Explore a variety of printmaking techniques using the museum’s large Charles Brand etching press. Students may choose between monotype, drypoint intaglio etching, and linoleum relief – or try all three! Experienced printmakers may work independently with guidance and assistance from the instructor.
Explore a variety of printmaking techniques using the museum’s large Charles Brand etching press. Students may choose between monotype, drypoint intaglio etching, and linoleum relief – or try all three! Experienced printmakers may work independently with guidance and assistance from the instructor.
This is an opportunity for experienced metals students to work independently in the Museum’s metalsmithing studio. A monitor is present for safety and to help guide students with their projects. Completion of Beyond Beginner Jewelry Making or approval by a Museum metals instructor is required to attend.
In this introductory class, students will learn the fundamental processes of Metalsmithing in order to make rings, bracelets, and pendants. Techniques will range from cold-connections including rivets and tabs, to hot-connections such as soldering and chain making. Students will complete at least two pieces of jewelry.
This is an opportunity for experienced metals students to work independently in the Museum’s metalsmithing studio. A monitor is present for safety and to help guide students with their projects. Completion of Beyond Beginner Jewelry Making or approval by a Museum metals instructor is required to attend.
Participants will see their skills advance as new techniques are added and old techniques are refined. Projects will change each semester. Students must have completed Beginning Jewelry Making.
This class will cover more advanced forms of jewelry fabrication such as hinges, latch backs for hoops, creating unique backings for post earrings, and more. Students should be prepared to spend time on each technique.
In this class we will be testing our soldering skills by creating hollow pieces of jewelry, starting with a cube and sphere and culminating in the creation of a hollow-formed ring. We will also briefly touch on fold-forming as a way to alter the surface. This special topics class will require some knowledge of soldering.
In this introductory class, students will learn the fundamental processes of Metalsmithing in order to make rings, bracelets, and pendants. Techniques will range from cold-connections including rivets and tabs, to hot-connections such as soldering and chain making. Students will complete at least two pieces of jewelry.
Students of any background or enameling level will be able to participate in this multi-week class. For beginners, this means basic fusing to introductory techniques such as graphite drawing, glass etching and wet-packing, among others. More advanced students will be able to continue building on their projects while techniques such as luster, overglazes, underglazes, and various other surface decoration techniques are incorporated. Techniques covered include fusing, counter enameling, wet-packing graphite drawing, glass etching, under and overglazes, basse-taille, luster.
This is an opportunity for students familiar with enameling to work independently in the studio. A monitor is present for safety and to help guide students with their projects. Completion of a beginner Enameling course or permission from a Museum instructor is required to attend.
Enameling is an ancient art of fusing powdered glass to metal, resulting in colorful designs. Campers will work in our fully equipped metalsmithing studio and will use our glass kiln to create their unique works of art. Using this technique, campers will make abstract and illustrative images on pendants, pins and various other metal objects.
Enameling is an ancient art of fusing powdered glass to metal, resulting in colorful designs. Campers will work in our fully equipped metalsmithing studio and will use our glass kiln to create their unique works of art. Using this technique, campers will make abstract and illustrative images on pendants, pins and various other metal objects.
Young artists explore drawing, painting, paper arts, mixed media, fibers and found objects while learning art techniques and history through engaging, inspirational projects.
In this 8-week class, students will explore a variety of approaches to illustration including pencil drawing, inking, watercolor, markers, and colored pencils. These materials will be explored congruently to create vibrant, narrative collages. Students will also learn to cut and prep paper, measure, thumbnail, and sketch. Topics of discussion will include character design, setting, concept, and mark making.
A day off of school means a day to create art! Join us at the Museum for a day of projects inspired by our collection and other great works of art.
A day off of school means a day to create art! Join us at the Museum for a day of projects inspired by our collection and other great works of art.
A day off of school means a day to create art! Join us at the Museum for a day of projects inspired by our collection and other great works of art.
Have you ever thought about writing a true short story about a moment in your life? In this six-week, sequential course for adult students of all levels, you will mine your memories for storytelling gold, and you will be able to identify and apply the fundamental craft elements of this type of creative nonfiction. By the end of this course, you will complete a draft of a short nonfiction narrative and an outline for a book. In each session, you will be presented with information about a specific craft element of memoir and related writing prompts and passages from a diverse selection of narrative nonfiction for inspiration. Part 2 of this course will be available in winter 2025.
Have you always wanted to write a novel? It’s time to get started! Meet other aspiring novelists and become part of a writing community during this six-week course for adult writers of all levels. In an encouraging and supportive workshop setting, you will generate new ideas and learn how to apply the foundational story elements to your work as you begin to transform your ideas into a book-length fictional narrative.
This “Loper Method” class is designed to provide students with methods and techniques taught by the late Delaware artist Edward Loper Sr. Students will learn about achieving rich color through direct observation and the use of a limited palette by painting a still life while focusing on light, line, color, and space.
Improve your drawing skills and learn to draw what you see more accurately. Practice basic drawing techniques and explore more advanced concepts presented in an easy to understand manner. Learn about line, value, composition and perspective. Produce quick sketches and complete drawings ranging from still life to landscape to the human face and figure using pencil, charcoal and more. Improve your artistic confidence and experience the fun of drawing and sketching.
This course will focus on approaches and techniques for representational oil painting. Direct observation along with working from a photographic reference will be the basis for combining light, shadow, and color to create realistic paintings.
This course will focus on approaches and techniques for representational oil painting. Direct observation along with working from a photographic reference will be the basis for combining light, shadow, and color to create realistic paintings.
This course will focus on approaches and techniques for representational oil painting. Direct observation along with working from a photographic reference will be the basis for combining light, shadow, and color to create realistic paintings.
For artists interested in exploring their inner voice and getting in touch with their creativity, this class is for you! Students will learn the basics of acrylic painting alongside expressive brushwork and color application.
For artists interested in exploring their inner voice and getting in touch with their creativity, this class is for you! Students will learn the basics of acrylic painting alongside expressive brushwork and color application.
Enjoy the fun of sketching buildings and urban scenes with ink and watercolor — a technique that encompasses the visual appeal of both drawing and painting. The class will include choosing a subject, creating a composition, taking both a methodical and loose approach, line quality, paint handling, and the fundamentals of linear perspective. (These techniques will also be useful for “urban sketching” on location.) The class will include a demonstration by the instructor as well as individual instruction at each students level of ability, but it is suggested that students have basic drawing skills.
Practice basic drawing techniques. Gesture, contour, quality of line, composition, form, and perspective will be emphasized.
This course is designed for veterans with any artistic skill level who would like to discover their inner creative voice. Free up your mind, embrace “mistakes” and move forward without any expectations! A variety of techniques and materials will be demonstrated alongside artistic exercises and Museum gallery visits. Students are also encouraged to pursue independent projects in a supportive atmosphere. Classes are also open to one family member or loved one.
Enjoy painting tasty treats from watermelon still lives to cakes with all the trimmings. This 6 week class will tempt your imagination with a weekly visual feast.
What happens when you put down your paintbrush and paint with your fingers? You engage directly with the paint, surface, and tools in an immediate and tactile way. This “hands-on” workshop is about having the time to connect to a place in Nature that you love, then explore and discover the process of landscape painting in a spontaneous way. We will focus on your memory of the landscape by emphasizing the elements: sky, air, horizon, water, land, color, and light. Plus, of course, the desire to express all that with paint. All supplies are included to create six to nine small paintings. You need only bring your curiosity and openness. Come out a play- get unstuck and paint expressive Landscapes. Open to beginners and experienced creators.
Explore the rich and emotive painting possibilities of luminous cold wax with oil color. This expressive process for beginning and experienced painters creates a luscious paint surface for layering and creative imagery. Participants in this workshop will develop skills to use creative tools and techniques, including the buildup of layers, scraping, incising, mixed media and inventive mark-making. Composition, color and contrast will be addressed, along with an exploration of visual elements such as line, shape, pattern, texture, mass, and depth. Develop your own personal expression to create a cold wax painting on wood panel. It is helpful to have basic color mixing and drawing knowledge for this workshop.
Illuminate your space with a personalized touch, learning the art of ceramic lamp-making in this three-day workshop. Students will delve into various handbuilding techniques and will explore a variety of textures to create a truly unique, one-of-a-kind, lamp.
This workshop is for both hand builders and wheel throwers to explore making serving vessels for a dining experience. Whether it’s building a coil serving bowl or tray to hold a set of drinking vessels, this class will help artists create the perfect ceramic serving dish for their next group gathering. The first two days will be making the vessels and pieces will be fired for a glazing day to finish up.
Ever long for uninterrupted ceramics studio time? This clay camp for adults looks to animals for fun and inspiration. We will check out historical and contemporary work that have animal elements that add function to pots. How about that paused squirrel in your backyard with a bushy tail handle and paws that could pour? Or a covered jar with a goat shaped knob? Or the beak like spout on a teapot? The possibilities are endless…
Students enjoy a gentle introduction to hand building and wheel throwing in this relaxed beginner’s class.
Enjoy the pleasures of making your own useful pots. Students will explore techniques for creating beautiful ceramic pieces by hand and on the potter’s wheel. Form, function, and various surface treatments will be presented in a fun, informal setting.
Enjoy the pleasures of making your own useful pots. Students will explore techniques for creating beautiful ceramic pieces by hand and on the potter’s wheel. Form, function, and various surface treatments will be presented in a fun, informal setting.
Students with a foundation of throwing skills can continue to build their voice in this class. Demonstrations will guide individual creative projects and strengthen skills to advance student’s techniques in clay.
Students will learn basic wheel thrown shapes to build a foundation on the wheel. This class will learn to wedge and center clay, which are necessary elements to wheel thrown pottery. Weekly demonstrations will focus on cups and bowls.
Learn how to make fabulous cups, bowls, plates, and vases in this fun and informative class designed for beginning level students. Students will start with hand building and transition onto the wheel.
Enjoy the pleasures of making your own useful pots. Students will explore techniques for creating beautiful ceramic pieces by hand and on the potter’s wheel. Form, function, and various surface treatments will be presented in a fun, informal setting.
