upcoming Adult Classes & Workshops

All Westport Art Group classes are open to both members and nonmembers, but for adult classes, current members receive a 20% discount at checkout with code -unless otherwise listed.

September

• Drawing with Color Pencils. Continues in September: Sept. 2 (Tuesday), Mondays-Sept. 15, 22, 29, and Oct 6. Join Instructor Patricia Schneider, 9 am to noon.

• Mixed Media Narrative Collage Class - 4 Fridays in September, 9am-noon. Starts September 5. Create vibrant, layered collages.

• YOGA at WAG. Mondays, Sept 8, 15, 22, 29, 4-5pm. Fran Karoff ERYT-500 will teach a 4-part Gentle Flow session in September.

OCTOBER

• Expressive Animals in Charcoal. Saturday and Sunday, Oct 4&5, 9am-1pm. Join artist Catherine Hafer, AAPL, for this 2 day workshop that will change the way you look at - and use - charcoal!

• The McCarthy Method - Acrylic Studio Painting. Tuesdays Oct. 7,21,28, Nov. 4,11,18, 2-5pm. Explore the art of acrylic painting with the multi-talented Butch McCarthy.

• Pen & Ink with Watercolor. 4 Sessions starting October 20 with Jacklyn William. Explore how to use two techniques together. October 20&27, Nov 3&10, 9:30am-12:30pm.

• Successful Portrait Painting - Breaking it Down. 3 Tuesdays, Oct. 21, 28, Nov. 4, 9am-1pm with instructor Catherine Hafer. Learn how to create a beautiful expressive portrait using a grisaille technique.

ONGOING CLASSES

Figure Drawing on Wednesdays! Join the 9 am group at WAG. See dates and details below.

Weekly Painting - Thursdays. The Thursday painting group is headed outdoors! We paint from 9-11:45, then have a friendly but informative group critique. See below for details!

WAG Poetry Group. Meetings twice a month! See the Poetry page for details!

YOGA at WAG

Mondays, Sept 8, 15, 22, 29, 4-5pm

Fran Karoff ERYT-500 will teach a 4-part Gentle Flow session in September

Yoga offers benefits for physical and mental health ranging from nervous system regulation/stress reduction to flexibility and strength-building, not to mention increased mindfulness. A registered 500-hour yoga instructor (ERYT-500), Fran passionately believes in yoga’s healing benefits for everyone. She keeps her yoga classes lighthearted and focused on alignment, providing modifications for those who want them. She weaves intentions into her classes, as she believe the practice is truly that of mind, body, and spirit, and the intentions offer grounding and introspection.

Gentle Flow-The term flow is used because the poses generally go fluidly from one to the next.

I generally begin each class with students laying down so people can get acquainted with their breath and center before we begin moving. Each class will have a unique intention for the practice which is offered at this time, and will be woven throughout the class. Generally, we will start slowly and progress to standing poses with some balance poses as well, and then back to the mat for slower poses, and of course, svasana as the end of class which is a few moments of rest. Please bring a yoga mat and water.

$80 for 4 classes. All are welcome, WAG members receive a 20% discount with MEMBER coupon code at check out. Class maximum: 15.

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Expressive Animals in Charcoal

A two-day workshop with Catherine Hafer

Saturday and Sunday, Oct 4&5, 9am-1pm

Join artist Catherine Hafer, AAPL, for this 2 day workshop that will change the way you look at - and use - charcoal!

We will still be focusing on drawing, value, and edges, however, by using a variety of tools, and even water, you will learn a more painterly approach to using charcoal. Get ready to be creative and have fun learning new techniques to help you capture your beloved pet, or your favorite wildlife. Students may bring a good quality image of their pet/animal or use references that will be provided. There will be instructor demos and lots of one on one instruction and feedback.

• Students must bring their own Supplies, click here for list.

Fee: $156 for both days. All are welcome, Max of 14, WAG members receive a 20% discount.

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The McCarthy Method
Acrylic Studio Painting

Tuesdays Oct. 7,21,28, Nov. 4,11,18 2-5pm

Unleash your creativity with the multi-talented Butch McCarthy

Throughout this 6-week class, Butch will provide the basics and beyond, to create meaningful, thought-provoking paintings. Students will come away with a deeper understanding of painting with acrylics, along with composition and color. He will demonstrate the proper way to prep the canvas, develop the composition and underpainting, and add final touches to the finished piece.  

At the end of these sessions, students will have created two full-sized (11x14) acrylic paintings, and hopefully in the process learned helpful tips and tricks from Butch utilizing his ‘McCarthy Method’.

*Supplies not included. A materials list will be provided after enrollment. 

Tuesdays Oct. 7,21,28, Nov. 4,11,18 2-5pm (no class 10/14).
6 week class fee: $160

All are welcome, WAG members receive a 20% discount. Class maximum, 12.

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Pen & Ink With Watercolor

4 sessions: October 20 and 27, November 3 and 10, 9:30am-12:30pm

Instructor Jacklyn William

Come discover the versatility of this special combination of materials! There's a sketchbook feel to pen and ink, which is combined with watercolor. They just compliment each other well. In this class we will explore how to use them together!

These techniques are also a great way to paint en plein air, especially when traveling.

Max # of participants is 12. Students are required to bring their own supplies to class. Supplies: hot pressed watercolor paper is preferable, but cold press will work (Rough paper is not advised); watercolors; pencil and eraser, micron pens #3 will be fine, brushes, water container.

$125 - All are welcome, Westport Art Group member receive a 20% Discount. Registration to open soon!

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Successful Portrait Painting - Breaking it Down

3 Tuesdays, Oct. 21, 28, Nov. 4 -9am-1pm

Instructor Catherine Hafer

Let’s breakdown the portrait!! This 3 day workshop is designed to teach you how to create a beautiful expressive portrait using a grisaille technique (one color plus white). The goal is to focus on structural form, understanding value, plus drawing and observational skills, which are the building blocks to a successful portrait.

This method will enable you to capture the essence of your subject with depth and emotion, without the distraction of color. There will be Instructor demos and lots of one on one instruction and feedback. Students may bring good quality images or use provided references.

Please download the Materials list here: Materials List.

The workshop will be taught in Oil, but please feel free to inquire if you use another medium such as acrylic. 3 Day Workshop fee: $240 All are welcome, WAG members receive a 20% discount. Class maximum, 12.

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WEDNESDAY MORNING FIGURE CLASS

Closed during camp sessions in July and August.

Nude model at WAG on Wednesday mornings from 9 am - noon.

Fees will be $50 a month for four-week months, and $60 a month for five-week months. Single session drop-in fee is $20.

Pay cash at class; no instruction; any media.

Please contact Abigail Test for more information. abigailtest@gmail.com

Thursday Painting

Thursdays 
9 am to 12 pm

Plein Air Spring through Fall…

Class paints plein air from mid-May through mid-October at wonderful locations on the South Coast. Sign up to receive the Thursday class locations here: Sign Up Form. This mailing list is also used for you to be alerted of any changes. Be sure to check your email before you leave Thursday mornings.

We paint from 9-11:45, then have a friendly but informative critique.

Inclement weather: meet at the studio - 1740 Main Rd, Westport Point. $5 fee when inside and no instructor. $15 with instructor.

Participating outdoors: free when there is no instructor. We will have an instructor occasionally with a fee of $15. Our classes have informal coaching when we have an instructor, also ending with a friendly critique.

No registration. Please pay cash or check at class. Non-members can try a class, but ongoing participation is for members only. Email Barbara Healy at edlundhealy@gmail.com for more information.

CLASSES CURRENTLY UNDERWAY….

Drawing with Color Pencils

6 classes! Mondays and a Tuesday, 9am-noon
Class dates: Monday, Aug. 25, Sept. 2 (Tuesday), Mondays-Sept. 15, 22, 29, and Oct 6.

Instructor Patricia Schneider

This is primarily a drawing class, and we will cover angles, perspective, color, values and enjoy the versatility of colored pencils. Instructor will supply a few photos to choose from for the class.

Supplies- can be found at Riverside Art, Jerry’s Artarama, some supplies at Michael’s. A variety of colored pencils, good brand is prismacolor, but the more the better! We layer the colors over each other so you’ll need plenty. You’ll need creams, yellows, oranges, purples, reds, blues, greens, browns, grays. Eraser, pencil sharpener, pencil, a piece of pastel paper in a gray tone. Don’t buy white.

Backboard to tape paper and photo to. Backboard should be at least 36” tall. Very important. You’ll be sitting and if the backboard is too short you’ll be hunched over. There are easels available for standing.  Max # of participants is 12. $160 - All are welcome, WAG members receive a 20% discount. Students are required to bring their own supplies to class.

Mixed Media
Narrative Collage Class 2025

4 Fridays: September 5, 12, 19, 26 - 9 am to 12:00 pm

with Instructor Eileen Riley

Join acclaimed collage artist Eileen Riley for a dynamic 4-week mixed media workshop at Westport Art Group. Create vibrant, layered collages that tell personal stories using new materials like papers, fabrics, threads, stencils, stickers, and vintage books. Learn advanced techniques, including adhesive application, balanced composition, and texture experimentation. Previous participants are warmly welcomed and will discover fresh approaches to deepen their practice.

Bring personal images or ephemera to enrich your work, though all materials are provided. A $10 fee for supplies is payable to the instructor at the first session. The workshop concludes with a supportive critique to celebrate your growth. No experience needed—just a passion for creativity!

Goals are to Master collage techniques and composition; Create a unique, narrative-driven artwork; Explore new materials to expand your artistic voice. Max # of participants is 12. Register by 9/1/25.

For Youth Education and Outreach, including scholarships, please see Youth.

Cancellation Policy effective Sept. 1, 2021
Classes, Workshops and Demonstrations:

All classes and demonstrations will be paid in full at time of registration, except classes that are attended on a walk-in basis (when such are available).

If a student withdraws at least 2 weeks prior to the class beginning, a full refund will be given, minus a $10 processing fee. Any cancellations later than 2 weeks prior will not be refunded, except for a documented medical or family emergency, unless the spot is filled from a waiting list. In that case a 75% refund will be given.

Any classes cancelled by the Westport Art Group for any reason will be refunded in full.

Please see the Youth page for Summer Camp and other Children’s Programs cancellation policy.

Any deviation from this policy will require a majority vote of the Westport Art Group Executive Board.