Robin Sturgeon’s printmaking class at the Red Brick Center for the Arts.
Kelsey Brunner/Courtesy photo

“Creative Happy Hour” printmaking classes are a hit, led by Aspen-based printmaker Robin Sturgeon. In just a couple of hours, participants can walk away with a new skill set and their own artwork — and learning to draw is not required. 

“We’ve sold out every class, so far,” Sturgeon said.

The ongoing classes take place on Thursdays once a month — upcoming sessions will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 and Feb. 12 at the Red Brick Center for the Arts. Each class is only $28 and includes art supplies, drinks, and snacks.

“I first attended one of her classes in early November 2025 at the Red Brick where the craft was introduced to me. Since then, it has become my new favorite method of creative expression and I’ve actually started working on my first series of cat portraits,” former student Arielle Lyons said. 

The class size is 12-14 participants and usually sells out about a week in advance. One class offers the complete experience from start to finish, but classes are repeatable for anyone who wants to explore different designs.

“Due to the low cost, hopefully, people can sign up and not have to think about any monetary constraint,” Sturgeon said. “It’s an opportunity to expose people to new things.”

Linocut is a versatile block print technique that involves carving designs into linoleum blocks, inking the carved blocks, and pressing them onto paper to achieve a unique print that can be duplicated again and again.

“You can make as many prints out of it indefinitely, so it’s a way to make something for yourself and also give a gift to five of your friends,” Sturgeon said, in contrast to creating a painting where there’s only one final product.

Printmaking classes sell out roughly a week in advance.Kelsey Brunner/Courtesy photo

Sturgeon brings along templates for participants to create 5-by-7 inch prints — no drawing needed.

“We use templates and references for people to be able to skip over that step, so they can focus more on carving,” Sturgeon said. “When you roll ink on it for the first time, it’s always pretty magical when you start to see what you’ve actually carved. I’d say that’s the most special part of the process.”

Sturgeon moved to Aspen in January and began teaching at the Red Brick Center for the Arts in June. A printmaker for more than 15 years, she’s now leading her first classes as an instructor.

“Robin absolutely has a gift for connecting with people, and making this traditional linocut technique both accessible and exciting, no matter the skill level you come in with,” former student Megan Vaughn said.

Sturgeon’s prints are sold locally at the Aspen Emporium — the Main St. artisan collective — and she’s appeared in two shows at the Aspen Chapel Gallery, 

Born in Columbus, Ohio, she resided in other cities like Nashville and New York before she came to the Rockies.

Robin Sturgeon oversees a student during printmaking class.Kelsey Brunner/Courtesy photo

“I think of all the places I’ve lived, the people here are the most invested in supporting local arts, including the Red Brick and all of the stores here,” Sturgeon said. 

Sturgeon originally stumbled across printmaking when she took it as a required class during an undergraduate program — she holds a dual bachelor’s degree in marketing and graphic design and an MBA — all from the University of Notre Dame. She’s been printmaking ever since.

“This class is good for perfectionists, because once it’s carved that’s it, you can’t keep going over it and over it like a painting,” Sturgeon said. “It teaches you to accept what is.”

Vaughn added, “Robin’s linocut printmaking happy hour art class at the Red Brick Center for the Arts is nothing short of exceptional.”

Participants must be 21 years or older. The Red Brick Center for the Arts is located at 110 E. Hallam St. For more information and to register, visit redbrickaspen.com/creative-happy-hour.