Erie Canal Museum Skill Share Workshops
In an effort to bolster community resiliency, comradery, and solidarity the Erie Canal Museum will be hosting a series of skill sharing workshop, where experts from our community teach the basics for a variety of useful skills that also would have been practiced by canallers of the past, present, and future. These workshops will provide training in a way that will allow participants to transfer these skills to their everyday lives. Registration is required since space in each workshop is limited.
If you have difficulty registering please call 315-471-0593 or email educator@eriecanalmuseum.org
Schedule of Upcoming Workshops:
Saturday, November 14th @ 12:00-2:00 pm - Wall Sculpture Workshop: Concrete Barge Casting with Erie Canal Artist-in-Residence Z Behl
Come learn the art of small scale concrete casting with 2026 Erie Canal Artist-in-Residence Z Behl and her collaborator Kim Moloney. Beginning with some reference images of historical concrete barges, every participant will be provided with a 9" mold to make a relief sculpture of a miniature barge which they can display afterward. Mixing the slurry with a drill attachment, we will each pour our own piece (this process is similar to baking!). Pigment will be provided and can be added for coloration. Gloves and a dust mask are included. The program is open to adults of all ages and experience levels. Because of the dust created when working with concrete, this workshop is not suitable for young children. Concrete takes 48 hours to set, so participants will need to come back to the Museum to de-mold and pick up their sculptures after Wednesday, October 7. Space is limited to 15 participants.
The Erie Canal Artist-in-Residence program is a collaboration between the Erie Canal Museum and the New York State Canal Corporation.
Previous 2026 Workshops:
Saturday, February 21 @1:00pm- Get Started Knitting
Knitting is a craft of historic significance as well as modern fun. Come join us for a two-part workshop for the beginning knitter. The first class, on February 21, will get you started knitting a simple fingerless mitt that you will work on more at home. The second class, on March 7, will have you finishing it off and starting a second. Experts from Central New York's Knitting Guild will guide you as you pick up knitting needles and yarn for the first time. All materials will be provided. Registering for a single day of the knitting workshops is acceptable.
Saturday, March 7 @1:00pm- Get Started Knitting
Knitting is a craft of historic significance as well as modern fun. Come join us for a two-part workshop for the beginning knitter. The first class, on February 21, will get you started knitting a simple fingerless mitt that you will work on more at home. The second class, on March 7, will have you finishing it off and starting a second. Experts from Central New York's Knitting Guild will guide you as you pick up knitting needles and yarn for the first time. All materials will be provided. Registering for a single day of the knitting workshops is acceptable.
September 12 @ 11am- Seed Saving
Instead of buying seeds every year, why not use those seeds that are produced all around us -- by nature? This presentation focuses on seed-saving techniques for both vegetables and flowering plants, including native species. Participants will learn how to harvest, save, store, and plant seeds. At the end of the session, participants will receive seeds they can try at home.
More workshops to be announced soon
