Award-winning fabric artist and quilter Jane Frenke is teaching the silk screen class. Frenke's Loom Room is noted for the exquisite fabrics she prints and then crafts into wearable and decorative art. Frenke urges students attending this class to dress for a mess. Multi-media artist Jane Ping is teaching both youth and children under eight accompanied by an adult how to make an ordinary book magical by adding hidden pockets and secret messages.

The full schedule of classes include a wide variety of media ranging from wire jewelry and watercolor techniques for fabric to acting techniques and handbuilt pottery. The classes for youth are equally far ranging and include maskmaking, stage combat and clay beads. "We see this as an extended sampler of all that art can bring into someone's life," said Pat Springer, coordinator for the Art Saturdays project. All classes are designed to stand alone. A visitor or resident may attend, without registration, and leave with a finished project or individual art experience. "Art Saturdays are a way to provide a quick taste for someone who may be in Berkeley Springs only for the weekend," said Springer, "or for local residents who want to decide what they may pursue in longer classes."

Faculty for the classes include eight local master artists as well as special teachers brought in for classes like spinning, metal work and fabric dying. "We have so many talented artists in town that it was easy to assemble a first-class roster of teachers," said Springer.

A special feature of the Art Saturdays program is two weekends of classes for both youth and adults in December focused on creating holiday ornaments from clay, felt and metal as well as gift books that children can make. "We believe the classes are so attractive that satisfied students will return more than once," said Springer.

A full schedule of all 35 weeks is available on www.macicehouse,org or can be mailed by calling 304-258-2300. The Ice House is located on Independence and Mercer in downtown Berkeley Springs. Art Saturdays are funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, West Virginia Commission on the Arts and local hotel/motel taxes.