In this open studio course, students are free to paint any subject matter and work in any style. Bring in a current piece you are working on or create a new one! The instructor will roam during the class, giving students tips and instruction throughout the 3 hours of class. The instructor will provide subject matter for students who want to paint but may not have anything specific in mind. 

*Note: This painting class will be with oil paints. Bring in any supplies you are currently using and some materials can be provided if needed. 

Tuesdays, May 9 – 30
9 am – noon

Instructor: Mike Callahan
Age: Adult (15+) | All Levels

Kids ages 7 – 11 will have fun exploring the tactile nature of clay. In this 4 week course, the instructor will take the kids on a journey into the world of artifacts while creating ceramic versions of their own. Instruction will encompass hand building, including slab, coil work and sculpture. In addition, students will learn about glazing and the transformation of their pieces from the heat of the kiln. This will be a fun and educational class.  All works will be fired in the Museums’ kiln. Snack and materials are included.

Wednesdays, May 10 – 31
5:30 – 7:30 pm

Instructor: Brittany Sundheim
Ages: 7 – 11 | All Levels

Collaging is the art of sticking various different materials such as photographs, pieces of paper or fabric on to a backing. In this class, students will learn about the aesthetics of collage, melding the ideas of reality and fiction as the instructor guides them through the process of creating their own piece using everyday materials. 

Supplies are provided, but feel free to bring any materials you’d like to incorporate into your collage piece.

Saturday, May 27
10 am – 2 pm

Instructor: Sogand Tabatabaei
Ages: Adult (15+) | All Levels

In this class, students will explore how to paint various rocks and cliffs in watercolor. We will briefly explore how to mix your own grays and neutrals. Using wet in wet as well as wet on dry approach, lifting technique, and various approaches to generate texture, we will focus on several different types of rocks, including multiple variations of generic as well as local rocks/rock formations. 100% cotton paper is highly recommended for wet in wet approach.

Wednesday, May 3 and 10
5 – 9 pm

Instructor: Iva Neveux
Age: Adult (15+) | All Levels

Supply list: Please show email confirmation at Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount.

• Watercolor pallet including your preferred reds, yellows, blues including indigo and earths including burnt sienna & burnt umber
• Variety of watercolor brushes including 1” flat, #6 or # 8 round, fan and rigger brush
• Pad (several sheets) of Arches cold press 140 lb watercolor paper (9”x12” or larger), other 100% cotton brands will also work (Daler Rowney, Bee Paper, Winsor Newton); some student grade watercolor paper (Strathmore series 400) for charting and testing color and brush strokes
• Natural and/or synthetic sponge
• Graphite or mechanical pencil
• Kneaded eraser
• Tracing paper
• Two plastic water containers
• Spray bottle and a mister bottle
• Roll of paper towels
• Cling wrap
• Palette knife and/or plastic card (optional)
• Masking fluid (optional)

Students will be introduced to portrait painting techniques in this weekend intensive. Instructor will cover such topics as using a two-color palette, value scales, keying a painting, as well as, using both line and mass to create a portrait. Students may use acrylic or oil paint.

Saturday and Sunday, May 20 – 21
9 am – 2 pm

Instructor: Daniel Helzer
Ages: 15 and up | All Levels

Supply list: Show email confirmation at Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount.

• Oil/Acrylic colors:
• White
• Black
• Ultramarine Blue
• Yellow (Hansa Yellow, Cadmium Yellow or something similar)
• Assortment of brushes.
• Red (Cadmium Red, Alizarin Crimson or something similar)
• Palette knife, paper towels and a few canvas boards, 8×10 or bigger.

For Oils: Gamsol, tourpintine or walnut oil for use as a brush medium or cleaner.

Working in oil paint, students will explore value divisions in landscapes and the basics of brush sketching and massing. With these skills students will learn how to relate color to value and will gain a better understanding of identifying spatial cues in a landscape. Using foundational skills students can then explore under-painting, glazing and dry-brushing techniques.

Saturday and Sunday, April 22 and 23
9 am – 2 pm

Instructor: Daniel Helzer
Ages: 15 and up | All Levels

• Supply list: Show email confirmation at Nevada Fine Arts for a 10% discount.

  • Canvas Board 16×12 or smaller
  • Palette Knife
  • Palette
  • Paper Towels
  • Selection of bristle brushes (small, med and large)
  • Assortment of brushes.
  • Palette knife, paper towels and a few canvas boards, 8×10 or bigger.

  Paint Colors:

  • Cobalt Blue
  • Ultramarine Blue
  • Thalo Blue
  • Dioxazine Purple
  • Cadmium Red Light
  • Cadmium Yellow or Hansa Yellow
  • Burnt Sienna
  • Titanium White

  For Oils: Gamsol, turpentine or walnut oil for use as a brush medium or cleaner.

In this workshop students will learn the fundamental principles of graphic design through both visual instruction and hands-on practice on iPads. Students will be given design briefs to exercise their understanding of design theories, and how they can utilize layout, type and color to communicate deeper messages. In this one-day graphic design workshop, you will learn how to apply design principles by structuring a visual hierarchy using space and type. No previous design experience is necessary as this course will serve as a foundation for individuals wishing to step into the design world. 

NOTE: iPad Pro and software will be provided for students to use during class time.

Sunday, May 21
9 am – noon

Instructor: Joseph Morales
Ages: Adult (15+) | All Levels

Learn to shoot professional quality macro photos using your iPhone. With the fast-growing quality of cell phone cameras photography has become a much more accessible form of art. This class will go over the fundamentals of macro photography, lighting and an editing workflow specific to the iPhone software, as well as printing 1-2 4×6 images directly from your phone. Although this class is based around the iPhone software other smartphones are welcomed as the fundamentals of photography will still apply.

Sunday, May 28
9 am – noon

Instructor: Julie Tracy
Ages: Adult (15+) | All Levels

In this introductory photography class, students will learn about the basic functions with DSLR cameras. This will include, aperture, shutter speed, composition, light metering and how to get the correct exposure for the image you want to capture. Students will need to bring a DSLR camera with one lens to the class. 

Tuesday, June 6
5:30 – 8:30 pm

Instructor: Julie Tracy
Ages: Adult (15+) | Beginners 

Kids ages 7 – 11 will explore the basics of Procreate on the Museum’s iPad Pros as they work on storyboarding, character design and animation in this after school series. Students will also have the opportunity to learn drawing fundamentals and techniques that can be applied to all forms of drawing. All materials and snack are provided.

Thursdays, May 4 – 25
5:30 – 7:30 pm

Instructor: Joseph Morales
Ages: 7 – 11 | All levels