Take your portrait painting to the next level in this dynamic, multi-week course designed for artists with basic oil painting experience. Learn the subtle art of color mixing, value and temperature in skin tones. Included is a one day session with a professional photographer who will guide you through the process of taking a quality photo reference—setting your painting up for success. Concluding with a live model, study facial anatomy and proportions. Step by step, you’ll build confidence in your process while discovering your personal approach to expressive, lifelike portraits.

Click HERE for a materials list for this course.

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support our mission! Learn more about it's benefits and discounts!

This 10-week intermediate to advanced ceramics course explores innovative approaches to wheel-thrown and altered forms, as well as hand building from thrown elements. Students will refine their technical skills while experimenting with cutting, reassembling, and reshaping thrown pieces. Surface decoration techniques, including newsprint transfers, resists, stencils, and screen printing with underglaze, will also be covered. This course is ideal for those looking to push their creative boundaries. Students must be comfortable with both throwing and hand building techniques.

This class is held in a ADA accessable studio space

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support our mission! Learn more about it's benefits and discounts!

Open Studio is available exclusively to students (ages 16 and up) enrolled in a full-semester ceramics class. Students must register for Open Studio at the same location as their class to avoid transporting pottery between studios. Use this time to continue working on class projects. Tech support is offered during select Open Studio hours. 

• Monday: 9:30-12:00
• Tuesday: 1 pm - 3:30 pm
• Wednesday/Thursday: 4 pm - 6 pm
• Saturday/Sunday: 1 pm - 6:30 pm

Open Studio is available exclusively to students (ages 16 and up) enrolled in a full-semester ceramics class. Students must register for Open Studio at the same location as their class to avoid transporting pottery between studios. Use this time to continue working on class projects. Tech support is offered during select Open Studio hours. 

• Monday: 9:30 am - 12 pm
• Tuesday 9 am - 1 pm
• Wednesday/Friday: 9 am - 12 pm
• Saturday/Sunday: 1 pm - 6:30 pm

This 10-week course offers a comprehensive introduction to the art of wheel throwing. Students will learn the fundamentals of clay preparation, centering, and shaping basic forms like bowls and cylinders. As the course progresses, students will explore trimming, attaching handles, surface decoration techniques and glazing. With hands-on practice and one-on-one guidance, participants will refine their skills and complete personal projects. The final weeks focus on finishing touches and group critiques, providing students with a well-rounded foundation in the art of functional pottery. Suitable for beginners eager to explore the world of ceramics.

This class is held in a ADA accessable studio space

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support our mission! Learn more about it's benefits and discounts!

Step into the world of pottery with our All About the Wheel class, offering basic to advanced wheel-throwing techniques! Beginners kick off by learning to center and throw cylinders and bowls, while returning students refine their personal style and dive into advanced techniques and individual projects. Explore glaze application and decoration in a vibrant group setting. Plan to unleash your creativity, and focus on crafting functional pots for specific foods and events this summer! Enroll now and let the wheel-spinning adventure begin!

This class is scheduled to be held in CCS, which is only accessable by stairs.

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support the mission of HYS

Discover the expressive potential of pastels in this 10-week studio course. Start with foundational techniques through still life studies, focusing on application methods, understanding light and shadow, and exploring color blending. Build your confidence in observing and interpreting form, surface, and atmosphere, while developing your own artistic voice with this versatile medium. Whether you're new to pastels or looking to refine your skills, this class offers a supportive space to experiment and grow.

Click HERE to see the materials list for this course

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support the mission of HYS

Unlock the secrets of abstract and expressionistic painting with EO Omwake's tailored classes, designed to cater to each student's unique preferences. Dive into the essence of creativity, regardless of your painting experience, and learn foundational and advanced skills in the historic Chester Springs Fine Art Studio. Join a community of artists of all levels, working together to explore the nuts and bolts of painting, receiving personalized guidance from EO Omwake, and culminating in a valuable end-of-class critique. Elevate your artistry and enrich lives through your creations – take the plunge and enroll now to unleash your creative potential!

click HERE for a materials list for this course!

• We believe art should be accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who qualify.
• Membership is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support our mission! Learn more about it's benefits and discounts!