The Visual Arts Department encourages creative stimulation and thought while providing an opportunity to experience the joy and satisfaction of creating works of art. A wide variety of visual arts classes and workshops are offered for students of all ages, including pottery, painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, knitting, and more. Individual instruction is available and outreach programming can also be arranged.
There will be an extra $5 fee for visual arts class/workshop registrations made within 24 hrs of the class beginning. Please register as early as possible so instructors can make sure they have enough materials purchased and prepared. Last-minute registration can result in a shortage of materials for students.
Mosaics Class & Studio
CANCELLED
5-Week Webinar Masterclass: How to Take a Better Photo Using Compositional Techniques
for teens/ adults
with Cara Gaetano
5 weeks beginning Apr 7
6-8 pm
Held via Google Meet
class fee $297
no materials cost
REGISTER
This pre-professional 5-week class introduces students to some of the most essential compositional tools for improving their photographs. From understanding balance and leading lines to making thoughtful framing choices, we’ll break down why these techniques work and how to apply them in your photography. You’ll learn how these approaches add visual structure, helping you create stronger, more intentional images. Each week will also include a review of student photographs and a class critique discussion to deepen your understanding and strengthen your work.
Cara M Gaetano is a photographer and instructor who has taught at the Cleveland Print Room, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Pittsburgh Filmmakers School of Arts & Media, as well as through her own instruction company, Ethereal Aperture Photo, where she’s offered urban exploration classes such as Rust Belt Ruins, Strange PA, Abandoned Pittsburgh, and workshops on how to use plastic/toy cameras such as the Holga and Diana. She currently teaches for Arts Impact (for Cleveland Metropolitan Schools), The Halide Project (in Philadelphia), and the is looking forward to teaching for the Ashtabula Arts Center. She has founded and/or participates in multiple photo collectives and regularly exhibits her work. Her photos have been featured many times on @TheDailyHolga, @HolgaWeek, and by The biennial Somerville (Boston) Toy Camera Festival. She has taught visual arts to children, teens and adults for over 12 years. Photography, films, and art of all kinds, have had a profound effect on Cara, and she believes in the power of it enriching the lives of others, just as it did her own.
Cara M (along with her colleague Jim Szudy) is also co-director of Photo Cleveland, a non-profit photography organization devoted to holding regular exhibitions, unique education opportunities, artist talks, and photo events.
IG @EtherealAperturePhoto & @CaraMiaPhoto
Tuesday Pottery
for teens/adults
with Tracey Kuntz
8 weeks beginning Mar 24
5-7pm
class fee $127,
material fee $35
REGISTER
This is a beginner as well as a studio class for experienced potters. This class will cover handbuilding, sculpture, and wheel throwing. Demonstration and support will be given for each technique. You are welcome to come with projects in mind and a willingness to learn and get messy.
Crochet 1
for teens/adults
with Pam Amy
8 weeks beginning Mar 25
5-6pm
class fee $60
materials fee $8
limit of 6 students
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Suitable for beginners or those who want to refresh their skills. Students will get an introduction to basic stitches and techniques, and will develop skills to read and understand patterns.
Crochet 2
for teens/adults
with Pam Amy
8 weeks beginning Mar 25
6-7pm
class fee $60
materials fee $8
limit of 6 students
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For the student ready to start a full-scale project. Students will choose a personal project to work on in addition to learning more advanced stitch patterns.
Embroidery
for teens/adults
with Pam Amy
8 weeks beginning Mar 25
7-9pm
class fee $69
materials fee $10
limit of 6 students
REGISTER
We will celebrate spring by stitching towels with a Scandinavian technique called huck or Swedish weaving. This is a very simple technique perfect for first- time embroiderers.
Wednesday Pottery
for teens/adults
with Melanie Blake
8 weeks beginning Mar 25
6-8pm
class fee $127
materials fee $35
limit of 6 students
REGISTER
This is a beginner as well as a studio class for experienced potters. This class will cover handbuilding, sculpture, and wheel throwing. Demonstration and support will be given for each technique. You are welcome to come with projects in mind and a willingness to learn and get messy.
Intro to Landscape Painting
for teens/adults
with Ralph Bacon
8 weeks beginning March 25
6:15-7:15 pm
class fee $69
materials fee $12
REGISTER
This class will explore perspective, tone, contrast, texture, atmospheric perspective and composition. It will rely heavily upon Plein Air techniques, so think trees, fields, streams, and lakes, with occasional manmade structures included.
Carving: Wood Sprites
for teens/adults
with Ralph Bacon
8 weeks beginning March 25
5-6 pm
class fee $69
materials fee $15
REGISTER
It’s time to think Spring! This class will focus on creating wood sprites. We will go over basics, wood sources, themes, and a bit of the history. We’ll be using carving knives and palm chisels on cottonwood bark; select poplar branches will also be an option.
Open Clay Studio
for adults
with Erica Ledford
8 weeks beginning Mar 19 (no class April 2)
10 am- 2pm
class fee $74
materials fee $40 (includes 1 small kiln firing and 25 lbs of clay)
limit of 6 students
REGISTER
For adults who have taken classes and would like extra time to work on their pieces, as well as grow their studio knowledge and techniques. Get full access and support to come and create. Additional materials are available at additional cost.
Sewing Machine Creations
CANCELLED BY INSTRUCTOR
No teen/adult classes in visual arts are currently scheduled on Fridays. Check the schedule for Friday workshops.
Drawing for Beginners
for teens/adults
with Rebecca Ollikinen
8 weeks beginning Mar 21 (no class April 4)
10:15-11:15am
class fee $66
materials fee $8
limit of 12 students
REGISTER
This class is the perfect place to build a strong artistic foundation while exploring your imagination. You will learn the core techniques, and explore different mediums. Open to artists who are beginners as well as those who are refreshing their skills.
Watercolor for Beginners
for teens/adults
with Rebecca Ollikinen
8 weeks beginning Mar 21 (no class April 4)
11:15am-12:15 pm
class fee $66
materials fee $8
REGISTER
Raku Pottery
for teens/adults
with Rebecca Stowell
4 weeks beginning May 9 (no class May 23)
1:15-3pm
class fee $56
materials fee $25
limit of 6 students
REGISTER
Raku is a low-fire process, reaching around 1830F (1000C) at its highest temperature. In raku, pottery is removed from the kiln when red hot. It is cooled rapidly, often in combustible material like sawdust or paper. The firing process results in intense, varied colors. Raku firing is usually done in a fuel-burning, rather than an electric, kiln.
Saturday Pottery
CANCELLED
Payment
Payment is expected at the time of registration unless otherwise noted, and can be made by cash, check, or credit card. Platform fees will apply to all transactions. Members receive a discounted rate. Materials fees, model fees, and some other fees are excluded from this discount.
Registration
Registration is required. A minimum number of students is needed to hold a class. When necessary, a class start date may be postponed a week or a class may be cancelled 24 hours prior to the starting time. Classes and lessons are open to all, regardless of race, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or national origin. There will be an extra $5 fee for visual arts class/workshop registrations made within 24 hrs of the class beginning. Please register as early as possible so instructors can make sure they have enough materials purchased and prepared. Last-minute registration can result in a shortage of materials for students.
Refund Policy
If a class is cancelled, appropriate refunds will be given. Persons desiring to withdraw from a class, who do so at least 24 hours before the start time of the class, will receive a full refund. If you drop a class after this deadline, but before the second meeting of the class, you will receive a refund for 75% of your tuition. There will be no refunds after the second class meeting
Financial aid is available for eligible students. FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION Rev. 1115 may be downloaded or obtained at the front desk and must be filled out and returned no later than one week prior to the start date of the class.
By registering yourself or your child for a class/workshop/music lesson/or other activity at the arts center, you hereby waive and release all rights and claims for damages you or your child may have against the arts center and its employees. The arts center will not be responsible for injuries suffered by you or your child during classes, workshops, or activities sponsored by the arts center. In addition, you also give the arts center and its employees the right to use your or your child’s image with or without you or your child’s name, for purposes such as advertising, publicity, and public presentations.