Spring/Summer '25 Classes
Studio School for Adults
Our roster of professional artists bring fun, skill-developing classes for adults to begin and advance within multiple art forms including drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry, mixed-media and more.
SPRING CLASSES ON SALE NOW!
Summer Classes are also right around the corner. Summer Studio School classes go on sale APR 21 at noon! Scroll down to explore summer classes or download the 2025 Summer Class Brochure.
Spring Ceramics Classes
MON / APR 14 – MAY 19 / 6 – 9 PM
WED / APR 16 – MAY 21 / 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
THU / APR 17 – MAY 22 / 6 – 9 PM
$175 / $160 Museum Members per session
This session is perfect for students with previous ceramic experience who are looking to work on self-directed
projects. With guidance and support from the instructor as needed, you’ll have the freedom to explore your own creative ideas. Bring your personal tools, apron, and a 2–2.5 quart reclaim bucket with lid. Clay is available for purchase at the Center: $50 for cone 6 clay or $60 for porcelain, which includes 25 lbs of clay, studio equipment, glazes, and firing fees. Enjoy a relaxed, supportive environment to enhance your skills!
Instructor Pam Hart / Beth Nova / Becca Watz / Mike Zureich / Intermediate & Advanced
ENROLL NOW - Mondays
ENROLL NOW - Wednesdays
ENROLL NOW - Thursdays
Spring Glass & Jewelry Classes
SESSION 2: FRI / MAY 23 / 6 – 9 PM
$55 / $45 Museum Members per session
Unlock your creativity in this 3-hour fused glass workshop, perfect for beginners or those exploring a new medium. Learn various techniques while creating beautiful glass pieces. You’ll leave with your own suncatcher, ready for pickup in 1-2 weeks. Please dress for the weather (no sandals, as there is no heating or air conditioning in the instructor’s home studio). A $30 materials fee, payable to the instructor, covers all materials, tools, and kiln firings. Instructor will reach out via email with class location.
Instructor Emmy Heger / Beginners Only
ENROLL NOW - SESSION 2
$175 / $160 Museum Members
This 6-week, hand-fabricated jewelry class offers a wonderful opportunity to explore the versatility & endless
possibilities of manipulating precious metals & gemstones into objects of adornment. Students will learn fundamental jewelry manufacturing techniques, emphasis on soldering, while working in gold and silver, as well as essential gemological information about gemstones and how they should be cared for during the manufacturing process. Students must purchase all raw materials.
Instructor Roger Schmidt / All Skill Levels
Spring Painting Workshops
$55 / $45 Museum Members
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a creative twist! Join us for a charming tea party with tasty pastries and tea sandwiches while crafting a unique gift for your mother, with your mother, or for yourself. Using acrylic paint, gold leaf, and a touch of glitter, you’ll design one-of-a-kind, old-fashioned Mother’s Day cards on 5”x7” panels. Whether you’re making a special card for your mom or creating something to cherish for yourself, this workshop offers a relaxing, artistic experience to enjoy together. Perfect for a thoughtful, handmade gift!
Instructor Jill Tatroe / All Skill Levels
ENROLL NOW
$95 / $75 Museum Members
If you love fresh flowers and the translucency and beautiful effects of watercolor, you will enjoy this workshop. Yupo paper is synthetic slick surfaced watercolor paper where colors and layering can be achieved with patience and a blow dryer. Please bring a blow dryer, any watercolors and brushes you may have, an open mind, and a desire to paint! $7 materials fee due to the instructor on day of class.
Nancy Philo, BFA, M Ed, has been painting professionally for 45 years and her work appears in many local, national, and international collections. She is excited to teach her unique techniques with our Studio School.
Instructor Nancy Philo / All Skill Levels
ENROLL NOW
$55 / $45 Museum Members
Enjoy painting the Spring landscape as you explore key concepts and techniques for capturing nature en plein air. This workshop will focus on value, composition, and the advantages of using a limited color palette to create stunning outdoor scenes. You’ll gain valuable skills while working in one of our local gardens or parks, providing the perfect backdrop for your artistic inspiration. This hands-on experience will help you refine your landscape painting techniques in a beautiful, natural setting. Please bring your own supplies, sunscreen and hat. Instructor will reach out with class location.
Instructor Jill Tatroe / Beginners & Intermediate
ENROLL NOW
$125 / $110 Museum Members
Over the course of three weeks, we’ll explore local parks and gardens, capturing the beauty of paths, bridges, trees, foliage, and architecture bathed in Golden Light. This workshop welcomes all media, including watercolor, acrylics, oils, and more. Please bring your own easel, supplies, sunscreen, and a hat. Instructor will reach out via email with class locations.
Nancy Philo, BFA, M Ed, is a professional artist with 45 years of experience. Her work is featured in numerous
local, national, and international collections. Nancy is excited to share her unique techniques with students at our Studio School.
Instructor Nancy Philo / Beginners & Intermediate
ENROLL NOW
Spring Photography Workshops
SAT / MAY 17 / 1 – 5 PM
$55 / $45 Museum Members per session
Join us for a 4-hour photography workshop, exploring two beautiful garden and trail settings. Led by an expert
instructor, you’ll learn how to adjust camera settings and apply compositional techniques to capture the perfect light and scenery. At the end, the instructor will provide personalized feedback on your images. Be sure to bring your camera, spare batteries, memory cards, and a tripod (if available) to fully enjoy the experience.
Instructor Stephen Grewe / All Skill Levels
Registration opens APR 21 at noon
Summer 2025 Classes
Session 2: MON / JUL 21 - AUG 25, 2025 / 6 - 9 PM
$175 / $160 (Museum Members)
Location: Carriage House Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
This session is perfect for students with previous ceramic experience who are looking to work on self-directed projects. With guidance and support from the instructor as needed, you’ll have the freedom to explore your own creative ideas. Bring your personal tools, apron, and a 2–2.5 quart reclaim bucket with lid. Clay is available for purchase at the Center: $50 for cone 6 clay or $60 for porcelain, which includes 25 lbs of clay, studio equipment, glazes, and firing fees. Enjoy a relaxed, supportive environment to enhance your skills!
Instructors Pam Hart, Beth Nova, Becca Watz, Mike Zureich / Beginners & Intermediate
Session 2: WED / JUL 23 - AUG 27, 2025 / 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
$175 / $160 (Museum Members)
Location: Carriage House Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
This session is perfect for students with previous ceramic experience who are looking to work on self-directed projects. With guidance and support from the instructor as needed, you’ll have the freedom to explore your own creative ideas. Bring your personal tools, apron, and a 2–2.5 quart reclaim bucket with lid. Clay is available for purchase at the Center: $50 for cone 6 clay or $60 for porcelain, which includes 25 lbs of clay, studio equipment, glazes, and firing fees. Enjoy a relaxed, supportive environment to enhance your skills!
Instructors Pam Hart, Beth Nova, Becca Watz, Mike Zureich / Beginners & Intermediate
Session 2: THU / JUL 24 - AUG 28, 2025 / 6 - 9 PM
$175 / $160 (Museum Members)
Location: Carriage House Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
This session is perfect for students with previous ceramic experience who are looking to work on self-directed projects. With guidance and support from the instructor as needed, you’ll have the freedom to explore your own creative ideas. Bring your personal tools, apron, and a 2–2.5 quart reclaim bucket with lid. Clay is available for purchase at the Center: $50 for cone 6 clay or $60 for porcelain, which includes 25 lbs of clay, studio equipment, glazes, and firing fees. Enjoy a relaxed, supportive environment to enhance your skills!
Instructors Pam Hart, Beth Nova, Becca Watz, Mike Zureich / Beginners & Intermediate
$75 / $60 (Museum Members)
Location: Carriage House Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
Have you ever wondered what magic happens in a ceramic kiln firing? In this workshop you will get to learn a more in-depth understanding of the process of decorating ceramics. You will get the opportunity to explore different techniques and materials and learn the chemistry behind the art of ceramics with hands-on exploration of materials with our kiln technician.
Instructor Morgan Kulwicki / All Skill Levels
$75 / $60 (Museum Members)
Location: Carriage House Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
Immerse yourself in the timeless tradition of Indigo Dyeing and craft your very own masterpieces! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the secrets of this ancient technique while creating three stunning, one-of-a-kind designs. Each participant will design and dye their own custom creations on three luxurious 22" square bandanas, leaving with unique pieces that reflect your personal style and the rich history of indigo. Students ages 13 - 17 are welcome to enroll, but must also be accompanied by a ticket holding adult throughout the workshop.
Instructor Jill Tatroe / All Skill Levels
$75 / $60 (Museum Members)
Location: Carriage House Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
Unlock your creativity in this hands-on Block Printing Workshop! Learn the art of carving intricate patterns or unique designs onto a block and then use it to create a series of beautiful prints. Whether you’re designing your own logo, creating custom stationery headers, or crafting small prints to frame, the possibilities are endless! Join us for a fun and inspiring experience—no previous experience necessary! Students ages 13 - 17 are welcome to enroll, but must also be accompanied by a ticket holding adult throughout the workshop.
Instructor Jill Tatroe / All Skill Levels
$125 / $110 (Museum Members)
Location: Carriage House Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
Experience the joy of experimenting with multiple artistic mediums at once, and learn how to determine what media to use when planning your own artwork. Each week, we will complete a different small project that uses specific multimedia techniques, and we will look at work by other accomplished artists using similar materials for inspiration. This is a great class to try many different materials and techniques on a small scale with the goal of figuring out what works best for you.
Instructor Allise Noble / Beginners
$55 / $45 (Museum Members)
Location: Chippewa Nature Center
Enjoy painting outside, while you explore concepts and techniques that enable artists to capture the landscape en plein air. Value, composition and the benefits of using a limited color palette will be covered. Chippewa Nature Center will provide the inspiration for this workshop. Bring your own oil paints, brushes, easel, and any protective clothing you may need.
Instructor Jill Tatroe / All Skill Levels
$125 / $110 (Museum Members)
Location: Carriage House Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
Combine drawing and painting to create vibrant illustrations focused on animals as our subject. In this workshop, you will learn both drawing and sketching techniques and watercolor techniques as we practice shading, creating texture, and drawing and color matching from a reference. Over the 3 weeks, we will practice together step-by-step, and you will additionally have time to work on your own animal painting with guidance, whether it’s an exotic creature from across the globe or a beloved family pet.
Instructor Allise Noble / Beginners
$125 / $110 (Museum Members)
Location: Carriage House Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
Learn techniques for drawing faces from the initial sketch to adding texture and shading. Over the 3 weeks you will work together step-by-step with the instructor as well as have a chance to choose your own portrait subject to work on with guidance. We will also talk about different styles of portrait drawing, and look at work from a variety of artists specializing in portraiture.
Instructor Allise Noble / Beinngers & Intermediate
Class & Workshop Info
- There is a $3 processing fee per class.
- Refunds/exchanges must be requested at least 1 week before the class or workshop start date. All refunds are subject to a 15% processing fee except for those classes canceled by the Center.
- Class supply lists are given out on the first day of class unless listed in the description. For most classes, students are responsible for the purchase of supplies.
- If you are unable to attend class due to illness, please contact us at education@midlandcenter.org to receive a partial voucher to be used for future classes.
- Spring '25 Ceramics & Jewelry classes are located at the Carriage House; all others will take place off-site with directions being sent prior to the class session.
- For Summer Classes, there will be no classes held the week of JUN 30 - JUL 4.