Gordon Przybyla | Untitled drawings
Classes and Workshops
Newburyport Art is dedicated to providing quality art education programs for all ages and levels across a wide range of media taught by professional artists and educators through lectures, workshops, art classes, and exhibitions.
This page will contain information on upcoming sessions - whether in-person or online. Additional notice, details, and insights sometimes appear in our weekly newsletter.
Current registrations available below:
Wednesday Night Peter Kimmins Drawing Sessions
Plein air painting: Oils or Acrylic with Todd Bonita (June 28th)
Documentary Sketching with Yetti Frenkel (July 8th - 29th)
Color Theory with Jessica L. Murr (July 17th)
Alla Prima Painting with Todd Bonita (July 19th)
How to Get into Art Galleries and Price Your Artwork with Todd Bonita (July 24th)
Gelli Plate Printing & Collage with Maria Malatesta (August 2nd)
Alcohol Inks with Alison Odle (August 7th – 28th)
Make Your Own Sketchbook with Johanna Finnegan Topitzer (August 10th)
Gilding the Lily, Introductory Gilding Course in Metal Leafing with Vera Struck (August 30th)
Gelli Plate Printing & Collage with Maria Malatesta (September 13th)
Beginning Mosaic with Yetti Frenkel (September 9th–30th)
Watercolor Floral & Botanical Painting with Alison Odle (October 2nd – October 23rd)
Intro to Spoon Carving with Eric Goodson (December 7th)
Interested in leading a workshop or lecture or other session at Newburyport Art?
We would love to hear from you!
Wednesday Night Peter Kimmins Drawing Sessions
Upcoming Schedule:
June 18th – Barbara Wiechmann
June 25th – Jami Hurley
July 2nd – Jami Hurley
(6:30 - 8:30pm) $12 per session for NAA members / $15 per session for non-members
All sessions are facilitated by Claudia Mathews. Registration in advance is encouraged as capacity is limited. A variety of setups will be available, including easels, chairs, stools, and donkey benches. Artists should plan to bring their favorite materials to work with. The NAA will also try to have some basics available, such as sketch pads, artist pencils, erasers, and pastels. All sessions are held in the upper-level Hartson Gallery, accessible only by stairs.
Plein air painting: Oils or Acrylic with Todd Bonita
Saturday, June 28, 10:00am–5:00pm | Meet at NAA
$75 for NAA members / $95 non-members
Plein air painting is the practice of painting outside, or as the French term, "en plein air", literally translates to, "in the open air".
Join us with your paint box for a full day of outdoor painting and convening with nature and learning to see like an artist. I will begin with a lecture and demonstration on capturing light, color and atmosphere on canvas using a simple Impressionistic approach. We will discuss choosing a motif, composing a harmonized design, seeing value shapes, accurate drawing, and infusing visual poetry into your motif. Students will spend the rest of the day painting while I provide artistic guidance with side-by-side easel assistance. This one day workshop is packed with valuable information that has been passed down from the masters on how to simplify the outdoor painting process.
Documentary Sketching with Yetti Frenkel
Four Tuesdays, July 8, – 29 10:00am–1:00pm | Meet at NAA
$225 for NAA members / $275 non-members
This class will sketch as a group, picking a new location each week. Possible locations include the Tannery, the courthouse, the waterfront, a local coffeehouse, pub, or park. The idea is to increase our powers of observation and quickly capture the essence of a scene. People who want to improve their drawing or be "in the moment" intensely will enjoy this class. Students will be encouraged to find a topic that excites them and to create a documentary series. This class will be held on July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29.
Color Theory with Jessica L. Murr
Thursday, July 17th, 6:00pm–8:30pm | Upstairs Hartson Gallery
$55 for NAA members / $75 non-members
Students will work with the three primary colors plus white in acrylic paint to understand and learn about color theory. The basics of how colors and paint interact on the substrate, as well as its application to real life will be included. Still life painting will be used to apply what students have learned from the course into their own artwork. Color schemes, how colors react to each other, and how colors evoke emotions will be taught. Students will walk away with a better understanding of how to mix paint colors, what is in their paint, find colors in real life, and how to create a cohesive color palette. This class is designed to be beginner friendly, and welcome to all types of artists.
Alla Prima Painting with Todd Bonita
Saturday, July 19th, 10:00am–5:00pm | Upstairs or Outside
$75 for NAA members / $95 non-members
"Alla Prima" is a technique in which a painting is completed in one session, wet into wet. This direct method lends itself to thickly applied impasto paint quality and expressive brush work. This class is suitable for beginners or for those who have some experience but are looking for a simple and focussed understanding of the nuts and bolts of oil painting. It is also ideal for Plein air painters who are looking to build upon their skill set. Our class begins with a demo, where we will introduce the Impressionist philosophy of completing a painting in three acts; (1) The Lay in, (2) Modification layer and (3) Art infusion layer. Individual steps from Drawing, Design, Value, Color and Creative oil painting techniques and tools will be discussed and demonstrated. With an understanding of these principles, students will be better equipped to meet the challenges of Alla Prima painting, and thereby, better able to express themselves as artist.
How to Get into Art Galleries and Price Your Artwork with Todd Bonita
Thursday, July 24th, 6:00pm–8:00pm | Upstairs Hartson Gallery
FREE for NAA members / $10 non-members
Are you an artist eager to take the next step in your career by getting your work into galleries? Do you struggle with how to price your art to reflect its value while staying competitive in the market? This two-hour lecture will provide you with practical advice, insider tips, and proven strategies to help you navigate the complex world of art galleries.
Gelli Plate Printing & Collage with Maria Malatesta
Saturday, August 2nd, 9:00am–3:00pm | Upstairs Hartson Gallery
$55 for NAA members / $75 non-members
In this workshop, learn to make unique monoprints using a gelli plate. There will be demonstrations of various printing techniques which will include painting and drawing on the plate, using stencils, layering, combining shapes and image transfers. Printing and rice papers are great to print on as well as found and old papers. You may then use these printed papers in collage. This will be a fun and productive day of printing and experimenting with different methods and materials.
Alcohol Inks with Alison Odle
Four Thursdays, August 7th – 28th, 6:00pm–8:00pm | Upstairs Hartson Gallery
$225 for NAA members / $275 non-members
Alcohol ink is a vibrant and expressive medium that offers a unique, meditative experience suitable for artists of all skill levels. This course is designed to guide you through the fundamentals of working with alcohol inks, progressing from simple techniques to more intricate and advanced styles. Whether you're new to the medium or looking to refine your skills, you'll have the opportunity to explore the fascinating and fluid nature of alcohol inks and unlock your own creative potential. No prior experience is required. This course will take place on August 7th, August 14th, August 21st, and August 28th.
Make Your Own Sketchbook with Johanna Finnegan Topitzer
Sunday, August 10th, 1:00pm–5:00pm | Upstairs Hartson Gallery
$75 for NAA members / $95 non-members
Sure, you can go out and buy a blank book, but come to this class and you’ll find out how much more satisfying it is to make your own. Students will learn how to fold and bind pages together to make a blank book that can be used for sketching, writing, or collecting photographs. Students will be sent a list of tools to bring upon registration. A materials fee of $10 will be required at time of class. Create your own book and get inspired to fill it!
Gilding the Lily, Introductory Gilding Course in Metal Leafing with Vera Struck
Saturday, August 30th, 9:00am–12:00pm | Upstairs Hartson Gallery
$75 for NAA members / $95 non-members
Introductory workshop on how to prepare, apply, burnish, add a paint wash to accentuate the surface and seal metal leafing onto one small 2D drawing/painting and one small 3D object supplied by the student.
Gelli Plate Printing & Collage with Maria Malatesta
Saturday, September 13th, 9:00am–3:00pm | Upstairs Hartson Gallery
$55 for NAA members / $75 non-members
In this workshop, learn to make unique monoprints using a gelli plate. There will be demonstrations of various printing techniques which will include painting and drawing on the plate, using stencils, layering, combining shapes and image transfers. Printing and rice papers are great to print on as well as found and old papers. You may then use these printed papers in collage. This will be a fun and productive day of printing and experimenting with different methods and materials.
Beginning Mosaic with Yetti Frenkel
Four Tuesdays, September 9th – 30th, 10:00am–1:00pm | Upstairs Hartson Gallery
$225 for NAA members / $275 non-members
In this workshop participants will create a glass mosaic that can be included in a practical application such as a mirror or stepping stone, or displayed as a decorative object. Participants will learn how to design for mosaic, how to cut and construct with glass tile, what type of substrates to use, and how to cement and grout.
Watercolor Floral & Botanical Painting with Alison Odle
Four Thursdays, October 2nd – 23rd, 6:00pm–8:00pm | Upstairs Hartson Gallery
$225 for NAA members / $275 non-members
In this engaging watercolor class, students of all skill levels will explore the beautiful world of florals and botanicals, unlocking their creative potential through expert guidance and hands-on practice. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an intermediate artist, this class will equip you with the techniques to create stunning watercolor pieces that showcase the elegance and intricacy of nature’s wonders.
Throughout the course, you will learn foundational watercolor techniques such as layering, blending, wet-on-wet, and dry-brush work, all while focusing on the delicate details of flowers and plants. You'll have the opportunity to experiment with color mixing, brushstrokes, and composition, while receiving personalized instruction to help you refine your skills. This class will take place on October 2nd, October 9th, October 16th, and October 23rd.
Intro to Spoon Carving with Eric Goodson
Sunday, December 7th, 10:00am–4:00pm | Upstairs Hartson Gallery
$75 for NAA members / $95 non-members
Spoons are central tools in the human experience; they may very well be the first and last tools we use in this life. They also make great projects for beginner carvers, with their convex and concave surfaces and changing grain direction. In this course, students will learn about wood selection, grain orientation, spoon design and ergonomics, and a wide variety of special knife grips (for both slöjd and hook knives) that make carving fast, efficient, and safe. Attention will also be paid to stretches and massage that help relieve hand fatigue. Finally, students will also discuss finishing oils, paints, and decorative techniques like chip carving and kolrosing. Loaner tools will be available, though if students have their own carving tools, they should bring them. Slöjd knives (Mora 106, 120, and 164) will also be for sale. All students will receive a spoon template that they can take home to make more! No experience necessary, and as long as you can easily open a jar of spaghetti sauce, you have sufficient hand strength.
