High School & Adult Classes (Ages 14 and Up)
Classes are held in the Isenberg Art Academy classrooms located downstairs in the Museum. Enter on the North Patio – pond side at Big Spring Park. Look for the Isenberg Art 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/Isenberg Art 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 Isenberg Art Academy at 256.535.6372.
If you have questions or prefer to register over the phone, call the Isenberg Art 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 Isenberg Art Academy schedule will follow that of the Huntsville City Schools: If the school system closes, the Isenberg 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.
Click on a header below to learn more and register!
Discover the joy of painting with soft pastels in this lively, hands-on class! Students will explore the beautiful, colorful world of living on a farm while learning the hierarchy of pastels—from firm to luxuriously soft—and how each type affects your artwork. Experiment with a variety of surfaces, layering color from dark to light to bring their subjects to life. Soft pastels are buttery, expressive, and incredibly fun to work with—you’ll fall in love with their vibrant color and smooth blending. Perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike, this class promises creativity, color, and plenty of smiles! Prior drawing experience is recommended but not required. Photo references, soft pastels and surface provided. Space is limited to 10 students.
Expand your skills and learn to draw the portrait! Charcoal is fast, expressive, and forgiving media, perfect for exploring and learning about the face and head. The concepts and techniques used for charcoal 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. Click Here for Supply List.
This four-week series provides a deeper exploration of linocut printmaking through a variety of projects and techniques. Students will design, carve, and print a variety of cozy fall projects including bookmarks and from the library of ex libris stamps and motifs such as homey fireplaces and pets on comfy armchairs. This series will explore different linocut printmaking techniques such as reduction printing, jigsaw printing, and printing on different surfaces. This class is great for beginners and returning printmakers. Materials provided.
Space is limited to 8 students.
Discover the joy of watercolor sketching in this beginner-friendly class! Using found objects such as shells, feathers, favorite keepsakes, dried flowers, and other natural treasures, you’ll learn how to observe, sketch, and paint with confidence. Each class features a new collection of interesting objects, making every session a fresh and inspiring experience. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to loosen up your watercolor skills, come ready to experiment, create, and most of all—have fun! 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.
This Fall session we will explore the subject of still life, using either oil or acrylic paints. Students will be introduced to an understanding of brushwork, color mixing, the composition process, and basic techniques. Still life painting is a genre of painting that is defined by representations of inanimate objects, which are intentionally arranged in a visually pleasing composition. The subjects of still life paintings are, usually, fruit, flowers, and common objects found in the home. During your six-week class you will improve both your painting and observational skills as you continue to learn the fundamentals of painting still life. Throughout the class, Debra will provide individual critique, helpful guidance, and a little art history along the way. Space is limited to 8 students. CLICK HERE FOR SUPPLY LIST
Explore the use of glazes, slips and sculpting techniques to create expressive and individual works, such as mugs and vessel forms. Space is limited to 8 students. CLICK HERE FOR SUPPLY LIST
Experience the excitement of painting alla prima—the wet-on-wet oil painting technique that encourages bold brushwork, vibrant color, and expressive results, all completed in a single sitting. This fun and beginner-friendly class will explore the fundamentals of alla prima through a variety of still-life setups and reference photographs provided by the instructor. Learn to paint with confidence, make decisive brushstrokes, and embrace the beauty of spontaneity. Every class offers a new subject and fresh techniques to explore, so come with plenty of enthusiasm and your brushes at the ready! Please bring your supplies if you have them! Space is limited to 10 students. CLICK HERE FOR SUPPLY LIST
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. CLICK HERE FOR SUPPLY LIST
Each week students will explore a different approach to abstract painting with acrylics. Students will bring one print of a subject that holds meaning for them; animal, location, object (no people), and we’ll interpret that same subject using four different abstract approaches. Monica gives you some background on each of the abstract movements and walk you through how to work with their subject using each specific approach. Week 1: Abstract Expressionism; Week 2: Simple and Striking – Minimalist Abstraction; Week 3: Broken and Beautiful – Cubist-Inspired Abstraction and Week 4: Depth in Simplicity – Monochromatic Abstraction. Materials provided. Space is limited to 10 students.
Learn about glass-cutting, patternmaking, copper-foiling, soldering, and construction. Create an artful sun catcher using a technique of varied shapes of glass. Materials provided. Space is limited to 6 students.
Learn about techniques for both oil and acrylic paints such as direct painting, layering and composition, and color. Subject matter includes landscape and still life. Choose either oil or acrylic medium. Space is limited to 8 students. CLICK HERE FOR SUPPLY LIST
This hands-on class introduces linocut printmaking from start to finish while making a variety of festive and giftable holiday projects. Projects will include holiday cards, paper ornaments, decorative banners, wrapping paper, and giftable mini prints. Motifs will include all things wintry and festive. Students will learn the basics of design, safe carving, inking, and printing, with a focus on translating simple drawings into bold, printable images. The class is beginner-friendly and relaxed, with no prior printmaking experience required. Materials provided. Space is limited to 8 students.
Celebrate the beauty of the season in this fun and beginner-friendly watercolor class! From colorful pumpkins, landscapes, and gourds to brilliant autumn leaves, acorns, pinecones, dried botanicals, and rustic still lifes, you’ll explore a variety of seasonal subjects while building your watercolor skills. Each class features a new autumn-inspired project, giving you the opportunity to practice color mixing, texture, layering, and composition in a relaxed and encouraging environment. Come capture the warmth and beauty of autumn—one brushstroke at a time! 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.
Students will learn how to draw in charcoal and/or pencil. The instructor will provide reference photos which include options for landscape, still life, and portrait. Students can draw from photos or objects provided. The instructor will discuss and demonstrate how to observe subjects focusing on shapes and values. Space is limited to 8 students. CLICK HERE FOR SUPPLY LIST.
