If you've ever wanted to create your own jewelry designs or custom metal shapes for enameling, this is the place to start! Students will learn fundamental jewelry and metalworking skills (sawing, piercing, filing, sanding and patination) as they create elegant pieces based on the concept of silhouettes. Finished earrings or pendants will go home with each student, along with the knowledge of tools, materials and techniques necessary for them to continue making jewelry on their own.

It is strongly recommended that students be able to attend the first two sessions without absences.

All tools and supplies needed will be provided.

P-3 Thursday Evening Painting 

with Amy Yeager

   Thursdays, 6 sessions

 Jan. 30, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, Mar. 6;

6:30-9pm

Fee:$150

Do you like the idea of being able to paint whatever subject matter you like but have a professional artist on hand to answer any questions that come up while you're painting?

Then this is the class you want! 

Join painters of all levels for an evening of self-paced painting.  You bring in photos that you'd like to paint or set up a still life in person and our instructor Amy Yeager will guide you with techniques, skills & tips catered to what you're working on.

Your subject matter, your pace, no stress, just fun! 

Come improve your painting skills with us at the McLean Co. Arts Center.

*All materials are provided: paints, brushes, painting surfaces, palettes, palette knives, etc. 

C-10 Chia Pets/Sculpture Workshop 

with Marjorie Hauge

   Friday, 1 session

Jan. 31;

6:30-9pm

Fee: $40  for non members

Join MCAC instructor, Marjorie Hauge, for this workshop where you will get to design and create your own pinch pot chia pet or any sculpture. This workshop is for all levels, no prior clay experience is needed.  Students will leave with a sculpture of their choice and the seeds and information to sprout their creation at home.

  

Does not include a shelf at the MCAC and access to open studio hours. Guest registration allowed for this option.

What does it mean to have work ready to hang?  How do you photograph your work for the web?  How to create packaging for 2d and 3d artwork.  How to store your art so it doesn't get damaged.

In this two-hour workshop you’ll get the tips you need to work with galleries and art fairs in a professional and responsible way.  

We will discuss both 2-D and 3-D artwork

Presented by Amy Yeager and Jeremy Langston (MCAC's Curator and Eduction Director as well as practicing artists). 

Bring some artwork that is ready to hang or photograph and a pad and paper to take notes with.

There will be an opportunity to purchase frames or mat boards for your work.

Workshop will be held in the Brandt Gallery, MCAC

C-11 Ceramic Studio Procedures: February

with Marjorie Hauge

   Sunday, 1 session

Feb. 2;

12-2pm

Fee: FREE!  

You are an experienced ceramicist but not knowledgeable about this studio? 

You have completed our beginning pottery series.

Maybe you need a refresher on our updated space.

Join us for a 2-hour introduction to the ceramic studio at MCAC. At the end of the session, after you pass a short quiz, you will be eligible to take any of our advanced courses except Open Studio. That requires 1 advanced class.

Repeats on the first Sunday of each month*

The MCAC will have an open studio option for Advanced Ceramic MEMBERS with at least a year of classes at the McLean Co. Arts Center and at least one advanced class with one of our instructors. This is not an instructed time but you will have access to supplies and resources at the MCAC.

C-13 Butter Dishes Workshop 

with Kirsten Heteji

   Fridays, 2 sessions

Feb. 7, 21; (skips Feb. 14)

6:30-9pm

Fee: $65  for non members

Join MCAC instructor, Kirsten Heteji, for this workshop where you will create a butter dish.

This workshop is for all levels, no prior clay experience is needed. 

Students will leave with a butter dish or two.

All supplies provided.

  

Does not include a shelf at the MCAC and access to open studio hours. Guest registration allowed for this option.

EXCLUSIVE AND RARE OFFERING AT A BARGAIN PRICE!

Presented by Doug Johnson (MCAC Executive Director and working artist), Doug Johnson has been a practicing artist for more than 35 years, he has exhibited in Chicago with the Peter Miller Gallery, the Addington Galleries, and the Chicago International Art Exhibition.  His artwork has appeared in the Chicago Tribune Sunday Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, and is in many public, corporate, and private collections.

Class will be held in the Brandt Gallery, MCAC

 P-4 Awash in Gouache

Saturday, 1 Session

Feb. 8th 

Casein is one of the oldest kinds of paint. Today it is also known as "Milk Paint" and was used extensively by artists before the innovation of acrylic paints. Gouache us an opaque watercolor paint, also called tempera or poster paint. True tempera is made with eggs. Join Dale Evans, MCAC Painting and Watercolor Instructor, for a Saturday afternoon as we explore these forgotten mediums, and create something beautiful.

This workshop is open to all, beginner to advanced can learn techniques, skills and ways to incorporate these mediums into today's paintings.

*All materials are supplied for this class. Please fell free to bring your own drinks and snacks to this workshop.

P-5 Open Studio Watercolor Intensive

with Jenni Bateman  

Tuesdays, 3 Sessions

Feb. 11, 18, 25;

For Students that have taken the basic/Intro to Watercolors class.

OPEN STUDIO WATERCOLOR with Jenni Bateman Paint your own subject matter with a professional artist on hand to answer questions or help solve problems that come up while you paint. Self-paced yet in a community of watercolor painters! Bring watercolor supplies that you are experimenting with, otherwise all materials are provided.

Students can expect to leave with additional guidance to help you move forward in your paintings

Questions? jennidesigns@gmail.com

Use this as a designated time to learn more about glazes through a few rounds of glaze testing and sharing information and some indepth discussions led by Erin. Dust off those pieces you like so much that you can't decide on a glaze for. Lets use these three weeks to learn, explore, and commitment to some surfaces.

Image:Erin Furimsky

After 3 classes you should leave with a more complete understanding of low fire glaze techniques, some glaze test-tiles, finish off a piece or two you have been avoiding.

Enrollment in this class provides access to MCAC's kilns and our full range of ceramic glazes, plus tools, clay, a shelf, and access to open studio hours.

C-15 Flower Power Workshop 

with Marjorie Hauge

   Friday, 1 session

Feb. 14;

6:30-9pm

Fee: $40  for non members

Join MCAC instructor, Marjorie Hauge, for this workshop where you will get to design and create your own ceramic flowers as sculptures or painted on a vessel. This workshop is for all levels, no prior clay experience is needed.  Students will leave with a vessel with flowers decorating it.

All supplies provided.

  

Does not include a shelf at the MCAC and access to open studio hours. Guest registration allowed for this option.

PH-2 iPhone Photography 

with Dave Fulghum

Saturday, 1 session

Feb. 15th

Everyone has a camera in their pocket or purse now. Let's learn to put your iPhone to work producing high quality images.

Minimal Needs: Cell Phone with camera (preferably an iPhone).  

D-1 Drawing Marathon

with Amy Yeager

   Sunday, 1 sessions

Feb. 16;

9am -5 pm

Fee: $75 (non members)

All Skill Levels Welcome!

Have a project you need to buckle down and finish? In need of some dedicated studio time? Want to experience marathon drawing with a group of other artists? Challenge your artistic endurance in an 8-hour open studio session during which you will track your progress, learn about avoiding injury as an artist, and most importantly, make some work! Students will work primarily on their own with an instructor on hand to provide demos and advice when needed. It is recommended that you come with a project in mind (or already started). If a half-marathon is more your speed, you will be free to come and go throughout the day, and a midday lunch break is part of the schedule.

Students will leave this drawing marathon with up to 8 hours of progress on a project of their choice, and the satisfaction that comes with endurance drawing.

Students should be prepared to work on their own project, ideally one that they have already thought through or started. Skill is not important, just a desire to work!

*Some materials will be provided, but students are encouraged to bring their own, too.

P-6 Beginner's Watercolor Intensive

with Jenni Bateman  

Mondays, 1 Session

Feb. 17;

Ready for an introduction to the BASICS of WATERCOLOR?

This is designed to build confidence for the beginner interested in watercolor. You'll develop your own color wheel, develop a VALUE study, and work on several landscapes. A fun class if you've painted with watercolors but need a refresher.

Experiment with the basics as you clear the mystery of painting methods such as ‘wet-on-wet’, ‘wet-on-dry’, and ‘dry-on-dry’. Lots of class time will be devoted for experimenting and practicing with various paints and papers, and guidance as you complete several paintings. Chances are you’ll be ready to set up your own studio.

Assorted papers, brushes, and paint will be provided for experimenting. You may just find a new favorite! Additional materials will be available for experimenting.

Student will leave with your own color wheel, a VALUE study and several landscapes.

Questions? jennidesigns@gmail.com

P-7 Immersive Watercolor Intensive

with Jenni Bateman  

Mondays, 2 Sessions

Feb. 17, 24;

Over the 2 weeks, we’ll build your existing working knowledge of GLAZING, further define elements of design like VALUE, explore how simple thumbnails help “map out” your paintings, and devote much of each class in solving your individual problem areas (like “muddy” paintings). We’ll mix it up and have fun learning how to add objective critique to your completed paintings!

You'll have lots of time to work on at least 2 paintings

Join us and grow your skills!

TRYitOUT!

MATERIALS: Please bring your favorite watercolor supplies(paint, brushes, papers). Using materials you know and love will bring you the best results. 

Assorted papers, brushes, and paint will be provided for experimenting. You may just find a new favorite! Additional materials will be available for experimenting.

Questions? jennidesigns@gmail.com

C-16 Intro to Throwing B

with Marjorie Hauge

   Wednesdays, 4 sessions

Feb. 26, Mar. 5, 12, 19;

3:30-6 pm

Fee: $130 for non members

If you can center the clay on the wheel and pull up the sides, but need more beginner level instruction, this class is for you. Learn to throw various shapes and play with assorted surface techniques as you improve your throwing skills. At the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to take the procedural test where you can go on to any of our advanced classes.

The fee includes access to firing, glazes, & 10 lbs of clay, Includes a shelf at the MCAC.

Does not include access to open studio hours.

Guest registration allowed for this option.

C-17 Kitchen Utensils 

with Kirsten Heteji

   Wednesdays, 4 sessions

   Feb. 26, Mar. 5, 12, 19;

6:30- 9pm

Fee $130 for non members

 

Let’s make some handmade kitchen utensils together! We will be hand building a Butter dish,  a garlic grater plate, citrus reamer, braided trivets, and salt and pepper shakers.

Open to any experience level- hand builders or wheel throwers

Enrollment in this class provides access to MCAC's kilns and our full range of ceramic glazes, plus tools and 10lbs of clay, a shelf, and access to open studio hours.

C-18 Decal Mania with Kirsten Heteji

   Friday, 1 session

Feb. 28;

6:30-9pm

Fee: $40  for non members

Have some glazed works that need a little something extra? Let’s spruce it up with some decals! Like stickers for ceramic work, we can collage by adding images to your almost finished pieces.

Open to any level- just need to bring glaze fired work

Students will leave with with work that are elevated with decal imagery

Fee includes all materials needed to complete the project. 

Does not include a shelf at the MCAC and access to open studio hours. Guest registration allowed for this option.

Come experience the tedious yet intensely rewarding world of stippling, a drawing technique in which lights and shadows are created using nothing but hundreds and thousands of tiny dots. If you can hold a pen, you can stipple! Master the creation of subtle tonal effects in this 2-day workshop during which you will begin with an introduction to stippling through various value exercises, and end with a black and white insect illustration. Because the focus of this workshop is building value through stippling to create realistic forms, pencil drawings of insects will be provided, though students can choose to draw their own.

 Students will leave this class with a stippled insect illustration.

*All materials Provided.

C-19 Ceramic Studio Procedures: March

with Marjorie Hauge

   Sunday, 1 session

Mar. 2;

12-2pm

Fee: FREE!  

You are an experienced ceramicist but not knowledgeable about this studio? 

You have completed our beginning pottery series.

Maybe you need a refresher on our updated space.

Join us for a 2-hour introduction to the ceramic studio at MCAC. At the end of the session, after you pass a short quiz, you will be eligible to take any of our advanced courses except Open Studio. That requires 1 advanced class.

Repeats on the first Sunday of each month*

C-20 Intro to Handbuilding

with Sarah Hurley

   Sundays, 4 sessions

   Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23;

3:30-6 pm

Fee: $130 for non members

 

Are you curious about clay? Are you looking for a creative outlet? Come and explore the world of clay. This 4-session class will introduce you to the MCAC ceramic studio and the basics of hand building. You will explore the world of pinch pots, coil construction and the intricacies of slab building. You will be supplied with all the materials needed to complete your projects. Learn basic techniques that will unleash your creative potential. See what the world of pottery is all about. 

Class size is limited to seven to allow for individual instruction time. Student work is fired on-site. by our ceramic studio assistant, allowing everyone to take home finished pieces. 

Included in the fee: A shelf, kiln firing, 10 lbs. of clay, tools, and glazes. 

Prerequisite: No experience necessary

Does not include access to open studio hours.

Guest registration allowed for this option.

The MCAC will have an open studio option for Advanced Ceramic MEMBERS with at least a year of classes at the McLean Co. Arts Center and at least one advanced class with one of our instructors. This is not an instructed time but you will have access to supplies and resources at the MCAC.