NPS/Rob Strong Sculpture workshops allow anyone to continue a tradition of creativity and learn from the park's sculptor-in-residence.Registration is required and includes all materials and supplies. Space is limited to 10 students for each workshop. Students must be at least 14 years old. Registration for 2026 Sculpture Workshops is managed by the Saint-Gaudens Memorial and will open soon.2026 WorkshopsBotanical Clay Relief Sculpting Saturday, June 27, 12:30pm – 4:30pm Sunday, June 28, 12:30pm – 4:30pm Taking the gardens of Saint-Gaudens NHP as inspiration, we will start with a walk in the park to gather inspiration photos of plants and flowers. In this workshop you will learn techniques to sculpt flowers and plants and how to create a layered botanical scene in clay. Students will learn how to create textures and represent depth in the sculptural form of a relief panel. All levels are welcome! There will be individual attention to each student's project and needs within a supportive class environment. Sculpt a “Lovers Eye” Saturday. July 11, 12:30pm – 4:30pm Lover’s eye jewelry was popular in the late 1700s and early 1800s when stylish aristocrats often wore portraits depicting their spouse or lover. Because only the eye was visible, the subject’s identity could be kept secret. The portraits were often fashioned as brooches, rings, pendants, and lockets. In this workshop we will sculpt the eye of a loved one - friend, family, or yourself from photographs and create a decorative clay framing around it. Through demonstration and an anatomy lesson, students will gain an understanding of the structure of an eye and how to sculpt it. Saturday. July 11, 12:30pm – 4:30pm Profile Portrait Bas Relief Medallion Saturday, July 25, 12:30pm – 4:30pm Sunday, July 26, 9:30am – 2pm Create a cameo-style profile portrait of a loved one, friend, or yourself in clay! Students will choose their own subject and bring photographs to work from (instructor will provide guidance on photo angles and lighting ahead of the workshop). Sculpting in clay, you’ll learn to create a likeness of a face, gain an understanding of facial anatomy, and techniques of figure modeling within the structure of bas relief. We will cover how best to use photos for reference and how to analyze them to understand the forms you are sculpting. All levels are welcome. There will be individual attention to each student's project and needs within a supportive class environment. Four-Day Portrait Sculpture Workshop Thursday, August 6, 12:30pm – 4:30pm Friday, August 7, 12:30pm – 4:30pm Saturday, August 8, 12:30pm – 4:30pm Sunday, August 9, 9:30am – 2pm In this four-day workshop you will learn traditional techniques to create a life-size clay portrait working from a live model. We will focus on capturing a likeness, understanding the anatomy of the face, details of the features, and proportions. This workshop is for all levels with individual attention given to each student's project and needs within a supportive class environment. Sculpting a Gestural Hand Saturday, September 19, 12:30pm – 4:30pm Hands are complex structures that convey emotion and gesture. In this workshop you will sculpt in clay, using your own hand as reference. We will focus on the anatomy and the gestural qualities of this very important feature. Understanding the forms of the hand is essential to a successful figure sculpture and also for 2D artists to represent them in a life-like manner in painting and drawing. This class is for all levels of experience, whether you are a complete beginner or want to build your skills with focused attention to details. Individual guidance will be given to each student within a supportive environment. 
NPS/Rob Strong |
Last updated: April 13, 2026