Members receive 15% off all classes and workshops.
All in-person students must wear masks and follow AVA’s Visitor Guidelines
- learn from passionate, accomplished regional and national artists
- actively participate in a low student-teacher ratio setting
- enjoy spacious, light-filled, state-of-of the-art facilities in person or online
- draw inspiration from unique, challenging exhibitions
- surprise yourself and make new friends!
Become an AVA Member | Apply for a Scholarship | Youth Classes & Camps | AVA Faculty
| Workshop Name | Medium / Format | Level | Instructor | Description | Dates | Times | Members' Price (15% Off) | Non-Members' Price | Materials | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welding for Beginners | Metal / In-person | Beginning/Continuing | Jimmy Martell | Strike the torch and spark your imagination. AVA's metal studio offers everything you need to learn welding basics. Get hands-on practice measuring, cutting and joining metal using MIG and "stick" welders, plasma cutters and oxy-acetylene torches. Safety, fun and learning are the priorities. Beginners welcome. This class meets in-person and is limited to 6 students. | Tuesdays, Sept 7-Nov 9 | 4:30-7:30 pm | $425 | $500 | $75 Materials Fee | FULL; email nick@avagallery.org to be placed on a waitlist. |
| The Active Observer – Basic Drawing | Drawing / In-person | Beginning | Michael Kraatz | Put pencil (and charcoal) to paper and see where you can go! Learning to draw is learning to see and a wonderful way to slow down. Understand line, contour, gesture and form while using various materials and the unique marks they make. Begin your creative journey at AVA! Working from a model included. This class meets in-person at AVA. | Tuesdays, Sep 7-Oct 19 | 6-8:30 pm | $238 | $280 | Click here for a materials list | IN SESSION |
| Woodworking with Hand and Power Tools | Wood / In-person | Beginning/Continuing | Chris McGrody | Learn to square up rough boards, lay out and cut a variety of wood joints including lap joints, bridle joints, mortises, tenons, and dovetails. Safely learn about jointers and planers, table saws and drill presses, band saws and routers. Use skills of a professional to complete a take-home project that demonstrates the skills you're learned. This class meets in-person and is limited to 6 students. | Tuesdays, Sept 7-Nov 9 | 6-9 pm | $425 | $500 | $45 Materials Fee | IN SESSION |
| Continuing Pottery | Clay / In-person | Continuing | Ara Cardew | Learn to center clay on the potters wheel, make mugs, bowls, pitchers, casseroles and much more. If you are a beginner or more advanced you will enjoy the clay experience. Acquire the skills of throwing, trimming, making handles, glazing and kiln firing. This class meets in-person and is limited to 5 students. | Wednesdays, Sept 8-October 13 | 6-8:30 pm | $216.75 | $255 | $40 Materials Fee | IN SESSION |
| Hand-building with Clay | Clay / In-person | Beginning / Continuing | Kärin Rothwell | Bring your ceramic ideas alive as we explore methods of creating with clay without using the wheel. Modeling, coiling, and building with slabs are techniques that have been used throughout time to make diverse objects for both functional use and art to behold. Each class will begin with a demonstration and group time before working on individual projects that are open to student expression, while incorporating our weekly lesson. After building, the class will cover decorating and glazing techniques, and students will go home with completed projects at the end of the session. Open to all skill levels. This class meets in-person at AVA. | Thursdays, Sept 9-Oct 28 (no class Sept 23) | 5-8 pm | $272 | $320 | $40 Materials Fee | IN SESSION |
| Daytime Life Drawing Open studio | Drawing / In-person | Continuing | Monitor | Weekly monitored life drawing sessions, without instruction, open to individuals of all levels of experience. We are not currently allowing drop-ins for our life drawing open studios. To attend the full season must be purchased. | Wednesdays, Sept 15-Dec 29 | 9 am- Noon | $272 / $192 for Artist Members | $320 | IN SESSION | |
| Evening Life Drawing Open studio | Drawing / In-person | Continuing | Monitor | Weekly monitored life drawing sessions, without instruction, open to individuals of all levels of experience. We are not currently allowing drop-ins for our life drawing open studios. To attend the full season must be purchased. | Wednesdays, Sept 15-Dec 29 | 5:30-8:30 pm | $272 / $192 for Artist Members | $320 | IN SESSION | |
| Drawing Fundamentals | Drawing / Online | Beginning | Mike Howat | Learn the fundamentals of drawing, and how to closely observe what you’re seeing and translate it to paper. Students will learn a variety of techniques, including “sighting” and exercises to break down what they’re looking at into basic elements, the fundamentals of light and shadow so their drawings have form and dimension, how to “compose” and arrange a drawing, as well the expressive side of drawing with things like gesture and mark-making to bring their drawings to life with emotion. Using a variety of subject matter, including still life, landscape, the figure and subjects of choice, the course will provide a solid drawing foundation for any future artistic endeavors. This class meets online via Zoom. | Wednesdays, Sept 22-Oct 27 | 6-8 pm | $204 | $240 | IN SESSION | |
| Be There, Be Square – Metal Fabrication | Metal / In-person | Continuing | Jimmy Martell | Metal heads: Design, measure, fit, and weld. Work on a whimsical or functional project that will also teach your about accuracy and metal craftsmanship. Some welding experience preferred: Welding for Beginners class or equivalent. | Thursdays, Sept 23-Dec 2 (no class Nov 25) | 4:30-7:30 pm | $425 | $500 | $75 Materials Fee | IN SESSION |
| Continuing Pottery | Clay / In-person | Beginning/Continuing | Roger Noble | Learn to throw the natural way, using techniques like rhythm, mechanical advantage, fingertip sensitivity, and collaring to center clay on the potter's wheel and make vases, mugs, bowls, pitchers, casseroles and much more. Complete beginners to experienced potters can gain ease and control and have fun. Gain mastery through group exercises that break throwing down to discrete skills. Receive personal instruction tailored to your skill level. This class meets in-person and is limited to 5 students. No class Oct 11. | Mondays, Sept 27-Nov 22 (no class Oct 11) | 9:30-Noon | $289 | $340 | A $40 Materials Fee will be included at check-out | IN SESSION |
| Introduction to Oil Painting | Painting / In-person | Beginning | Harrison Halaska | In this class we will be focusing on painting still lifes, in oil paint, from life. We will discuss composition, color temperature, paint application and technique, oil painting materials and practices, and the mood of the painting. We will also take a look at the history of still life painting and talk about historical and contemporary masters of the genre. This class meets in-person at AVA. | Thursdays, October 14-December 9 (no class Nov 25) | 6-8:30 pm | $272 | $320 | Click Here for a Materials List | IN SESSION |
| Writing the Artist Statement | Writing / Professional Development / Online | Continuing | Meg Maker | A good artist statement is a terrific asset. It’s useful for exhibitions, artist websites, grant applications, press releases, and more. It explains the artist’s medium, motivations, and philosophy — not only what they’re working on but also why. It’s succinct, skipping jargon in favor of simple language that’s easy to understand. But simple doesn’t mean easy, and artists often get tripped up trying to write their own statements. In this three-part workshop, we’ll learn the essentials of the artist statement, discuss its structure and style, and see good examples. Participants will then draft their own statements, which we’ll subsequently workshop as a group. Each artist will also work one-on-one with the instructor to hone and refine their statement. Everyone will come away with a full-page statement they can start using immediately. This class meets online and is limited to 6 students. | Saturdays, October 16-30 | 10 am-12 pm | $153 / $108 for AVA Artist Members | $180 | CANCELED | |
| The Cutting Edge: Stained Glass with Copper Foil | Metal & Glass / In-person | Beginning/Continuing | Stephanie Gordon & Sue Martin | In this weekend workshop, you will learn the fundamentals of stained glass panel design, glass cutting, and the copper foil construction method developed by Louis Comfort Tiffany to get a complete introduction to this exciting medium. You will learn about safety and how to create a pattern, choose glass, cut, foil, assemble, solder and patina to complete your own small stained glass panel in this fun beginner class. No experience is needed. Tools and materials will be supplied. Bring your own apron. Wear shoes with closed toes and comfortable working clothes. This class meets in-person at AVA | Saturday & Sunday, October 23 & 24 | 10 am-4 pm | $255 | $300 | $75 Materials Fee | Register Now |
| Wood Engraving | Printmaking/ Wood / In-person | Beginning/Continuing | Derek Bell | In this class you’ll use wood engraving tools to carve an image into a wood block, and then create prints based upon your wood engraving. The tools you’ll use will give you the ability to create detailed images in hard wood, and then turn those images into multiple prints using a variety of inks and papers. Come try your hand at this old yet engaging printmaking technique. This class meets in-person at AVA. | Saturday & Sunday, October 23 & 24 | 1-4 pm | $102 | $120 | $35 Materials Fee | Register Now |
| Continuing Pottery | Clay / In-person | Continuing | Ara Cardew | Learn to center clay on the potters wheel, make mugs, bowls, pitchers, casseroles and much more. If you are a beginner or more advanced you will enjoy the clay experience. Acquire the skills of throwing, trimming, making handles, glazing and kiln firing. This class meets in-person and is limited to 5 students. | Wednesdays, Oct 27-Dec 13 (No class Nov 24) | 6-8:30 pm | $216.75 | $255 | $40 Materials Fee | Register Now |
| Painting the Vibrant Fall Colors in Watercolor | Watercolor Painting / In-person | Beginning/Continuing | Robert O'Brien | This workshop will focus on painting the spectacular fall landscape of New England in its glorious splendor. The class will begin with a demonstration by the instructor and he’ll explain his technique for capturing the vibrancy of autumn colors through the layering process. Techniques for creating light and shadow will also be shown. Students will paint during the second half of the class followed by a critique at the end of the session. This workshop is open to all abilities with some watercolor experience suggested. This class will be held in-person. | Friday & Saturday, October 29 & 30 | 10 am-4 pm | $204 | $240 | Click Here for a Class Materials List | Register Now |
| Hand-building with Clay | Clay / In-person | Beginning / Continuing | Kärin Rothwell | Bring your ceramic ideas alive as we explore methods of creating with clay without using the wheel. Modeling, coiling, and building with slabs are techniques that have been used throughout time to make diverse objects for both functional use and art to behold. Each class will begin with a demonstration and group time before working on individual projects that are open to student expression, while incorporating our weekly lesson. After building, the class will cover decorating and glazing techniques, and students will go home with completed projects at the end of the session. Open to all skill levels. This class meets in-person at AVA. | Tuesdays, Nov 2-Dec 14 | 5-8 pm | $272 | $320 | $40 Materials Fee | Register Now |
| Stretching Your Line - Continuing Drawing | Drawing / In-person | Continuing | Michael Kraatz | Hone your skills as you continue stretching your mastery of line from beginning drawing. Poetic contour drawing, various approaches to light and shadow and linear perspective. Individual instruction will encourage a personal style and approach to drawing. Bring whatever drawing material you are comfortable using to start. Drawing from model included. Prepare for lively discussions, hard work and fun. This class meets in-person at AVA. | Tuesdays, Nov 2-Dec 14 | 6-8:30 pm | $238 | $280 | Click here for a materials list | Register Now |
| Hot Wax: An Introduction to Encaustic Painting | Painting / In-person | Beginning/Continuing | Stephanie Gordon | Encaustic is an ancient method of painting with hot wax that results in luminous, layered works of art. Learn to choose appropriate work surfaces, application of pigment and medium, mix colors, fuse layers and create texture. Image transfer, stencils and collaging will be included. This class meets in-person at AVA. | Saturday & Sunday, November 13 & 14 | 10 am-4 pm | $212.50 | $250 | $90 Materials Fee | Register Now |
| Carving Wooden Spoons | Wood / In-person | Beginning/Continuing | Alexandra Forbes | Come carve and shape a kitchen-ready cooking spoon or spatula out of cherry, curly maple, and other New England hardwoods. You'll shape, carve, and finish pre-cut wood pieces, while learning about a number of different carving tools, including antique spokeshaves, rasps, bent knives and gouges. Finally, sandpaper and oil will help polish and bring your piece to a fine polish. This class meets in-person at AVA. | Saturday November 20 | 9:30 am-4 pm | $110.50 | $130 | $20 Materials Fee | Register Now |
| Sketch and Paint: A Winter Scene | Painting / Online | Beginning / Continuing | Robert Carsten | This fun and engaging workshop will surely get your creativity flowing. Learn sketching and painting tips and techniques to create lively and beautiful works of art that reveal an integral visual dialog between drawing and painting. Sketch and paint along, step-by-step, with noted artist Robert Carsten, using a combination of pencil, pen and watercolor. Working on a small scale, we will create two works of art: an expressive quick sketch and a detailed study sketch. Weathered barn photos provided via email. All levels welcome. This class meets online via Zoom. | Wednesday, December 15 | 1:30-3:30 pm | $51 | $60 | Click Here for a Materials List | Register Now |
| Fiber Arts Open Studio | Open Studio / Online | All Levels | Meredith Smith | Learn a new skill, rekindle a passion for what you already know, or get advice on how to repair that favorite piece of clothing. Try stitchery, needle felting, art quilts, garment construction and repair, artful embellishment and more! Bring a project or start something new. No experience necessary, everyone welcome! | Ongoing; Tuesdays | 9 am-Noon | Free | $5 Drop-In Fee for Non-Members | Drop-in at AVA |