2023 Art-Making Workshops
Join us for a creative art-making workshop. Each introductory level workshop gives you the opportunity to learn something new and is taught by a professional teaching artist. These events will be held at Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center. All supplies are included in the registration fee. Workshops are limited to 15 participants.
Basic Cartooning
with Teaching Artist Dennis Preston
October 11, 2023, from 4pm - 6pm
This workshop will touch on some of the basics of developing cartoon characters. All characters will be original creations and not existing ones. There will be demos and time allowed to try out these exercises: 1. head shapes 2. expressions 3. some bodies and actions 4. animals & objects as characters
The workshop will just touch on these subjects. There won't be enough time for fully finished pieces of art. It is just using black and white (no color).
Age: 10+
Surprise Mixed Media Project
with Teaching Artist Steph Joy Hogan
October 14, 2023, from 10am - 12pm
Fall for mixed-media art while playing, experimenting and creating a mystery project!
Explore a variety of materials with artist, Steph Joy Hogan, as she walks you through her favorite mixed-media techniques used to create whimsical worlds and the creatures that inhabit them. In this workshop, you’ll learn to create hand-painted art papers for use in a variety of projects and you'll explore how size and scale in your artistic elements can enhance your visual storytelling. Plan to laugh a lot, get a little messy, and unleash the creativity and silliness of your uninhibited inner child. Absolutely no experience is necessary as this workshop is all about loosening up, letting go of perfectionism, and having fun with the artistic process. You’ll leave with a fueled imagination and a one-of-a-kind mixed-media artwork ready to frame!
This is a stand-alone workshop that will leave you eager for more! If you’d like to keep playing, register for Steph’s upcoming workshops in November and December where you will build on the techniques learned in this class (and can re-use the art papers you create).
Age: 18+
Basic Halloween Drawing
with Teaching Artist Matt Mulford
October 18, 2023, from 10am - 12pm
Join local artist Matt Mulford and draw seasonal, festive, Halloween themes. And learn basic skills while you’re at it!
Explore the world of drawing with simplification in mind. Learn how to simplify your subjects to keep art fun and minimize frustration. Build your sketches up from easy shapes and line work into mini masterpieces. Step by step, feel your confidence and inspiration grow.
Get energized and motivated to create with this introductory class!
Age: All Ages
Paint Your Pet
with Teaching Artist Michelle Detering
October 21, 2023, from 10am - 12pm
Join watercolor artist Michelle Detering to create a watercolor portrait of your pet!
Michelle will have a sketch prepared for you before the class and then teach you to bring the drawing to life with color.
Students will need to send a photograph ahead of time or the pet they would like to paint to deteringm@gmail.com. Head shots work best.
Students will leave with an 8X10 watercolor they can frame of their furry friend.
Age: 15+
Introduction to Watercolor
with Teaching Artist Rhonda Sherwin
November 1, 2023, from 4pm - 6pm
Students will learn about watercolor techniques exploring washes, glazes, and brush methods. Additional textural layers will be introduced using gesso paint and stencils. A personal painting will be developed using these techniques.
All materials will be provided for your creative ideas.
Age: 15+
Mixed Media Cityscapes
with Teaching Artist Steph Joy Hogan
November 4, 2023, from 10am- 12pm
Create the future city of your dreams!
Absolutely no experience is necessary for this mixed-media workshop led by artist, Steph Joy Hogan. Steph will offer structured guidance as you create whimsical layered cityscapes with cut and torn paper and a variety of drawing tools. Using found papers (like junk mail, maps, and book pages), you’ll reduce waste while envisioning your ideal city. You’ll leave with a completely original mixed-media painting that’s ready to frame!
This is a stand-alone workshop that will leave you eager for more! If you’d like to keep playing, register for Steph’s series of three workshops (October 14, November 4, and December 9) where you will build on the techniques learned and the materials you create.
Age: 18+
Italic Calligraphy
with Teaching Artist Kate Darnell
November 8, 2023, from 10am- 12pm
A 2-hour introduction to calligraphy using the italic hand. Basic letter forms and pen strokes will be demonstrated and practiced using felt-tip calligraphy pens. Participants will also be introduced to other kinds of pens and have an opportunity to try them if they like. Pens, Paper, Instructional sheets and guides will be provided. This workshop is intended for beginners with no previous experience with calligraphy.
Age: 15+
Basic Cartooning
with Teaching Artist Dennis Preston
November 15, 2023, from 4pm - 6pm
This workshop will touch on some of the basics of developing cartoon characters. All characters will be original creations and not existing ones. There will be demos and time allowed to try out these exercises: 1. head shapes 2. expressions 3. some bodies and actions 4. animals & objects as characters
The workshop will just touch on these subjects. There won't be enough time for fully finished pieces of art. It is just using black and white (no color).
Age: 10+
Introduction to Kids Watercolor
with Teaching Artist Michelle Detering
November 18, 2023, from 10am - 12pm
Join Watercolor Artist Michelle Detering for this fun kids’ class exploring the magical qualities of watercolor! Students will learn about the medium and obtain skills by painting a variety of animal creatures!
Age: All ages up to 18
Introduction to Zentangles
with Teaching Artist Dorothy Engelman
December 2, 2023, from 10am - 12:30pm
This is an introductory Zentangle class and will present the concepts involved in creating zentangles as each participant explores the endless possibilities of "tangling." If you can write your name, you can create these beautiful drawings. Each person will create 2 "tiles" and have the tools to continue their Zentangle Journey.
"The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Almost anyone can use it to create beautiful images. It increases focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction along with an increased sense of personal well-being. The Zentangle Method is enjoyed all over this world, across a wide range of skills, interests and ages. We believe that life is an art form and that our Zentangle Method is an elegant metaphor for deliberate artistry in life"- Founders Rick Roberts & Maria Thomas.
Dorothy Hughes Engelman is a CZT, Certified Zentangle Teacher, and has been practicing this non-representational, meditative drawing method since the beginning of the pandemic. She is a member of the Lansing Women's Art Collective and the Mid-Michigan Art Guild.
Age: 15+
Scratchboard Drawing
with Teaching Artist Matt Mulford
December 6, 2023, from 10am - 12pm
Dive into the stark and emotional beauty of scratchboard with local artist Matt Mulford.
The beauty of black and white art can sometimes be dismissed but when you create from a blank, black slate the incredible possibilities become apparent. The instant gratification of light and dark and the immediate satisfaction of contrast will help to inspire drama and emotion.
Join us as we draw a fun, holiday-themed subject.
Age: All Ages
Eco-Friendly Art Gift Bags
with Teaching Artist Steph Joy Hogan
December 9, 2023, from 10am - 12pm
Celebrate in style with eco-friendly art gift bags and tags!
Learn waste-minimizing studio tips while creating charming one-of-a-kind art gift bags and tags with mixed-media artist, Steph Joy Hogan. Plan to laugh a lot, get a little messy, and unleash the creativity of your uninhibited inner child. Absolutely no experience is necessary as this workshop is all about loosening up, letting go of perfectionism, and having fun with the artistic process. You’ll leave with several hand-painted repurposed gift bags and coordinating gift tags!
Repurposed bags will be provided, but feel free to bring your own! Start saving your clean paper shopping bags now! Bring any size or shape paper bags (from groceries, boutiques, old gift bags, etc) you want to give new life too.
This is a stand-alone workshop, but you may also want to consider registering for Steph’s entire series of three workshops (October 14, November 4, December 9) where you will build on the techniques learned and the materials you create.
Age: 18+
Celtic Calligraphy
with Teaching Artist Kate Darnell
December 16, 2023, from 10am - 12pm
A 2-hour introduction to calligraphy using Celtic half uncials. Basic letter forms and pen strokes will be demonstrated and practiced using felt-tip calligraphy pens. Participants will also be introduced to other kinds of pens and have an opportunity to try them if they like. Pens, Paper, Instructional sheets and guides will be provided. This workshop is suitable for people with no calligraphy experience or those wishing to expand their skills.
Age: 15+
Adult Art-making workshops can also be purchased using Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center Gift Certificates, available HERE
Past 2023 Workshops
Introduction to Zentangles with Dorothy Engelman
Basic Drawing - Keep It Simple and Get Inspired with Matt Mulford
Brushstrokes of Words: A Poetry Workshop with Nancy DeJoy
Block Printing as Storytelling with Jamie John
Collaborative Printed Accordion Books and Zines with Paloma Núñez-Regueiro
Accessibility Arts Community Art Series with Multiple Artists
Pet Portraits with Michelle Detering
Beginners Printmaking with Paloma Núñez-Regueiro
Eco-Friendly Multi-Media Art with Steph Joy Hogan
Multi-Media Visual Storytelling with Steph Joy Hogan
Mixed-Media Valentines with Step Joy Hogan
Gelli Printed Valentines with Cindy Mielock
2022 Workshops
Gelli Printing inspired by "Essays on Invisibility" With Susannah Van Horn
Pet Portraits with Michelle Detering
Kids Intro to Watercolor with Michelle Detering
Greeting Cards with Jane Reiter