Explore a variety of classes for all experience levels in drawing and painting, as well as printmaking, paper crafts, fused glass, photography, metals and jewelry making, woodcrafts, and more. Classes are taught by dedicated 577 staff members and community members with a passion for their chosen art medium. Class topics vary each month and are taught in the Cottage, House, and outdoors around the beautiful gardens and grounds of 577.
Upcoming Classes
Drawing: Portraits for Beginners
Tuesdays, July 5, 12, 19, 26 ~ 10:30am to 11:30am
Drawing portraits can be intimidating when you don’t know where or how to start. Join us for this four-part workshop in Virginia’s House where you will be guided step by step to draw a portrait by focusing on specific facial features each week.
Classes will build up to a beautiful portrait completed in the final class. Choose a friend, family member, or yourself, and we’ll turn it into a wonderful piece of art! Click registration link to see full supply list.
Instructor: Isabelle Tucker, 577 Program Assistant & Artist
Plein Air Acrylic Painting: Jewel of the Port
Monday, July 11 ~ 10am to 2:30pm
“Plein air” translates to “out of doors,” or in this instance, the act of painting outside on the lovely grounds of 577! In this class you will learn to paint the Lorain Lighthouse with a sunset sky on an 11″ x 14″ canvas. All supplies are provided, and no experience needed.
Don’t forget to bring a lunch, water bottle, and your preferred sunscreen and bug spray.
Community Instructor: Mary Claire Roe
Creative Card Making
Wednesday, July 13 ~ 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Join us in Virginia’s House as we gather for fun, making creative cards with that personal touch, no experience is needed. Each student will make five summer-themed cards for birthdays, thank you cards, thinking of you, and a 3D favor box.
Students will receive all the support and inspiration needed to make beautiful cards and will have plenty of options for individual creativity. Come and enjoy creating together–all supplies included!
Community Instructors: Pat Szymanowski & Patricia Piper
Paper Flower Dahlias
Thursday, July 14 ~ 7pm to 8:30pm
Dahlias are summer flowers much loved for their bold beautiful blooms. Join us in Virginia’s House to learn to make your own colorful dahlias from paper in this workshop. They make the perfect long-lasting decoration.
Community Instructor: Ellen Seeburger
Creating an Illustrated Field Journal
Friday, July 15 ~ 11am to 12pm
Friday, August 12 ~ 11am to 12pm
The seasonal changes in the natural world can often be overlooked when we don’t take the time to look closely at what is around us. By keeping an illustrated field journal, we can record not only our thoughts, but sketch and draw what we see, creating meaningful pages through the use of word and image.
Using the beautiful 577 grounds for inspiration, new participants in this session will be introduced to the concept of keeping this type of journal and will create their first entry, hopefully inspired to carry on and fill the remaining pages over time. Experienced students are also welcome–learn new tips, gain fresh inspiration in the ever-changing seasons, and build upon past lessons. No writing or drawing experience is necessary, only the desire to have some fun while exploring the natural world around us.
Community Instructor: David Lymanstall
Silk Screen Your Own T-Shirt
Monday, July 25 ~ 6pm to 8pm
Join us at 577 for this exciting opportunity to try your hand at silkscreen printmaking by creating your own customizable nature-themed t-shirts. All skill levels are welcome.
Students will spend an enjoyable evening experiencing the process of silkscreen printmaking, including how to set up a printing press, how to coat screens with ink, and the proper usage of squeegees. Students will then practice by printing on sheets of paper before selecting a papercut design and making their own customized t-shirts. Image choices will include pollinators, plants, and birds, and multiple color choices will be available.
Students MUST bring one to three t-shirts—a great chance to personalize a new shirt or even an old comfy favorite from your closet. All other supplies included.
Instructor: George Estes, 577 Program Intern & Artist
Simple Printmaking
Wednesday, August 10 ~ 5:30pm to 7pm
Join us at 577 to learn the step-by-step process of dendritic monotypes—a complicated name for a simple yet exciting printmaking process. A perfect entry point for beginners, and all skill levels are welcome. Students will spend the class learning what a dendritic monotype is, how to use plexiglass and paints to create one, and then experiment with overlaying different colors and patterns on top of one another for personalized results. Everyone will be able to create several unique finished prints in their favorite color combinations, perfect for framing. All materials will be provided.
Instructor: George Estes, 577 Program Intern & Artist
Fused Glass
Floral Lantern • Thursday, August 11 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Glass Flag in Copper Frame • Thursday, August 25 ~ 5:30pm to 7:30pm
FLORAL LANTERN: Learn how to make and personalize your own fused glass lantern in this exciting new class. Students will be guided step-by-step to create four glass panels with a floral design of their choosing. Panels will be left with the instructor for firing, who will complete the project by adding them to readymade 10” lanterns and returning them to 577 for pick up. Lanterns can be displayed indoors or out.
GLASS FLAG IN COPPER FRAME: Learn how to make your own fused glass flag. Students will be guided step-by-step to create an American flag (approximately 6 ½ in. by 5 in.) that will hang in a copper frame. Projects will be left with the instructor who will “fuse” the glass together by firing the flags in her home kiln before returning them to 577 for pick up. Completed projects can be displayed indoors or outside.
No experience is necessary, all supplies are included.
Community Instructor: Geneen Wise
Plein Air Acrylic Painting: Rocks, Waves & Seafoam
Monday, August 15 ~ 10am to 2:30pm
“Plein air” translates to “out of doors,” or in this instance, the act of painting outside on the lovely grounds of 577! In this painting class you will learn to paint a seascape with waves splashing over rocks and seafoam. All supplies are provided, and no experience needed.
Don’t forget to bring a lunch, water bottle, and your preferred sunscreen and bug spray.
Community Instructor: Mary Claire Roe
Stamped Cards & Papercrafts
Thursday, August 18 ~ 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Come and create several hand-stamped projects in this ongoing class. Each month we create several cards– some with special holiday themes and some all occasion cards, which can be further personalized with your choice of sentiment. Projects include a variety of creative elements, pre-made by the instructor, for you to assemble in your own unique way. All supplies provided. Come enjoy some creative stamp therapy with a fun group of stampers!
Community Instructor: Chris Smith
Watercolor as Meditation
Thursday, August 25 ~ 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Friday, August 26 ~ 10am to 12pm
Looking for some creative self-care? Join us for a relaxing evening or morning of watercolor painting, where we will work to create a 12″ x 12″ personalized mandala in the color scheme of your choice. Students will be guided step-by-step through the project, and plenty of time will be given to allow the natural process of focusing on this watery medium helping to clear your mind and reduce stress. All supplies included and all experience levels welcome.
577 Staff Instructor: Connie Stose, Program Manager & Professional Artist