Adult Studio Classes & Workshops
Studio classes at the Springfield Art Museum are designed with the intention of providing an enriching learning environment for all skill levels. Classes primarily focus on a special topic or technique and include making connections to art objects from the Museum's permanent collection or our current exhibitions. They are also a great place to meet and network with artists, class attendees, and instructors!
General studio classes are offered in the spring, fall, and winter and typically run three weeks. Special programs and workshops are also offered regularly as 2-4 hour or one-day workshops. Studio classes are open to ages 16 and up unless otherwise noted.
In order to ensure a quality experience, registration is required for all our classes and workshops. Materials are not included in studio class fees unless otherwise noted. Additional classes will be listed as instructors become available.
Contact Museum Educator Lori Gipson at lori.gipson@springfieldmo.gov or (417) 874-2835 with questions regarding studio classes and workshops.
Spring 2023 Studio Classes
Upcoming Studio Classes
Metals: Sawing and Texturing
Wednesdays, March 1 - March 15, 2023, 6 - 8 PM. $150 class fee; all materials included.
Students will be taught how to use jeweler's saws, files, and a drill press and how to texture metal. With their skills, students will create a pendant or pair of earrings from copper and brass. This class is for beginner and intermediate skill levels. No experience is necessary. Registration closed.
Screen Printing for Beginners
Saturday, April 1, 2023, 12:30 PM-4:30 PM, $75 class fee. Printing materials are included. Students will need to bring their own items to be printed on. Instructor: Lillian Fitzpatrick
Screen printing is a fun way to reproduce your own designs (Or even your kids' drawings) on clothing, fabric, or paper. During this class you will assemble an 8x10 screen for printing, transfer your design, and print your design onto the fabric item of your choice. You will learn some easy and inexpensive methods to make your own screens at home. And you can take home and reuse the screen you make in class! Register here.
Ceramics
Thursdays, March 30 - May 25, 2023, 5:45-7:45 PM. $320 class fee. Materials included. Instructor: Patricia Ervin. This class will not meet on April 27.
This class will focus on hand building techniques to create decorative and utilitarian objects using earthenware clay. Over eight weeks, beginner and intermediate students will learn to utilize methods of pinching, coiling, and slab construction along with various texturing, finishing, and glazing techniques. *Depending on the kiln firing schedule, pieces may not be ready at the end of the session. You will be notified when pieces are ready to be picked up. Register here.
Enameling
Wednesdays, April 5 - April 19, 2023, 6 - 8 PM. $150 class fee; all materials included.
Learn how to apply color on metal. During this session students learn about the nature of enamel, how to prep materials, and the correct operation of a small enameling kiln. Students will complete at least one small project and will receive the materials to make objects such as pendants, earrings, or pins. Register here.
Explorations in Enameling: Below the Surface
Saturday, April 8, 2023, 10:30 am - 4:30 pm. $200 class fee; all materials included. Instructor: Lillian Fitzpatrick
Students will learn how to apply texture and simple fold forming techniques to sheet copper disks before or after sinking them into shallow bowl forms. After texturing and forming a bowl, students will learn basic techniques to apply vitreous enamel in both powdered and liquid forms to the surface of the bowl. Register here.
Mixed Media Collage
Wednesdays, May 3 - May 17, 2023, 6 - 8 PM. $120 class fee.
Inspired by pieces in the Museum's permanent collection, students will explore different mediums and create mixed media collages. Register here.
Explorations in Enameling: Cloisonne
Saturday, May 13, 2023, 10:30 am - 4:30 pm. $200 class fee; all materials included. Instructor: Lillian Fitzpatrick
This ancient technique utilizes small strips of metal to separate and outline elements of a design in a work of enamel. Students will begin by forming a copper disk into a shallow bowl, then learn to apply vitreous enamel and create designs using wire and fine silver to define fields of color. Students who participated in a previous workshop may bring pieces from that day and add the new techniques, in addition to making a new piece for this workshop. Register here.
Explorations in Enameling: Imagery, Embellishment, and Surface Treatment
Saturday, May 20, 2023, 10:30 am - 4:30 pm. $200 class fee; all materials included. Instructor: Lillian Fitzpatrick
Students will begin by forming a copper disk into a shallow bowl, then learn to apply vitreous enamel, add imagery, and embellish an enameled surface. Techniques will include screen printing, graphite drawing, and painting with gold overglaze. Students will also learn different firing techniques to yield different final surface textures and reflective qualities. Students who participated in a previous workshop may bring pieces from that day and add the new techniques, in addition to making a new piece for this workshop. Register here.
Previous Studio Classes
Ceramics
Thursdays, January 5 - February 23, 2023, 5:45-7:45 PM. $320 class fee. Materials included. Instructor: Patricia Ervin
Charcoal Drawing
Wednesdays, January 11 - January 25, 2023, 6 - 8 PM. $120 class fee.
Screen Printing for Beginners
Saturday, January 14, 2023, 10AM-3PM (a break will be given for lunch), $75 class fee. Printing materials are included. Students will need to bring their own items to be printed on. Instructor: Lillian Fitzpatrick
Coil Pottery
Saturdays, February 4 - February 18, 2023, 1-4 PM. $180 class fee. Materials included. Instructor: Kyle Bird
Still Life Painting
Wednesdays, February 1 - February 15, 2023, 6 - 8 PM. $120 class fee.
Abstract Sculptures in Paper-mache
Sundays, February 5 - February 26, 1-3PM. $150 class fee. Materials are included. Students will need to bring gardening or leather gloves and are encouraged to bring newspaper. Instructor: Lillian Fitzpatrick
Winter 2022/Spring 2023 Workshops
Upcoming Workshops
Gesture Drawing Workshops
Wednesdays, January 11 - May 24, 2023, 12:15 - 1 PM. FREE.
These fast-paced one-time drawing workshops keep your body and mind moving while practicing the art of gesture drawing. You will not leave with finished, refined drawings. The goal is to practice capturing movement and energy. No experience is necessary. Registration required. Ages 16+
Previous Workshops
Family Painting Workshop: Anything but a Paint Brush
Sunday, December 11, 2022, 2 - 4 PM. $55 workshop fee; all materials included.
In this workshop, inspired by abstract paintings on view in Lyrical Abstraction, each "family" group will receive one 24” x 36” canvas and work together to create an abstract painting – no paintbrushes allowed! Use your creativity to explore other methods of applying paint to the canvas for fun textures and shapes. Workshop fee covers a group of up to 5 people. Register here. Ages 5+
Movement Workshop
Thursday, January 5, 2023, 6 - 7 PM. $10 workshop fee.
Join faculty from the Springfield Ballet for a participatory workshop that combines visual art and dance. Taking cues from work on view in Humanities, Vol. 2, participants will explore their bodies’ connections with and responses to art. No experience or ability required. Register here. Ages 15+
Still Life Drawing Workshop
Friday, January 20, 2023, 5:45 - 7:45 PM. $40 workshop fee; all materials included.
Be inspired by the work of Frieda Logan, on view in Frieda Logan: Swap Meet, as you practice the art of still life drawing in this in-gallery workshop. Registration closed. Ages 16+
Self-Portrait Workshop
Friday, February 10, 5:45 - 7:45 PM. $40 workshop fee; includes all materials.
This workshop will go over some basic drawing methods for portraits and self-portraits. Participants will create their own self-portrait after viewing self-portraits on view in Rodney Frew. No experience required. Registration closed. Ages 16+
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Gift Certificates
Give the gift of art-making! Purchase gift certificates for studio classes and workshops at the Museum's front desk, or contact Lori Gipson at lori.gipson@springfieldmo.gov to learn more. Gift certificates are only eligible for classes and workshops at this time. They cannot be redeemed for Museum retail merchandise or event ticket purchases.
Class & Workshop Refund/Cancellation Policy
Updated policy coming soon!