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Because of the ongoing COVID-19 Public Health Crisis, AVA is postponing most in-person education programs until the campus is open to the public.
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All Plein Air Classes Will Happen at the Montshire Museum of Science, in Norwich VT. Click here for AVA’s in-person Plein Air procedures.
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Online classes are open for registration. See the list of online classes below, and check back regularly for new offerings.
Join us for a hands-on class or workshop in painting, photography, ceramics, metalworking, woodworking and more. Our educational offerings include two- or three-day workshops and weekly classes that meet during daytime or evening hours, ranging in ability from novice to professional. Classes are open to all skill levels unless otherwise noted in the descriptions.
- 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
- draw inspiration from unique, challenging exhibitions
- surprise yourself and make new friends!
Click on the plus sign (+) below for a full class description and materials requirements. Members receive 15% off all classes and workshops.
Become an AVA Member | Apply for a Scholarship
| Workshop Name | Medium / Format | Level | Instructor | Description | Dates | Times | Members' Price (15% Off) | Non-Members' Price | Drop-In Fee | Materials | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plein Air in the Fall with Oils | Painting / In-person Plein Air | Continuing - Adults & Teens | Rich Gombar | Spend the morning outside, while painting the incredible Vermont fall landscape with oils! Bring your energy, curiosity and personal expression to the water and woods of the beautiful grounds of the Montshire Museum. Students are welcome to bring drawing materials as well. Class will start with a short painting demonstration and culminate with supportive critique. Open to all levels. This class will be in-person and take place at the Montshire Museum. Click here for all AVA Plein Air at the Montshire class procedures. | Thu, Sep 10-Oct 15 (no class Sep 24) | 10:30 am-12:30 pm | $255 | $300 | Click Here for a Class Materials List | IN SESSION | |
| Plein Air in the Fall with Pastels | Painting / In-person Plein Air | Continuing - Adults & Teens | Jonathan Rose | Spend the morning outside, while painting the incredible Vermont fall landscape with pastels! Bring your energy, curiosity and personal expression to the water and woods of the beautiful grounds of the Montshire Museum. Class will start with a short pastel demonstration and culminate with supportive critique. Open to all levels. This class will be in-person and take place at the Montshire Museum. Click here for all AVA Plein Air at the Montshire class procedures. | Wed, Sep 16-Oct 14 | 10:30 am-12:30 pm | $255 | $300 | Click Here for a Class Materials List | IN SESSION | |
| Plein Air in the Fall for ages 9-13 | Painting / In-person Plein Air | ages 9-13 | Harrison Halaska | Spend the afternoon outside, while using a variety of medium - including acrylics, pastels, watercolors, and pencils - to capture the incredible Vermont fall landscape! Bring your energy, curiosity and personal expression to the water and woods of the beautiful grounds of the Montshire Museum. Open to kids ages 9-13. This class will be in-person and take place at the Montshire Museum. All materials will be provided. Click here for all AVA Plein Air at the Montshire class procedures. | Thu, Sept 17-Oct 15 | 1:30-3 pm | $127.50 | $150 | IN SESSION | ||
| Plein Air in the Fall for ages 9-13 | Painting / In-person Plein Air | ages 9-13 | Karl Neubauer | Spend the afternoon outside, while using a variety of medium - including acrylics, pastels, watercolors, and pencils - to capture the incredible Vermont fall landscape! Bring your energy, curiosity and personal expression to the water and woods of the beautiful grounds of the Montshire Museum. Open to kids ages 9-13. This class will be in-person and take place at the Montshire Museum. All materials will be provided. Click here for all AVA Plein Air at the Montshire class procedures. | Thu, Sept 17-Oct 15 | 3:30-5 pm | $127.50 | $150 | FULL; please email nick@avagallery.org to be placed on a wait list. | ||
| Plein Air in the Fall with Watercolor | Painting / In-person Plein Air | Continuing - Adults & Teens | Robert O'Brien | This one-day Plein Air workshop will focus on painting the spectacular woods and water of the Montshire Museum’s beautiful campus. The class will begin with a demonstration by the instructor who will 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 for the duration of the class followed by a critique at the end of the session. Hands on assistance will be provided by the instructor. Though the workshop is open to all abilities, some experience with watercolors is suggested. This class will be in-person and take place at the Montshire Museum. Click here for all AVA Plein Air at the Montshire class procedures. | Sat, Sep 19 | 10 am-4 pm | $153 | $180 | Click Here for a Class Materials List | FULL; please email nick@avagallery.org to be placed on a wait list | |
| Pottery for All | Clay / In-person | Continuing | Evan Williams | Make slab molded baking and serving dishes or experiment with pinchpots, coil, and handbuilding. A variety of pottery making methods will wow the novice and challenge the more experienced potter. | Mon, Sep 21-Oct 26 | 4:30-6:30 pm | $204 | $240 | $40 | IN SESSION | |
| Digital Animation for ages 10-13 | Digital / Online | ages 10-13 | Paula Allen/Pollyzoom | This class will give you the skills to take your story or drawings and bring them to life. Learn about script writing, storyboarding, 2-D animation techniques and more. If you enjoy new media and digital art, then these are the perfect classes for you. Students will learn animation character design, background design, animation drawing techniques and more. This class is limited to 12 students. | Mon, Sept 21-Oct 26 | 3:30-4:30 PM | $85 | $100 | Tech Requirements: Smartphone or tablet for animating and another device for watching the class on Zoom. | IN SESSION | |
| Plein Air in the Fall with Oils | Painting/In-person/Plein Air | Continuing | Harrison Halaska | Spend the morning outside, while painting the incredible Vermont fall landscape with oils! Bring your energy, curiosity and personal expression to the water and woods of the beautiful grounds of the Montshire Museum. Students are welcome to bring drawing materials as well. Class will start with a short painting demonstration and culminate with supportive critique. Open to all levels. This class will be in-person and take place at the Montshire Museum. | Sat, Sept 26 | 10:30 am-1:30 pm | $76.50 | $90 | Click here for a class materials list | CANCELED | |
| Drawing, Painting, and Sculpting for ages 10-13 | Youth Art / Online | ages 10-13 | Karl Neubauer | This class will present students with a visual arts curriculum that will move from figure drawing and painting, to designing and building sculptures, vehicles, and houses. Students will explore a wide range of 2D and 3D visual arts media. This is a progressive skill building course that is sure to enhance every young person's creative practice. This class will meet online via Zoom. | NEW DATES: Thurs, Oct 22-Dec 17 (no class Nov 26) | 3:30-5 pm | $212.50 | $250 | For questions about the necessary materials, please email Karl Neubauer at karl@avagallery.org. Discounts are available for families who feel they have the necessary art materials already at home. For families who feel they have the necessary art materials, please call AVA at 603-448-3117 to register. | Register Now | |
| Drawing, Painting, and Sculpting for ages 10-13 | Youth Art / In-person | ages 10-13 | Karl Neubauer | This class will present students with a visual arts curriculum that will move from figure drawing and painting, to designing and building sculptures, vehicles, and houses. Students will explore a wide range of 2D and 3D visual arts media. This is a progressive skill building course that is sure to enhance every young person's creative practice. This class will meet in-person in AVA's Schleicher Family Children's Studio, and will be limited to 6 students. All students will be asked to follow AVA's COVID-19 reopening guidelines. This class will meet online via Zoom. | Tues, Oct 6-Dec 15 (No class Nov. 3) | 3:30-5:15 pm | $229.50 | $270 | Register Now | ||
| Art Adventures for ages 6-9 | Youth Art / Online | ages 6-9 | Allison Zito | Art Adventures is an opportunity for elementary school artists to discover great works of art, observe nature, and refine their skills while exploring new and familiar art materials, methods and techniques. Students will observe, explore, investigate, make connections and create their own masterpieces inspired by great works of art and the natural world. We will draw, paint, create sculptures, print, make toys, and much more. Lessons will include cultural storytelling, games, history, and lots of fun. This class will meet online via Zoom. | Sept 30-Dec 16 | 3:30-5 pm | $289 | $340 | This price for this class is $40 higher than the Tuesday in-person Drawing, Painting & Sculpting Class because of the amount of materials needed to be sent home. For questions about the necessary materials, please email Karl Neubauer at karl@avagallery.org. Discounts are available for families who feel they have the necessary art materials already at home. For families who feel they have the necessary art materials, please call AVA at 603-448-3117 to register. | Register Now | |
| Painting the Vibrant Fall Colors in Watercolor | Painting / Online | Continuing - Adults & Teens | 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 who will 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 for the duration of the class followed by a critique at the end of the session. Hands on assistance will be provided by the instructor. Though the workshop is open to all abilities, some experience with watercolors is suggested. This class will be held online, via Zoom. | Thu & Fri, Oct 1-2 | 1-3:30 pm | $85 | $100 | Click here for a materials list. | Register Now | |
| Art Adventures for ages 6-9 | Youth Art / In-person | ages 6-9 | Allison Zito | Art Adventures is an opportunity for elementary school artists to discover great works of art, observe nature, and refine their skills while exploring new and familiar art materials, methods and techniques. Students will observe, explore, investigate, make connections and create their own masterpieces inspired by great works of art and the natural world. We will draw, paint, create sculptures, print, make toys, and much more. Lessons will include cultural storytelling, games, history, and lots of fun. This class will meet in-person in AVA's Schleicher Family Children's Studio, and will be limited to 6 students. All students will be asked to follow AVA's COVID-19 reopening guidelines. | Oct 8-Dec 17 (no class Nov 26) | 3:30-5:15 pm | $229.50 | $270 | Register Now | ||
| Plein Air in the Fall with Oils | Painting/In-person/Plein Air | Continuing | Harrison Halaska | Spend the morning outside, while painting the incredible Vermont fall landscape with oils! Bring your energy, curiosity and personal expression to the water and woods of the beautiful grounds of the Montshire Museum. Students are welcome to bring drawing materials as well. Class will start with a short painting demonstration and culminate with supportive critique. Open to all levels. This class will be in-person and take place at the Montshire Museum. | Sat, Oct 3 | 10:30 am-1:30 pm | $76.50 | $90 | Click here for a class materials list | Register Now | |
| Plein Air in the Fall with Oils | Painting/In-person/Plein Air | Continuing | Harrison Halaska | Spend the morning outside, while painting the incredible Vermont fall landscape with oils! Bring your energy, curiosity and personal expression to the water and woods of the beautiful grounds of the Montshire Museum. Students are welcome to bring drawing materials as well. Class will start with a short painting demonstration and culminate with supportive critique. Open to all levels. This class will be in-person and take place at the Montshire Museum. | Sat, Oct 10 | 10:30 am-1:30 pm | $76.50 | $90 | Click here for a class materials list | Register Now | |
| Paper Circles | Paper & Mixed-media / Online | All Levels - Adults & Teens | Stephanie Wolff | You'll make volvelles, sometimes known as wheel charts or paper calculators. You’ve probably played with one in a children’s book. These have also been used in historic books, in promotional materials, and in devices to aid computation. You'll learn a little bit about their history, some very basic paper engineering, and then make two models. Volvelles are fun to make as cards and personalized gifts. This class will meet online via Zoom. | Wed, Oct 7 | 6-8 pm | $34 | $40 | Click here for a materials list. | Register Now | |
| Creative & Professional Practice | Professional Development / Online | Continuing / Adults & Teens | Kim Bernard | Do you want to create a sustainable life in making art, advance creatively and professionally? A strong body of work is the most important part of being an artist. How do you pay the bills, juggle money, studio and personal time? We will workshop the most critical issues in developing a lifelong practice of making art. Topics covered: how and where to exhibit, documentation, creating a website, grant writing, residencies, developing a supportive community and time management. Participants should be prepared to share images of work for critique, a first draft of their artist's statement, bio and resume, and be prepared to examine their studio practice, accept critical feedback on their work and professional development. Work sessions will be broken up with journaling sessions, yoga and dark chocolate breaks. This class will meet online via Zoom. | Wed, Oct 7-28 | 6-8 pm | $238 | $280 | Register Now | ||
| Painting with Encaustic: Layers, Richness and Personal Vision | Painting & Encaustic / Online | Intermediate - Adults & Teens | Lisa Pressman | This intermediate to advanced encaustic workshop expands on the use of painting with encaustic for participants. Pressman will guide students in advanced techniques to help them create works that are rich in layers and transparency. Color application, methods of fusing, mark making, pigment sticks, pastels, graphite, and collage will be covered. Experimentation is encouraged and will be combined with art fundamentals, including editing and content. The emphasis is on learning and developing a personal language and vision. Activities will include exercises, informal group discussion, working in a series and individual support. Some experience with encaustic medium is strongly suggested. | Thurs, Oct 8-29 | 1-2:30 pm; last class 1-2 pm | $318.75 | $375 | Click Here to download a class materials list. | Register Now | |
| Experimental Abstract Design with Mixed Media | Painting / Online | All Levels - Adults & Teens | Patty Castellini | In this class you'll create abstract designs using acrylic paint. You'll have fun exploring the possibilities of isolating and manipulating color, line, shape, composition and texture. Finally, you'll experiment with the possibilities of various mark making tools. | Fri, Oct 9-30 | 1-3 PM | $127.50 | $150 | Click Here to Download the Class Materials List | Register Now | |
| Pottery for ages 10-14 | Clay / In-person | ages 10-14 | Tyler Morrison | An introduction to the potter's wheel, developing the fundamental skills of centering, throwing, and shaping clay. An opportunity for artists of all types to understand and incorporate this traditional and powerful tool into their work. | Wed Oct 14-Nov 18 | 3:30-5:15 pm | $170 | $220 | $40 Materials Fee | Register Now | |
| Watercolor: This Way and That | Painting / Online | Continuing | Margaret Dwyer | A backlit, woodland scene will be demonstrated with traditional techniques such as wet on wet, wet on dry, charging and glazing. We will also begin a small piece with an experimental technique that will resemble woodland trees, and will go deeper into the woods with negative painting and "lost and found" edges. Choose to do one or both. This class will open your eyes to new ways of starting and finishing a painting. This class will be held online via Zoom. | Thu, Oct 15 & 22 | 10 am-12:30 pm | $85 | $100 | Click here for a class materials list | Register Now | |
| Plein Air in the Fall with Oils | Painting/In-person/Plein Air | Continuing | Harrison Halaska | Spend the morning outside, while painting the incredible Vermont fall landscape with oils! Bring your energy, curiosity and personal expression to the water and woods of the beautiful grounds of the Montshire Museum. Students are welcome to bring drawing materials as well. Class will start with a short painting demonstration and culminate with supportive critique. Open to all levels. This class will be in-person and take place at the Montshire Museum. | Sat, Oct 17 | 10:30 am-1:30 pm | $76.50 | $90 | Click here for a class materials list | Register Now | |
| Stretching Your Line: Continuing Drawing | Drawing / Online | Continuing - Adults & Teens | Dan Gottsegen | Hone skills as you continue stretching your mastery of line from Beginning Drawing. Poetic contour drawing, various approaches to light and shadow and a closer look at linear perspective will enrich your draughtsmanship. Skill build using interior and exterior views, landscape drawing if weather permits, portraiture, and new approaches to drawing. Ink, as well as dry and oil pastels are just some of the media at hand. Join the fun and be emboldened! This class meets online via Zoom. | Wed, Oct 21-Nov 25 | 10 am-12 pm | $170 | $200 | Click Here for a Materials List | Register Now | |
| Relaxing Into Watercolor | Painting / Online | Beginning/Continuing | Margaret Dwyer | Watercolor is much easier than you may think; learn about it in a friendly, relaxed setting. Materials and simple yet effective techniques will be covered, and you'll get an overview of color and how it works with this incredible, transparent medium. If you’ve never tried watercolor, this would be a great introduction. If you have dabbled with watercolor, your experience would enrich the class dynamic as you learn more about this incredible medium. All are welcome to learn something new and de-stress from life at the same time! This class will be held online via Zoom. | Fri, Nov 6 | 6-8:30 pm | $42.50 | $50 | Click here for a class materials list | Register Now | |
| Tunnel Books | Paper & Mixed-Media / Online | All Levels - Adults & Teens | Stephanie Wolff | These structures are like small theatres, similar to the shoebox dioramas children make in school. You will use you own illustrations or images cut from magazines or other source material in our books. If you come with an idea or simple sketch for a small 3-dimensional world you want to create, you’ll be well prepared to make the most from this workshop. Our tunnel books will be about 4” high x 6” wide, about the size of a postcard. This class will meet online via Zoom. | Wed, Nov 11 | 6-8 pm | $34 | $40 | Click here for a materials list. | Register Now | |
| Holiday Themes in Watercolor | Painting / Online | Continuing | Margaret Dwyer | The holidays offer many themes to celebrate and paint with watercolor. We will work on small scale paintings that can be used for framing, card making, and other creative projects. These handmade treasures make lovely keepsake gifts as well. Some watercolor "tricks" will be introduced alongside traditional techniques. References to work from will be provided but we will do some simple pieces that need no reference at all, just your creativity. All levels are welcome! This class will be held online via Zoom. | Fri, Nov 13 & 20 | 6-8:30 pm | $85 | $100 | Click here for a class materials list | Register Now | |
| Painting the Portrait in Watercolor | Painting / In-person | Continuing | Robert O'Brien | In this workshop you’ll learn to paint a human portrait with all of its nuances and subtleties in watercolor using a layering process. You will paint from photo references while the instructor demonstrates a finished portrait and goes over each step of the painting process. You’re encouraged to bring reference photos of a favorite portrait subject, but the instructor will also have reference photos on hand. A critique and class discussion will be held at the end of each session. Though the class is open to all abilities, some drawing experience is recommended. This class will be held in-person and be limited to 6 students. | Sat & Sun, Nov 14-15 | 10 am-4 pm | $153 | $180 | Click Here for the Class Materials List | Register Now | |
| Fiber Arts Open Studio | Open Studio / Online | All Levels - Adults & Teens | 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 | 9 AM-Noon | Free | $5 Drop-In Fee for Non-Members | $5 | Please email Nick Gaffney for a Zoom link. |