Upcoming Classes
Summer Camps!
Join our exciting theatre and visual art camps perfect for all ages! Kids can dive into musical theatre, acting, dancing, drawing, painting, mixed-media, and more in our vibrant theatre and art camps. New mix and match options! Combine a half-day of theatre with a half-day of art for a full day of creativity and fun. Ages 5-18
La Foret – Art and Acting in the Forest
Enjoy an outstanding arts education with instructors from the Fine Art Center’s Bemis School of Art set in the lush forest at the 400-acre La Foret Conference and Retreat Center. Stretch your imagination! Experience a variety of artistic styles and techniques, including painting, printmaking, and mixed-media art while exploring elements of composition and design. Cultivate your acting skills, voice, movement, and characterization with theatre games, mime, and improvisation. Art and acting will come together on Fridays with a special showcase performance and art exhibit for friends and family. Ages 6-11
Monday-Friday @ 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 23-June 27 ($390/$410)
Instructor: Bemis Instructors
Monday-Friday @ 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
July 7-July 11 ($390/$410)
Instructor: Bemis Instructors
Monday-Friday @ 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
July 14-July 18 ($390/$410)
Instructor: Bemis Instructors
Monday-Friday @ 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
July 21-July 25 ($390/$410)
Instructor: Bemis Instructors
Partner Wheel Throwing
Join a friend or loved one for a unique night of creative excitement in this exciting workshop. You and your partner will learn the basics of wheel-throwing on a pottery wheel through this hands-on, 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 about two weeks after your workshop. Supplies will be provided. Adults
The Natural World
The imagery of the natural world will serve as our inspiration for this class. Think science colliding with art and where this can lead the imagination! We will explore butterfly wings, sea creatures, bugs, zebras and more. By looking up close at natures gifts and using pastels, gel pens, colored pencils, and acrylic paint, we will discover how the world around us is full of ideas for making colorful art. Supplies will be provided. Ages 6-9
Watercolor Still-Life Painting
Join in on a foundational watercolor painting class working from observation of a “Still-Life” setting. We will first explore the four different methods of watercolor before diving into compositional arrangement by drawing an accurate image with correct proportions. You will learn how to layer your painting with creating colorful tone values to enhance the overall outcome of your painting. Supplies will be provided. Ages 12-16
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 you finish this course, you will be equipped with the skills to confidently print on your own! Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Painting and Collage on Tyvek
Repurpose this plastic commercial material as a surface for collage using paints, printed papers, tissue papers, and inks. Also, we will create Tyvek sculptural compositions with colorants and a simple heating method. Work with fabric as well as paper weight Tyvek. There is a material fee of $20 due to the instructor on the first day of class. Adults
Design a Dragon
Jump in on a session of playful and imaginative drawing! Invent your own scaled, feathered, or slippery dragon while drawing inspiration from real-life reptiles. We’ll use water-soluble media, including Pilot Precise V5 ink pens and watercolor. Supplies will be provided. Ages 12-16
Magical Watercolor
Jump in on a fun 2-hour session of explorative and vibrant painting. We’ll learn the basics of the watercolor medium while creating playful and bold art. Our subjects will include mythical griffins and unicorns! Supplies will be provided. Ages 9-12
Intermediate Mosaic Art
This class is intended for students who have completed an introductory mosaic course. You will be assisted in creating a complex design on a base of their choice. There is a materials fee of $10 due to the instructor on the first day of class. Students are encouraged to bring their own base and tiles, or purchase tiles from the instructor at an additional cost. The instructor will have assorted tiles available for $1.50 each and bases for $10-$20 each. Ages 16-Adult
Wellness: Speak For Yourself
Explore the cathartic potential of telling your own story in this workshop-based course where you will ultimately learn to speak for yourself. We will introduce you to and lead you through exercises in various approaches to the personal narrative essay form. We will cover themes such as joy/delight, food, places, animals/nature, and more to reflect on and express your individual voice, with opportunities to share your work (as desired) throughout. Supply list online. Adults
Stack It Up: Sterling Silver and Brass Stackable Rings
Why would you wear just one ring on your finger, when you can stack three at the same time?! This workshop honors the excess of stackable rings, and you will leave having made three completely one-of-a-kind stackable rings. This workshop will teach you basics of stamping, hammer textures, basic forming, and soldering techniques to create three complete (two brass, one sterling silver) stackable rings. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
High Contrast Portrait Drawing
This drawing class will lead you through a well-planned process that will guide you to a successful lifelike self-portrait drawing. Your image will be captured in class with a dynamic light source to reference for an enlarged drawing and an example to be followed to create maximum contrast in your drawing. The accuracy of a contour line created from the grid along with the extensive study of gradation in shading will create a successful self-portrait drawing. There is a material fee of $5 due to the instructor on the first day of class. Ages 16-Adult
Sun Prints: A Cyanotype Workshop
Join us for a workshop where we explore the connection between nature and art making! Utilizing found objects and the sun as your exposure to make a beautiful blueprint of your very own design! Supplies will be provided. Ages 9-12
Wellness: Chase the Blues Away: Chasing and Repousse
Looking to build your metalsmithing repertoire with a process found by many to be cathartic in its repeated precision? Then come learn the sculptural technique of chasing and repousse in this workshop and maybe you can chase some of your blues away. Over the course of our time together we will learn the basics of working with pitch, chasing hammers, and punches to create personalized chased and repoussé projects in copper (or metal of your choosing). Supply list online. Adults
Altered Bowls
Don’t be bored with round, get out of round! Alter, curve, cut, carve, split rims, pinch, and stamp your bowls. Learn to throw basic bowl forms in preparation for each type of alteration process. Be the envy of the party with your own unique functional clay bowls! Staining and glazing will be taught to suit this project. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
All Hollow Rings: Hand-fabricated Hollow-formed Rings
Sometimes you want a statement ring that is heavy and prominent in appearance, yet light and precise in feel. You’ll learn how to make exactly that: a hollow-formed ring with all the visual weight of a cast signet ring, but with only a small fraction of the physical weight! This workshop will cover advanced small-scale forming and fabrication to build volume from sheet metal and create a fully hollow-formed ring from copper and an inner band of sterling silver (or metals of your choosing). Supply list online. Adults
Wings of a Feather
Let’s flock together to explore some fun acrylic painting techniques. We will look at diverse kinds of birds from around the world to practice color mixing, feathery textures, creating value for three dimensions, and even painting unique environments for our feathery friends to live! Supplies will be provided. Ages 6-9
Wellness: Poetry of Healing
The personal healing potential of poetry is powerful and can be applied at any time in life to reap the benefits. Each week we get to tap into that cathartic energy of some specific poetic forms such as epistolary, apostrophe, lament, and persona poetry. With one week of lessons and exercises, and one week of workshop, this course aims to provide an opportunity for you to invite even a small dose of healing through poetry. Supply list online. Adults
Wings of a Feather
Let’s flock together to explore some fun acrylic painting techniques. We will look at diverse kinds of birds from around the world to practice color mixing, feathery textures, creating value for three dimensions, and even painting unique environments for our feathery friends to live in! Supplies will be provided. Ages 9-12
Discover Gesture Drawing
Do you love drawing human figures, but have difficulty drawing them in complex poses? Join us as we practice sketching proportionate people in more natural, action poses. These classes warm you up with quick drawings, then eases you into longer times. Come ready to pose yourself and have fun! We will take a break halfway through class so bring a drink/snack if you would like. Supplies will be provided. Ages 14-17
Introduction to Hand Sewing
Join us to learn new skills! You will learn a variety of hand sewing techniques to include seams, buttons, mending, and appliques! Come join us in learning how to tend to our own garments and home crafts in this course! Supply list online. Adults
Image Transfers with Gelli® Arts Printing Plates
Join us for the opportunity to discover the best method for creating image transfers on the Gelli® Arts Printing Plate! You will review basic Gelli plate techniques, then move on to more advanced methods for the popular method of image transferring. Have fun printing and learning new skills that you can continue to explore long after the class ends. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Friday @ 2-6 p.m.
July 18 ($92.70/$103)
Instructor: Ronee Smith
Drips, Drops, and Strokes of Color
Dive into new ways of blending and applying color to your fabulous collages. Learn ways to layer colorants to achieve visual texture with paints, pastels, spray inks, and more! Resurface magazine sheets, metallic tissue papers, and create your own design papers for your collage composition. There is a material fee of $20 due to the instructor on the first day of class. Ages 16-Adult
Rock Stars
Fill your watercolor landscapes with natural wonder. Make magnificent rocks the star of the show. These jewels are so abundant in nature but often overlooked. Learn simple tricks to creating the complex and diverse nuances of a variety of rocks. Start with texture and shadow. End with proper placement for fabulous paintings. We will take a short lunch break so bring something to eat and drink. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Little by Little
Little by little, and piece by piece, we will explore how to build small sculptures out of clay. Come learn and unwind while building figurines and small ceramic objects. Handbuilding techniques, different display and design methods will be covered while having fun. Supply list online. Adults
Watercolor Date Night
Join us for an evening of creativity and fun with a date or your friends! We will spend our time testing some favorite watercolor techniques with step-by-step instructions. This will also require some drawing skills with pen and ink but do not let that intimidate you, this class is for everyone! Supplies will be provided. Ages 16-Adult
Partners in Art: Toddlers Paint
Join your toddler and explore experimental finger painting on slippery photo paper! We’ll use sticks, sponges, brushes and more to discover a range of delightful textures and marks. You’ll leave with one or more frame-able pieces of bright and joyful art created by your child. Supplies will be provided. This class is for ages 2-4 with a participating adult.
Terra Sigillata Pottery
If you’re looking to expand your experience in ceramics, join us for an opportunity to create wheel-thrown objects and apply terra sigillata in order to create a unique finish on our pottery. Colors vary from subtle earth tones to bright and engaging. Terra sigillata is a refined slip invented by the Romans and the term loosely translated means 'sealed earth' but means 'clay bearing little images'. This technique by virtue of the definitions still accomplishes sealing a ceramic vessel with surfaces that can range from completely functional with subtle details to design oriented and detailed art pieces. You can think of this technique as being very "painterly". The terra sigillate incorporates mason stains to achieve colors that come out of the kiln roughly the same as they were applied onto greenware. If you are a ceramics artist, beginning-intermediate or seasoned, or a painter who has interest in carving a path in the ceramic arts, this is a new and exciting way to engage with clay. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Self Portrait Oil Painting
Join in on an exploratory journey into self-portrait painting with oils. We will begin our journey with a color theory study of the three major elements of painting. You will be working from a photo taken in class with dynamic lighting before using a grid to transfer the image onto canvas. From here, we will use traditional layering techniques to create your masterpiece! There is a material fee of $12 due to the instructor on the first day of class. Ages 16-Adult
Intro to Acrylic Techniques
This course also covers the basics of acrylic painting including going over materials, color mixing, brush-handling, and palette-knife techniques. Emphasis is not on producing a finished work of art, but on developing basic skills through practice and repetition. No prior knowledge or experience in the medium is needed or expected. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Wellness: Poetry of Social Justice
The concept of wellness, and our movement towards achieving it, is one that should extend far beyond the confines of the individual self. We will explore the poetry of one of the many instruments available to us to maintain our collective wellness, social justice. Each week to learn about and discuss examples of social justice poetry, then to apply what we have learned to your own poetry, which we will have the opportunity to workshop and further discuss as a group. Supply list online. Adults
Fanciful Jars
Throw small to throw tall! Create a tall thrown jar by stacking multiple shorter cylinders together. You will connect two to three short cylinders to build the jar and then learn to throw a lid. Once the jar and lid are thrown, modify the form through carving or adding sculptural elements. Express yourself with your own fanciful jar! Glazing tall forms will be taught. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Color, Texture, and Surface Design
In class you will work your compositions on various surface boards. Make transfers and Gelli plate prints with fabulous stencils and techniques. Choose various weighted imported papers along with paints, pastels glazes and inks to blend and layer. Learn to make your own designed rice paper! There is a material fee of $21 due to the instructor on the first day of class. Adults
Four Days of Macrame
Join us for four weeks of macrame and enjoy the opportunity to learn four basic projects that you will easily be able to replicate on your own at home. We will learn up to five basic knots that are the fundamentals to macrame, to get you well on your way to diving into the art on your own. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Fantasy Drawing
Let's let our imagination go and create characters and environments outside the realistic every day and into a world of fantasy! We might just stumble upon sleek elves, mighty dwarfs, dangerous dragons, or a majestic griffin. We will practice drawing skills and techniques along with watercolors to bring our imagery to life. Supplies will be provided. Ages 9-12
Ekphrastic! The Intersection of Poetry and Visual Art
Explore the Fine Arts Center through the lens of creative writing in this explorative class for all levels. We’ll find art pieces that speak to us, using our imaginations and five senses to interact with each piece in novel ways. A series of playful, probing exercises will help us write poetry that expands our appreciation and engagement as art viewers. Supply list online. Adults
Huichol Earrings
Join us while we learn how to use a circular netted stitch to construct a pair of Huichol-style inspired earrings. You will be provided with the skills to learn how to use an assortment of colorful seed beads, thread, and a needle to construct a unique pair of flower-like earrings. Together we will explore creative ideas to inspire you and give you the freedom to create your own beaded art that you will enjoy for a lifetime. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Wellness: Drawing as Meditation
Use drawing to ground down with us and art exploration. We’ll draw inspiration from the Colorado landscape and practice closer ways of seeing the visual world around us. You will leave with several repeatable, enjoyable sketchbook exercises to help you find joy and presence while growing your at-home art practice. Supply list online. Adults
Eco Printing
This class explains the basic process of Eco printing, or printing fabric with leaves and flowers, from prep work to final product. We will explore different mordants, explore which plants and flowers print and how they print on various fabrics. There will be a break for a 30-minute lunch, so please bring something to eat and drink. There is a material fee of $45 due to the instructor on the first day of class. Ages 16-Adult
Mountain Landscapes and Watercolor Techniques
Join us as we 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. You 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 class is for everyone! Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Rainy Day Reflections
Take a perfectly dry day and rain all over it. Create mystery with the addition of reflections. The tricks are simple in watercolor. Capture misty light, streaks of rain, shiny puddles, fuzzy edges and more by learning clever brushstrokes. No need to bring your umbrella, just your enthusiasm. We will take a short lunch break so bring something to eat and drink. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Inspired Postcards
Inspired by Mary Chenoweth, iconic Colorado College Art professor and the woman who carved the wooden doors into Bemis School of Art, let us explore collage through a playful expression of making small postcard-sized art influenced by Mary, Matisse's, and Picasso's work. Gather your stash from travels, or precious papers you have been hanging onto, bring them to the workshop, and transform them into small pieces of art. A trip to the FAC galleries will be included to view the Mary Chenoweth art exhibit. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Intro to Handbuilding Ceramics
Get ready to get your hands dirty in this exciting ceramics class! We will dive into the world of clay using fun handbuilding techniques with plenty of room for playful experimentation. We’ll shape, sculpt, and decorate unique creations, all while discovering the magic of clay. Whether you’re making cool sculptures or fun functional pieces, you'll have fired masterpieces ready to show off or use at home! Supplies will be provided. Ages 6-9
Papier Mâché Animals
In this exciting sculpture class, we will be creating papier mâché animals or imaginative creatures using wire, paper, and paste. You will also have the chance to add personal touches with paint and embellishments to your papier mâché sculpture. This hands-on class will spark your creativity and problem-solving skills, giving you a one-of-a-kind masterpiece to take home! Supplies will be provided. Ages 9-12
Kids Clay Camp
Get ready to shape your imagination at Clay Camp! This hands-on camp is perfect for young artists eager to explore the world of clay and ceramics. Over the week, you will learn handbuilding techniques to create unique sculptures, functional pieces, and imaginative artworks. At Clay Camp, you will build confidence, develop new skills, and have fun while making lasting friendships. Join us for a week of creativity, exploration, and the joy of working with clay! Ages 9-12
Beginning Wheel Throwing
Have you always wanted to learn the ancient art of throwing on the potter’s wheel? With gentle guidance and in a patient environment, learn basic wheel throwing skills. Create mugs, bowls, and vases while exploring various glazing techniques to enhance your first time projects. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Essence of Watercolor
Let's take our basic skills to the next level. Establish your own unique style. Learn the importance of hard, soft, and lost edges. Fall in love with the fusion of color, shadow and light, and the beauty of the brushstroke. Choosing a subject can turn something ordinary into something extraordinary...learn how. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Beginning Wheel Throwing for Teens
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. A variety of wheel throwing techniques will be covered. Supplies will be provided. 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 mediums. Learn therapeutic techniques to heal from past trauma issues. Supply list online. Adults
Intermediate Teen Wheel Throwing
Come and advance your ceramic work on the potter's wheel with students in your age group. Learn to better your own individual process with practice and guidance according to your aesthetic. Glazing and firing techniques will also be the last part of this session to finish your works for display and use. Supplies will be provided. Ages 12-16
Introduction to Pastel Techniques
Have you been mystified by pastels? This course is aimed toward beginners but creatives working in other mediums may learn something new about this often-overlooked art form. Participants will learn through demonstration and hands-on creating the variety in which pastels, papers and tools combine to create the most colorful artworks imaginable. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Clay Camp
Dive into the art of ceramics! This immersive camp is designed for teens eager to explore the world of clay and unleash their creativity. You will learn a variety of handbuilding techniques to create unique sculptures, functional pieces, and artistic expressions. Enhance your skills, build confidence, and connect with fellow young artists in a supportive environment. Join us for a class of creativity, exploration, and the transformative power of working with clay! Ages 12-16
Life Imitates Art
Join us for a course that teaches you how to use your eyes as well as your hands to draw exactly what you see! You will explore observational drawing techniques such as gesture drawing and contour drawing, which will culminate in a self-portrait style still life done in oil pastel! Learn how to SEE and DRAW in Life Imitates Art! Supplies will be provided. Ages 12-16
Beginning Wheel Throwing
Explore the fundamentals of making pottery in this perfect introduction to the medium. Centering, throwing, trimming, and glazing will be the core focus, with an emphasis on learning how to create fundamental forms: bowls and cylinders. You will also explore additional techniques such as making mug handles. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Create Your Own Tarot Deck
Interested in tarot? Are you a beginner or a seasoned reader? We will learn about the art history of tarot cards, their various systems of symbolism and interpretation, as well as basic image making techniques to create your own deck of tarot cards. By the end of this course, you will have learned the basics of tarot and created the first 22 cards (the major arcana) of a tarot deck, or the full 78 cards (the major and minor arcana), if desired. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Etched Copper Enameling
Try out historic processes such as champleve and basse-taille, in which copper is etched before applying enamels. We’ll create designs suited to etching, apply resists, etch the copper in ferric chloride, clean the piece, and use sifting, wet inlay, and other techniques to apply enamels. We’ll develop skills and insights into the challenges and potentials of etching in the alchemy of metal, glass, and heat. There is a material fee of $40 due to the instructor on the first day of class. Adults
In-Person: Military Artistic Healing
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'll practice for progress, healing, connection, retreat, creativity, confidence, clarity, and calm. This class includes a bi-weekly visit to the Fine Arts Center Museum. Supplies will be provided. Adults
Embroidery in its Many Forms
Embroidery is a part of nearly every world culture in a variety of uses. Whether it be mending garments, adding beadwork, or creating stories through stitches. Come learn the basics of embroidery, mending through embroidery and beaded embroidery! Bring garments or fabric you would like to add some embroidered flair! Supplies will be provided. Ages 16-Adult
Introduction to Watercolor
Discover the ease and joy of watercolor painting in this accessible series for beginners. We’ll practice a variety of techniques, both traditional and experimental, and use them to paint Colorado wildflowers and birds. A series of playful painting exercises in each session will help us learn to mix a range of colors while finding flow and relishing the creative process. Supply list online. Adults
Melted Bead Sculptures
Using Perler beads, students will learn how to create pixel art both in 2d and 3d forms! Explore ways to create your own melted bead sculptures with designing your creation, creating a shape net, and imagining ways to join pieces together. Supplies will be provided. Ages 12-16