Headwaters Academy

Headwaters Academy offers immersive workshops for teens and adults, blending studio practice with outdoor field study to explore art inspired by the natural world. Each workshop is led by expert artists and professionals, providing hands-on guidance in a range of techniques and media.

Set within Terrible Mountain Gallery amongst the dramatic landscapes of the Quartz Creek Valley in Pitkin, Colorado, our workshop season runs July through September, capturing everything from the first wildflowers of summer to the brilliant colors of autumn. With a short, intense season at this high elevation, every workshop is a chance to connect deeply with creativity, observation, and the landscape that inspires it.

Whether you join us for exclusive in-studio sessions or dynamic field-based explorations, Headwaters Academy invites you to learn, create, and experience art in motion.

Creativity begins here.

2026 Workshop Schedule

Instructors | Zach Bauer & Sarah Schmidt

Watercolor Social

July 3, 2026

Join two Gunnison Valley artists for a watercolor class designed for all ages and skill levels. Zach and Sarah will lead the session with step-by-step instruction, providing all necessary materials. This workshop balances fundamental techniques with a commitment to exploration and experimentation. Each participant will leave with a finished painting and a little more self awareness.

Time | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sign Up | bauerzart@gmail.com

$55 | Adult

$35 | 12 and under

Instructor | Becka Jahelka

Batik Watercolor Workshop

July 9, 2026

This workshop is an introduction to the batik process using watercolor paints on Japanese paper to create a batik-style painting.

Time | 9:30 am - 2:30 pm [1 hour lunch break]

Sign Up | bjahelka@jahelkaart.com

$80

*Experience with painting is helpful but not required.
*Limited to 6 students

Instructor | Becka Jahelka

Botanical Gel Printing Workshop

July 16, 2026

This workshop is an introduction to gelatin plate mono-printing using local botanicals to create lovely designs. During the workshop you will create four to six greeting cards, each unique, and some with a bonus matching bookmark. Becka will guide you through making layered prints using three colors.

Time | 9:30 am - 11:30 pm

Sign Up | bjahelka@jahelkaart.com

$40

*No prior experience needed.
*Limited to 6 students

Instructors | Zach Bauer & Sarah Schmidt

Watercolor Social

July 22, 2026

Join two Gunnison Valley artists for a watercolor class designed for all ages and skill levels. Zach and Sarah will lead the session with step-by-step instruction, providing all necessary materials. This workshop balances fundamental techniques with a commitment to exploration and experimentation. Each participant will leave with a finished painting and a little more self awareness.

Time | 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Sign Up | bauerzart@gmail.com

$55 | Adult

$35 | 12 and under

Instructor | Becka Jahelka

Botanical Gel Printing Workshop

July 23, 2026

This workshop is an introduction to gelatin plate mono-printing using local botanicals to create lovely designs. During the workshop you will create four to six greeting cards, each unique, and some with a bonus matching bookmark. Becka will guide you through making layered prints using three colors.

Time | 9:30 am - 11:30 pm

Sign Up | bjahelka@jahelkaart.com

$40

*No prior experience needed.
*Limited to 6 students

Instructor | Becka Jahelka

Batik Watercolor Workshop

July 30, 2026

This workshop is an introduction to the batik process using watercolor paints on Japanese paper to create a batik-style painting.

Time | 9:30 am - 2:30 pm [1 hour lunch break]

Sign Up | bjahelka@jahelkaart.com

$80

*Experience with painting is helpful but not required.
*Limited to 6 students

Instructors | Zach Bauer & Sarah Schmidt

Watercolor Social

August 13, 2026

Join two Gunnison Valley artists for a watercolor class designed for all ages and skill levels. Zach and Sarah will lead the session with step-by-step instruction, providing all necessary materials. This workshop balances fundamental techniques with a commitment to exploration and experimentation. Each participant will leave with a finished painting and a little more self awareness.

Time | 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Sign Up | bauerzart@gmail.com

$55 | Adult

$35 | 12 and under

Instructors | Zach Bauer & Sarah Schmidt

Watercolor Social

September 2, 2026

Join two Gunnison Valley artists for a watercolor class designed for all ages and skill levels. Zach and Sarah will lead the session with step-by-step instruction, providing all necessary materials. This workshop balances fundamental techniques with a commitment to exploration and experimentation. Each participant will leave with a finished painting and a little more self awareness.

Time | 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Sign Up | bauerzart@gmail.com

$55 | Adult

$35 | 12 and under

Instructor | Becka Jahelka

Botanical Gel Printing Workshop

September 3, 2026

This workshop is an introduction to gelatin plate mono-printing using local botanicals to create lovely designs. During the workshop you will create four to six greeting cards, each unique, and some with a bonus matching bookmark. Becka will guide you through making layered prints using three colors.

Time | 9:30 am - 11:30 pm

Sign Up | bjahelka@jahelkaart.com

$40

*No prior experience needed.
*Limited to 6 students

Instructor | Becka Jahelka

Batik Watercolor Workshop

September 10, 2026

This workshop is an introduction to the batik process using watercolor paints on Japanese paper to create a batik-style painting.

Time | 9:30 am - 2:30 pm [1 hour lunch break]

Location | 409 Main St. Pitkin, CO 81241

Sign Up | bjahelka@jahelkaart.com

$80

*Experience with painting is helpful but not required.
*Limited to 6 students