2026 Summer Workshop Guide:
Masters of the Ranch

February 9, 2026

Posted In: Workshops

Tags: 2026 Summer Workshop Guide

For 60 years, Anderson Ranch has been a sanctuary for artistic visionaries in Snowmass Village. This summer, we celebrate our landmark anniversary by honoring the esteemed faculty who built our legacy while welcoming a new wave of innovative creators across diverse mediums.

This guide highlights workshops taught by the leaders who have defined our creative spirit for six decades. Whether you are learning from a returning master or a new faculty member, these workshops offer rare, immersive opportunities to study with the visionaries shaping the future of art. Join us to be part of a storied tradition and a bold new chapter.

Included in this guide:

• Hand Turned Ceramics
• Sculptural Paper Casting and Forming
• Print Demo City! Alternative Screen Printing Methods
• Advanced Topics in Painting
• Bandsaw Box Forms: Designing with Shape, Color, and Texture
• Home, Reimagining Interiority

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Ceramics: The Foundations of Form

Ceramics is where our story began, and it remains the heartbeat of the Ranch. Our 2026 offerings continue the legacy of Paul Soldner, emphasizing both the vessel and the sculptural possibility of clay.

Hand-Turned Ceramics

Dates: June 1 – 12
Faculty: Paul Briggs

Experience the rare privilege of learning from Paul Briggs, a renowned ceramicist and gentle, insightful teacher whose command of pinch-forming techniques is both innovative and accessible.

In this two-week session, you’ll move beyond the basics, working hands-on with up to five pounds of clay, developing your understanding of form, wall thickness, and structural integrity. Paul fosters an environment where beginners and intermediate artists can truly connect with clay, explore new building and decorating methods, and discover joy in the process. Time spent with Paul is not just about skill-building—it’s a chance to be inspired by his passion and generosity.

Paul Briggs, Willow

Sculpture: Innovation Through Sustainable Practice

Our sculpture workshops act as a hub for figurative, abstract, and experimental approaches. With access to extensive facilities for wood, metal, and mixed media, the Sculpture Barn is where everyday materials find profound new life.

Sculptural Paper Casting and Forming

Dates: June 15 – 19
Faculty: Leah Aegerter

Step into the world of sustainable art with Leah Aegerter, whose deep knowledge of papermaking transforms everyday materials into meaningful sculpture.

Leah’s workshop offers more than technique; it’s about engaging with an eco-conscious process that encourages experimentation without fear. You’ll learn critical skills in papermaking, mold-making, and casting—foundational tools for any sculptor—but also explore new ways to form and recycle materials. Leah’s supportive guidance makes complex concepts accessible while inspiring confidence and creative risk-taking.

Leah Aegerter, After Staring at the Sun, 2024, Abaca paper, natural pigment, basswood, graphite paper

Printmaking: Experimentation and Expression

Printmaking is inherently communal, a quality we celebrate in our Patton Print Shop. This year, we spotlight instructors who create dynamic environments where personal expression and risk-taking thrive.

Print Demo City! Alternative Screen Printing Methods

Dates: July 20 – 24
Faculty: John Hitchcock

Enter a creative playground with John Hitchcock, whose dynamic, energetic approach to printmaking fosters true experimentation.

As head of print at the University of Wisconsin and a mainstay at the Ranch for over 15 years, John excels at delivering killer demos and guiding students to break out of their comfort zones. In this workshop, you’ll gain fresh screen printing skills and learn how to infuse your own vision into every print. John’s classes value personal expression, risk-taking, and building a toolbox of techniques you won’t find in textbooks, all within a fun, supportive environment.

John Hitchcock, Sonic Echo

Painting & Drawing: Deepening Your Practice

Painting at the Ranch encourages artists to push beyond familiar territory. This year’s master instructor creates a collaborative environment where advanced painters can take their next creative leap.

Advanced Topics in Painting

Dates: June 29 – July 3
Faculty: Craig Drennen

Join Craig Drennen, a celebrated artist and motivating presence in the studio, as he helps advanced painters dig deeper into their practice.

Craig is known for creating a collaborative, bonded cohort where challenging conversations and self-discovery are encouraged. He’s especially skilled at helping artists articulate their intentions and organize their ideas, pushing work from concept to finished piece. This workshop promises not just technical guidance, but the intangible encouragement to move beyond your comfort zone—ideal for painters ready for the next leap in their creative journey.

Craig Drennen, Darlin’ Super Freak 1

Furniture Design & Woodworking: Mastery of Craft

The furniture studio at Anderson Ranch has always been a place where craftsmanship meets creativity. For 2026, we are celebrating the mastery of our most experienced instructors who blend fundamental techniques with innovative approaches.

Bandsaw Box Forms

Dates: June 29 – July 3
Faculty: Jason Schneider

Rediscover woodworking in a workshop led by Jason Schneider, former head of the Ranch’s wood shop and known for his kind patience and technical mastery.

Jason will introduce you to the art of bandsaw box making, blending fundamental skills with unexpected flourishes—from shaping and texturing to advanced finishing techniques you won’t find anywhere else. This is a hands-on, skill-building week designed for woodworkers eager to push boundaries and create boxes that are as individual as they are functional. With Jason’s knack for teaching both basics and flashy details, you’re sure to leave with new skills and newfound inspiration.

Jason Schneider, Switchback (nesting vessels), Mahogany and Milk Paint

Photography & New Media: Personal Narrative and Vision

Our photography and new media workshops have evolved significantly since the days of “Center of the Eye.” Today, they represent a cutting-edge intersection of lens-based practices, digital media, and conceptual exploration.

Home, Reimagining Interiority

Dates: July 20 – 24
Faculty: Deb Willis

Seize a rare opportunity to work alongside Deb Willis, MacArthur Fellow and a visionary in contemporary photography, curation, and scholarship.

Deb’s workshop goes far beyond technical instruction, inviting you to explore personal narrative and the notion of “home” through focused projects. Students benefit from Deb’s decades of expertise, receiving thoughtful, in-depth feedback on work created during the week, as well as on ongoing projects. Deb brings an unmatched ability to help you refine your artistic voice; each participant emerges with a stronger edit, a clearer vision, and a deeper connection to the power of images.

Deborah Willis, Nola House Detail

Find Your Workshop

The workshops listed above are just a glimpse of what 2026 has to offer. Spaces in these “Buzz List” courses fill up quickly, so we encourage you to explore the full catalog and secure your spot in the studio.  Explore all summer workshops.

Not sure where to begin? Our friendly artistic staff are here to help guide your creative path. Email us at [email protected], and we’ll match you with the perfect workshop.