Arlington Community Education

Enjoy learning the fundamentals of playing and painting with watercolors, including proper brush and palette selection and application techniques. We will use various surfaces and styles to create unique works of art.

Get ready to explore the playful possibilities of printmaking. You’ll create awesome, one-of-a-kind works of art using all sorts of cool printmaking techniques. Stamp with potatoes, make prints with leaves, and even use squishy stuffed animals (don’t worry—the instructor will provide the plushies). You’ll also create multicolored, layered images with styrofoam and design your own mandala prints using foam and cardboard.

Personalize your style with the art of screen printing. Learn how to create custom t-shirts, tote bags, and more. Try a variety of screen printing methods, including cutting stencils, creating DIY screens, and using photo emulsion. All screen printing supplies are included—just bring your own apparel to transform into your own unique, wearable art. Best of all, you’ll gain the skills to continue making personalized creations at home.

Explore traditional and contemporary painting techniques as well as color theory and composition. We will work on developing conceptual skills from observation to imagination. Improve your technical skills by analyzing historical and contemporary works, and collaborate through group critiques and discussions. This class is open to all skill levels.

Develop your observational, descriptive, and perceptual drawing skills and expand your visual vocabulary. We will explore academic drawing from life and observation as well as experimental drawing that is less conventional, using a variety of drawing techniques and materials. Subjects may include still lifes, the figure, and landscapes.

Junk journaling is the art of creating a one-of-a-kind, handmade book using recycled and found materials. The term “junk” refers to everyday items—like postcards, old newspapers, fabric scraps, and stamps—that would normally be thrown away. You will craft collage-style journal entries inspired by a new prompt each session, using a mix of provided materials and any “junk” you bring from home. Capture your memories, ideas, and moments while creating a unique, meaningful, and sustainable keepsake.

Discover various printmaking techniques in this creative, hands-on class. Try monoprinting, gelli printing, styrofoam prints, block prints using linoleum or rubber that you carve yourself, and use a real printmaking press. Finish off the week by creating a book to show off all your newly-made prints.

Relief printing is known for its beauty and versatility as a medium, from elaborate woodblock prints to deceptively simple styrofoam prints. Explore relief printing techniques using linoleum or rubber blocks, as well as more unconventional materials. We will build our skills, finishing with a multi-color reduction print. Class time consists of presentations, technique demonstrations, and ample time to work and share feedback. Ideal for beginners and more experienced artists looking to broaden their scope.