Featured
Cut Loose Collage Workshop: Make, Mingle, and Be Merry!
Make, Mingle, and Be Merry!
A Cut Loose Collage Workshop with Michael Sjostedt
Saturday, December 7 from 10:00am to noon
Cost: $40-$60 sliding scale*, all materials included
Join Michael Sjosted of Cut Loose Collage for a special holiday collage workshop! Create your own unique decor or gifts while experimenting with collage using vintage magazines and ephemera. Enjoy a joyful and stress-free atmosphere, where making art with others becomes a fun and memorable holiday experience. Unleash your creativity and celebrate the season with us!
To register, please email programs@nohoarts.org with your name, address, and phone number. Payment can be made via PayPal here, or by mailing a check made out to NCFA to PO Box 366, Northampton, MA 01061.
*Payments on the upper end of the sliding scale help support our continued commitment to accessibility, including sliding scale models and the NCFA Community Fund.
About the instructor: As the founder of Cut Loose Collage Workshops, Michael Sjostedt offers laid-back classes for all skill levels. These sessions foster a fun, stress-free environment where participants can experiment, let go of perfection, and connect with fellow creators. Through design exercises, he guides participants in exploring new techniques and challenging unhelpful inner narratives. His blog series, Make Art, Feel Better, explores how art making can enhance well-being.
Stained Glass Suncatcher Class with Neil Neil Orange Peel
Stained Glass Suncatcher Class with Neil Neil Orange Peel.
Saturday, November 16th | 10am-4pm OR Sunday, November 17th | 10am-4pm
Cost $150 per person
Stained Glass Suncatcher Class with Neil Neil Orange Peel. Create your stained glass suncatcher in this exciting one-day class with Cape Cod artist Neil Neil Orange Peel! Choose from several patterns and glass colors, then learn to cut, grind, and solder all in this fun one-day class. No experience is required and all skill levels are welcome.
Saturday, November 16th class, click here
Sunday, November 17th class, click here
Please send questions to: neilneilorangepeeldesigns@gmail.com
Portraiture: People and Pets with Jeffrey Gatrall
Portraiture: People and Pets with Jeffrey Gatrall
Five Saturdays, January 11 - February 8, 10am to 1pm
Cost: $200-$275 sliding scale*, plus materials
Learn to paint portraits in acrylics from a photograph! If you have a photo of a favorite person (or a favorite pet!) that you would like to turn into a painting, this class will show you several methods for achieving that. Whether you photo is a print, or a file on your phone, all the methods for using photos as reference for a painting will be discussed. The first class will center around how to go about choosing a good photo to work from, and how to get the image onto the canvas, panel, or paper. If you already have a particular photo you would like to use, please bring it to class. If you would like help choosing a photo, please bring all of your likely candidates with you. The remaining weeks will be for actually doing the painting.
For questions or to register, please email programs@nohoarts.org. If registering, please include your full name, mailing address, and phone number. Payment may be made in advance via PayPal here or by check to “NCFA” mailed to the Northampton Center for the Arts, PO Box 366, Northampton MA 01061.
*Payments on the upper end of the sliding scale help support our ongoing commitment to accessibility and sliding scale models. If financial assistance is needed, participants may apply for Community Fund support.
Jeffrey Gatrall received his BFA in painting from Rhode Island School of Design, and spent his senior year abroad in Rome as part of the school’s European Honors Program. The following year he completed the Scottish Post Diploma at the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee, where he studied painting under Alberto Morrocco, and print making under Sheila Macfarlane. After deciding to enter the realm of commercial art, he had a thirty-five year career, primarily in animation, where he worked for Warner Bros., Disney, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Universal, and Atari, among others. For the last fifteen years Jeffrey has been devoting his time to painting. He participated in NCFA’s En Plein Air Festival during the time the Center had no physical location, and he’s shown work at Historic Northampton. Jeffrey maintains a studio in Easthampton.
Supply LIst:
PAINTS:
This is a list of the basic acrylic colors you will need. By all means, get a small, inexpensive starter set of colors, just to get going. You can always buy the colors individually in tubes later, once you know what you are comfortable using. The starter sets will have most, if not all, of the colors on the list.
• Alizarin Crimson
• Cadmium Red Medium
• Cadmium Yellow Medium
• Hansa Yellow
• Cerulean Blue
• Ultramarine Blue
• Burnt Sienna
• Titanium White
• Ivory Black
Additional, but not necessary, colors.
• Yellow Ochre
• Raw Umber
• Phthalo Green
• Dioxazine Purple
PAINTING SURFACES:
This is a partial list of suggested surfaces that will take acrylic paint well. Acrylic paint will stick to most things, including wood, plaster, cement, and glass - with varying degrees of permanence - but this is a practical list of affordable and portable surfaces, to help you get started.
• PAPER
MIXED MEDIA PAPER - comes in pads of various sizes and textures. I would suggest the rougher textured paper, the thicker the better, as it will warp less and present fewer problems than the smooth variety.
Try to find a pad that specifically says it will handle paint.
The pad size should be from 9 X 12 up to 16 X 24 or so.
•CANVAS
STRETCHED CANVASES and CANVAS COVERED PANELS - also come in various sizes and are sold in packs.
The size should also be from 9 X 12 up to 16 X 24 or slightly larger.
Depending on your preference, canvas surfaces can be used as is, or you can apply one or two coats of Gesso, sanding lightly between coats, to get a smoother finish.
BRUSHES:
• ACRYLIC BRUSHES will be marked as such, although some brushes are sold as suitable for oils AND acrylics, or suitable for watercolors AND acrylics. Plain, synthetic brushes, meant for just acrylics, is all you need. Inexpensive brushes are often sold in packets.
You will need three flat brushes, small, medium, and large, for blocking in and general painting. You will also need three round brushes, also small, medium, and large, for detailing.
OTHER MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT:
• PAPER TOWELS - for blotting water or paint from your painting, wiping brushes, and for general clean-up.
• A MIXING TRAY, PALETTE, or STA-WET PALETTE - for mixing paint. Some people use an old ceramic plate, or aluminum pie pan.
• PALETTE KNIFE - mostly used for scraping off an unwanted section of your work, or for cleaning your palette. It can also be used for painting, if you are so inclined.
• A PLASTIC JAR with a LID - that you will fill with water, for washing out brushes. The jar should be fairly big, like a large size peanut butter jar. Some people like to use two jars
- one for washing out brushes, and one with just clean water to mix with the paint.
• PENCILS - should be erasable. They are useful for quick sketches, lightly blocking in your composition, and for writing down notes or ideas.
• A PORTABLE PENCIL SHARPENER
• A KNEADED ERASER - to avoid getting red eraser marks, or eraser dust, on your paper or canvas.
• A SMALL SKETCHBOOK or NOTEBOOK
- for taking class notes, making quick sketches, or jotting down ideas.
• A LIGHT, PORTABLE BACKING BOARD OR DRAWING BOARD - if you are working on paper and want to have a firm surface to work on.
• MASKING TAPE - for holding down the edges of mixed-media paper, if you are painting on individual sheets on a backing board.
If you have any questions regarding materials, please email me at:
Looking forward to seeing all of you!
Felt Sushi: an original wet felting technique
Felt Sushi: An Original Wet Felting Technique
Session 1: Three Tuesdays, February 18 - March 4, 6-8pm
Session 2: Three Tuesdays, APRIL 22 - May 6, 6-8pm
Cost: sliding scale $90-$180*, PLUS Materials ($30 paid to the instructor at the first class)
Come wet felt like you’ve never wet felt before! Paige Quinn-Vasic's unique wet felting technique uses fluffy wool, soap and water, and a traditional sushi mat to create a dense felt roll. It is then sliced like a sushi roll to reveal the one-of-a-kind designs that are created from the fibers of different colors shrinking together. In this class, you will learn the basics of wet felting, create and slice your own felt “sushi roll,” and finally transform them with simple jeweler's techniques to create earrings, magnets, necklaces, and more! Please be aware that this felting process requires you to work with wet, soapy wool for over an hour, rolling and pressing. All experience levels welcome!
To register, please email programs@nohoarts.org with your name, address, phone number, and which session you are registering for. Payment can be made via PayPal here, or by mailing a check made out to NCFA to PO Box 366, Northampton, MA 01061.
*Payments on the upper end of the sliding scale help support our continued commitment to accessibility, including sliding scale models and the NCFA Community Fund.
Paige Quinn-Vasic (she/her) is an art educator and community organizer who graduated with a BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She loves creating new and curious art making processes that combine traditional fine art techniques and crafty nostalgic materials, like shrinky dink dry point. These explorations lend themselves to her goal to bring the arts to students of any age at a high-technique, low-cost entry point. Just living in Northampton for a year and a half, she has cultivated a vibrant art club, and connected young professionals by fostering a free third space. She is working to grow this project by collaborating with its members to host skill-shares and workshops. Follow for more @paigesquinn @nohoartclub www.paigesquinn.com
Drawing Into Watercolor and Nature with Jeannie Donovan
Drawing Into Watercolor and Nature with Jeannie Donovan
FOUR Thursdays, MAY 1-22, 10:00am-12:30pm
Cost: $150-$250 sliding scale*
Connect with your creative spirit in this fun and relaxing class where we will explore the elements of art and design through projects in sketching and watercolor painting, with an emphasis on nature and the landscape as subject matter. Techniques in brush application, dry brush, washes, and color mixing will be covered each week as we explore still life, composition, perspective, and our natural environment. This session is open to all experience levels and returning students.
Classes are held in Eli’s Room, our lower level studio at 33 Hawley Street. Parking is free.
To register, email programs@nohoarts.org or call the Center at 413-584-7327. Please include your name, address, and telephone contact. Course fees are payable in advance by check to “NCFA” and can be mailed to the Northampton Center for the Arts, PO Box 366, Northampton MA 01061, or by Paypal here.
*Payments on the upper end of the scale help support our commitment to sliding scale rates, as well as our low teacher/participant ratio. Financial aid is available through our Community Fund.
Once registration is complete, please email instructor Jeannie Donovan at jdartist11<at>hotmail<dot>com for the materials list.
Jeannie Donovan is an exhibiting painter and papermaker with an MFA in Visual Design, who has taught drawing and painting to students of all ages for over 25 years.
Needle Felting Workshop - Learn to Make a Cardinal Ornament!
Needle Felting Workshop - Learn to Make a Cardinal Ornament!
Two individual sessions (not a series):
Wednesday, December 18 from 3 to 6 PM
Sunday, December 29 from 1 to 4 PM
Tickets: $30-50 (sliding scale)
To register, contact instructor at whimsical.fiber.shop<at>gmail.com or purchase online.
Needle Felting Workshop - Learn to Make a Cardinal Ornament!
Join local fiber artist Anna Sunschauer for a fun and informative needle felting workshop! In this class, you'll learn the skills and techniques to create a charming felted cardinal ornament. All required tools and materials will be provided, and no prior experience is necessary. However, good fine motor skills are recommended to ensure safe handling of the needles. Suitable for ages 12 and up, this workshop is an excellent opportunity to explore a unique craft, whether you're a needle felting novice or you already have some experience under your belt. Space is limited. Register now for an afternoon of fluffy fun!
Needle Felting Workshop - Learn to Make a Baby Penguin!
NEEDLE FELTING WORKSHOP - LEARN TO MAKE A Baby penguin!
TWO INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS (NOT A SERIES):
WEDNESDAY, January 15 FROM 3 TO 6 PM
SUNDAY, January 26 FROM 1 TO 4 PM
TICKETS: $30-50 (SLIDING SCALE)
TO REGISTER, CONTACT INSTRUCTOR AT WHIMSICAL.FIBER.SHOP<AT>GMAIL.COM OR purchase online.
Needle Felting Workshop - Learn to Make a Baby Penguin!
Join local fiber artist Anna Sunschauer for a fun and informative needle felting workshop! In this class, you'll learn the skills and techniques to create a charming felted penguin. All required tools and materials will be provided, and no prior experience is necessary. However, good fine motor skills are recommended to ensure safe handling of the needles. Suitable for ages 12 and up, this workshop is an excellent opportunity to explore a unique craft, whether you're a needle felting novice or you already have some experience under your belt. Space is limited. Register now for an afternoon of fluffy fun!
Mixed Media Play
Mixed Media Play with Sara Gately
Four Wednesdays, February 5-26, 4:00-6:00pm
Cost: $125-$225 sliding scale*
Materials will be provided!
Join multimedia artist Sara Gately on an adventure into experimentation and exploration! In this class, you’ll get to explore a new medium each week including liquid watercolor paints, acrylic paint markers, collaging with mod podge, and more. This class is perfect for participants who want to try out some new art tools without the commitment of a long-term investment. Try out nontraditional techniques and methods with an emphasis on process, rather than product! Be prepared to bring your own ideas — although the instructor will provide some images and step by step drawing exercises, this will be your opportunity to be creatively independent. Finally, the instructor will give presentations on several artists such as Alma Woodsey Thomas, Faith Ringgold, Friedensreich Hundertwasser to inspire or guide artistic production. If you are ready to be creative in a kind, non-judgmental, artistically nurturing environment with an emphasis on fun, you have found the right place!
To register, email programs@nohoarts.org or call the Center at 413-584-7327. Please include your name, address, and telephone contact. Course fees are payable in advance by check to “NCFA” and can be mailed to the Northampton Center for the Arts, PO Box 366, Northampton MA 01061, or by Paypal here.
*Payments on the upper end of the scale help support our commitment to sliding scale rates, as well as our low teacher/participant ratio. Financial aid is available through our Community Fund.
Sara Gately is Massachusetts based 2D Visual Artist and certified K-8 Art Teacher. She has been a practicing Visual Artist and educator for over twenty years and has exhibited in group and solo shows throughout the New England area. Gately attended Hampshire College where she received a B.A. in Comparative Religion and Visual Art in 2003. In 2008, Gately received her M.Ed for Teaching Visual Arts PreK-8 from Lesley University. Gately is familiar with a plethora of different fine art techniques and materials, utilizing her skills as an elementary art teacher to create mixed media work and instruct students of all ages and abilities.
Watercolor Big and Bold with Deborah Rubin (Int/Adv)
Int/Adv Watercolor Big and Bold with Deborah RubiN
Five Wednesdays March 12 through April 9
6:30-9:00pm
Cost: $200-$275 sliding scale*, plus supplies (listed below)
Learn about techniques, materials, and design while creating vibrant watercolors. Some of the techniques are wet on wet, dry brush, and glazing. This class is for students who have had watercolor experience and need a push to learn more. You will create three or four paintings and will have many decisions to make to propel you forward and get you out of your comfort zone.
To register, email programs@nohoarts.org or call the Center at 413-584-7327. Please include your name, address, and telephone contact. Course fees are payable in advance by check to “NCFA” and can be mailed to the Northampton Center for the Arts, PO Box 366, Northampton MA 01061, or by Paypal here.
*Payments on the upper end of the scale help support our commitment to sliding scale rates, as well as our low teacher/participant ratio. Financial aid is available through our Community Fund.
Deborah Rubin paints in watercolor and occasionally oils and gouache. She has been pushing the boundaries of photo-realism and hyper-realism since the mid 1970’s with an eye on nature and more recently, architecture. Born in Chicago in 1948, Rubin holds a BFA from the University of Illinois.
Classes are held in Eli’s Room, our lower level studio at 33 Hawley Street. Parking is free. For questions about registration or payment, please email programs@nohoarts.org. For questions about the class itself, please email Deborah deborahrubin8<at>gmail.com or call 1-413-253-7922.
WATERCOLOR SUPPLY LIST:
PAPER:
1 full sheet (22 x 30) hot press watercolor paper
2 full sheets (22 x 30) rough watercolor paper
Brands: Arches, Fabriano, Canson, Waterford, Whatman
A small (at least 8 x 10) spiral watercolor pad
BOARD
To hold 15 x 22 size paper so should be a few inches larger in both directions.
Masonite is best though corrugated cardboard and foamcore will do in a pinch
PAINTS:
Please avoid cheap sets like Reeves, Maries, Sakura etc. They will create poor paintings. Tube paints only and please bring the tubes to class. I’m nixing Winsor Newton Cotman tube colors – they’ve changed their color formulas and many colors aren’t accurate. Stick to quality brands like Winsor Newton professional, Grumbacher Academy, Da Vinci, Holbein, Schminke, and Van Gogh. The catalogue stores/online like Dick Blick and Cheap Joe’s (American Journey) have their own brand which is very good and cheaper. Colors: any white, any black, ultramarine blue, pthalo blue, alizarin crimson, cadmium red (or hue), cadmium yellow (or hue), yellow ochre Additional colors if you want to add more are cadmium orange, dioxazine purple, lemon yellow, and permanent rose.
BRUSHES: Good brushes – a combo of synthetic and natural- are essential. Poor brushes lose many hairs and flatten out when used which will frustrate the painter. So stay away from cheap sets. Sizes: Rounds # 4, 8, 12. Flats: ¼” and 1”. Also, a Japanese Hake brush at least 1 ½” wide as well as a small stiff bristle brush (used for oil painting) and a cheap disposable brush around #6
PALETTE: large rectangular palette around 10 x 14, like a John Pike palette, with wells for paint all around and large mixing area in the middle. Again, the online art companies sell their version of this palette for half the price of the other brands.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Small color wheel
Blue painters tape (like masking tape) from hardware store
Liquid mask (sometimes called frisket) non-permanent
White vinyl eraser
#2 pencil
Rubber cement pick-up
Black fine permanent marker (micron is good)
2 Water containers (deli containers, big yogurt container)
small spray bottle (CVS and Walgreens have them, about 3” tall)
Small portfolio to carry artwork home – not mandatory.
Paper towels
From Deborah: If you have problems finding everything, please get in touch with me. I have many items to sell in class in case you can’t find something or have the wrong item. Unfortunately Winsor Newton Cotman seems to be the popular paint in Michaels and A.C. Moore. I’d rather have you order something else through Dick Blick, Jerry’s Artarama, Cheap Joes, or ASW Express, or buy a squirt from my tubes, than buy paint that will frustrate you!
Any questions, email Deborah: deborahrubin8@gmail.com or cell: 1-413-253-7922
Watercolor Big and Bold with Deborah Rubin (Intro)
Intro to Watercolor Big and Bold with Deborah RubiN
Five Tuesdays March 11 through April 8
6:30-9:00pm
Cost: $200-$275 sliding scale*, plus supplies (listed below)
Students will learn about techniques, materials, and aesthetics to create three vibrant watercolor paintings. You will have exercises in color mixing, compositions, and lots more, with guidance from the instructor throughout the learning process.
To register, email programs@nohoarts.org or call the Center at 413-584-7327. Please include your name, address, and telephone contact. Course fees are payable in advance by check to “NCFA” and can be mailed to the Northampton Center for the Arts, PO Box 366, Northampton MA 01061, or by Paypal here.
*Payments on the upper end of the scale help support our commitment to sliding scale rates, as well as our low teacher/participant ratio. Financial aid is available through our Community Fund.
Deborah Rubin paints in watercolor and occasionally oils and gouache. She has been pushing the boundaries of photo-realism and hyper-realism since the mid 1970’s with an eye on nature and more recently, architecture. Born in Chicago in 1948, Rubin holds a BFA from the University of Illinois.
Classes are held in Eli’s Room, our lower level studio at 33 Hawley Street. Parking is free. For questions about registration or payment, please email programs@nohoarts.org. For questions about the class itself, please email Deborah deborahrubin8<at>gmail.com or call 1-413-253-7922.
WATERCOLOR SUPPLY LIST
Beginner students who register four or more weeks in advance have the option to rent supplies for $25. Please email Deborah directly to confirm your supplies rental.
PAPER:
1 full sheet (22 x 30) hot press watercolor paper
2 full sheets (22 x 30) rough watercolor paper
Brands: Arches, Fabriano, Canson, Waterford, Whatman, Strathmore (budget)
A small (at least 8 x 10) spiral watercolor pad
BOARD
To hold 15 x 22 size paper so should be a few inches larger in both directions.
Masonite is best though corrugated cardboard and foamcore will do in a pinch
PAINTS:
Please avoid cheap sets like Reeves, Maries, Sakura etc. They will create poor paintings. Tube paints only and please bring all the tubes to class Stick to quality brands like Winsor Newton Cotman or Professional, Grumbacher Academy, Da Vinci, Holbein, Schminke, and Van Gogh. The catalogue stores/online like Dick Blick and Cheap Joe’s (American Journey) have their own brand which is very good and cheaper. Colors: any white, any black, ultramarine blue, pthalo blue, alizarin crimson, cadmium red (or hue), cadmium yellow (or hue), yellow ochre Additional colors if you want to add more are cadmium orange, dioxazine purple, lemon yellow, and permanent rose.
BRUSHES: Good brushes – a combo of synthetic and natural- are essential. Poor brushes lose many hairs and flatten out when used which will frustrate the painter. So stay away from cheap sets. Sizes: Rounds # 4, 8, 12. Also, a Japanese Hake brush at least 1 ½” wide as well as a small stiff bristle brush (used for oil painting)
PALETTE: large rectangular palette around 10 x 14, like a John Pike palette, with wells for paint all around and large mixing area in the middle. Again, the online art companies sell their version of this palette for half the price of the other brands. Please don’t get the small round ones with a small area for mixing in the middle. They won’t do.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Small color wheel
Blue painters tape (like masking tape) from hardware store
Liquid mask (sometimes called frisket) non-permanent
White vinyl eraser
#2 pencil
Rubber cement pick-up
Black fine permanent marker (micron is good)
2 Water containers (deli containers, big yogurt container)
Small portfolio to carry artwork home – not mandatory.
Paper towels
If you have problems finding everything, please get in touch with me. I have many items to sell in class in case you can’t find something or have the wrong item. Winsor Newton Cotman seems to be the popular paint in Michaels and A.C. Moore.
Any questions, email Deborah: deborahrubin8@gmail.com or cell: 1-413-253-7922
Center for the Arts Drawing Group
Wednesday mornings, 9:45am to 12:45pm, $15/session ($10/session if the month is paid in advance)
The Northampton Center for the Arts Wednesday Morning Figure Drawing Group is looking for artists to join us. Please email Steve at artfromsteve@gmail.com if you're interested in joining us.
Each Wednesday morning session begins with a nude model assuming a series of short poses that increase in length from 2 minutes to 30 minutes. There are no requirements other than a desire to draw, so bring your paper and pencil, water colors, crayons…whatever medium you choose. Beginners and experts and all in between are welcome. No critique or instructions, just drawing. Tables, chairs, and easels are provided.
Don’t be late!
Please, no fixatives sprays or other materials with noxious odors.
The Drawing Group will begin meeting in Eli’s Room at 33 Hawley.
Noho Art Club with Paige Quinn-Vasic
Noho Art Club
Friday 11/8, 5:00-8:00pm
Friday 12/13, 5:00-8:00pm
FREE!
Paige Quinn-Vasic brings her popular Noho Art Club to NCFA during Arts Night Out! Check out the new exhibits at 33 Hawley, then head downstairs to Eli’s Room for a Noho Art Club meet-up! Come play with collage and gelli plate printing, and and check out Paige’s felt sushi demo, an original wet felting technique that she’ll be offering through the Center soon!