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.

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

Classes

a raku bowl and a raku fish, an examples of items that may be made in the raku class three examples of raku pottery a raku fish a photo of a scene from firing day in which a woman is firing raku pottery
  • Raku Pottery Workshop Fall 2026
  • Instructor: Ann Buchau
  • Dates & Times:
  • Wednesday, September 9, 6-9 pm, at the Arts Center
  • Wednesday, September 16, 6-9 pm, at the Arts Center
  • Saturday, September 26, 9 am - 3 pm, Raku firing off site
  • Ages: 14 and up
  • Maximum enrollment: 8
  • Class fee: $65 members / $80 non-members
  • Locations:
  • Wednesdays, Salmon River Fine Arts Center, Pottery Studio
  • Saturday, Firing Day, off site in Port Ontario

Raku is a thrilling, quick-fire ceramics technique originating from 16th-century Japan. Pots are pulled from a glowing red hot kiln (about 1850 F) and plunged into enclosed metal cans filled with organic matter to starve them of oxygen. The resulting smoke, flame, and rapid cooling create unpredictable, stunning surface effects and often metallic colors.

In this 3-day class you will be guided through the entire creative and firing process of raku pottery. Emphasis will be on creating pieces using a variety of handbuilding techniques, but experienced potters may choose to use the wheel. All tools and materials are provided. No experience necessary.

Class Schedule:

Day 1 (Wednesday, September 9, 6-9 pm). Ceramic forming techniques and brief history of raku pottery. You will hand-build or throw 3 to 4 pieces.

Day 2 (Wednesday, September 16, 6-9 pm). Continued surface decoration, refining shapes, and decorative techniques in preparation for a bisque firing.

Day 3 (Saturday, September 26, 9 am - 3 pm). Glazing and Firing Day.

  • Learn how to apply specialized raku glazes to your bisqued pieces as well as the unique horsehair decoration technique.
  • Participate in loading the kiln, closely monitoring the heat, and setting up the combustible reduction cans.
  • Enjoy a picnic-style lunch while you wait for the firing to get to temperature.

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 through “Enriching Lives through Art,” a grant from The John Ben Snow Foundation & Memorial Trust.

three examples of paintings done en plain air
  • Plein Air Painting Workshop
  • Instructor: Kimberly Rossiter
  • Dates & Times: Two days, 3 hours each day:
  • Saturday, September 12, 1-4 pm
  • Sunday, September 13, 1-4 pm
  • Ages: Adults (14 y/o+)
  • Experience Level: beginner, intermediate, and advanced
  • Basic drawing skills recommended
  • Medium: Oil painting
  • Maximum enrollment: 10
  • Fee: $36 members / $45 non-members

Step outside the studio and learn to paint from life! In this two-day En Plein Air workshop, artist Kimberly Rossiter will guide students through the process of capturing natural light, color, and atmosphere while painting outdoors.

Day 1 — Getting Started.
Learn how to pack efficiently and choose a painting site; create thumbnail sketches to explore composition, light, and shadows; develop an underpainting to establish the value structure; watch a color-mixing and block-in demonstration; practice mixing colors and blocking in your own painting; begin refining your work; clean up and prepare for Day 2.

Day 2 — Refining Your Painting.
Finish your color mixing and block-in; learn about hard and soft edges; watch a demonstration on adding paint and refining details; complete the final lay-in, refinement, and detail work on your painting; clean up and wrap up the workshop.

Throughout the workshop, students will explore limited palettes, color relationships, value, composition, tone, edges, and paint handling while learning how to work with the constantly changing light of the outdoors. Each student will work toward completing a 5" × 7", 6" × 8", or 8" × 10" painting. A complete materials list will be provided upon registration. Some easels and equipment may be available to borrow. Come spend two days painting outdoors, slowing down, and learning how to truly see the landscape.

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 through “Enriching Lives through Art,” a grant from The John Ben Snow Foundation & Memorial Trust.

a photo of Ann Buchau at the pottery wheel a photo of a potter forming a piece of pottery at a potters wheel
  • 6-Week Wheel Throwing Class for All Levels
  • Instructor: Ann Buchau
  • Dates: Six Wednesdays
  • September 30; Oct 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4
  • Time: 6:00-8:30 pm
  • Ages: Adult/Teen
  • Maximum enrollment: 5
  • Fee: $120 members / $150 non-members
  • Location: 3-D Studio, Salmon River Fine Arts Center

Learn how to throw basic forms using the potter's wheel. Your instructor will guide you step by step as you learn how to wedge, center and create simple vessels. You will also learn trimming techniques and how to successfully glaze your pots.

Students enrolled in this class will also have the option to come in during a designated time on Tuesdays (6-8:30 pm) or Friday (1-4 pm) to practice and work on their pieces. (Although there will be a monitor, there is no instructor for the open studio.) Total class time is 12.5 hours with the option of an additional 25 hours of open studio time during the class session. All tools and materials are provided. No outside clay or glazes are permitted in the Pottery Studio.

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 discounted class is made possible through “Enriching Lives through Art,” a grant generously funded by the John Ben Snow Foundation.

Free Weekly Drawing Class

drawing of a hand holding the earth
  • 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.