STUDIO PROGRAMMING, WINTER/SPRING 2024
ADULT PROGRAMMING
FREE OPEN STUDIOS
Bring your own materials and enjoy working in a relaxed studio environment.
Mondays, 1pm – 4pm
January 22 – May 20 (No open studio on January 15 and February 19)
Free
DRAWING
OPEN STUDIO MIXED MEDIA FIGURE
Robert Anderson, Monitor
From academic to abstract, pencil on paper to oil on canvas, highly-rendered to expression-driven, this studio allows you to follow your own path at your own pace. It is a great opportunity for artists at all levels to get together and create, in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. Open Studio at MMoA is a fun way to retain and advance your visual art skills while working with a live model each week.
Tuesdays, 6pm – 9pm
January 23 – May 28
Members $10 / Non-Members $15 per session
Register online or drop-in and pay at the door.
BASIC DRAWING AND CREATIVE THINKING
Lisa Lyman Adams
This class will focus on both drawing skills and inspiration. Learn to compose and complete a realistic pencil (graphite) drawing. Sharpen accuracy and proportions in drawing by gaining knowledge of light source effects (shadows to highlights), pencil techniques, composition, scale, and measuring skills. Through weekly prompts and inspirational slideshows, students will spot imaginative opportunities and practice visualizing them by keeping a sketchbook to further their creative journey. The class does not require any prior experience and is designed to cater to all levels.
5-week series
Wednesdays, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Session 1: January 24 – February 21
Session 2: March 6 – April 3
Members $150 / Non-Members $180
PORTRAIT DRAWING
Jack Montmeat
Learn how to conceptualize and construct a portrait drawing utilizing a live model each week. Working from quick studies and longer poses, students will systematically learn the “landscape” of the human face. Explore techniques for capturing accurate anatomical features, proportions, and likenesses, to develop realistic and expressive portraits. Demonstrations and individualized exercises will be offered each week. The class does not require any prior experience and is designed to cater to all levels.
5-week series
Thursdays, 6pm – 8:30pm
January 25 – February 22
Members $220 / Non-Members $260
Plus, model fee of $50
FIGURE DRAWING
Jack Montmeat
The human form is endless in its variation and possibilities. With individualized direction, students will explore the techniques of figure drawing in a medium of their choice. Specific classroom exercises will focus on visual analysis and the skills needed for expressive 2D form such as line, tone, mass and illusionistic space. A model will be provided each week. The class does not assume any prior experience and is designed to cater to a range of levels.
5-week series
Thursdays, 6pm – 8:30pm
March 7 – April 4
Members $220 / Non-members $260
Plus, model fee of $50
PAINTING
COLOR IS MAGIC
Howard Park and Lisa Miceli
Learn to develop the unique atmosphere and spirit of a scene through effective use of color and value. Explore how color contrast and color balance can create daring and vivid works of art. Create landscapes that are tonal and moody or vibrant with sunlit areas and shadows, with dimension and color.
In this class, students will learn to use the color wheel, understand the use of analogous and complementary colors, and see color as value. Students will learn to design a custom color wheel to help create signature colors to reflect their own unique vision of the landscape. Painting with these signature colors will allow students to achieve a sense of light and atmosphere in the artwork.
5-week series
Tuesdays, 9am – 12pm
January 9 – February 6
Members $230 / Non-Members $270
PHOTO TO CANVAS
Sarah Stifler Lucas
Advance your skills, technique, and personal style using acrylics or oils and a photo reference to inspire your piece. Bring your favorite photographs, magazine images, calendar pictures, etc., and explore the process of transforming them into your own work of art. Instructor demonstrations focus on design, composition, and value. Previous painting experience required. (Not a class for beginners)
Five-week series
Thursdays, 9:30am – 12:30pm or 1pm – 4pm
Session 1: January 11 – February 8
Session 2: February 22 – March 21
Members $230 / Non-Members $270
ANYONE CAN PAINT
Sunil Howlader
This class will combine abstract and realistic elements to create a painting that is complex, dynamic, and interesting. Abstraction opens a whole new world of creation. Students will translate thoughts, emotions, and ideas to the canvas using texture, form, and color. Some previous experience of painting is recommended. This class is open to either oils or acrylics and is designed to cater to a range of levels of experience. Whether you want to start from scratch or work on an already started artwork that needs new ideas or inspirations, this is the class for you!
5-week series
Wednesdays, 1pm – 4pm
Session 1: January 24 – February 21
Session 2: April 10 – May 8
Members $230 / Non-Members $270
PAINTING FLORA AND FAUNA IN WATERCOLOR
Carol Mann
Nature is an endless source of inspiration. Painting it is one way of studying it more closely and finding awe in the ordinary. This class will provide students with the tools and understanding to effectively capture the essence of several familiar plants and animals. Learn basic techniques for defining form, adding textural details, and integrating subjects into strong compositions. The class does not require any prior experience and is designed to cater to all levels.
Five-week series
Tuesdays, 1pm – 4pm
January 30 – February 27
Members $230 / Non-Members $270
PAINT IN OILS: CRYSTALS AND GLASS – ITALIAN RENAISSANCE TECHNIQUE
Dr. Michael Sullo
In this oil painting course, students will learn the techniques of the European masters. From the initial drawing through to the final glazes, all stages of the creation process will be discussed and practiced. The instructor will assist students as they progress in their study and create their own masterpieces. Techniques to be practiced are:
- Drawing: Produce the proper horizon and choose the correct vanishing points for one-point, two-point, and three-point perspective.
- Painting: A monochrome underpainting in gray, green, or brown. In this stage all shades of gray, proportion, and detail will be worked out.
- Layering: Over the completely dry underpainting, introduce color in semitransparent layers of velatura.
- Glazing: Paint additional thin layers of pigment called glazes.
5-week series
Wednesdays, 9am – 12pm
January 31 – February 28
Members $230 / Non-Members $270
WATER, SKY AND REFLECTIONS
Howard Park & Lisa Miceli
Water reflects the sky in its varied moods, and depicting this harmony of sky and water can be the essence of a pleasing and harmonious painting. Harmony of water, sky, clouds, and reflections is essential to a strong composition in landscape and seascape painting.
In this class students will learn to paint the sky as the source of light and understand how the tone and mood of the sky influence the whole painting, especially the water below. Emphasis will be given to how value changes in the sky and water, and how subtle changes can portray convincing sky and clouds. Students will also focus on designing skies and water as primary elements in paintings and depicting a full range of sky tones and moods including foggy, misty days with subtle light breaking through, the warm glow of early morning light, or quintessential bright blue skies.
Any medium is welcome, and students will see demos in both oil and watercolor.
5-week series
Tuesdays, 9am – 12pm
February 27 – March 26
Members $230 / Non-Members $270
SPRINGTIME SKETCHBOOK TO PAINTING
Howard Park and Lisa Miceli
Sketching is essential to building a dynamic painting as it helps in developing a pleasing composition before applying paint to the canvas or paper. One can experiment with the design elements of the artwork in a sketch develop confidence before approaching the “final” painting. Sketchbook images themselves have a unique quality and offer wonderful ideas for future paintings as well.
In this class, students will learn to develop their sketches into a finished painting in each class. Sketches can be done with pencil, pen, charcoal, ink and watercolor, and/or ink and acrylic. They can be done from photographic images or from live images. During each class, weather permitting, students will have the opportunity to sketch outside and use those sketches to complete the paintings in the studio.
5-week series
Tuesdays, 9am – 12pm
April 23 – May 21
Members $230 / Non-Members $270
MIXED MEDIA
KEEPING A JOURNAL
Laura LoTurco-Gorian
Personal journals explore our daily lives through the marriage between words and images, recording our own journies. Picture making through colored pencil, watercolor, and collage allows everyone to give form to our imagination, while creative writing stimulated by writing prompts gives voice to ideas and inner thoughts. This process can be therapeutic, through self-discovery. We will cultivate our individual voices through the written word and a personal vision working with art mediums. Daily practice of keeping a journal doesn’t require remarkable skill in the art of writing or painting and the final work is worth all the effort. Teens are welcome.
5-week Series
Thursdays, 6pm – 8:30pm
April 25 – May 23
Members $210 / Non-Members $250
PRINTMAKING
CREATIVE PRINTMAKING
Laura Gorian
Monotypes, dry-point engraving, lino block printing, and collagraphs, are all creative approaches to the printmaking process—often using drawing and painting techniques. Monotypes and block prints do not require a press while dry-point engraving does. They all offer the opportunity to work with a variety of materials and methods that enable you to create with spontaneous and often surprising results. This class will explore how to combine various techniques and simple materials to achieve a creative understanding of printmaking—for seasoned artists and beginners alike.
5-week Series
Sundays, 9am – 11:30pm
March 10 – April 21 (No class on March 31 and March 24)
Members $210 / Non-Members $250
ARTINI
Mix cocktails and creativity for your next happy hour! Take on a creative project with one of our instructors, as you learn to play with a variety of media in the studios. We provide instruction, supplies, a tasty beverage, and plenty of time to socialize.
Fridays, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Members $30 / Non-members $35
Winter Lino Print
Julia Peterson
Explore the artistic process of linocut printing. Learn how to develop a winter design, carve it on a linoleum block, and use it to create multiple prints with varying tones of color. Go home with a small edition you printed yourself along with the custom block you designed and carved, to make many more amazing masterpieces.
January 19
PINK – 3D Valentine Card-making Extravaganza (Cancelled)
Lisa Lyman Adams
Heart-shaped lollipops, ribbons, bows, buttons, and paint! Think all things pink! Enjoy an evening of 3-D card making with mounds of inspiration and a variety of materials. Say what you feel with our robust collection of heartfelt phrases, or, that one word heart-stopper! Walk away with a one of a kind, handmade Valentines Day card personally created for the one you love.
WATERCOLOR POUR: A Painting that Paints Itself
Carol Mann
Explore the fluid beauty of watercolor and create a stunning abstract watercolor landscape. Experiment with poured washes of diluted pigment and play with various mark making techniques. Watercolor pour art is great fun with gratifying results even for those who claim to have no artistic talent. Your finished masterpieces can easily be turned into fine art, greeting cards, or book covers.
March 22
ARTFUL FLORAL DESIGN – Using Store Bought Bouquets
Michelle Duthrie
Inspire your imagination and enrich your knowledge of flowers while you create a beautiful flower arrangement using simple design principles and fresh flowers from the local grocery store or farmers’ market. Learn easy and creative ways of assembling flowers to design a professional looking vase arrangement. Create a floral centerpiece that reflects your own personal seasonal style that is perfect for spring holiday hosting.
Bouquet flowers and vase will be provided. You may bring a glass vase of choice. Please stay within 10” height x 5” diameter (Size must be conducive to one store bought bouquet)
Please bring:
Florist knife, floral cutters or pruners
Gloves for preparing flowers
April 19
TINY TREASURES COLLAGE
Meredith Andrews
Seashells lurking in a cupboard? Broken or sentimental jewelry tucked away? A stash of buttons hanging around? With the help of your instructor, construct a fabulous, framed display. MMoA will provide plenty of tiny bits-and-bobs if you don’t have your own to bring.
May 31
WEEKEND WORKSHOPS
SPEED PAINTING WORKSHOP
Howard Park & Lisa Miceli
In this fast paced and fun workshop, students will learn to simplify a still life through a series of 20-minute paintings. To begin with, students will create a painting of 3 objects. A new object will be added to the original setup and a new painting will be created. At the end of each painting, a new object will be added, and the process will be repeated till there are at least 7 items in the still life set up. The final painting will be an abstract version of the original 3 items.
The goal of this workshop is to help students learn quick, effective techniques for freer more expressive brush and palette work, minimizing detail, and capturing the spirit of the still life by finding proper values and colors.
Students can paint in any medium: oil, acrylics, watercolor, or pastel and will need to bring 6-8 small painting surfaces ( 9 X 12” canvas, board, or watercolor paper) and painting supplies.
Saturday, 10am – 3pm
February 10
Ages: Youth and Adults
Members $100 / Non-Members $115
EXPRESSIVE WATERCOLORS WEEKEND WORKSHOP
Lisa Miceli
Learn expressive watercolor techniques for loose paintings that convey your unique vision. In this watercolor workshop, students will move beyond copying a photo, to create paintings with atmosphere and energy, without focusing on too much detail. Students will focus on understanding the pigment to water ratio and how this relates to the tonal values in painting, from the lightest tone (the white of the paper) to the darkest tones in the composition. Students will also work on dropping pigment onto paper at different stages of drying and achieving atmospheric perspective and mood using different strengths of pigment and tonal values. Students will gain confidence in wet-into-wet techniques using larger brushes. Learning from instructor demos and individual instruction, students will complete several finished paintings over the course of the weekend.
Students may bring their own photographic references of landscapes, seascapes, still lifes, etc. or may work from the demo images.
This workshop requires some watercolor experience and is meant for those who want to develop more confidence in handling paint using larger brushes with less fiddling.
Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 3pm
February 24 and 25
Members $250 / Non-Members $265 (If signing up for 2 Days)
Members $125 / Non-Members $140 (If signing up for 1 Day)
CREATIVE MAP MAKING WORKSHOP
Lisa Lyman Adams
Mapmaking fulfills one of our deepest desires to understand the world around us and our place in it. Instructor Lisa Lyman Adams is a fine artist and illustrator known for her illustrative maps created for the New York Times and mainstream magazines. This all-day workshop focuses on seeing the world creatively through mapping. The workshop is perfect for map lovers, travelers, or neighborhood enthusiasts who like to share their stories of places they are going or have visited, through creative illustrations. Using various art tools, specialty paper, imaginative exploration, graphic expression, and drawing skills, students will learn the basics of creative map making and create their own unique map.
Saturday, 10am – 3pm (lunch break 12pm – 1 pm)
March 9
Ages: Youth and Adults
Members $100 / Non-Members $115
PALETTE KNIFE AND BRUSH IN OILS. WEEKEND WORKSHOP
Howard Park
Palette knife painting lends freshness to oil paintings; the loose and opposing mark making of a brush gives them a new texture. In this workshop, students will enhance their own painting style, whether impressionist, expressionist, abstract, or realist, by using both palette knife and brush.
Learn to make bold strokes with the palette knife, to use the edge of the knife to create sharp lines, and to use a variety of knife blade shapes. Complement these bold strokes with soft edges and hidden and lost lines created with a variety of brushes. Learn how to paint on top of wet layers without lifting the paint below and to make multicolored palette knife strokes. This workshop will cover:
- Techniques of knife painting using knives of different sizes and shapes
- Brush painting using your favorite brushes
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- How to incorporate a brush to express the various elements of land and seascapes (sky, clouds, water, rocks and grass)
- How to paint lines for fences, tree branches and sharp edges.
Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 3pm
March 23 and 24
Members $250 / Non-Members $265 (if signing up for 2 Days)
Members $125 / Non-Members $140 (if signing up for 1 Day)
SEAWEED PRESSING WORKSHOP
Mary Jameson
Saltwater Studio Newport
Get in touch with the marine environment and make your own seaweed pressing in this unique workshop. Learn about the history of seaweed pressings from the Victorian era and interesting information about marine algae! The instructor will demonstrate techniques in arranging the seaweed decoratively on paper. Students will use local seaweed collected from the RI and CT coastlines and will make two pressings that can be framed and hung at home. Seaweed pressing kits, which are reusable, can be purchased from the instructor, at $25 for two kits.
Saturday, 10am – 2:00pm (half hour lunch break)
April 27
Members $85/ Non-Members $100
INTRODUCTION TO THE ART AND CRAFT OF CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Caroline Joy Adams
Now is the perfect time to learn the art of calligraphy, or “beautiful handwriting.” In this workshop, you will create hand-crafted bookmarks, greeting cards, favorite quotes ready to frame, journals, and other projects. Participants will find it to be a fun, calming, experience, and will be surprised how quickly they can make wonderful creations in this practical and excellent art form. Four different calligraphic styles will be introduced, including Bookhand, Uncial, Italic, and Blackletter, so you will come away with a variety of techniques and creative possibilities, and can then focus on the styles you most enjoy. Various tools and materials will be used in class and are listed below.
Sunday, 10am – 3pm
May 18
Ages: Youth and Adults
Members $100 / Non-Members $115
CHILDREN/TEEN PROGRAMMING
DRAWING AND PAINTING FUNDAMENTALS: AGES 8 – 12
Lisa Lyman Adams
Working from various sources, including still lifes and other subject matter, young artists strengthen their skills in drawing and paint application. Foundational elements like form, color, space, and line will be explored. The teacher encourages returning students to advance their abilities and develop their style.
Wednesdays, 4:30pm – 6pm
Session 1: January 17 – February 14
Session 2: February 28 – March 27
Members $115 / Non-Members $135
All supplies included with registration
HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS: AGES 5 – 12
The Mystic Museum of Art (MMoA) offers specially designed homeschool classes for children ages 5 – 12. Taught by MMoA artist educators, these programs are a combination of discussion and hands-on art making in our galleries and KTJ studios. All programs focus on a variety of art techniques, elements of art and design, art vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. Homeschool programs are usually eight-week sessions that run for 2.5 hours on Monday afternoons from 1:30pm to 4pm. MMoA homeschool programs offers a variety of courses throughout the year.
FINDING YOUR MARK
Ben Ellcome
Learn to express and represent your ideas, opinions and stories through book making, poster making, and Zine making. Design and create flip books to make drawings come to life. Experiment with the power of words and pictures and create posters that make strong statements. Learn to produce your own zine, an artistic handmade publication using simple materials such as paper, writing utensils, old magazines, newspapers, glue, and various art supplies. This class is a perfect mashup of literature and art!
Mondays 1:30pm – 4pm
January 29 – March 25 (no class on February 19)
Members $225 / Non-Members $260
All supplies included with registration.
Maximum number of students is limited to 15.
Advanced registration required: register online or call 860.536.7601 x211.
A minimum of 5 students is necessary to run this program.
SUSTAINABLE FASHION AND SEWING FUNDAMENTALS: AGES 9 – 14
Meghann Rooney
In this class, students will learn introductory sewing skills including basic hand sewing, how to read sewing patterns, and how to use a sewing machine. Students will be creative and resourceful as they re-purpose used fabrics and materials into stylish new fashion items and empowered to help our planet by reducing fabric waste.
Mondays, 4:30pm – 6pm
Session 1 : January 29 – March 4 (no class on February 19)
Session 2 : April 1 – April 29
Members $115 / Non-Members $135
All supplies included with registration.
Maximum number of students is limited to 7
ART ABCs: AGES 3.5 – 6
Jerelyn Smestad
Introduce children to a variety of materials and processes through projects that stimulate imagination and creativity. We offer a supportive and encouraging atmosphere where budding artists will experiment with drawing, painting, and 3D sculpture.
Choose to register for all classes or specific classes:
Mondays, 4:30pm – 5:30pm
January 29 – April 22(no Class February 19)
12-class series:
Members $140 / Non-Members $165
Individual classes: Members $14 / Non-Members $16
January 29, February 5, February 12, February 26, March 4, March 11, March 18, March 25, April 1, April 8, April 15 and April 22
All supplies included with registration.
ART EXPLORERS: AGES 6 – 12
CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN ART
D Derek
Stretch your imagination. Be inspired. Be moved. This Art Explorers youth program offers a vibrant spectrum of classes on painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, and sculpture. Create two and three-dimensional works of art inspired by an exciting array of artists from around the world. Explore a variety of mediums and materials including acrylic, watercolor, markers, graphite, clay, plaster, paper, fiber, and organic and recycled materials. Learn through experimentation and imagination to develop creative thinking and self-expression.
Choose to register for all classes or specific, individual classes:
Tuesdays, 4:15pm – 5:45pm
January 30 – April 16
12-class series: Members $190 / Non-Members $225
Individual classes: Members $18 / Non-Members $21
January 30, February 6, February13, February 20, February 27, March 5, March 12, March 19, March 26, April 2, April 9, April 16
All supplies included with registration.
COMIC ART: A COMIC BOOK MAKING WORKSHOP. AGES 7 – 14
Brett Swanson
From script writing, story boarding, drawing, and inking, to creating your own unique comic book, learn the entire creative process of comic book making in this one-day workshop. Explore drawing techniques, comic book layout and design, and creative writing to create characters and worlds that are uniquely your own. Comic artist and creator of Power Kids Comics, Bret Swanson, will share his own process and experience to help you discover all the steps involved in comic book creation.
Saturday, 10:00am – 2:00pm
March 16
Members $85 / Non-Members $100
All supplies included with registration.
FREE CREATIVE FAMILY AFTERNOON
Join us for free, drop-in art activities for the whole family!
Registration Required
HEART ART
February 3, Saturday, 1pm – 4pm
Create heart-centered crafts that are great for gifts, cards or just for fun.
FREE
PAINT AND POT: FLOWERPOTS FOR MOMS
May 4, Saturday, 1pm – 4pm
Paint a terracotta flowerpot and plant a flower with your mom or for your mom, or any other special woman in your life!
FREE
