Summer Arts at Alfred

Create art this summer

Alfred University Summer Arts Workshops and Pre-College Programs offer hands-on experiences that spark creativity and prepare students for college-level study. High school students can explore their passions, build portfolios, and experience campus life, while artists of all levels expand their practice and reconnect with the joy of discovery and making. From kiln firings to quiet drawing studios, digital innovation to movement in the Maine landscape, these programs offer time, space, and mentorship to grow. Explore this summer’s workshops and pre-college opportunities—and register early to secure your spot.

Workshops and Residencies

A photo of a plastic bowl being 3D printed

3D Printing: From Plastic to Clay

Bridge digital design and traditional craft in this two-week exploration of computer-aided clay working. Participants will learn to model in Rhinoceros and Blender 3D, 3D-scan clay maquettes, and fabricate through both printing and casting.

Body, Landscape & the Creative Process

Rediscover creativity through movement and nature in this immersive residency-workshop set on the coast of Maine. Each morning begins with guided somatic movement practice to connect body and mind.

A photo of a professor teaching a ceramics program

Ceramic Open Studio Intensive

Join the Alfred Summer Ceramics four-week Open Studio Intensive, a self-directed opportunity designed for experienced ceramic artists ready to deepen their practice.

Ceramic Science for the Artist: Cone 6

Demystify glaze chemistry in this five-day intensive that blends science with studio experimentation. Participants will mix and test daily glaze batches, learning to understand the relationships between materials, temperature, and color response.

A photo of a woman putting ceramics into a kiln

Ceramic Wood Firing Intensive

Explore the elemental beauty of wood firing in this two-week intensive led by master potter Jack Troy. Participants will fire in two distinct wood kilns, learning through hands-on practice, demonstrations, and discussions of firing history and aesthetics.

Experimental Print Residency

This intensive residency invites artists to experiment across print, digital, and time-based media to expand their visual language.

A photo of a professor pinching clay into a pot

Hand Turned Ceramics: Pinch Pots

Discover the meditative rhythm of hand-building in this workshop devoted to advanced pinch-forming techniques.

A photo of a student pouring plaster into a mold

Plaster (r)evolution

Unlock the creative potential of plaster in this hands-on exploration of mold making and form development.

Portrait Drawing

Discover the expressive power of portraiture in this intensive week of drawing from life.

A photo of a person looking out at the coastline of Maine

Seeing Light: Manual Photography Intensive in Coastal Maine

Immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes of coastal Maine during this hands-on photography intensive.

Düsseldorf Summer Artist Residency

This intimately scaled artist residency will take place for three weeks at our spacious graduate painting studio facility in Düsseldorf, Germany. Emerging and mid-career artists working in the field of Painting are welcome to apply. Applications are by invitation until February 1.