Explore painting with tempera paint on a plaster surface, similar to how experts did in the early centuries, but on a smaller scale. This method produces bright, vibrant paintings. Styrofoam provides a sturdy lightweight base for the plaster compound, and when it dries, makes a dry absorbent base for wet tempera paint. This medium is […]
This course is a fun way to learn new drawing skills and how to train your eyes to really see. There is no “can’t” in this introduction to drawing course – only “I can!” You will be guided on how to render an object, bringing depth into your work. Explore how to use color and source of […]
Level 0 – This class is for the true beginner with no prior experience in the medium. Want to tap into your creative side with people of all ages? Want some healing crystals and calming energy in your home? Let’s honor the history of dream catchers while adding a modern twist with pops of color, […]
This spring break intensive workshop is for teens that want to try watercolor! They will learn basic watercolor skills including the basics of value, line, shape, form, perspective, and color. They will also explore how to assemble their own materials in the future to be able to paint anywhere. Everyone will have enough practice and […]
11 a.m.–1 p.m. Free and open to the public (10–11 a.m. FAC members only) Not a member? Join today for as little at $5 a month! Spend the day being inspired by exploring all the exciting areas of the Fine Arts Center! Bemis School of Art instructors will lead creative, hands-on activities using a variety […]
Celebrate creativity at the FAC's Bemis School of Art! Bring someone special or come alone and make new friends. You don’t have to bring any supplies, just come prepared for artistic festivities guided by Bemis instructors and your love of fun. You’ll have the opportunity to experience more than one painting activity. One free drink […]
Join us at the FAC's Bemis School of Art for a tissue paper flower activity for all ages led by instructor Ronee Smith 5–8 p.m. Plus, the bar in Deco Lounge will be open. Free and open to the public.
In this class, we will bring the line work of drawing and the luminosity of watercolor together in this addictive technique. We will practice layering sections of color to represent shapes or draw first and drop in paint. Or try the experimental approach by throwing paint randomly and allowing it to speak to you. Matched […]
Calling beginner watercolor artists! Do you want to dive into portraiture, but feel a little nervous? Brushes & Bubbles is for you! Sophia Hanna is a local artist with over ten years of watercolor experience, and she wants to share that with you in a relaxed environment. We know how it feels to try something […]
Figure drawing is one of the basic skills all artists should have. I have developed a formula to teach drawing the human body that ensures most people are successful after just a few lessons. The first step is the stickman, then we look at the fundamental areas of bulk in the body, and finally, there […]
Let’s make art from nature! We will learn to use materials found in our surrounding mountains. Anything from flowers, mud, grass, twigs, honeycombs, and so much more! You will make three projects over three different sessions: nature explosions, assemblage, and printmaking. We will use our hands and get messy as we find inspiration in the […]
Are you ready to get answers to your burning questions and add new hacks to your throwing process? Discover how to throw a plate from a slab, pull a handle from a mug, or split your rims and alter your forms. Add details by stamping and carving your pots or add a foot ring or […]
Are you ready to meet your new best friend Gelli plate? The Gelli plate is an incredibly playful and intuitive tool for creating art. If you have never done any form of printmaking before or think you don’t have a creative bone in your body, then this is a fun and easy way to loosen […]
Are you ready to meet your new best friend, the Gelli plate? The Gelli plate is an incredibly playful and intuitive tool for creating art. If you have never done any form of printmaking before or think you don’t have a creative bone in your body, then this is a fun and effortless way to […]
Do you want to learn how to work better with clay and develop more advanced techniques? Then, this is the class for you! This course is open to intermediate and advanced level students. You will learn new techniques to create more advanced forms. You will also have the chance to pursue handbuilding, sculptural work, and/or […]
Add some dimension, texture, and depth to your ceramic surfaces using these stylistic methods in slip, underglazes, and cone 5 glazes. In this workshop, you will learn to build some forms that will act as canvases to play with different surfaces and application techniques on a live wet clay form and later, a bisque form. […]
Once dried, gourd shells are hard and thick like wood and are easy to paint, decorate, and are weatherproof. All participants will create at least one indoor/outdoor art piece using a dried gourd. There is a material fee of $8 due to the instructor on the first day of class to purchase a gourd. All other supplies […]
Please join us for a lesson on the history and tradition of Mexican metal embossing or “repujado.” “Repujado,” also known as embossing metal, is the art of working in metallic foil to give volume and relief to a decorative design. You will learn how to emboss and deboss on tooling aluminum and create your own […]
Please join us for a lesson on the history and tradition of Mexican metal embossing or “repujado.” “Repujado,” also known as embossing metal, is the art of working in metallic foil to give volume and relief to a decorative design. You will learn how to emboss and deboss on tooling aluminum and create your own […]
Whatever your artistic interest and whatever your age or skill level, we have classes to drive your passions at the Fine Arts Center’s Bemis School of Art. Explore! Public registration begins Aug. 28. Browse classes
Taos’ light, color, and culture have inspired modern artists for over 125 years to create inspirational and memorable paintings. Taos is especially stunning in the autumn with glorious textures and colors. Professional artist and instructor Martha Mans will concentrate on watercolor and gouache painting with a special small presentation about how she creates her casein […]
Announcing Mindful Music: Series Two with Molly Lord, Creator of Tuned-In Productions and your facilitator. Edie Carey, National award-winning, soulful contemporary/folk singer songwriter Hazel Miller, Colorado Hall of Fame music icon; deemed “The Aretha Franklin of Colorado” Jorma Kaukonen, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend with Jefferson Airplane, and highly respected interpreter of American roots music, blues […]
Portrait drawing can seem like a challenging skill to learn since every face is unique and filled with detail but in this course, you will learn how to draw portraits down to the finer details! The instructor will guide you through each stage of drawing from proportion, structure, and how to draw facial features by […]
This class will emphasize speed and accuracy in your drawings including how to start drawings faster. Students will be pushed on speed earlier in the class and then can relax into a longer drawing in the second half of the class. No laid-back, leisurely drawing in this class. Standing is required to get an accurate […]
Do you love animals? This course is an introduction to drawing animals of all types. They are all around us and are endlessly fascinating to watch and draw. This course will show you the basics of drawing any animal and help you understand anatomy so that you can confidently draw the animal world. Supplies will be […]
In this class we will learn the fundamentals of creating successful compositions with acrylic paint on canvas as the medium. The class will focus on two projects for each student consisting of medium canvases. How to start, and how to finish a painting will be covered as well as accuracy and detailing. Subject matter will […]
Who doesn't love a big bowl of ice cream? Join us to learn how to make homemade ice cream and discover about how John Krakauer, founder of Josh & John’s, started the best ice cream parlor in town. When it's time for the taste test, you'll get to pick out a custom bowl made by […]
Pop in between 10 a.m–1 p.m. to check out what the Fine Arts Center has to offer and explore your creativity in drawing, painting, and sculpture! Family Adventure Day will offer a variety of hands-on art projects in the Bemis School of Art studio classrooms, along with artist demonstrations and interactive, self-guided activities. Bemis instructors […]
Whatever your artistic interest and whatever your age or skill level, we have classes to drive your passions at the Fine Arts Center’s Bemis School of Art. Explore! Browse classes
Join us for this class using natural dyes where you will get an introduction to the fundamentals of using natural plants and natural plant extracts to color fabric. We will explore how different types of fabrics are mordanted and how different weaves take the dye, and you will walk away with the beginnings of a […]
Join this class to create whimsical, functional, and decorative items that will bring joy to your home or garden. We will learn and improvise on basic handbuilding skills to create shapes, eyes, and other expressive features to bring personality to our mugs, bowls, garden sculptures, and more. In this class, you will explore various glazing […]
This course is aimed toward beginners but creatives working in other mediums who want to learn something new about this frequently overlooked art form. Through demonstration and hands-on creating, students will learn the variety in which pastels, papers, and tools combine to create the most colorful artworks imaginable. Level 0 – This class is for […]
Do you have a favorite pet? Is the zoo your favorite place to visit? In this class you will learn multiple techniques to bring those furry friends to life! We will explore the grid scale technique to help you confidently draw complex shapes more simply. We will then practice skills to explore the charcoal medium […]
In this two-hour class, you’ll develop skills using an edged pen for calligraphy. You’ll learn to write in Italic calligraphy, along with an introduction to other historic book hands. We’ll harness a combination of design awareness, craft skills, and rhythmic vitality to create beautiful writing. Level A – All levels welcome. Adults
You will explore the process of creating multiples of a single clay object through foundational techniques in clay slip casting and plaster mold-making. You will have an opportunity to create your own object from clay and will learn to mix and pour plaster to fabricate a functional and reusable one-part mold. We will spend ample […]
Get down and dirty with this introduction to immersion-dyeing class using acid and fiber reactive dyes. Students will learn the basics of how to color fabric and skeins using a dye bath. Color is free and loose while learning the step-by-step method of safely using synthetic dyes. This class is good for weavers, knitters, crocheters, […]
You’ve used your micro torch to make a ring or pendant, now we’ll learn how to create a simple round or oval bezel on a ring and set the stone! Please note that students need to wear eye protection (eyeglasses work), closedtoe shoes, no loose sleeves, and long hair must be tied back. There will […]
You will process your own traditional black and white film and learn to make handcrafted silver-gelatin prints in the darkroom. You will learn advanced techniques such as split-filter printing, Sabattier printing, and combination printing to challenge your creativity and bring ideas to new heights. We will work to nurture your creativity, giving you an opportunity […]
Join us for a special First Friday Art Party as we unveil the 2024-25 theatre season, showcase upcoming museum exhibitions, and introduce exciting Bemis School of Art classes with live demos from our talented instructors! We may even have a few surprises in store. You don't want to miss out on all the fun and […]
Join us for an immersive sushi-making experience led by two of Bon Appetit’s finest sushi chefs! Participants will learn how to prepare three dishes: tuna sashimi/nigiri, a spicy tuna roll, and a California roll. When it’s time for the taste test, participants will pick a unique sushi platter and mini soy sauce dish made by […]
Experience the allure of Clarence Shivers’ influence through captivating portraits in the Fine Arts Center galleries. Delve into the Clarence Shivers: Experimenting with Form exhibition, where you can witness firsthand his diverse approach to the art of portraiture. Following this enriching exploration, we will move to the Painting Studio for a hands-on session. Here, you’ll […]
Pop in between 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. to check out what the Fine Arts Center has to offer and explore your creativity in drawing, painting, and sculpture! Family Adventure Day will offer a variety of hands-on art projects, along with artist demonstrations and interactive, self-guided activities with partners Pikes Peak Children's Museum and Project Angel Heart. […]
Students will create illustrations for the presentation of The Carnival of the Animals at the Colorado College Summer Music Festival. Drawing skills are required as well as a love of making art. We will focus on creating the cast of joyful animal characters inspired by Camille Saint Saens musical composition. A roaring lion, a kangaroo […]
You will learn three different traditional techniques in water marbling! Throughout this process, learn how to let go of artistic control and find beauty in the creative process. You will create three unique works of art to take home the same day. Supplies will be provided. Ages 12-16 REGISTER
Using inspiration from the classic book, The Secret Garden by Frances Burnett, you will learn to draw the main character Mary Lennox, build the graffiti garden with collage and paint, blend colorful art tissue with acrylic paint to make the blossoming garden, and design a keyhole peeking into the garden. A floral headpiece will be supplied for […]
Join us for another class in our “Food + Function” series! In this culinary experience, you will learn the art of making jellies and jams alongside perfect biscuits. Our expert Bon Appetit chef, Ed Salazar, will guide you through each step, sharing his best tips and tricks to create these classic treats. In this hands-on […]
For the artistic kid that wants to go big, we will each create one large painting using acrylic paints. We will learn how to plan a composition and color scheme, execute a sketch, use acrylics appropriately, and refine your final piece. On the final day, we will have an “art show” of our works of […]
Upcycle a dated and drab thrifted painting into a stellar new piece of original artwork! We will take found thrift paintings and add our own unique stories to them with acrylic paints and mixed-media techniques in a fun and laid-back environment. Thrift paintings will be provided. Ages 16-Adult REGISTER
Interested in tarot? Are you a beginner or a seasoned reader? We will learn about the art history of tarot cards, their various systems of symbolism and interpretation, as well as basic image making techniques to create your own deck of tarot cards. By the end of this course, you will have learned the basics […]
Level 0 – This class is for the true beginner with no prior experience in the medium. Join us at The Press at Colorado College for a hands-on, intensive letterpress workshop for beginners. This workshop will provide a complete overview of the process of letterpress printing, including setting metal type by hand, playing with wood […]
Calling all community printmakers! Interested in learning about the new Bemis Community Print Shop? Join us for a free hands-on open house workshop with Printmaker Kate Leonard. We will be demonstrating Thermofax and Miscreen printing techniques – two versatile silkscreen approaches beloved by mixed media and fiber artists. We will work on a large collaborative […]
Learn basic slab construction techniques to handbuild plant or animal themed platters using templates, texturing tools, and textured leaf molds. We will create our own exciting animal patterns. Under-glazing, staining, and overglazing will be taught to complete this project. Ages 16-Adult REGISTER
Calling all community printmakers! Interested in learning about the new Bemis Community Print Shop? Join Kate Leonard and Jean Gumpper for the first BYOB (Bring your own Brayer) event!! We will be designing and carving “punny” lino blocks while discussing upcoming programs and facility access. All designs and blocks will be donated to the shop […]
This workshop with Kate Leonard is open to professional artists interested in participating in the fall lithography program at the Bemis Community Print Shop. No experience in printmaking is needed to participate, but the workshop is best suited to artists with experience and confidence in drawing (experience in monochromatic drawing with charcoal, pencil, or black […]
Join Anne Hosanah Roe on this artistic journey as you explore your inner landscape through guided meditation and creating your own personal mandala. Experience the magic and mystery of your soul’s infinite wisdom, guidance, and imagination. Throughout history and in many cultures, mandalas, meaning circle in Sanskrit, have embodied wholeness and interconnectedness to all life. […]
Learn fun ways to hand build ceramics. Using the slab roller, the extruder, templates, and found forms, we will be able to make imaginative and useful works highlighted by textures and our own personal touches. Final decoration will be from a choice of glazing techniques to finish your pieces to enjoy and use. Ages 16-Adult […]
