Adult Classes and Workshops, Ages 16+

Adult Classes and Workshops for Ages 16 and up, offer the opportunity to experiment, learn, and develop art skills in small outdoor and classroom sizes. Visual art instruction covers painting, drawing, printmaking, hand-sculpture, photography, graphic design, crafts, and mixed-media. Programs are led by Art House instructors and offered in daily or weekly sessions in the classroom. Classes limited to 10 or 12 students. 


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REFUND / CANCELLATION POLICY

A refund will be issued minus a 10% non-refundable deposit on ALL classes and workshops when cancelled 48 hours or more before the first class or workshop starts. Students who wish to cancel less than 48 hours before the first day of class are not eligible for a refund or credit.

EXTRA ACTIVE SERVICES

When you complete your purchase, ACTIVE may prompt you to enroll in ACTIVE Refund, ACTIVE Advantage, or other service. We highly recommend that you CLICK NO.  These programs and fees are associated, charged, and collected by ACTIVE.COM and not the Art House. These are NON-REFUNDABLE and DO NOT apply to our classes or refund/cancellation policy.


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Spring and Summer Classes & Workshops (Registration is Open)

There are three ways to search for classes and programs.

  1. Click on the Brochure image to the left to browse the Spring and Summer Brochure online.
  2. Click on the Click to Register button to browse classes and to register on Active.com.
  3. Click on the Program Images below to browse on our website, then register on Active.com.


 

SPRING AND SUMMER PROGRAMS – APRIL 1 – AUGUST 31


Art Therapy Studio

Instructor: Amber Mazza Cunnings, Eucalyptus Counseling Services PLC

Session 1: April 1 – April 29
Day: Monday
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Five-week Class: (M) $20; (NM) $20 (materials provided)*
In-person at the Art House 

The use of art therapy springs from the idea that creative expression can foster healing and mental well-being. Through art we can find inner resources you don’t readily access in day-to-day life. The act of creation often can provide a key to parts of you buried deep below the conscious mind. Art therapy also provides you with time to unwind and express while having support.  Anyone can participate – regardless of artistic ability or talent. In creating art, you can focus on your own perceptions, imagination, and feelings in order to improve general well being.  Join us for this first art therapy class session, which is designed to provide support for parents.

**The Art House received an Inclusive Arts Fund Grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, which covers 90% of the tuition fees for this class.


Adult Acrylic and Oil Fine Art Painting Studio

Instructor: Nancy Barick

Session I: April 2 – April 30 (no class on 4/16)
Day: Tuesday
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Four-week Class: (M) $120; (NM) $132
In-person at the Art House / Students bring supplies

For newer painters we will work on the “how tos”, such as starting a painting by choosing good reference material to the finishing details. For those painters with more experience, we will work on expanding painting skills and exploring different methods of pushing your work to the next level. Each participant will get personal instruction and support.

 

 


Adult Beginning and Continuing Oil Painting

Instructor: Tricia Hampo

Session I: April 3 – May 1 
Day: Wednesday
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Five-week Class: (M) $160; (NM) $176
In-person at the Art House / Students bring supplies

This class is a class that will cater to your needs. If you are a beginner, I will share with you my recommended supplies, how to use them, where to get them (please have basic supplies found on supply list for first class). Students will learn about planning a painting, choosing subject matter, color theory and mixing. Continuing students will hone their skills and confidence, working on paintings of their choosing.

The richness, luminosity, vibrance, blend-ability and forgiveness of oils will have you hooked. This medium is not as difficult, messy or expensive as rumors have had you believe. Come join us in the joy of painting in oils.


Adult Drawing with PanPastels & Pastel Pencils

Instructor: Marchelle Brotz

Session I: April 4 – May 2 
Day: Thursday
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Five-week Class: (M) $150; (NM) $165
Material Fee: $20 to be paid to the instructor on the first day of class
In-person at the Art House 

In this class, students will be able to render their adorable pet or subject of choice using PanPastels and pastel pencils. PanPastels are highly pigmented crushed pastels in a pan and are applied to the background like a wash. Supplies are provided. Beginners to advanced students are welcome.

 

 


Adult Community of Artists

Instructor: Stacy Pearson

Session I: April 5 – May 3 
Day: Friday
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Five-week Class: (M) $150; (NM) $165
In-person at the Art House / Students bring supplies

Have you ever wanted to work in a community of artists? Do you love the relaxed and social atmosphere of creatives? Calling all types of artists! Painters, textile artists, illustrators, cartoonists – everyone is welcome! Join us for this course that gathers all types of creatives! You’ll bring your own work, half finished pieces, or begin new ones and work in a vibrant, group setting. Instructor will give individualized instruction and tutorials when needed, and guide daily group discussions on positive, no stress constructive art critiques. Learn how to “talk” about art while having fun and being inspired!

 


Adult April Showers Cookie Decorating Workshop

Instructor: Audrey Edwards

April 5
Day: Friday
Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
One day workshop: (M) $75; (NM) $83
In-person at the Art House / Materials provided

Join Audrey Edwards from Sweetflour LLC for an evening of springtime cookie decorating fun. During this class, participants will be given tips on how to make various consistencies of royal icing while learning different decorating techniques as you outline, flood, and detail your own set of six cookies. This class will focus on learning sectioning, wet-on-wet decorating, and tipless piping-word, including outlining. You will be provided everything needed to decorate your cookies from start to finish.

 


Adult Clay Pitchers Workshop

Instructor: Jan Bostwick

April 13
Day: Saturday
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
One-day Workshop: (M) $60; (NM) $66
In-person at the Art House / Materials provided

Have some fun making a beautiful pottery pitcher at the Northville Art House! Instructor Jan Bostwick from Jan’s Pottery LLC will instruct how to make a hand-built clay pitcher. All materials included. After finishing your piece, you will choose your color combination. Jan will finish the piece in your color and will return it for pick-up in 3-4 weeks.

 

 


Adult Encaustic Painting Class

Instructor: Maria Latour

Session I: April 15 – April 29 
Day: Monday
Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Three-week Class: (M) $146; (NM) $160
In-person at the Art House / Materials provided

Encaustic is a painting method using hot beeswax and pigments resulting in layers of rich color. It is perfect for incorporating other materials like paper and fabric into the wax. Students will explore various encaustic techniques including layering, fusing, incising, embedding, and image transfers. Studio safety will also be covered along with tips for setting up your own encaustic studio at home.

 

 


Adult Charcuterie Board Workshop

Instructor: Helen Agius-Andreae

April 19
Day: Friday
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
One day workshop: (M) $90; (NM) $99
In-person at the Art House / Materials provided

Create your own unique 8”x12” Charcuterie Board! In this workshop you will be introduced to the art of Fused Glass and glass cutting techniques. You will be instructed on how to arrange and stack colorful pieces of glass on a base piece of compatible glass to create your unique design. Pieces will then be fused in a kiln and will be ready for pick-up approximately two weeks after the class.

No experience necessary! All tools and materials will be provided.


Adult Explore Clouds Workshop

Instructor: Roselyn Rhodes

April 23
Day: Tuesday
Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
One day workshop: (M) $65; (NM) $71
In-person at the Art House / Students bring supplies

Observe, sketch and paint clouds! Have fun with their shapes and what we see in clouds. Learn about their soft edges, subtle color shifts, and shadows. Work on a landscape with clouds. Depending on weather, we may paint clouds outside. Watercolor and pastel students welcome.

Bring a sketch book, your own painting supplies and a lunch.

Prior drawing and painting experience is required.


Adult Stitch Craft 101 Workshop

Instructor: Mila Pershyna

April 27
Day: Saturday
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
One day workshop: (M) $60; (NM) $66
In-person at the Art House / Materials provided

Dive into the art of sewing with our workshop led by a seasoned fashion designer. From machine basics and threading to troubleshooting, master the essentials. Learn to sew with precision, unravel the secrets of seams, understand fabric and grain, and elevate your crafting skills with a touch of designer expertise.


Improvisations on Canvas Workshop (ages 12+)

Instructor: Kathy Kosins

April 27
Day: Saturday
Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
One day workshop: (M) $90; (NM) $99
In-person at the Art House / Students bring supplies

Students will participate in an “Improvisation On Canvas” workshop. This is painting to jazz music. The focus will be on the freedom of expression in the abstract, using texture and colors to guide us. We will utilize several jazz artists of the Be Bop era…from Thelonious Mond, Charlies Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, etc. Students are encouraged to “hear” in color and “listen” for shapes inspiration.


Adult Gold Leaf Workshop

Instructor: Cheryl Barill

April 28
Day: Sunday
Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
One day workshop: (M) $85; (NM) $94
In-person at the Art House / Materials provided

Throughout the ages the concept of Alchemy has mystified or entertained many. In this one-day workshop, artist Cheryl Barill will share her knowledge and techniques of painting with the use of gold leaf (sometimes referred to as metal leafing). She will guide you through the process of learning the foundations for using metal leaf in your work, including a variety of important considerations that go into composition and process when working with such reflective materials. This one day, four hour workshop will allow you to complete a project to take home as a gift to yourself or a loved one to celebrate motherhood! All materials will be provided, and all levels of experience are welcome.


Adult 8″ Plate, Bowl, or Votive Holder Workshop

Instructor: Helen Agius-Andreae

May 3
Day: Friday
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
One day workshop: (M) $85; (NM) $93
In-person at the Art House / Materials provided

Join us for a fun experience working with fused glass! In this workshop you will be introduced to the art of fused glass and glass cutting techniques and make a one of a kind dish, bowl, or votive holder. You will be instructed on how to arrange and stack colorful pieces of glass on a base piece of compatible glass to create your unique design. Pieces will then be fused and slumped in a kiln and will be ready for pick-up approximately two weeks after the class. No experience necessary!

All tools and materials will be provided.


Adult Fabric Design Workshop

Instructor: Maria Latour

May 4
Day: Saturday
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
One day workshop: (M) $54; (NM) $60
In-person at the Art House / Materials provided

We will work with rollers, tape resist, stencils and stamps to design several pieces of cotton and silk fabric. Students will also create their own stamps to personalize their designs. The fabric created can be used for quilts, pillow covers, scarves, etc.

 

 


Adult “Mom’s Day Out” Cookie Decorating Workshop

Instructor: Audrey Edwards

May 5
Day: Sunday
Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
One day workshop: (M) $75; (NM) $83
In-person at the Art House / Materials provided

Why not treat yourself to a sweet “spa” experience sugar cookie style! Join Audrey Edwards from Sweetflour LLC and relax while decorating this whimsical set of six sugar cookies themed around Mother’s Day and a spa treatment! With guided, step-by-step instructions, you will learn how to outline, flood, and add details and dimension to your cookies and also learn tips and tricks for working with royal icing. By the end of class, you’ll leave with confidence in knowing you can make and decorate sugar cookies that look too good to eat … but please do, you’ll be glad you did!!

 


Adult “Learning to Look” Class

Instructor: Shannon Karol

Session II: May 7 – June 11 (no class on 5/28)
Day: Tuesday
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
One day workshop: (M) $80; (NM) $88
In-person at the Art House / Materials provided

Do you ever feel lost when you enter an art gallery or museum, like you don’t know how to make sense of what you’re seeing or feeling? Join Art House Executive Director Shannon Karol for a new class that will equip you with a variety of strategies that can be used to describe, analyze, interpret, and evaluate artworks–whether you know anything about them or not! While we will look at images of famous artworks, this class is not intended to be an art history lesson. Instead, you’ll discover tips and tricks that you can use in any setting to help you interpret the artwork in front of you.


Adult Acrylic and Oil Fine Art Painting Studio

Instructor: Nancy Barick

Session II: May 7 – June 11 (no class on 5/28)
Day: Tuesday
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Five-week Class: (M) $150; (NM) $165
In-person at the Art House / Students bring supplies

For newer painters we will work on the “how tos”, such as starting a painting by choosing good reference material to the finishing details. For those painters with more experience, we will work on expanding painting skills and exploring different methods of pushing your work to the next level. Each participant will get personal instruction and support.

 

 


Adult Drawing with PanPastels & Pastel Pencils

Instructor: Marchelle Brotz

Session II: May 9 – June 14 (no class on 5/30 
Day: Thursday
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Five-week Class: (M) $150; (NM) $165
Material Fee: $20 to be paid to the instructor on the first day of class
In-person at the Art House 

In this class, students will be able to render their adorable pet or subject of choice using PanPastels and pastel pencils. PanPastels are highly pigmented crushed pastels in a pan and are applied to the background like a wash. Supplies are provided. Beginners to advanced students are welcome.

 

 


Adult Playwriting Class

Instructor: Jennifer Ward

Session II: May 9 – June 14 (no class on 5/30)
Day: Thursday
Time: 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
One day workshop: (M) $115; (NM) $126
In-person at the Art House 

Do you have a fantastic idea for a play and just don’t know where to begin? Learn the basics of moving your story from page to stage in this beginner’s playwriting class! The course will guide you through the basics of play formatting and structure, character development and theatrical dialogue. Students will take turns reading each other’s work out loud and offering supportive feedback for edits, resulting in a final short play, ready for a staged reading for friends and family!

Plan to bring pen and paper, tablet, or laptop.


Adult Summer Camp: Beginning Acrylic Painting

Instructor: Angela Heflin

June 10 – June 14
Day: Monday – Friday
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Five day workshop: (M) $125; (NM) $140
In-person at the Art House / Students bring supplies

Unleash your creativity with a beginner’s painting class! Dive into the fascinating world of color theory, drawing, and perspective under expert guidance. Engaging demonstrations, teaching essential techniques and various styles will ignite your artistic journey. Whether you’re a novice or looking to refine your skills, join us for an enriching experience to unlock your artistic potential.

 


Adult Buttercream Floral Cupcake Decorating Workshop

Instructor: Audrey Edwards

June 15
Day: Saturday
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
One day workshop: (M) $85; (NM) $93
In-person at the Art House / Materials provided

Join Audrey Edwards from Sweetflour LLC for a floral cupcake decorating class using buttercream icing. This is sure to be a fun event as Audrey shows you how to make simple buttercream flowers to adorn your cupcakes including hydrangeas, roses, peony buds and two-tone tulips. Each participant will then receive a set of 6 cupcakes to design their own floral cupcakes to take home and enjoy. Participants will leave class with a basic understanding of how to make some popular buttercream flowers and gain the confidence of being able to apply these new skills to cupcakes and cakes at home!

 


Adult Alcohol Ink Florals and Landscapes Workshop

Instructor: Julie Tibus

June 22 & June 23
Day: Saturday & Sunday
Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm each day
One day workshop: (M) $150; (NM) $165
Material fee: $10 to be paid to the instructor on the first day of class
In-person at the Art House

Discover the vibrant and captivating world of alcohol inks in this workshop, where you‘ll learn to create stunning florals and landscapes over two days. With this unique medium, you‘ll find that the colors blend and flow effortlessly, bringing your creations to life. During the class, you’ll have ample opportunity to experiment with different techniques while working on loosely guided projects designed to encourage your creativity. Julie, a very skilled instructor, will guide you through each step of the process, providing demonstrations, coaching, and classroom time. No prior experience is necessary, as all supplies are included.

 


Adult Drawing & Painting from Costumed Models

Instructor: Amy Foster

July 11, 12, & 13
Day: Thursday, Friday, & Saturday
Time: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (with a 30 minute lunch break each day)
Three day workshop: (M) $356; (NM) $391
In-person at the Art House / Students provide materials

This 3-day workshop is a perfect fit for anyone who loves drawing or painting portraits with a live model present.  Whether you are new to the subject or an experienced artist, this workshop will present tips and tricks that will increase your accuracy and help prevent unnecessary errors in the portrait and costume. 

  • Day 1 will focus on drawing as students are presented with a simple breakdown of the features of the face and asked to push the lights versus darks with basic drawing mediums. 
  • Day 2, students will choose their favorite medium as they will be asked to work with a limited palette to continue with the new-found skills from day one in addition to utilizing the fabric of the costume to help with the overall composition by working on a series of several, short poses. 
  • Day 3 will allow for two longer model poses so students can finish with a couple drawings/paintings that will also reflect their own personality and styles.  

If students would like to utilize the same mediums as the instructor, Amy plans to use graphite and vine charcoal for the first day.  Then she will demonstrate the limited palette concepts with soft pastels on day 2 and oil paints on day 3.  


Improvisations on Canvas Workshop (ages 12+)

Instructor: Kathy Kosins

August 3
Day: Saturday
Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
One day workshop: (M) $90; (NM) $99
In-person at the Art House / Students bring supplies

Students will participate in an “Improvisation On Canvas” workshop. This is painting to jazz music. The focus will be on the freedom of expression in the abstract, using texture and colors to guide us. We will utilize several jazz artists of the Be Bop era…from Thelonious Mond, Charlies Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, etc. Students are encouraged to “hear” in color and “listen” for shapes inspiration.


Alcohol Ink Jewelry Workshop

Instructor: Julie Tibus

August 16
Day: Friday
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
One day workshop: (M) $80; (NM) $88
In-person at the Art House / Materials provided

Design exquisite jewelry from your unique alcohol ink abstracts. Our process involves expertly blending and enhancing metallics with four pieces of art paper using vibrant alcohol inks. Participants will experience the thrill of crafting three distinct pieces of jewelry, selecting from a range of pendant settings, earrings, bracelets, and rings, all accompanied by chains. All materials are provided, allowing each individual to create and take home three stunning pieces of jewelry.

 


Questions? Contact Maria Von Buskirk, Education and Engagement Manager, education@northvillearthouse.org