FANTASY CACTI ZENTANGLE with Suzanne O'Malley

Zentangles are miniature pieces of unplanned, abstract art, created through a very specific method, to form structured patterns. In this workshop students will be using templates to trace cacti designs. They will then fill the cacti pictures in using the method of Zentangle.

As an added step, they will be applying colored pencil to their designs. Students will be amazed as beautiful patterns emerge and colored pencils help them add dimension and vibrancy to their artwork!

No materials are required and there is no materials fee. Students are encouraged to bring their own colored pencils if they have them available.

Previous experience helpful, but not necessary.

Saturday February 9, 2019  |  10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  |  $70

Wine and Watercolor with John Erwin

Join us for a fun night of watercolor painting with John Erwin.  Be surprised what you can learn in just a few creative hours.  Enjoy a lighthearted atmosphere while learning something new. You will leave with a beautiful completed painting.read more

All Levels
Thursday 6:00-8:00 pm | March 28, 2019 | 1 session

$25 per person

CREATIVE MIXED MEDIA with Bela Fidel

In this class students will become acquainted with a variety of materials that are not necessarily associated with art making. These are materials that can create amazing texture, richness and depth in artworks.

This class brings many varied techniques to the fore and once each one is learned a wild combination of materials ensues. Imagination has no limit, and this class will push students towards an expansion in creativity.

Materials explored in class will include acrylic paint, gesso, compounds, and collages.

Students are encouraged to experiment with a wide variety of techniques or take their time to develop one particular technique, or work with the one material that attracts them the most. The sky is the limit!

Friday  |  10:00am - 4:00pm

March 29, 2019

$105, plus $30 materials fee paid to the instructor on first day.

PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES with David Miller 

This workshop will cover four methods of transferring photographic images onto a variety of surfaces, including watercolor paper and ceramic tile, to create one-of-a-kind works of art with a beautiful weathered look that can be left on their own or turned into part of a mixed-media art project.  Materials to be provided with a $25 supply fee.

Saturday, March 30, 2019| 10:00 am - 2:00 pm | 1 Session

Workshop Fee: $70

Materials Fee: $25 paid to instructor 

PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BEGINNERS with David Miller 

This course will show students that before learning how to take successful photographs, it is necessary to have a strong understanding of the functions of a DSLR camera. Once the basics of the camera are covered, the class will move on to focusing on creating interesting compositions, and being expressively creative through photography. Other topics covered will include exposure to varieties of lighting, how to problem solve shooting challenges in different environments, and creating mood.

This starter class is taught by local, Arizona art and fashion photographer David Miller!

For beginners. Must bring a DSLR camera to class.

Saturdays, April 6 - 27, 2019| 10:00 am - 1:00 pm | 4 Sessions

Workshop Fee: $210

FUSED GLASS JEWELRY with Lauren Toth

Students will learn how to design beautiful, colorful cabachons to be used in pendants, earrings and pins. Tips and tricks of successful jewelry making using both dichroic and regular glass will be taught. Each student will be able to make as many pieces as will fit on a 7” x 7” kiln shelf on the first day.  On day two students will be surprised to see and work with what they made the class before. How to add bails and findings to finish them off jewelry, using cold fusing techniques will be covered.  We will also discuss what worked and what didn’t along with seeing other glass jewelry made with techniques beyond the scope of this workshop. Students are encouraged to bring a chain or cord so they can wear their own special piece home. Extra chain, cords and ribbons will be made available for purchase.

No prior experience necessary, but those with experience are welcome.  Workshop includes use of fuse glass tools, equipment and kiln firing to complete an original glass design.  System 96 COE glass will be used in this workshop.A $35 materials fee paid directly to the instructor covers all glass materials for the workshop.

(Safety NOTE: Students are required to wear closed toe shoes for this workshop.)

Saturday, April 13, 2019 |  10:00am - 4:00pm

Workshop Wrap-up on Saturday, April 20, 2019 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

No one under the age of 18 permitted unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.  If under 18, no glass cutting or grinding will be allowed.  No one under the age of 13 allowed.

Workshop fee: $140

Materials fee: $35 paid directly to instructor on first day

Wine and Watercolor with John Erwin

Join us for a fun night of watercolor painting with John Erwin.  Be surprised what you can learn in just a few creative hours.  Enjoy a lighthearted atmosphere while learning something new. You will leave with a beautiful completed painting.read more

All Levels
Thursday 6:00-8:00 pm | April 18, 2019 | 1 session

$25 per person

EXPLORING ALCOHOL INKS with Sue Hunter

Have fun experimenting with the many techniques to be explored while working with alcohol ink! Alcohol ink on Yupo paper produces brilliant colors, unexpected results and unlimited possibilities.  Get ready to loosen up and let this medium take flight! Witness how the inks work into magical shapes and forms by using tar gel and molding paste.

Each process will be demonstrated by the instructor, and samples of finished works shown.

*Inks can stain clothing and hands. Please wear appropriate attire and bring latex or rubber gloves.

All Levels 

Saturday  |  11:00 am - 3:00 pm 

April 27, 2019  | 1 Session  |  $70, Materials Fee: $20 paid directly to instructor

INTRODUCTION TO OIL AND COLD WAX MEDIUM: Tools, Techniques, Textures, and More with Barbara Bagan

In this workshop artists will be introduced to the basics, and beyond, regarding the tools, techniques, and methods of creating with oil paints and cold wax medium.   The layers of oil paints and cold wax are applied, scratched, scrapped, pressed, or gently layered in either a planned or intuitive way to create exciting textures, expressive marks, and unique surfaces.

We will play, experiment, and create opportunities for happy accidents which occur almost effortlessly when oil paints and cold wax are combined.

For beginners through advance artists. Bring your curiosity, an open mind, and a creative attitude.

Barbara Bagan is an experienced and knowledgeable instructor.  She is a member of several local art organizations, has taught university and studio courses, as well as designed and conducted various expressive art programs and workshops.  After recently retiring as Professor in Charge of Expressive Arts Therapy at Ottawa University in Phoenix, she is now focusing her time on her art and teaching.  She exhibits locally and nationally and locally and has garnered awards and recognition for her watercolors, acrylics, alcohol inks, and pastels.

In addition to the $20 materials fee to be paid directly to the instructor, students will be sent a short list of supplies that they will need to purchase and bring to class.

Saturday | May 4, 2019 | 10:00 am - 3:00 pm | 1 session | $90 |  $20 materials fee

INTRODUCTION TO CALLIGRAPHY with Linda Arandas

Learn the basics of Italic Calligraphy. The introductory workshop will be focused on the lower case letters of the italic alphabet using broad edged calligraphy markers. No experience is necessary, just the desire to improve your handwriting and take the first steps into the beautiful art of calligraphy.

Linda Arandas is a mixed media artist from Scottsdale. Before transplanting to Arizona she was a long time member of the Pittsburgh Calligraphy Guild. She has studied under many calligraphy masters.

All Levels

May 4, 2019  |  10 a.m. - 1 p.m.   |  $55, plus a $10 materials fee payable directly to the instructor on the first day of class.

MAKING FACES - A CERAMIC SCULPTURAL WORKSHOP with Jane Kelsey-Mapel

This class will be a fun hands-on exploration of faces, human or animal and as representational or as whimsical as you like! The first day of class will be spent working in wet clay. Jane will discuss basic anatomy and proportions and will demonstrate slab building and modeling techniques. The pieces will be bisque fired and students will return for a half day class to apply the final surface color. Underglazes will be used as stains and washes similar to watercolor. The pieces will be glaze fired and ready for pick up after the workshop.

Jane Kelsey-Mapel is an Arizona artist known for her narrative ceramic figure sculptures. She holds a bachelor's degree in Art from Arizona State University and a master's degree in Ceramics from the University of North Texas. Her work is held in numerous public and private collections and has been featured in U.S. and international publications.

All Levels

Saturdays, May 11 & 18, 2019
May 11: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm  May 18: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
2 sessions
$140 plus $25 materials fee (includes clay, glazes, firing)

PIT-FIRED EFFECTS ON CERAMICS with Alan Jones

In this workshop students will learn how to add a pit-fired look to their ceramic works of art using an electric kiln. Demonstrations will include different techniques that add smokey effects to pottery using various items including newspaper, aluminum foil, spray paint and dried oxides.

Students will be supplied with one bisque-fired pot each, and a selection of additional pots will be available for purchase.

No experience required

Saturday May 18, 2019 | 10:00 - 3:00 pm |1 session | $90

Wine and Watercolor with John Erwin

Join us for a fun night of watercolor painting with John Erwin.  Be surprised what you can learn in just a few creative hours.  Enjoy a lighthearted atmosphere while learning something new. You will leave with a beautiful completed painting.read more

All Levels
Thursday 6:00-8:00 pm | May 23, 2019 | 1 session

$25 per person

MARBLING AND COLLAGE ON RICE PAPER with Pam Root and Candice Diaz

This fun and enlightening workshop focuses on Experimental Chinese Marbling and Watercolor Painting Techniques. Collage pieces that have been made by painting rice paper will be incorporated. Students will have fun working loosely, while using their newly learned skills to create artwork without any preplanning!

Students will see a one-of-a kind piece of art evolve before their eyes when they dip rice paper in water and ink. They will also learn how to master rice paper marbling using just Sumi ink. After the marbleized pieces dry, students will begin to see images and abstract areas that can be painted on with watercolor and acrylic.

Finished marbled paper can also be easily used as bookmarks and note cards. Students are able to bring their own watercolor and acrylic supplies, but it is not required. Rice paper and ink will be provided

All Levels

Saturday May 25, 2019 |  10:00am - 2:00pm

$70, plus $10 materials fee paid to the instructors on first day.