Studio Classes Events

Explore a wide variety of techniques and materials in this exciting, comprehensive introduction to drawing. Experiment with lines, mark making, shapes, texture, tone, and composition to create drawings from observation, and learn how to use the principles of design to support your compositions.

Using color is a central skill in painting. This class will teach you how to mix colors and define hue, value, and saturation using a primary color wheel. Through observation and practical exercises, gain an understanding of how colors are affected by the proximity, size, location, or quantity of other colors in a painting, and create a series of abstract color compositions that highlight these principles.

Learn to illustrate light, shadow, form, and space using layers of transparent color in this dynamic introduction to watercolor painting. Through a series of practical exercises, experiment with wet-on-wet washes, dry brushing, and other expressive techniques to build depth and atmosphere. Discover how color, contrast, and composition can bring your imagery to life while finding your voice as a watercolor painter.

Explore a wide variety of techniques and materials in this exciting, comprehensive introduction to drawing. Experiment with lines, mark making, shapes, texture, tone, and composition to create drawings from observation, and learn how to use the principles of design to support your compositions.

Learn to illustrate light, shadow, form, and space using layers of transparent color in this dynamic introduction to watercolor painting. Through a series of practical exercises, experiment with wet-on-wet washes, dry brushing, and other expressive techniques to build depth and atmosphere. Discover how color, contrast, and composition can bring your imagery to life while finding your voice as a watercolor painter.

Explore relief prints, collagraphs, and monotypes in this introductory printmaking class. Learn safe cutting and carving techniques to make stamps; experiment with texture to create collage plates; and practice inking and mark making on plexiglass. Delve into the processes of pattern design, hand printing, printing with an etching press, and inking plates with multiple colors while exploring personal expression through line, texture, color, and composition.

Join us for a playful and creative journey through improvisational quilting, exploring the medium without rules, patterns, or perfection. Discover your creative rhythm through free-form piecing, spontaneous composition, and color exploration. Working with fabric scraps, learn to embrace imperfection and celebrate the unexpected while creating your own quilt top. Draw insight and inspiration from both historic and contemporary quilts in the museum’s collection, connecting your process to a vibrant legacy of innovation and storytelling through cloth.

Explore how plants, minerals, and other natural materials can be used to dye fabric with rich, layered, and often unexpected results. Learn foundational dyeing techniques and experiment with color, pattern, and texture as you create a series of dyed textile samples.

Learn to capture the dynamic energy of the human figure in charcoal. Draw from mannequins and live models, finding the essence of a pose, and build initial sketches into developed figure drawings with form and weight.

Learn principles of design while playing and experimenting with collage materials and techniques. Make collages with torn and cut shapes from paper and fabric, and create collage materials using ink, paint, and texture rubbings.

Learn to paint from life while looking at the museum’s collection for inspiration. Participants with an intermediate-level skill set will develop their artistic styles as they explore a variety of painting techniques including underpainting, sgraffito, and glazing.