about us

 

Cottage Courses are artist-led workshops created to share unique methods and skills within our community. Founded by Natalie Baxter and Polly Shindler, these all-level classes connect participants with artists and practitioners who bring their own creative spin to learning and making. Each course grows out of the instructor’s own practice, offering a glimpse into their ideas and work in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Our aim is to inspire participants to create, experiment, and innovate while building new friendships along the way.

Our courses are nomadic. We often host workshops at Troutbeck in Amenia, NY, but we’re always exploring new locations. Dates and times are listed in each course description.

 

 

Polly Shindler is a painter in Millerton, NY. Her paintings depict domestic life, interior scenes as well as urban and rural landscapes. During the pandemic, she taught herself how to paper mache so she could translate some of her ideas into the 3- dimensional space. These objects have become an extension of her painting practice. Polly received her M.F.A. in Painting from Pratt Institute and her B.A. in History from University of Massachusetts. Her work has been exhibited at galleries and art fairs around the country and internationally in Brazil, Spain and London.

 

Natalie Baxter is an artist working primarily with fabric to create soft sculptures and quilted wall hangings that playfully push controversial social and political issues. Most recently, she has been incorporating found and discarded domestic fabric and objects in her work. Natalie received her MFA from the University of Kentucky and her BA in Studio Art from The University of the South; Sewanee. Her work has been exhibited at galleries, museums, and fairs internationally. After frequenting the Wassaic Project residency, she moved her home, studio and family to Wassaic, NY.

 

Our Policy

You may cancel your registration up to 10 days before workshop for a refund. Exchanges available on a case by case basis. Classes with low sign ups may be canceled for either full refunds or make-up workshops.

We appreciate punctuality so we can start our workshops on time.

Photos for social media will be taken. If you would prefer not to be photographed let us know. These photos will be available to all participants.