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

4 weeks

Linda & Dick Dickinson Ceramics Studio

Cost: $250 (Members save 10%)

Members call 941-955-8866 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Advance registration required.

Wednesdays
October 7–28
1–4 pm
Instructor: Emily Rives

Wednesdays
November 4–18, December 2
1–4 pm
Instructor: Emily Rives

Saturdays
October 31–November 21
9:30 am–12:30 pm
Instructor: Sami Harthoorn

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.

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.

Beginning Wheel Throwing

Emily Rives

4 weeks

Linda & Dick Dickinson Ceramics Studio

Cost: $250 (Members save 10%)
Members call 941-955-8866 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Advance registration required.

Wednesdays
October 7–28
5:30–8:30 pm

Wednesdays
November 4–18, December 2
5:30–8:30 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.

All supplies are included.

Intermediate to Advanced Wheel Throwing

Emily Rives

4 weeks

Linda & Dick Dickinson Ceramics Studio

Cost: $250 (Members save 10%)

Members call 941-955-8866 to enroll and redeem your special discount

Advance registration required.

Tuesdays
October 6–27
5:30–8:30 pm

Tuesdays
November 3–17, December 1
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 941-955-8866 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Walk-ins welcome.

Tuesday
September 22
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.

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

Ceramics Open Studio (Four sessions)

4 weeks
Linda & Dick Dickinson Ceramics Studio

Cost: $200 (Members save 10%)

Members call 941-955-8866 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Advance registration required.

Mondays
October 5–26

1–4 pm

Tuesdays
October 6–27
1–4 pm

Saturdays
October 31–November 21
1–4 pm

Mondays
November 2–16, November 30
1–4 pm

Tuesdays
November 3–17, December 1

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.

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

Drawing

Introduction to Drawing

Michael White

4 weeks

Sarah F. Huisking Classroom

Cost: $175 (Members save 10%)
Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Advance registration required.

Mondays
November 2, November 16–30
5:30–8:30 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.

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.

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.

Portrait Drawing

Laura Pommier

4 weeks

Ringling College Museum Campus

Cost: $175 (Members save 10%)
Members call 941-309-5119 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Advance registration required.

Tuesdays
October 6–27
1–4 pm

Tuesdays
November 3–24
1–4 pm

Tuesdays
December 1–22
1–4 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.

All materials included.

Introduction to Pastels

Laura Pommier

4 weeks

Sarah F. Huisking Classroom

Cost: $175 (Members save 10%)
Members call 941-955-8866 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Advance registration required.

Saturdays
October 3–24
9:30 am–12:30 pm

Saturdays
October 31–November 21
9:30 am–12:30 pm

Saturdays
November 28–December 19
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.

All materials included.

Painting

Creating with Acrylic Paint

Laura Pommier

4 weeks

Sarah F. Huisking Classroom

Cost: $175 (Members save 10%)
Members call 941-955-8866 to enroll and redeem your special discount.

Advance registration required.

Tuesdays
October 6–27
9:30 am–12:30pm

Tuesdays
November 3–24
9:30 am–12:30 pm

Tuesdays
December 1–22
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.

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
October 7–14, October 28–November 4
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