The Norton Cabin was built near the Grand River by Mohawk Leader Teyoninhokarawen (John Norton) in 1817. It was relocated to The Brown Homestead in 1997.

This hands-on workshop invites participants to The Brown Homestead to paint the historic Norton Cabin (c. 1817) in watercolour, using their own hand-made paints created in class — derived from natural pigments and repurposed from construction waste.

The Experience

Hosted in the oldest home in St. Catharines, this event will feature hands-on pigment-making in the morning, followed by a step-by-step watercolour painting lesson in the afternoon.

This experience will be led by watercolour artist Rémy Bles, interspersed with discussions of the history of natural pigment paints, as well as contemporary issues surrounding themes of deconstruction and sustainability.

Guests will also enjoy coffee/tea and pastries as they learn more about the rehabilitation projects happening at The Brown Homestead.

About Rémy

Rémy Bles is an artist based out of London, Ontario. Her work reflects her love for nature, architecture, design & the little nuances of life. She has always admired old & decrepit architecture, and craftsmanship of days gone by. Through her studies in Interior Design and Heritage Conservation at Willowbank School of Restoration Arts she has expanded her love & knowledge for historical structures and often showcases them in her work.

Investment

$109 per participant (including taxes)

Included: All materials and supplies needed for pigment making and painting will be provided during the workshop. coffee, tea, and pastries also included.

What You’ll Take Home: A finished 8.5” x 11” watercolour painting, a bottle of our “Dairy Red” brick pigment powder, and recipe cards for each of the pigments made during the session so they can try the process at home!

Not Included: Lunch is not included in this workshop package. There will be a one-hour break in between sessions and we encourage you to bring a bagged lunch to enjoy on the property!

Accessibility

Please note that the John Brown House is undergoing continued rehabilitation work and is currently not wheelchair accessible. The outdoor washroom facilities and second storey of the house are accessible by stairs only. We apologize for this inconvenience, and we continue to work to create an engaging experience for all visitors to our site.