Log in

MCAC Adult Classes: 17+

Whether you're looking to take a one-time workshop or join a class that meets weekly, MCAC offers a variety of affordable opportunities to exercise your creativity! We believe in small class sizes and quality instructors. Supplies are always included in our course fees. 

Registration Policies: Your class registration is not complete until your payment is processed. (You do not need to pay to register for classes or workshops, but we ask that you pay within a week of registration or call us at the MCAC to make other arrangements.) This helps us offer open spots to our community.

Class registration may be cancelled up to 7 days before the start of class for a full refund.  Class registration may be transferred up to 7 days before the start of class. Only one transfer is allowed, per registration/payment. 

Registration Now Open For Fall 2021 Classes, Workshops and Intensives!

  • P4 - Evening Pastels with Mandy Roeing

    • October 18, 2021
    • 6:30 PM
    • November 15, 2021
    • 9:00 PM
    • McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St. Bloomington IL 61701
    • 0
    • 8 registrants
    Registration is closed


    Mondays, October 18-November 15, 2021

    6:30 - 9:00 PM

    Fee: $125 (Non Member)

    Dive into the world of pastels with MCAC instructor Mandy Roeing. This five-week course is appropriate for beginners and those with some pastel experience. Students will learn basic pastel techniques and will practice painting both still life objects and landscapes.

    *All supplies are included. This class open to teens 15 and up and adults.

    Show details

  • C8 - Ceramic Workshop: Sgraffito Techniques with Amber Gravett

    • October 24, 2021
    • 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    • McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St. Bloomington IL 61701
    • 0
    • 9 registrants
    Registration is closed

      

     Sunday, October 24, 2021

    11:00am-2:00pm

    Fee: $45 (Non Member)


    Join MCAC Instructor Amber Gravett for a fascinating look at the sgraffito technique in ceramics. Sgraffito (in Italian "to scratch") is a decorating pottery technique produced by applying layers of color or colors (underglazes or colored slips) to leather hard pottery and then scratching off parts of the layer(s) to create contrasting images, patterns and texture and reveal the clay color underneath.

    Each student will create something beautiful using this technique during the workshop. .

    The MCAC will supply you with all the materials needed including clay, tools, glazes and kiln use. These pieces will be fired and we will apply the final coat of clear glaze and they will be ready for pick up two weeks later. Great Workshop for teens 15 and up or adults!

    Show details

  • PG - Saturday Mixed-Media Workshop with Dale Evans

    • October 30, 2021
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St. Bloomington IL 61701
    • 1
    • 7 registrants
    Register

       

    Saturday, October 30th, 2021

    1:00- 4:00 PM

    Fee: $45


    Combining a variety of wet media - inks, watercolor, etc, with drawing ingredients - charcoal, graphite, and pastels, students will have a chance to explore landscapes utilizing provided and student supplied images. Bring an image you would like to recreate or use one provided by instructor Dale Evans. This is a workshop for intermediate to advanced students, strong drawing skills needed.

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


    Show details

  • PM3 - Collagraph Class with Amber Gravett

    • October 31, 2021
    • 12:00 PM
    • November 21, 2021
    • 2:30 PM
    • McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St. Bloomington IL 61701
    • 3
    • 6 registrants
    Register


    Sundays, October 31-November 21, 2021

    12:00-2:30 PM

    Fee: $100 (Non-Member)


    Join instructor Amber Gravett on Sundays this fall for this four-week collagraph printmaking course. Learn the technique and build new plates in weeks 1-3, and print off multiple prints in weeks 2-4. If you've experienced this technique then this is a great class to dig in and really develop your skills. If you are completely new to the printmaking world then this will be a wonderful introduction to the press and how to ink up plates and create gorgeous prints. All materials are provided and this class is for teens and adults.

    Show details

  • W1 - Daytime Watercolor with Dale Evans

    • November 03, 2021
    • 12:30 PM
    • December 15, 2021
    • 3:00 PM
    • McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St. Bloomington IL 61701
    • 0
    • 8 registrants
    Join waitlist

    Wednesdays, November 3-December 15, 2021

    (No class the week of Thanksgiving)

    12:30 - 3:00 PM

    Fee: $150 (Non-Members)

    Join instructor Dale Evans for this six-week all-levels watercolor course. This course is appropriate for those with no experience painting on their own, as well as those who wish to expand upon their skills. All supplies are included.

    This course covers a variety of watercolor fundamentals: wash techniques, glazing, layering, brush work, and masking. Students will work with transparent still life objects and paint landscapes using photo references. All materials provided in fee.
    Show details

  • C9 - Wednesday Ceramics with Erin Furimsky

    • November 03, 2021
    • 6:30 PM
    • December 15, 2021
    • 9:00 PM
    • McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St. Bloomington IL 61701
    • 0
    • 8 registrants
    Join waitlist

    Wednesdays, November 3-December 15, 2021 

    (No class the week of Thanksgiving)

    6:30 - 9:00 PM

    Fee: $195


    Join instructor Erin Furimsky for this six-week ceramics course. No experience is necessary, all skill levels are welcome. Students have the option of working on the potter's wheel, using hand-building techniques... or both!  
    Enrollment in this class provides access to MCAC's kilns and our full range of ceramic glazes. Enrolled students may also work on their own during open studio hours, at no additional charge. 

    Class size is limited to nine to allow for individual instruction time. Early registration is encouraged; seats typically sell out in advance. Experienced potters are welcome to join this class to experiment and learn new techniques. Student work is fired on-site by our ceramics studio assistant, allowing everyone to take home finished pieces. 
    Show details

  • C10 - Thursday Ceramics with Claire Hedden

    • November 04, 2021
    • 6:30 PM
    • December 16, 2021
    • 9:00 PM
    • McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St. Bloomington IL 61701
    • 0
    • 8 registrants
                       

    Thursdays, November 4-December 16, 2021

    (No class the week of Thanksgiving)

    6:30 - 9:00 PM

    Fee: $195 (Non Member)


    Join instructor Claire Hedden for this six-week ceramics course. No experience is necessary, all skill levels are welcome. Students have the option of working on the potter's wheel, using hand-building techniques... or both!  

    Enrollment in this class provides access to MCAC's kilns and our full range of ceramic glazes. Enrolled students may also work on their own during open studio hours, at no additional charge. 

    Class size is limited to nine to allow for individual instruction. Early registration is encouraged; seats typically sell out in advance. Experienced potters are welcome to join this class to experiment and learn new techniques. Student work is fired on-site by our ceramics studio assistant, allowing everyone to take home finished pieces.
    Show details

  • F4 - Holiday Card Embroidery Workshop with Heather Evert

    • November 06, 2021
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St. Bloomington, IL 61701
    • 9
    • Be the first
    Register

     


    Saturday, November 6th, 2021

     1:00-4:00pm

    $35 (Non Member)

    Use colorful embroidery to make something extra-special to send for November and December holidays this year. We'll be making stitches right on the cardstock paper, using stencils of various shapes or drawing freehand designs, then punching holes in the cards for the stitches. You'll also learn how to creating lettering on cardstock for special events and birthdays.

    MCAC instructor, Heather Evert, will introduce a few basic types of embroidery stitches, then students will have time to design and stitch, with the goal of having a finished or nearly-finished card to take home. These are techniques you can use for a lifetime to keep creating special cards for your friends and family. 

    All materials supplied by the MCAC.

    Show details

  • C11 - Hand Building Ceramics with Kirsten Heteji

    • November 08, 2021
    • 1:00 PM
    • December 13, 2021
    • 3:30 PM
    • McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St. Bloomington IL 61701
    • 1
    • 6 registrants
    Register
                

    Mondays, November 8 - December 13, 2021

    1:00-3:30 PM

    Fee: $195 (Non Member)

    Join instructor Kirsten Heteji for this six-week ceramics course. No experience is necessary, all skill levels are welcome. This hand building focused class will walk you through pinch, slab and coil techniques with surface decoration throughout. We will gain some skills by making fun mini projects such as memory boxes, soft slab trays, coil built vases and pinched vessels. 

    Enrollment in this class provides access to MCAC's kilns and our full range of ceramic glazes. Enrolled students may also work on their own during open studio hours, at no additional charge. 

    Class size is limited to eight to allow for individual instruction time. Early registration is encouraged; seats typically sell out in advance. Experienced potters are welcome to join this class to experiment and learn new techniques. Student work is fired on-site by our ceramics studio assistant, allowing everyone to take home finished pieces. 
    Show details

  • C12 - Figurative Ceramic Class with Amber Gravett

    • November 08, 2021
    • 6:30 PM
    • December 13, 2021
    • 9:00 PM
    • McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St. Bloomington IL 61701
    • 2
    • 6 registrants
    Register


    Mondays, November 8-December 13, 2021

    6:30 - 9:00 PM

    Fee: $195 (Non-Member)


    Join instructor Amber Gravett for a six week course on figurative ceramic sculpture! Learn all the techniques to make figurines, sculptures and busts. Amber will walk you through how to sketch and design a plan for your piece, and hand building techniques to achieve your vision.

    All skill levels welcome to this class and all supplies are provided by the McLean County Arts Center, including 12.5 pounds of clay, access to our glaze inventory, and firing your artwork in our kilns. You will also have access to Open Studio throughout the week to work on projects and glaze work that has been fired.

    Early Registration is recommended, the majority of our ceramic classes are usually filled with a waiting list.

    Show details

  • P6 - Evening Painting Class with Jeremy Langston

    • November 09, 2021
    • 6:30 PM
    • December 14, 2021
    • 9:00 PM
    • McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St. Bloomington IL 61701
    • 0
    • 8 registrants
    Join waitlist

    Tuesdays, November 9-December 14, 2021

    6:30 - 9:00 PM

    Fee: $150 (Non Member)


    Interested in painting with acrylics or water mixable oils? Join instructor Jeremy Langston for this six-week painting course. No experience is necessary, all skill levels are welcome. Students may bring reference photos from home or use images available in the classroom library. This course covers a variety of acrylic fundamentals: materials and care, layering, brush work, and masking. You'll also Learn the flow of how to work with water-mixable oils, color-mixing, and different techniques. Students can expect to leave with a finished painting or two!

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

    Show details

  • P7- Holiday Still Life Workshop with Jeremy Langston

    • November 13, 2021
    • 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St. Bloomington IL 61701
    • 6
    • 3 registrants
    Register

         

    Saturday, November 13, 2021

    11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

    Fee: $75 (Non Member)


    Just in time for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukah, join MCAC instructor Jeremy Langston for a Holiday Still Life Workshop. Jeremy will help you create a still life to pull from or bring an image of something you want to copy. You can work in acrylic or water-mixable oils to create a 9x12 painting. This will be a fantastic piece to frame and hang each year in your own home. A treasure that will be passed down from generation to generation.

    This is an advanced painting class, some experience is needed in acrylics or water-mixable oils. All materials are provided: paints, brushes, painting surfaces, palettes, knives, etc.  

    *Lunch is no longer provided by the MCAC. Please feel free to bring your own drinks, snacks and lunch to this workshop.     
    Show details

  • PM1 - Holiday Card & Stamp Making Workshop with Amber Gravett

    • November 20, 2021
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St. Bloomington IL 61701
    • 9
    • Be the first
    Register


    Saturday, November 20, 2021

    1:00-4:00PM

    Fee: $35 (Non Member)


    Join the MCAC for some creative print fun right before the Holidays! In this workshop, students will explore making images through custom made stamps and creating Holiday Card Sets with MCAC instructor Amber Gravett.

    Stamps are made by drawing onto a Speedball speedy carve block and cutting away a relief image. Students will create different objects and patterns that they will use to create multiple cards to send out to family and friends. Each student will leave with stamps and a set of cards! All materials provided by the MCAC and this class is open to adults, teens and youths (10 and under) that are accompanied by an adult student.

    *Please feel free to bring your own drinks and snacks to this workshop.
    Show details

  • F1 -Three Week Japanese Temari Class with Heather Evert

    • November 22, 2021
    • 6:30 PM
    • December 06, 2021
    • 8:30 PM
    • McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St. Bloomington IL 61701
    • 9
    • Be the first
    Register

    Mondays, November 22-December6, 2021

    6:30-8:30 PM

    Fee: $90 (Non Member)

    Temari is an art form with hundreds of years of history in Japan. Ladies at the Imperial Court once made them to play games and compete on their embroidery skills. Before rubber balls, children used them for outdoor play. Modern temari are beautiful gifts for special occasions. 

    This class is open to beginners or those with some temari experience. There will be a little homework between sessions. Over the three weeks, learn a bit of the history of temari in Japan, and get practice, design guidance and feedback as you create your embroidery patterns. Week 1: lay down guidelines on a ball and how to wrap a new ball; Week 2: designs with wrapped bands and interlocking shapes; Week 3: decorating negative space and the classic kiku (chrysanthemum). All materials are supplied for this class by the MCAC.

    Heather is certified with the Japan Temari Association and was an MCAC Artisan Workshop Resident in November 2018 and 2019. 

    Show details

  • F4 - Bayeux Stitch Artist Talk & Workshop with Heather Evert

    • December 04, 2021
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St. Bloomington, IL 61701
    • 7
    • 2 registrants
    Register

     

    Saturday, December 4, 2021

     1:00-4:00pm

    $40 (Non Member)

    The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most famous pieces of medieval fiber art. It is not a woven tapestry as the name would imply, but a series of large pieces of embroidery that depict the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and the events leading up to William the Conqueror's invasion of England.

    With fiber arts instructor Heather Evert, explore the story and figures of the embroidery through an artist talk. Then, try your hand at the Bayeux stitch and the stem/outline stitch used to create the historic piece, using wool threads and linen fabric. Each student will receive a complete supply kit so they can take home their creation and continue to work on their own tapestry.

    Show details

  • PM2 - Beginners Print Workshop with Amber Gravett

    • December 11, 2021
    • 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St. Bloomington IL 61701
    • 9
    • Be the first
    Register

         

    Saturday, December 11, 2021

    12:00-4:00 PM

    Fee: $60 (Non Member)

    Join instructor Amber Gravett for a fun afternoon of exploring the beautiful and magical art of print making! This will be a great starting point if you are interested in this medium. Learn about different techniques, play around with hand printing or running prints through the press. Explore monotype, linocut stamps and more. You will learn a wonderful new art and you will leave with multiple prints and a new love and respect for print making.

    All supplies for this workshop are provided by the MCAC and this workshop is open to teens 15 and up and adults. *Please feel free to bring your own drinks and snacks to this workshop.     

    Show details

  • P8- Painting With A Palette Knife Workshop with Jeremy Langston

    • December 18, 2021
    • 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St. Bloomington IL 61701
    • 7
    • 2 registrants
    Register

         

    Saturday, December 18, 2021

    11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

    Fee: $75 (Non Member)


    In this workshop you will learn all of the essentials of palette knife painting using acrylic paints or water mixable paints. Instructor Jeremy Langston will focus on basic knife techniques, color mixing, composition and the use of broken color as you turn your underpainting into something truly unique. This is an advanced painting class, some experience is needed in acrylics or water-mixable oils.

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

    *Lunch is no longer provided by the MCAC. Please feel free to bring your own drinks, snacks and lunch to this workshop.     
    Show details

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software