community arts & nature programs

I run hands-on art and community programs for adults, youth, and families. I specialize in simple, portable workshops that work indoors or outdoors.

contact
A long table set up for painting with bottles of paint, brushes, and disposable cups, inside a building with open garage doors, overlooking a group of people outside.

Art & Creative workshops

Display case with two sheets of pressed flowers and petals, including white flowers with pink accents, against a wooden background.

I teach drawing, printmaking, cyanotypes, and mixed-media projects. Workshops range from introductory drawing and creative play to figure study sessions with a live model. All programs are adaptable for mixed-abilities and settings.

Participants will learn:

  • Core drawing skills (gesture, proportion, perspective)

  • Creative mark-making and composition

  • Introductory printmaking and cyanotype processes

Outdoor & Nature-Based Programs

An outdoor painting easel with a painting of a tree and a creek on a grassy riverside, with bare trees and a river in the background on a sunny day.

I lead calm-water kayaking excursions, guided nature walks, and ecology-focused activities that help participants feel grounded, curious, and connected to place. When we use natural materials, we follow park guidelines. Programs may include nature observation, plant and fungi identification, simple nature crafts, and mindfulness-based activities such as forest bathing.

Participants will learn:

  • Basic paddling and safety awareness

  • Plant and fungi observation and identification

  • Nature-based art techniques (plein-air painting, leaf prints, spore prints, simple collagraphs)

teaching style & safety

Stack of watercolor or paper swatches, a hobby knife, and a brayer roller on a cutting mat.

  • Welcoming, structured and supportive instruction

  • Demonstration followed by guided practice

  • Programs adaptable for different ages and abilities

  • Portable, low-mess materials and clear setup/cleanup plans

  • Experience managing groups indoors, outdoors, and on the water

  • Wilderness First Aid + CPR in progress

Recent programs

Painted paper with orange, yellow, and green strokes on a table covered with a cloth, amid painting supplies including paint bottles, brushes, and gourds.

  • Monmouth County Park System — 3D Drawing

  • Middlesex County Parks — Apple Printing

  • Trybal Gatherings — Acrylic Pour Painting

  • Jersey Shore Arts Center — Life Drawing

  • Delmarva Paddlers Retreat — Kayak Rolling

testimonials

Tracy Coon is a talented and thoughtful teaching artist. She pays special attention to her students' needs while nurturing their own unique processes. She brings a wide range of experiences and artistic skills to a classroom setting, which is very beneficial when teaching a mixed group of student ages and abilities.

— Kate Eggleston, Artist & Educator

Excellent speaker and educator! Tracy, you are so informative and patient an I so enjoyed my hour with you. I would love to see you do more short educational talks about social media, we can all learn from your knowledge.

— Gina Torello, Artist

contact

Interested in booking a workshop?
Email: tracycoon66@gmail.com

A woman wearing glasses, a yellow plaid jacket, a white shirt, and jeans standing in an art gallery with people in the background viewing artwork on the wall.