Adult Fall Classes

Advance registration is recommended to ensure instructor availability.

Join an experienced art educator as she guides you from start to finish through the creation of a new painting at each event. Drinks will be available for purchase throughout the duration of the event and there will be plenty of breaks to socialize, too. Absolutely no art experience is required. Come learn in a fun and supportive environment surrounded by your friends.

$35, First Fridays, 6 – 9 pm                 

This class focuses on the fundamentals of throwing on the potter's wheel, including centering clay, opening forms and pulling bowls and cylinders. Those with wheel experience may also choose to use this workshop as an opportunity for continued practice at the potter’s wheel with guided instruction from an experienced potter and educator. Materials and Firing fees are not included in the class fee.

$105 member / $115 public (plus materials/firing fees)
Wednesdays & Thursdays Sept 13 – Sept 28
6 – 8:30 pm

Join us for our series exploring creativity and wellness. This class will take place at Camp Bluewater and will include Tai-Chi, canoeing, sketching, and more.  No prior experience in any of the activities is needed. Find new ways to build or expand a creative practice that contributes to overall health and wellbeing. Contact MacRostie Art Center for a detailed schedule and more information at 218-326-2697. 

$75 members/ $85 public
Sunday, Sept 17
9am – 4pm

A fun Drawing and Painting class that examines the structure of animals and people to help determine the outward appearance of the subject.  Using ink, graphite and watercolors, we will begin by drawing from skeletal models and move on to visualizing the muscular structure of our subjects.  We will be working from the inside out, keeping the projects fun and interesting without getting too technical.  All materials provided by the instructor.

Lory Worthing lives and works on a small lake north of Grand Rapids. She has a degree in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota, where she also studied fine arts. Lory has also taken art classes at ICC, the Edina Art Center, and MacRostie Art Center. Her work has been on display at MacRostie Art Center in Grand Rapids and the U Care Center in Minneapolis. She was an Artist in Residence for the City of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Lory works in Oils, Acrylics, and Watercolors.  

$240 members / $250
Wednesdays Sep 20 - Oct 25
6:30 - 9 pm

This birch bark basket is a relatively simple square or horizontal weave basket.  The weaving is done in the traditional Scandinavian and Russian style.  The material used to make the basket is split inner bark of the birch tree.  The birch bark is harvested from timber sale areas in Itasca county.  First, you will "double weave" a rectangular basket.  The rim of the basket will be reinforced with small diameter willow, alder, or thin ash splints.  Second, you will weave a flat mat for the lid of the basket.  The final step will be attaching the lid to the basket using birch bark strips and a willow stick.  It is a neat, simple way of creating a secure, attached lid for the basket.  The basket will be around 8" X 6" X 6" when finished.  All materials are included in the class fee. 

$110 members/ $120 public
Saturday & Sunday, Sept 23, Sept 24
10 am – 3 pm

This course is a first step into painting with acrylic.  Students will gain experience manipulating the material properties of this medium and explore the relationship between pigment and color mixing, fundamental color properties, and color relationships.  Students will work primarily from still lifes.  Instructor-led demonstrations will introduce new projects and highlight important points.  Example works by a variety of master artists will provide further context for each lesson.  Students will receive instructor feedback during in-class work time and from group discussion of finished work.  A materials list will be emailed to you after registration.

$90 members/ $100 public
Tuesdays, Oct 3 – Oct 31
1 – 3:30 pm

This course is a first step into painting with acrylic.  Students will gain experience manipulating the material properties of this medium and explore the relationship between pigment and color mixing, fundamental color properties, and color relationships.  Students will work primarily from still lifes.  Instructor-led demonstrations will introduce new projects and highlight important points.  Example works by a variety of master artists will provide further context for each lesson.  Students will receive instructor feedback during in-class work time and from group discussion of finished work.  A materials list will be emailed to you after registration.  (No class on Oct. 18)

$90 members/ $100 public
Wednesdays, Oct 4 – Nov 8
5 – 7:30 pm

This workshop is to help you advance your skills with the potter's wheel, and is expected that students will have had either Pottery Basics 1, or have some experience with throwing pottery.  We will explore more complicated forms and learn how to attach parts onto each other to create interesting yet functional pottery.  This will be a great opportunity for you to experiment with new forms of pottery and new glazing techniques.  Materials and Firing fees are not included in the class fee.  

$70 members/ $80 public
Wednesdays, Oct 4 – Nov 8
5- 7:30 pm

This class is designed for the beginner or for those who need review in basic design concepts.  We will explore organization, arrangement, and combinations of objects within the drawing space. Class topics will include establishing a focal point, how overlapping is effective, using negative space, lines that move the eye through the drawing, balance, contrast and proportion.  These basic concepts can be applied to any form of artistic endeavor.  Each class will have demonstrations and allow for student practice.  Our tools will be mainly paper, pencils, and charcoal.  A $10 fee will be paid to the instructor for supplies.

$80 members/ $90 public
Thursdays, Oct 5 – Oct 26
1 – 4 pm

Learn the basics of guitar in a supportive group environment.  This class is open to adults and youth ages 8+.  Students must bring their own guitar.

$120
Thursdays, Oct 5 – Nov 9
4-5 pm                                                                  

Students who want to move beyond the basics of how to play guitar are encouraged to attend this class.  Instruction will take place in a supportive group environment.  Students must have their own guitar.

$120
Thursday, Oct 5 – Nov 9
5:15 pm – 6:15 pm

Enjoy a relaxing evening glazing pottery, drinking micro brew and tasting custom appetizers.  Our resident potter will walk you through the process of glazing two pottery pieces of your choice, from mugs to bowls to plates.  There will be plenty of breaks for socializing and enjoying beer and appetizers.  Absolutely no art experience is required.  Come learn in a fun and supportive environment surrounded by your friends.  Beer is available at cash bar during event.  Non-alcoholic beverages also available. 

$40
6-8:30 pm

Zentangles consist of simple or complex patterns drawn free-hand.  A feeling of relaxation comes when one is involved in drawing designs that repeat over and over again.  Zentangles are usually black and white, but colors can be added for emphasis.  Previous drawing experience is not required and this class is a perfect start for someone beginning to get more involved in drawing.

$35 members/ $45 public
Saturday, Oct 7
1 pm – 3:30 pm                                                                                      

Birch bark star ornaments are a nice decoration for the Holiday season or for use throughout the year.  They are often associated with birch bark weaving done in the Scandinavian or Russian style of basketry.  Each star is made using 4 strips of the inner bark of paper birch.  The bark is split into thin layers to make it more flexible for weaving.  Basswood inner bark twine will be threaded through the star to make a "hanger".  The basswood inner bark will be natural color or dyed with RIT dye.  Hand made felted acorns, with a real acorn cup top will be added for further decoration.  The materials used are all harvested from forests around Grand Rapids.  No glue required for construction.  All materials are included in the class fee.

Evening classes: $35 members/ $40 public

All day class: $60 members/ $70 public

Willow has been a prized basket making material for centuries, and after this class, you'll know why.  Using traditional European style weaving techniques, students will create a sturdy, beautiful basket using nothing but willow shoots.  Strong enough to haul a full load of potatoes, these baskets are made to be used while also displaying a variety of colors and weaving patterns.  We will use varieties of wild willow and cultivated willow to create our baskets, and discuss harvest practices and options for acquiring material for future projects.  Willow is a resilient, abundant plant that is prized for its flexibility, strength, and ability to be sustainably harvested.  Please note that moderate hand strength is needed when working with willow.  All materials are included in the class fee.

$130 members/ $140 public
Saturday and Sunday, Oct 28 – Oct 29
10 am – 4 pm

Learn to use watercolor effectively by learning how to use color, design, and value. We will practice setting up our concept with paper and pencil, then proceed to apply washes to build our design and finally add details to the finished product. This class is suited for both beginners and experienced artists. A materials list will be emailed to you after registration.

$85 members/ $95 public

Mondays and Thursdays, Nov 6 – Nov 20                                      

1 – 4 pm

This class focuses on the fundamentals of throwing on the potter's wheel, including centering clay, opening forms and pulling bowls and cylinders. Those with wheel experience may also choose to use this workshop as an opportunity for continued practice at the potter’s wheel with guided instruction from an experienced potter and educator. Materials and Firing fees are not included in the class fee.

$105 members/ $115 public

Wednesdays and Thursdays, Nov 8 – Nov 30

1 – 3:30 pm

Experiment with designing your own logo in Adobe Photoshop.  Using text and simple graphics, we will create professional logos that will help you design your own logos for personal or professional use.  A laptop computer with a version of Photoshop installed will be required.  Free 30 day trials of the software are available.

$40 members/ $50 public

Wednesday, Nov 15    

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Using an existing portrait of someone, we will create a cartoon version of a person that will be fun and whimsical.  Learn how to create vector art using the pen tool in Adobe Photoshop.  Vector art is an illustration that can be scaled up or down to any size without any distortion to the image.  A laptop computer with a version of Photoshop installed will be required.  Free 30 day trials of the software are available. 

$40 members/ $50 public

Saturday, Nov 18    

10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Join us at MacRostie Art Center for our series exploring creativity and wellness. This session will focus on creative self-care during the holiday season with adventures in yoga, mindfulness, pottery, and abstraction. No prior experience in any of the activities is needed. Find new ways to build or expand a creative practice that contributes to overall health and wellbeing. Contact MacRostie Art Center for a detailed schedule and more information at 218-326-2697.  

$75 members/ $85 public

Sunday, Dec 10

9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Explore the surreal possibilities of Adobe Photoshop.  By using double exposure to merge portraits, landscapes and other photography, we will create images that transform traditional photography into imaginative, surrealist art.  A laptop computer with a version of Photoshop installed will be required.  Free 30 day trials of the software are available.

$40 members/ $50 public

Saturday, Dec 16    

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Join area potters and students of all skill levels in this informal, on-going weekly class. The instructor will be on hand to give one-on-one guidance and tips about techniques, glazes, and firings. Call by noon on Tuesday to register for that day’s session 218-326-2697.

$15 / $10 students
Tuesdays, 6 – 8:30 pm

Beginners to advanced woodcarvers are welcome to join this group. To enroll contact Belva at 218-326-5430.

Tuesdays, 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Thursdays, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

This group meets weekly to draw from a live model. No instruction is provided and participants must provide their own materials. Poses usually range from 15 minutes to 30 minutes. Serious artists of all levels are welcome to join this group. Please note that models are sometimes nude.  Please enter through the door on Hwy 2.

$10 session/ $30 month
Thursdays, 6:30 – 9 pm

Please, call in advance to register for this open class.

Every Tuesday we open one of our 2D studios for members to have space and time to work on your paintings or drawings.  Enjoy sharing you art with other members, get feedback on your newest work, or just take some quiet time to work in the studio!  

Free for members
Tuesdays, 10 am - 4 pm

Scholarships are available for all ages! 

Contact MacRostie Art Center for more info, download an application, or add a scholarship request
to your shopping cart when registering online.