Visual Arts Classes
Spring Session Begins March 30th
Member registration opens March 16th at noon
Non-Member registration opens March 23rd at noon
Become a member to unlock early registration, member pricing and other perks!
Drawing
Age Group: Adult (18 and up)
Duration: 8 weeks
Thursdays, 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Start Date: April 2, 2026
End Date: May 21, 2026
Instructor: Kevin McCants
Description:
Kevin has been teaching for 20 years and strongly believes that drawing is the foundation of all artistic endeavors.
Learn foundational drawing skills or improve upon your existing skills.
The class will focus on learning proficiency in creating the illusion of 3-dimensionallity, employing measuring & sighting techniques for constructing accurate proportions as well as the basics of linear perspective.
Materials for the class will be primarily graphite pencils and charcoal with the option of learning how to work with color pencils if desired.
Member Price: $145.00
General Registration: $190.00
Acrylic Painting
Price: $180
Member Price: $135
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Description: Basic fundamentals working in acrylic paints, painting theory, and techniques. We will be working on a new painting every week. All levels welcome. More advanced painters can gear their paintings to their level.
Age Group: Adult (18 and up)
Duration: 8 weeks
Mondays, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Start Date: March 30, 2026
End Date: May 18, 2026
Instructor: Dianne Porter
Wednesday Supplies List: Mon Acrylics Supplies List
Classes are subject to cancellation if enrollment is low. No refunds after first class.
Plein Air Painting
Price: $135
Member Price: $100
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Description: Spend the early days of summer capturing the natural beauty of our expansive grounds. Paint in the medium of your choice in this outdoor class led by teaching artist Kevin McCants.
Age Group: Adult (18 and up)
Duration: 6 weeks
Wednesdays, 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Start Date: May 27, 2026
End Date: July 1, 2026
Instructor: Kevin McCants
Classes are subject to cancellation if enrollment is low. No refunds after first class.
Oil Painting
Age Group: Adult (18 and up) Duration: 8 weeks
Wednesdays, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Start Date: April 1, 2026
End Date: May 20, 2026
Instructor: Kevin McCants
Fridays, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Start Date: April 3, 2026
End Date: May 22, 2026
Instructor: Kevin McCants
Supplies List: Oil Painting Supplies List
Price: $180
Member Price: $135
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Classes are subject to cancellation if enrollment is low.
No refunds after first class.
Description: In this beginning class, you will learn the basics of oil painting. Instruction begins with an introduction to materials and the way to correctly use and maintain them. During the eight week session, students will also learn tonal mixing (shading), the proper application of paint, and softening techniques while initially working from a still-life setup.
Supplies List: Watercolor Supply List
Classes are subject to cancellation if enrollment is low.
No refunds after first class.
Watercolor Painting
Age Group: Adult (18 and up)
Duration: 8 weeks
Price: $180
Member Price: $135
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Tuesdays, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Start Date: March 31, 2026
End Date: May 19, 2026
Instructor: Kevin McCants
Thursdays, 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Start Date: April 2, 2026
End Date: May 21, 2026
Instructor: Kevin McCants
Description:
Kevin has been teaching for the past 20 years. Teaching various watercolor techniques, he strives to help artists with their development and growth.
Artist: Phyllis Hansen
Description: In Japanese, Oshibana means “painting with flowers”. Learn the art of making botanical collage with pressed, dried flowers and foliage. You’ll discover techniques for pressing and preserving natural materials and have fun exploring the many artistic possibilities. Materials will be supplied.
Supplies List: We recommend bringing a pair of tweezers to class.
Oshibana - Botanical Collage
Age Group: Teen to Adult
Tuesdays, 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Start Date: March 31, 2026
End Date: May 19, 2026
Instructor: Phyllis Hansen
Price: $110
Member Price: $100
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Phyllis Hansen, who has won international awards for her scenic, figural and graphic design pieces, feels every piece a student creates using Mother Earth’s beautiful elements is, by nature, a work of art. As an artist and a writer who loves deep-diving into the history of many things, including Oshibana, Phyllis will entertain you with resplendent images from around the world while helping you create your own.
Classes are subject to cancellation if enrollment is low.
No refunds after first class.
Jennifer Zapp’s passion is creating art and sharing her love of art with adults and children. To develop her passion she pursued an undergraduate degree in Art Education from University of IL, Urbana and a master’s degree in Instructional Design from Northern IL University, Dekalb. She grew her skills through art classes and workshops taught by various national and international art masters. She shares her passion for art by teaching classes, volunteering at various art events and participating on the boards of different art organizations. Currently some of her artwork is showcased at The Back Door Bakery in Sunland.
View from Mcgroarty Arts Center Artist: Jennifer Zapp
Paint Like the Masters
Age Group: Adult (18 and up)
Thursdays, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Start Date: April 2, 2026
End Date: May 21, 2026
Instructor: Jennifer Zapp
Price: $180
Member Price: $135
SIGN UP HERE:
Supplies List: Paint Like the Masters Supplies List
Classes are subject to cancellation if enrollment is low. No refunds after first class.
Description: A class for students with prior experience. The "Paint Like the Masters" art class is designed for intermediate to advanced artists to enhance their skills through studying the techniques of renowned painters. Over 8 weeks, participants will explore various styles, analyze complex brushwork, and develop their unique artistic voice. By the end, students will complete a series of inspired paintings and gain a deeper understanding of masterful techniques. Join us for a transformative artistic experience!
Artist: Gisela Ramirez
Relief Printmaking
Age Group: Adult (18 and up)
Thursdays, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Start Date: April 2, 2026
End Date: May 21, 2026
Instructor: Gisela Ramirez
Price: $210
Member Price: $160
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Description: Discover ways to create a colored print through the use of Relief Printmaking. Learn about the hand printing process of carving and inking a linoleum block. Through the use of mark making, we can develop technical skill and personal expression. We will go over the steps of transferring images onto a block and explore the use of color and value. No prior experience is required, just imagination and creativity.