Enriching Lives Through Art: Adult/Teen Classes

We are offering art classes for all age groups at the arts center, which are made possible with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and through “Enriching Lives through Art,” a grant from The John Ben Snow Foundation & Memorial Trust. All classes are listed below.

Our Thursday night free drawing class is offered online and is made possible by generous donations from Drs. Patricia and Jay Chapman as well as many of our members and participants. Anyone can learn to draw! To sign up, email us.

You can also check out our month-by-month calendar to help you plan your Fine Arts Center activities.

Classes

a ceramic tile painted with alcohol ink showing fall leaves on trees

Alcohol Ink Autumn Leaf Tile
Instructor: Robin Eaton-Novak
Date: Saturday, November 7
Time: 10 am – 12 pm
Ages: Adults (16 and older)
Maximum enrollment: 10

Join us for a fun and colorful fall project with alcohol ink! Participants will explore the vibrant, fluid qualities of alcohol inks while creating a beautiful fall landscape and autumn leaf artwork on a tile size of your choosing . We’ll experiment with blending, layering, and using blow pens to move and manipulate the ink, then add detail and texture with Sharpie and white markers. No previous experience is necessary—just come ready to experiment, embrace the unexpected, and create your own unique autumn-inspired artwork! All materials will be supplied.

Note: Alcohol fumes may irritate sensitive lungs, and isopropyl alcohol can irritate the skin. Masks and gloves will be available upon request. Please wear appropriate clothes for painting, and feel free to bring your own apron if you have one. Art smocks will be available as well.

This is an in-person class. Register in person or online at Salmon River Fine Arts Center Square Site. *Financial assistance is available for those who would like to attend and are unable to pay the full fee. Please email the arts center with your request. This class is made possible with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and a grant from The John Ben Snow Foundation & Memorial Trust.

a still life oil painting of a pumpkin,fruit, and a vase holding a flower and leaves, done by the instructor

Beginning Oil Painting Workshop
Instructor: Christine Fisher
Date: Saturday, November 7
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm
Ages: Adult (14+)
Maximum enrollment: 8
Materials: Will be provided. Feel free to bring your own
Fee: $32 members / $40 non-members*

Whether you have never picked up an oil paintbrush or are looking to refresh your skills, this workshop will introduce you to the fundamentals of working with oils in a relaxed and supportive environment. Students will learn the basics of oil paint, brushes, mediums, color mixing, blending, layering, and brushwork while practicing a variety of techniques throughout the class. We’ll explore how to build up a painting from the initial sketch to the final details. Using a small still-life arrangement as inspiration, students will put their new skills into practice and create their own finished oil painting to take home.

Students will learn basic oil painting materials and how to use them; color mixing and creating a balanced palette; different brushwork and application techniques; blending and layering; creating light, shadow, form, and depth; how to build a painting from start to finish; and tips and techniques to continue practicing at home.

No previous oil painting experience is required! All skill levels are welcome. Students will leave with a small completed still-life painting, new techniques, and the confidence to continue exploring oil painting on their own.

All materials will be supplied. This is an in-person class. Register in person or online at Salmon River Fine Arts Center Square Site. *Financial assistance is available for those who would like to attend and are unable to pay the full fee. Please email the art center with your request. This class is made possible with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and a grant from The John Ben Snow Foundation & Memorial Trust.

five portraits of pets taken by the instructor; photos inculde 3 dogs, 1 cat, and ducks in water

Pet & Animal Photography:
Capturing Personality, Expression & Action
Instructor: Walter Sheehey
Date: Saturday, Nov 14
Time: 10:00 am - Noon
Ages: Adult/Teen
Maximum enrollment: 12
Skill Level: Beginner / Introductory
Fee: $32 members/ $40 non-members

Love taking pictures of your pets? Learn how to take better ones!

Photographing animals can be both challenging and incredibly rewarding. They don't always sit where you want them to, look at the camera on command, or hold still while you adjust your settings—but that's also what makes animal photography so much fun!

Join photographer Walter Sheehey for a two-hour, beginner-friendly class exploring techniques and creative approaches that can help you create better photographs of pets and animals.

We'll look at everything from camera settings and focusing techniques to composition, lighting, perspective and timing. You'll learn why shutter speed is particularly important when photographing active animals, how to get sharper images, where to focus, and how to choose settings for everything from a sleeping cat to a dog running at full speed.

We'll also explore the artistic side of animal photography. Learn how getting down to an animal's eye level can completely change a photograph, how to simplify distracting backgrounds, how to use natural light, and how to capture the expressions and little behaviors that reveal an animal's personality.

The class will cover choosing choosing the right camera settings for pets and animals; choosing the best shutter speed, aperture and ISO; using autofocus; capturing sharp eyes and expressions; using composition and perspective; working with natural light; photographing pets indoors; photographing animals in motion; anticipating behavior and capturing the decisive moment; creating portraits that show personality; recognizing and avoiding common mistakes.

No previous photography experience is required. Whether you're photographing your own dog, cat, horse, bird or other favorite animal, you'll leave with practical techniques you can put to use the next time you pick up your camera.

This will be an instructional, demonstration-based class, so no live animals will be present. Bring your questions, your camera if you'd like, and your love of animals!

This is an in-person class. Register in person or online at Salmon River Fine Arts Center Square Site. *Financial assistance is available for those who would like to attend and are unable to pay the full fee. Please email the art center with your request. This class is made possible with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and a grant from The John Ben Snow Foundation & Memorial Trust.

a watercolor painting of two pumpkins plus two actual pumpkins

Watercolor Refresh: Pumpkins
Instructor: Addison McCullough
Date: Sunday, November 15
Time: 10:30-Noon
Ages: Adults (14+)
Skill Level: Beginner
Maximum enrollment: 12
Fee: $24 members/$30 non-members

Discover the fundamentals of watercolor painting in this hands-on introductory class! Students will learn how to confidently use their watercolor palette while exploring color mixing, brush control, layering, and essential watercolor techniques.

Through guided practice and experimentation, students will learn how to create washes, blend colors, build layers, control water and pigment, and understand how different brushes can create different effects. By the end of the class, students will have put their new skills together to create their own finished watercolor painting to take home.

No previous watercolor experience is necessary. This class is perfect for beginners or anyone looking to strengthen their watercolor foundations. All materials will be supplied.

This class is made possible with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and a grant from The John Ben Snow Foundation & Memorial Trust.

a photo of five gourds turned into colorful, hand-painted ornaments hanging by gold-colored ornament caps

Gourd Ornament Class
Instructor: Barb Duquette-Fabian
Date: Saturday, December 5
Time: 9 am – 12 pm
Ages: Adults (16 and older)
Maximum enrollment: 10
Location: 2D Studio
Fee: $28 members / $35 non-members*

Join us for a creative morning of art as you transform an egg gourd into two beautiful, one-of-a-kind ornaments using colorful alcohol inks! In this class, Barb Duquette-Fabian will guide you through the process of applying vibrant alcohol inks, creating decorative patterns, and adding gold and silver details to bring your designs to life. Experiment with colors, explore different patterns, and let your imagination take the lead as you create unique ornaments that reflect your personal style. Your finished ornaments will make wonderful holiday decorations or thoughtful handmade gifts for someone special.

All materials are provided, including gourds, ornament caps, decorative hooks, alcohol inks, and nitrile gloves. Please bring an art smock or apron, as alcohol inks can stain. No experience is necessary—just bring your creativity and enjoy a fun, hands-on art experience!

a photo showing 4 alcohol ink Christmas Balls

Alcohol Ink Christmas Balls
Instructor: Robin Eaton-Novak
Date: Saturday, December 5
Time: 1:00–3:30 PM
Ages:Adult (14+)
Maximum enrollment: 10
Fee: $20 members / $25 non-members

Get into the holiday spirit with this fun and colorful workshop led by instructor Robin Eaton Novak! Participants will create two beautiful white glass Christmas ornaments using vibrant alcohol inks. These one-of-a-kind creations make perfect keepsakes or heartfelt gifts for the season.

Each student will receive two 4-inch white glass ornaments and two matching gift boxes, ready for wrapping and gifting! Robin will guide you through the process of blending and layering inks to achieve dazzling, marbled effects that shimmer and shine. No experience necessary—just bring your creativity and get ready for a festive afternoon full of color and cheer! All materials will be supplied.

This is an in-person class. Register in person or online at Salmon River Fine Arts Center Square Site.

*Financial assistance is available for those who would like to attend and are unable to pay the full fee. Please email the arts center with your request. This class is made possible with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and a grant from The John Ben Snow Foundation & Memorial Trust.

Free Weekly Drawing Class

FREE Weekly Drawing Class
Thursday 6 - 8 pm
Instructor: Ann Buchau
All ages welcome

Enjoy this online step-by-step drawing class in the comfort and safety of your own home via Zoom. Each week your instructor will focus on a different topic, technique or subject with the ultimate goal of improving and developing your own unique style. This class is open to our members and to anyone in the local community with a desire to draw — any age, any level. To attend, simply email us at info@srfac.org to get your name on the list. After you register for this free class you will be emailed a link with instructions.

This class is made possible by generous donations from Drs. Patricia and Jay Chapman as well as many of our members and participants.

several drawings of rocks done by the free drawing class

Drawings of rocks by the Free Drawing Class June 11.