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
The Homemade Print Series: Monotype and Intaglio with Kim Gatesman. Tuesday, Sept. 1, 9am-4pm.
Line & Wash Watercolor Batik on Kinwashi Paper taught by Peter Turner. Tuesday, Sept. 29, 10am-2pm.
OCTOBER
Who Can Resist Nature? Especially Nests. A One day Watercolor Workshop with Instructor Betsey MacDonald. Saturday, October 3, 10am to 2pm.
Creating Glowing Color in Oils & Acrylics. A 4 week Painting Class with Barbara Healy. Tuesdays, October 6, 13, 20, 27, 2026 9am-12pm
Tall Ships Drawing - Monday Drawing - A 6 Week class with Instructor Jackie William. Mondays, Oct 12-Nov 16, 9:30am - 12:30pm
Let Your Life Speak: A Writing Workshop facilitated by Sarah W. Bartlett. Sunday, October 18, 10 am to 2 pm. Register on the Poetry page by Oct. 15.
ongoing classes
Figure Drawing on Wednesdays! Join the 9 am group at WAG. See dates and details below.
Weekly Painting - Thursdays. New outdoor location every week! 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!
Line & Wash Watercolor Batik on Kinwashi Paper
Taught by Peter Turner
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 10am-2pm
Explore the luminous and textured world of Line and Wash Watercolor Batik on Kinwashi Paper, taught by Peter Turner, aka the “Art Troubadour”. This immersive, hands-on workshop teaches students how to combine bold waterproof marker linework with flowing watercolor washes and layers of wax resist to create uniquely vibrant and textured works. Participants will work directly on delicate Kinwashi paper, embracing its fibrous, translucent quality to produce richly layered compositions. The technique draws from traditional batik practices and watercolor traditions in a fresh, accessible way. Ideal for Beginners, watercolorists, illustrators, fiber artists, and creatives looking to explore texture, translucency, and process-based painting on alternative surfaces. Max 12 participants.
Materials Provided by Instructor: Kinwashi - Reference Drawings- Beeswax/paraffin wax blend- Waterproof Sharpie markers (variety of tips)- Loose parchment paper (used as a working surface beneath the Kinwashi paper)- Newspaper (used for ironing and wax removal)- Painter’s tape- Demo tools: brushes, sponges, irons- Watercolor palettes
Student Supply List: Watercolor brush set- Water container, apron, and paper towels- Optional: Personal watercolor paints and reference images.
Materials included; bring your own supplies. Class fee: $100 All are welcome; 20% discount for WAG members ( max 12, register early). Please register below.
About Peter Sterling Turner:
Peter Sterling Turner is an award-winning artist and educator dedicated to preserving traditional artistic techniques. Through his program, The Art Troubadour, he offers immersive, hands-on workshops in painting, printmaking, and textile arts. Turner has taught at numerous art centers and galleries and is a passionate advocate for sharing creative processes with artists of all experience levels.
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 10am-2pm.
WAG MEMBERS GET 20% OFF! Enter the Discount Code MEMBER during the checkout process to receive your discount!
Who Can Resist Nature?
Especially Nests
A One day Watercolor Workshop with Instructor Betsey MacDonald
Saturday, October 3, 10am to 2pm
Artwork by Betsey MacDonald.
Aristotle said, “In all things in nature there is something of the marvelous” and few things are as marvelous as bird’s nests! For this class we’ll study nests and then we’ll paint them using layers of watercolor wash and resist. We’ll gain an understanding of dry brush techniques, wet into wet, spattering and other ways we can play with watercolor. We’ll work on two paintings at once to allow for drying time. One will be a detailed study of the amazing texture and interweaving of grasses, sticks and other found items while the other will have more of a design focus and incorporate leaf shadows and negative space with a nest. Through observation and the use of watercolor, we’ll learn to really look at some of nature’s most exquisite handiwork as we create our own art and realize that nests are works of art as well.
Course Objectives: Improve observational skills through drawing and painting from life. Acquire skills with a variety of watercolor painting techniques. Become comfortable with watercolor experimentation. Develop an appreciation of watercolor accidents and how they can be useful. Creatively paint natural objects by selectively using a mix of techniques. Observe, critique and discuss student work and master watercolors. Gain a greater appreciation of the wonder all around us. Read more about instructor Betsey MacDonald.
Please download the materials list.
$75 - All are welcome, Westport Art Group member receive a 20% Discount. Class max 12, register early.
Saturday, October 3, 10am to 2pm
WAG MEMBERS GET 20% OFF! Enter the Discount Code MEMBER during the checkout process to receive your discount!
Go to your cart to check out.
Creating Glowing Color in Oils & Acrylics
A 4 week Painting Class with Barbara Healy
Tuesdays, October 6, 13, 20, 27, 2026 9am-12pm
Artwork by Barbara Healy
Join award-winning painter Barbara Healy to explore working with an underpainting to plan composition and create a landscape with vibrant color in oils, adapted for acrylics. We will explore 2 approaches: creating an acrylic underpainting notan and a value grisaille.
Barbara Healy
We will look at brushwork or mark-making to find what’s important t to your painting subject, eliminating unnecessary detail, training yourself to be decisive and learning not to overwork a painting.
Artists can work in acrylic but demos will be in oil.
Max 10 students. Please see materials list. Download a copy here.
4 week class- $130. All are welcome, WAG members receive a 20% discount. Register below. Questions, please send an email to: info@westportartgroup.com.
UPDATE: CLASS IS FULL. To join a waiting list, please send an email to info@westportartgroup.com.
Tuesdays, October 6, 13, 20, 27, 2026 9am-12pm
WAG MEMBERS GET 20% OFF! Enter the Discount Code MEMBER during the checkout process to receive your discount!
Go to your cart to check out.
Tall Ships Drawing CLASS
Monday Drawing
A 6 Week class with Instructor Jackie William
Mondays, Oct 12-Nov 16, 9:30am - 12:30pm
This 6 week Drawing class will focus on the Tall Ships that graced our waters over the summer for our country's 250th Birthday Celebration. We will be focusing on light and shadow, angles, values, shading, and adding figures. Minimal rigging required! Instructor is Jackie William jacklynawilliam@gmail.com.
Supplies:
Value Scale Drawing paper, good quality, no smaller than 11x14
A variety of graphite pencils in black and one white
Variety of erasers (small round Tombow eraser is very helpful)
Tortillion, q-tips, chamois if you have already
Small pencil sharpener, exacto, or sandpaper
Ruler
$170- All are welcome, Westport Art Group members receive a 20% Discount. Class max 12, register early.
Mondays, Oct 12-Nov 16, 9:30am - 12:30pm
WAG MEMBERS GET 20% OFF! Enter the Discount Code MEMBER during the checkout process to receive your discount!
Go to your cart to check out.
WEDNESDAY MORNING FIGURE CLASS
Drawing by Janice Thurston.
Nude model at WAG on Wednesday mornings from 9 am - noon.
Fees are $50 a month for four-week months, and $60 a month for five-week months. Single session drop-in fee is $20, payable at the session.
Please contact Abigail Test for more information. abigailtest@gmail.com
Thursday Painting
Artwork by Barbara Healy
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.
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.