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.
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.
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.
All supplies are included.
All supplies are included.
Advanced Ceramics 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.
Class Description
Expand your own creative practice with Advanced Ceramics Handbuilding. This class invites students to move beyond the basics and embrace the experimental. Students will explore more technical skills in using slabs and extenders, as well as building techniques for larger-scale construction. Prior basic handbuilding knowledge is strongly encouraged.
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.
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.
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
May 19
1-4 pm
Tuesday
May 26
1-4 pm
Tuesday
June 2
5-8 pm
Tuesday
June 9
5-8 pm
Tuesday
June 16
5-8 pm
Tuesday
June 23
5-8 pm
Tuesday
June 30
5-8 pm
Tuesday
July 14
5-8 pm
Tuesday
July 21
5-8 pm
Tuesday
July 28
5-8 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.
Students are provided with clay, glazes, and kiln access.
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.
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.
Students are provided with clay, glazes, and kiln access.
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.
Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.
Advance registration required.
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.
All supplies are included.
Intermediate to 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.
Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.
Advance registration required.
Class Description
Take your drawing skills to the next level. In this class, students will refine their technique, develop personal style, and push creative boundaries. With guided instruction from our professional Teaching Artist, students will explore advanced concepts such as composition, value, perspective, figure drawing, and visual storytelling, using a variety of drawing media, including, but not limited to, graphite, charcoal, and pastels.
Some foundational drawing experience required. All supplies provided.
Some foundational 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.
Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.
Advance registration required.
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.
All materials included.
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.
Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.
Advance registration required.
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.
All materials included.
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.
Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.
Advance registration required.
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.
All materials included. No experience necessary.
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.
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
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