Beyond the Pitch 2026
Summer Art Series
All inclusive arts and craft classes created for everyone, and especially for Summer Soccer Fans and Regional Visitors to Lawrence KS. Art Educator Liza MacKinnon presents a variety of creative activities and experiences related to our region. These one day workshops will teach skills and result in take-home projects and souvenirs you make yourself.
Each class is 3 hours long; most meeting in the afternoon, however Thursday and Friday classes will be held in the morning. Meeting times and locations are listed at the end of each class description. When preparing to attend, please double check the start of class meeting place because several classes include field trip/exploration components, meeting at an alternative location to start the class. All classes will end at the Art Emergency Artist Studios (721 E. 9th) for the last hour of class.
Classes are $60 per person and will include cold drinks, light snacks and all the materials needed to create a unique take-home work of art. These experiences are for geared for adults and families. Unsupervised participants aged 16 and up are welcome, anyone younger must have adult with them. These workshops are a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon individually or with friends or family, learning about our region and making unforgettable mini masterpieces. Classes will be taught in a variety of locations, including my studio, the local wetlands, along the river and downtown Lawrence. Some workshops will have studio plus outdoor components. Please check times and meeting locations at the bottom of each description to make sure it works with your schedule. All classes are scheduled on days between matches.
To sign up for a class, click the link at the bottom of the description to sign up on Eventbrite. Here you will find additional photos, easy instructions on how to pay, where to meet and what to bring.
I can't wait to create with you!
Liza MacKinnon
Embroidery on Postcards
Saturday May 9th, 2026 1-4 pm.
Transform a black and white photograph or postcard into a one-of-a-kind work of art.
This 3 hour class will begin with basic stitch samples on a card stock template and then move into design and preparation of the final artwork. Instruction will also cover composition and color, pre-punching holes in stages, how to recover from mistakes and paper collapse and simple framing options.
Participants are encouraged to bring family photo reproductions if they choose (best if printed on matte, not glossy photo paper), however they may also select items from the artist’s extensive photo and postcard collection.
Take-home embroidery kits will be provided including stitch template, needle threader, cardboard, punching needle and embroidery needles.
Meet at Art Emergency, 721 E 9th Street at 1 pm.
See more photos of Embroidery on Postcards and sign up here!
Mapping the Heart
Saturday May 23, 2026 1-4 pm.
A mixed media exploration of the sense of place, home and the journeys we take. Select maps and images from my extensive resources (and/or bring your own) and we will create links, honor places and define locations that resonate with our lives. This could incorporate places you've lived, places you've visited or wish to visit, places your ancestors lived, a journey you took each summer to see loved ones, etc. Arrive with ideas and we will shop my thousands of maps to find you a perfect substrate for your mixed media masterpiece. Embellish your piece with a plethora of ephemera - from postage stamps to paper lace to buttons and ribbon! Once you have signed up, send me an email at liza @ mackomics.com and let me know a couple of locations you'd like me to source so I can have your materials ready for you. Alternatively, bring your own paper ephemera to incorporate it into the final piece. (tickets, photos, menus etc.)
Meet at Art Emergency, 721 E 9th Street at 1 pm.
Introduction to Book Binding
Saturday, May 30, 2026 1 pm-5 pm.
Join me for a wonderful new four-hour offering: Introduction to Book Binding. This skills based class will be the perfect introduction to three different binding forms and will prepare you for the advanced class on Coptic Book Binding offered in June (see listing below). We will explore variations on the pamphlet style, Japanese Stab style and complete a long stitch form book as well. All the paper will be pre-cut to size and I will walk you through the many steps required to complete each project. All materials will be provided and you will take home samples along with hand illustrated instructions so you can make many more books in the future. As always, there will be snacks and hot/cold drinks to keep us going during this four hour class.
This class is for adults.
This class will be limited to 8 participants.
Meet at Art Emergency, 721 E 9th Street at 1 pm.
See more photos of these three bound books and sign up for Introduction to Book Binding!
Articulated Figures
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 1-4 pm.
Using die-cut components, we will create unique poseable figures. They could be a figure from history, yourself or a loved one. In this three hour class, each student will assemble a figure and then design and create clothing and accessories from paper and/or fabric. Participants will be able to shop my extensive studio collection for embellishments and mixed media components to complement their figure. Choose from boxes of buttons, ribbons, lace, charms, premium paper, vintage scrapbooks, etc. Participants may use the provided die-cut heads or cut and illustrate their own unique visage.
Meet at Art Emergency, 721 E 9th Street at 1 pm.
Wearable Art Earrings
Thursday, June 4, 2026 9 am-12 pm
Gather your best Gal Friends to for this fun morning of earring making. Make up to four pairs of earrings using collage and other mixed media on lightweight wooden bases. I will have a huge selection of handmade papers, photo and illustration imagery, vintage ephemera and accessories like ribbon, lace and vintage buttons. These unique pieces will be finished with a spray varnish and fitted with your choice of earring style components. All materials, fittings and accessories will be supplied for this three hour creation session. Enjoy good company, snacks and drinks during this creative earring making party!
Meet at Art Emergency, 721 E 9th Street at 9 am.
Fairy Tale Forest
Friday, June 5, 2026 9 am-12 pm.
Join a round table discussion facilitated by Priscilla Howe (International Story Teller) about fairy tales and how they've been significant in your life. Using a variety of forest themed stencils, we will depict the forest on a 7 inch tall gothic window die cut from mat board. Select a fairy tale character from an extensive collection of vintage fairy tale resources and collage it into the scene. Make a decorative portico or porch with die cut elements if you are so inspired. If participants are interested, finished pieces may be included in my solo show a the Phoenix Underground in July 2026 that explores the forest as a character in fairy tales. NOTE: This is a MORNING class.
Meet at Art Emergency, 721 E 9th Street at 9 am.
See more photos of these Fairy Tale Forest projects and sign up here!
Cyanotype in the Wetlands
Saturday, June 6, 2026 1-4 pm.
Join me for this exciting new class combining our beautiful natural Midwest habitat and a 19th-century camera-less photographic printing process. We will meet at the Baker Wetlands, take a stroll through the Eastern landscape and collect fallen and dried items for a natural composition captured by cyanotype. We will meet back together at 2pm to arrange and expose our plates in the sun. After this process, we will then proceed back to the studio for light snacks and further embellishment. Students may add collaged elements or embroidery to their finished pieces.
Meet at 1pm at the Eastern parking lot at the Baker Wetlands, wear suitable shoes, bring a sun hat, sun screen and a water bottle. The parking area is located on the east side of the wetlands, near the intersection of Haskell Ave and N 1250 Rd. Meet here at 1 pm.
Urban Sketching in a small town
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 1-4 pm.
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon capturing the unique historic architecture and small town charm of Lawrence's Massachusetts Street. We will meet at 1pm at the parking garage on New Hampshire across from the Lawrence Art Center. From there we will stroll downtown, learn a little about Lawrence's turbulent history and select a view to engage in some urban sketching. Participants will be provided with a take home kit containing all the materials needed enjoy and document our quaint and historic downtown: urban sketching tips, water color paper, clip board, 16 color paint set, water brush and art pen.
Around 3 pm we will meet up at my air conditioned studio (721 E. 9th) for light snacks and refreshments. Here I will teach you Japanese Stab Style book binding to collect all your sketches into a small book.
Bring a sun hat, sun screen and a water bottle to the downtown meetup.
Meet at the 927 New Hampshire Street Parking Garage at 1 pm.
Movie Star Collage
Thursday, June 11, 2026 9 am-12 pm.
Create a unique portrait of your favorite Golden Age movie star with mixed media and collage. Using an oval watercolor paper base, students will create background atmosphere with watercolor or gouache and then compose a layered nest of textures and colors to highlight a beautiful face. Participants are free to bring their own black and white photos or select from a huge supply of historical and contemporary resources. Students will have access to endless ephemera and may choose to augment these compositions with embroidery, costume jewelry and other small natural and print elements. These beautiful compositions will be suitable for framing.
Meet at Art Emergency 721 E. 9th Street at 9 am.
See more photos and sign up for Movie Star Mixed Media Collage here!
Organza Flowers
Friday, June 12, 2026 9 am-12 pm.
Spend the morning with a friend in my air-conditioned studio creating luxurious fabric flowers from sheer organza. Enjoy the mesmerizing process of melting the edges of organza circles and layering them together to create one-of-a-kind accessories like earrings, barrettes and brooches. All materials, fittings and accessories will be supplied for this three hour creation session. You may make as many accessories and you choose. There will be some hand sewing in the assembly stage, however no experience is necessary. Enjoy good company, snacks and drinks during this creative Friday morning. Sign up with a friend today!
Meet at Art Emergency, 721 E 9th Street at 9 am.
See more photos of beautiful Organza Flower creations and sign up here!
Levee Field Trip
Saturday, June 13, 2026 1-4 pm.
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon exploring and sketching our beautiful Kansas (Kaw) River along the historic levee. We will meet at 1pm at the parking lot on the north side of the river, across the street from the historic train station. From there we will stroll along the levee to the East, scanning the landscape for the perfect composition. Walk down to the river's edge and mudlark a bit, collect a smooth stone or a weathered stick to remind you of this day. Participants will be provided with a take home kit containing all the materials needed enjoy and document our our beautiful riverine landscape: nature sketching tips, water color paper, clip board, 16 color paint set, water brush and art pen.
Around 3 pm we will return to our cars and meet up at my air conditioned studio (721 E. 9th) for light snacks and refreshments. Here I will teach you Japanese Stab Style book binding to collect all your sketches into a small book.
Bring a sun hat, sun screen and a water bottle to the Levee meetup.
Meet at parking lot at the corner of US Highway 59 and Locust Street in North Lawrence at 1 pm.
Do you want to find more hiking opportunities in Lawrence?
https://www.kansascityhiker.com/hiking-kansas-city-blog/lawrence-kansas-hiking-day-trips
Painting with Nature
Wednesday , June 17, 2026 1-4 pm.
Blend nature with art in this enjoyable indoor/outdoor class. Join me at a friend's fiber dye garden, foraging small natural elements that will provide the colors to your original sketch. Using small crushed leaves and flower petals, we will "paint" the colors of the scenes rendered. We will meet in North Lawrence at 723 Ash Street at 1 pm to learn about the dye garden and collect our materials, take pictures of the neighborhood and then head back to the Art Emergency Studios around 2 pm (721 E 9th Street) to put them all together. I will provide instruction and handouts on landscape illustration and a kit containing all the materials needed for the project. After the sketches are made and colored, I will teach you Japanese Stab Style book binding to collect all your sketches into a small book. Light snacks and refreshments will be served.
Bring a sun hat, sun screen and a water bottle to the North Lawrence meetup.
Meet at 723 Ash Street (across the river in North Lawrence) at 1 pm.
Kansas Sunflowers
Thursday June 18th, 2026 9 am-12 pm.
Create a beautiful paper and fiber sunflower brooch or barrette. We will make the petals and leaves from gouache painted pages of an 1800's Kansas Atlas and embroider the seed bed with yarn to make wearable sunflowers. Each of these mini masterpieces will be one of a kind and unique to you. This is a beautiful souvenir to remember your time in Kansas. It can be made into a barrette or a brooch. Small and easy to stow or ship, they make perfect gifts and mementos. All materials and easy to follow instructions will be supplied. Drinks and snacks are provided as well as tiny bee charms to finish the project.
Meet at Art Emergency, 721 E 9th Street at 9 am.
See more photos and sign up for the Kansas Sunflower class here!
Travel Journals
Friday, June 19, 2026 9 am-12 pm.
Join me for a wonderful new offering: Coptic-bound Travel Journals. In this advanced book binding workshop students will learn the complicated and beautiful form of exposed Coptic binding. We will make medium sized sketch/scrap books that lay flat when open (perfect for sketching). I will have a variety of paper types that may be incorporated, such as tracing paper, water color paper, graph paper, copy paper and others. All the paper will be pre-cut to size and I will walk you through the many steps required to complete the project. All materials will be provided and you will take home a sturdy and long lasting vessel for your sketches, ideas and saved ephemera.
This class is for adults with previous experience with bookbinding. See my Introduction to Book Binding class on May 30th for a skills-based class that will prepare you for this advanced Coptic book binding class.
This class will be limited to 8 participants.
Meet at Art Emergency, 721 E 9th Street at 9 am.
See more photos of Coptic bound books and sign up for Travel Journals here!
Torn Paper Couture
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 1-4 pm.
Create one-of-a-kind fashion plates with the fine art of torn paper collage. Participants will create a runway look on a textured background and then create a beautiful fashion model choosing from many silhouette poses or may illustrate their own. These fresh, graphical images are great for gifts or a perfect accent for any home. No experience necessary as I will walk you through easy steps to success. I will provide all the materials which include beautiful handmade papers from all over the world, vintage paper lace and charming accessories to make your work pop and shine. This is a 3 hour class, complete with snacks and drinks and all you need to bring is yourself and a friend.
Meet at Art Emergency, 721 E 9th Street at 1 pm.
See more photos of Torn Paper Couture projects and sign up here!
Glamour Crowns
Friday, June 26, 2026 9 am-1 pm.
Create wearable art! Design your own red-carpet worthy sunburst crown with all supplies included. Each student will design and complete a unique and show stopping golden tiara. This hands-on workshop will use die-cut spiral flowers, wooden skewers and a whole lot of hot glue. The assemblage will be spray painted gold and then embellishments will include beads and stick-on jewels. Sign up with a friend and enjoy the morning preparing to be FABULOUS! Light snacks and drinks provided (including coffee!)
Meet at Art Emergency Studios (721 E. 9th Street) at 9 am.
Summer Cottages
Friday, July 10th, 2026 9 am-1 pm.
Using 3 different die-cut house styles from your choice of card stock, make your own gift boxes or mini-village of tiny houses. These versatile constructions can be decorated with personal effects like family photos or concert tickets. Let your imagination run wild as you make unique miniature art houses. All materials will be provided, however, feel free to bring your own saved papers, photos, or artwork. Choose your papers and shop my extensive supply of embellishments and ephemera to make completely unique three-dimensional collage pieces. Each little house can be lit from within by a flickering battery operated tea light. A perfect class to take with a friend - make cottages for your mantle, dinner party centerpiece or as gifts for loved ones. We will be using sharp blades and hot glue in this class. This will be held in an air conditioned space with light snacks and drinks provided (including coffee!).
Meet at Art Emergency Studios (721 E. 9th Street) at 9 am.
Kansas Flower Mini-Wreaths
Saturday, July 18th, 2026 1-4 pm.
Take a little piece of Kansas and Midwest home with you! Create mini wreaths (perfect to fit in your suitcase) out of small felt sunflowers or poppies you make yourself! Using a covered foam base, I will walk you through all the steps towards success and you will leave with a little piece of Kansas. Plan on making a sunflower wreath with wire accents and vintage buttons or a Dorothy Wizard of Oz wreath with felt poppies and blue gingham.
Some hand sewing experience would be helpful. This class will be held in an air conditioned studio with all the materials supplied. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.
See more photos and sign up for this charming Kansas Flower Wreath class here!
Embroidery on Postcards
Saturday, August 8th, 2026 1-4 pm.
Transform a black and white photograph or postcard into a one-of-a-kind work of art.
This 3 hour class will begin with basic stitch samples on a card stock template and then move into design and preparation of the final artwork. Instruction will also cover composition and color, pre-punching holes in stages, how to recover from mistakes and paper collapse and simple framing options.
Participants are encouraged to bring family photo reproductions if they choose (best if printed on matte, not glossy photo paper), however they may also select items from the artist’s extensive photo and postcard collection.
Take-home embroidery kits will be provided including stitch template, needle threader, cardboard, punching needle and embroidery needles, enough for two finished projects.
This class will be held in an air conditioned studio space and light snacks and refreshments will be provided.
Meet at Art Emergency (721 E. 9th Street) at 1 pm.
See more photos of Embroidery on Postcards and sign up here!