Learn the traditional techniques of etching on copper! In this class, we will practice drypoint, hard ground etching, and aquatint to develop images with a full range of values, and, of course, printing those images on GAC's American French Tool Co. press. Both experienced printmakers and beginners are welcome. This class is open to adults and mature teens of all skill levels and all materials are included. Students have access to 6 hours per week of open studio time to practice and work on projects outside of class.

This class is scheduled to be in our print studio, which is only accessible by stairs.

Our class/workshop cancellation policy can be found here. 

We believe art should be accessible to all.  Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

No class March 20.

Open to new and experienced students, this class will explore the world of blending pigment with water. Students will learn traditional techniques and be encouraged to take risks using different techniques and materials. Enjoy the freedom that watercolor provides!

This class is open to students of all skill levels. New students will receive an email about what supplies they will need to bring. The class runs for 4 weeks and does not include materials.


Our class/workshop cancellation policy can be found here.

We believe art should be accessible to all. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

In this inventive, ongoing drawing class, students will learn new ways to express their experience of the visual world through drawing.

Using dynamic set-ups, still life, and natural objects, each class is devoted to drawing from observation with ease. Specific elements of realistic drawing – such as positive/negative space, perspective, proportion, value, composition, etc. — will be demonstrated and practiced. For inspiration, we will study the drawings of Rembrandt, Durer, Van Gogh, Cezanne and several contemporary artists, in order to see through their eyes more deeply. The goal of this class is for students to develop a joyful drawing practice with freedom and confidence, while silencing the narrative of the inner critic. Questions are encouraged, and gentle homework assignments will be suggested. 

This class is appropriate for anyone who loves to draw! Students of all skill levels are welcome, and all materials are included. Feel free to bring any favorite drawing supplies or sketchbooks.

Our class/workshop cancellation policy can be found here.

We believe art should be accessible to all. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

If you haven’t picked up a paintbrush since college, high school or kindergarten — or if you have never even picked up a paintbrush — this class is for you. Painting is a joyful, teachable skill that will open up a universe of color, expression, personal mark-making and visual perception. We will break down the basics of painting, everything from how to set up a palette, handle brushes, start a painting, mix color, apply paint to canvas —even the best practices for easy clean up. Our class will paint directly from life, using natural objects to explore color and composition. Every class will include a variety of time-tested painting exercises designed to increase your proficiency. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your skills will advance. It is time to start painting again, and re-enter the visual world with confidence.

All materials are included. The quality of water-based acrylic paint has improved greatly over the years, and we will be working with acrylic and a slow drying medium that increases paint flow. If you prefer to use oil paint, please email the instructor.

There is no class on January 31st. 

Our class/workshop cancellation policy can be found here.

We believe art should be accessible to all.  Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

Screen printing is a rich, expressive, and versatile medium. This course will cover all of the basics of screen preparation and printing. Express your ideas using hand-drawn, digital, or photographic techniques. Experimentation is encouraged! Printing on paper, wood, fabric, metal, and glass is possible. Previous printmaking experience is not required.

This class is for adults and mature teenagers of all skill levels and includes 6 hours a week of open studio time. All materials are included.

No class on February 17th. 

This class is scheduled to be in our print studio, which is only accessible by stairs. 

Our class/workshop cancellation policy can be found here.

We believe art should be accessible to all. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

Technical Foundations for Serious Practice

This course focuses on the essential techniques that govern watercolor behavior and control. Students work systematically with brush handling, water management, and paint application, including wet-on-wet, dry brush, lifting, glazing, masking, and layered washes. Emphasis is placed on understanding cause and effect in watercolor rather than working by guesswork.

Instruction progresses from broad, controlled washes to increasingly precise applications. Students apply techniques to structured studies and selected subjects such as landscapes and seascapes, with close attention to value, edge control, and color interaction.

Regular critiques and technical evaluations address accuracy, control, and refinement. The goal is not stylistic imitation, but the development of reliable technique upon which personal expression can later rest.This course is intended for students who already have a basic familiarity with color and value, as both are considered prerequisites for technical study. Materials are not included; here is a suggested supply list. 

This class is scheduled to be in our print studio, which is only accessible by stairs. 

Our class/workshop cancellation policy can be found here.

We believe art should be accessible to all. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

For returning students who have taken a Shibori class at GAC within the last 2 or 3 years.

This hands-on lab is open to students who have previously taken a Shibori class or workshop at Garrison Art Center. Bring your own items to dye and spend the day experimenting, creating, and deepening your Shibori practice. Materials and tools will be provided, and if you'd like to learn a new technique, your instructor will demonstrate additional patterns and methods.

Two weeks before class, you’ll receive a Shibori sampler project featuring a stitch-resist technique to complete at home and bring in to dye during the session.

Our class/workshop cancellation policy can be found here. 

We believe art should be accessible to all.  Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

This traditional figure drawing class emphasizes rigorous observational training to build confidence and control. Sessions begin with several 20-minute poses to warm up and sharpen technique. Every class then concludes with a single, longer pose—held for at least an hour—to allow for deeper study and refinement. A different model is featured each week, offering students fresh perspectives and continual growth in their figure-drawing practice.

Materials are not included. Experienced students can bring their own preferred materials. Supplies recommended for beginners and intermediate students:

• 18 x 24" pad of sketch paper with drawing board (can use GAC drawing board during class if desired)
• Vine charcoal sticks
• Compressed charcoal pencil (2B or softer) and sharpener
• Kneaded eraser
• Tortillon (paper stump)

Focused and mature teens age 15 and up can participate in this adult class with parental/ guardian permission. Please reach out to us if interested.

Our class/workshop cancellation policy can be found here.

We believe art should be accessible to all. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.