This mixed media course is designed to introduce students to layered art journaling through experimentation, technique-building, and guided creative exploration. Students will create their own mixed media journal and use it throughout the course to explore collage, custom papers, color, texture, expressive mark-making, composition, creative problem-solving, and focal imagery. Each week builds upon previously introduced techniques while giving students opportunities to develop confidence, make their own creative choices, and discover what they enjoy about the mixed media process. The journal is intentionally designed with room for students to continue creating and experimenting after the course ends.
Materials List, Wheel Throwing Fundamentals
Online registration, Wheel Throwing Fundamentals (Monday AM Session)
Materials List, Wheel Throwing Fundamentals
Online registration, Wheel Throwing Fundamentals (Monday PM Session)
Are you new to wheel throwing? Have you taken a wheel throwing class before but want to learn new skills? This class will cover the basics of throwing, including wedging, centering, and creating simple forms on the wheel. Classes will begin with an instructor demonstration and move into hands-on activities to help you learn the basics of throwing and preparing your work to be fired. Students will leave this 8-week course with at least 3 finished forms to take home. All levels welcome.
Try your hand at clay! Beginners and those interested in refreshing their skills are welcome in this class as we learn about the materials, methods, simple tricks, tips, and rules involved in hand-building ceramic items. Learn how to make a layered tile, then move up to three dimensions with a vase or cup. The instructor will guide you through handbuilding methods such as coils, pinch pots, log rolls, soft slabs, hard slabs, stamps, and sprigs. We will also learn various glaze techniques like staining, sgraffito, resist, inlay, stencils, and more. As you work on projects of your own choosing, you will have the instructor there to help you consider the best design and construction methods.
This nine-week, extended class period offers the perfect atmosphere for self-exploration and artistic camaraderie. Students with skills in their chosen medium have the opportunity to learn from each other’s methods, practice new techniques, and paint in a positive and supportive group setting. Each class begins with a critique reviewing the previous week’s work facilitated by Kate. Carefully designed still lifes are provided, and students may take advantage of studio time (three and a half hours) to work on projects of their choice.
This eight-week class period offers the perfect atmosphere for self-exploration and artistic camaraderie. Students with skills in their chosen medium have the opportunity to learn from each other’s methods, practice new techniques, and paint in a positive and supportive group setting. Each class begins with a critique reviewing the previous week’s work facilitated by Kate. Carefully designed still lifes are provided, and students may take advantage of studio time (three hours) to work on projects of their choice.
Refresh your love of drawing and painting while rendering botanical subjects in a stylized manner. Practice techniques of careful observation through photo references and simplifying the most identifiable characteristics of giant leaves, edible fruits and vegetables, and other flora. Learn to add color and depth to your sketches using opaque medium to paint over them. Each class, you will follow along as the instructor demonstrates in real time, allowing the space for questions and explanations on how to approach the drawings in a specific manner. Join us and come away from this class with 1-2 finished works of art and techniques to continue your practice at home.
Explore the fundamentals of oil painting. You will be introduced to the tools and techniques of this medium, such as paint mixing, value study, and color theory. Aided by instructor demonstrations, you will learn how to paint landscapes, create atmospheric abstract art, and work from still-life displays. The last two weeks will be dedicated to harnessing the techniques and tips you have learned as you work to complete your own oil painting. Beginners, fear not! Oil painting is forgiving. No experience is necessary. We invite you to develop a new artistic practice.
Discover the freedom and creativity of abstract painting in this welcoming, beginner-friendly class. Students will explore color, shape, texture, composition, and mark-making while learning how to create expressive paintings without the pressure of painting realistically. Through demonstrations, guided exercises, and hands-on experimentation, you’ll build confidence with different mediums and develop your own unique visual language. No prior painting experience is necessary just bring your curiosity and a willingness to play, experiment, and have fun.
Take your watercolor practice from instruction-focused education to a more independent, exploratory learning experience. Enjoy developing your watercolor painting skills through individual projects while in a community environment with your peers. An instructor will be present to offer guidance when you need someone to help brainstorm ideas, answer questions, provide technical assistance, and give demonstrations. Each class will begin with feedback on last week's work, discussion of goals, and/or review of technical demonstrations.
Explore creativity and self-expression through an inspiring blend of artistic techniques and materials. This art class invites you to experiment with color, texture, and paint while creating harmonious artwork with a playful surreal twist. Discover the balance between wet and dry mediums through instructor-led demonstrations, guided exploration, and hands-on experimentation.
This oil painting course introduces students to the foundational techniques of traditional oil painting through the process of underpainting and layered color application. Students will work from a shared reference image to focus on understanding value, structure, light, and the process of building a painting through multiple layers. Through demonstrations and guided instruction, students will learn how to approach a painting from its foundation rather than applying color immediately. By the end of the course, students will complete a finished oil painting while gaining confidence with materials, technique, and their own creative process.
Materials List, Oil Painting: The Technique of Underpainting
Online registration, Oil Painting: The Technique of Underpainting
Have you always wanted to learn to draw? In this eight-week course, develop your drawing and observational skills all while learning the foundational building blocks of artistic creation. With these simple elements - line, edge, volume, value, texture, and perspective - anyone can begin their artistic journey. Weekly demonstrations and consistent drawing practice throughout the course will build your skills and contribute to the simple enjoyment of drawing.
Explore the fundamentals of figure drawing in this beginner-friendly class. Learn to observe and capture the human form through instructor demonstrations, guided exercises, and hands-on practice. Develop skills in proportion, gesture, line, and shading while gaining confidence in drawing from the figure. No prior drawing experience is necessary.
Materials List, Beginning Figure Drawing
Discover the relaxing and rewarding art of colored pencils in this beginner friendly class. Learn basic techniques such as layering, blending, shading, and color mixing through instructor demonstrations and hands-on practice. Enjoy personalized guidance and helpful tips as you develop your skills and create your own colorful artwork.
Learn the basics of creating beautiful handmade jewelry with wire and glass beads. This beginner-friendly class introduces essential tools, techniques, and simple wirework designs. Students will practice shaping, wrapping, and connecting wire to create their own unique jewelry pieces.
OS: Clothed Figure Painting - This figure painting open studio has 10 sessions. The model will be clothed and change weekly. This class has one long pose. Open studios are meant for personal practice without an instructor. Participants must bring their own painting supplies and canvas or paper.
Please refer to our open studio guidelines linked on our website for more information on the etiquette and format.
Open Studio Figure Drawing: Etiquette & Guidelines
OS: Figure Drawing - Open Studio: Figure Drawing has a total of 20 sessions per term, 10 in the morning and 10 in the afternoon. By registering, attendees can take a total of 10 sessions. After all 10 sessions have been used, the attendee will be required to pay the drop-in fee to continue taking sessions. Open studios are meant for personal practice without an instructor. Participants must bring their own drawing supplies and paper. The model will be nude and change weekly. The length of each pose will vary.
Please refer to our open studio guidelines linked on our website for more information on the format of the class.
Enjoy this explorative printmaking studio class where you can engage your printmaking designs and process. An instructor will be present to offer guidance when you need someone to help you brainstorm ideas, answer your questions, provide technical assistance, and give demonstrations. Sessions allow you to try out our tools, presses, and materials while you work side by side with an active and engaged studio community!
Relief printing is a versatile printmaking process where an image is carved into a block, leaving the raised areas to receive ink and create the final print. In this class, we’ll explore the basics of carving, inking, and hand-printing while experimenting with line, texture, shape, and contrast. Relief printing is both process-oriented and expressive, offering plenty of room for experimentation and personal style.
Printmaking Studio Use Agreement
Create something meaningful with your own hands! Join our fun and creative handmade gift workshop, where you’ll learn simple techniques to design a unique, personalized gift.
Come be a part of the Eugene Collage Collective and celebrate collage with us in this open studio session! Meet fellow collage artist and learn from a variety of interesting styles. Open to all levels of experience. Some collage materials will be provided. Please bring your favorite materials and tools. *This is an open studio - no instruction will be provided.
All cancellations for classes, camps, and labs will incur a $50.00 administrative fee ($25 for workshops). Your refund will reflect this fee.
Full refunds or credits (minus the cancellation fee) will be offered if cancellation is made 10 business days or more prior to the start date of the class, workshop, lab, or camp.
A 50% refund or credit (minus the cancellation fee) on the cost of the class will be issued if a cancellation request is made within 6-10 business days prior to class, workshop, or camp.
No refund or credits will be given for cancellation requests made 5 business days or less prior to class, workshop, or camp. There are no refunds after the first session of the class, workshop, or camp.
No refunds, credits, or make-ups are offered for individuals who miss a class session, workshop, lab, or camp. No refunds or credits if asked to leave a current class, workshop or camp due to misconduct. Please read our behavior policy.
We are currently offering scholarships for 50% of the cost of tuition for classes. Scholarships are available for all age groups through the Susi Larsen & Cameron Serbu Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Madeleine Christenson Scholarship Fund.
To be considered applicants must fill out the application prior to registration and payment. If awarded applicants will be contacted for the remaining payment.
Print Scholarship Application ~ OR ~ Online Scholarship Application
In the event of bad weather, including snow to high heat conditions, the Art Center will hold any outdoor classes inside. If traveling to the art center isn't advisable, we will cancel classes for that day and a make-up session will be held at a later date. Please check our website for updates after 12 pm on the day in question to see if afternoon and evening classes are canceled.
MKAC has a parking lot for art students, visitors, and staff. If you happen to arrive for your class and the parking lot is full, please come into the office and grab a parking pass. This will override the street parking time limits for your class time!