Art Workshops, Classes & Retreats

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"Advanced Portrait Drawing Workshop"
December 6-7, 2025
 

This intensive workshop is designed for those looking to push their portrait drawing abilities toward the professional level. Demonstrations and in-class exercises will open up how you see, think, and approach the creation of a likeness, avoiding common pitfalls. Explore subtleties of form and the relationships of lines, planes and tones, capturing the character and energy of the subject. Additionally, instruction will cover facial expressions and deep anatomy of the face, neck, and upper body. Drawing will be primarily in graphite pencil and stick. Introductory portrait drawing or equivalent recommended. Note: Tuition includes a $10 models fee.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: RA Friedman
Cost: $205
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Still Life Painting Workshop"
December 6 & 7, 2025
 

This workshop will focus on working though the complexities of oil painting while studying the light, form and space of a small scaled still life. Each student will set up their own subject and work at their own pace.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jon Redmond
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Family Day of Clay: Snowman Lantern (Ages: 6+ with Adult)"
December 6, 2025
 

If you are dreaming of snow, come make a "frozen" friend to melt your heart and light up your holidays! Join us for an afternoon of clay together with your child to create a happy little snowman lantern to hold a votive candle. Learn the basics of working with kiln-fired clay and colorful glazes while you make one project together. If you each would like to create your own project, please register yourself and each child separately. Ages 6 and up with an adult. All works created will be fired and ready for pick up approximately two weeks from the date of the workshop.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Cost: $55
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Handmade Papermaking: Colored Paper Pulps"
December 6-7, 2025
 

Learn the traditional methods and materials of hand-papermaking in PAFA’s state-of-the-art Richard C. von Hess Papermaking Studio! In this workshop, students will learn techniques for incorporating colored paper pulps. Students will practice a range of techniques for using colored pulps in ways that combine the fluidity of painting and the layered possibilities of collage for a vibrant, expressive papermaking practice. Instruction will familiarize students with the rules and practices of the studio, introduce new students to the basics of handmade papermaking, and challenge those with papermaking experience to try new techniques or fibers. Students of all disciplines and levels are welcome. Tuition includes a $50 lab fee which covers all supplies. See materials list for clothing/studio considerations.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Clay Tenhula
Cost: $245
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Winter Floral Design & Painting"
December 8, 2025
 

Join floral designer Jennifer Reed and artist Jan Wier for a workshop blending winter floral design with expressive floral painting. Jennifer will guide students in creating a seasonal floral arrangement perfect for the holidays—think fragrant evergreens, rich winter florals, textural berries, and natural elements that evoke the warmth and beauty of winter. You'll leave the morning session with your own lush, winter-inspired centerpiece. After lunch, we'll turn our attention to painting. Using your own floral creation as inspiration, Jan will begin with a demo and then offer personalized instruction as you bring your arrangement to life on canvas. This session focuses on capturing the color, movement, and mood of winter florals in a loose, expressive painting style—perfect for all experience levels.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jennifer Reed & Jan Wier
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Extension Open Life Drawing Studio with Model"
December 8, 2025
 

Work independently in the drawing medium of your choice! This monitored studio is designed to give students the opportunity to work from live nude models without instruction, allowing you time to explore and experiment. Just as any life drawing session the poses will range from short gestures gradually building to longer poses at the end. This is an extraordinary opportunity for you to develop and extend your drawing skills.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Leslie Bowen, Monitor
Cost: $35
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Vista Views: Acrylic or Oil"
December 13, 2025
 

Distance contributes to the beauty of a scene and this workshop will focus on this goal by guiding you in expressing an atmospheric perspective from an image of your own. Mountain views, farmland or water views are some ideas to look for. Learn to make certain decisions, establishing deep space to create the most impact on your viewer. Inspiration from master and contemporary painters will be shared and discussed and Abby will provide individual attention throughout the day. Oil or Acrylic experience required.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Abby Ober
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"How I Paint - A Process for Creative Flow and Authentic Style"
December 13-14, 2025
 

Get to the heart of your authentic work and your personal style by: - Making a lot of work (Quantity over Quality - This quiets the internal critic and gives our unique ideas a chance to breathe). - Having a deadline (The best antidote to procrastination and “waiting for inspiration”). - Focusing on process over product. I'll do a demo of a painting for the first half of each day, with the students painting the second half of the day. Attendees may use oils or acrylics. Students should bring their own photos or still life objects to work from.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Patrick Lee
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop (Ages: 4+)"
December 14, 2025
 

Gum drops, sprinkles and frosting--oh my! Join us for a classic holiday workshop: Decorating Gingerbread Houses. Each parent-child team will receive their own cookie cottage, pre-assembled and ready to decorate! Royal icing and lots of extra candies will be provided to create a one-of-a-kind edible, holiday treasure. The fun will include games, history, trivia and award certificates for "most creative," "most patient," "most innovative" and more. Space is limited and all materials are provided. But feel free to bring additional decorations from home to make your Gingerbread House uniquely yours.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Chef Birgit Raders-Eichinger
Cost: $65
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Mixed Media Watercolor Workshop"
December 14, 2025
 

Learn to use India ink and watercolor to create drama and mystery from nocturnal and low-light subjects in this one-day, intensive workshop! Develop a drawing on watercolor paper from your photo references then layer ink and watercolor to develop a deep, rich surface. Add gouache and drawing media for contrast and definition.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Michael Kowbuz
Cost: $95
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647


"School's Out ART Camp - AM (Ages: 6+)"
December 29, 2025
 

No school? Join the Wayne Art Center Staff for a fun-filled morning of arts & crafts during the Winter Christmas break. Students spend 3 fun hours (9:00am - 12:00pm) in the morning exploring their creativity through a variety of art activities that will inspire all levels and ages.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Cost: $60
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"School's Out ART Camp - PM (Ages: 6+)"
December 29, 2025
 

No school? Join the Wayne Art Center Staff for a fun-filled afternoon of arts & crafts during the Winter Christmas break. Students spend 3 fun hours (12:30 - 3:30pm) in the afternoon exploring their creativity through a variety of art activities that will inspire all levels and ages.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Cost: $60
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"School's Out ART Camp - Full Day (Ages: 6+)"
December 29, 2025
 

No school? Join the Wayne Art Center Staff for a fun-filled day of arts & crafts during the Winter Christmas break. Students spend a full day exploring their creativity through a variety of art activities that will inspire all levels and ages. A supervised 1/2-hour lunch bunch break is included. Campers must bring their own lunch. Please note: Wayne Art Center is a nut-free facility.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Cost: $110
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"School's Out ART Camp - AM (Ages: 6+)"
December 30, 2025
 

No school? Join the Wayne Art Center Staff for a fun-filled morning of arts & crafts during the Winter Christmas break. Students spend 3 fun hours (9:00am - 12:00pm) in the morning exploring their creativity through a variety of art activities that will inspire all levels and ages.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Cost: $60
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"School's Out ART Camp - PM (Ages: 6+)"
December 30, 2025
 

No school? Join the Wayne Art Center Staff for a fun-filled afternoon of arts & crafts during the Winter Christmas break. Students spend 3 fun hours (12:30 - 3:30pm) in the afternoon exploring their creativity through a variety of art activities that will inspire all levels and ages.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Cost: $60
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"School's Out ART Camp - Full Day (Ages: 6+)"
December 30, 2025
 

No school? Join the Wayne Art Center Staff for a fun-filled day of arts & crafts during the Winter Christmas break. Students spend a full day exploring their creativity through a variety of art activities that will inspire all levels and ages. A supervised 1/2-hour lunch bunch break is included. Campers must bring their own lunch. Please note: Wayne Art Center is a nut-free facility.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Cost: $110
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


"Painting the Urban Landscape Workshop"
January 3, 2026
 

Capture the mood and abstract nature of the urban landscape using oil paint and charcoal from photo references. Use drawing to build structure and form in combination with paint to create interesting textures and atmosphere.
 
Location: Philadelphia, PA, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Mashiul Chowdhury
Cost: $95
Sponsor: Cerulean Arts Gallery and Studio
Website, email, 267-514-8647


"Fifteen-Week Extended Studio: Graphic Narrative and Comics"
Mondays, January 5 - April 27, 2026
 

With a focus on telling stories utilizing artwork, this course explores the juxtaposition of word and image, sequentially, and other narrative tools to convey visual meaning. Participants will complete several visual narratives within a variety of formats, which may include a series of related images, a comic book, picture book, graphic novel, or other illustrated narrative.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Deon Robinson
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Fifteen-Week Extended Studio: Painting the Figure"
Mondays, January 5 - April 27, 2026
 

Oil medium will be used throughout this course to produce a series of achromatic, monochromatic, limited color and full color studies of the figure in simple spatial situations. Paint application will be direct, although indirect approaches and optical color will be addressed. Particular attention will be paid to the analysis of hue, value and chroma to describe form and levels of space. Poses and environments will initially be kept simple to allow for the development of small, rapid studies. Time spent on each pose will then expand throughout the semester to explore a more complex treatment of form, color, surface, and design.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Douglas Martenson
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Fifteen-Week Extended Studio: Indirect Painting"
Mondays, January 5 - April 27, 2026
 

The Indirect painting process is a slow and disciplined way of working that exploits the versatile characteristics of oil paint. This course is designed to give the artist a structure to manipulate the full range of oil paint with underpainting and glazing. Students will be given guidelines in oil painting and oil medium characteristics to aid in decisions for a successful outcome in their painting. Hands-on approaches to various substrates, and grounds will set the foundation for paintings choices. Drawing, transferring, underpainting and pigment choices will be outlined in a step-by-step process. The PAFA collection will provide a range of opportunities to study from, however the final project will be open in subject matter.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jill A. Rupinski
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Fifteen-Week Extended Studio: Principles of Illustration"
Mondays, January 5 - April 27, 2026
 

This course offers a survey of illustration in both function and practical application. Students will learn to analyze and visually interpret written source material while exploring a variety of ideation methods and experimenting with techniques combining traditional and digital media. Key projects will include illustrations for editorials, advertising, product packaging, picture books, and lifestyle applications. Students not pursuing a focus in illustration but interested in visual communication are encouraged to join this class.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Deon Robinson
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Fifteen-Week Extended Studio: Inventive Drawing"
Tuesdays, January 6 - April 21, 2026
 

In this class, students will apply principles of drawing to invented images, both representational and abstract. Students will draw from the imagination without live, physical reference using a variety of approaches that may include using photo and found reference, narrative drawing (single and multi-panel), creating visual solutions to a brief, and constraint-based abstraction.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Steve Nocella
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Fifteen-Week Extended Studio: Screenprinting"
Tuesdays, January 6 - April 21, 2026
 

This course introduces a variety of stencil systems such as paper stencils, screen filler, drawing fluid, and photo-imaging methods. Hand-drawn images, hand-cut stencils, painted images, photographic images, and digital images may be employed to create a multicolor print. Printing on a variety of materials such as textiles is included. Personal expression and proficiency with the stencil technical vocabulary are objectives.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Tony Rosati
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Fifteen-Week Extended Studio: Digital Drawing & Painting II"
Tuesdays, January 6 - April 21, 2026
 

This course introduces the computer as a fine arts tool and provides an overview of digital arts concepts and terminology. Instruction engages students in critical awareness of new media and extends fine art drawing and painting principles into the digital realm. Students will have an opportunity to solve design problems using a variety of computer software applications and gain skill in the use of tactile electronic hardware such as touchscreens and digital pen tablet technology.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Deon Robinson
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Fifteen-Week Extended Studio: Painting Materials and Methods II"
Tuesdays, January 6 - April 21, 2026
 

This course will provide hands-on experience using traditional dry media, such as graphite, colored pencils, chalk, and pastel, through water-soluble materials, such as watercolor, gouache and ink. There will be ample presentation, lecture, and demonstration of the wet/dry media techniques. Students will be guided in working from personal sketches, paintings, photography, and from recognized artworks as well as from observation. Students will be expected to provide basic materials that they already have and most paper. To ensure that all students can experience the various processes, the instructor will provide any materials that individual students do not have. Issues of form, spatial concepts, color, visual and critical thinking will be addressed through individual and group critiques.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Jill A. Rupinski
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Sculpture Processes II: Wood and Metal Construction"
Tuesdays, January 6 - April 21, 2026
 

This class focuses on welding and other methods of construction. Students will explore sculpture through the processes of cutting, forming, and joining metal and other construction materials. They will learn to use an array of equipment and tools, such as saws, drills, torches, welders, plasma cutter, etc., and will learn a variety of construction techniques, including MIG and TIG welding, forging, tapping, threading, bolting, etc.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Steve Nocella
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Building on Traditions: Independent Directions in Sculpture"
Wednesdays, January 7 - April 22, 2026
 

This class teaches students how to individualistically develop their ideas and challenges them to create sculpture with originality and uniqueness. Students will learn how to explore and expound on their aesthetic affinities and desires, to express and affirm their personal perception of the world and their existence in it. Students will look at contemporary art, art from a variety of histories and cultures, and art from other disciplines. They will see how artists independently respond to art and culture and create context. Assignments will prompt students to approach subject matter, medium, and form, with open-mindedness and divergent thinking. Individual instruction as well as group discussion are essential to the learning objectives of the class.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Steve Nocella
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Fifteen-Week Extended Studio: Color for Painters"
Wednesdays, January 7 - April 22, 2026
 

A comprehensive examination of the history, theories, and practices of color in painting. This hands-on course focuses on the practical understanding and application of how to use color. Included are an overview of color history in painting and how it has evolved to the present, a survey of the major theories and their practical applications in art making, a hands-on study of the most useful color charts, gradations and mixing, studio exercises implementing the use of color aesthetics and practices in artmaking and visits to the PAFA museum to study and analyze color in masterworks. Projects include color in figures, portraits, landscapes, self-portraits, glazing, color expression and color in abstraction. Open to all media and levels of experience.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Al Gury
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Fifteen-Week Extended Studio: Figure Modeling"
Wednesdays, January 7 - April 22, 2026
 

Figure Modeling is a comprehensive figure modeling course for first year students. The class will focus on geometry, anatomy, and proportion, as well as the crucial elements of gesture, rhythm, spontaneity, and spirit of form making. Students will be encouraged to work in a variety of sizes. Outside projects should be expected. Independent study and experimentation are always encouraged. Broader topics/discussions, such as the nature, history and philosophy of figurative art will also be discussed.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: John Horn
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Fifteen-Week Extended Studio: Intermediate Intaglio"
Wednesdays, January 7 - April 22, 2026
 

This course teaches an amplified technical vocabulary and challenges students to experiment with atypical approaches to producing black and white and color prints. The fundamental intaglio techniques that include carborundum prints, mezzotint, lift-grounds, photo-transfer methods, and shaped plates are reviewed.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Tony Rosati
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Fifteen-Week Extended Studio: Figurative Open Studio"
Thursdays, January 8 - April 23, 2026
 

Open Studio is a comprehensive clay figure modeling class. The class will continue the study of the figure, with a focus on anatomy and proportion, but will also emphasize the crucial elements of gesture and rhythm, spontaneity, and spirit. Students will be encouraged to work in a variety of sizes and outside projects should be expected. Independent study and experimentation are always encouraged. Issues concerning advanced students will be discussed on an individual basis. Broader topics/discussions, such as the nature and philosophy of art and the artist will also be introduced.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: John Horn
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Fifteen-Week Extended Studio: Portrait Painting"
Thursdays, January 8 - April 23, 2026
 

Students will learn the structure of the portrait, the history of historic and contemporary portraiture, methods and materials of portraiture, and will be encouraged to develop a personal point of view in portrait painting. Issues of form, spatial concepts, color, andvisual and critical thinking will be addressed. Individual and group critiques will be conducted.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Douglas Martenson
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Fifteen-Week Extended Studio: Relief Printmaking"
Thursdays, January 8 - April 23, 2026
 

This course offers an introduction to the craft and art of relief printmaking emphasizing basic drawing, cutting, and printing techniques. Black and white hand printing will be stressed with simplified color experimentation made possible later in the term. A variety of matrices and methods will be discussed. Scheduled slide lectures will demonstrate woodcuts contribution to the development of illustrated books as well as discussing the careers and visions of major practitioners past and present. The primary objectives of the course are to introduce fundamental techniques, to challenge students to be proficient in the methods, to encourage self-expression, to foster the development of visual purpose and to instill confidence and ease with the processes.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Dan Miller
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Fifteen-Week Extended Studio: Form and Structure in Sculpture"
Thursdays, January 8 - April 23, 2026
 

This class introduces students to sculpture. It provides a point of departure by defining a sculpture as being a three-dimensional complex comprised of medium, subject matter, form, and content. The class focuses on the integration of these comprising principles, but more importantly, how process informs and changes their interrelationship and ultimately integrates them. Students will be given assignments that stipulate one or more of the comprising principles and are asked to create those remaining. They will be taught skills for a variety of mediums such as modeling, carving, and constructing, as well as skills for creative and critical thinking such as divergent thinking, convergent thinking, and inferential thinking.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Steve Nocella
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Art Seminar: Arts of the World"
Fridays, January 9 - April 24, 2026
 

This course places the world’s major art movements in their cultural contexts, analyzing relationships between art, religion, culture, geography, and global pathways.  The course also explores issues in the world of art today, identifies themes and iconography used in art, and introduces stylistic analysis.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Tony Rosati
Cost: $2,800
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"Developing a Major Work Through Preparation and Improvisation"
Fridays, January 9 - April 24, 2026
 

This class is an opportunity for the student to develop three complex works of escalating ambition. As has often been said, “all art comes from other art” in the sense that artmaking is a culture in continuous negotiation with present needs and precedent. Students will develop a small group of imaginative peers from the labyrinth of painting history to consult and debate in the development of three works. The resulting pictures may include the production of studies, copies, collages, and any other kind of visual fodder to develop ambitious compositions that will explore the overlapping terrains of abstraction and figuration.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Peter Van Dyck
Cost: $1,400
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632


"The Language of Color for Painters"
January 10-11, 2026
 

During this two-day intermediate color class, students will learn how to skillfully mix oil paint through guided mixing exercises and discover how to better apply these ideas to their own paintings. We will work with a variety of palettes and explore how each one can influence color relationships and expression in a painting. Through hands-on exercises, demos, and lectures, color will become easier to use, understand, and enjoy. Please come prepared with the specific items on the supply list or your regular supplies. Bring a variety of surfaces to work on (small to medium surfaces), and photo references—any subject matter.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Claudia Rilling
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553


 

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