Upcoming Classes
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
Little Clay Creators
Get ready to squish, shape, and sculpt! This is a joyful introduction to ceramics. Young artists will explore the world of clay through playful projects that build foundational hand-building techniques like pinching, coiling, and stamping. Each week features a new theme—animals, food, imaginary worlds—and lots of creative freedom. You will also learn how to decorate and glaze your pieces in the final week. It is the perfect class for curious hands and big imaginations! Supplies will be provided. Ages 6-9
Craft Lab: Rosette Beading with Lane Stitch
Learn the traditional lane stitch technique to create a beaded rosette, a form that can be turned into a pin, barrette, or embellishment for clothing and accessories. Seed beads—tiny glass beads that have traveled widely across the world—are prized for their color, versatility, and ability to bring intricate designs to life. In this class you'll learn how to work with them step by step, and by the end you'll have your own finished rosette and the skills to continue exploring beadwork on your own. There is a material fee of $10 due to the instructor on the first day of class. Ages 16-Adult
Chinese Calligraphy
Join us to discover the beauty and tradition of Chinese calligraphy through guided practice. You will learn how to hold the brush, control ink, and create elegant strokes and characters. We will explore the meaning and history behind this timeless art while developing your technique step by step. By the end, you will create your own expressive calligraphy pieces with confidence and style. There is a $20 materials fee due to the instructor on the first day of class. 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
Watercolor Batik
Experience the fascinating process of batik using wax, Kinwashi rice paper, and watercolor paint. This takes a bit of time and patience, but the final outcome is a one-of-a-kind surprise. No experience is necessary. Just the desire to have fun. We will take a short break so bring lunch and drink. There is a $15 materials fee due to the instructor in addition to the supply list. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Snowflakes for Keepsakes
Clay for ceramic snowflakes turned festive as holiday keepsakes! This class will guide you through making and decorating wonderful decorations for the season. You will be able to choose patterns, design, and colors for your final glazed pieces. There is an $8 materials fee due to the instructor on the first day of class.
Intro to Bezel Setting
Bezels are foundational in the world of stone-setting jewelry. This course will introduce you to the basics of bezel forming and setting, utilizing basic jewelry tools and torches to explore the technique, as well as looking at the potential design benefits of adding and combining stones in your work. You will be able to apply the given techniques in producing one finished 2-stone bezel-set pendant. There is a $40 materials fee due to the instructor on the first day of class. Ages 16-Adult
Scrap That: Canvas Collage
Transform discarded scrapbook paper, book pages, and decorative papers into a stunning small canvas collage. Layer, arrange, and compose your way to an original mixed-media masterpiece by exploring color, texture, and design. Discover how thoughtful placement and creative mixing of patterns create depth and visual interest. Leave with a gorgeous upcycled canvas collage that proves the best art often comes from what others have thrown away! There is a $25 materials fee due to the instructor on the first day of class. Ages 16-Adult
Roll With It
Transform colorful decorative paper into gorgeous handmade beads by rolling and shaping each strip into a unique gem. Learn the simple yet satisfying technique that turns flat paper into dimensional beads with personality. Experiment with different paper patterns and colors to create a collection that is entirely your own. Leave with beautiful paper beads, new skills, and the joy of creating something special from simple materials! There is a $25 materials fee due to the instructor on the first day of class. Ages 16-Adult
Drawing as Meditation: Nature and Connection
Discover the meditative power of drawing while celebrating your connection to nature. We’ll combine both representational and expressive drawing through a series of guided exercises to help you find ease and flow. Our subjects will include Rocky Mountain landscapes and objects from nature. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
The Exquisite Corpse: A Writing Workshop
Come partake in the classic surrealist parlor arts game, The Exquisite Corpse, in this fun and generative workshop. We will work using multiple unique prompts to individually create lines of poetry which will be revealed as part of a larger, collaborative poem. Come see what creations our collective minds can conjure! Supply list online. Adults
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark in Watercolor
Let's go quite dark with darks. Explore combinations of an assortment of colors to create darks that appear black--until you look closely. Bring life and energy to intensify darks that won't appear flat and lifeless. Add a slight sparkle of light and see what happens. You won't be afraid of the dark anymore! Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
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
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
Craft Lab: Ukrainian Egg Decorating (Pysanky)
Explore the luminous folk tradition of pysanky—Ukrainian wax-resist egg decorating. Using a kistka (stylus), beeswax, and layered dyes, you’ll draw symbols, build color from light to dark, and reveal intricate patterns in the final wax melt. Learn the meaning of motifs, how to plan color sequences, and how to seal and preserve your work. All tools and dyes provided; safety briefing included (open flame used for heating the stylus). Participants will leave with 1–2 finished eggs. There is a material fee of $10 due to the instructor on the first day of class. Ages 16-Adult
Remember That? Hand Sewn Ornaments
Join us and we will make a hand sewn felt ornament to commemorate a story or event from your life. You will learn basic sewing and embroidery skills, pattern design and construction, and come away with a unique and meaningful ornament. What funny, mundane, or important things happened in your life this year that you’d like to playfully honor? Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Teen Beginning Wheel Throwing
Have you always wanted to learn to throw on the potter’s wheel? This course is perfect for you! Learn basic wheel throwing skills plus handbuilding techniques to enhance your created mugs, bowls, vases, and more. We will explore various glazing methods to make your first projects look great. Supplies will be provided. Ages 13-16
Introduction to Wheel Throwing
Whether you are brand new to the wheel or looking to refresh your skills, this class is the perfect entry point into the art of wheel throwing. Designed for adult learners, this hands-on course introduces the essential techniques needed to create functional pottery from start to finish. You will learn how to center clay, pull walls, trim your work, and glaze your final pieces — all in a supportive studio environment. In addition to the core wheel-throwing techniques, this class includes guided activities to deepen your understanding of the ceramic process. You will explore diverse types of clay bodies through tactile comparison, practice blind centering to build muscle memory, and use cutaway demos to evaluate wall thickness and form. By the end of the class, you will complete a variety of pieces (cups, bowls, or cylinders). No prior experience is required. 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
Let the Clay Speak
Do you want to learn how to work more efficiently with clay and develop advanced techniques? Then, this is the class for you! This class is open to intermediate and advanced level students. You will learn new techniques to create more advanced forms in wheel throwing and have the opportunity to pursue hand building, sculptural work and / or a combination of any of these methods. Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
Creative Clay
You will explore fun, tactile projects while learning foundational ceramic techniques like pinching, coiling, slab building, and surface decoration. You will create both functional and imaginative pieces, everything from animal sculptures to clay bowls, while developing fine motor skills, creative thinking, and artistic confidence. It’s playful, skill-building, and introduces real ceramic techniques in an age-appropriate way that encourages creativity, patience, and problem-solving. No experience needed—just a willingness to get a little messy and have fun! Supplies will be provided. Ages 9-12
Felted Wool Bags: Form and Function
Create a one-of-a-kind felted wool bag in this 6-week studio course focused on process, form, and material exploration. You will work with raw wool fiber to build a strong, seamless textile through layering, wet felting, and shaping techniques. We will experiment with scale, structure, and surface—considering how a bag holds, carries, and takes shape—while learning how to use resists to form interior space and clean edges. You will develop an intuitive understanding of how wool behaves as it shrinks and bonds, opening possibilities for future work. By the end of the course, you will have a durable, functional bag and the confidence to continue exploring felt as a sculptural and practical medium. There is a $40 materials fee due to the instructor on the first day of class. Adults
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 are 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 will 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 will have completed several studies and a final drawing that brings together your new skills. No experience is required — just curiosity and willingness to try! Supply list online. Ages 16-Adult
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
High Fired Pottery
Join us for a unique ceramics experience focused on gas kiln firing at cone 10—a technique many pottery studios don't have access to that creates rich, unexpected glaze effects you won’t get from electric kilns. At cone 10, the gas kiln heats up to 2,350°F. Think copper turns green? In reduction, it fires to a brilliant red! Work independently on functional forms like mugs, bowls, vases, and composite pieces while pushing your skills to the next level. Demos will support your learning, and throwing basics will be revisited as needed. Bring your project ideas. 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
Back to Basics with B&W Film
We will take a dive into the Art of Photography learning how to visualize our photographs and apply compositional and design elements. Discussions on composition, design, thinking in black and white and how to see like a photographer will start the course. This class will use the Bemis B&W darkroom, so that students will get to process their two rolls of B&W film and learn to print the images of their choice making lasting photographic art as a tactile representation of their creative vision. Supply list online. 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
World of Magic
Come and create a world filled with magical creatures, landscapes, and places that come from your imagination. We will learn and practice different drawing skills such as proportion, perspective, value, shadow shapes, and rendering three-dimensional objects. Each artwork will tell your unique story and reflect your vision of a magical world! Supplies will be provided. Ages 9-12
Sketch Lab
Join us and experiment with fun drawing techniques to bring your ideas to life. You will explore lines, shapes, shading, and textures while creating realistic or imaginative sketches. I will guide you through exciting projects that build your skills and confidence step by step. By the end, you will have many techniques to keep drawing on your own. Supplies will be provided. Ages 9-12
Open Studio Plus
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. Ages 16-Adult
World of Magic
Come and create a world filled with magical creatures, landscapes, and places that come from your imagination. We will learn and practice different drawing skills such as proportion, perspective, value, shadow shapes, and a rendering that is three-dimensional. Each artwork will tell your unique story and reflect your vision of a magical world! Supplies will be provided. Ages 6-9