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Let our teaching artists help you hone your talents.

artist at work painting on a canvas

Upcoming Art Courses

Art Workshops

Create a stunning mosaic suncatcher for your yard in this hands-on class! Learn mosaic techniques while crafting a unique, colorful hanging decoration for outdoor spaces. Use beautiful tumbled glass that mimics the look of sea glass to add a vibrancy to your design, creating a piece that sparkles in the sunlight.
#68152, Truax-Protective Services Building, 4/12-4/13, Saturday and Sunday, 9-11 AM Instructor: Laura Epstein
Embark on your artistic journey with our beginner-friendly 2-day workshop. Explore the enchanting world of watercolors with step-by-step guidance from our expert instructor. Learn the basics of color mixing, brush techniques, and create your own beautiful watercolor artworks. Whether you've never picked up a brush or are looking to build a solid foundation, this weekend class is perfect for beginners to immerse themselves in the art of watercolor. All supplies included!
#65618, Truax-Protective Services Building, 4/19-4/20*, Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM - 2 PM Instructor: Lee Schauer
*Please note 4/20 is Easter
Explore the endless possibilities of colored pencil art in this creative, hands-on workshop. Learn blending, layering, and color techniques to bring any style to life. Perfect for artists of all levels looking to expand their skills!
#67882, Truax-Protective Services Building, 5/3-5/4, Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM-2 PM Instructor: Lee Schauer
Discover the exciting world of acrylic painting in our 2-day beginner's class. Unleash your creativity with acrylics as you receive hands-on instruction in a supportive environment. No prior experience is necessary. Our instructor will introduce you to the fundamentals of acrylics, including color theory, brushwork, and simple techniques to bring your ideas to life. Kickstart your artistic adventure!
#67868, Truax-Protective Services Building, 5/10-5/11, Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM-2 PM Instructor: Lee Schauer
Capture the vibrant beauty of summer in this watercolor workshop! Learn to paint sunlit landscapes, blooming flowers, and serene beach scenes while mastering techniques like washes, layering, and blending. Perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike, this hands-on class will help you create stunning seasonal works of art.
#11921, Truax-Protective Services Building, 5/31-6/1, Saturday & Sunday, 9 AM-3 PM Instructor: Lee Schauer (registration opens 2/26)
In this hands-on workshop you will create your own mosaic masterpieces inspired by the stunning designs of ancient Roman art. Learn about the history and techniques of Roman mosaics while working with colorful tiles to design unique patterns and images. Perfect for all artistic levels, this engaging class fosters creativity and collaboration in a fun, supportive environment.
#11940, Truax-Protective Services Building, 6/7-6/8, Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM-12 PM Instructor: Laura Epstein
Dive into the art of painting water in this inspiring watercolor workshop! Learn techniques to capture the movement of oceans, the calm flow of rivers, and the shimmering reflections on water surfaces. Perfect for all skill levels, this hands-on class will bring your water scenes to life with realism and beauty.
#11920, Truax-Protective Services Building, 6/14-6/15, Saturday & Sunday, 9 AM-3 PM Instructor: Lee Schauer
Discover the magic of combining playful line work with vibrant watercolor in this fun and stress-free class! You'll learn a simple step-by-step drawing method to create charming, lighthearted illustrations. Through approachable watercolor techniques, you'll bring your doodles to life with expressive color and personality.
#11945, Truax-Protective Services Building, 7/12, Saturday, 9 AM-2 PM Instructor: Ronnie Walter

General Art

Discover the art of beautiful writing in our Calligraphy class. Learn the fundamentals of elegant script, including proper techniques, tools, and styles. Perfect for beginners, this class will guide you step-by-step, enhancing your creativity as you receive individual instruction.
#65260, Commercial Avenue Campus, 3/10-4/21, Monday, 6-8 PM Instructor: Joann Carpenter
Embark on a creative journey in woodturning! Woodturning involves shaping wood on a lathe to create items such as bowls, vases, and pens. In this course you and your classmates will rotate between woodturning and tool sharpening, engaging in hands-on learning experiences. You will learn essential techniques, culminating in four unique projects. Whether a complete novice or having some experience, this course offers the foundational skills and confidence to pursue woodturning as a rewarding hobby in a safe and supportive environment. Students who have already taken Woodturning 1 are welcomed to sign up again and proceed to more advanced projects.
#68008, The Bodgery (near Comm. Ave), 3/26-5/14, Wednesday, 6:30-9:30 PM Instructor: Ris Fleming
#11931, The Bodgery (near Comm. Ave), 6/18-8/13, Wednesday, 6:30-9:30 PM Instructor: Ris Fleming

Art Metals

This introductory class is open to all levels and will cover the fundamentals of welding and plasma cutting as you make a pre-determined garden sculpture or seasonal décor.
#67698, Truax-Main Building, 4/1-5/6, Tuesday, 6-9 PM Instructor: Amanda Neumaier
#11112, Truax-Main Building, 6/19-7/24, Thursday, 6-9 PM Instructor: Amanda Neumaier
#11168, Truax-Main Building, 7/22-8/26, Tuesday, 6-9 PM Instructor: Amanda Neumaier
Create your own metal sculpture using a combination of fabrication and welding techniques. This class will expand your knowledge of welding and sculpture design as you make your own personalized art. Students must have taken "Art Welding for Beginners" or have prior welding experience.
#65586, Truax-Main Building, 3/27-5/15, Thursday, 6-9 PM Instructor: Amanda Neumaier
#11108, Truax-Main Building, 5/27-7/15, Tuesday, 6-9 PM Instructor: Amanda Neumaier
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of enameling during this week-long intensive designed for jewelry and metal artists of all skill levels. Through hands-on exploration, you’ll learn the fundamentals of fusing glass to metal, experimenting with color, texture, and surface treatments to create unique, expressive pieces. Supplies included!
#11928, Commercial Avenue Campus, 5/19-5/23, Monday-Friday, 9 AM-1 PM Instructor: Cate Richards
Transform flat metal into functional, handcrafted forms using traditional tools and methods. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn to cut, shape, and solder metal to create beautifully crafted lap-seamed containers. Explore centuries-old metalworking techniques while developing skills in forming and joining metal. No experience needed—just a passion for creating!
#11943, Commercial Avenue Campus, 6/17-8/5, Tuesday, 6-9 PM Instructor: Daniel Lippitt

Ceramics and Sculpture

Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned potter looking to refine your craft, this class has something for you! Get hands-on with the fundamentals of wheel throwing, explore surface design techniques, and dive into the art of glazing. Includes 25 lbs. of clay, glazes, and firing. Ready to get your hands dirty? Let’s make something amazing!
#1104, Commercial Avenue Campus, 6/2-7/28, Monday, 9 AM-12 PM Instructor: Scott Draves
#11162, Commercial Avenue Campus, 6/2-7/21, Monday, 6-9 PM Instructor: Gloria Van Dixhorn
#11076, Commercial Avenue Campus, 5/28-7/16, Wednesday, 9 AM-12 PM Instructor: Scott Draves
#11172, Commercial Avenue Campus, 6/4-7/30, Wednesday, 6-9 PM Instructor: Gloria Van Dixhorn
#11949, Commercial Avenue Campus, 6/5-7/31, Thursday, 6-9 PM Instructor: Gloria Van Dixhorn
Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned potter looking to refine your craft, this class has something for you! Get hands-on with the fundamentals of wheel throwing, explore surface design techniques, and dive into the art of glazing. Includes 25 lbs. of clay, glazes, and firing. Ready to get your hands dirty? Let’s make something amazing!
Future offerings will be posted here

Painting and Drawing

For beginners or continuing students refining their watercolor skills, this class will be filled with technical information, demonstrations, individual instruction, and lots of time to paint. Learn brush handling, color theory and watercolor techniques such as washes, glazes, and textural effects. Choose subject matter from photos, book references or still lifes as the class explores painting styles from realism to abstract.
#65430, Truax-Protective Services, 4/15-5/20, Tuesday, 6-9 PM Instructor: Alfredo Rodriguez
#11008, Truax-Main Building, 6/3-7/8, Tuesday, 2:30-5:30 PM Instructor: Alfredo Rodriguez
#11010, Truax-Main Building, 6/3-7/8, Tuesday, 6-9 PM Instructor: Alfredo Rodriguez
#11933, Truax-Main Building, 7/15-8/19, Tuesday, 2:30-5:30 PM Instructor: Alfredo Rodriguez
#11934, Truax-Main Building, 7/15-8/19 Tuesday, 6-9 PM Instructor: Alfredo Rodriguez
Unlock the full potential of acrylics in our advanced painting class! Delve into intricate layering, texture creation, and advanced color mixing techniques to bring your visions to life with depth and vibrancy. Refine your skills in composition and visual storytelling while exploring diverse styles and subjects. You must have taken Beg. Acrylic, All levels Acrylic or have equivalent experience.
#67695, Truax-Protective Services, 3/27-5/15, Thursday, 5:30-8:30 PM Instructor: Selia Salzsieder
Discover the beauty of watercolor portraiture in this beginner-friendly class! Learn essential techniques to capture lifelike expressions and delicate features with flowing brushstrokes. Practice different techniques for drawing facial features, planning a portrait composition, and transferring your drawing to watercolor paper. Explore color blending to achieve different skin tones, layering, and shading to create vibrant, personalized portraits. Students will have the opportunity to draw from both a live model and a photo reference.
#67678, Truax-Protective Services, 4/2-5/7, Wednesday, 6-9 PM Instructor: Steph Hagens
This course is for those who wish to continue building their drawing skills, refine their artist's eye and truly see as an artist . Expanding on the concepts and principles introduced in the fundamentals session we will delve further into the art of linear perspective, proportions, composition, and effective use of light and shade.
#65394, Truax-Main Building, 4/2-5/21, Wednesday, 6-8:30 PM Instructor: Thanasi Papapostolou
Dive into the depths of watercolor mastery with our advanced class! Explore complex techniques like wet-on-wet blending, glazing, and color lifting to create stunning depth and luminosity in your paintings. Develop your own style under expert guidance, mastering composition and color theory for expressive, captivating artworks. You should have completed Beginning Watercolor or equivalent to take this course.
#67834, Truax-Protective Services Building, 4/30-6/18, Wednesday, 9 AM-12 PM Instructor: Lee Schauer
Enjoy the freedom to work in the studio while still receiving personalized guidance to explore new techniques and develop your unique style. Perfect for beginners and seasoned artists alike, this is an opportunity to dive into painting or drawing media with the support of an instructor to inspire your creativity and growth.
#67883, Truax-Protective Services Building, 4/30-5/21, Wednesday, 1-4 PM Instructor: Lee Schauer
#11918, Truax-Protective Services Building, 6/4-6/25, Wednesday, 5:30-8:30 PM Instructor: Lee Schauer
Discover the magic of watercolor painting in the great outdoors (locations will be in the Madison area). Perfect for beginners and seasoned artists alike, you'll learn to capture landscapes with confidence. Each session is designed to be welcoming and fun, helping you build the skills to paint outside and enjoy the process.
#11922, Truax-Protective Services Building, 5/28-6/18, Wednesday, 1-4 PM Instructor: Lee Schauer (registration opens 2/26)
Do you want to become a better artist this summer? This workshop is ideal for those who want to recharge their artistic spirit and confidence in drawing. Through a convenient and condensed series of classes you will gain an understanding of the essential principles of drawing. Ideal for beginners as well as those with experience.
#11160, Truax-Main Building, 7/21-8/11, Monday, 6-9 PM Instructor: Thanasi Papapostolou
Drawing the human portrait has long been a challenging art form and one that requires a sequential approach. The purpose of this class is to provide such sequential approaches as well as the principles of drawing a portrait from a live model, such as establishing the scale, pose, and proportions. If you have ever struggled with drawing the features of the face, this workshop is for you. Suitable for complete beginners as well as experienced artists.
#11066, Truax-Main Building, 7/23-8/13, Wednesday, 6-9 PM Instructor: Thanasi Papapostolou
Delve into the art of acrylic painting, tailored for beginners or those seeking to refresh their skills. Uncover the secrets of acrylic painting materials, color theory, form, and composition. Spark your creativity through demonstrations and hands-on painting, and develop your ability to view the world through an artistic lens.
Future offerings will be posted here
Explore the beautiful world of watercolors and gain confidence in your skills. You'll receive technical information, individualized instruction, and experience engaging demonstrations. Learn essential techniques like brush handling, color theory, washes, glazes, and textural effects, and explore a variety of painting styles from realism to abstract.
Future offerings posted here
This class will introduce basic techniques so you can create accurate drawings as you work from observation. The skills and concepts presented will provide an initial framework for your talent, build confidence in your ability, and amplify your creativity.
Future offerings posted here
Drawing the human figure is considered by centuries of artists and art academies to be the indispensable foundation of the creative arts. This class will introduce the students to the basic principles of figure structure and expression. Progressing sequentially, the student learns how to “see” human form and to render it effectively. This class is a must both for beginners and for those who are seeking to further their understanding and perception of the human figure in drawing, painting, or digital animation. Students will work from a live model and instructor demonstrations. Basic drawing materials are required. Only students the age of 18 or older are allowed to enroll in figure drawing.
Future offerings posted here

Video and Photography

Whether you’re a business owner, marketer, content creator, or simply want to maximize your iPhone's potential for professional, high-quality images and videos, this class is for you! Discover underutilized settings and advanced file types that elevate your photos for any use. We’ll cover photography fundamentals, shooting techniques, accessories, apps, and in-phone editing. Plus, you'll engage in exercises to practice portraits, product shots, lighting, and more!
Future offerings posted here

Fiber Arts

Check out sewing, needlework, and upholstery classes.

Register Today!

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1. Register by Phone
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Gallery at Truax art exhibition

Visit the Gallery at Truax

The Gallery at Truax provides diverse experiences by exhibiting creativity, innovation, and collaboration for Madison College and its community. View the exhibition schedule, hours and location.