Maker Space
Pottery on the Wheel
There’s something irresistible about clay spinning beneath your hands. Take your place at the wheel and, with guidance from our resident art manager, shape raw clay into something entirely your own—an immersive, hands-on experience as memorable as what you create.
Watercolors Cruise
A watercolor-inspired cruise along Carter’s Creek, this leisurely activity invites you to take in the beauty of the Chesapeake from the water while creating your own artistic keepsake. Enjoy the changing scenery and peaceful surroundings as you paint alongside an artist, with watercolor supplies and all the inspiration you need included in this activity.
Print Making
Design and carve your very own custom stamp in this engaging introduction to printmaking! Guided by our Resident Artist, you'll learn the fundamentals of creating a simple design, transferring it to linoleum, and carving your unique stamp to make beautiful hand-printed impressions. Leave with a handcrafted stamp and the skills to continue exploring this timeless artistic technique.
Watercolor Still Life Painting
Join our resident artist in the Maker Space where she will guide you through the relaxing process of painting directly from nature. Create a watercolor painting of a subject of your choosing. Made up of flowers, shells, and natural oddities sourced from our Marina and Tides Inn Farm. Leave class with your very own handmade keepsake as a nod to the Rappahannock River.
Clay Mosaics
Explore a multimedia craft perfect for remembering a waterfront getaway! Using shells, seaglass, stamps, and your own personal artistic flair, create a small mosaic in airdry clay that you can take home with you at the end of your stay.
En Plein Air Drawing
Step outside the Maker Space for a guided drawing experience inspired by Carter's Creek. Rooted in the centuries-old French tradition of en plein air, or "in the open air," you'll draw directly from the surrounding landscape while learning to observe light, perspective, texture, and form with personalized instruction from our Resident Artist.
Clay Handbuilding Class
Step into our Maker Space for a hands-on clay workshop inspired by the Chesapeake Bay. Guided by a local artisan, you’ll learn foundational hand-building techniques and shape your own functional or decorative piece.
Pet Portraits
Learn how to draw a life-like portrait of your pet from a photograph. Our artist instructor will guide guests of all artistic levels through a step-by-step pencil drawing using a grid method. Leave the class with a one-of-a-kind keepsake of your furry friend.
Postcard Collages
Let your creativity flow and create a mailable keepsake in our postcard collage class. Reminiscent of old-school scrapbooking, this is the class to break the rules and use anything we have in our Maker Space to cut, rip, and glue to create a collage to remind you of your time at the Tides Inn.
For the Crafty and Curious
Enjoy an open studio session in our Maker Space. Explore a wide selection of art materials, watercolors, sketching, air-dry clay, crafts, and more at your own pace with guidance from our resident artist as needed. Perfect for children and families looking to relax and create together. Available upon request, please contact Concierge for details.