The Workhouse Arts Center is a vibrant 55-acre arts campus housed in a former historic prison. We offer art classes, exhibitions, and artist studio spaces for 70+ working artists, as well as professional theater and music performances, historic tours, and seasonal family-friendly experiences. We strive to harness the power of the arts to engage, heal, and inspire communities through creativity, cultural enrichment, historic preservation, and positive social impact.

2026 commemorates the 25th anniversary of the closure of the Washington DC Corrections Office’s Lorton Correctional Complex (1910-2001). The Workhouse Arts Center is located on 55 acres of the former 3,500-acre prison and is home to the Lorton Prison Museum, dedicated to sharing the 91-years of this former Washington DC prison’s history, including events of the women’s suffrage movement.

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Join HCCC Curator + Exhibitions Director Sarah Darro for a tour of the new exhibition, Clutch City Craft, offering behind-the-scenes insight into the makers, materials, and stories shaping Houston’s vernacular—from the infrastructures beneath our feet to the technologies that carry us beyond Earth.

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Kick off Go Texan Day and rodeo season at the opening reception of Clutch City Craft, an exhibition surveying the makers and material traditions that have shaped Houston.

Come with your finest Houston western wear—boots, buckles, hats, grillz, and low riders are encouraged!—for a chance to take home prizes.

Opening reception from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, with western wear judging beginning at 7:00 PM. The evening will also feature open studios by the newest resident artists.

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Explore the beauty of botanical color in this natural dyeing workshop.

Using common and sustainable materials—dandelion flowers, black walnut hulls, and onion skins—you’ll learn how to extract earthy hues and apply them to natural fibers. Participants will gain hands-on experience with dye preparation, fabric mordanting, and simple dyeing techniques.

All materials are provided, and you’ll leave with your own naturally dyed scarf and the knowledge to continue experimenting at home.

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Join us for open beading, where our instructor will guide you through whatever you want to create, from simple repairs to complex bead stitching.

In this class, you will learn about secure finishing methods and the supplies needed to complete them. Go home with at least one finished piece, such as a necklace, bracelet, earrings, or keychain.

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Discover the timeless art of pine needle basket making in this hands-on beginner class. Participants will learn the fundamentals of coiling techniques, how to prepare and work with natural pine needles, how to start with a ceramic base, and how to incorporate simple embellishments.

No prior experience is necessary. By the end of the session, you’ll leave with a small, handcrafted basket and the skills to continue this relaxing and rewarding craft at home. All materials are provided.

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The human body is essential to craft. This genre of art is rooted in physical labor, tactile knowledge, and material intimacy, and the resulting pieces are often intended to protect our bodies or to assist in nourishing them.

Building on that foundation, this exhibition presents works made of wood, ceramics, glass, textiles, and sweetgrass, and foregrounds their bodily resonance in terms of method of making as well as subject matter.

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The museum celebrates 250 years of American Craft by honoring and uplifting the artistic contributions made by United States veterans.

Featured in this exhibition are two local veteran artists Jim Covarrubias and David Murrieta.

Covarrubias, a Vietnam War Army veteran, has built a prolific career as an artist and storyteller.

Murrieta, a Marine Corps Reserve veteran of Operation Desert Storm, is known for his Arizona murals and work as an educator.

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First Peoples Project: Art of the Native South is an exhibition and event series highlighting craft traditions that through intergenerational transmission have been a part of some Native Americans’ cultural identity, way of life, resilience and survival for more than 12,000 years.
It is in this context that we recognize how the historically important contributions of Native Americans in the field of craft inform modern practice through an exhibition, Indian Craft Market and event series.

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Join Kristi Bissell for a crash course in incorporating tempting caramelized flavor into two classic Swedish baked goods.

In this virtual class, Kristi will demo a caramelized-almond-topped Tosca Cake and a delicious but straightforward caramel cookie, both approachable ways to incorporate caramel into baked goods at home. $25 ($20 ASI member)

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Beets may be a divisive ingredient, but beet lovers know they can provide great color, flavor, and nutrition in a range of recipes, and they become especially valuable in the colder months.

Join Kristi Bissell as she demonstrates a trio of Nordic-inspired recipes from her blog, True North Kitchen, featuring both golden and red beets in both classic and surprising dishes. $25 ($20 ASI member).

The class will be recorded and made available to all registrants for one month after the class date.

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Join Nichole Accettola, author of Scandinavian from Scratch: A Love Letter to the Baking of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, in a virtual class exploring two different celebratory buns traditionally eaten on Fat Tuesday: Denmark’s fastelavnsboller and Sweden’s semlor.

Nichole will discuss and demonstrate her approaches to two different doughs, fillings, and toppings for these midwinter treats, sending students home with two recipes to tackle. $25 ($20 ASI member)

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Dive into the art of fabric stenciling with textile artist Kirsten Aune’s colorful, bold patterns and modern Scandinavian designs.

Students will create their own stencils and use them to decorate a prepared fabric runner and set of two napkins. Once you have learned the basics of fabric stenciling, you will be ready to decorate fabric for all kinds of projects.

Suitable for ages 18+. No previous experience needed. $100 ($90 ASI member) + $60 materials fee payable to instructor.

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Explore traditional Swedish bonadsmålning painting techniques in this three-day class appropriate for all skill levels.

Using basic patterns with options for embellishment, students will craft their own egg yolk-based paints and create an 8” x 10” folk art painting while exploring traditional use of color and design.

Students provide their own materials; see asimn.org for more details. Suitable for ages 16+. $350 ($315 ASI member) + $20 materials fee payable to instructor.

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Just in time for Valentine’s Day, this playful paint-along approach to card-sized watercolors will wake up your creativity.

Students will explore a variety of playful and traditional exercises and leave with original art to frame or mail to loved ones and inspiration for more.

No previous experience needed. See asimn.org for full class description and materials list. All skill levels welcome. Suitable for ages 18+. $150 ($125 ASI member)

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