🌺 AMAPOLA ARTS NEWSLETTER
August 2026
Culture • Community • Creativity
🌺 Welcome to August at Amapola Arts
A New Chapter Begins
August is a month of exciting change at Amapola Arts!
As we head to Puerto Rico for a little rest and inspiration, the studio will be temporarily closed while we complete some exciting renovations, including a refreshed studio layout and beautiful new epoxy floors.
While we’ll miss creating with you this month, we’re looking forward to welcoming you back to a refreshed studio and an exciting fall season featuring new classes, expanded Open Studio opportunities, the launch of our Founding Studio Membership, and our brand-new monthly series, 🌙 Amapola After Hours – Culture • Community • Creativity…After Hours.
Thank you for being part of the Amapola Arts community. We can’t wait to share this next chapter with you!
📚 Featured Event
An Evening with Maria “Clari” Cruz
Celebrating the Release of Get Heartset: The Evolution of the Soul
📅 Friday, August 28, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Amapola Arts Studio
We’re excited to reopen our doors by welcoming Puerto Rican author Maria “Clari” Cruz for an inspiring evening celebrating the release of her newest book, Get Heartset: The Evolution of the Soul.
Through powerful poetry and personal reflection, Maria shares a journey of healing, resilience, identity, and reclaiming her voice. Join us for an intimate evening to meet the author, hear the story behind her work, participate in a meaningful conversation, and have your copy personally signed.
Whether you’re a poetry lover, passionate about Puerto Rican literature, or simply looking for an evening of inspiration and connection, we hope you’ll join us as we celebrate this special occasion—and the beginning of an exciting new season at Amapola Arts.
✨ This event is free and open to all. Registration is requested.
🏺 Featured Guest Artist Series
Beginner Handbuilding Pottery (Ages 16+)
Featuring a Special Guest Artist
📅 Fridays at 11:00 AM
September 18 – October 23
6 Sessions | $270
Discover the fundamentals of handbuilding pottery in this welcoming six-week beginner series. Learn pinch, coil, and slab construction, along with surface decoration, glazing, and finishing techniques.
✔ No experience required
✔ Tools & glazes included
✔ Clay sold separately
✨ Space is limited—register early!
🌙 NEW This Fall!
Amapola After Hours
Culture • Community • Creativity…After Hours.
Beginning Friday, September 18, join us on the third Friday of every month for Amapola After Hours—a new monthly series celebrating Puerto Rican culture, creativity, and community.
Each evening features three unique experiences:
🌿 Amapola Restore(FREE | 3:00–5:00 PM) Presented in partnership with the Buffalo Urban League, this creative wellness experience invites participants to explore a monthly theme through art, culture, and guided reflection.
☕ Cafecito Social(FREE | 5:00–6:00 PM) Stay for Enjoy authentic Puerto Rican coffee, traditional pastries and treats, and meaningful conversation as we gather, connect, and build community.
🎨🏺 Clay & Canvas con Cafecito(6:00–8:30 PM | Ages 21+ | Registration Required) Choose between a handbuilding pottery or canvas painting experience inspired by Puerto Rican art, culture, and traditions. Continue the evening as you sip on your cafecito—or your favorite grown-up beverage 😉—while creating, connecting, and celebrating community.
Each month will feature a new cultural theme, making every Amapola After Hours a unique experience.
✨ Our inaugural Amapola After Hours takes place Friday, September 18. Stay tuned for the full lineup and registration details—we can’t wait to share what’s in store!
🔨 Studio Renovations & Reopening
The studio will be closed beginning Friday, August 7 as we head to Puerto Rico and complete some exciting renovations.
When we return, you’ll be welcomed into a refreshed studio featuring a reconfigured layout and beautiful new epoxy floors—creating an even more welcoming space for classes, Open Studio, exhibitions, and community gatherings.
🎉 Welcome Back Weekend
We’re excited to reopen and celebrate a brand-new season at Amapola Arts!
📚 Friday, August 28 | 6:00 PM Kick off the weekend with our Featured Book Signing with Maria “Clari” Cruz.
🎨 Saturday, August 29 Join us for our first full day back featuring:
- 👨👩👧 Family Hour
- 🏺 Beginner Pottery Series
- 🎨 Create-in-a-Day Workshops
We can’t wait to welcome you back and share the studio’s exciting new look!
🕒 New Studio Hours
Beginning Saturday, August 29
We’re expanding our studio hours to give you even more opportunities to create, connect, and explore!
Tuesday–Thursday 🕙 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday–Saturday 🕙 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Please note: Studio hours may occasionally vary due to workshops, private events, exhibitions, community programming, or vendor events. Please check our online calendar before visiting.
🎨 Expanded Open Studio
One of the most exciting areas of growth at Amapola Arts this year has been Open Studio! What began as a small offering has blossomed into a vibrant creative community of nearly 20 regular artists who return each week to create, connect, encourage one another, and continue developing their artistic practice.
As our community grows, so do the opportunities to create! Beginning this fall, we’re expanding our Open Studio schedule to offer even more flexibility.
🎨 Pottery & Painting Open Studio
Tuesday: 5:00–7:30 PM
Wednesday: 12:00–2:30 PM
Thursday: 12:00–2:30 PM & 5:00–7:30 PM
🏺 Pottery Handbuilding Open Studio
Tuesday: 5:00–7:30 PM
Wednesday: 12:00–2:30 PM
Thursday: 12:00–2:30 PM & 5:00–7:30 PM
Saturday: 11:30 AM–2:00 PM
Whether you’re finishing a class project, exploring a new idea, or simply making time for yourself each week, Open Studio is a wonderful place to create, connect, and belong.
Open Studio Passes
- Single Session — $35
- 5-Session Pass — $165(valid for 2 months)
- 10-Session Pass — $300(valid for 4 months)
Open Studio is intended for returning students and experienced artists. New artists without previous Amapola Arts experience are welcome but must demonstrate proficiency in their chosen medium and complete a brief studio orientation before participating.
🌺 NEW! Founding Studio Membership
Love Open Studio?
Beginning September 1, we’re excited to introduce the Amapola Founding Studio Membership—designed for artists who want the freedom to create as often as they’d like while becoming part of a small, supportive creative community.
Our vision has never been to become the biggest studio. We want Amapola to remain a place where artists know one another, encourage one another, and truly feel at home. To preserve that atmosphere, Founding Memberships are intentionally limited to just 10 artists.
🌿 Founding Studio Membership
$200 per Month
Includes:
✔ Unlimited Pottery Open Studio
✔ Unlimited Painting Open Studio
✔ Unlimited glazing & firing
✔ Personal shelf space
✔ Full use of studio tools and equipment
✔ Priority registration for workshops and special events
✔ 10% discount on retail purchases
🎁 Founding Members also receive an Amapola Arts Studio Smock and Tote Bag.
Clay, canvases, and other consumable materials are purchased separately.
Your Founding Member rate of $200/month is guaranteed for as long as your membership remains active.
Interested? Reply to this newsletter or send us a message to reserve one of our 10 Founding Memberships.
🦋 Ongoing Classes
🎨 Canvas Painting
Family Canvas Painting Hour(Ages 7–12)
🗓 Saturdays at 10:00 AM(Offered Twice Monthly)
💲30
Create-in-a-Day Canvas Painting(Ages 13+)
🗓 Saturdays at 2:30 PM(Offered Twice Monthly)
💲55
🏺 Pottery
Family Pottery Hour(Ages 7–12)
🗓 Saturdays at 10:00 AM(Offered Twice Monthly)
💲35
Create-in-a-Day Pottery(Ages 13+)
🗓 Saturdays at 2:30 PM(Offered Twice Monthly)
💲65
Beginner Pottery Series(Ages 16+)
🗓 Saturdays at 11:30 AM
6 Sessions | 💲270
Intermediate Pottery Series(Ages 16+)
🗓 Wednesdays at 5:00 PM
6 Sessions | 💲300
📸 Photography
Create-in-a-Day Photography(Ages 13+) 📅 Scheduled Individually 💲 $60
🎨📸 Personalized Creative Series
Photography or Canvas Painting Series with Nino Morales (Beginner/Intermediate)
📅 Scheduled Individually
Enjoy personalized, one-on-one instruction tailored to your interests, skill level, and creative goals. Whether you’re looking to build a strong foundation or refine your technique, we’ll create a learning experience just for you.
🏺 Pottery Series Update
🎉 Our next Beginner Pottery Series is officially full!
Thank you for the incredible response! If you weren’t able to grab a spot, don’t worry—we’ll be announcing our next Beginner Pottery Series beginning in October, so stay tuned!
Already have some pottery experience?
Our Fall Intermediate Pottery Series still has four spots available and is the perfect opportunity to continue building your skills, explore new techniques, and create alongside our wonderful studio community.
✨ Only four spots remain—reserve yours today!
🤝 Community Spotlight
At Amapola Arts, our work extends far beyond the walls of our studio. This fall, we’re excited to continue bringing creativity into the community through new and ongoing partnerships.
🌟 The Belle Center
We’ll continue offering twice-monthly arts programming, providing youth with opportunities to explore creativity, build confidence, and express themselves through the visual arts.
🌟 Kenan Center Civic Arena
We’re also excited to expand our partnership with the new Kenan Center Civic Arena, where we’ll be offering creative experiences for adults, including a Creative Mixed Media Canvas Workshop and a festive Holiday Platter Pottery Workshop.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with organizations that share our commitment to making the arts accessible, meaningful, and connected to the communities we serve.
📍 Join Us at Amapola Arts
Whether you’re looking to take a class, attend an event, explore our programs, or simply learn more about what we do, we’d love to connect with you!
🗓️ Register for Classes & Events https://amapola-arts-studio.breely.com/
🎁 Purchase an Open Studio Pass or Gift Card https://app.squareup.com/gift/MLP56DQ9WWY0M/order
🌺 Interested in a Founding Studio Membership? Contact us to learn more and reserve one of our 10 Founding Memberships.
🎉 Looking for Something More? Amapola Arts also offers educational programming, community partnerships, private parties, creative team-building experiences, event space rentals, commissioned artwork, photography, graphic design, and other creative services. We’d love to help bring your next idea or event to life!
❤️ Support Amapola Arts https://square.link/u/KCZb4FO4
🌐 Visit Our Website https://www.amapolaarts.com/
📧 Email Us info@amapolaarts.com
📞 Call Us (716) 245-5284
📍 Visit Us Amapola Arts 217 Highland Parkway Buffalo, NY 14223
❤️ Thank You
As another wonderful summer comes to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made it so special.
Thank you for joining us for Exhibit in the Garden, Navidad Bajo el Sol, our Featured Guest Artist Series with Amanda Wenner, Amapola Restore in partnership with the Buffalo Urban League, and our summer camps, Explora: Art & Story Camp and The Story of El Jíbaro.
A special thank you to our Summer Resident Artist, Isabel (“Izzy”) Collins. It has been a joy having you as part of the Amapola family. We wish you all the best as you begin this exciting new chapter after high school—we know you’ll do amazing things!
Thank you for supporting our mission and helping us build a community where culture, creativity, and community thrive.
We can’t wait to welcome you back into our refreshed studio this fall!
With gratitude,
Nino & Gliset Morales
Co-Founders, Amapola Arts 🌺
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