Are you ready to take your pet portrait skills to the next level? This class begins with a pre-sketched pencil drawing, which you will then enhance with appropriate shading techniques. Next, you will create your own custom color palette to ensure a precise match for your pet's unique characteristics. Throughout the class we will focus on capturing the subtleties of real fur texture and expressive eyes, with the goal of producing a remarkably detailed and realistic portrait of your pet. Five clear photos of your pet must be emailed in before class to Shirl.art5050@gmail.com. Canvas and paints are supplied.

All too often we have been conditioned to put others and their needs ahead of our own — from work, to community responsibilities, as well as friends and family. In this fun, informative hands-on workshop, you will be pampered and experience a veritable toolbox of artistic, practical and relaxing practices for a healthy, balanced and creative life. You’ll be introduced to a variety of books, ideas and tools such as The Artist’s Way, relaxation techniques from Movement for Makers, and things like nurturing teas, essential oils, yummy nourishing snacks, musical playlists and much more. Try your hand at a Japanese stitching technique called Sashiko and make a small Healing Meditation cloth to hang on your wall to remind you to B-R-E-A-T-H-E. You’ll learn the meditative form of drawing called Zentangle, and you’ll be able to make a tiny peace flag for your garden. This is NOT a lecture; you’ll be participating in a patchwork sampler of hands-on self-care practices to stop destructive patterns in their tracks before our bodies get the chance to rebel! Tea and Snacks provided.

Whether you are new to the world of printmaking, or an experienced printmaker, you will benefit from working alongside others in an experimental, supportive and convivial studio environment. You will have access to a small roller press and will explore various other printmaking tools and styles. This class will focus on intaglio printmaking techniques including engraving and drypoint printmaking. Don’t worry about a materials list, there are usually enough supplies for you to try out various techniques before deciding on a direction for your work. You will use your sketchbook to develop ideas for your prints, then decide which technique best suits your images. If you lack confidence, the Instructor and your studio mates will work with you to develop projects that will both help you learn the basics while also giving you freedom to express yourself in a way that’s meaningful to you. Contact Ed Higgins directly with any questions ed_higgins@icloud.com. *No Class: 11/25.

Oils are a very forgiving medium, great for learning because it’s easy to revise, repaint, wipe out and start over. Keeping an oil painting mobile and active throughout the process means that at any moment or any stage, your painting can surprise you and move you forward in a new direction. Sometimes one brushstroke allows you to see new possibilities. Ed has helped many artists power through their fear of starting, and gain confidence as oil painters. If you’ve never painted in oils before, don’t be afraid, contact Ed directly with any questions ed_higgins@icloud.com. *This class will focus on Underpainting and Glazing Techniques. **No Class: 11/25.

Join us for a lively one night workshop devoted to the magic of transparency and glow. From 4:30 to 8:00pm, we will dive into the art of glazing, showing you how to build luminous layers that shimmer with depth and richness. You will explore negative painting techniques that carve light out of color, turning simple shapes into striking compositions. We will also play with color theory in hands on exercises designed to loosen you up and spark bold, confident choices. Think vibrant mixes, unexpected harmonies, and a few happy surprises along the way. Perfect for adventurous beginners and seasoned painters alike. Materials fee: $20

Create some lovely winter color in this glass on glass mosaic class! Follow the amaryllis flower pattern provided or design your own in an 8x10” wood frame. We will learn how to score, break, and snip glass down to shape and glue to our glass substrate. On the last day of class we will finish with grout. Tools will be provided for in class use. *A material fee of $35 must be paid to the instructor on the first night of class.

Join us for three weeks of making several styles of paper ornaments for the holidays. We will start with making festive paste papers. Then see how many different ornaments we can make in the rest of our time. Tools & materials provided. A material fee of $20 should be paid to the instructor on the first night. Extra $10 kits will also be available for purchase, to share the handmade fun at home!

Immerse yourself in an inspiring course along Maine’s coastline. Engage in guided drawing lessons, hands-on culinary workshops, and curated museum visits. Strengthen your artistic skills, deepen observation, and connect with fellow creators in a thoughtful program blending learning, exploration, and the quiet beauty of the sea. Call Chris for lodging: (207) 653-3163. *There is a $70 cancellation fee if you cancel after you register for whatever reason.