This class is an introduction to the world of wheel-thrown ceramics. This comprehensive four-week class  meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:15pm - 9:45pm. This class is tailored to first-time students who have little to no prior experience working with clay. Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to make cups, bowls, mugs, and small vases. We will learn how to trim our work, add handles, and utilize a handful of decoration techniques from carving to glazing.

Additionally, students will have access to open studio hours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, providing a total of 84 extra hours for independent work outside of class.*All Students using lab hours must clean up and  leave Clay Lab by 4pm when the building closes to the public.

Participants will also learn skills such as reclaiming and wedging clay, along with proper artwork storage. Emphasizing repetition of action, this class aims to create an understanding of how to throw on the pottery wheel.

*This course can be repeated as needed to refine skills.

 A 25-pound bag of clay, glazes and kiln firings are included in the course. Attempt to utilize open studio hours to continue to practice your skills.

 CER100.324.02                                                                         

Ready to explore working with metal? 

In this 7-week class for beginners you will be introduced to the skills of traditional metalsmithing and jewelry making.

Get a comprehensive introduction to the use of hand tools to practice fundamentals such as sawing, filing, forming, textures, cold connections and surface finishing using metals such as copper, brass, and bronze.

Videos and visuals are used to expand your knowledge of both design and techniques.  

Join this active and fun atmosphere for a chance to work with your hands and try something new!

For Adults 16+ $30.00 in supplies are included.

Classes can be repeated to further refine & develop skills and work on individual projects. 

  # MET.101.324.01

Are you interested in taking your drawing skills to the next level?

Join this two week observational drawing workshop and take your drawing skills to the next level!

Develop your drawing talent and gain confidence in every area of art! In this course, we are going to refine and expand our sketching practices by observing and drawing a still-life scene. We'll learn drawing strategies like value building, proportions, utilizing negative space, and more. Still-life objects will be provided for this class, but feel free to bring your own items to draw!

Students will learn to enhance their observational drawing skills.

Topics covered including:

• Composition 
• Proportion
• Creating depth using shadows and highlights
• Strategies for realistic still life drawings!

 Supplies to purchase or bring to first class:

• Strathmore 11 x 14 toned cool gray sketchbook 
• 1 HB pencil 
• 1 6B pencil 
• 1 white conte pencil (Conte a Paris)
• 1 Kneaded Eraser 
• 1 Regular Eraser 
• 1 pencil sharpener

 - Available at Dick Blick https://www.dickblick.com/ or other art supply stores

*All skill levels are welcome 16+, and  Some drawing experience is ideal, but not necessary! we’ll go over everything you need to get started!

  *Students will leave with finished compositions and the skills to continue drawing! Class can be repeated as needed to further develop and refine skills.

  PNT140.324.01

Step into the serene realm of artistic expression with our FIRST of the Summer Artist Series: SUMMER GARDEN in WATERCOLOR.

Imagine immersing yourself in the tranquility of a cool summer breeze, accompanied by the soothing melody of a water feature, as you draw inspiration from vibrant, fresh flowers blooming in abundance in summer gardens! Relax and unwind in this class as you explore the fundamentals of watercolor painting, from mastering the intricacies of color mixing to creating captivating washes, glazes, and layers. Delve into the art of composition and discover how to bring your vision of a summer garden to life on paper.

Whether you're a seasoned artist or just beginning to explore your creative talents, all skill levels are warmly welcomed to join.  Prepare to embark on an unforgettable artistic adventure surrounded by fellow nature enthusiasts.

Please bring the following essentials to your first class:

• Sketchbook (Your choice of size)
• 2B Pencil
• Kneaded eraser
• Roll of masking tape
• Watercolor Pad 9 X 12 inch (cold press)
• 2 Brushes (Small & Medium round)
• Palette
• 11"x14" foam board for mounting final project(if desired by student)

Water Street will have the following in house supplies for enrolled student use or please purchase your own supplies from the list below if you want to keep them after class:

• Small Water Containers(2)
• Basic Watercolor paint set (Winsor Newton)
• Drawing Board 
• Basic Watercolor pencil set

Don't miss your chance to bask in the beauty of summer's bounty and unleash your inner artist in our SUMMER GARDEN in WATERCOLOR class. Enroll today and let your creativity bloom!

PNT.130.324.01

Join us for a four-week journey into the world of Contour Line Drawing, led by experienced Artist and local Art Educator, Lacy Foy. This course is designed for beginners who are eager to explore drawing as a form of expression.

Participants will engage in various exercises and practices aimed at developing their skills in Contour Line Drawing. Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on observational drawing techniques and understanding the fundamental principles of line, shape, and form.

Please purchase the following before your first class:

• One 9" x 12" or larger Sketchbook  
• At least one Ink Pen 
• At least one Marker
• At least one Pencil
• 1 Kneaded Eraser

In this course, participants will:

• Explore Contour Line Practices and Drawing techniques.
• Experiment with Black and White drawings to understand shading and contrast.
• Practice using thin and thick lines to create depth and dimension.
• Learn observational drawing by studying objects in the studio and at home.
• Improve eye-hand coordination through consistent practice.
• Embrace imperfections and unique characteristics, accepting Beauty As It Is.
• Engage in right/left brain activities to enhance creativity and analytical thinking.
• Focus on drawing hands and shoes to refine observational and technical skills.

No previous art experience is required. for adults 16+

*If a repeat session is offered, it could be ongoing for students to continue their projects and refine skills.

This course is ideal for adults seeking to refine their basic drawing practices and develop a strong foundation in contour line drawing.

Embark on a journey of artistic exploration and self-discovery with us as we delve into the captivating world of contour line drawing. No experience necessary—just bring your enthusiasm and creativity! 

# DRW.108.324.01

Think, draw, and paint expressively in this four-session course. 

Do you want to loosen up, and paint more expressively, intuitively, and abstractly with confidence?

This four-week course led by Artist and local Art Educator, Lacy Foy will introduce you to the beauty of freeform/abstract/expressive mark acrylic painting and help you to create several finished compositions.

A focus on simple art concepts such as color, expressive mark making, physical movement, and other Elements and Principles of Composition, while tapping into your subconscious, intuitive brain ensures that you can confidently learn and practice basic expressive abstract acrylic techniques.

No previous art experience is required. for adults 18+

*If a repeat session is offered, it could be ongoing for students to continue their projects and refine skills.

During the course, you’ll be encouraged to try new things as a way to experience artistic breakthroughs! 

Please Purchase the following art supplies before your first class:

• One 11" x 14" or larger Mixed Media Paper Pad 
• Set of student grade acrylic paint (minimum of red, blue, yellow, black, and white)
• 75 mL or Larger Brush set (multiple sizes for painting).
• One roll painter's tape.

Optional supplies: Your instructor, Lacy Foy will discuss these in person at first session.

• Paint Markers (Posca Preferred)
• Fluorescent Paint Set
• Metallic Paint Set or Paint Markers,
• Washi Tape,
• Collaging Items 
• old rags and towels for cleaning the paint brushes
• alternative tools to paint with
• sharpie markers for collage items,
• a journal for documenting helpful "in progress" critique discussions, a pencil and other items you may want to incorporate into your work.

# PNT108.324.02

Would you like to have time to develop new artwork ideas and practice your drawing skills with a live costumed dancer?

Join Water Street Studios for this special drawing session in the main gallery. In this session artists of different skill levels can practice their figure drawing skills with a live costumed dancer. The live costumed dancer will pose from short to long poses over the course of 45 minutes. Class will be in the main gallery with floor easels, and horses available. Please come at 12:45pm to set up your art materials and work area. Dancer will begin promptly at 1 pm.

Bring your own art supplies and paper. Dry art materials allowed, such as charcoal, pencils, pastels, conte crayon etc. 

Typically, a class will begin with a series of quick 'gesture drawings' These are poses tend toward being dramatic and action oriented. Capturing a moment frozen in time for students to draw. Following the gesture drawing sketches, the model will hold longer poses for the remainder of the figure drawing practice session. 

Dancer Model, Danielle Wilson, will be clothed and in an interesting costume. Students must be 14+ to register. Danielle has performed with Chicago Dance Crash, Curmudgeon group, Nomi Dance Chicago, and more!

*Direct drawing instructions are not provided. This is an open studio session for artists to practice drawing the human figure. 

For beginner to advanced students.

 #DRW.119.324.01

Would you like to learn how to paint dreamy, beautiful landscapes in oil? Join this perfect summer painting class, for beginner to intermediate students and join this amazing painting adventure this summer! 

This painting class will be a wonderful opportunity to learn to paint gorgeous landscapes in oil! Join Water Street Studios art instructor, Meaghan Green, for a guided painting session learning step by step how to paint lovely landscapes in oil in this immersive guided 7 week session.

No Class on July 4th. Class will resume the following week.

The Hudson River School artists created sweeping, romantic landscapes that invited viewers to experience nature in a way that was both true to life and shockingly grand. Artists like Thomas Cole and Frederic Church drew on aesthetic principles of the sublime, atmospheric perspective, scale, color and light and technical skill to bring to life domestic and exotic views in oil paint. In this course, we’ll create oil landscapes that are not only inspired by the beauty and history of 19th century American landscape painters but reimagined for our modern context and students’ unique styles as developing painters.

Students will learn how to approach their landscape painting in a traditional way, which will include step by step guided painting using the following techniques:

• composition and preliminary sketching
• imprimatura underpainting
• medium preparation
• color mixing
• brush work skills and tips and more.

This class is for beginners to intermediates 16+ and is the perfect hands on step by step introduction to the beautiful world of oil painting!

 Please purchase the following and bring to your first class:

• Basic Set of Oil Paints, (*recommended [Utrecht, Gamblin, Blick's, or Grumbacher]: Cadmium Yellow Hue [cadmium free], Pthalo Blue, Titanium White, Cadmium Red Hue [cadmium free], Raw Umber, Yellow Ochre, students may choose to supplement with additional colors of their choice)
• Brushes. (Mixed sizes such as Utrecht long handle Maglon Brush Set,  & Princeton Select Synthetic Brush Wave Oval Mop size 1inch or similiar)
• Primed Wood Panel,  Ampersand Gessobord - 8" x 10", 1/8" Flat
• Linseed oil (Gamblin Refined Linseed Oil - 4 oz bottle)
• Brush Conditioner (The Masters Brush Cleaner and Preserver - Travel Size, 0.25 oz)
• Conte Pencil (Conté à Paris Sketching Pencil - Sepia, Single Pencil)
• 2 glass jars with lid (Such as mason jar, baby food jar, jam jar)
• Rags or paper towels
• Palette Knife
• Palette Paper
• Container to carry your supplies (Such as tool kit, and or sturdy canvas bag.)

Supplies available at https://www.dickblick.com/

•  *Students will leave with finished compositions and the skills to continue painting! Class can be repeated as needed to further develop and refine skills. * Class will not meet July 5th and will resume the following week. All registered painting students will have extra studio painting time(no instruction)  Sundays 1 - 3pm & the Water Street Classroom will be available to students  as part of registration for this class. *All skill levels are welcome, and no previous experience with oil painting is required; we’ll go over everything you need to get started! This class is for beginners to intermediates 16+ and is the perfect hands on step by step introduction to the beautiful world of oil painting!