Art Workshops, Classes & Retreats

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"Plein Air Painting at Fairmount Park Historic Mansions"
Fridays, May 16 - June 13, 2025
 

Paint on location at Philadelphia's historic Fairmount Park mansions including Laurel Hill Mansion, Ormiston Mansion, Woodford Mansion, Strawberry Mansion and Ridgeland Mansion! Built in the 18th century, these houses feature amazing architecture, beautiful gardens, and scenic views. Each week will feature a different instructor: Joseph Sweeney, Larry Francis, Keith Leitner, Lou Schellenberg and Michael Kowbuz. They will demonstrate oil, watercolor/gouache and pastel techniques, reference art historical examples, cover the ins-and-outs of working outdoors and encourage personal expression. Includes a tour of each historic house! Work with the materials of your choice including watercolor, oil, acrylic and drawing media. Restrooms and free parking will be available.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Various
Cost: $225
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647


"Master Class with Bill Scott: Still Life Into Abstraction"
May 17 & 18, 2025
 

Don't miss this opportunity to work with renowned painter Bill Scott to explore the sensuous yet thoughtful abstract construction of space in this two-day, intensive studio workshop. Color will be the focus as participants paint from an expansive still life environment with special prompts from Scott. This workshop is designed for intermediate/advanced painters. This Master Class is held in conjunction with Bill Scott's current exhibition at Cerulean Arts Gallery, "Love Letters to an Unknowable Future," April 23 - May 18, and will include a tour.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Bill Scott
Cost: $395
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647


"Color Mixing for Painters"
May 17, 2025
 

Become more confident with color control and mixing. During this one-day color class, students will learn how to skillfully mix oil paint through guided mixing exercises and how to better apply these ideas to one's own paintings. Through hands-on exercises, demos, and lectures, color will become easier to use and to understand. This class is geared towards the oil painter. Acrylic can be accommodated if one has a “stay-wet” palette set-up.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Claudia Rilling
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"All About Acrylics"
Mondays, May 19 - June 30, 2025
 

This complete acrylic painting course covers basic to advanced methods. Learn to use quick-drying acrylics expertly in both thin transparent layers and thicker, more opaque applications that produce textural and impasto effects. Materials like fluid mediums, gels, and pastes will be demonstrated, along with both brush and palette knife techniques. Several different color palettes will be introduced as students work from still life subjects. This course is ideal for students looking for a non-toxic, flexible painting medium, as well as anyone seeking to explore acrylics’ excellent potential for representational and abstract work. Drawing experience is recommended.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan
Cost: $295
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Painting over the Line"
Wednesdays, May 28 - July 30, 2025
 

Learn to explore new possibilities and paint more intuitively under the guidance of artist/critic/mentor KassemAmoudi. Work from personal subject matter (objects, images, emotions, or ideas) to find your own visual language, informed by examples from contemporary and modern art. Examine how to use concepts of color, harmony, focal point, space, and mark-making as powerful tools of personal expression. Open painting is heavily supported by critiques and advice from the instructor as he works one-on-one with each student to guide them in their personal style and goals. This course is excellent for students pursuing abstract or nonobjective imagery, seeking knowledgeable feedback and a focused community painting environment. Painting experience recommended.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Kassem Amoudi
Cost: $450
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Critical Explorations with Tom Csaszar"
Saturdays, May 31, June 21 & July 26
 

Looking at our paintings for a second or third time in relation to each other, with other people, talking about them outside of our studio, and then examining through making another work how we might remake their theme or revise the relationships of their elements is the focus of this studio seminar. We will begin each session by discussing the dialogues, thoughts, and emotions that occur in response to the works. The second half of the class will allow each person time to make a work concentrating on or expanding on the theme and focus of one of their works.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Tom Csaszar
Cost: $95 each class or $256.50 for all three
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647


"Plein Air Painting at Valley Forge"
June 10-11, 2025
 

Enjoy open-air painting in beautiful Valley Forge National Historic Park on the National Historic Register. The church site of George Washington’s Continental Army in 1777-1778 and now home to lush scenery and historic architecture! Located in Montgomery County, 35 minutes northwest of Center City Philadelphia, with ample parking and access to restrooms. Working from diverse landscape subject matter, students will learn essential plein air approaches, including color mixing to achieve a sense of light and air, capturing time of day, compositional fundamentals, and sound drawing and painting practices. Instruction is geared toward oil/acrylic painting and pastel drawing/painting. Meeting at the Washington Memorial Chapel parking lot.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Joseph Sweeney
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Landscape Painting in Studio: All Mediums"
Wednesdays, June 11 - July 16, 2025
 

Working from your own reference material, we will spend each week focusing on a particular aspect of landscape painting. Individual techniques will be taught each session in a supportive atmosphere. Syllabus will be provided. Please bring painting materials to the first class. All mediums welcomed.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Bonnie Mettler
Cost: $285
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Plein Air Painting at the Schuylkill Center"
June 21, 2025
 

Celebrate the first day of summer painting on location at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education! The Schuylkill Center is one of first environmental education centers in the country, with 365 acres of fields, forests, ponds and streams, as well as Philadelphia's only wildlife clinic - and amazing location for painters! Instructor Keith Leitner will demonstrate watercolor and pastel techniques, reference art historical examples, cover the ins-and-outs of working outdoors and encourage personal expression. Instruction will be geared towards watercolor, but you are free to the materials of your choice including gouache, oil, acrylic and drawing media. The workshop will include a welcome and orientation by Schuylkill Center staff. Restrooms and free parking available. Don’t’ miss this great opportunity!
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Keith Leitner
Cost: $95
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647


"Geometric Inspirations for Painting Workshop"
June 22, 2025
 

Geometry has been a source of interest, beauty and creative inspiration for the artist through the ages. Geometry and geometric forms are all around us: lines, forms, and shapes can be seen in everything from architecture to plant life to seashells. Artist and educator Michael Smith will guide you through non-mathematical working methods inspired by geometry in this workshop, designed to enhance your ongoing body of work or be the starting point for a new one. Create a painting in the medium of your choice: acrylic, gouache or watercolor while you work from your own reference photographs, magazines, books or digital imagery.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michael Smith
Cost: $75
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647


"Painting Over the Line"
Mondays, June 23 - August 11, 2025
 

Take your work to the next level under the mentoring guidance of artist/critic Kassem Amoudi. In this live focused open studio environment, all levels of students will discover how to enhance their own visual language and interests exploring new ways of painting. Expert instruction and advice from the instructor will push students to explore new possibilities and work more intuitively, allowing unplanned marks and passages to become artistic breakthroughs. Examples from contemporary and modern art will be examined to promote a broader understanding of the abstract qualities of space, line and color. Advance beyond confined lines and hard edges to a more liberated way of painting. It does not matter What you paint. It is the How you paint it.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Kassem Amoudi
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Advanced Drawing & Painting"
Tuesdays, June 24 - August 12, 2025
 

Designed for artists ready to challenge themselves and take their work to the next level, this class is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of the artist's own creative process and sensibility. A variety of subject matter will be explored. Level: Previous drawing and painting experience is recommended.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Karen Fogarty
Cost: $380
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Light & Shadow: Bring Your Paintings to Life"
Tuesdays, June 24 - August 12, 2025
 

Whether it is portrait, still life, landscape or abstracts, the presence of light against shadow gives the subject form and dimension. Bring your own inspiration to class and with this principle in mind, watch your paintings come to life! Composition and color mixing will be a focus in this class. All mediums and skill levels are welcome!
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Stefanie Lieberman
Cost: $380
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Art From The Heart: Abstract Painting"
Wednesdays, June 25 - August 13, 2025
 

Painting is about expression. Free your creative juices no matter how little or how much experience you have because there are always endless possibilities to discover. Whether you paint abstract, figure, or still life, you can add expression to your art by using colors you were afraid to use, making silly marks, and doing things with the innocence of a child. No wrongs or rights, just having fun and letting go. If you want to learn how to express your inner thoughts and sharpen your skills at the same time, this is a great class for you. We will talk about composition, acrylic techniques, space, and rhythm while having a really good time doing it.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Sandi Neiman Lovitz
Cost: $380
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Art From The Heart: Abstract Painting"
Thursdays, June 26 - August 14, 2025
 

Painting is about expression. Free your creative juices no matter how little or how much experience you have because there are always endless possibilities to discover. Whether you paint abstract, figure, or still life, you can add expression to your art by using colors you were afraid to use, making silly marks, and doing things with the innocence of a child. No wrongs or rights, just having fun and letting go. If you want to learn how to express your inner thoughts and sharpen your skills at the same time, this is a great class for you. We will talk about composition, acrylic techniques, space, and rhythm while having a really good time doing it.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Sandi Neiman Lovitz
Cost: $320
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Exploring the Art of Acrylic Landscape Painting"
Thursdays, June 26 - August 14, 2025
 

Discover the joy of acrylic painting in a relaxed, supportive and inspiring environment. This class will equip you with essential techniques, including color mixing, composition, and brushwork, to bring dynamic landscapes to life. Using photo references as inspiration, we'll guide you through step-by-step painting processes, helping you develop your own artistic style. Whether you're a beginner or looking to take your skills to the next level, this class will provide you with the tools and confidence to create captivating works of art.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Nicole Lee
Cost: $320
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Expression in Paint (Oil/Acrylic)"
Thursdays, June 26 - August 14, 2025
 

In this course, we will be painting small, loose paintings of varied subject matter comprised from images that students will submit. Learn how to break down an image to its most important aspects and not getting tied up in detail from the start. Composition, color mixing and painting technique will be addressed in a fun and relaxing painting experience! All skill levels welcome.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Stefanie Lieberman
Cost: $380
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Painting with a Purpose"
Thursdays, June 26 - August 14, 2025
 

This course is designed to create paintings that we will build from a loose, underpainting and refine as we go along. This class is ideal for those painters who want to break out of the habit of focusing in on details and let the paint create a more expressive piece. Attention will be paid to composition, color mixing, paint application and technique. All skill levels welcome in a fun and relaxing atmosphere!
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Stefanie Lieberman
Cost: $380
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Painting – Discovering Your Artistic Voice"
Thursdays, June 26 - August 14, 2025
 

Uncovering the connection between your identity and your artwork can be both liberating and inspiring. In this class, we will explore methods designed to help you discover and develop your unique aesthetic and artistic voice. Our focus will be on paint handling, color selection, and composition. You will learn to manage your palette, make intentional color choices, and understand their impact on your work. Play will be encouraged! Music will serve as our muse, providing inspiration as you select your subject matter with guided support. This journey encourages mindfulness and self-discovery, and connects us more deeply with the world around us and ourselves. All skill levels are welcome and valued in this class.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Heidi Techner
Cost: $380
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Paint the Evening City"
Thursdays, July 10-31, 2025
 

Learn to paint the unique effects of evening light and activity of Center City and University City, Philadelphia. Discover techniques for managing the shifting light and shadows of the setting sun as it plays across the city’s historic architecture. This plein air option is perfect for summer painting, allowing artists to take advantage of cooling evening temperatures and the subtle or dramatic palette of sunset and dusk. Previous painting experience required. Restrooms near all locations. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan
Cost: $175
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Absolute Abstracts in Acrylic"
August 23, 2025
 

Students will use a limited palette of their choosing to create contemporary abstracts based on an expressive or geometric approach. The works of notable abstract painters will be shared and discussed to aid in discovering your own aesthetic in this intuitive approach to painting. This is a free and supportive way to step away from a representational style to a completely abstract style where color and composition rule. See website for supplies.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Abby Ober
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


 

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