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Apr 25, 2024 By Stephanie Kalina-Metzger 4 min read

A trip to the Laurel Highlands is always a beautiful one, especially as the weather warms. The winding roads, tidy farms and sun-dappled woodlands are a wonderful reminder of the beauty of our state.

Nestled within 150 acres of woodland about 60 miles south of Pittsburgh, is a place that has stood the test of time. The Touchstone Center for Crafts started in 1972 with a group of pioneering artists, determined to build a creative community. Classes in pottery, weaving, quilting and fiber arts were held in the Mill Run Grange Hall under the aptly named “Pioneer Crafts Council.” The group later found a spot in nearby Farmington, where they operate as the Touchstone’s Center for Crafts.

The nonprofit organization serves the people of Fayette County and beyond and has grown substantially since its humble beginning. Today it offers classes, exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations, and other creative and educational programming throughout the year.

A Different Date Night Experience

One of the more popular programs at Touchstone is date night, where couples over 21 are invited to go beyond the typical dinner date and instead flex their creative muscles to forge a memento that they can cherish forever. No date? No problem, according to Dean Simpson, Touchstone Marketing Manager.

“We encourage participants to bring along a friend, colleague or family member for our Friday evening mini workshops,” he said.

Couples of all skill levels can choose from a variety of classes ranging from blacksmithing, to ceramics, drawing, painting, jewelry making and more. And for those who are adventurous, there’s a “mystery medium” class.

“Some folks enjoy being surprised, so the class is apt to include any medium listed, or one that isn’t even listed at all,” Simpson said.

Kelli Brisbane has been attending classes at the Center since 2022.

“My first was a teambuilding class, working with clay,” she said, adding that the goal of the hand-building workshop was to create a business card and a decorative container to hold pens and pencils. The class left Brisbane wanting more.

“It was really fun and also neat to see how different they all turned out,” she said.

Brisbane enjoyed her class so much that she wanted to share the fun with her husband Dash Harster, so the two signed up for date night.

“It was a refreshing experience rather than our typical eating out for fun,” Brisbane said.

The couple chose to try their hand at blacksmithing to start.

“It was a blast hammering away at metal under the guidance of an expert and creating a cool hook to use in our home,” Brisbane said, adding that it was extremely satisfying to see something beautiful come to life in front of their eyes. What the couple also learned is how much work goes into creating such a small hook. “It gave us an appreciation for craftsmanship.”

Next up was a mosaic class that Brisbane said was more delicate, but equally fun.

“We had the opportunity to choose found objects like glass and tile pieces and put them together to make something that inspired us,” she said, noting that working with mosaics was on her bucket list.

Harster said that he was glad his wife suggested the classes.

“We not only acquired the fundamentals of each craft, but also had the opportunity to create pieces to cherish,” he said.

When the date night classes wind down, participants are invited to enjoy light refreshments and wine from the local Christian W. Klay Winery.

“It was the perfect way to end the evening, just kicking back and reliving the fun we just had,” Brisbane said.

The couple said that they’d recommend the classes to anyone but notes that date nights tend to fill up fast, so they advise those interested to consider visiting the website and signing up soon.

“What makes the classes exceptional is the opportunity to learn skills not easily accessible on our own at a top-notch facility with expert instructors and professional equipment. It was both remarkable and enriching,” Harster said.

Date night classes are $60 per person, materials included.

To sign up, visit their website at: https//www.touchstonecrafts.org/workshops/date-nights.