The Café will be closed for remodel from Aug 12 through Sept 5, 2024. | Due to construction, Museum parking may be limited at the time of your visit. Look for additional parking in free or metered spaces along nearby streets.

Life Drawing: Open Studio

Thursdays, October 4 – 25 / 1 – 4 pm

Improve your life drawing skills and explore a variety of media while working freely from a nude model in this popular open studio class. The instructor will be present to coordinate class and offer instruction upon request. Both male and female models will be posed and drawn.

Instructor: Jerry Stinson 
Ages: Adults (18+) / All Levels

The following are suggested basic supplies – all media are welcome, so please bring whatever supplies you need for whichever media you are using. 
– Drawing board – 20”x 26” or larger (light-weight masonite works best) 
– Newsprint pad – 18”x 24” – rough surface recommended 
– Bull dog clamps or similar to attach pad to board 
– Medium and Support Items: 
– Vine charcoal, thin and fat pieces
– Choice of conte crayon, 6B graphite pencil or sticks, china marker, compressed charcoal, carbon pencils, or any suitable medium for drawing on newsprint 
– Large kneaded eraser 
– Pink pearl eraser
– Portable pencil sharpener or utility knife (best for soft/medium pencils)
– Clean small rags 
– Sandpaper pad for sharpening drawing mediums 
– Stumps for blending (optional)

Life Drawing: Open Studio

Wednesdays, October 3 – 24 / 6 – 9 pm

Improve your life drawing skills and explore a variety of media while working freely from a nude model in this popular open studio class. The instructor will be present to coordinate class and offer instruction upon request. Both male and female models will be posed and drawn.

Instructor: Jerry Stinson 
Ages: Adults (18+) / All Levels

The following are suggested basic supplies – all media are welcome, so please bring whatever supplies you need for whichever media you are using. 
– Drawing board – 20”x 26” or larger (light-weight masonite works best) 
– Newsprint pad – 18”x 24” – rough surface recommended 
– Bull dog clamps or similar to attach pad to board 
– Medium and Support Items: 
– Vine charcoal, thin and fat pieces
– Choice of conte crayon, 6B graphite pencil or sticks, china marker, compressed charcoal, carbon pencils, or any suitable medium for drawing on newsprint 
– Large kneaded eraser 
– Pink pearl eraser
– Portable pencil sharpener or utility knife (best for soft/medium pencils)
– Clean small rags 
– Sandpaper pad for sharpening drawing mediums 
– Stumps for blending (optional)

Life Drawing: Open Studio

Thursdays, September 6 – 27 / 1 – 4 pm

Improve your life drawing skills and explore a variety of media while working freely from a nude model in this popular open studio class. The instructor will be present to coordinate class and offer instruction upon request. Both male and female models will be posed and drawn.

Instructor: Jerry Stinson 
Ages: Adults (18+) / All Levels

The following are suggested basic supplies – all media are welcome, so please bring whatever supplies you need for whichever media you are using. 
– Drawing board – 20”x 26” or larger (light-weight masonite works best) 
– Newsprint pad – 18”x 24” – rough surface recommended 
– Bull dog clamps or similar to attach pad to board 
– Medium and Support Items: 
– Vine charcoal, thin and fat pieces
– Choice of conte crayon, 6B graphite pencil or sticks, china marker, compressed charcoal, carbon pencils, or any suitable medium for drawing on newsprint 
– Large kneaded eraser 
– Pink pearl eraser
– Portable pencil sharpener or utility knife (best for soft/medium pencils)
– Clean small rags 
– Sandpaper pad for sharpening drawing mediums 
– Stumps for blending (optional)

Life Drawing: Open Studio

Wednesdays, September 5 – 26 / 6 – 9 pm

Improve your life drawing skills and explore a variety of media while working freely from a nude model in this popular open studio class. The instructor will be present to coordinate class and offer instruction upon request. Both male and female models will be posed and drawn.

Instructor: Jerry Stinson 
Ages: Adults (18+) / All Levels

The following are suggested basic supplies – all media are welcome, so please bring whatever supplies you need for whichever media you are using. 
– Drawing board – 20”x 26” or larger (light-weight masonite works best) 
– Newsprint pad – 18”x 24” – rough surface recommended 
– Bull dog clamps or similar to attach pad to board 
– Medium and Support Items: 
– Vine charcoal, thin and fat pieces
– Choice of conte crayon, 6B graphite pencil or sticks, china marker, compressed charcoal, carbon pencils, or any suitable medium for drawing on newsprint 
– Large kneaded eraser 
– Pink pearl eraser
– Portable pencil sharpener or utility knife (best for soft/medium pencils)
– Clean small rags 
– Sandpaper pad for sharpening drawing mediums 
– Stumps for blending (optional)

Life Drawing: Open Studio

Thursdays, August 9 – 30 / 1 – 4 pm

Improve your life drawing skills and explore a variety of media while working freely from a nude model in this popular open studio class. The instructor will be present to coordinate class and offer instruction upon request. Both male and female models will be posed and drawn.

Instructor: Jerry Stinson 
Ages: Adults (18+) / All Levels

The following are suggested basic supplies – all media are welcome, so please bring whatever supplies you need for whichever media you are using. 
– Drawing board – 20”x 26” or larger (light-weight masonite works best) 
– Newsprint pad – 18”x 24” – rough surface recommended 
– Bull dog clamps or similar to attach pad to board 
– Medium and Support Items: 
– Vine charcoal, thin and fat pieces
– Choice of conte crayon, 6B graphite pencil or sticks, china marker, compressed charcoal, carbon pencils, or any suitable medium for drawing on newsprint 
– Large kneaded eraser 
– Pink pearl eraser
– Portable pencil sharpener or utility knife (best for soft/medium pencils)
– Clean small rags 
– Sandpaper pad for sharpening drawing mediums 
– Stumps for blending (optional)

Life Drawing: Open Studio

Wednesdays, August 8 – 29 / 6 – 9 pm

Improve your life drawing skills and explore a variety of media while working freely from a nude model in this popular open studio class. The instructor will be present to coordinate class and offer instruction upon request. Both male and female models will be posed and drawn.

Instructor: Jerry Stinson 
Ages: Adults (18+) / All Levels

The following are suggested basic supplies – all media are welcome, so please bring whatever supplies you need for whichever media you are using. 
– Drawing board – 20”x 26” or larger (light-weight masonite works best) 
– Newsprint pad – 18”x 24” – rough surface recommended 
– Bull dog clamps or similar to attach pad to board 
– Medium and Support Items: 
– Vine charcoal, thin and fat pieces
– Choice of conte crayon, 6B graphite pencil or sticks, china marker, compressed charcoal, carbon pencils, or any suitable medium for drawing on newsprint 
– Large kneaded eraser 
– Pink pearl eraser
– Portable pencil sharpener or utility knife (best for soft/medium pencils)
– Clean small rags 
– Sandpaper pad for sharpening drawing mediums 
– Stumps for blending (optional)

Drawing Techniques: Shape and Form

Monday – Friday, July 30 – August 3 / 9 am – 12 pm

Students enjoy this five-day intensive course designed to teach basic drawing techniques with a specific emphasis on drawing shape and form. Students will improve their observational drawing skills by first working on rendering basic shapes, working later towards creating compositions on the page and realistically drawing more complex objects, forms and textures while referencing staged still life displays. This class is designed to provide a strong introductory foundation for beginning drawing students and a refresher for more advanced students.

Instructor: Rachel Stiff
Ages: Adult (15+) / Beginners Welcome!

Required Supplies:

  • Charcoal Pencils or Sticks 2B-6B Soft & Medium, 1 White Charcoal Pencil
  • Graphite Pencils HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B, 8B
  • Pencil Sharpener
  • Kneaded Eraser, Pink Eraser
  • Paper Blending Dowels (Various Sizes)
  • Newsprint Pad
  • Heavyweight White Drawing Paper
  • Optional: Drawing Board

Natural Illustration: Summer Sea Shells in Watercolor and Colored Pencil

Saturday, June 16 / 10 am – 3 pm

In this intermediate to advanced class, students will learn the basics of natural illustration drawing with a focus on sea shells and mixed media (watercolor and prismacolor). Students will learn about many types of sea shells, creating a final detailed drawing of sea shell. Shell specimens will be provided to draw from life, along with photo reference materials. *Basic understanding of drawing and/or watercolor techniques advised. 

Instructor: Sophie Banspach
Ages: Adult (15+) / Intermediate or Advanced levels

Supply List:

  • Watercolors: Cadmium Red, Cobalt or Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Yellow Light, Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson, Sap Green, Chromium Oxide Green, Raw Sienna, Burnt Umber, Pro White. (Cotman or Van Gogh is fine; Windsor Newton is excellent)
  • Your personal watercolor pallet
  • 2 HB Pencils
  • Watercolor Brushes: #0 or 1 with good point, #3, #7, #10 Round
  • 9 x 12” 140lb cold press watercolor paper
  • Roll of paper towels
  • 2 Plastic water containers
  • Prismacolor Pencils
  • 12 or 24 Prismacolor set, or: Light Peach, Crimson Red, Ultramarine, Grass Green, Sunburst Yellow, Orange, Violet, Light Umber, Dark Brown, White
  • White eraser
  • Magnifying glass
  • Optional: Specimens or reference images from your own collection

Drawing the Landscape: Value, Depth and Perspective

Monday – Friday, July 9 – 13 / 9 am – 12 pm

From field sketches to finished works artists have always worked to capture the landscape. In this class students will learn techniques for working quickly when time is of the essence, and how to develop a drawing over a period of time. Along with value, depth and perspective students cultivate an eye for composition. Students will be introduced to a variety of mediums, as well as complete a sketch using oil paint.

Supply list:

• Charcoal Pencils or Sticks 2B-6B Soft & Medium, 1 White Charcoal Pencil

• Graphite Pencils HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B, 8B

• Pencil Sharpener  

• Kneaded Eraser, Pink Eraser 

• Paper Blending Dowels (Various Sizes)

• Newsprint Pad

• Heavyweight White Drawing Paper 

• Optional: Drawing Board

Instructor: Rachel Stiff
Ages: Adults (15+) / All levels

Summer Intensive: A Crash Course in Drawing Fundamentals

Monday – Friday, June 18 – 22 / 9 am – 12 pm

Students will enjoy this introductory level course designed to teach basic drawing techniques including rendering, figure drawing, and perspective. This class is designed to provide a foundation for drawing, teaching students how to realistically draw objects, environments and people. Each class will focus on different drawing techniques and strategies, beginning with rendering and shading objects in perspective to drawing a live model. 

Instructor: Rachel Stiff
Ages: Adult (15+) / Beginners welcome!

Supply list:

• Charcoal Pencils or Sticks 2B-6B Soft & Medium, 1 White Charcoal Pencil

• Graphite Pencils HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B, 8B

• Pencil Sharpener  

• Kneaded Eraser, Pink Eraser 

• Paper Blending Dowels (Various Sizes)

• Newsprint Pad

• Heavyweight White Drawing Paper 

• Optional: Drawing Board