Historic Yellow Springs

Adult Fine Art Classes

Explore and develop your art skills in our oil and acrylic painting, watercolor, plein air, drawing, sculpture, textile, mixed media, print making, photography and digital media classes. Adult art classes and workshops are available to students 16 years and older with the exception of Life Drawing (18 and up). Some art classes have a materials list (see description). Click on the link to download file.

HYS Class Updates: Register for notifications about class registrations, rescheduling, parking and other relevant information for students attending, or who would like to attend, Chester Springs Studio. Register


Drawing and Painting Basics

Monday

Drawing and Painting Basics

Skill Level: All Levels
Class Capacity: 8 students
Instructor: Rhona Candeloro
Length: 8 weeks
Mondays, Mar. 18 – May 6, 2024
Time: 10am – 1pm
Location: Chester Springs Studio, Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $254 Member, $282 Non-member

Welcome to the learning opportunity where you'll start with simple drawing lessons and transition to painting with oils or acrylics when you're ready. Whether you choose from provided still life setups, bring your own objects, or work from photos using a tablet, you'll explore traditional techniques, studying how light defines shape and color, allowing form to emerge. No prior experience is required, and you'll progress at your own pace – seize this opportunity to unleash your creativity! Enroll now and let the artistic journey begin!

Material List (pdf)

Register Now


Open Sculpture with George McMonigle

Monday

Open Sculpture with George McMonigle

Skill Level: All Levels
Class Capacity: 8 students
Instructor: George McMonigle
Length: 6 weeks
Mondays, Apr. 29 – Jun. 10, 2024 (No class on Memorial Day)
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Location: Chester Springs Studio, Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $194 Member, $216 Non-member

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced sculptor, you will expand your sculpting potential in this hands-on workshop led by the renowned George McMonigle, former head of sculpture for the Franklin Mint. Working with water-based modeling clay, bring your artistic ideas to life. Whether it's birds, animals, portraits, or even a relief or plaque, join us to relish the process of sculpting while gaining skills applicable to your future masterpieces – bring your creativity to the first class and let's shape your artistic journey together! Enroll now for a sculpting experience like no other!

Material List:

  • Water-based modeling clay can be purchased at the first class ($25 for a 25 lb. bag of stoneware or terra cotta)
  • Wood Base and aluminum armature wire
  • Clay modeling tools sets of wood or metal and wire hoops and scrappers

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Intro to Pastel

Tuesday

Pastel painting by Louise Dusinberre

Skill Level: All levels
Class Capacity: 8 students
Instructor: Louise Dusinberre
Length: 4 weeks
Tuesdays, Apr. 9 - Apr. 30, 2024
Time: 9:30am - 12:00pm
Location: Chester Springs Studio, Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $144 Member, $160 Non-member

Join a 4-week pastel exploration, starting in the studio with still life drawing to understand application, light, and value, we'll learn the fundamentals of this versatile material. Develop confidence in seeing, interpreting, and recording, while capturing the play of light surface, and blending. Sharpen skills in composition, shape, value, color, edges, and mark making. Benefit from weekly demonstrations and personalized attention, ensuring a fulfilling and artistic journey.

Material List (pdf)

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Expressionistic and Abstract Painting

Tuesday

Expressionistic and Abstract Paintinge

Skill Level: All Levels
Class Capacity: 8 students
Instructor: EO Omwake
Length: 8 weeks
Tuesdays, Mar. 19 – May 7, 2024
Time: 12:30pm – 3:30pm
Location: Chester Springs Studio, Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $254 Member, $282 Non-member

Learn the foundational and advanced painting skills for expressing in an Abstract or Expressionistic manner. EO Omwake tailors the teachings to each student's individual preferences, avoiding a standardized approach. Discover the essence of creativity, how to begin, and the process of deepening and enriching your artistry, regardless of your experience in painting. Students of all skill levels work together in the historic Chester Springs Fine Art Studio. The classes include specific lessons about the nuts and bolts of painting. Students work in the studio, receiving pointers from EO during class, culminating in an end-of-class critique, examining the day's progress.

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Beginning Oil Painting

Tuesday

Beginning Oil Painting

Skill Level: Beginner
Class Capacity: 8 students
Instructor: Martin Pieczonka
Length: 10 weeks
Tuesdays, Mar. 19 – May 21, 2024
Time: 6:30 - 9:30pm
Location: Chester Springs Studio, Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $317 Member, $353 Non-member

Unlock the world of oil painting in a welcoming class designed for beginners like you! Dive into the basics with small weekly paintings from fresh still lifes, gaining valuable insights into paint behavior, palette preparation, color mixing, and brushwork. Achieve impressive results using basic materials while painting uncluttered still lifes featuring fruits or vegetables – no intimidation, just creativity! Enroll now to explore the art of oil painting and discover the artist in you! A basic level of experience in drawing is needed.

Material List (pdf)

Register Now


Beginning Drawing

Wednesday

Beginning Drawing

Skill Level: Beginner
Class Capacity: 8 students
Instructor: Martin Pieczonka
Length: 10 weeks
Wednesdays, Mar. 20 – May 22, 2024
Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm
Location: Chester Springs Studio, Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $317 Member, $353 Non-member

Draw what you see by learning to see what you draw. Learn visual techniques that make drawing rewarding and fun. Discover ways to draw by establishing the underling structure from a variety of still life objects. Focus on drawing a new, uncluttered still life each week using graphite, charcoal, or the drawing material of your choice. Get individual encouragement and support as you progress at your own pace, with instructor demonstrations to guide you through techniques and materials. A materials list is provided.

Material List (pdf)

Register Now


Drawing and Painting Basics

Wednesday

Drawing and Painting Basics

Age Level: 16+ years
Skill Level: All Levels
Class Capacity: 8 students
Instructor: Rhona Candeloro
Length: 8 weeks
Wednesdays, Mar. 20 – May 8, 2024
Time: 6:30 - 9:00pm
Location: Chester Springs Studio, Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $212 Member, $235 Non-member

Welcome to the learning opportunity where you'll start with simple drawing lessons and transition to painting with oils or acrylics when you're ready. Whether you choose from provided still life setups, bring your own objects, or work from photos using a tablet, you'll explore traditional techniques, studying how light defines shape and color, allowing form to emerge. No prior experience is required, and you'll progress at your own pace – seize this opportunity to unleash your creativity! Enroll now and let the artistic journey begin!

Material List (pdf)

Register Now


Landscape Painting en Plein Air

Thursday

Landscape Painting en Plein Air

Skill Level: All levels
Limit: 8 students
Instructor: Martin Pieczonka
Length: 10 weeks
Thursdays, Mar. 21 – May 23, 2024
Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm
Location: Chester Springs Studio, Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $317 Member, $353 Non-member

Enjoy the beauty of spring in the vicinity of Chester Springs as we explore and express the landscape in oil paint. In this class, learn visual skills to compose a strong composition to create space and mix colors. Sky, clouds and atmosphere and their effect on the landscape will be the core of the class. Drawing with the brush will be emphasized to develop brushwork techniques and skills. Demonstrations will be conducted in simplifying and blocking in the painting with bold brush strokes and color mixing. A materials list is provided.

Material List (pdf)

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Life Drawing, Painting and Sculpture

Thursday

Life Drawing, Painting and Sculpture

Level: All levels
Limit: 8 students
Class Monitor: Martin Pieczonka
Thursdays, Mar. 21 – May 23, 2024
Time: 6:45 – 9:45pm
Location: Chester Springs Studio, Fine Art Studio
Tuition:
10-week card: $144 Member, $160 Non-member
5-week card: $99 Member, $110 Non-member

This class presents the opportunity to draw, paint or sculpt from the human figure without formal instruction. Students may pre-register for a 5 or 10-week class card. Cards are good for one year from date of purchase. They may be used during any semester until the expiration date. Drop-ins are welcome at $22 member and $25 non-member per class and must pay the monitor at the beginning of each class.

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Class Evaluation Form