Mark your calendars and join ARTZ Philadelphia on September 20th, October 18th and November 15th from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm as they facilitate a group conversation around 3-4 works of art in the Main Line Art Center galleries. Groups are limited in size to 6-8 visitors plus their care partners to ensure an intimate and comfortable experience for everyone. Members of the Art Center community are welcome to attend if they have someone in their l...

ARTZ Philadelphia works with arts partners like Main Line Art Center to create safe, comfortable and joyful spaces in which people living with dementia and their care partners can freely express themselves without fear of stigma; can rediscover themselves through creative outlets; and can find contentment and reward in their daily lives. Please join us for a very special "meet and greet" with ARTZ Philadelphia's founding director and MLAC st...

This is an approach to batik technique that resembles watercolor painting using a resist. My particular method takes traditional batik and transforms it. I use brushes, but have traditional tools for students to try on stretched silk, using molten wax and fabric dyes. This is a fine art approach to a traditional method of fabric decoration. I will cover the history of batik and other resist techniques.

 

Hours: Thursday 4:30-9:30 pm; Friday 1-4:30 pm; Sunday 1-4:30 pm. 

Dates:  10/4-12/9 (no studio 11/22-11/25, 12/2)

 

Welcome to hourly Ceramics & Sculpture Open Studio at Main Line Art Center. Complete your work from another class or explore your own ambitions in a creative community. Open Studio is available 12 h...

 

Hours: Thursday 4:30-9:30 pm; Friday 1-4:30 pm; Sunday 1-4:30 pm. 

Dates:  11/1-12/9 (no studio 11/22-11/25, 12/2)

 

Welcome to monthly Ceramics & Sculpture Open Studio at Main Line Art Center. Complete your work from another class or explore your own ambitions in a creative community. Open Studio is available 12 ...

 

Hours: Thursday 4:30-9:30 pm; Friday 1-4:30 pm; Sunday 1-4:30 pm. 

Dates:  10/4-10/28

 

Welcome to monthly Ceramics & Sculpture Open Studio at Main Line Art Center. Complete your work from another class or explore your own ambitions in a creative community. Open Studio is available 12 hours each week of the assign...

 

Hours: Thursday 4:30-9:30 pm; Friday 1-4:30 pm; Sunday 1-4:30 pm. 

Dates:  9/13-9/30 (3 weeks)

 

Welcome to monthly Ceramics & Sculpture Open Studio at Main Line Art Center. Complete your work from another class or explore your own ambitions in a creative community. Open Studio is available 12 hours each week of the as...

Building off of classical painting techniques, students will begin to explore how color, composition, and technique can create their own narrative within a painting. We will explore how these considerations express different moods and ideas that will serve as a valuable experience to students of painting who wish to hone their own personal artistic expression through portraiture. Classes fill quickly so register early!

 

This workshop is designed for students who would like to explore the combined disciplines of drawing, painting and printmaking. Techniques covered will include dark and light field monotype, as used by Edgar Degas, and trace Monotypes, as seen in Gauguin's and Paul Klee's work. The transfer of drawings to printed images using a release agent will also be taught. The combining of other printmaking techniques with these printed images w...

Our creativity is at the core of our nature. Although its workings are hidden from us, we can learn to align ourselves with it. This alignment can be transformative for both our art and our life. Working with you individually, using both drawing and painting, we will work to identify the state of mind - the energy, freedom and irreverence - that allows for discovery, while at the same time examining the seeing, mindfulness...

Working from simple still life set-ups, we will experiment with limited palettes. Students will be encouraged to find their own expressive voice while working from life. The goal will be to complete one painting per session although a couple of two-session paintings may be included. This is a great introductory class for those who have never painted with oils as well as being a great class for painters with some experience. Classes fi...

Develop hand building techniques for creating functional forms. Demos will focus on pinching, coiling, extrusion and slab construction. This class will allow you to explore the different ways to form a vessel.

 

Discovery

No experience? No problem! Designed for the true beginner, these affordable 4-week classes will introduce you to the basic tools and techniques of a particular medium alongside other ...

Develop hand building techniques for creating functional forms. Demos will focus on pinching, coiling, extrusion and slab construction. This class will allow you to explore the different ways to form a vessel.

 

Discovery

No experience? No problem! Designed for the true beginner, these affordable 4-week classes will introduce you to the basic tools and techniques of a particular medium alongside oth...

Drawing is fundamental. Observational drawing is the basis for all representational image making. Have you ever wanted to learn drawing, and don't know where to begin? Maybe you've dabbled and become frustrated; maybe you just want to brush up on some skills. In this class, we present the basics of eye-hand coord...

This discovery class welcomes curiosity, exploration, and fun! You will be introduced to sawing, filing, and soldering and a brief overview of the tools in the metals studio. You will go home with a handmade copper ring and an understanding of basic metalsmithing processes and techniques. Come and explore your creativity!

 

Discovery

No experience? No problem! Designed for the true beginner, these a...

 

Discovery

No experien...

...

Begin learning how to make beautiful pottery on the wheel. Each class will begin with a demo then move to making you a more confident thrower. You will learn to wedge, center, throw and trim each piece. Tools will be provided but students must purchase clay from Main Line Art Center during the first class.

 

Discovery

No experience? No problem! Designed for the true beginner, these affordable 4-week...

This class is tailored for students who have never tried the potter's wheel. Students will be exposed to basic throwing and decorating skills.  By the end of this class, students will have a taste for working on the wheel and can continue their journey into the magic of wheel throwing by registering for a Fundamentals class. There will be demonstrations each week and loads of personal attention.

 

Discov...

Printmaking is a classic form of art making; it was prominently used by some of history's proclaimed masters. From Rembrandt to Albrecht Durer, printmaking is an important part of art history. Learning this process is no longer a daunting task, thanks to the Main Line Art Center! This class is perfect for beginners. Learn how to take a drawing and multiply it, creating fine art prints for your family and friends!

Attention to mark-making (drawing) with a tool of choice - pencil, crayon, ink pen or finger - makes one a skilled artist. Drawing is the backbone of art making. There are dozens of ways to draw.  This class will examine different drawing tools and explore ways to make a drawing. We will move through classic drawing exercises, croquis, to longer studies, from line to shading techniques. We will look at the great draftsmen's...

Everyone can draw. We are all born with genius but life then strips away the knowledge of our capacities. In this course, you will learn to eliminate the blocks that prevent your creativity, while learning the traditions of good drawing and how to implement them. Class demonstrations and critiques will be part of each session and we will have a live model every session.  Minimum enrollment needed to run this program. Classes fill quickl...

Join us for an exciting introduction to the art of jewelry making inspired by ancient Egyptian pectorals. During this six week course we will explore various traditional jewelry making techniques including piercing, etching, cold connections and simple stone settings, to complete a contemporary interpretation of this eye-catching wearable art form. Please note the studio provides Copper base metals only, students are advised to bring their o...

We put the fun in functional in this hand building class. We will explore the various ways to build functional pieces you can put on your dinner table. From serving trays to mugs, we will also look at various surface techniques to decorate your work. Prior Discovery class suggested if no clay experience.

Perfect for beginners with some experience or those w...

If you want to take your beginner drawing skills to the next level, but you are unsure how, Fundamentals of Drawing is here for you! This course is the next step for beginners to hone their skills and learn new and valuable techniques, from proper perspective to expert-level rendering! With personal guidance, detailed demonstrations, and time for practice, this course offers everything you need in order to draw with more confidence and skill...

Drawing is fundamental. In this class we continue to practice the basics of hand-eye coordination and observation, while introducing the concept of lights and darks to create a cohesive drawing. We are open to all levels, including first-timers!  Students will proceed step by step using pencils and soft charcoal, gaining confidence with these media, with the objective of creating a solid, complete drawing by the end of the class, one yo...

Learn the basics of metal forming and joining to transform your ideas into wearable art. The craft of metalworking will be explored through the use of torches for soldering, as well as saws, drills, disc cutters, stamps, and hammers. Practice the techniques of design layout, piercing, forming, filing, soldering, patination, and finishing. More advanced techniques will include bezel setting and tube riveting for cold connections. Then, combin...

If you have taken a Discovery class or are a beginner metalsmith, hone your skills with this Fundamentals class! In this class you will delve deeper into metalsmithing: history, tools, techniques, and processes. We will explore soldering, hammering, and the flex shaft. In four weeks you will understand how to roll print, patina, rivet, and bezel set, among other techniques and go home with wearable works of art! Please note the studio provid...

Have you ever wanted to try painting but don't know where to begin? Perhaps you've dabbled a bit or drawn before, and you're ready to jump on in. Now's the time! All levels welcome! In this class, we offer demos designed to acquaint students with the first steps in oil painting, so they can build upon a foundation of confidence. We start with one color, allowing students to draw the lights and darks with their paintbr...

This course is designed for individuals with little watercolor experience. In this class, you will cover the basics, become comfortable with them, and learn how to apply them flexibly. Come to class ready to learn, but more importantly, ready to relax and have fun!

 

Student Supply List:

Please bring the items that can be found on this list: https://www.dickblick.com/lists/blicku/JHP2FPLTC7WKO/items/<...

Have you ever stared at a beautiful vista, a smiling face, or a gorgeous flower and wished you could capture that moment with your own hand? For thousands of years mankind has done just that, through painting. Painting is one of the greatest joys in life; it is a skill that can be learned and honed through proper instruction and practice. This course will provide its students with all of the basics needed to jump-start a lifelong passion for...

This class is tailored for those students with some wheel experience or those who've completed a Discovery: Wheel Throwing class who want to review the basics and continue their skill building. Through lots of personal attention and weekly demonstrations, students will continue to explore the magic of wheel throwing and build their confidence along the way. Come refine your core skills and more, in a fun and relaxed environment. Classes fill...

We put the fun in functional in this hand building class. We will explore the various ways to build functional pieces you can put on your dinner table. From serving trays to mugs, we will also look at various surface techniques to decorate your work. Prior Discovery class suggested if no clay experience.

 

Perfect for beginners with some experience or those who have taken a Discovery Class, fu...

The dense angular gothic-style lettering (also called Blackletter or Old English) paired with large capital letters highly decorated and gilded with gold leaf characterize the beautiful medieval manuscripts in museum collections. In this class we'll learn to write in a gothic style and construct the often elaborate "versals" that both directed attention to important words and illuminated the page with gold. No experi...

This class welcomes beginners and experts alike to imagine and build cups, bowls, plates, and much more!  Students can expect a variety of group demonstrations, as well as one-on-one guidance to create works based upon their own interests.  These lessons will cover a variety of construction methods and surface treatments, to include template building, slab and coil, basic molds, sgraffito and texture application. We will eve...

This class welcomes beginners and experts alike to imagine and build cups, bowls, plates, and much more!  Students can expect a variety of group demonstrations, as well as one-on-one guidance to create works based upon their own interests.  These lessons will cover a variety of construction methods and surface treatments, to include template building, slab and coil, basic molds, sgraffito and texture application. We will eve...

During this class you will fill your toolbox with the techniques you need to create jewelry and metal pieces of your own design. Hone your skills in metal fabrication, soldering, sawing, cold connections, forging, and finishing techniques. You'll have guidance through the process of designing and building in metal. Then, you'll have durable finished work that you can treasure forever!  Please note the studio provides copper base m...

During this class you will fill your toolbox with the techniques you need to create jewelry and metal pieces of your own design. Hone your skills in metal fabrication, soldering, sawing, cold connections, forging, and finishing techniques. You'll have guidance through the process of designing and building in metal. Then, you'll have durable finished work that you can treasure forever!  Please note the studio provides copper base ...

In this class we will be concentrating on honing advanced wheel-throwing techniques. Learn how to make well fitting lids in multiple styles, throw in sections to make larger pots, make well-pouring teapots and pitchers, throw plates that won't crack or warp, and much more. There will be demonstrations of a variety of surface techniques using slips, underglazes and glazes. We will discuss historical wheel-thrown forms, and use them to i...

Open to beginners, near beginners, and those who may lack confidence at the torch, this class offers directed, project oriented instruction. We will cover layout of metal, use of the saw, hand tools, surface embellishment, simple forming, the ABC's of soldering, and simple stone setting, as well as individual instruction for those with some experience. Please note the studio provides copper base metals only, students are advised to br...

In this Special Topics workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of die-forming while utilizing the hydraulic press to create varied sizes of sculpture or jewelry from copper or silver. Learn the history of die-forming and its modern practices, create hand-made dies and dynamic 3D forms utilizing custom designs, and go home with compelling finished objects and/or jewelry. Please note the studio provides Copper base metals only, students...

It has been said that astronomy is the exploration of the external universe, and the music and the arts are the exploration of the internal universe. The physicality and strength of paint allows us to straddle this divide between the internal and the external. Paint speaks to us in straightforward and profound ways. It is as relevant today as it was to our ancestors 25,000 years ago. This lecture will seek to explore the opportunities inhere...

Beginner to advanced students will have opportunities to explore still life and other subject matter through a direct and spontaneous painting approach. Learn about color perception and paint handling through demonstrations of composition, relative color, how light patterns reveal form, or any number of topics that are tailored to support your developing practice. Learn the elements of painting in order to construct an intriguing picture. Cl...

In a collegial and supportive atmosphere, students learn how to paint, compose the page, balance values, and drive toward finished watercolor paintings. Demos and class crits help get us there.    

 

Core Takeaways: 

1. Wet/moist/dry interactions of paper/paint/time    

2. Value compositions    

3. Working dark to light for greatest ...

In a collegial and supportive atmosphere, students learn how to paint, compose the page, balance values, and drive toward finished watercolor paintings. Demos and class crits help get us there.    

 

Core Takeaways: 

1. Wet/moist/dry interactions of paper/paint/time    

2. Value compositions    

3. Working dark to light for grea...

Miniature books, prized by collectors and artists since the Middle Ages, challenge you to scale down every element of book-making, from materials and tools to image and text. In this class, you will make a variety of small volumes: beginners will start with simple models and experienced students will proceed with more advanced bindings. Everyone will work within the constraints of the size that defines miniature books but you will lea...

Do you like to break things? Do you like to play with colors, shapes, and textures? Does it sound like fun to put pieces (glass, ceramic, and other mosaic materials) together to make a picture or design? Whether beginner or more experienced, you will create finished pieces using a varie...

First you will learn a specific color mixing system using only 6 colors and creating your personal mixing guide/journal. Then you will learn and practice specific watercolor techniques that create the illusion of dimensionality and realism.  These techniques will dispel the anxiety and lack of control associated with watercolor. With demos and individualized instruction, the beginning student can achieve a level of confidence.

Advance beyond confined lines and hard edges to a more liberated way of painting. Paint from observation and imagination to find your own visual language. Work more intuitively and take advantage of unforeseen occurrences as opportunities to discover new possibilities. Explore new processes in brushwork and color layering, as well as Post-Impressionist, Abstract, and Abstract Expressionist styles. Examples from contemporary and modern...

Expand your painting language as well as your work, using new materials and techniques. Art history lectures are included. Classes fill quickly so register early!

Simple glass casting traces its roots to antiquity, but its most refined version was coined as pâte de verre in the late 19th century. To begin this two-day intensive, we'll peer into the history of glass casting with a focus on the French pâte de verre era, followed by a small exercise and weekend project based on the original, traditional pâte de verre technique that involves the selective placement of polych...

Join us for an introduction to casting glass inspired by Pre-Columbian gold jewelry and objects from the ancient Mayas to Peruvian Moche cultures.  During this four week course we will explore the ancient technique of cuttlefish casting.  You will learn how to direct cast small objects in bronze, as well as basic soldering techniques, to complete one unique wearable piece. Please note the studio provides Copper base metals only, st...

This course focuses on the fundamentals of photography as it relates to reference imagery in fine art. This includes, but is not limited to: digital cameras and their settings, basic workflow, editing, and studio and natural light. Throughout the course, students will learn to properly photograph a myriad of different subjects (landscape, still life, portrait, etc.) and how to properly use these images to improve their personal work a...

Do you experience common throwing problems such as heavy bottoms, uneven walls, and those annoying wobbly rims? Then this class is designed for you! You'll hone your throwing and trimming skills, improve your lid, spout, and handle making, and also explore new decorative techniques that will set your work apart. There'll be demos and lots of individual attention. Get ready to become a passionate potter as you advance to the next level in the...

 

Advance beyond confined lines and hard edges to a more liberated way of painting. Paint from observation and imagination to find your own visual language. Work more intuitively and take advantage of unforeseen occurrences as opportunities to discover new possibilities. Explore new processes in brushwork and color layering, as well as Post-Impressionist, Abstract, and Abstract Expressionist styles. Examples from contemporary and moder...

Have you ever wanted to explore the richness of paint and color? YES YOU CAN! Oil painting is the easiest material for beginners, once you master a few basic steps. In this class we practice these steps in a fun and nurturing environment, coming to understand how palette colors work together to create a cohesive painting. Students of all levels will develop confidence as they go, experiencing the dynamic joy of painting with color! We ...

Drawing is a process, a tool of ever-expanding awareness. Pure beginners and master artists alike practice the same skills, over and over. This class provides a comprehensive overview of these skills, allowing extensive practice for every level, while acquainting students with a wide range of drawing materials. Students of every level will perfect repeated exercises and discover new ones, in a structured and nurturing environment, with...

This workshop is designed for students who would like to explore the combined disciplines of drawing, painting and printmaking. Techniques covered will include dark and light field monotype, as used by Edgar Degas, and trace Monotypes, as seen in Gauguin's and Paul Klee's work. The transfer of drawings to printed images using a release agent will also be taught. The combining of other printmaking techniques with these printed images w...

This workshop is designed for students who wish to explore the art of collagraph.  A collagraph refers to a collage of textured materials glued on to a "printing plate," which is then sealed, inked and printed onto paper using an etching press or hand printing tools. If you enjoy collage and want to transform your collages into a printed image, this workshop provide you with the tools to accomplish this. No prior experience...

Back by popular demand! The workshop will be divided into two parts to incorporate an introduction to wheel throwing and hand building in clay. At the end, you'll have made your very own mug! Try something new while getting creative. Space is very limited; register early! Fired pieces will be available for pick-up 3-4 weeks after workshop. Please provide your email address for notification. All materials are included.

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