Smithsonian Associates Spring 2026 Studio Arts ePublication

ONLINE + IN PERSON ENTERTAINI NG

INFORMATIVE

Intermediate Drawing Page 1

ECLECTIC

INSIGHTFUL

STUDIO ARTS CLASSES Spring 2026

Spring Into

creativity upcoming classes and workshops that span media from sculpture to fiber arts, painting and drawing to photography, all taught by professional artists. The limited class size means you have many opportunities to interact

ARTWORK BY SCOTT RAWLINS

In this special Studio Arts-focused publication, browse

ARTWORK BY MIKE O'BRIEN

confidence along the way.

ARTWORK BY LORI VANKIRK SCHUE

stretching your skills, sparking your creativity, and building

ARTWORK BY BONNIE FITZGERALD

offerings for students at all levels of experience, aimed at

ARTWORK BY SHAHIN TALISHKHAN

The spring 2026 Studio Arts season brings a wide range of

PHOTO BY JOE YABLONSKY

Discover Art Classes from Smithsonian Associates Wherever You Are

with the instructor and share your journey with fellow students in person or online.

You’ve got the inspiration—now’s the time to let it bloom.

Start creating today!

Cover photo: Courtesy of Linda Rubenstein, Studio Arts volunteer; Studio Arts student at work in an Intermediate Drawing class

ARTWORK BY SUE FIERSTON

SPRING STUDIO ARTS CLASSES Art Theory and Practice . . . . . . . . . 1 Drawing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Mixed Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Fiber Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Other Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Sculpture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

HISTORY

CULTURE

SCIENCE

ART

STUDIO ARTS STUDIO ARTS

SPRING

ART THEORY AND PRACTICE

nnnn

ONLINE

Color Theory and Practice INSTRUCTOR: Theresa Otteson ONLINE: Mon., April 13–May 4, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AKF; Members $165; Nonmembers $190

Hues in Harmony Color Mixing and Maximizing Your Palette INSTRUCTOR: Nick Cruz Velleman ONLINE: Thurs., April 30–May 21, 10 a.m.; CODE 1E0-AJH; Members $165; Nonmembers $190

By Nick Cruz Velleman

Visual Journaling: Creativity Workout

TOURS

NEW CLASSES

Artful Mind, Tranquil Mind Artists throughout the world have developed practices that allow them to center themselves and prepare for making art. Students explore some of these techniques: mark making with lines, swirls, and puddles and using paper to experiment with folding and tearing.

INSTRUCTOR: Sushmita Mazumdar ONLINE: Mon., April 13–May 18, 12 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AKD; Members $160; Nonmembers $195

By Sushmita Mazumdar

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn ½ credit

Masters and Mediums

Masters and Mediums

Illustrators

Wildlife Artists

Study master illustrators including N.C. Wyeth, Arthur Rackham, Alphonse Mucha, Norman Rockwell, and Beatrix Potter. The aims of this class are to explore the history of these artists and to apply their approaches in a variety of mediums.

INSTRUCTOR: Lori VanKirk Schue ONLINE: Thurs., April 16, 1 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AHU; Members $55; Nonmembers $70

Learn about the history of master wildlife artists such as John Audubon, Albrecht Dürer, Carel Fabritius, Maria Sibylla Merian, Károly Lotz, and Diego Velazquez.

Work in a variety of mediums to capture the wildlife of your choice.

INSTRUCTOR: Lori VanKirk Schue ONLINE: Thurs., May 21, 1 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AHT; Members $55; Nonmembers $70

INSTRUCTOR: Renee Sandell ONLINE: Sat., May 16, 1 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AJN; Members $80; Nonmembers $95

By Lori VanKirk Schue

By Lori VanKirk Schue

DRAWING

nnnn

IN PERSON

ONLINE

Intermediate Drawing

Sketchbook Habit: The Art of Everyday Life

INSTRUCTOR: George Tkabladze IN PERSON: Tues., April 7–May 19, 2 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-AHD; Members $265; Nonmembers $300

INSTRUCTOR: Sue Fierston ONLINE: Sat., April 4, 25, and May 16, 10 a.m.; CODE 1E0-AKB; Members $165; Nonmembers $190

By Sharon Robinson

Exploring Alcohol Inks Student work

Figure Drawing INSTRUCTOR: Shahin Talishkhan IN PERSON: Sun., April 12–May 17, 10:15 a.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-AJQ; Members $255; Nonmembers $290

INSTRUCTOR: Sharon Robinson IN PERSON: Tues., April 18–May 2, 10:15 a.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-AJY; Members $130; Nonmembers $155

By Sue Fierston

Beginning Drawing INSTRUCTOR: Josh Highter ONLINE: Sun., April 12–May 17, 10:30 a.m.; CODE 1E0-AHR; Members $220; Nonmembers $255

MARCH/APRIL 2026 SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES

1

HISTORY

CULTURE

SCIENCE

STUDIO ARTS STUDIO ARTS

ART

TOURS

SPRING Sketching the Smithsonian

Complete Colored Pencils

Weekly Lunchtime Drawing Series

INSTRUCTOR: Lori VanKirk Schue ONLINE: Thurs., April 23 and 30, 1 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AHS; Members $135; Nonmembers $160

INSTRUCTOR: Morgan Kuster ONLINE: Thurs., April 16–May 21, 12 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AKJ; Members $95; Nonmembers $130; individual sessions also available

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit

Breaking the Line Contours Inspired by Delacroix and Rembrandt INSTRUCTOR: Nick Cruz Velleman ONLINE: Sun., May 10, 10 a.m.; CODE 1E0-AJK; Members $65; Nonmembers $80

Introduction to Biological Illustration INSTRUCTOR: Scott Rawlins ONLINE: Thurs., April 16–May 28, 6 p.m., no class May 7; CODE 1E0-AJP; Members $225; Nonmembers $260

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit

Van Gogh’s Toolbox Expressive Techniques in Drawing for Self-Taught Artists

By Lori VanKirk Schue

Digital Drawing: Remixing the Collection

By Scott Rawlins

INSTRUCTOR: Mike O’Brien ONLINE: Wed., May 6, 6 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AJD; Members $60; Nonmembers $75

INSTRUCTOR: Nick Cruz Velleman ONLINE: Sun., May 17, 10 a.m.; CODE 1E0-AJL; Members $65; Nonmembers $80

By Nick Cruz Velleman

PAINTING

nnnn

IN PERSON

NEW CLASS

Figure Painting

Beginning Acrylic Painting

This intermediate-level oil painting class for students who are new to drawing the human figure, as well as those with previous experience, provides the opportunity to explore figure painting from a live model.

INSTRUCTOR: Shahin Talishkhan IN PERSON: Sun., April 12–May 17, 2:30 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-AJR; Members $285; Nonmembers $320

PHOTO BY CAROLYN MARSHALL WRIGHT

INSTRUCTOR: Carolyn Marshall Wright IN PERSON: Tues., April 7–May 12, 3 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-AGX; Members $240; Nonmembers $275

By Shahin Talishkhan

Still Life in Oil Exploring Color Through Observation

ONLINE

Introduction to Watercolor

INSTRUCTOR: Michelle Cobb ONLINE: Tues., March 31–April 28, 1 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AHH; Members $200; Nonmembers $235

INSTRUCTOR: Josh Highter ONLINE: Mon., March 30–May 18, 6 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AHP; Members $275; Nonmembers $310

By Josh Highter

Continued Watercolor

By Michelle Cobb

2

SmithsonianAssociates.org

INSTRUCTOR: Josh Highter ONLINE: Wed., April 1–May 20, 10:30 a.m.; CODE 1E0-AHQ; Members $275; Nonmembers $310

HISTORY

CULTURE

SCIENCE

STUDIO ARTS STUDIO ARTS

ART

TOURS

SPRING NEW CLASS

Landscape Painting from Photos Learn the fundamentals of landscape painting using photos or masterworks as a reference.

The focus is on composition, color, atmosphere, and contrast in a painting.

INSTRUCTOR: Eric Westbrook ONLINE: Wed., April 15–May 20, 7 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AHB; Members $225; Nonmembers $260

By Eric Westbrook

By Shahin Talishkhan

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit

Sketching Turner

Techniques in Modernist Painting INSTRUCTOR: Shahin Talishkhan ONLINE: Tues., April 7–May 19, 6 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AJT; Members $260; Nonmembers $295

Beginning Oil Painting INSTRUCTOR: Theresa Otteson ONLINE: Thurs., April 14–May 5, 6:45 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AKG; Members $165; Nonmembers $190

Expressing Atmosphere and Skies in Watercolor

By Nick Cruz Velleman

World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit

Drawing Light How the Masters Did It in Color INSTRUCTOR: Nick Cruz Velleman ONLINE: Thurs., April 30–May 21, 2:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AJJ; Members $165; Nonmembers $190

INSTRUCTOR: Nick Cruz Velleman ONLINE: Wed., May 6–20, 10 a.m.; CODE 1E0-AJG; Members $150; Nonmembers $175

Studio Arts classes are taught by professional artists and teachers.

View detailed class descriptions and supply lists at SmithsonianAssociates.org/studio

MIXED MEDIA

nnnn

IN PERSON

ONLINE

Image Transfers and Altered Photos

Altered Books

INSTRUCTOR: Sharon Robinson IN PERSON: Tues., March 31–April 21, 6:30 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-AJX; Members $140; Nonmembers $165

Gel Print Journal and More INSTRUCTOR: Sharon Robinson IN PERSON: Sat., April 4–May 2, 2:15 p.m., no class April 11; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-AJZ; Members $140; Nonmembers $165

Mixed Media Art Warmups

INSTRUCTOR: Marcie Wolf-Hubbard ONLINE: Wed., April 8–May 13, 1:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AHY; Members $190; Nonmembers $225

Collage and Mixed Media INSTRUCTOR: Marcie Wolf-Hubbard ONLINE: Wed., April 15–May 13, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AHZ; Members $165; Nonmembers $200

INSTRUCTOR: Marcie Wolf-Hubbard ONLINE: Mon., May 4 and 11, 1:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AHX; Members $115; Nonmembers $140

By Marcie Wolf-Hubbard

NEW CLASS

Heart to Heart Pop-up Cards for Mother’s Day For the heartwarming occasion of Mother’s Day, create an elegant handmade pop-up card for your mom or other beloved women in your life. Learn how to craft and construct different types of 3D pop-up cards.

INSTRUCTOR: Sharmila Karamchandani ONLINE: Sun., April 26 and May 3, 12 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AJW; Members $115; Nonmembers $140

By Sharmila Karamchandani

By Sharon Robinson

MARCH/APRIL 2026 SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES

3

HISTORY

CULTURE

SCIENCE

STUDIO ARTS STUDIO ARTS

ART

TOURS

SPRING FIBER ARTS NEW CLASS

nnnn

ONLINE

How Knitting Changed the World

Exploring Traditions and Techniques of Embroidery

Explore the key role of knitting in American women’s battle to gain the right to vote, the survival of the musk ox, and anthropological understanding of past cultures and the rise and fall of civilizations. Learn just how powerful a beloved handicraft can be.

INSTRUCTOR: Ann Richards ONLINE: Wed., May 13, 7 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AHJ; Members $25; Nonmembers $35

INSTRUCTOR: Heather Kerley ONLINE: Tues., March 31–April 21, 12 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AHF; Members $135; Nonmembers $160

Embroidery on Paper and Photographs INSTRUCTOR: Patricia Howard ONLINE: Sat., May 2 and 9, 10 a.m.; CODE 1E0-AJM; Members $110; Nonmembers $135 Division of Home and Community Life, National Museum of American History

By Patricia Howard

OTHER MEDIA

nnnn

ONLINE

Introduction to Blackletter Calligraphy: Textura INSTRUCTOR: Sharmila Karamchandani ONLINE: Sat., April 4–25, 1:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AJV; Members $135; Nonmembers $160

The Art of Floral Design INSTRUCTOR: Arrin Sutliff ONLINE: Wed., April 15–May 20, 7:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AGT; Members $160; Nonmembers $195

Design Principles for Jewelry Makers INSTRUCTOR: Mïa Vollkommer ONLINE: Thurs., April 23 and 30, 7 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AJA; Members $135; Nonmembers $160

Gyotaku Hawaiian Style

The Japanese Art of Color Printing with Fish INSTRUCTOR: Sue Fierston ONLINE: Sat., April 18, 10 a.m.; CODE 1E0-AKC; Members $80; Nonmembers $95

By Bonnie Fitzgerald

By Mïa Vollkommer

Contemporary Mosaics: Ancient Motifs, Modern Materials INSTRUCTOR: Bonnie Fitzgerald ONLINE: Tues., April 14–May 5, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AGW; Members $165; Nonmembers $200

By Sue Fierston

Read more about programs in this guide on our website. Search by code or date.

Expanded program descriptions, presenters’ information, and more at SmithsonianAssociates.org.

4

SmithsonianAssociates.org

HISTORY

CULTURE

SCIENCE

ART

STUDIO ARTS STUDIO ARTS

TOURS

SPRING NEW CLASSES

Beadweaving Workshop: Phenomenal Fish Pendant Weave a whimsical fish-shaped pendant in this workshop. Pick up the techniques and learn what materials are needed to add your fish to a necklace or, if you make two fish, create a delightful pair of earrings.

INSTRUCTOR: Mïa Vollkommer ONLINE: Sat., April 18, 12 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AJB; Members $80; Nonmembers $95

Wirework Intensive: Netting and Knitting Using only wire, create a stunning necklace featuring a Viking knit chain.

Dating back to the 8th century, Viking knit is traditionally used to create a strong, flexible chain to wear as jewelry or trim for clothing.

INSTRUCTOR: Mïa Vollkommer ONLINE: Sat., May 2–16, 12 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AJC; Members $165; Nonmembers $200

By Mïa Vollkommer

By Mïa Vollkommer

PHOTOGRAPHY

nnnn

IN PERSON

NEW CLASSES

Don’t Forget to Remember

Introduction to Photography

Monuments and memorials range from monumental and famous to obscure and in danger of being forgotten.

Discuss tips, tricks, and strategies to take great photos of such structures, plus everything from statues and fountains to battlefields and murals.

INSTRUCTOR: Joe Yablonsky ONLINE: Wed., April 15–29, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AHL; Members $125; Nonmembers $150

INSTRUCTOR: Andargé Asfaw TWO IN-PERSON OPTIONS: Tues., March 31– May 19, 3 p.m. (CODE 1E0-AGR); Tues., March 31– May 19, 6:30 p.m. (CODE 1E0-AGS); Ripley Center; Members $255; Nonmembers $290

On-Location Photography INSTRUCTOR: Joe Yablonsky IN PERSON: Sun., April 12–May 17, 1:45 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-AHK; Members $205; Nonmembers $240

ONLINE

The Exposure Triangle INSTRUCTOR: Joe Yablonsky ONLINE: Thurs., April 2–23, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AHM; Members $160; Nonmembers $185

By Joe Yablonsky

Travel Photography Develop the skills to capture the essence and sense of place of your next travel destination. Step into documenting your travels from the angle of a photojournalist.

INSTRUCTOR: Joe Yablonsky ONLINE: Thurs., April 30–May 21, 6:30 p.m.; CODE 1E0-AHN; Members $160; Nonmembers $185

By Joe Yablonsky

Studio Arts classes are taught by professional artists and teachers.

View detailed class descriptions and supply lists at SmithsonianAssociates.org/studio

IN PERSON

Figure Sculpture INSTRUCTOR: George Tkabladze IN PERSON: Tues., April 7–May 19, 6 p.m.; Ripley Center; CODE 1E0-AHE; Members $310; Nonmembers $345

PHOTO BY LINDA RUBENSTEIN

nnnn

By Joe Yablonsky

SCULPTURE

MARCH/APRIL 2026 SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES

5

Meet the

instructors MIXED MEDIA

OTHER MEDIA

• • • • •

• • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Cindy Briggs Michelle Cobb Nick Cruz Velleman Sue Fierston Sandra Gobar Josh Highter Tom Kim Morgan Kuster Carolyn Marshall Wright Mike O’Brien Scott Rawlins Shahin Talishkhan Lori VanKirk Schue Eric Westbrook Amy Williams Dapice Lubna Zahid

ARTWORK BY HEATHER KERLEY

FIBER ARTS

PHOTOGRAPHY

• • • •

• • •

Heather Kerley Lauren Kingsland Tea Okropiridze Ann Richards

Andargé Asfaw Patricia Howard Joe Yablonsky

PHOTO BY LINDA RUBENSTEIN

DRAWING AND PAINTING

Bonnie Fitzgerald Sharmila Karamchandani Barbara Schmidt Arrin Sutliff Mïa Vollkommer ARTWORK BY ANDARGÉ ASFAW

Delna Dastur Kate Lewis Jean Pederson Sharon Robinson Marcie Wolf-Hubbard

ARTWORK BY SHAHIN TALISHKHAN

Sushmita Mazumdar Theresa Otteson Renee Sandell

ARTWORK BY MÏA VOLLKOMMER

ARTWORK BY JEAN PEDERSON

ARTWORK BY THERESA OTTESON

nnnn

• • •

nnnn

ART THEORY AND PRACTICE

SCULPTURE •

George Tkabladze

ARTWORK BY NICK CRUZ VELLEMAN

Learn more about our instructors at SmithsonianAssociates.org/artinstructors.

Classes are taught by professional artists and teachers.