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.
Painting Glass with Transparency and Light in Watercolor
Skill Level: Beginner & Beyond
Jennifer Redstreake
June 14, 21, 28, July 5(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.
Join us for an engaging watercolor class where you’ll learn the techniques needed to paint realistic glass with depth and transparency. This hands-on session will cover essential skills such as capturing reflections, highlights, and subtle color shifts to bring your glass objects to life.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, you’ll gain valuable insights into layering, controlling water flow, and creating the illusion of transparency. Explore the beauty of glass in watercolor and take your painting skills to the next level!
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.
Watercolor Sketching: Landscapes
Skill Level: All
Jennifer Redstreake
June 10, 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15 (6 Tuesdays)
6-8 p.m.
$150 members without material fee/$185 members with materials fee
$205 non-members without materials fee/$240 non-members with material fee
A guided artistic experience designed for beginners and experienced painters alike. In this class, students explore the fundamentals of watercolor techniques, including washes, layering, color mixing, and brush control, to create beautiful and expressive landscapes. Participants will learn how to capture depth, light, and atmosphere in natural scenes such as mountains, forests, lakes, and skies.
Through step-by-step instruction and hands-on practice, students gain confidence in handling watercolor’s fluid nature while developing their own artistic style. The class provides a relaxing and creative environment, encouraging experimentation and personal expression. By the end of the course, each participant will have completed several landscape paintings, refining their skills and deepening their appreciation for the beauty of watercolor art.
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
June 10, 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15 (6 Tuesdays)
6-8 p.m.
$175 members/$230 non-members*
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 pick whichever subject they like. The instructor will discuss and demonstrate how to observe subjects focusing on shapes and values.
Space is limited to 8 students.
Beginning Ceramics
Skill Level: All
David Edwards
June 10, 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15 (6 Tuesdays)
6-8 p.m.
$250 members/$305 non-members* (includes clay, firing & glazes)
Explore basic handbuilding and wheel throwing techniques. You will also gain experience with various decorating and glazing techniques. If you have always wanted to try clay and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, this is the class for you! Instructor demonstrations included.
Space is limited to 8 students.
Oil Painting Techniques- Still Life with Food!
Skill Level: Prior oil painting experience is helpful!
Jennifer Redstreake
June 12, 19, 26, July 3, 10, 17 (6 Thursdays)
6-8 p.m.
$160 members/$215 non-members*
Join us for a fun and creative Oil Painting Class where we’ll explore the art of painting different kinds of food! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, this class will help you develop your skills in capturing the colors, textures, and details that make food look delicious on canvas. We’ll cover essential oil painting techniques such as layering, blending, and color mixing while working on various food subjects—from fresh fruits and decadent desserts to rich, savory dishes.
Each session will focus on a new type of food, allowing you to experiment with composition and lighting. Come hungry for creativity and leave with vibrant, mouthwatering paintings that will make your viewers’ appetites grow!
Space is limited to 10 students.
Ceramics: Handbulding & Wheel Throwing
Skill Level: All
Greg Datcher
June 12, 19, 26, July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 (8 Thursdays)
6-8:30 p.m.
$295 members/$350 non-members* (includes clay, firing, & glazes)
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.
Stained Glass Basics
Skill Level: All
Melinda Ortner
June 14 (Saturday)
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (one-hour lunch break)
$100 members/$155 non-members
Learn about glass-cutting, patternmaking, copper foiling, soldering, and construction. Create small-scale panel piece for your garden/yard. Materials included.
Space is limited to 6 students.
Mixed Media Painting
Skill Level: All
S. Renee Prasil
June 28, July 5 (2 Saturdays)
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
$100 members/$155 non-members
Explore color theory, elements of design, composition and techniques in layering mixed media and collage. Materials provided.
Space is limited to 8 students.
Stained Glass Sun Catchers!
Skill Level: All
Melinda Ortner
July 12 (Saturday)
10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (one-hour lunch break)
$1oo 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.
Paint Like an Impressionist: Techniques in Acrylic or Oil
Skill Level: All
Gayle Power
July 22, 29, August 5, 12, 19, 26 (6 Tuesdays)
6-8p.m.
$160 members/$215 non-members*
Explore the techniques to capture the light, color, texture and feeling of the outdoors. Enjoy learning new methods and the effects of painting with a palette knife and brush. Learn how to create the exciting vibration of color and texture. Students will follow a sequential application of paint, explore color combinations, mixing techniques and work in an Impressionistic style. Photo references will be provided. Subject matter will include still life and landscape.
Space is limited to 8 students.
Watercolor Sketching: Yummy Things to Eat!
Skill Level: All
Jennifer Redstreake
July 22, 29, August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 2 (7 Tuesdays)
6-8 p.m.
$175 members without material fee/$210 members with materials fee
$230 non-members without materials fee/$265 non-members with material fee
Join us for a fun and vibrant Watercolor Sketching class focused on food illustration! This class will guide you through the fundamentals of watercolor techniques, composition, and color mixing to bring delicious subjects like fruits, pastries, coffee, and more to life. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, you’ll learn how to capture the textures, colors, and mouthwatering details of food in a loose and expressive style. Expect hands-on demonstrations, step-by-step guidance, and plenty of time to experiment with your own sketches.
Bring your favorite snacks for inspiration—or just enjoy painting from reference images! Perfect for food lovers, journal enthusiasts, and anyone looking to enhance their sketching skills in a relaxed, creative atmosphere. 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.
Ceramics: Wheel Throwing
Skill Level: All
David Edwards
July 22, 29, August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 2 (7 Tuesdays)
6-8 p.m.
$280 members/$335 non-members* (includes clay, firing & glazes)
This is a beginning class for students that are interested in learning the fundamentals of wheel throwing. We’ll glaze our pieces, too! Instructor demonstrations included.
Space is limited to 8 students.
Oil Painting Techniques: Landscapes
Skill Level: All
Debra Troyer
July 24, 31, August 7, 14, 21, 28 (6 Thursdays)
6-8 p.m.
$160 members/$215 non-members*
An introduction to the materials and methods of oil painting. You will learn about the tools and principles of landscape painting, with an emphasis on seeing and using color.
Space is limited to 8 students.
Watercolor
Skill Level: All
Yuri Ozaki
August 1, 8, 15, 29 (4 Fridays)
10 a.m.-1 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 and portrait will be provided.
Space is limited to 8 students.
Stained Glass Fan Lamp!
Skill Level: All
Melinda Ortner
August 2 (Saturday)
10 a.m.-4 p.m. (one-hour lunch break)
$125 members/$180 non-members
Learn about glass-cutting, patternmaking, copper foiling, soldering, and construction. Create a fan lamp using a technique of varied shapes of glass. Lamp base provided. Materials included.
Space is limited to 6 students.
Ceramics: Wheel Throwing & Beyond
Skill Level: All
Greg Datcher
August 7, 14, 21, 28, September 4, 11 (6 Thursdays)
6-8:30 p.m.
$285 members/$340 non-members* (includes clay, firing, & glazes)
Students will learn to use the potter’s wheel to make beautiful and useful clay pots. Simple forms, such as bowls and cups will be explored, as well as more complex forms, such as lidded jars and pouring vessels.
Space is limited to 8 students.
Expressive Portrait Drawing in Charcoal
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Sara Beth Fair
August 8 & 9 (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 10 students.
Acrylics: Abstract Extravaganza!
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Lucy Thomas
August 15 & 16 (Friday & Saturday)
10 a.m.-4 p.m. (one-hour lunch break)
$225 members/$280 non-members*
Making abstract art can be exhilarating but it can also be quite challenging. One of the hardest parts is knowing where to start. Do I need a reference photo? Do I need to have a recognizable subject? Do I use just paint or should I try to mix in other media? The longer I create the more I believe that abstract art is a great way to get started as a beginning painter. Color, shape and composition are elemental to learning any style of painting or subject matter. Working in abstract concepts will strengthen your confidence in making effective choices in all your creative work.
In this class, students will focus on experimenting with and making abstract art. Students will spend time discussing some recognized forms of abstracts as well as balance and composition. Students will work with color and shapes and how to use them for maximum impact based on your own personal style. Collage, paper, paint, markers and other tools will be used to make our work. Students will make several small abstract paintings and one larger piece.
Space is limited to 10 students.
