialized workshops—open to anyone over the age of 18—provide a unique opportunity to explore the landscape-inspired art. A three-week artist residency will be offered in studio facilities at Alfred University’s M.F.A. painting program in Düsseldorf, Germany. This program is open to artists with BFA/MFA degrees; and professional, emerging, and mid-career artists. Emerging and mid-career artists working in the field of painting are welcome to apply.
A 25-percent discount is offered to local residents participating in Summer Arts 2026 workshops. Other discounts available: 50 percent for K-12 teachers; 25 percent for Alfred University alumni; for Alfred University faculty/staff, 25 percent for one week of programming and 50 percent for two weeks of programming.
In addition to the Summer Arts programs, Summer at Alfred also offers a number of pre-college programs, sports clinics, and engineering short courses.
Pre-College Programs provide students the opportunity to engage in a host of immersive learning experiences. Alfred University offers more than 25 pre-college programs and sports clinics, a variety that ensures that there is something of interest for every high school student. These programs provide unique opportunities for students to explore their passions and gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art facilities with our faculty and coaches.
Alfred University offers a $100 discount off tuition for Summer at Alfred programs for students whose primary residence is within a 50-mile radius of Alfred, NY. The discount also applies to children of Alfred University alumni and returning students from any Pre-College Program at Alfred University.
For information on Summer Arts programs, please contact Faith Houy, administrative manager/coordinator of operations to the dean of School of Art & Design/Performing Arts Division, at [email protected]. For more details and information on Pre-College Programs, please contact Isaac Matson, Pre-College Programs coordinator, at [email protected].
