CAIRNS: a Meditative Mixed Media Exploration
Saturday, June 21st, 10am - 4:00pm
with Jackie Lakely
Spend the day creating a series of pieces centered on the personal expression of Cairns. We most commonly know them as rock formations, although they have historically been made from a wide range of materials. They have served humanity over thousands of years as a means of communication, and connection, sharing route markers for explorers and hikers, holders of messages, to signify community, as a means of meditation, burial, and other rituals.
Abstracting Poetry: Multimedia Exploration
With Cynthia Breunlin
Saturday, June 21st, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Join us for Abstracting Poetry: Multimedia Exploration, a workshop led by Cynthia Breunlin. This workshop is centered around the combination of two disparate yet familiar art forms: poetry and collage! Taking from either personal or found poems and imagery, we will construct specialized artworks that tap into our emotional and visual sensibilities. Abstracting Poetry will help you express a delightful combination of words and visuals even if you are reluctant to say you like poetry! The Art League Gallery is a perfect setting to promote your new creation—Abstracting Poetry!
A Spiritual Journey, Painting and Interacting with Trees, a Sensory-Motor Approach
with Rev. Denise Grossman, Visual Artist/Painter
Sunday, June 22nd, 10am-3pm
Celebrate our tree city with a workshop to commune and maybe even hug a tree then go create art from that experience in the studio. This workshop develops our passion for painting and drawing trees in nature with insight and self-discovery, so that as artists we are better able to convey the emotional expressions of trees.
Kintsugi for Beginners
Saturday, July 12th, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
with Mami Takahashi
Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art form in which gold is used to repair broken ceramics. The practice of Kintsugi highlights the break rather than erasing it and emphasizes that the break is what makes the ceramics more valuable and beautiful. In this beginner’s workshop, participants will learn the basic technique of Kintsugi on a small porcelain plate or a small ceramic plate to understand the fundamentals of this process.
EXPLORING THE SUMMER GARDEN IN MIXED MEDIA
Saturday, July 19th, 10am - 4:00pm
with Jackie Lakely
Spend the day immersed in Summer’s bounty of flowers, grasses, vegetables, and fruits from my garden and from a farm near my house! If the weather is nice we will also spend time outside in the beautiful courtyard garden at OPAL! We will start with a series of maquettes (a grid of small studies) to explore and experiment with various mixed media techniques including drawing, painting, creating glazes, textures, shapes and patterns, working with collage, image transfer, and creating our own stamps and stencils. Then we will spend the afternoon developing larger pieces using the materials and techniques you want to create your own summer gardens. You might work from life the entire time, you might also decide to integrate your imaginative plants and flowers, narrative, and all manner of elements to make your pieces feel like YOURS. You are welcome to bring a lunch and have a break from 12:30-1:00.
The Art of French Beaded Flowers
With Shanelle Harrison
Saturday May 31st, 1-3pm
French Beaded Flowers Guided by award-winning artist Shanelle Harrison, students will create a multilayered beaded flower using glass beads and wire wrapping techniques.
Students will create a multilayered flower using glass beads and wire wrapping techniques.
Artist CV and Headshots- Professional Development Series
With Shanelle Harrison and Bryan Northup
Saturday & Sunday May 24 & 25
Book your spot for a one-on-one CV consultation on creating or improving your CV and a 10-minute photo shoot to update your artist headshot.
Invisible Ties: Assembling Memory into Presence
Monday, March 10, 10am-1pm
In this one-day workshop, participants will explore identity and memory through the meditative process of assemblage. Using materials like paper, watercolors, thread, wire, and textiles, they will transform personal memories into layered, tactile quilt-like panels. This hands-on experience encourages participants to focus on elements that resonate with their stories, creating a symbolic artwork that merges memory and material. Advanced Registration Required.
Kintsugi for Beginners
Sunday March 9th, 4pm - 6pm
Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art form in which gold is used to repair broken ceramics. The practice of Kintsugi highlights the break rather than erasing it and emphasizes that the break is what makes the ceramics more valuable and beautiful. In this beginner’s workshop, participants will learn the basic technique of Kintsugi on a small porcelain plate or a small ceramic plate to understand the fundamentals of this process.
Visual Poetics : Image Transfers & Encaustic Layering
Saturday March 1st 11am-2pm
In this class, participants will explore poetics in the visual language of encaustics; its haunting ability to layer and encapsulate imagery, pigment, and texture. Students will be asked to consider materials beyond the surface level, carefully examining how color, images, and mark making convey subtle meaning. This workshop will focus on basic encaustic techniques, image transfers onto wax, and studio safety.
EXTENSION - Oracle Card Making with Mixed Media Workshop
with Jackie Lakely
Saturday February 22nd from 10am-4pm
This is an extension of the previous Oracle Card workshop for those who participated in December.
Oracle cards mean different things to different people, but I see them as intuitive, uplifting messages to your future self, or visual ideas/messages/thoughts that you like to have around you.
Finishing, Photographing & Presenting Work - Professional Development Series
with Bryan Northup
Saturday, December 14th from 12pm - 2pm
Learn some tips and tricks on how to wire framed work properly, sign work, and present artworks for photographing or to gallery preparators to hang in a show. Bring a piece you want help with.
Oracle Card Making with Mixed Media Workshop
with Jackie Lakely
Sunday, December 8th, 10am - 4pm
Oracle cards mean different things to different people, but I see them as intuitive, uplifting messages to your future self, or visual ideas/messages/thoughts that you like to have around you.
Fused Glass Ornaments
with Bryan Northup
Saturday, December 7 from 1pm - 4pm
Make some handmade fused glass ornaments just in time for the holiday season. Surprise your friends and family with one-of-a-kind glass ornaments made by you!
Weaving Memories into Form with Bethany Cordero
with Bethany Cordero
Sunday November 24 10am-1pm
Join OPAL’s current Artist In Residence, Bethany Cordero, for an engaging and creative hands-on workshop where we'll explore how memories can be physically woven into meaningful, tactile art forms.
Straight Ahead: Intro to Stop-Motion
With Charlotte Hong
Saturday November 23rd and Sunday November 24th
1pm - 5pm
This hands-on workshop is a primer in the production skills and principles of stop-motion animation. Students will learn to craft paper cut-out puppets, collaborate on an exquisite corpse and be introduced to a selection of techniques to create their own stop-motion animated films.
Cartooning Basics
With Fox Graham
Sunday November 17th 2pm - 5pm
In this 3-hour course, you will learn about the process of making comics from drafting your story to having a finished page.
Oracle Card Making with Mixed Media Workshop
with Jackie Lakely
Saturday, November 16th, 10am - 4pm
THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL
Oracle cards mean different things to different people, but I see them as intuitive, uplifting messages to your future self, or visual ideas/messages/thoughts that you like to have around you.
Cartooning Basics
With Fox Graham
Sunday November 10th 2pm - 5pm
In this 3-hour course, you will learn about the process of making comics from drafting your story to having a finished page.
SUNDAY Figure Drawing Non-Instructional with Clothed Model
Sunday, November 3rd, 10am - 1pm
Model: Brey
This figure session will be a clothed model session open to teens 12+ as well as adults.
This is the traditional OPAL Sunday figure session for drawing from a live model. These are 3-hour, non-instructional figure drawing sessions. Work on your figure-drawing skills at your own self-directed pace!
Fused Glass Ornaments
with Bryan Northup
Saturday, November 2nd from 1pm - 4pm
Make some handmade fused glass ornaments just in time for the holiday season. Surprise your friends and family with one-of-a-kind glass ornaments made by you!
THURSDAY Figure Drawing Non-Instructional with Model
Thursday, October 31st, 9am - 12pm
Model: Mia
Figure session for drawing from a live model. These are 3-hour, non-instructional figure drawing sessions. Work on your figure-drawing skills at your own self-directed pace!
SUNDAY Figure Drawing Non-Instructional with Model
Sunday, October 27th, 10am - 1pm
Model: Sean
This is the traditional OPAL Sunday figure session for drawing from a live model. These are 3-hour, non-instructional figure drawing sessions. Work on your figure-drawing skills at your own self-directed pace!
THURSDAY Figure Drawing Non-Instructional with Model
Thursday, October 24th, 9am - 12pm
Model: Jason
Figure session for drawing from a live model. These are 3-hour, non-instructional figure drawing sessions. Work on your figure-drawing skills at your own self-directed pace!
THURSDAY Figure Drawing Non-Instructional with Model
Thursday, October 17th, 9am - 12pm
Model: Tony
Figure session for drawing from a live model. These are 3-hour, non-instructional figure drawing sessions. Work on your figure-drawing skills at your own self-directed pace!
SUNDAY Figure Drawing Non-Instructional with Model
Sunday, October 13th, 10am - 1pm
Model: Andy Olsen
This is the traditional OPAL Sunday figure session for drawing from a live model. These are 3-hour, non-instructional figure drawing sessions. Work on your figure-drawing skills at your own self-directed pace!
THURSDAY Figure Drawing Non-Instructional with Model
Thursday, October 10th, 9am - noon
Model: Deandrea Brown
Figure session for drawing from a live model. This is a 3-hour, non-instructional figure drawing sessions. Work on your figure-drawing skills at your own self-directed pace!
Kintsugi for Beginners
with Mami Takahashi
Sunday October 6th, 3pm-5pm
Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese art form in which gold is used to repair broken ceramics. The practice of Kintsugi highlights the break rather than erasing it and emphasizes that the break is what makes the ceramics more valuable and beautiful. In this beginner’s workshop, participants will learn the basic technique of Kintsugi on a small porcelain plate or a small ceramic plate to understand the fundamentals of this process.
SUNDAY Figure Drawing Non-Instructional with Model
Sunday, October 6th, 10am - 1pm
Model: Emma Ramirez
This figure session will be a clothed model session open to teens 12+ as well as adults.
This is the traditional OPAL Sunday figure session for drawing from a live model. These are 3-hour, non-instructional figure drawing sessions. Work on your figure-drawing skills at your own self-directed pace!
THURSDAY Figure Drawing Non-Instructional with Model
Thursday, October 3rd, 9am - 12pm
Model: TBD
Figure session for drawing from a live model. These are 3-hour, non-instructional figure drawing sessions. Work on your figure-drawing skills at your own self-directed pace!
SUNDAY Figure Drawing Non-Instructional with Model
Sunday, September 29th, 10am - 1pm
Model: Sean Walsh
This is the traditional OPAL Sunday figure session for drawing from a live model. These are 3-hour, non-instructional figure drawing sessions. Work on your figure-drawing skills at your own self-directed pace!
THURSDAY Figure Drawing Non-Instructional with Model
Thursday, September 26th, 9am - 12pm
Model: Dalawn
Figure session for drawing from a live model. These are 3-hour, non-instructional figure drawing sessions. Work on your figure-drawing skills at your own self-directed pace!
SUNDAY Figure Drawing Non-Instructional with Model
Sunday, September 22nd, 10am - 1pm
Model: Jason Schroeder
This is the traditional OPAL Sunday figure session for drawing from a live model. These are 3-hour, non-instructional figure drawing sessions. Work on your figure-drawing skills at your own self-directed pace!
THURSDAY Figure Drawing Non-Instructional with Model
Thursday, September 19th, 9am - 12pm
Model: Sean Walsh
Figure session for drawing from a live model. These are 3-hour, non-instructional figure drawing sessions. Work on your figure-drawing skills at your own self-directed pace!