Women’s Only – Handbuilding with Clay

with Emily Malpass

April 17th to May 22nd, 2026

$25 More Info

Instructor: Emily Malpass

Location: The Makery, 317 E Roosevelt Ave, Wake Forest, NC 27587

When: Fridays 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Dates: Friday: 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22 MAKE UP: 5/29

Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older. This particular class is for military-connected women over 18 years or older.

Create a one-of-a-kind collection of handbuilt ceramic art pieces! Projects include sculptural and functional items--examples of items we’ll make include a mug with a handle, a textured wall pocket hanging decoration, origami-inspired trinket dishes, and an owl-shaped votive luminary (see photos). These projects incorporate all the fundamental skills of handbuilding with clay: roll slabs, securely join clay components, add textures, pinching, coil building, and painting colorful underglazes onto your own pieces!Works will be fired off-site after the class is finished and will be available for pickup from the Joel Fund offices after class is over. No experience is necessary; your instructor will meet you where you are and provide the support you need to enjoy the creative process--the studio is fully accessible, participants will be able to stand or sit as desired, and accommodations are always available for any specific needs. Working with this medium provides a unique opportunity for sensory engagement and creative development--come connect to yourself and other makers as you find your way with clay!

Please note, this class is for Women Only.

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org to receive the scholarship promo code with your name and email address.

A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.

Class has begun

Family Studio Sunday: Springtime Stamping!

with Kristianne Ripple

April 19th, 2026

Free More Info

Title: Family Studio Sunday: Springtime Stamping!

Instructor: Kristianne Ripple

When: 3:00-5:00 pm

Where: American Legion Post 187, 225 Holding Ave., Wake Forest, NC 27587

Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026

Be prepared to have fun and get messy. This workshop we will use food such as oranges, celery and potatoes to make unexpected shapes using colors we choose. You will take home lots of little pieces of art. This is the perfect event for the whole family to come and have fun.

Family Studio Sundays are free workshops for military-connected families with children - including National Gaurd and Reserve families - to create together and take home the craft on the same day. The project will take about 20-30 minutes to complete, so stop by anytime during the workshop, but please arrive by 4:30 pm. We will have coloring pages for children under 4 years old. Registration is preferred but not required.

Creative Movement Wellness Retreat

with Annelies Gentile

April 25th, 2026

$10 More Info

Instructor: Annelies Gentile

Where: American Legion Post 187, 225 Holding Ave., Wake Forest, NC 27587

When: Saturday, April 25, 2026 - 2PM - 4PM

Interplay Movement with Annelies is a creative community-building experience unlocking the wisdom of the body for wellness. Join us to play with forms such as movement, laughter, conversation, storytelling, song, and music as we cultivate shared joy and wellbeing. No experience needed, come as you are!

This in person workshop will be held 4/25/26 - in-person from 2PM - 4PM at The Joel Center in Rolesville.

Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.

A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. To receive the scholarship promo code, email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org with your name and military connection.

Virtual Rocking to the Beat: Creative Writing Inspired by Music and Sound!

with June Guralnick

May 28th to July 2nd, 2026

$25 More Info

Class Title: Virtual Rocking to the Beat: Creative Writing Inspired by Music and Sound!

Dates: Thurs: 5/28, 6/4, 6/11, 6/18, 6/25, 7/2, make up date 7/9

Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm EST

Location: Virtual via Zoom

Pre-req: none

Have you ever heard a song playing on the radio or perhaps an evocative sound outside your window and immediately felt a story come to mind? Then this class is for you! Using inspiring prompts related to sound to spark original stories and poems (non-fiction and fiction), this class is open to writers looking for a fresh springboard for their imagination as well as anyone new to writing who wants to explore a fun, creative avenue of self-expression! Many memorable works of literature have been inspired by music! Offering a safe, supportive online group environment, the class welcomes veterans, current active duty and reserve members of the armed forces as well as veteran caregivers and immediate adult military family members.

Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org to receive the scholarship promo code with your name and email address.

A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.

Virtual: Advanced Writing Master Class

with June Guralnick

May 29th to July 3rd, 2026

$25 More Info

Class Title: Virtual Advanced Writing Master Class

Dates: Fri: 5/29, 6/5, 6/12, 6/19, 6/26, 7/3 make up date 7/10

Time: 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. EST

Location: Virtual via Zoom

Pre-req: Participants must have previously completed at least two (2) creative writing TJF classes or have direct permission from the instructor to attend.

Open to authors of all forms and genres, this class will focus on deepening understanding of the craft and art of writing! Giving individualized feedback pertaining to each participant’s specific writing projects and goals, we’ll also cover critical aspects of the writing process including shaping ideas, scene structure, in-depth character development, stages of editing, and publication. Offering a safe, supportive online group environment, the class welcomes veterans, current active duty, and reserve members of the armed forces as well as veteran caregivers and immediate adult military family members. Participants must have previously completed at least two creative writing TJF classes or have direct permission from the instructor to attend.

Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org to receive the scholarship promo code with your name and email address.

A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.

Waiting list available

Paper & Book Making

with Kristianne Ripple

June 4th to July 16th, 2026

$25 More Info

Title: Paper & Book Making

When: Thurs 6-8 pm

6/4, 6/11, 6/18, 6/25, 7/9, 7/16. MAKE UP DATE: 7/30 (SKIP 7/2)

Where: The Joel Center, 115 W Young St, Rolesville, NC 27571, USA

Instructor: Kristianne Ripple

Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.

Make a book from pages to the cover! In this tactile, hands-on class, you will master the ancient craft of hand-casting paper from raw pulp to create a custom collection of unique sheets. After exploring various botanical inclusions, pigments, and textures to give your paper character, you will learn the fundamental techniques of bookbinding to transform your creations into a one-of-a-kind journal. By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with a hand-stitched volume that is entirely your own, from the individual fibers of the pages to the finished structural bind.

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org to receive the scholarship promo code with your name and email address.

A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.

Virtual Drawing I

with Reuben Mabry

June 9th to July 21st, 2026

$25 More Info

Class Title: Virtual Drawing I

Dates: Tuesday, 6/9, 6/16, 6/23, 6/30, 7/14, and 7/21 MAKE UP DATE: 7/28 (SKIP 7/7/26)

Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm EST

Location: Virtual via Zoom

Our drawing classes are focused on being able to introduce each member of our class to the fundamentals and formal qualities of drawing. We will be exploring and experimenting with various materials and techniques surrounding the practice of drawing. Our classes will consist of lectures, demonstrations and practical exercises. During our time together will have various projects from lit object still lifes, illustrations of various subjects, and a final project that you will research and create. Come join our class and let’s get drawing!

Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org to receive the scholarship promo code with your name and email address.

A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.

One-Day Dreamcatcher Workshop

with Jessica Streamo

June 13th, 2026

$10 More Info

Instructor: Jessica Streamo

Location: The Joel Center l 115 W Young St, Rolesville, NC

When: 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Dates: Saturday, June 13

Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.

Create your own original dream catcher using circle forms, cord, beads and feathers. Feel free to bring any old or broken jewelry that you would love to incorporate into your piece!

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org to receive the scholarship promo code with your name and email address.

A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.

One-Day Kintsugi: The Art of Golden Repair

with Annelies Gentile

June 27th, 2026

$10 More Info

Workshop Title: Kintsugi: The Art of Golden Repair

Date: Saturday, 6/27

Time: 1:00 pm-4:00 pm

Location: The Joel Center | 115 W Young St, Rolesville, NC

Instructor: Annelies Gentile

Join us as we explore the art of repair through an easy version of the 15th- Century practice of Kintsugi, meaning “to join with gold”. The essence of Kintsugi is about recognizing the beauty and strength in the broken parts made whole. Expect to break some pottery and glue it back together with epoxy and gold colored mica. The ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi can help us accept our losses, flaws, and hurts by embracing "broken as a beautiful" as an artistic practice.The precious art of fusing pieces back together signifies strength, confidence, and value of transforming our own breaks into valuable unique marks of beauty. Join us! Facilitated by Artist and Integrative Life and Leadership Coach, Annelies Gentile, MA, PCC of Conduit for Change.

Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org to receive the scholarship promo code with your name and email address.

A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.

Virtual Interplay: The Art of Creative Movement for Wellbeing

with Annelies Gentile

July 1st to 15th, 2026

$25 More Info

Class Title: Virtual Interplay: The Art of Creative Movement for Wellbeing

Dates: Wednesday, 7/1, 7/8, and 7/15 MAKE UP DATE: 7/22

Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Location: Virtual via Zoom

Pre-req: none

Instructor: Annelies Gentile

Join us as we explore the art of creative self-expression using the interplay of movement, laughter, gesture, storytelling, dance, and noticing. The goal of this interactive experience is to unlock the wisdom of your body in a naturally creative way that’s freeing, fun and inspiring! We are all creative and sometimes we forget this. We all need little reminders to get out of our heads and play! Join us! Facilitated by Artist and Integrative Life and Leadership Coach, Annelies Gentile, MA, PCC of Conduit for Change.

Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org to receive the scholarship promo code with your name and email address.

A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.