Upcoming Classes
World Wet Plate Day: A Brief History and Contemporary Wet Plate Collodion Practitioners
Celebrate World Wet Plate Day learning about this unique process and those who use it. This will be a talk on the history and techniques of the wet plate collodion photographic process to include key points in American history – the American Civil War and the Geological Explorations of the American West. We will highlight some of the photographers who utilized this process and made remarkable and memorable photographs using this challenging process. We will place this process into the context of the development of photography and discuss contemporary users of this 175-year-old process. Ages 16-Adult
Bemis Community Printshop: Block Printed Cards
NEW SERIES! In this fun workshop you’ll learn the magic of reductive block printing, a technique where you progressively carve a single linoleum block to create a two-color design. Block printing is fun for everyone, regardless of drawing skill or art experience! You’ll leave with ten beautiful hand-printed cards and envelopes! This is a supportive and fun, beginner-friendly workshop. Optional: Please bring a simple, high-contrast 4” x 6” (or smaller) image to print for your cards. Supplies will be provided. Ages 16-Adult
Bemis Community Printshop Open Sessions
Unlock your creativity during our Printmaking Open Studios. Held in the Bemis School of Art printmaking studio, these sessions are non-instructional, self-directed studio time exclusively for individuals with prior printmaking experience at Bemis. Whether you're working on an ongoing project, wanting to experiment with an idea, or starting something new, you'll have drop-in access to our printmaking facilities in a supportive and creative environment. Colorado College student proctors will be on-site to oversee the studio and ensure safe use of equipment, but no instruction will be provided. Participants must be familiar with studio practices and safety protocols. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Bemis Community Printshop: Collagraphs – Printing from Collage
NEW SERIES! In this fun workshop, students will create a collage with textural 2-D materials and then seal it. Students will then ink and print the design using the printing press. Students can experiment with ink colors as well as different papers to create one of a kind or small edition of prints. Supplies will be provided. Ages 16-Adult
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, 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
Macrame Mirror
Dive into the art of macrame with us and learn multiple basic macrame knots. This beginner-friendly project will get you well on your way to creating your own projects and get your ideas flowing. We will assemble and knot our way to a beautiful macrame framed mirror making this piece not only aesthetically pleasing, but functional. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Intuitive Drawing for Kids
Join this fun and creative class, where young artists will explore drawing through intuition, imagination, and self-expression—no experience needed! Instead of focusing on perfect lines or realistic techniques, students will be guided to trust their instincts, experiment with shapes, colors, and textures, and discover their unique artistic voice. It's a playful, judgment-free space where creativity leads the way and every mark is meaningful. Supplies will be provided. Ages 6-9
Craft Lab: Dragonfly Sun Catcher
NEW CRAFT LAB SERIES! Join us to learn how to use wire and glass beads to make a sparkly dragonfly sun catcher. You will have 2 projects to choose from and be provided with the knowledge of how to use the tools and materials to make these fun projects. We will explore creative ideas that will inspire you to keep creating into the future. There is a material fee of $5 due to the instructor on the first day of class. Adults
Beginning Wheel Throwing
This hands-on course introduces you to the fundamentals of wheel-thrown pottery. You will learn essential techniques for centering, pulling walls, shaping forms, and finishing functional pieces. Through structured demos, individual coaching, and plenty of practice, you will complete a small collection of glazed ceramic pieces by the end of the class. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Open Studio Plus Workshop
This course empowers students to take an idea — functional, sculptural, or conceptual — and bring it to life through thoughtful planning, skillful execution, and refined finishing. Designed for motivated learners, this open studio provides structure, checkpoints, and studio resources to guide students along the journey from sketch to fired work. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Whimsical Boxes
You won’t believe that you can do this! Learn slab construction to handbuild whimsical boxes from textured clay slabs with sculptural elements added. Move from flat to free-standing using simple measurements and your own handmade flat patterns. Glazing for textured surfaces will be taught. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Introduction to Drawing
This drawing class is designed for adults who want to learn the fundamentals of drawing through hands-on practice, demonstrations, and instructor-led activities. Whether you're picking up a pencil for the first time or revisiting art after years away, this course will help you build confidence and skill in observing and rendering the world around you. You'll explore line, shape, proportion, shading, perspective, texture, and composition while working with simple tools like pencils and paper. Each week includes live demonstrations, drawing exercises, and take-home practice. By the end of the course, you'll have completed several studies and a final drawing that brings together your new skills. No experience is required — just curiosity and a willingness to try! Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Peter and the Wolf
Students will create illustrations for the presentation of Peter and The Wolf at the Colorado College Summer Music Festival. Drawing skills are required as well as a love of making art. This class will focus on creating art inspired by the classic children's story Peter and The Wolf. During the music festival a special children's concert presentation will feature the illustrations created in this class. While the orchestra performs a musical composition and a narrator reads Peter and The Wolf, the illustrations will be shown on a screen for the audience to view. This is a unique opportunity for young creatives and their families to enjoy. Supplies will be provided. Ages 9-12
Beyond the Watercolor Brush
Explore an exciting technique in each class. Learn to master a limited palette vignette style, architecture with line and watercolor, and finally tell a story combining collage and watercolor on panel. The techniques are limitless and so are the options for achieving them. Many materials will be provided. Let's have some fun! Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Wellness: The Art of Mending
Join us as we learn a variety of hand sewing techniques to include seams, buttons, mending, and applique! Come join us in learning how to tend to our own garments and home crafts! Taking care of your garments is taking care of yourself. Bring your jeans, shirts, and goods that need a breath! There is a material fee of $10 due to the instructor on the first day of class. Ages 16-Adult
Animal Portraits
Join us for these after school classes where you’ll get an introduction to learning how to paint and draw your favorite animals or pets, and/or imaginary creatures. We will also explore how to bring character to your animals of choice. You’ll 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. Supplies will be provided. Ages 9-12