Upcoming Classes
Food + Function: Pumpkin Painting Contest
Join us for a fun-filled Pumpkin Painting Contest! This event is perfect for families and artists of all ages. Whether you’re a Pre-K little artist or an experienced adult painter, there’s a category just for you. Let your creativity shine as you transform pumpkins into unique works of art. Participants will have the chance to win a handmade pottery candy bowl filled with sweet treats. Categories include Pre-K, Elementary, Middle School, High School, and Adults, so everyone can get in on the fun. Bring your family and friends for a day of festive creativity and autumn spirit! Price is per pumpkin, not per person! For all ages
Beginning Micro Torch Soldering
Step out of your comfort zone to learn an easy and economical entry into jewelry soldering! A micro torch is a small " crème brûlée" style butane torch. We will learn how to fuse and ball silver and make a simple ring and pendant using basic soldering methods, as well as several types of solder and soldering. You will be surprised at what you can create with just a few simple tools! Please note students need to wear eye protection (eyeglasses work), closed toe shoes, no loose sleeves, and long hair must be tied back. Ages 16-Adult
Learning Digital Photography
This class will introduce you to the basics of digital photography: composition, lighting, camera settings, etc. We will explore the essentials of landscapes and portraits. You will begin to understand what it takes to create a good photo, and watch your pictures improve in a fun and interactive atmosphere. Ages 16-Adult
Sense of Place: Watercolor
Let us create a painting that tugs at the soul. Learn to turn that “sense of place” into a forever memory. Is it Grandma's kitchen, that childhood toy or tire swing, a worn chair that brings comfort? We will explore the intrinsic nature of “place” using the brilliance of watercolor to capture the magic. There will be a 30-minute lunch break, so please bring food and drink. Ages 16-Adult
Sense of Place: Enameling
Delve into the colors, textures, landscape, history, and/or community, and your own memories and feelings about sense of place through the medium of enameling. We will consider selected pieces in the Fine Arts Center's collections and how or whether they reflect this theme in ways that inspire or contrast with our ideas. We will explore not only techniques but also such aspects as multiples vs. single pieces, methods of display, and others, in creating our own evocations of "place" in glass on metal. Ages 16-Adult
ArtTrax: Drawing
In this course, you will be provided with an overview of techniques to learn how to draw from life. Using graphite pencil, subjects covered will include line control, drawing from observation, and shading. Bemis ArtTrax is a curriculum created to provide equitable and accessible pathways to the arts. ArtTrax courses introduce the fundamental concepts of painting and drawing through a series of engaging exercises. Emphasis is not on producing finished works of art but rather on developing a basic skill set through practice and repetition. No prior knowledge or experience in the medium is needed or expected. Ages 16-Adult
Partners in Art: Pumpkin Painting
Do you love fall? Take your love of the season and come with us to paint a pumpkin! Yes, paint a pumpkin as opposed to ON a pumpkin! Using acrylic paint, you will observe physical pumpkins and practice painting the principles and elements of design that these incredibly fun and festive still lifes have to offer! Ages 6+ with participating adult
Thrown Stamped Mugs
Take your thrown mugs to the next level with stamped textures! Make your own clay bisque stamps and apply textures to your thrown mug forms. Experiment with several types of handles, pulled from the mug body, pulled upside down, or formed separately and attached. Ages 16-Adult
Recreating Color
We will learn how to dye silk fabric with acid dyes using a dye bath. This is a technical class where we will learn mathematical equations to create and reproduce color. We will learn how to create a dye bath, how to create stock solutions, and how to create different depths of dye with the same color. There will be a 30-minute lunch break, so please bring food and drink. Adults
Netted Treasures
Join us for these four classes where you will learn how to incorporate objects of personal value into a netted work of art. You will get the opportunity to design your own project and learn additional beading techniques that will help you create and finish your project. We will explore creative ideas and methods of construction that will give you many hours of creative exploration and the freedom to create your own beaded art going forward. Ages 16-Adult
Pottery Pets
Reimagine your favorite pets in clay and create functional and sculptural projects. Along the way we will learn pottery handling skills and complete our pieces with various glazing techniques. Ages 9-12
Decorating for the Holidays
Spend a fun afternoon every week creating these quilling projects! You will be guided step by step in creating five holiday ornaments which you can use to decorate your home or give as gifts. You will learn basic quilling techniques and apply them to create a red snowflake, blue snowflake, ombre snowflake, green snowflake, and poinsettia ornament. Ages 16-Adult
Let’s Do A Diptych
Diptychs are two panels or canvases connected to form a pair. You will have a choice of a mountain scene, a street scene, or your own image (upon approval) to work from. We will develop two canvases simultaneously to work in unison and form a beautiful pair of canvas acrylic paintings. Adults
Hand-Lettered Holiday
Try a few hand lettering and calligraphy techniques to create holiday gifts, ornaments, or cards. We will explore simple illuminated-manuscript decorative lettering, writing with a chisel-edge pen, and experimenting with design via letterforms. You will take with you a toolkit of ideas, inspiration, and techniques for hand-lettered celebrations. Ages 16-Adult
Animal Portraits
Join us for this after school class where you will get an introduction to learning how to paint your favorite animals or pets, and/or imaginary creatures. We will also explore how to bring character to your animals of choice. You will learn about the qualities of both watercolor paints, tempera paints, and several different canvas mediums to paint on. Together we will explore creative ideas that will inspire you and give you the freedom to create your own works of art. Ages 9-12
Partner Wheel Throwing
Join a friend or loved one for a unique night of creative excitement. You and your partner will learn the basics of wheel throwing on a pottery wheel through this hands-on and guided experience that covers the steps of preparing, centering, and throwing your very own clay vessel to cherish for years to come. Your handmade creations will be clear-glazed and fired for you to pick up 2-3 weeks after your workshop. Adults
Friday @ 6:30-8:30 p.m.
November 8 ($73 per pair/$88 per pair)
Instructor: Ash Donnelly
Friday @ 6:30-8:30 p.m.
November 15 ($73 per pair/$88 per pair)
Instructor: Ash Donnelly
Friday @ 6:30-8:30 p.m.
December 6 ($73 per pair/$88 per pair)
Instructor: Ash Donnelly
Friday @ 6:30-8:30 p.m.
December 13 ($73 per pair/$88 per pair)
Instructor: Ash Donnelly
Hot Peppers & Glass Workshop
Learn how to create colorful shadows, how to place warm and cool colors to create depth, and use lines to paint realistic glass. You will also learn how to work wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry and how to mix watercolor paint directly on your paper to create a glowing effect. Ages 16-Adult
Introduction to Mosaic Art
Learn the basics of mosaic art while making a wall hanging or trivet from a selection of Mexican ceramic tiles. You will learn how to layout the design; cutting, fitting, and gluing tiles; and how to grout. Repeat students will be able to complete a more complex design. Ages 16-Adult
Pint Size Picasso
Learn through creative play and exploration. Explore a variety of art materials and techniques while learning about famous artists. Gain new skills and confidence through independent decision-making, self expression, and exploration. Ages 6-9
Still Life Drawing
Let us practice our drawing skills and techniques by observing three-dimensional forms in a compelling still life environment! We will make choices to compose a drawing using individual viewpoints. Working on one drawing for the entirety of the course will give everyone a chance to complete a beautiful piece of work. Using charcoal pastels, we will focus on shadows and highlights given a light source, composition, proportions, and other rendering techniques. Ages 16-Adult
Exploring with Gelli® Arts Printing Plates
The Gelli® Plate is the perfect art tool when you are unsure about what to create or you want a bit of mindless creative fun. It is the perfect place to experiment with pattern and paint, and you end up with endless awesome papers for future creative play. You will be shown how to make fine-art quality prints with inexpensive materials and by the time we finish this course you will be equipped with the skills to confidently print on your own! Ages 16-Adult
Art Adventures
Embark on a journey filled with creative adventures. The adventure consists of developing painting, drawing and mixed-media creations through problem solving, critical thinking and collaboration. Ages 9-12
Indigo Vats
Learn how to start an indigo vat, or dye pot, using three different recipes. We will explore how to start a pre-reduced, a chemical and a sugar vat and how to maintain each vat. We will use the vats to explore the assorted colors each vat produces and how the different vats affect different fabrics. There will be a 30-minute lunch break, so please bring food and drink. Ages 16-Adult
Mountain Landscapes and Watercolor Techniques
We will examine and practice the style of contemporary artist Jen Aranyi, known for drawing simple, abstract mountain ranges, and painting skies with watercolors using special techniques. We will also explore the diverse ways to finish the foreground. This will require some drawing skills with pen and ink but do not let that intimidate you, this space is for everyone! Ages 16-Adult
Painting in a Series
Tied together by theme but painted differently. Fully explore your subject painted in imaginative ways. You might paint trees in different seasons or a variety of distinct species of trees. Emphasize different art and design elements using this remarkable learning technique. A series can be two or two hundred. Choose a subject you connect with or simply love. There will be a 30-minute lunch break, so please bring food and drink. 16-Adult
Painting Forest Friends
Together we will learn how to draw and paint different animals that you might find hiding away in the forest! We will look at various elements and principles of design to bring our paintings to life. You will be introduced to three-dimensional form and shadowing using acrylic medium, how different brushes and mark making can create the illusion of different textures, how to blend color, and much more! Ages 6-9
Painting Forest Friends
We will learn how to draw and paint different animals that you might find hiding away in the forest! We will look at various elements and principles of design to bring our paintings to life. You will be introduced to three-dimensional form and shadowing using acrylic medium, how different brushes and mark making can create the illusion of different textures, how to blend color, and much more! Ages 9-12
Stretch and Build
Join Sophia and Mateo for a beginner course on panel building and canvas stretching. You will leave with one small canvas stretched yourself, and one small panel assembled yourself. Your instructors will set you up for success by starting to make your own surfaces! Ages 16-Adult
Create a Holiday Film
We will learn how to shoot a compelling video on your phone, exploring various angles and techniques giving your video a cinematic feel. You will also learn how to seamlessly edit your clips together with the editing app, InShot. Finally, we will discuss when it is time to put the phone down to enjoy the moment. Learn how to capture the joy of the holidays and edit a cinematic film to treasure for years to come. Adults
Monday @ 12-3 p.m.
December 2 ($62/$77)
Instructor: Lauren Ferrara
Line and Watercolor
Bring the line work of drawing and the luminosity of watercolor together in an inspiring and addictive way. Layer sections of color, draw first and drop in paint, or experiment by throwing paint randomly and allowing it to speak to you. Matched or mismatched the results will add interest and movement to your painting. The choice is always yours. There will be a 30-minute lunch break, so please bring food and drink. Ages 16-Adult
Pins, Pendants, Ornaments
Explore the medium of powdered glass fused to metal at high heat to make enameled pins, pendants, or simple ornaments. You will choose from several pre-cut copper shapes and learn basic enameling techniques: cleaning the metal; applying powdered glass (enamels) using several techniques; firing at 1,450 degrees and building up layers of colors and designs. You will leave with several pieces and an understanding of enameling. There will be a short break, so please bring food and drink. Ages 16-Adult
Member Moments: Wheel Throwing Basics
Learn the basics of wheel throwing on a pottery wheel through this hands-on and guided experience that covers the steps of preparing, centering, and throwing clay. This BRAND-NEW series of workshops designed exclusively for our members to experience all the Fine Arts Center has to offer! Member Moments art classes allow our members to get a taste of various art media before diving into a full art class at Bemis School of Art. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, we invite you to discover new skills, express your creativity, and connect with fellow art enthusiasts. Ages 16-Adult
Thursday @ 5:30-7 p.m.
January 9 ($10)
Instructor: Jeremiah Houck
Food + Function: Farm to Fork
Experience a one-of-a-kind evening where local flavors and artisan craftsmanship come together in perfect harmony. Delight in a four-course meal prepared by the chefs of Bon Appétit, featuring ingredients from local partners, bringing fresh, sustainable ingredients straight from these beloved businesses to your table. Dinner will be served with wine. The meal will be served on handmade pottery, beautifully crafted by the artists at the Bemis School of Art. Best of all, you'll take home your own custom entree and dessert plates as a keepsake of this experience. Ages 21+
Member Moments: Acrylic Animal Portraits
Join us for an introduction to learning how to paint your favorite animals or pets, and/or imaginary creatures using acrylic paints. This BRAND-NEW series of workshops designed exclusively for our members to experience all the Fine Arts Center has to offer! Member Moments art classes allow our members to get a taste of various art media before diving into a full art class at Bemis School of Art. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, we invite you to discover new skills, express your creativity, and connect with fellow art enthusiasts. Ages 9-Adult
Intro to Phone Filmmaking
Create cinematic films that you love, featuring the people you love… on your phone. You will learn how to shoot and edit short films that will become treasured family heirlooms, all while spending more time enjoying the moment and less time looking at a screen. Adults
Mindful Mondays: Creative Practice
Join us as we create purposeful time to share space and build creative practice into our lives. If you have been looking to incorporate more play, art, and community into your life, come join us! We will experiment with mixed media sketchbook techniques and focus on creating a space for self-expression and developing the habit of creating art as a regular and prioritized activity. Explore collage, color, texture, word art, and more, all while making friends and building community. Adults
Introduction to Pastel Techniques
Have you been mystified by pastels? Pastels are pure pigment that generate intense colors that no other art medium can match. The focus will be on the use of soft, chalk sticks versus oil or pencils. Participants will learn through demonstration and hands-on creating the variety in which pastels, papers and tools combine to create the richest artworks imaginable. Adults
Teen Wheel Throwing
Join us to experience the ancient art of throwing on the potter’s wheel. We will learn the basics and make bowls, mugs, and more. Various glazing techniques will enhance your projects. Ages 12-16
Beginning Pottery
Have you always wanted to learn to throw on the potter’s wheel? We will learn basic wheel throwing and hand building skills to create functional and sculptural works of art. Your projects will be enhanced with various glazing techniques. Ages 16-Adult
Beginning Drawing
Engage the non-analytic parts of your brain and learn how to see. Learning to draw is the best way to light up and connect the intuitive to the cognitive. You will experience various fascinating exercises, and even improve your coordination. Most of all, you will learn to “see” like an artist. Adults
Pottery Pets
Reimagine your favorite pets using clay to create functional and sculptural projects. Along the way you will learn pottery handling skills and complete your pieces with various glazing techniques. Ages 6-9
Intermediate Teen Wheel Throwing
If you are looking to continue to develop your wheel throwing skills, look no further! We will offer more practice and skill demonstrations for those wanting to continue with pottery wheel throwing. You will have the chance to practice advanced forms that include handles, lids, closed forms, and bottles. Glazing techniques will be offered that will continue your learning and knowledge of ceramic creation. Ages 12-16
Virtual: Military Artistic Healing
Discover the techniques to inspire creative skills and gain greater self–awareness. Explore possibilities, develop your creativity, and gain personal insight through working with a variety of controllable mediums. Learn therapeutic techniques to heal from past trauma issues. Adults
Intermediate Drawing
Build your skills while we do deep dives into line, proportion, shading and design. Get experience with various drawing techniques and mediums. Join us to start revealing your unique "voice.” Adults
Black and White Darkroom
Join us in the darkroom to explore silver-process black and white film photography. You will learn how to develop film and create handcrafted gelatin-silver prints from your negatives. We will explore our many creative options, from camerawork to finished print, while developing an enhanced understanding of exposure, depth of field, lighting, and composition. Ages 16-Adult
Art Journal: AQUA
We will explore mixed media techniques for creating artful pages in a hand-made visual journal we will make in class together. Inspired by the color aqua, we will create painted tissue papers for collage, explore photo image transfers, use stencils, paint layers with acrylics, use bleeding tissue, and dabble with the concept of wabi-sabi. Join us and discover how creating in a visual journal enhances your personal expression. Ages 16-Adult
Essence of Watercolor
Take your basic skills to the next level. Learn to establish your own unique style while combining hard, soft, lost edges, shadow, and light, as well as the fusion of color. Choose unique subjects and turn something ordinary into something extraordinary, having fun in the process. Ages 16-Adult
Beginning Wheel Throwing
We will explore the fundamentals of making pottery and provide the perfect introduction to this medium. Centering, throwing, trimming, and glazing will be the core focus, with an emphasis on learning how to create fundamental forms: bowls and cylinders. We will also explore additional techniques such as making mug handles and creating surface texturing and more. Ages 16-Adult
Make It Happen
Do you want to learn how to work better with clay or develop more advanced techniques? Then, this is the class for you! This course is open to intermediate and advanced level students. You will learn new techniques to create more advanced forms and have the opportunity to pursue handbuilding, sculptural work, and/or a combination of any of these methods. Ages 16-Adult
Creative Drawing
Join us on a fun and exciting journey into the world of drawing! Young artists will begin to figure out how to see objects and spaces in their environment in a way to make drawing these things easy and appear life-like on a drawing surface. We will understand how to apply shading and perspective to bring our drawings to life. Along the way, we will explore the fundamentals of illustration, and learn a multitude of tips and tricks for making art both fun and meaningful. This course will build a solid foundation, boost confidence, and get students ready for the next level of drawing adventures. Ages 6-9
In-person: Military Artistic Healing
Let's honor Sense of Place together. There are many benefits to using art to express emotions — art can offer a healthy outlet and an alternate way to communicate something that one cannot always put into words and provides a safe containment for emotions that are expressed. Reflecting on art supplies healing and connection. Increase personal management of life stressors by practicing artistic exercises outside of class to help with trauma. Together, we will practice for progress, healing, connection, retreat, creativity, confidence, clarity, and calm. We will take bi-weekly visits to the Fine Arts Center Museum. Adults
Glazing In Acrylics
Glazing in acrylics is a method of refreshing in acrylic painting with thin transparent layering. You can use multiple thin layers to achieve remarkably interesting effects. The result is a fresh layer diminishing overworked areas. Adults
Portrait Drawing
This is an introduction to portraiture and is designed to practice the techniques and skills necessary to confidently approach drawing the portrait. We will focus on individual features and the face using different reference material from art history, photographs, and our own reflection! You will be encouraged to add your own creative interpretations as we work on the different elements of portraiture and, of course, have fun! Ages 12-16