Fridays from 10:30am-12:30pm

The objective of this class is to learn how to draw and paint animals and nature realistically. Each 4 week session, we will focus on a different animal group. You may also bring photos of your own as inspiration. This is a perfect class for Plein Air painters to brush up on their skills over the winter months!

Materials List:

Easel (if you want to use one)

Palette or palette paper

Canvas, canvas board or panel

Brushes and palette knife

Gamsol or odorless thinner

Paper towels or rags

● Pencils ● Colored pencils ● Watercolors, oils or acrylics (whatever medium you would like to work with

Join us every Thursday morning from 10 AM to 1 PM for a relaxing and inspiring open studio session! This is the perfect opportunity to create alongside other artists, share ideas, and find new inspiration. Bring your own materials and enjoy the camaraderie of a creative community.

Cost:

Free for members

$5 for non-members

Come as you are—no registration required!

Mondays, 4:30-6:30pm - 4 or 8 week sessions or DROP-IN ($30 per week)

Mondays, 4:30-6:30pm. Ongoing class, you can register for drop-in at any time (or if the session has already started) or try an 8-week session at a reduced rate. Continue from a watercolor or acrylics class you've taken or improve upon a breadth of watercolor skills. You'll fine-tune your skills and learn great tips in color mixing, color choices, creating depth in painting, accurate drawing/perspective, creating textures, painting reflections and much more. Basic painting experience required. Instructor: Stephanie Spackman. Drop-In is $30 per week, if you aren't able to commit for the whole session.

Fridays 10am-12pm Spring-Fall

Head outside on Friday mornings with our experienced Plein Air Instructors, 10:00am-12:00pm. Everyone should be prepared for the elements, as class will be outside weather permitting (meet at the SHAC at 10am and then proceed on to location).

You must bring your own materials:

Easel and setup for outdoor painting, Palette or palette paper, Canvas, canvas board or panel, Brushes and palette knife, Gamsol or odorless thinner, Paper towels or rags, Oil paint: titanium white, cadmium yellow, cadmium red, ultramarine blue Optional colors: yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, purple, veridian, transparent red iron oxide

Instructor: Mike Todoroff

April 3, 5:30-8:00pm

ART IS IN BLOOM in this guided canvas painting class April 3rd, 5:30-8pm

Enjoy painting and conversation while making your own 11x14 canvas painting! Instructional guided class, add your own colors and flair! You're welcome to get drinks from River's Edge Brewing Co. to bring over while you paint. All Materials provided. Ages: 16+. Instructor: Stephanie Spackman

SOLD OUT

Saturday April 5, 10 AM

Make your broken china mosaic within a 5x7 frame. Supplies provided: broken china, grout, glue, tile nippers, letter beads, a frame , ample amounts of both broken and unbroken China. This is a fun, easy to learn craft, grab a friend and come learn something new. Ages: 12+

April 10 | 6:00–7:30 PM

Join Abigail Powers at the SHAC for a beginner-friendly introduction to watercolor! In this class, we’ll explore techniques to paint pots that mimic the look of terracotta and pottery, along with beautiful houseplants that will never need watering—except when you paint them!

This workshop is designed for beginners, with drawing templates available if needed. While the class is geared toward adults, serious young artists are also welcome.

What’s Included?

Hands-on watercolor instruction

High-quality 8×10 watercolor paper

Watercolor paints and brushes

Drawn Templates / Pencils

Tuesday, April 15th, 6:30pm

Create your own hand painted doormat (many designs to choose from) - we provide the template and you choose the colors! This workshop is such a BLAST, no creative experience necessary! Great for a "ladies night out" or "date night"! The price of this class comes with a drink ticket (you redeem at River's Edge Brewing Co - attached to art center) for beer, wine or non-alcoholic. Instructor: Rachel Snell

April 24, 5-6:30 PM - SOLD OUT

May 22, 5-6:30 PM - REGISTER HERE

Unleash your creativity and celebrate your furry (or feathered!) friend in this fun, family-friendly Paint Your Pet class, taught by local artist Abigail Powers! Using watercolor paints, this class is perfect for all ages and skill levels—no prior painting experience needed.

Simply provide a clear image of your pet, and we’ll guide you through an easy, approachable method to create a vibrant, pop-art-inspired 8" x 10" masterpiece. Abigail will provide step-by-step instructions to ensure everyone walks away with a colorful and unique tribute to their beloved animal.

You must provide a clear 8X10 photo of your pet. Please email this to abigailleighdesigns@gmail.com no later than 3 days prior to class. Put "pet" in the subject line and make sure to include the name you registered under.

Wednesdays, 2:30-4:30pm

This is an ongoing adult class that meets every week and offers a crossover between drawing and painting. We will explore different methods and tools that are used with pastels to take one from starting out with a sketch to establishing values, to working with color. Going with techniques from blending to cross-hatching and onto layering, it will bring you to your finished art pieces ready to be matted and framed. Bring your own materials. Instructor: Kathleen Fish.

April 27th, 10:00am

Garden Owl Yard Art! All materials provided to make your own upcycled garden owl out of glass - approx. 10- 11" tall and 6" wide and you will have a variety of glass gem color combinations to create with.  Display in your garden on a metal stake that you can find at any hardware store. An attachment on the reverse side of your owl will allow you to insert onto the metal stake.

Laurie, with Kiss My Glass, will show you step-by-step how to assemble during this instructional course. Your project will be made using an outdoor-safe adhesive.  Please be sure to bring a box and some packaging with you per instructions on your confirmation.

Ages 16+ (10+ ok when accompanied by a paid adult).

May 6 6:30-8:30PM

Join us in some Spring Cookie Decorating! We will decorate 8 cookies using several techniques including, piping, flooding and painting cookies. All skill levels welcome. All supplies included. You will have the option to personalize a cookie for Mother's Day. Ages: 6-Adult. Instructor: Dayle Kolb

May 8, 6 - 7:30 PM

Join us for a fun and relaxing evening of watercolor painting as we capture the beauty of spring florals! This workshop is perfect for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced artists looking to refine their techniques.
Who Can Join? All ages and skill levels welcome
What to Expect: Learn watercolor techniques, color mixing, and composition while creating a floral masterpiece.
Materials: All supplies provided—just bring your creativity!

Spots are limited, so register in advance to secure your seat. We can’t wait to paint with you!

Tuesday, May 15th, 7:00PM

Create your own hand painted doormat (many designs to choose from) - we provide the template and you choose the colors! This workshop is such a BLAST, no creative experience necessary! Great for a "ladies night out" or "date night"! The price of this class comes with a drink ticket (you redeem at River's Edge Brewing Co - attached to art center) for beer, wine or non-alcoholic. Instructor: Rachel Snell

May 20th 6;30pm

Join us for this adorable 4 pc glass Beehive project. Learn how easy it is to work with glass and create your very own design with our expert guidance. The 4 base pieces will already be cut for you and you can add your own personal touch and creativity. Class is appropriate for ages 12 to adults of all ages. Children must be accompanied by a paid adult who will cut the glass for them. Projects will be kiln fired & avail approx. 10-14 days after class.

May 30, 6:30 - 8 PM

Looking for a fun and creative night out? Grab your boyfriend, best friend, partner, or anyone special and join us for Paint Your Date! In this unique watercolor workshop, you’ll create a portrait of your date using a simple trick—no experience needed. Anyone can do it, and it’s guaranteed to be a great time!

Who Can Join? Open to all skill levels
What to Expect: A relaxed, lighthearted atmosphere where you'll learn an easy technique to paint a portrait of your date, friend, or even yourself!
Materials: All supplies provided—just bring your creativity and a sense of fun!

Try something new, share some laughs, and leave with a one-of-a-kind keepsake. Register in advance to save your spot!

You must provide a clear 8X10 photo of your date. Please email this to abigailleighdesigns@gmail.com no later than 3 days prior to class. Put "Date" in the subject line and make sure to include the name you registered under.

Thursday, June 19, 6:30 PM

Join us for this adorable 3 pc glass Birdhouse Hanging

Learn how easy it is to work with glass and create your very own design with our expert guidance. The 3 base pieces will already be cut for you and you can add your own personal touch and creativity.

Class is appropriate for ages 12 to adults of all ages. Children must be accompanied by a paid adult who will cut the glass for them. All projects will be kiln fired and available for pickup about 10-14 days after class.

June 26th, 6:30-8:30pm

Create your own hand painted doormat (many designs to choose from) - we provide the template and you choose the colors! This workshop is such a BLAST, no creative experience necessary! Comes with one drink ticket from River's Edge Brewing Co (grab a beer, wine or non-alcoholic drink to enjoy while you create). Great for a "ladies night out" or "date night"!

November 4th, 7pm

Come spend an evening with Michigan Blooms and design a trio of pressed flower ornaments! These can be used for the holidays or as a gift to display year round. They will be bringing their array of locally grown and pressed flowers for you to use and make your own design, using colors and flowers of your choice. The frame ornaments provided are metal and glass. Workshop includes: pressed flowers, 3 hanging frame ornaments, supplies to use, and a Michigan Blooms apron.

Nov. 9th, 10am

Broken china mosaics workshop - Make 3 custom mosaic ornaments (you choose colors, patterns & word(s). All supplies provided: ribbon, china, grout, tile, nippers. Ages 12+ Instructor: Bev Webb/Eye Candy Mosaics

Nov 18, 7pm

Adorn your holiday door with a beautiful, handmade wreath YOU create! Professional florists, Michigan Blooms, are hosting this festive workshop to kick-off the holiday season. You will immerse yourself in the aroma of 3 different types of Michigan grown evergreens, giving your wreath a full, high-end look with lots of color variations and texture. Fun & learning will be had by all!  No prior knowledge or skills required. Class includes: guided instruction, 14" wire wreath base, fresh Michigan evergreens, pinecones, a bow, pruners/gloves/supplies to use, and a Michigan Blooms apron.  

November 20th, 7pm

Ages: 16+ In this class, you will learn how to make beautiful and unique blown glass ornaments using Glaskolben pre-blown clear glass cylinders. Glaskolben are the perfect way to get into blown glass without having to learn how to pull points from glass tubes. You will make up to 6 beautiful ornaments to take home. This is workshop is put on by Stallings Stained Glass.

Join the craze and create your own custom beach glass window! This is a self-led activity that comes with complete instructions enclosed that you can take home and create at your convenience. Kit must be picked up at The Suzanne Haskew Arts Center (125 S. Main St, Milford).

Please note: this will show up as a “class” on 9/30/24 - this is just a placeholder date, you can pick up your kit anytime.