Visual Arts   

Take a closer look at our natural world and learn how to draw and paint it. Create beautiful illustrations each week in graphite, colored pencil and watercolors from the instructor's natural history collection of nests, feathers, insects, stones and skulls. All materials are provided. 

Learn the basic techniques of watercolor painting and create a new piece each week. Explore a variety of methods to enhance your work and express your creativity. The final class is dedicated to creating a finished painting that brings together everything you’ve learned.

Learn basic drawing, painting and plant anatomy to create beautiful watercolor studies of flowers with accuracy. This popular course now includes extended sessions to practice drawing skills in class. No previous experience necessary and all supplies provided.

Using plants and flowers for inspiration, learn plant anatomy and basic skills of creating accurate line, form, light and shading in graphite and pen. No previous experience necessary and all supplies provided.

Discover the tools, carving materials and printing substrates used with linocut to create multi-color images on a press. Learn how to keep your tools and your wits sharp, plan for success and work through the entire process from concept to small print run. Previous experience is a plus, but not required. 

Under the guidance of a contemporary narrative collage artist, explore a series of projects designed to boost creativity and teach techniques while helping you create a variety of mixed media collages. Bring your own supplies. Class meets every other Saturday.

Not a beginning class, but for those who want to dive deeper into acrylic painting. Intense studies of specific painting challenges each week. 

Create a stained glass sun catcher while learning basic stained glass skills like choosing and cutting glass and soldering your final product. All supplies and equipment provided including sun catcher designs.

Learn photography fundamentals from award-winning wildlife photographer Nick Fucci. Explore camera functions, exposure, depth of field, composition, lighting, photography ethics and much more. Course includes six classroom sessions, one field session on 4/25, weekly image critiques and tips for choosing camera gear without breaking the bank.  

Build on the foundations from Colored Pencil Basics and advance your skills in color theory and drawing techniques by creating a landscape, spring flowers and a still life. Basic colored pencil skills are required. All supplies provided. 

In this advanced course, learn new skills and techniques for painting spring flowers in bloom each week, including how to add layers of glazes to create color/form, textures and veins on leaves and petals. Join for positive support, demonstrations and one-on-one instruction. Recommended prerequisite: Watercolor Basics. All professional grade art supplies provided. 

Learn the basics of setting type, applying ink and printing with a vintage proofing press and 100+ year old type. This once-prolific production process now thrives as an art form and a means of self-expression. Choose a quote, short poem or passage to set in type, print a small run of posters and then exchange your work with classmates. 

Build on your basic drawing skills and deepen your ability to draw plants and flowers. Learn more advanced techniques while developing a stronger understanding of plant anatomy and vitality. Create accurate, life-like botanical drawings in pen and ink using line, form, light and shading. Basic drawing skills required and all supplies provided. 

Create a stained glass sun catcher while learning basic stained glass skills like choosing and cutting glass and soldering your final product. All supplies and equipment provided including sun catcher designs.

Learn the basics of etching through an approachable process that uses easily available materials. Follow each step of creating an etching, from preparing and inking the plate to wiping and printing, to produce at least two small-edition prints of your own. 

Enjoy afternoon tea and tea sandwiches while making beautiful and memorable hand painted Mother's Day cards in watercolors for the ones you love! Join award-winning watercolor artist Hillary Parker for demonstrations as you work independently. No previous watercolor experience necessary and all supplies provided. 

Create a stained glass sun catcher while learning basic stained glass skills like choosing and cutting glass and soldering your final product. All supplies and equipment provided including sun catcher designs.

Connect to the great outdoors while expressing your artistic side. Respond, reflect and record your thoughts, feelings and observations freely through writing, sketching, painting and collage on location at various outdoor places throughout the Flathead Valley. No previous art experience required and all skill levels welcome.

Learn to sketch on location using both pencil and marker. After a classroom introduction, head out to draw in a mix of urban and rural settings, indoors and outdoors. Practice capturing people, architecture and natural elements. 

Discover the beauty of Mizuhiki, the traditional Japanese art of decorative cord tying. Learn to create the Awaji Knot, a symbol of lasting connection and harmony. Through the practice, explore the meditative and symbolic nature of the craft and complete a Mizuhiki piece attached to a keepsake card.

Create a stained glass sun catcher while learning basic stained glass skills like choosing and cutting glass and soldering your final product. All supplies and equipment provided including sun catcher designs.

Create a stained glass sun catcher while learning basic stained glass skills like choosing and cutting glass and soldering your final product. All supplies and equipment provided including sun catcher designs.

“Shodo” is the ancient Japanese art of handwriting often translated as “the way of artistic handwriting.” Learn how to write your name in Japanese and Kanji (Chinese characters representing meanings) with brush and ink on a decorative scroll.

Create a stained glass sun catcher while learning basic stained glass skills like choosing and cutting glass and soldering your final product. All supplies and equipment provided including sun catcher designs.