Art School for Life!

When: Sun., Wed., or Thurs., Beginning May 4
Where: Carnegie Museum of Art
4-week classes: $150 ($125 Carnegie Museums members; $100 Mindful Museum members)

Welcome (back) to Art School! It’s time to refresh and activate your creativity through this series of technique-building classes utilizing Carnegie Museum of Art’s collection and exhibitions as source material. Each artist-led class includes close looking and visual thinking in the galleries, in-depth exploration of techniques and materials connected to artwork on view, and thoughtful conversations to expand your imagination. Classes are divided by skill level. All materials are included.

Two people drawing — Photo: Bryan Conley

Upcoming Classes

Ceramic Tiles

Sunday, May 4–25, noon–2 p.m.

Location: Yellow Studio
Level: Beginner
Instructor: Rachel Cooper

Learn the basics of tile making, including forming a slab, carving, and adding touches in relief to the surface. Basic glazing techniques will be covered. Visits to the galleries will help to inspire your designs. Maximum number of tiles and size are limited to 4 tiles, 6 x 6 in., or a combination of smaller tile.

Painting Your Dreams in Miniature

Sunday, May 4–25, noon–2 p.m.
Thursday, May 8–29, 6–8 p.m.

Location: Ceramics Studio
Level: Intermediate
Instructor: Joka Slagle

Focus in on the artist’s dream subjects and small paintings in the exhibition Gertrude Abercrombie: The Whole World Is a Mystery. Explore symbols, objects, colors, and motifs that are meaningful to you. Then translate your dream imagery onto a series of small canvases (and one to wear as a brooch!) using acrylic painting techniques. Learn small brush handling and color mixing.

Botanical Drawing: Focus on Flowers

Wednesday, May 7–28, 1–3 p.m.

Location: Yellow Studio
Level: Beginner
Instructor: Abby Michalowski

Embrace the delicacy of the natural world, which has long been a favorite subject for artists. Explore the symbolism behind floral motifs in works of art in the galleries. Using preserved flowers, focus in on flower morphology and learn how to create the textures and lushness of each element. Develop your drawing skills using graphite drawing pencils and colored pencils on artist-grade paper. Includes a visit to Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Herbarium.

Silk Screen Printing You Can Do at Home

Wednesday, May 7–28, 1–3 p.m.

Location: Art Studio
Level: Beginner
Instructor: Autumn Mitlo

Learn this basic stencil printing technique once embraced by artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. Experiment with shape, line, and color to create the signature graphic qualities of the medium. Short sketching excursions in the galleries provide inspiration for your individual creative voice.

Botanical Drawing

Wednesday, May 7–28, 1–3 p.m.

Location: Classroom Studio
Level: Intermediate

Deepen your knowledge of plant morphology while enhancing your drawing skills. Learn how to render plants from buds to root systems with detailed accuracy. Heighten your ability to capture realistic textures. Preserved flowers, plants, natural materials, and artist-grade drawing and colored pencils and paper will be provided. Includes a visit to Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Herbarium.

Drawing Basics: Focus on the Figure

Thursday, May 8–29, 6–8 p.m.

Location: Yellow Studio
Level: Beginner
Instructor: Abby Michalowski

The human figure offers endless inspiration for artists and is the perfect place to begin or continue your art journey. Strengthen your observation skills by looking closely at works of art in the collection with figural foci. Learn how to break down the human form into shapes and lines to better understand figural proportions. Experiment with line, gesture, value, and shading to add more accuracy to your drawings. One class will include a draped live model.