Adult Spring Classes
Our Spring 2026 session of classes will begin the week of April 13th.
Registration will open Friday, February 20th for members. Non-member registration will open on Friday, February 27th.
The West Hartford Art League holds year round art instruction for adults and youths in the form of weekly daytime and evening classes Monday - Saturday in the fall, winter and spring. Special weekend and one time workshops are held throughout the year taught by a varied group of instructors.
Membership is $50 for one year and gives you a discount on classes, as well as early registration privileges.
Join HERE
View our class policies here.
spring adult CLASSES
Portraiture
Tuesdays, April 14 - June 16 (10 Weeks)
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Antony Zito
Work with renowned CT/NYC portrait painter, Antony Zito, whose classes are fun and informal but with a powerful emphasis on gaining skills and knowledge. Open to all levels, this weekly course will guide you through the creation of an in-depth portait using acrylic paint on canvas.
Monday Night Pottery
Mondays, April 13 - June 22 (10 Weeks)
No Class May 25
6:00 - 9:00 pm, Mary Bramble Scott
The course will cover basic pottery wheel throwing techniques where students will develop or continue to improve, their skills in centering, throwing and trimming pottery forms. Students will learn to make the two most common forms from which almost all pottery stems; a cylinder and a bowl. From there we will learn more advanced skills and how to embellish our pieces with carvings, handles, additions and or other accents.
Wednesday Wheel Throwing
Wednesday, April 15 - June 17 (10 Weeks)
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Deanna Johnson
The course will cover basic pottery wheel throwing techniques where students will develop or continue to improve, their skills in centering, throwing and trimming pottery forms. Students will learn to make the two most common forms from which almost all pottery stems; a cylinder and a bowl. From there we will learn more advanced skills and how to embellish our pieces with carvings, handles, additions and or other accents.
Intermediate to Advanced Portrait Painting in Oils
Mondays, April 13 - June 22 (10 Weeks)
No class May 25
1 - 4 pm, Mike Laiuppa
This class is designed to take your portrait painting to the next level. Students should have either taken my beginner portrait class or have around a dozen portraits under their belts before taking this class. We will not be going over basic skills such as how to mix color or get your preliminary drawing on the canvas; students should know how to do this and have a preferred method of starting a portrait at this point (gridding, proportional divider, freehand, etc.) as we will be focusing on the finer points of creating three-dimensionality on the two-dimensional plane of our substrate.
Intermediate Watercolor (Cancelled)
Tuesday, April 7 - June 2 (8 Weeks) No class 4/21
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Carol Ganick
This class is for students who have previously taken several classes in watercolor painting, and have a sound understanding of watercolor brush techniques and the use of color.
Drawing 1: The Basics (8 Weeks)
Tuesdays, April 14 - June 9 No Class April 21
4:30 pm - 6:30 pm, Amanda Surveski
A beginner's drawing class designed for aspiring artists with little to no prior experience, and those who want a refresher. We’ll work toward developing and expanding our observational and rendering skills using a variety of subject matter. Working from life, we will learn basic techniques such as contour and gesture drawing, shading, controlling tones, composition and different drawing methods that will provide you with a solid starting point to embark on your artistic journey
Contemporary Abstract Art
Mondays, April 13 - June 8 (8 weeks) No Class May 25
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, C. Dianne Zweig
Classes will continue to focus on innovative approaches to making contemporary abstract art.The 8 week Spring session theme is “STUFF”* a kaleidoscope of diverse, colorful, unconventional, explorations on paper influenced by art, culture, fashion, design, events and more. *This course was inspired by collector extraordinaire Kim Hastreiter, who calls herself a cultural anthropologist and is author of the book “Stuff:A New York Life of Cultural Chaos”.
Watercolor Workout
Tuesdays, April 14 - June 2 (8 weeks)
9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Robert Noreika
This class will focus on simplifying the subject: seeing the simple values and then sketching them into a full color painting. Learn how to take an unsuccessful watercolor and recreate it with fluid acrylics. Many techniques will be demonstrated including ink and watercolor wash.
Painting in Watercolor
Monday, April 13 - June 22 (8 Weeks) No class; 5/11, 5/18 and 5/25
5:30 - 7:30 pm, Brianna Colbath
A class for beginners. Learn how to apply water and paint to paper as you learn various techniques. The instructor will guide you as you paint and gain confidence in your abilities. From starting with the right supplies to building color into a finished work, this class is for those wanting to get started with support from an experienced watercolor artist.
Watercolor for Beginning Levels
Wednesday, April 15 - June 3 (8 weeks)
6:00 - 8:00 pm, Carol Ganick
This class will serve as an introduction to watercolor painting techniques for absolute beginners and reinforcement of techniques for returning beginners and those who have had previous but limited watercolor instruction .
Each class will focus on one or more basic technique. Individual and group instruction is provided and homework assignments are intended for practice to assist students in becoming confident. Students will learn brush techniques, gain experience in mixing colors and develop an understanding of values (light to dark) and the need to create variety in a painting. A basic drawing practice will be introduced to help develop an understanding of the need to “see”.
Drawing Open Studio
Tuesday, April 14 - June 9 (8 weeks) No Class 4/21
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, Amanda Surveski
This course is an open studio class where students can get constructive critique while working on independent projects and goals with guidance from the instructor. Students should have some prior drawing experience. This course offers the opportunity to develop your drawing skills, receive valuable feedback, and explore your style in a classroom environment.
Thursday Wheel Throwing
Thursdays, April 16 - June 18 (10 Weeks)
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Deanna Johnson
The course will cover pottery wheel throwing techniques where students will develop or continue to improve, their skills in centering, throwing and trimming pottery forms. Students will learn to make the two most common forms from which almost all pottery stems; a cylinder and a bowl. From there we will learn more advanced skills and how to embellish our pieces with carvings, handles, additions and or other accents.
Sketchbooking in Nature
Thursday, April 16 - June 11 (9 Weeks)
5:00 - pm - 7:00 pm, Amanda Surveski
In this class we’ll work on refining our artistic skills through the use of a sketchbook. We will look at other artists sketchbooks for inspiration, discuss composition techniques and how to better our sketchbook practice by asking questions and observing nature. This class will take place both in the classroom and outdoors at locations around the greater West Hartford area. Students are expected to keep a working sketchbook through the course of the class.
Friday Watercolor - Independent Painters
Fridays, April 10 - June 19 (10 Weeks) No Class 6/12
10:00 am - 12:30 pm Carol Ganick
This class is open to students who are confident in watercolor application techniques such as wet into wet, wet on dry and dry brush. Critique of completed work will be an important aspect of this course. By sharing and discussing work we gain inspiration, new insights, and different perspectives. Class critique will take place at the beginning of class for approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours, followed by painting time. Consideration will be given to composition, color harmony, and value patterns.
Pastel for the Beginner
Tuesday, April 21 - May 12 (4 weeks)
9:30 am - 12:00 noon Karen Israel
The vibrancy of the soft pastel medium is unparalleled and it is both a drawing and painting medium. During this 5 week class, learn how to paint and draw in pastel. Beginner class but all levels are welcome. One on one attention is promised!
Tuesday Pottery
Tuesday, April 14 - June 16 (10 Weeks)
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Mary Bramble Scott
The Tuesday evening class at West Hartford Art League welcomes students at all levels. All students will have the option to wheel throw or hand build ceramic forms either functional or sculptural. Beginners will learn how to center clay on the wheel, pull the clay into a cylinder with an eye to making bowls, mugs and small vases. Intermediate and advanced students will have the option to focus on their own projects and receive guidance on complex forms and techniques, or participate in graduated assigned projects related to advanced forms such as lidded vessels or teapots. Some tools are available onsite but students should plan to bring their own tools by purchasing a beginner pottery tool set at an art supply store such as Jerry's Artarama or Dick Blick Art Supplies.
Plein Air
Wednesdays, April 15 - June 17 (10 Weeks)
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Shauna Shane
Oil or Acrylic
Painting outdoors, is to be surrounded by nature, color and light. In the tradition of the impressionist masters. It is also the best practice possible to achieve excellence in the art of painting. Because the light is changing, one learns to place each stroke with intention, resulting in a fresh and painterly impression of a beautiful moment in time.
Beginning with an informative demonstration Shauna will show you how to see the world in terms of shadow and light, simplifying the landscape to the most basic masses and values. With specific, individual instruction you will learn the “what, why, and how” of a successful painting. You will learn to see the world in a new way, and even more, how to give yourself the gift of confidence.
Oil Painting
Thursdays, April 16 - June 18 (10 Weeks)
9:00 am - 12:00 pm, William Simpson
We can all be better painters, we can all learn how to draw better. You don’t have to take the class to learn the secret – I’ll tell you right now – learn to look closer. Learn to really see what is in front of you. Easy? Not so much. Take my class, and we’ll learn how to see better together. We’ll also work on composition, and color. Working from your own photos, or choose from the hundreds of images I have. We’ll throw in a still life now and then, and an exercise I particularly enjoy, painting the Schoolhouse interior.
Beginning Painting
Fridays, April 17 - June 19 (10 Weeks)
9:00 am - 12 pm, Mike Berlinski
Learn about painting in a fun and supportive environment. A different basic painting concept will be briefly introduced and discussed for general information each week. Students are encouraged to bring their own images and/or ideas to work from. There will be plenty of individual guidance and help for each student.
Intro to Digital Art
Sundays, May 10 - June 14 (6 Weeks)
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Rowan Collins
Ages 13+
In this class, you will be introduced to how digital programs like Adobe Photoshop can be used as tools for drawing, painting, cartoons and comics, and mixed media use. You will also be given the tips and tricks needed to expand your learning far beyond the duration of the class. Demonstrations of digital drawing will be given throughout the course. Programs Adobe Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint will be the primary programs taught in this class, but lessons can be quickly adjusted and adapted to other similar programs such as Autodesk Sketchbook, Krita, and Procreate.
Tablets, computers with touchscreen, or drawing tablets are required for this course and are not supplied by West Hartford Art League.
Confident Landscape Painting
Wednesdays, April 15 - June 17 (10 weeks)
9:30 am - 12:30 pm, Shauna Shane
Oil or Acrylic. Beginning with an informative demonstration Shauna will show you how to see the world in terms of shadow and light, simplifying the landscape to the most basic masses and values. With specific, individual instruction you will learn the “what, why, and how” of a successful painting. You will learn the steps necessary to be able to express effectively; how to see the world in a new way, and even more, how to achieve the gift of confidence. Known for her positive and enthusiastic teaching style, Shauna will provide instruction, demonstrations, and critique for the most advancement possible in the art of landscape painting. All levels: but some experience with your chosen medium is recommended.
Painting in Oil or Acrylic
Wednesdays, April 15 - June 24 (9 Weeks) No Classes; 5/13 and 5/20
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm, Brianna Colbath
Open to beginners and intermediates, this class is designed for students with little to no experience in painting, who would like to learn techniques to help develop and improve their own artistic practice.
Using landscape as the starting point, students will receive individual instruction as they experiment with different styles and methods of painting. The ultimate goal of the class is for each student to understand the process, and develop his or her own personal style.
Sketchbook 101
Sundays, April 19 - June 21 (10 weeks)
11 am - 1 pm, Joe Nicorici
A class designed to help artists develop ideas and solid sketchbook habits. The class will focus on drawing from life, including still-life, models, drawing from photos, digital images and also journaling and collage. We will also look at Renaissance artists to contemporary artists' sketchbooks and how they developed their ideas and practice.
Spring Landscapes in Watercolor
Thursdays, April 16 - June 11 (8 weeks) No Class May 30
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Mo Myra
Painting spring greens, watercolor landscape class. Learn to paint representational landscapes from reference photos by using information you gathered from life. This session is packed full of information on color mixing, observing, drawing for watercolor, and creating value studies. This session will take place mostly indoors working from photo references, but we will use the outdoor views when weather permits to make small studies from life. Photo references limit you and leave you asking a lot of questions, painting from life will help you find some of those answers. We will discuss how to work around the limitations of painting from photos and how to create a painting without being restricted by the reference. Each class features a demo and time for students to work on their own paintings.
Adult Stained Glass
Fridays, April 24 - May 15 (4 Weeks)
5:15 pm - 6:45 pm Kelly Kelly
Join instructor Kelly Kelly for a four-week adult stained glass class designed for creativity, relaxation, and hands-on learning. Using traditional copper foil techniques inspired by Louis Tiffany, students will create their own stained glass pieces at a comfortable, self-guided pace. A wide variety of patterns and skill levels will be available, making this class perfect for both beginners and those with prior experience.
Throughout the four weeks, students will be supported step-by-step—from selecting a pattern and cutting glass to foiling, soldering, and finishing—while enjoying the freedom to move through projects at their own rhythm in a welcoming, creative environment.
