Valentine’s Day Treat!

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Last week, we announced what this year’s exclusive VIP workshops sessions at BreyerFest would be, but for today’s sweet treat we wanted to share for fans what the rest of this summer’s in-person workshop lineup looks like!  These awesome sessions are open to both VIP and All-Access ticket holders and have limited seating to ensure an intimate learning experience for attendees. 

Please note that if you plan on participating in the BreyerFest Open Model Horse show on Friday, July 14^th, you’ll be unable to participate in any workshops hosted on Friday, as all times conflict with the show.  As well, if you plan to show in the Youth and Children’s Model Horse Show on Saturday, July 15^th, you’ll be unable to participate in any of the Saturday workshops for the same reason. 

 

Friday, July 14^th – 10 am to 12 pm

Harness Brass Medallions
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
A harness brass is a small metal plaque used to decorate horse harness gear, particularly for shire and parade horses – the shiny decorations you see catching the sun during a parade.  You know her best for her carousel creations, but for this year’s BreyerFest celebration of Driving Forward, artist Laura Rock-Smith will go over the history of the harness brass and show participants how to create their own medallion versions.  Students will work on a pre-cast medallion in class and learn how to sculpt their own medallion with oven-bake clay they can finish at home.  A Breyer model horse is not included with this session.

 

Introduction to Collecting and Showing Model Horses
Skill Level: Beginner
Join Liz Isham Cory in this hands-on session as she introduces you to the live show ring, including hidden tips and tricks and a few hints on what the judges are looking for! This class is for anyone who wants to brush up their live showing skills, including newcomers or veterans who have been out of the show ring for a while.  This workshop will cover breed assignment, show classes, and some ins and outs of this fun hobby.  Models will be provided by Breyer, but attendees are welcome to bring a model from their collection for more personalized instruction.

 

Just for Kids! Painting
Skill Level: Intermediate, 10 to 16
Join artist Jennifer O’Donnell Danza and create your own model masterpiece! This class is for kids ages 10 to 16 who want to learn advanced skills for painting their own model horses. Freedom Series-scale model included. 

 

English Bridle
Skill Level: Beginner
Come join this workshop, hosted by tack maker LeeAnn Masters, to make your very own English Bridle!  You will learn the parts of the English bridle, how to assemble the bridle, and how fit it to your model. This is a fun workshop and will give you a boost to help you start making tack for your own models.  This class is for beginners who have never made a bridle or tack before or a refresher if you have only done one or two.  Breyer Traditional model included for participants to fit their bridle to.

 

Friday, July 14^th – 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm

Painting on Canvas – Just for Kids!
Skill level: Beginner to Intermediate, For kids under 13 only!
Painter Laura Thomson guides you through this fun painting project just for kids!  A starter canvas will be provided and Laura will walk students through the steps of creating a beautiful painting on canvas.  This workshop is only open to participants ages 6 to 13.

 

How to Photo Show Model Horses
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Photo showing is hot right now, and we want to make sure you are able to show your pony to its best advantage! Join Liz Isham Cory as she leads you through some simple and inexpensive ways to enhance your photos, including scenery, backgrounds, lighting and more. This class is open to all, from beginners to veterans looking to sharpen their skills.  Models will be provided by Breyer, but participants are welcome to bring their own camera and a model (limit one) for some hands-on practice!

 

 

Repairing Horses
Skill Level: Beginner – Advanced
Think of it as plastic surgery for your models! This hands-on class, taught by artist Jennifer O’Donnell Danza, will walk you through the methods of repairing a broken leg, ear, or tail. Class requires use of glue, adhesion materials, and sandpapers. 

 

Driving Bases
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Prop maker Kenzie Williamson of Bridletree Studios makes her BreyerFest workshop debut with this amazing class.  Working in Stablemates scale, Kenzie will show participants in this session how to create a beautiful, driving-inspired Stablemates scale diorama base, which is perfect for brushing up on your mini performance skills!  Stablemates scale models will be included in this session for participants.

 

Friday, July 14^th – 3 pm to 5 pm

Rainbow Holographic Pony Party
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Canadian artist Shauna McDaniel will be making her BreyerFest workshop debut with this sparkly session!  Participants in this session will be creating a Freedom Series scale magical rainbow dream horse, complete with holographic markings!  Every horse will be unique based on how magical you want him to be.  This workshop session requires no special skills or knowledge and is suitable for anyone willing to get a little glittery with Shauna.  Freedom series model will be supplied to all participants by Breyer.

Carousel Horses
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Join award winning carousel and equine artist Laura Rock-Smith to learn how to create a historically correct carousel using a Breyer Freedom Series Scale horse. You will learn the techniques used for everything from bridles to tassels along with tips and tricks to take your work to that next level.  Laura will also cover a little of the history of American carousel figures, such as romance versus non-romance side.

 

Creating Carriages
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Drive your favorite ponies forward in style with this year's Creating Carriages BreyerFest workshop, hosted by Infinity Breyer’s own Trinity Honaker!  In this session, you’ll learn how to build the carriage of your dreams that your Stablemates scale Breyer Horses will be able to pull! This workshop features a DIY assembly kit that will allow for anyone to be able to build a fairy tale carriage for their Breyer’s from scratch! Drive forward after your dreams and come create some carriages with us at this year's BreyerFest!  Models are not included with this session, but participants are welcome to bring their own Stablemates models, if desired.

 

Creating & Identifying Zebras
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
This new session will be taught by one of the best stripe painters in the hobby!  Tegan Davis, who has previously been a BreyerFest Best Customs Contest finalist, will walk participants through the process of properly painting zebra stripes on a model, how tell the different species of zebra apart, and how to accurately assign breeds for showing purposes.  A Breyer model will be supplied to participants in this session.

 

 

Saturday, July 15^th – 10 am to 12 pm

Board & Bristol
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Does your favorite room need that special, horsey finishing touch?  Join Jamie Rott as she guides you through the process of taking a plain board and making it into a unique BreyerFest souvenir!  This workshop is geared towards teens and adults due to the nature of the project.  All supplies will be provided and participants will take home a finished, stenciled piece of wood art.

 

Etching
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Work alongside talented artist Val Starcher to learn how to add detail and intrigue to your favorite model horse. All participants will receive a Freedom Series-scale model horse to try their etching skills on.  Due to the use of sharp objects, this workshop is limited to intermediate to advanced students – adults and older teens only.

 

Derby Racer-Inspired Carousel Horses
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Carousel and Equine artist Laura Rock-Smith takes a different twist in this fan-favorite workshop.  Taking inspiration from the Derby Racers Rides of the Golden Age of the carousel, Laura will show you how to take the very simple trappings of the Rye Playland Illions Derby Racers from the iconic amusement park in Rye, NY, and "kick" them up a notch! Learn the basics of making bridles, breastplates, saddle pads and saddles and then kick it up with ribbons, tassels and even a few jewels! Along the way learn a little about this fun and exciting ride of a bygone era.
 
Driving Bridle
Skill Level: Intermediate
In this workshop, Dani Boiko of Savvy Appy Studios, will demonstrate how to make a traditional scale driving bridle. Using a step-by-step guide, students in this session will learn how to construct this bridle to fit your model. This is one of the many styles driving bridles come in and is both stylish yet simple in design.
 

 

Saturday, July 15^th, 12:30 to 2:30 pm

Watercolor Painting
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
In this fun workshop, instructor and artist Jamie Rott will guide participants through this unique project using watercolors!  Jamie will walk participants through all painting stages, from a simple watercolor silhouette to an embellished, colorful, and inspired masterpiece!

 

 

Akhal Teke Tack
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Iconic tack maker Didi Hornberger is back with another incredible tack project!  Didi is the creative mind behind many of the beautiful custom regalia pieces that have been a part of the BreyerFest Silent Auction and she is excited to teach students this summer to create a beautiful, embellished bridle and blanket made especially for Breyer’s Akhal Teke model.  These bridles were traditionally narrow to show off the lean face of the horse.  All participants will receive an Adamek to create their project on.

 

 

Mini Performance: Combined Driving
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Join Kim and Kathi Haymond in constructing the props needed for your own Stablemates scale arena combined driving class!  Workshop participants will learn about the sport of combined driving and construct an arena base, dressage rails, driving cones, planters, and markers, and also receive reference material to help give them an edge at the next show.  Stablemates scale models included for participants!

 

Introduction to Leather Tooling
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced, 16+
Take your tack design to the next level in this fun session!  Lisa Smalley, of Smalley Saddlery will teach participants the art of tooling leather in miniature, a skill that you can ultimately use for model horse tack.  In this session, participants will be tooling leather to make a bracelet, which they can wear home, but the techniques taught can be easily transferred to tack making.  This workshop is for all skill levels, but at the instructor’s request is suitable for participants 16 and older only.

 

 

Sunday, July 16^th 10:30 am to 12:30 pm

Drawing Forward
Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced, ages 11+
Artist Sacha Phariss, known for her stunning paintings of horses, is looking forward to helping students bring their sketches to the next level.  This is a great follow-up for any students who participated in Sacha’s Drawing Horses session in 2022.  This class will focus on shading, details, and contrast and will cover both full body sketches and detailed close-ups, including eyes.  The tips and tricks learned in this session will help bring character to your drawings and bring them to life!  Students will be provided with drawing supplies, but are welcome to bring their own sketchbooks, as well.

 

Mosaic Horse Plaques
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Let your creativity shine as you create your very own glass tile mosaic horse plaque with artist Christina Riley as your guide! Fun for any skill level, adults and kids alike, Christina will take students through the process of creating these beautiful mosaics, from the base board to finishing touches.  This very hands-on craft could get a little messy so we recommend bringing a smock/apron or wearing clothes you don't mind getting messy.

 

Cart Before the Horse – Making Chariots
Skill Level: Intermediate
Build your own miniature chariot worthy of ancient Egypt and Rome! In this workshop, expert prop maker Laura Skillern-Sailer will walk participants through the process of building and painting their own Freedom Series-scale chariot as well as learn the basics of vehicle making. Each participant will get their own chariot kit complete with spinning wheels and model horse from Breyer.

 

Arabian Halter
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Work with experienced hobbyist Tiffany Purdy and learn how to make your own Arabian halter. Supplies and a Traditional-scale model are provided to all participants!

 

The full schedule for all these sessions, and the VIP sessions, will be announced later this month, with sessions going on sale in early March.  If you’re not a VIP or All-Access ticket holder yet, you can purchase your tickets here!