BreyerMidwest Workshops!

Saturday at BreyerMidwest is dedicated to getting crafty and learning more about the hands-on side of the model horse hobby.  From painting, to tack making, to resculpting models, BreyerMidwest workshops offer guests the opportunity to be taught by some of the best in the model horse hobby in a small classroom environment.

At our new home in Topeka, we are thrilled to announce that the size of the Sunflower Ballroom in the Maner Conference Center will allow us to host a record of NINE workshops, each with 25 seats, allowing attendees even more opportunities to participate in these highly sought after sessions!

Three classroom spaces will each host three timeslots of classes on January 24^th, so attendees can only select ONE class per timeslot, so look at the below options carefully to figure out your schedule.  Registrations for these classes will go on sale next week with the Model Horse Show registrations and the Event model sales.

 Saturday, January 24, 2026 – 9:00 am-11:00 am

 Baby Bones

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced

Jenn Constantine, known for her supernatural skeletal Spook medallions, paintings, and customs, is excited to be returning to BreyerMidwest for this updated version of her original Bones, Blacklights, and Brushes class.  This session will introduce participants to the basics of the equine skeleton, the science of bone growth in foals, and the tricks to using UV paints that respond to blacklights to create their own Spook on a Breyer model! This class is beginner friendly but offers plenty to do for more experienced artists as well.  This session includes a Freedom Series scale Breyer foal model.

Every Day We SCUTTLING

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced

Join Canadian artist Shauna McDaniel for a little bit of Saturday morning chaos as she guides students through the process of creating a unique companion to guard your herd.  Shauna will cover several techniques to turn found objects and pony parts into entirely new creations using standard art supplies and of course a little glitter.  This workshop will suit any skill level – Stablemates models (and parts) and shells will be supplied by Breyer.

Performance Showing Clinic

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced

Performance showing champion Tiffany Purdy is excited to be hosting this informative clinic, suitable for model horse showers of all ages and abilities who want to learn more about showing their collection in performance classes at shows.  Learn about proper fit, setup, safety, and more as Tiffany takes students through the process of creating show-stopping scene for this often-overlooked set of classes at model horse shows.  A Traditional scale Breyer model is included in this class, but participants should plan to bring their own tack to practice with if they have it.  If you don’t own any tack, there will be tack to borrow.

Saturday, January 24, 2026 – 12:00 pm-2:00 pm

Making Mari Lwyds

Skill Level:  Beginner to Advanced

We are keeping the Yuletide season alive (even though it’s the end of January) by creating a Freedom Series scale Mari Lwyd!  The Mari Lwyd is a folk tradition from Southern Wales wherein wassailers travel from house to house looking to gain entry to participate in festive revelry.  Canadian artist Kristy Thiessen will be joining us again to bring this fun and spooky session to life once again.  This session requires no Dremel or Apoxie and there are lots of decorative options suitable for many skill levels.  Kristy will also be including a special bonus project!  A Breyer Freedom Series scale model is included with this session.

Ice Cream Sundae Bases

Skill Level:  Beginner to Advanced

A new take on a fantasy base with perennial Best Customs Contest winner Laura Skillern Sailer!  In this class, Laura will show students how to make a fantasy base for your Stablemates Unicorns that looks like a good-enough-to-eat ice cream sundae!  Made from lightweight spackle and foam, this sundae base is quirky, fun, and a great way to show off your creativity in the kitchen…er, classroom.  Breyer Stablemates unicorns are included in this session.

Colorful Craft Store Tack

Skill Level:  Beginner

Make model horse tack the easy way! Artist Ruth Sheridan will guide beginners of all ages through crafting a saddle, pad, and hackamore bridle using supplies you can grab at any dollar or craft store — no leather or fancy tools needed! You’ll learn to cut patterns and assemble pieces step by step, with a Traditional scale Breyer model included to show off your new creations. Young kids are welcome — just bring scissors skills (or a grown-up helper).  

Saturday, January 24, 2026 – 3:00 pm-5:00 pm

 Painting on Canvas

Skill level: Beginner to Advanced

Artist Laura Thompson is bringing a spooky twist to her traditional canvas painting class for this year’s BreyerMidwest!  Laura Thomson guides you through this relaxing painting project, suitable for all levels of painters 10 years old and up.  Prepped canvases will be provided for attendees.  A great way to unwind after a fun-filled day at BreyerMidwest.  This session does not include a model horse.

Traditional-Style Unicorns

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced

Artist Angelo Zunic, more commonly known for their fantastic trace clip re-sculpts, is hosting a workshop of a different color at this year’s BreyerMidwest – Traditional-style unicorns!  These unicorns, with lion’s tails and cloven hooves, are the stuff of medieval fantasy come to life.  For an added twist, Angelo will be showing students how to craft a removable horn, making these extra safe for transport.  This session will include a Freedom Series scale Breyer model.

Western Bridles

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced

Tack maker extraordinaire Carrie Sloan Meyer is back!  Hosting this fun tack making session, students will learn how to make a Traditional scale Western bridle with leather lace and etched silver bits and buckles!  A Breyer Traditional scale model is included in this session.