Adult Classes

Ceramics

Materials, glazing and firing included in tuition. Class size limited to 10.

200AC The Wheel Thrown Vessel 

Mondays, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

$335 Members, $365 nonmembers

Don Theiberger

Explore the possibilities of creating beautiful pottery on the wheel. Intended for students who have never used the potter’s wheel, or for those who are continuing to build their basic skills, this course will cover methods of centering clay and throwing bowl and cylinder forms, such as mugs and vases. Students will also learn how to finish their pots using standard decorating and glazing techniques.

101AC On and Off the Wheel

Two Sessions offered:

• Mondays, 7 – 9:30 p.m.

• Tuesdays, 7 – 9:30 p.m.

$335 Members, $365 nonmembers

Peg Kenselaar

This course will offer a personal, hands-on approach to creating functional and/or decorative clay pieces, using both hand building and wheel throwing techniques that will be glazed and kiln-fired. We will explore the fundamentals of working with the clay itself, necessary tools, surface treatments, and glazing. Possible project ideas and approaches include cups, bowls, vases, tiles, sculptures, the use of molds and stamps, and the use of found objects to create texture. All levels welcome. 

100AG Explorations in Glass Fusing and Slumping

Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

$355 Members, $385 nonmembers

Lisa Westheimer

Discover the unique medium of kiln-fused glass! This course will offer students the opportunity to cut, design and assemble glass to make lasting functional and decorative works of art. Students will learn the basic properties of melting glass in a kiln, as well as mold making for achieving various shapes and functions. Explore possibilities such as fusing found metal objects into glass, pendant making, and learning how to create a cheese platter out of a wine bottle. All levels welcome.

100AC Beginning Pottery

Two sessions offered:

• Wednesdays, 7 – 9:30 p.m. 

• Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 

Evan Wagman

$335 Members, $365 nonmembers

This hands-on class for clay novices will cover both hand-building and potter’s wheel methods. Learn all about clay forming process and basic glazing techniques. Students will observe instructor demonstrations and receive personalized attention. As always, students will be encouraged to express their individuality while making beautiful pottery in a supportive and lively atmosphere.

300AC Functional Ware

Thursdays, 7 – 9:30 p.m.

$345 Members, $375 nonmembers

Carla Horowitz

In this class we will discuss where form meets function to create pots that interest and intrigue your creative spirit. The main focus will be on making functional pottery for everyday use. The instructor will help you to learn to make well-balanced pots, on the utilitarian level, both visually and aesthetically. We will discuss how pots have evolved over thousands of years, from early Mesopotamia, to traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, through today's creative yet functional work.

Drawing

100AD Introduction to Drawing

Mondays, 7 – 9:30 p.m.

$250 Members, $280 nonmembers

Marion Held

This class is an introduction to the art of drawing for the novice or those wishing to enhance their skills. Students will complete exercises in all aspects of drawing including the expressive line, light, shade and tonal values, and study of structural planes. The class will include three sessions with a model.  Course includes an overview of different mediums and papers.

300ALD Life Drawing and Anatomy

Mondays, 7 - 9:30 p.m.

$260 Members, $290 nonmembers 

José Anico

An academic and traditional approach to drawing human anatomy enables students to explore the perceptual elements needed to organize a work of art, including line, structure, value and texture. Exercises are designed to help students develop a deeper understanding of the human form. Individual instruction is stressed, and students of all levels are welcome.

200ALD Drawing Doubles

Wednesdays, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

$350 Members, $370 nonmembers

John Atura

This course will feature two models posing together for each class, using both short and long poses, allowing students to experiment with the unique compositional options that occur when there are two models present. For those who wish to push the duality further, this course provides the opportunity to explore the narrative that unfolds when there is more than one subject. A spirit of experimentation and risk is encouraged.

300TLD Life Drawing

Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

$260 Members, $290 nonmembers

John Atura

This course provides an opportunity for older teens and adults to work directly from the figure to explore sketching the human form and anatomy. It is especially useful for students 16 and older who need life drawing experience not provided in the high school art curriculum. Working from the nude model, a classical approach provides the basis for understanding the relationship of form and technique. Students will draw with charcoal, pencil and a variety of other mediums.

Painting

300APL Landscape Oil Painting

Two classes offered:

• Mondays, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

• Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

$260 Members, $290 nonmembers

Gary Godbee

This course is for the intermediate student who wishes to learn techniques of landscape painting with oils. Emphasis is placed on the atmospheric effects of light and shade, tonal values, and the process of uniting these elements into a balanced composition. Students can use reference materials such as photographs or take subject matter directly from nature. Individual attention will be provided, allowing each person to express his/her own unique style. 

NEW! 304AP Alla Prima: Direct Painting

Mondays, 1:15 – 3:45 p.m.

$260 Members, $290 nonmembers

Julian Tejera

Quick, gestural, and full of vibrant energy, Alla Prima captures the essence of the subject matter with just a few well-placed strokes. Though a seasoned artist can make it look easy, it requires a confidence that can only be achieved with many years of practice, trial, and error. For students working in oil and/or acrylic paint, this class will provide the building blocks allowing students to paint with bravura! Technical issues such as drawing, value modeling, and color choice will be discussed in detail as we work towards realizing multiple paintings with this refreshingly liberating approach. Model fees included for three sessions.

200AP Introduction to Painting

Mondays, 7 – 9:30 p.m.

$250 Members, $280 nonmembers

Suzanne Baron

Learn the techniques of oil and acrylic painting in a fun, hands-on environment. This course is designed for the beginner or intermediate student who would like to brush-up on the basics. This class will cover how to choose the right materials, as well as learn the basics of color theory and composition so you can create a painting. Work in a supportive atmosphere that develops a personal statement. Model fees included for three sessions. 

NEW! 300AP Oil Painting Techniques

Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. – noon

$250 Members, $280 nonmembers

Julian Tejera

There is no comparison to the lush, vibrant colors and forgiving workability that is inherent in painting with oils. This course will set students on the right path to understanding why masters, old and contemporary, prefer oil paints for their major and smaller works. Starting with a series of monochromatic exercises using still life, students will gain a strong foundation in drawing and judging values, working their way up to a limited color palette. In this systematic approach students will learn the handling properties of oils, as well as not to be intimidated by color as they progress in their training.

500AA Path to Abstraction

Tuesdays, 1 – 4 p.m.

$260 Members, $290 nonmembers

Pat Butynski

This course is for the intermediate and advanced student of drawing and/or painting who is interested in learning how to work toward creating non-objective art. Explore how to create an abstraction from specific subject matter. Students will learn to disregard a traditional subject and make the elements of design the subject, inspired by personal expression. Abstraction can be achieved through the unification of the elements of form, color, and composition, an open mind, and a sense of adventure!

400AP Intermediate Painting

Tuesdays, 7 – 9:30 p.m.

$260 Members, $290 nonmembers

Janet Boltax

Using the figure, still life and independent projects, students will learn helpful new techniques to facilitate their knowledge of composition, value and color—the foundations of successful painting of any kind.  Emphasis will be placed on subtleties of color, value and brushwork to promote one’s growth as a painter.  Students will be encouraged to develop their own personal vision within a framework of time-tested principles.  Each week, the work of an old master or contemporary painter will be briefly introduced as it relates to painting within the classroom. Students taking this class should have some drawings skills and experience with either oil or acrylic paint. Model fees included for three sessions.

300API Painting and Drawing: Two Dimensional Art

Tuesdays, 7 – 9:30 p.m.

$250 Members, $280 nonmembers

Robert Kogge

This class welcomes beginners and advanced students to work in any two dimensional medium and style that best suits their personal vision. To whatever form a student chooses, the task of balancing elements such as color, form, harmony, line, mass, pattern, rhythm, shape, space, texture, tone, value, and volume will be addressed. Whether it is traditional or experimental, how one creates will be regarded with heightened importance in relation to what one creates. Students may use reference materials such as photographs or take their subject matter directly from nature. Individual attention and guidance will be provided to all.

301AP Genre Painting, Drawing, and Composition

Wednesdays, 1 – 4 p.m.

$265 Members, $295 nonmembers

Alex Piccirillo

An intense course in painting and drawing, with emphasis on composing the figure in a natural environment. Light and shadow, color and texture will be explored in developing the pictorial image. Each pose will last three to four weeks, depending on its complexity. Any medium may be used. 

302AP Representational Painting and Drawing

Wednesdays, 7 – 9:30 p.m.

$260 Members, $290 nonmembers

Julian Tejera

This course teaches realistic portraiture, figure drawing, and painting using charcoal, pastel, and oil paint from direct observation of a live model. Learn to develop the expression and individuality of each model. Problem solving concerning light, dark, shade and color will be emphasized. Open to all levels.

300ADP Drawing Into Painting

Thursdays, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

$265 Members, $295 nonmembers

John Atura

This class will focus on the process of taking the drawn figurative image and transforming it through painting by using the long pose and direct observation of the figure. By drawing with the intent of making the transition into painting, students will translate values into color while limiting the use of line in favor of analyzing the model in terms of tone, mass and shape. Students will be encouraged to work abstractly toward refining a representational image. Human anatomy and proportion will be addressed with an emphasis on placing it within a strong overall composition. The premise is that improving your drawing will improve your painting. 

303AP Portraiture

Two sessions offered:

• Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

• Thursdays, 1 – 4 p.m.

$265 Members, $295 nonmembers

Gary Godbee

Learn traditional portraiture with the use of oils, pastels, or charcoal from direct observation of a live model. This course offers a unique study of the structure and proportions of the face. Through demonstrations and individual instruction, each student will achieve an understanding of the head and features, color mixture, tonal values, and composition. All levels welcome. 

305APW Watercolor Techniques

Daytime and Evening Classes

• Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. – Noon

• Thursdays, 7 – 9:30 p.m.

• Fridays, 9:30 a.m. – Noon 

$250 Members, $290 nonmembers

Sharon Pitts

Watercolor is a beautiful and versatile medium. This course emphasizes the creative use of the paint and goes beyond the general information found in “how-to” books. Subject matter includes florals, still life, figure, and landscape, both plein air and from photos. We will concentrate on use of the palette, texture, composition, values, design, and color work. Regular demonstrations will give each student a basis for starting their own work and individual attention is provided to encourage each student to find his or her own direction. Students of all levels are welcome. 

405APW The World of Watercolor

Fridays, 1:30 – 4 p.m.

$250 Members, $290 nonmembers

Sharon Pitts

Experience the exciting medium of watercolor in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.  Work with color, value, composition, and many other techniques to make beautiful and interesting watercolors.  With an emphasis on personal creativity, students will be encouraged to express their individuality.  Demonstrations of techniques and personal attention will be provided.  Students will work from a variety of subject matter including photographs, still life, figure, and landscape. Plein air work when possible. 

Mixed Media

The Painterly Print: Encaustic and Mixed Media

Mondays, 1 – 4 p.m.

$260 members, $290 nonmembers

Pamela Moore

Learn the basics of encaustic mono-printing painting, with an emphasis on experimentation and a focus on using the printed element and found objects. Learn how to collage and layer with wax, using its inherent translucency to create works of beautiful richness and depth. Students will work with heat to manipulate the materials and discover how it affects surface and texture. Recycle old drawings, writings, and found objects to give them new meaning in this beautiful and elusive medium. We will construct images to be further developed with hot wax and different substrates. Minimal approaches to wax such as simple dipping will be explored. All supplies provided. Materials fee of $90 payable to the instructor.

Pastel

600APP Pastel at the Next Level

Wednesdays, 9:30 – 12:30 p.m.

$260 Members, $290 nonmembers 

Catherine Kinkade

Learn to render the landscape, with a focus on plein air painting, through sketching and painting with pastel, pen and ink, gouache, and mixed media. Geared towards encouraging artistic growth through course exercises and independent projects, topics covered will include and in-depth study of color theory, developing a simplified palette, personal color schemes, and moving from realism to abstraction. Using group guided explorations, both in the landscape and in the studio, as well as individual and group critiques, students will discover their personal color schemes. An opportunity to work from still life, as well as from a model will be provided. For intermediate and advanced students of pastel.

Printmaking

201APM One Surface to Another: The Transferred Image

Mondays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

$260 Members, $290 nonmembers

Dorothy Cochran

An experimental media class for artists to explore transferring paint and ink from one surface to another. Create gelatin plates to use as a matrix for acrylic paint monotypes, draw with water soluble crayons and paint with watercolors on plastic to print one of a kind works on paper. Learn to transfer digital inkjet and laser images with gesso, polymer medium and much more to enhance your paintings, collage work and book art pages. Experiment with carving erasers, linoleum and Styrofoam to create hand rubbed relief prints. New techniques learned at every session. All levels welcomed.

200APM Plate, Ink and Paper: An Introduction to Hand Rubbed Prints

Tuesdays, 1 – 4 p.m.

$260 Members, $290 nonmembers

Dorothy Cochran

Challenge your artistic curiosity by exploring printmaking with bite size experiences. Each class will focus on the “how to” of a print technique including monotype, linoleum, woodcut, collagraph, digital transfer, and trace prints. Plates will be made, inked and printed by hand during each class, creating a portfolio of finished images at class end. Water-based Akua inks and rag papers will be used for all processes. Artists working in other media are welcome, all levels can participate, and returning students are welcome.

Digital Media

101DM Introduction to Web Design with Dreamweaver

Mondays, 7 – 9:30 p.m.

$335 Members $365 nonmembers

William Sweeney

Learning how to create a great website with this intuitive and straightforward industry standard software. Adobe Dreamweaver allows for the direct creation and editing capabilities of HTML.  Students will begin by learning how the web works, web design basics, how to save and size images properly for the internet, use web-safe colors in their design elements, what HTML is, and how to apply the design skills using Adobe Dreamweaver to create and save HTML pages. This course will also cover acquiring an online domain name and site hosting.

102DM Introduction to Video Composition

Tuesdays, 7 – 9:30

$335 Members $365 nonmembers

Alexis McNutt

This course is designed to demystify the craft of filmmaking and empower students to develop their own distinctive voice and vision using moving images. Through a series of individual projects, the course will focus on the basics of video composition beginning with pre-production (idea conception and story development) to production (cinematography, lighting, and sound recording) to postproduction (editing images and sound). Students should bring their own digital video cameras or camera with video capabilities.

100DM Introduction to Photoshop

Two sessions offered:

Wednesdays, 9:30 – noon, Dan Fenelon

Thursdays, 7 – 9:30 p.m., Susan Greenspan

$335 Members $365 nonmembers

Dan Fenelon

Learn the basic concepts and tools of Photoshop CS5 to manipulate images, create digital art projects, and even restore family pictures. Students will learn color correction, resolution, layering, special effects, and much more. This class emphasizes individualized instruction sensitive to your goals and skill level. Feel free to bring photos to the first class. No prior Photoshop experience required.

200DM Digital Photography

Wednesdays, 7 – 9:30 p.m.

$335 Members $365 nonmembers

Tony Cuneo

Discover the basics of shooting, manipulating and printing your digital photographs. Students first learn about the settings and functions of their digital cameras, as well as the basic photographic techniques of composition, lighting, contrast, and subject. Each week students will have shooting assignments and review and critique each other’s images. Students will also learn to input and prepare their photographs for printing, digital projection, and the web using Adobe Photoshop CS5. No prior experience of photography or Photoshop required. Students should bring their own digital camera to class (point and shoot or DSLR).

Workshops

Nesting Bowls

Sundays, January 15 and 29 

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

$100 Members, $120 nonmembers

Peg Kenselaar

Through individual instruction and demonstrations on how to use clay tools, participants will create three functional nesting bowls on the potter’s wheel. After being fired, students will have a choice of surface treatments, such as under-glaze, scriffito, tracing, illustration, graphic design, drawing/painting with under-glaze pencils, or wax resist. Nesting bowls make the perfect gift, or stylish decoration for your home. All levels welcome. Material and firing fees included in tuition.

Beautiful Surfaces with Ink Wash and Colored Pencils

Sunday, January 22

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

$75 Members, $95 nonmembers

Robert Kogge

By working directly with colored pencils and ink wash on unprimed canvas, this workshop presents an approach that challenges the boundaries of painting and drawing: it joins the two in a single process, acting as an alternate or extension to more traditional methods. These media elect the heavy weave of the canvas as the dominant but impersonal mark, distilling positive and negative space evenly, and rendering a particulate profile to the image emerging through the landscape of its woven ground. A demonstration of materials and procedure is included. Students may choose to work from photographic sources or from still life.  Please visit montclairartmuseum.org for a list of suggested supplies.

Glass Jewelry Making

Sunday, January 22 and Sunday, February 5

10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

$120 Members, $140 nonmembers

Lisa Westheimer

Discover the fun of making jewelry using fused glass!  On the first day, students will assemble colorful bits and pieces of glass.  On the second Sunday, students will add findings for pendants and earrings to their kiln-fused creations.  Have fun with this unique medium and impress your friends with the finished product!  Material and firing fees included in tuition.

Through the Looking Glass: Photographing Children Beyond the Snapshot

Saturday, January 28 and Sunday, January 29

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

$250 Members, $280 nonmembers

Claire Rosen

This two-day workshop will transform the way you think about and use photography. Through some inspiration and a bit of dress up, this course will teach you how to capture the magic of a child's imagination in your photographs. Students will no longer just take ordinary snapshots of kids but instead learn how to create unique and artistic imagery that tells a story. We will cover brainstorming and concept development, sourcing props and costumes, transforming locations, and working with children. Day one will be spent in the studio looking at presentations of noteworthy photographers, brainstorming concepts and preparing idea boards. Day two will offer a demonstration shoot from idea generation to execution and students will have the opportunity to participate. The workshop will be held in the instructor’s Montclair photography studio. A $30 materials fee is payable to the instructor on the first day of the workshop.  Students must provide their own camera.

Winter in Watercolor

Sunday, February 12

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

$90 Members, $110 nonmembers

Sharon Pits

The texture and color of winter is subtle and fascinating. Winter beauty can be seen this time of year that is not visible in other seasons. This workshop will focus on techniques appropriate to capturing winter's magic in watercolor. Students will view regular demonstrations and receive individual attention. Open to all levels.  Please visit montclairartmuseum.org for a list of suggested supplies.

Altering the Vessel

Sunday, February 26

10 a.m. - Noon

$75 Members; $95 nonmembers

Evan Wagman

Created for the potter that wants to expand his/her repertoire of shapes and possibilities, this workshop will offer instruction in ways of altering the form and surface of freshly thrown work. Pots made this way can look spontaneous, fluid and animated, reflecting the process of working with wet clay. Additionally, the instructor will demonstrate how to created faceted surfaces on leather-hard pottery. With an emphasis on how a utilitarian object can be viewed as functional and artful, students will learn how to alter bowls, vases, cups, and pouring vessels. Students will select glazes, and return to pick up the fired pots two weeks from the workshop date.

Surface Impressions: Printing on Paper and Fabric

Sunday, February 26

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

$90 Members, $110 nonmembers

Dorothy Cochran

Using a soft, commercially made plate similar to gelatin, participants will create juicy but precise images on paper and fabric. Acrylic paint, watercolor and fabric dyes are brushed, stamped, layered and textured to create colorful abstract or realistic images. Experimental techniques such as gilding and other embellishments will be learned. Finished art works can be framed to hang on the wall, used for quilting or other fabric projects and wonderful for collage, artist books and journal creation. $35 materials fee payable to the instructor. Please visit montclairartmuseum.org for a list of additional supplies.

Create Your Own Website Using Free Online Tools

Sunday, March 4

Noon – 4 p.m.

$85 Members, $105 nonmembers

Liron Sissman, M.B.A.

Would you like to present your work to the world? In this four-hour, hands-on, workshop participants will create and publish their own website using free online tools. Participants will be guided through the use of free online templates, and a free web-hosting service, to create a professional looking website. There is no need to pre-register your domain name. However, if you already own a domain name this workshop will guide you through the application of templates to design and upload your site to your domain name and to easily maintain your site going forward. Please bring jpeg images of your work (preferably at 72dpi) along with files containing your resume, biography, and artist statement.

It’s Your Turn! Introduction to Wheel Throwing

Two dates offered:

• Sunday, March 4

• Sunday, March 11

10 a.m. - Noon

$50 Members, $75 nonmembers

Evan Wagman

These one-day workshops are ideal for a beginner who wants to learn, and/or experiment with throwing pottery on the wheel. Through ample individual attention from the instructor, and as well as demos and discussion, students will learn the steps and techniques of wheel throwing, including centering clay, throwing bowl and vase forms, trimming, etc. Students will select glazes, and return to pick up the fired pots two weeks from the workshop date. 

Painting the Pastel Figure

Sunday, March 11

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

$90 Members, $110 nonmembers

Alex Piccirillo

Working with master pastelist and longtime instructor Alex Piccirillo, students will explore rich and beautiful techniques of drawing and painting the figure. In these full-day workshops students will work from a series of long and short poses, as well as a variety of poses in genre scenes that will challenge and inspire. Students may use pastels, acrylics or oils, or drawing media of choice. Intermediate level and above. Please visit montclairartmuseum.org for a list of suggested supplies.

Exploring the Painting Techniques of George Inness

Sunday, March 18 and Sunday, March 25

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

$90 Members, $110 nonmembers

Gary Godbee

George Inness was probably the most poetic and important American landscape painter of the 19th Century. Bridging the sensibilities of the Hudson River School with the innovations of the Barbizon School painters in France, Inness forged a personal, forward-looking art that stands alone in the history of American Painting. This workshop will explore the oil techniques Inness employed in his mature works. Students will complete a monochrome underpainting on the first day using the indirect painting method used by Inness, followed by the completion of the painting the next week in full color using traditional glazing and scumbling techniques. We will visit George Inness: Private Treasures on view at MAM for further inspiration. Please visit montclairartmuseum.org for a list of suggested supplies.

Digital Painting in Photoshop

Sunday, March 18 and Sunday, March 25

1 – 4 p.m.

$90 Members, $110 nonmembers

Lawrence Mascia

Learn how to think outside of the box from a master digital illustrator and create stunning art with Photoshop. This course is for amateur and professional digital artists who want to learn how to get professional results from the paint features of Photoshop CS5 used with Wacom Bamboo Tablets. Through classroom instruction, you will learn a variety of digital illustration techniques. Topics include: Painting from Still Life and Live Models, Custom Brush Making, Creating Shadows and Highlights and much more!