The Studios@SAM - Adult Classes - Sarasota Art Museum

Adult Classes

With offerings in ceramics, drawing, painting, and mixed media, The Studios at SAM provide creative adults with a wide range of possibilities for self-expression and artistic growth, all year round.

Whether you’re just beginning your creative journey, are looking to brush up on your skills, or are interested in pursuing serious artistic training, we invite you to discover an artistic community at The Studios at SAM. Learn from our team of experienced instructors through our selection of four-week and single-session classes.

Ceramics

Beginning Handbuilding

Samantha Harthoorn

4 weeks

Linda & Dick Dickinson Ceramics Studio

Cost: $225 (Members save 10%)

Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Advance registration required.

Saturdays
February 7-28
9:30 am-12:30 pm

Saturdays
March 7-28
9:30 am-12:30 pm

Class Description

Learn the basics of hand-building and surface decoration. You will make functional dishes, decorative tiles, and sculpture. Coil, slab and pinch construction is covered along with slip painting, sgraffito, image transfer and stenciling techniques. New demonstrations every week help guide the projects but students are free to develop their own projects too. Note: All supplies are included.

Beginning Wheel Throwing

Emily Rives

4 weeks

Linda & Dick Dickinson Ceramics Studio

Cost: $225 (Members save 10%)
Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Advance registration required.

Thursdays
January 8-29
9:30 am-12:30 pm

Wednesdays
February 4-25
5:30-8:30 pm

Thursdays
February 5-26
9:30 am-12:30 pm

Wednesdays
March 4-25
5:30-8:30 pm

Thursdays
March 5-26
9:30 am-12:30 pm

Class Description

Satisfy your curiosity, and experience a fun and thorough introduction to throwing on the potter’s wheel. Learn the skills necessary to throw cylinders, cups, bowls, and more in this exciting introduction to throwing fundamentals. Your instructor guides you through the process of throwing, shaping, and trimming pots on the wheel. Basic surface decoration and glazing techniques are also demonstrated. This class is designed for students with little or no experience with the potter’s wheel. Note: All supplies are included.

Intermediate to Advanced Wheel Throwing

Emily Rives

4 weeks

Linda & Dick Dickinson Ceramics Studio

Cost: $225 (Members save 10%)

Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount

Advance registration required.

Tuesdays
February 3-24
5:30-8:30 pm

Tuesdays
March 3-March 24
5:30-8:30 pm

Class Description

This class is for those who can consistently throw a 6-inch cylinder or larger. Students will focus on higher-level forms and wheel techniques including vases, pitchers, teapots, plates, and casseroles. Completed pieces will be bisqued, glazed, and fired. Students should complete several wheel thrown pieces. Prerequisite: Students should have taken at least 3-4 ceramics classes or have similar experience.

Ceramics Open Studio (Single sessions)

Emily Rives
1 session
Linda & Dick Dickinson Ceramics Studio

Cost: $50 (Members save 10%)

Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Walk-ins welcome.

Tuesday
January 13
1-4 pm

Tuesday
January 20
1-4 pm

Tuesday
January 27
1-4 pm

Tuesday
February 3
1-4 pm

Tuesday
February 10
1-4 pm

Tuesday
February 17
1-4 pm

Tuesday
February 24
1-4 pm

Tuesday
March 3
1-4 pm

Tuesday
March 10
1-4 pm

Tuesday
March 17
1-4 pm

Tuesday
March 24
1-4 pm

Class Description

Looking for time in the ceramics studio without a multi-week commitment? In this single session class, intermediate to advanced students and practicing artists work alongside one another independently in the studio without instruction.

Note: Students are provided with clay, glazes, and kiln access.

Ceramics Open Studio (Four sessions)

Samantha Harthoorn
4 weeks
Linda & Dick Dickinson Ceramics Studio

Cost: $200 (Members save 10%)

Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Advance registration required.

Saturdays
February 7-28
1-4 pm

Saturdays
March 7-28
1-4 pm

Class Description

Do you have the vision, the talent, and the time, but need a dedicated ceramics studio to make your work a reality? In this four-week ceramics open studio class, intermediate to advanced students and practicing artists work alongside one another on independent projects without instruction.

Note: Students are provided with clay, glazes, and kiln access.

Drawing

Introduction to Drawing

Michael White

4 weeks

Sarah F. Huisking Classroom

Cost: $160(Members save 10%)
Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Advance registration required.

Mondays
February 16-March 9
5:30 pm-8:30 pm

Class Description

Calling all artists! Join us at SAM to learn drawing basics using pencils and charcoal. We explore line, shape, perspective, light and shading, scale and proportion. Students view drawings by different artists through history, learn the skill of careful observation, and practice drawing with a variety of mediums on paper.

Please Note: All supplies are included.

Advanced Drawing

Michael White

4 weeks

Sarah F. Huisking Classroom

Cost: $160(Members save 10%)
Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Advance registration required.

Mondays
March 16- April 6
5:30 pm-8:30 pm

Class Description

Take your drawing skills to the next level! In this course, students will deepen their technique, refine their personal style, and push creative boundries. With guided instruction from the Teaching Artist, students will explore advanced concepts such as composition, lighting, shadow, perspective, figure drawing, and visual storytelling using a variety of drawing media including (but not limited to) pencil, charcoal, and pastels. Some drawing experience required. All supplies provided.

Portrait Drawing

Laura Pommier

4 weeks

Ringling College Museum Campus

Cost: $165 (Members save 10%)
Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Advance registration required.

Saturdays
February 7-28
1:30-4:30 pm

Saturdays
March 7-28
1:30-4:30 pm

Class Description

Dive into the fundamentals of portraiture in this class designed for beginner and intermediate students. Explore the basics, including anatomy, proportion, structure, scale, observation, materials, and techniques. Then, learn to capture emotional likeness by channeling the expression and personality behind your subject. Through portraiture, we can tell stories, evoke emotion, and connect deeply with the people we draw. Join us in this four-week celebration of the art of the portrait and discover that you have what it takes to create stunning life-like works of art.

Note: All materials included.

Introduction to Pastels

Laura Pommier

4 weeks

Ringling College Museum Campus

Cost: $165 (Members save 10%)
Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Advance registration required.

Saturdays
February 7-28
9:30 am-12:30 pm

Saturdays
March 7-28
9:30 am-12:30 pm

Class Description

Explore vibrant color as you discover the joy of pastels! This class delves into the unique qualities of this expressive medium — where color itself becomes a key element of your artwork. Instruction will focus on fundamental techniques, including composition, color-blocking, and value creation. You will unlock pastels’ potential as a direct and dynamic tool for your artistic expression.

Note: All materials included.

Painting

Creating with Acrylic Paint

Laura Pommier

4 weeks

Ringling College Museum Campus

Cost: $165 (Members save 10%)
Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Advance registration required.

Tuesdays
February 3-24
9:30 am-12:30 pm

Tuesdays
March 3-24
9:30 am-12:30 pm

Class Description

Discover the joy of acrylics in this class designed for the beginning painter. Guided by your instructor, we’ll explore various subject matter and techniques as we dip into the fundamentals. From creating a composition to experimenting with value and leveraging color theory, students will learn the basics of painting while having fun expressing their innate creativity on canvas.

Note: All materials included. No experience necessary.

Advanced Acrylic Painting

Michael White

4 weeks

Sarah F. Huisking Classroom

Cost: $180 (Members save 10%)

Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Advance registration required.

Wednesdays
March 18-April 8
5:30-8:30 pm

Class Description

Take your skills to the next level in this class designed for the intermediate to advanced painter. Working primarily with acrylics, students will begin to explore more elaborate compositions, advanced color mixing, and glazing techniques. In addition to acrylics, we’ll also dip into mixed media as we discover how new materials and applications can help push the boundaries of creativity. Though hands-on demonstrations, one-on-one guidance, and group critiques, this class provides a supportive environment to nurture the artist in you. All supplies included.

Prerequisite: Intro to Painting at SAM or equivalent experience

Explore Beyond Traditional Media

Dye Transfer Silk Scarf Workshop

Marianne Vogel

1 Session

Sarah F. Huisking Classroom

Cost: $70 (Members save 10%)

Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Walk-ins welcome.

Thursday
January 15
10 am-2 pm

Thursday
February 12
10 am-2 pm

Class Description

Using a simple dye transfer method, students in this class will transform an ordinary piece of silk into an extraordinary scarf, for daily use or a decorative touch. During the session, students will learn the process of designing and dying the scarves through the dye transfer process. All materials included. Ages 16+

Note: Price includes silk materials needed for transfer design and one 8” x 54″ scarves.

Introduction to Felting

Marianne Vogel

1 Session

Sarah F. Huisking Classroom

Cost: $65 (Members save 10%)

Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Walk-ins welcome.

Thursday
January 29
10 am-2 pm

Thursday
February 26
10 am-2 pm

Class Description

Discover the creative possibilities of felt in this introductory fiber arts class. Together, we will explore wet-felting tools and techniques using warm water, soap, and gentle agitation to create sturdy, sculptural forms. Each student will leave with a finished felted decorative bowl or vessel. No experience needed. All supplies provided. Ages 13+.