High School & Adult Classes

Classes are held in the Museum Academy classrooms located downstairs in the Museum. Enter on the North Patio – pond side at Big Spring Park. Look for the Museum Academy entrance!

Fee covers the dates listed with each class.

If the class you want is SOLD OUT, please email your name and phone number to Laura E. Smith, Director of Education/Museum Academy at lsmith@hsvmuseum.org to be added to the waiting list.

Visit hsvmuseum.org for more information on FAQ’s regarding class cancellation policies and other related Common Questions.

One of the many benefits of membership in the Museum is a discount on art classes and workshops.

Give the Gift of Creativity – Gift Certificates Available! Call the Museum Academy at 256.535.6372.

If you have questions or prefer to register over the phone, call the Museum Academy at 256.535.6372.

Inclement Weather Policy for Children and Teens Camps/Classes and High School/Adult Classes/Workshops:

During inclement weather, the Huntsville Museum of Art’s Museum Academy schedule will follow that of the Huntsville City Schools: If the school system closes, the Museum Academy classes will also be postponed. The classes will then meet at their next regularly scheduled time. When camps/classes or workshops are postponed, there will be a recorded message at 256.535.6372. Check the Museum’s website and Facebook page. In the event that Museum Academy camps/classes or workshops are postponed due to inclement weather or other factors beyond our control, we will make every effort to reschedule these classes at the end of the session by adding on an additional week to the schedule.

Photos courtesy of the artists/instructors.

*Supply list is available online with each class description. Students registered by mail or phone will receive a copy along with their class confirmation. Fee covers dates listed with each class.

Watercolor: Still Life

Skill Level: All

Jennifer Redstreake

January 11, 18, February 1, 8 (4 Saturdays)

10 a.m.-1 p.m.

$150 members without material fee/$185 members with material fee

$205 non-members without material fee/$240 non-members with material fee.

In this episode of Watercolor Still Life, students will be concentrating on painting a large ball jar with wintery things inside! (sample is not wintery, but ball jar-y) Create captivating still life compositions with watercolor. Demonstrations, instruction, criticism, and supervised guidance of student painting time included.
Ampersand Aquabord and photo references provided.

If you have taken a prior watercolor painting class with Jennifer, please bring your supplies. If you have not taken a prior watercolor painting class with Jennifer, you will need to select registration with a material fee.

Space is limited to 10 students.

Drawing in Pencil & Charcoal

Skill Level: All

Yuri Ozaki

January 14, 21, 28, February 4, 11, 18 (6 Tuesdays)

6-8 p.m.

$175 members/$230 non-members*

Focus on the fundamentals of drawing: line, composition, proportion, perspective, light, and shadow. Enhance observational sensibilities as you learn how to record what you see, while emphasizing creativity. Your painting skills will greatly benefit from your practice of drawing in charcoal and pencil. Reference photographs will be provided.

Space is limited to 8 students.

Ceramics: On & Off the Wheel

Skill Level: All

David Edwards

January 14, 21, 28, February 4, 11, 18 (6 Tuesdays)

6-8 p.m.

$245 members/$300 non-members* (includes clay, firing & glazes)

This class will offer a personal, hands-on approach to creating functional and/or decorative clay pieces, using both hand building and wheel throwing techniques. Create pieces using of molds and stamps as well as found objects to add texture.

Space is limited to 8 students.

Watercolor Sketching: Winter

Skill Level: All

Jennifer Redstreake

January 14, 21, 28, February 4, 11, 18 (6 Tuesdays)

6-8 p.m.

$150 members without material fee/$185 members with material fee

$205 non-members without material fee/$240 non-members with material fee

This Winter themed class will be a fun one! From snowy landscapes to snowflake covered wildlife, you never know what chilly topic I will choose! Watercolor sketching refers to any watercolor work that’s completed quickly, with a loose, informal style. It’s often used as a “warm up” for a bigger, more detailed painting, but it’s also a great practice for any on-the-go artist. This small-scale, loose sketching approach is all about quick observation and capturing what you see on paper.

Space is limited to 10 students.

Sensational Still Life Painting in Acrylic or Oil

Skill Level: All

Gayle Power

January 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19 (6 Wednesdays)

10 a.m.-12 p.m.

$160 members/$215 non-members*

Learn about techniques for both oil and acrylic paints such as direct painting, layering and composition, and color. Subject matter include still life. Choose either oil or acrylic medium.

Space is limited to 8 students.

Oil Painting Techniques: A Season of Landscapes

Skill Level: All

Debra Troyer

January 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20 (6 Thursdays)

10 a.m.-12 p.m.

$160 members/$215 non-members*

Working from photographs, develop your oil painting skills through learning and practicing the basics of composition, color mixing, and brushwork in the portrayal of color, light, perspective, and form. Reference photos will be provided.

Space is limited to 8 students.

Ceramics: Wheel Thrown Vessels & Design

Skill Level: Previous wheel throwing experienced is recommended.

Greg Datcher

January 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27 (7 Thursdays)

6-8:30 p.m.

$250 members/$305 non-members* (includes clay, firing, & glazes)

This class focuses equally on hand building and wheelwork for students who want to improve technique and further explore possibilities in clay.

Space is limited to 8 students.

Oil Painting Techniques: Pet Portraits

Skill Level: All

Jennifer Redstreake

January 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27 (7 Thursdays)

6-8 p.m.

$185 members/$240 non-members*

Ever wonder how pet portraits are painted – and with OILS? Now is your chance! Jennifer has chosen a few great references that will give you lots of fodder in order for you to be able to paint your own fur baby portraits! Our painting surface will be

Ampersand Gessobord and gallery wrapped canvas (provided). Students will be working from photo references, which will also be provided. In depth instructor demonstrations included.

Space is limited to 10 students.

Watercolor

Skill Level: All

Yuri Ozaki

January 17, 24, 31, February 7 (4 Fridays)

10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

$120 members/$175 non-members*

The instructor will demonstrate techniques such as wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry as well as how to mix colors, how to mix paint with water, and what to do when you make mistakes. The instructor will also demonstrate what not to do. Reference photos of landscape, still-life or portrait will be provided.

Space is limited to 8 students.

Introduction to Acrylics: On the Farm

Skill Level: All

Jennifer Redstreake

January 17, 24, 31, February 7 (4 Fridays)

10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

$120 members/$175 non-members*

Subjects for this class include chickens, cows and a possible donkey. If you get the warm fuzzies being around these creatures, this is a great class for you! Students will be working on canvas and Ampersand Gessobord (will be provided). Learn the techniques of acrylic painting while exploring the animal portrait genre. Discover the value, warm and cool relationships, and color as well as methods for self-correction and problem solving.

Space is limited to 10 students.

Stained Glass Sun Catchers!

Skill Level: All

Melinda Ortner

January 18 (Saturday)

10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (one-hour lunch break)

$100 members/$155 non-members

Learn about glass-cutting, patternmaking, copper-foiling, soldering, and construction. Create an artful sun catcher using a technique of varied shapes of glass. Materials included.

Space is limited to 6 students.

Still Life on the Next Level

Skill Level: Beginner to Advance

Sara Beth Fair

January 31 & February 1 (Friday & Saturday)

10 a.m.-4 p.m. (one-hour lunch break)

$210 members/$265 non-members*

Want to improve your ability to produce consistently beautiful paintings? How to express with color, brushwork and sensitivity? How to simplify complex flower shapes and improve your compositions. We will produce 4-6 paintings in this class! Learn classical, academic methods of oil painting. Explore materials, techniques, gray scales, color theory and color mixing, composition, and design. Photo references and still-life set-ups provided.

Space is limited to 12 students.

Stained Glass Fan Lamp

Skill Level: All

Melinda Ortner

February 1 (Saturday)

10 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (one-hour lunch break)

$120 members/$175 non-members

Learn about glass-cutting, patternmaking, copper-foiling, soldering, and construction. Create a functional fan lamp piece using a technique of varied shapes of glass.

Materials included.

Space is limited to 6 students.

Master Color

Skill Level: All

Sara Beth Fair

February 8 (Saturday)

10 a.m.-4 p.m. (one-hour lunch break)

$135 members/$150 non-members*

Sara Beth Fair sees artist having so much trouble seeing color and mixing the color they want and knowing how to make colors. Let’s fix that! Add depth, subtly and creativity to your artworks by working with the color wheel and exploring color interactions. This slass will help clarify the ideas of color theory and shed some light on color mixing. It will be taught in oils, but the concepts can be applied to any medium such as watercolor, acrylic or pastel. Create a solid foundation for your art with an exploration of the inner workings of color through color charts and references.

Materials and supplies included:

worksheets and guidebook; guided lessons; one on one instruction; understand how to mix the color you are seeing; understand warm and cool colors; and understand how to make your colors sing.

Space is limited to 12 students.

Expressive Portrait Drawing in Charcoal & Conté

Skill Level: All

Sara Beth Fair

February 14 & 15 (Friday & Saturday)

10 a.m.-4 p.m. (one-hour lunch break)

$160 members/$215 non-members*

Expand your skills and learn to draw the portrait! Charcoal and conté are fast, expressive, and forgiving media, perfect for exploring and learning about the face and head. The concepts and techniques used for charcoal and conté drawing go hand in hand with painting. Your painting skills will greatly benefit from your practice of drawing the portrait in charcoal and pencil.

Reference photographs will be provided.

Space is limited to 8 students.