Northville Art House
Workshops
Youth, Teen, and Adult Workshops offer the opportunity for students to experiment, learn, and develop art skills in small classroom sizes. Adult workshops are for ages 16+ unless otherwise noted. Workshops are led by Northville Art House instructors and are offered in one- or two-day sessions. Each workshop is limited to 10 students. Register today!
General Info | Preschool | Youth Classes | Adult Classes | Workshops | Summer Camps | After School Art | Instructors | Scholarships
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.
There are three ways to search for classes and programs.
- Click on the image on the left to browse a digital version of our Spring & Summer 2026 brochure.
- Click on the Click to Register button to browse classes and to register on Active.com.
- Click on the Program Images below to browse on our website, then register on Active.com.
Spring Programs
April 6 – June 15
Open Studio
Wednesdays, April 8 – June 10 (No Open Studio on 5/13 or 6/3)
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Suggested donation: $10
Students bring supplies
Bring your current work-in-progress and work alongside your fellow artists in our Open Studio. Tables and easels are available for use; artist brings all other supplies. We just ask that you clean up your workspace before you leave.
No advance registration required.
Zen Painting for ages 16+
Instructor: Jane Ryan
Sundays, May 3, May 17, and May 31
Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM each day
3-week workshop: (M) $180 ; (NM) $198
Materials included
This 3-part workshop introduces students to Sumi-e [soo’-me-ay], the mindful art of Japanese ink painting. Developed by Zen monks, Sumi-e is a form of Impressionism that captures a moment in time and the essence or “chi” of a subject rather than an exact representation. The key concepts of simplicity and spontaneity are achieved with minimal brush strokes.
Session I: Orchids and Dragonflies will introduce the materials and methods unique to Sumi-e.
Session II: Blossoms and Butterflies moves on to graceful flowers and colorful butterflies.
Session III: Bamboo and Birds explores the more challenging subjects of bamboo and songbirds.
Plein Air Painting Workshop for ages 16+
Instructor: Roselyn Rhodes
Tuesday, June 2 – Friday, June
Times Vary
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wednesday-Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM each day
4-day workshop: (M) $170 ; (NM) $187
Students bring supplies (Supply List Available Here)
*This class will meet both at the Art House and at Kensington Metro Park
En Plein Air, is a French term, meaning painting in the open air. It is a wonderful way to develop your sense of color through natural light, movement and atmosphere, that you only experience outside in nature. The Impressionists used this method to truly experience expressive color.
Starting at the Art House, Rose will demonstrate the proper set up and use of equipment for plein air painting, along with a live demonstrations of plein air painting. Many tips to improve your painting experience will be shared.
Students will have time to plein air paint in Northvillle with the wonderful historic homes and cemetery. Then we will be traveling to scenic Kensington Park to paint. Each day we will have an outdoor lunch with a quick critique.
Students are responsible for obtaining their own Kensington Park pass before the first day of class begins.
Demonstrations of plein air painting will be done in oil. Other mediums are welcome and will be assisted. (Watercolor, Pastel, Acrylic, Water soluble oils) Students must have some prior experience with their medium.
Adult/Child Workshop: Cyanotype: Camera-less Photography for ages 8-14
Instructor: Cheryl Boc-Chidester
Saturday, June 6
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
1-day workshop: (M) $110; (NM) $121
Each registration covers 1 child and 1 adult
Materials included
In this workshop, participants will create one-of-a-kind cyanotype images. Our camera-less photography technique (invented in 1842) will involve lying (flattish) objects on paper coated with an iron salt solution, exposing them to UV light, and washing the paper with water to create stunning white and Prussian blue images. The images can also be enhanced with light watercolor washes. During the two-hour class, students will create at least two images. While the instructor will have (flat) objects, such as dried flowers and leaves, lace and ribbon, and seashells, used to create, students are welcome to bring their own.
Adult/Child BYO Ice Cream Cone Cookie Decorating Workshop for ages 5+
Instructor: Audrey Edwards
Sunday, June 7
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
1-day workshop: (M) $60 ; (NM) $66
Each registration covers 1 child and 1 adult
Materials included
It’s summertime! And, what a great time to create a sweet summertime treat…only with cookies! Come join Sweetflour LLC where you and your child will each create this cute set of cookies that make a double scooped ice cream cone when put together. All materials will be provided! At the end of class you both will receive boxes to take your yummy cookie treats home in!
Preschool Playdate for ages 2-5
Instructor: Shannon Karol
Saturday, June 13
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
1-day workshop: (M) $10 ; (NM) $12
Each registration covers 1 adult + child pair
Materials included
Preschool Playdates offer the opportunity for preschoolers and their favorite adult to create, look, and learn about art in small class sizes. Each month we’ll read a story, look at art, and create a special art project inspired by what we see. In June, we’ll read The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt.
Questions? Contact office@northvillearthouse.org
