Mini Acrylic Landscapes
2026-10-01 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Gladje Gallery
During class we will learn about basic composition, color mixing and intermediate brushwork. Students will then begin a small painting they can finish at home or during scheduled Open Studio time.
To Take this class, students should have taken “Crash Course: Acrylics” or have equivalent experience in the medium. (ie. basic familiarity of brush types, paint types, basic usage experience with the medium + familiarity with intermediate verbiage.)
Students are required to bring the following:
Assorted brushes (ROYAL & LANGNICKEL brush sets are a good place to start)
Student quality craft paints in the following colors (Red, blue, yellow, magenta, brown and white) *Artist Loft Series 1 acrylics or Winsor and Newton Basics are great. Craft paints are not recommended.
Basic paint palette (students choice)
The instructor will provide reference photos and painting surfaces for each student.

Needle Felted Pumpkins
2026-10-08 17:00 - 19:00
During this class, students will gain the basic needle felting skills necessary to turn wool roving into festive decorations. Each student will receive the materials for six pumpkins, plus needles. Good motor skills are required as participants will be working with small objects.
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Exploring Pastels (2 Part Workshop)
2026-10-15 17:00 - 19:00
Soft Pastel Workshop Series (2-Part Class)
This two-session pastel workshop is designed for intermediate artists who already have basic drawing skills and an understanding of fundamental art terminology such as value, chroma, line, edges, and composition.
Session One; October 15
The first two-hour session will cover:

Types of soft pastels
Papers and surfaces
Fixatives
Drawing fundamentals
Composition and design principles

Students will:

Learn how to handle pastels with a light touch
Build paintings through shape and value rather than detail
Practice thumbnails using notans and value sketches to plan a painting
Learn how to choose a color palette and match values to a simple value strip
Practice a variety of pastel strokes

The session will end with a simple apple pastel painting using only 30 strokes.
Session Two; October 22
Before the second session, students will complete homework using a printed reference photo and thumbnails created for their pastel painting.
During class, students will:

Watch a demonstration of the initial block-in process using thumbnails and basic shapes
Block in shapes using pastels while matching values from their thumbnails
Use brushes and alcohol or rubbing techniques (depending on paper used) to set the block-in
Continue developing the painting using both the thumbnail and reference photo

The final 30 minutes of class will include a show-and-tell where students can share what they like about their painting.
Workshop Goals
With this class, the goal is to:

Expose students to pastel painting
Help students learn to think in shapes versus things
Create a strong foundation for beginning a painting

Additional Information

This workshop takes place over two Thursdays ($50 cost covers both)
All pastels, paper, and supplies will be provided
Students should wear an apron or old clothes
“Gloves in a Bottle” will be available for hands

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Because this workshop is sponsored by a grant, the cost is lower than usual.
Grant Support Statement
MaryAnn Cleary is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature: and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Watercolor Fall Botanicals
2026-10-29 17:00 - 19:00
Celebrate the colors of the season in this cozy watercolor class focused on fall botanicals! Students will learn watercolor techniques while painting autumn -inspired leaves, branches, schrooms, and florals. Perfect for beginners and experienced painters alike.
All materials provided by instructor.

Watercolor Christmas Cards
2026-11-19 17:00 - 19:00
Bring your Christmas spirit and learn to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind cards to send to friends and family! Students will learn to paint basic holiday motifs and will go home with a finished set of 5 cards with matching envelopes.
All materials provided by instructor.

Watercolor Gift Tags
2026-12-10 17:00 - 19:00
Bring your holiday spirit and learn to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind watercolor gift tags for friends and family! Students will learn to paint simple seasonal motifs and while creating handmade gift tags ready to add a special touch to holiday presents.
All materials are provided. Just come and have fun getting ready for the season!
