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Live Model: Portrait Painting
Join us for a fun, two-day oil painting portrait workshop where you will paint from a live model and watch your subject come to life on canvas. We will focus on color mixing, capturing accurate proportions, and using light and shadow to build dimensional form. With plenty of guidance and a relaxed, creative atmosphere, you will gain confidence and enjoy the process every step of the way. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Date Night: Harvest Hues in Acrylic
Immerse yourselves in the rich colors of autumn during this guided painting experience designed for couples. Explore warm palettes, expressive brushwork, and seasonal inspiration while enjoying a peaceful and creative night out. Leave with a finished piece and a shared memory! Supplies will be provided. Ages 16-Adult
Introduction to Oil Painting
The focus centers on foundational skills, hands-on practice, and completing at least one finished painting project, while maintaining a manageable pace for beginners. This course introduces adults to the fundamentals of oil painting in a supportive, hands-on environment. You will learn how to safely handle materials, mix colors, and apply essential techniques that form the backbone of classical and contemporary oil painting. Whether you are new to art or returning after a break, this class will guide you through creating your own original paintings with confidence. By the end of the course, you will have completed value studies, color exercise, and at least one finished oil painting. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Foundations of Acrylic Painting for Teens
This beginner-friendly acrylic painting course guides teens through the essentials of painting while encouraging creativity and personal style. Over six weeks, you will learn core painting techniques, color theory, brush handling, and composition. The class blends technical lessons with creative projects exploring still life, portraits, landscapes, and abstract concepts. Whether new to painting or transitioning from drawing, you will build confidence and enjoy discovering their artistic voice. Supplies will be provided. Ages 13-16
Fundamentals of Acrylic Painting
Join us for a hands-on, imagination-fueled acrylic painting workshop created just for young artists who are ready to explore art in a deeper and more intentional way. You will learn the basics of painting—from brush techniques and color theory to layering and texture—while creating original works inspired by both real life and imagination. Each session includes a mix of technique instruction, creative exploration, and personal expression. Whether your child is brand new to painting or loves to sketch and create, this class will help them build skills and confidence as an artist. No prior painting experience needed—just a curious mind and a willingness to try! Supplies will be provided. Ages 9-12
Introduction to Watercolor
Open up a world of vibrant color in this easeful introduction to watercolor painting. We will explore foundational techniques like wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry while painting a variety of subjects - from birds to flowers to mammals and landscapes. Designed for beginners, this class offers an encouraging environment with thoughtful prompts to help you build confidence and create expressive, luminous work. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Mess Around and Find Out
Grab your water-soluble crayons, stencils, and baby wipes to create colorful, one-of-a-kind abstract art by painting and strategically wiping your way to masterpiece status. Choose to go big with one stunning piece or create several smaller designs perfect for greeting cards. With Sharpies for final details, you will learn that some of the best art comes from embracing the mess. Leave with gallery-worthy artwork (or a stack of cards that will impress) and newfound confidence in your creative process! There is a $30 materials fee due to the instructor on the first day of class. Ages 16-Adult
Quiet of the Season in Watercolor
Let's celebrate solitude! Sometimes the simple quiet of a subject makes the most powerful statement. Sometimes the simplicity of an object can be quite evocative. Subtle color, limited palette, soft edges, atmospheric light all add to the mystery of painting a visual journey of quiet. We will take a short break so bring lunch and drink to class. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Tangled Autumn in Watercolor
Dive into vibrant autumn colors as you create beautiful, stylized trees with watercolor, then bring them to life with doodles and shimmering highlights using acrylic markers! Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned artist, you will explore mixed media techniques that turn simple paintings into dazzling masterpieces. Leave with stunning fall-inspired artwork and the skills to layer like a pro! There is a $20 materials fee due to the instructor on the first day of class. Ages 16-Adult
Advanced Watercolor: Painting Nature
Spend a focused day in the studio, growing an 8x10 project from start to finish. Choose a subject meaningful to you - landscapes, botanicals, or animals - and deepen your technical and observational skills. With ample time for individualized guidance, you will troubleshoot challenges and refine your approach with the support of an experienced instructor. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Your Dramatic Sunset Painting
Blend the intoxicating warm sunset colors combined with a strong silhouette, and you have a powerful image that has been reproduced over the ages. Leave with a finished piece after two weeks together! Supply list online. Adults
Introduction to Acrylic Painting
Discover the vibrant world of acrylic painting in this welcoming class designed for beginners. You will learn the fundamentals of color mixing, brush techniques, layering, and composition while exploring your own creative voice. Through guided exercises and personal projects, you will gain confidence with the medium and develop the skills to start painting with intention and enjoyment. No experience is necessary, just curiosity and willingness to get a little messy! Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Portraits in Tempera and Acrylic
Join us as we learn how to paint a portrait first with tempera paint, and a second portrait with acrylic paint. You will learn about the qualities of both tempera paint, and acrylic paint while learning how to block out, pose, and detail a portrait of choice. Together we will explore the many different ways to paint a portrait, using two different kinds of paint that will empower you to explore more painting for years to come. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
In-person: Military Artistic Healing
Military Artistic Healing is designed to support adult service and family members through art creation activities and the Fine Arts Center museum engagement. We aspire to provide a safe setting for each person to participate safely and comfortably. Watercolor painting techniques and mixed media interventions are introduced and encouraged to be practiced outside of Bemis studio time. We will foster a playful and curious presence. Supplies will be provided. Adults
Luminous Landscape in Watercolor
Explore new and exciting approaches to painting inspiring landscapes. Will your painting be more about the sky or land? Add textures with surprising tricks. Create depth layer by layer. Tell a story by simply incorporating luminous color and atmosphere. We will take a short break so bring lunch and drink. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
The Space Between
Explore the magic of positive and negative space by creating a luminous background with acrylic glazing and complementary colors, then draw eucalyptus leaves (or your choice of leaf branch) to enhance the artwork. Focus on the space around the leaves, allowing the background to shine as the true star. Through layered glazing techniques, you will discover how color harmony and strategic negative space create depth and visual intrigue. Leave with an elegant, ethereal painting that proves the beauty of art often lies in what you leave out! There is a $25 materials fee due to the instructor on the first day of class. Ages 16-Adult
Color Theory Lab for Painting
This class will teach you the foundation of color theory that applies to all painting mediums. You will learn about the three basic elements of color applications; hue, value, and saturation. After gaining understanding that this study will teach you, you will then create a painting that will reflect your newfound knowledge. There is a $15 materials fee due to the instructor on the first day of class. Adults
Time Traveling Painter
In this class we will journey through art history by exploring different painting styles from famous artists from the past. We will learn how artists used color, brushwork, and composition in unique ways from classical realism to bold modern expression. Let's combine our own imagination with art history and make something new! Supplies will be provided. Ages 9-12
Introduction to Watercolor
This watercolor course is designed for adults who are new to watercolor or want to refresh foundational skills. You will learn the essential techniques of watercolor painting — from brush control and color mixing to creating washes, textures, and simple compositions. Each class combines demonstrations, hands-on practice, and guided projects. By the end of the course, you will feel confident using watercolor to express themselves and will complete a small final painting using their new skills. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Time Traveling Painter
We will journey through art history by exploring different painting styles from famous artists from the past. Learn how artists used color, brushwork, and composition in unique ways, from classical realism to bold modern expression. Let's combine our own imagination with art history and make something new! Supplies will be provided. Ages 6-9
Colorful Creations for Kids
Colorful Creations is a joyful introduction to painting for young artists! Young artists will learn the basics of working with paints—mixing colors, using different brushes, and exploring techniques like layering, stamping, and texture. Each week features a fun, creative project that encourages imagination and self-expression while gently building artistic skills. From rainbow animals to abstract art, kids will experiment, make a mess (the good kind!), and go home proud of what they have made. No experience needed—just bring a smile and a bit of creativity! Supplies will be provided. Ages 6-9
Explorations in Art for Au Pairs Spring 2027
This experience is exclusively for au pairs to earn their credit hours. Join us through a journey of creativity and exploration. Discover a variety of materials, techniques, and projects to include ceramics, painting, movement, gallery experiences, photography, and a few surprises. We’ll tour the galleries of the Fine Arts Center for inspiration and discussion. Some projects will be make-and-take, others will need to be picked up at a later time. Additional projects will be required before and after class in order to receive a certificate of completion for 36 hours/3 credits. Supplies will be provided. Adults
Craft Lab: Artful Greeting Cards
Create a unique, small work of art on watercolor card stock that can be used as an inspirational card for giving or keeping! You will play with a variety of materials, ideas, and perhaps inspirational writing to create an original keepsake that will be cherished by the recipient. Unleash your creativity and enjoy a morning of playful drawing and painting. Supplies will be provided. Ages 16-Adult