Classes & Workshops
ALL classes & workshops are held in our garden level art studio accessible by stairs only unless otherwise noted. Charlevoix Circle of Arts is located at 109 Clinton Street, Charlevoix, MI 49720
YOUTH
CERAMICS: PINCH POT MAKING
AGES 7 & UP
MARCH 4 2025
TUESDAY 4:30 - 5:30pm
REGISTER BY: Feb. 28
CLASS FEE: $35, or $31.50 for members​
FORMAT: in-person
In this beginner class young students will be able to get their hands in the clay and build a vessel.
With instructor Bethany Newman, participants will have the opportunity to learn basic skills & principles of working with clay, hand building, adding texture.
Students will be able to pick up their finished kiln fired piece the following week.
All materials included.
ABOUT Bethany Newman
Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.
Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 3
Maximum # of Participants = 12
CERAMICS: OPEN STUDIO
for experienced
2-Part Workshop
MARCH 4 & 11, 2025
TUESDAYS, 6 - 8:30/9pm
REGISTER BY: Feb. 28
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CLASS FEE: $75, or $67.50 for members​
FORMAT: in-person
Have you dabbled in ceramics and want to get back into it?
In this open studio class you will be able to get your hands in the clay and build a vessel from start to finish - including glazing!
With instructor Bethany Newman, participants will have the opportunity to work with a slab roller and/or hand building of small scale pieces, plus adding texture, and of course glazing!
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The first class is focused on building your vessel then fired in our kiln. Then students will return the following week to add texture, decorative design elements and glazing. Pieces will go through an additional kiln firing.
Students will be able to pick up their finished piece, complete with clear coat.
This class is open to ages 12 and above.
All materials included.
Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.
Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 3
Maximum # of Participants = 10
COMMUNITY GATHERING: Collage Workshop
With Sasha-Loriene McClain
Artist-In-Residence at Good Hart Artist Residency
MARCH 18, 2025
TUESDAY, 6 - 8pm
REGISTER BY: March 11
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CLASS FEE: Free!​
FORMAT: in-person at Charlevoix Circle of Arts
With artist Sasha-Loriene, Artist-In-Residence at Good Hart Artist Residency.
Community Gatherings, a unique 2-hour in-person collage workshop series that nurtures the inner child. Participants use childhood photos and nostalgic materials to create personal collages and share stories within an intimate setting. Each person creates their own "inner child" collage and leaves with a shared creative experience - fulfilling a childhood dream of creating with friends and cultivating safe spaces for collective healing and communal exchanges that shift cultural norms.
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Supplies and refreshments included, courtesy of Good Hart Artist Residency.
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NOTE: Participants will need email 3-5 childhood photos directly to Sasha in advance (photos due by March 11). Sasha will edit/ remove backgrounds & print them for you to use at the workshop.
EMAIL to: info@sasha-loriene.com
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ABOUT Sasha-Lorie McClain
"When reflecting on the impact of my works, I consider both artistic and community significance. Artistically, I explore composition and material through play and discovery to examine how childhood shapes adulthood and community-wise, I cultivate safe spaces for collective healing and communal exchanges to shift cultural norms. These principles are foundational to my practice, as my childhood was defined by solitary artmaking and storytelling. Without creative peers, I became hesitant, constrained, and disconnected, always dreaming of artmaking with others. These reflections inspired Community Gatherings, a unique 2-hour in-person collage workshop series that nurtures the inner child."
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Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.
Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 3
Maximum # of Participants = 15
YOUTH
CERAMICS: PINCH POT MAKING
AGES 7 & UP
APRIL 8, 2025
TUESDAY 4:30 - 5:30pm
REGISTER BY: April 4
CLASS FEE: $35, or $31.50 for members​
FORMAT: in-person
In this beginner class young students will be able to get their hands in the clay and build a vessel.
With instructor Bethany Newman, participants will have the opportunity to learn basic skills & principles of working with clay, hand building, adding texture.
Students will be able to pick up their finished kiln fired piece the following week.
All materials included.
ABOUT Bethany Newman
Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.
Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 3
Maximum # of Participants = 12
FUSED GLASS WORKSHOP:
suncatchers
APRIL 19, 2025
SATURDAY 12 - 3pm
REGISTER BY: April 15
CLASS FEE: $35, or $31.50 for members​
FORMAT: in-person
In this beginner class participants will learn the principles of fused glass and design.
Students will be able to pick up their finished kiln fired piece the following week.
All materials included.
ABOUT Teri Crandell
Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.
Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 4
Maximum # of Participants = 12
ALCOHOL INK: Paint Beautiful Betta Fish
MAY 20, 2025
TUESDAY 12 - 3pm
REGISTER BY: May 15th
CLASS FEE: $84, or $75.60 for members​
FORMAT: in-person
With artist Julie Tibus!
Alcohol inks are a fascinating medium and the perfect choice to create stunning paintings of Asian fighting fish (betta fish). Using glossy black paper, compressed air, and a small brush, Julie will guide you through creating a beautiful diptych (two paintings). You don't need any prior experience
to join the course. You will receive support and coaching during the class through demonstrations, classroom time, and personalized guidance.
All Supplies Provided.
ABOUT Julie Tibus
Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.
Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 4
Maximum # of Participants = 12
FUSED GLASS WORKSHOP:
night lights
MAY 24, 2025
SATURDAY 12 - 3pm
REGISTER BY: April 15
CLASS FEE: $50, or $45 for members​
FORMAT: in-person
In this beginner class participants will learn the principles of fused glass and design.
Students will be able to pick up their finished kiln fired piece the following week.
All materials included.
ABOUT Teri Crandell
Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.
Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 4
Maximum # of Participants = 12
Summer Classes & Workshops
DRAWING SKILLS:
Shape, Shadow, Contour & Gesture
JUNE 3, 4 & 5, 2025
TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY
9am - 12pm each day
REGISTER BY: May 30
CLASS FEE: $250, or $225 for members​
FORMAT: in-person
In this engaging and accessible class, you will explore four fundamental drawing techniques to
enhance your sketching abilities. The focus will be on graphite drawing, emphasizing the
importance of observing shapes and shadows. Using reference materials, we will analyze the
shapes present in a still life and practice pencil positioning and fluid movements. Learning the art
of shadow and light will give dimensions to shapes. The second day will be dedicated to honing
your skills in observing details through blind contour drawing and perfecting loose sketching
movements with gestural lines. These techniques are essential for working with figures. This class
is designed for novice artists seeking to learn and improve their drawing skills. We will include
engaging demonstrations, individual coaching, and a fun learning environment.
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SUPPLY LIST
2B Pencil
Vine charcoal
HB Pencil
9X12 Pad of Drawing Paper
Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.
Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 4
Maximum # of Participants = 12
WATERCOLOR BATIK
2-day class
JULY 15 & 16 2025
TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY 10am - 5pm
REGISTER BY: July 9
CLASS FEE: $200, or $180 for members​
FORMAT: in-person
Work with talented artist Ryan Fox and learn a new painting technique using the batik method with watercolor.
Watercolor batik is the process of using traditional watercolor paint and wax to create unique and beautiful batik-style paintings on Japanese rice paper. Students will begin the process with a drawing and then learn to create highlights and shadows, as well as how to mask areas of the project with wax.
This class is suitable for both beginner and experienced painters with little or no watercolor experience. Artists will create a multiple 12x16” batik paintings in the workshop. Irons, rice paper, electric skillets, newspapers, wax, and brushes for applying wax will be provided. Artists will need to bring watercolor paints, brushes, and suitable clothing (wax does drip and sometimes ends up on clothing). Artists can use reference photographs provided for their drawings or are welcome to bring a high contrast photograph or line drawing to transfer to rice paper.
SUPPLY LIST
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Recommended Colors: I create 90% of my paintings with Yellow Ochre, Imperial Purple (DS), Sap Green, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue, Aureolin, Winsor Yellow, Cerulean Blue (Winsor Newton), Rose Madder, and Perinone Orange (DS). Any colors will work on batik though.
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Watercolor Brushes: Big & small brushes to cover large areas and details. I highly recommend a squirrel mop brush (#8 or #6) to cover rice paper.
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Watercolor Palette: I prefer the Sterling Edwards Big Brush palette but I also own several Richeson Covered Palettes. Make sure your palette is big enough to mix up lots of paint with water so you have big puddles of color.
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Water container: Anything that holds water. I use two water containers at once- I’ll explain later!
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Spray bottle: Small SOHO or Holbein spray bottle.
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Board to put painting on. This could be wood, plexiglass, or gatorboard. Needs to be waterproof. The board needs to be several inches larger than your paper (12x18)
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Drawing Supplies/Erasers.
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Sense of humor (required)!
I will provide brushes to apply wax (do not stick your good watercolor brushes into hot wax) as well as Japanese rice paper.
Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.
Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 4
Maximum # of Participants = 12
PALETTE KNIFE PAINTING:
Lily Pond
JUNE 21, 2025
SATURDAY
10am - 3pm
REGISTER BY: June 17
CLASS FEE: $125, or $112.50 for members​
FORMAT: in-person
Expressing nature through palette knife painting can be an exhilarating experience. In this
workshop, you will gain knowledge of the palette knife techniques using heavy-bodied acrylics. We
will start by creating a deep, smooth, and moody underpainting on an 18" x 24" canvas using a
large brush and feathering method. This will serve as an ideal contrast to the bold lily pads and
surface waters that we will paint using the palette knife. Finally, we will add the finishing touches of
thick impasto flowers. As your painting will still be wet, bringing a box for safe transportation is
recommended.
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SUPPLY LIST
A variety of Acrylic Paints - I use Golden acrylics: White, Payne’s Grey, Cad Yellow, Med, Cerulean Blue, Magenta, Ultramarine Blue, Black, Quinacridone Gold, light purple.
Various Acrylic Brushes; be sure to have a 1” flat.
18”x 24” Canvas
Palette paper
Spray bottle
ABOUT Julie Tibus
Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.
Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 4
Maximum # of Participants = 12
GELLI PLATE PRINTING AND CARD MAKING
JULY 30 2025
WEDNESDAY
9am - 2pm
REGISTER BY: July 26
CLASS FEE: $125, or $112.50 for members​
FORMAT: in-person
Spend the day learning to monoprint and layer printing techniques. Work on making papers and
then cutting and collaging to create beautiful cards (Each student will be supplied with 3
Strathmore paper cards and envelopes). Stencils, exciting papers, and design ideas are
provided.
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SUPPLY LIST
5X7 Gelli Plate (link: https://a.co/d/1rQCgCp )
Speedball 3” or 4” Brayer (link: https://a.co/d/7iXfFN8 )
A variety of acrylic/craft paints.
Tweezers & Sharp Scissors.
Spray bottle.
ABOUT Julie Tibus
Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.
Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 4
Maximum # of Participants = 12
ACRYLIC: BIG SKIES & WILD SEAS
AUGUST 19 & 20, 2025
TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
10am - 3pm
REGISTER BY: August 15
CLASS FEE: $250, or $225 for members​
FORMAT: in-person
Discover the art of painting stunning skies and abstract landscapes in this immersive two-day
class! Participants will use a spacious 24" x 24" canvas to underpaint, do composition sketching,
and practice blending techniques, dynamic strokes, and captivating cloud formations. Delve into
color mixing and the application of wet-on-wet techniques to bring vibrant skies to life. The
foreground comes alive with a palette knife and oil pastels. Participants will receive guidance,
demonstrations, coaching, and ample painting time throughout the process.
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SUPPLY LIST
A variety of Acrylic Paints - I use Golden acrylics: White, Payne’s Grey, Cad Yellow, Med, Cerulean Blue, Magenta, Ultramarine Blue, Black, Quinacridone Gold.
Various Acrylic Paint Brushes; please include a 1” flat.
24”x 24” Canvas.
Palette knives.
Palette paper.
Spray bottle.
LARGE Water Dish.
ABOUT Julie Tibus
Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.
Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 4
Maximum # of Participants = 12
CANCELLATION POLICY
Student Withdrawal
Due to artist/instructor preparations and travel, we do not provide refunds.
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Weather-Related
In the event that Charlevoix Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather, classes will be cancelled. To the best of our ability, CCA will schedule a make-up class. Refunds will not be provided if the student is unable to attend a rescheduled class.
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Minimum Enrollment
If a class does not have the minimum number of students enrolled, CCA will notify you prior to the first session that the class is cancelled and will offer a full refund to the student. (Credit card payments will be refunded to the same card and check & cash payments will be refunded by check.)
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