education
classes and workshops
The MAC offers a wide range of classes and workshops for both children and adults in pottery, painting, basket weaving, rosemaling and more.. Class levels range from basic to advanced and are scheduled at different times for different needs. Instructors come from a variety of backgrounds and knowledge areas.
current class offerings
Adult Classes
Open Studio - Pottery
January - December During Business Hours
$60 Non-Member/$50 Member per month plus materials and firing fees
Open studio session is available for intermediate and advanced potters looking for unstructured studio time. Students must have previous throwing experience. Call MAC for further details.
Guided Study - Pottery
(Ages 18 and older)
Instructor: TBD (lead by a series of instructors)
Session 1 - Tuesdays; October 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16
Session 2 - Tuesdays; January 11, 18, 25, February 1, 8, 15
6:00pm - 8:30pm
Enrollment: 5 minimum/10 maximum
Fee: $90 non-members/$80 members (per session)
Materials: The course fee does not include the cost of materials. Students are required to pay firing fees and also pay for any materials used.
This class will be for the pottery student looking for personal guidance at an individual level. Open to all skill levels, students' projects can incorporate both wheel throwing and/or handbuilding.
Birch Bark Ornaments
(Ages 18 and older)
Instructor: John Zasada
Saturday, October 23
9:00am - 4:00pn
Enrollment: 4 minimum/10 maximum
Fee: $20
Materials: Materials will be provided and the cost is included in the course fee.
Students will learn to make ornaments using birch bark weaving techniques.
Adventures in Watercolor
Instructor: Donna LaBeau
Thursdays; November 4, 11, 18 December 2, 9, 16
1:00 - 4:00pm
Enrollment: 5 minimum/10 maximum
Fee: $100 non-member/$90 member
Materials: The course fee does not include the cost of materials. Students will be responsible for supplying their own materials. A supply list will be provided.
Learn how to paint in watercolor in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Techniques are learned on the use of watercolor to get the moods you want, color mixing and washes. The classes are designed for all levels of students from beginners on up. We will experiment in other medias if interested. Bring photos or other material images you would like to paint.
Contemporary Painting
Instructor: Karlyn Berg
Saturdays; October 23, 30, November 6, 13, 20, December 4
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Enrollment: 7 minimum//10 maximum
Fee: $75
Materials: The course fee does not include the cost of materials. A list of materials will be provided and can be purchased through the MAC.
This course is designed to introduce students to a variety of painting styles and techniques. Each class will include examination and discussion of the paintings of the masters and contemporary artists, and how to incorporate this as valuable foundation knowledge for their own work. Students will work to create a final composition incorporating the skills they have gained throughout the course. Classes will include work to develop basic painting skills, and to learn the elements and principles of design and composition. Course topics will include:
- Using color to portray or express moods, feelilngs, and ideas.
- The role of light, psychological impact of color, hue value, and intensity affect design.
- Exploration of historical background in painting compositions including realism, abstraction, and expressionism.
- Using perspective, overlapping, color variation, texture, transparent glaze, point of origin, and chiaroscuro techniques.
Environmental Art & Contemporary Sculpture
Instructor: Marie Schrobilgen
Monday - Thursday; October 11, 12, 13, & 14
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Enrollment: 6 minimum/20 maximum
Fee: $50
Materials: Students will be required to find and bring in their own materials. Guidance for selecting these materials will be available from the instructor.
This class is designed to teach participants about environmental art and contemporary sculpture through the act of creating. We will discuss misconceptions and realities of environmental art and contemporary sculpture. We will discuss how we can change an environment with our sculpture, and how the environment and sculpture can work together. This class will focus on reclaimed and natural media. Reclaimed materials can be considered anything found, reused, or recycled. Natural materials can vary from fruit to stones or anything one could find outdoors. This is a wide variety of materials but during class we will discuss the elements of art/sculpture and how focusing on just one or two elements will shape not only the meaning behind the artwork but also narrow the choices of medium.
Holiday Cards - Printmaking
Instructor: Paula Brandel
Saturday, October 30
9:00am - 4:00pm
Enrollment: 5 minimum/9 maximum
Fee: $40 + $25 materials = $65
Materials: An additional $25 has been added to the course fee to cover the materials expense.
This holiday season, give your friends and relatives handmade greeting cards. Students will make hand-printed greeting cards with their own imagery. Up to twenty-five single-color cards will be created. Students will also learn how to enhance their printed image with hand coloring.
Make a Mask Workshop
Instructor: Jane Latimer
Saturday, October 16 at 10:00am - 4:00pm
Enrollment: 5 minimum/10 maximum
Fee: $30 + $10 materials = $40
Materials: An additional $10 has been added to the course fee to cover the materials expense. The instructor will provide materials but students are encouraged to bring some of their own.
In this workshop, students will be making a plaster mask of your own face . Students will then transform the plaster masks into works of art using any number of mateirals from nature or from the craft store. The choices will be up to the student. The finished product can be used as an accessory to your Halloween costume or for decorative display. Students should be prepared to bring the following items:
- An apron or shirt to completely cover your clothes
- A bandanna to cover your hair
- A small mirror that can be stood up in front of you (plate holders work well)
- An old wash cloth and hand towel for cleaning up
- Small items that you may want to put on your mask, things with meaning or attraction to you (instructor will have a large assortment of decorative items to choose from as well)
- Paints or other decorative items
- Craft brushes if you have them
- Craft tools you may want to use (glue gun, tweezers, scissors, etc)
Instructor will provide anything you may need if you don't happen to already own craft items.
Woodcarving
(Ages 18 and older)
Instructor: Belva Shelhamer
Session 1 - Tuesdays; 6:30 pm- 9:30pm; September 21, 28, October 5, 12, 17, 26
Session 1 - Thursdays; 9:30am - 12:30pm; September 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28
Session 2 - Tuesdays; 6:30pm - 9:30pm; November 2, 9, 16, 30, December 7, 14
Session 2 - Thursdays; 9:30am - 12:30pm; November 4, 11, 18, Deecember 2, 9, 16
Enrollment: 5 minimum/15 maximum
Fee: $60 non-member/$50 member (per session)
Materials: The course fee does not include the cost of materials.
Beginners to advanced woodcarvers are welcome to join this group of carvers. To enroll, please call Belva at 218-326-5430
Youth Classes
Children's Basic to Intermediate Watercolor
Instructor: Lory Worthing
Saturdays, October 2, 9, 23, 30
10:00am- 11:00am
Fee: $35
Materials: Materials will be provided and the cost is included in the course fee.
Children ages 8 - 12 will learn basic techniques for creating watercolor paintings including still lifes, landscapes, and abstractions.
Contemporary Painting for Kids
Instructor: Karlyn Berg
Saturdays, October 30, November 6, 13, 20
11:00am - 12:15pm
Enrollment: 4 minimum/10 maximum
Fee: $45
Materials: The course fee does not include the cost of materiarls. A list of materials will be provided and can be purchased through the MAC.
This course is designed to introduce students to a variety of painting styles and techniques. Each class will include examination and discussion of the paintings of the masters and contemporary artists, and how to incorporate this as valuable foundation knowledge for their own work. Students will work to create a final composition incorporating the skills they have gained throughout the course. Classes will include work to develop basic painting skills, and to learn the elements and principles of design, color, and composition.
Drawing for Kids
Instructor: Jaime Lawler
Tuesdays, December 7, 14, 21, January 4, 11, 18
3:30pm - 4:30pm
Enrollment: 5 minimum/10 maximum
Fee: $40
Materials: The course fee does not include the cost of materials. A lsit of materials will be provided and can be purchased through the MAC.
Kids ages 8+ will learn a variety of drawing techniques and will experiment with different types of drawing mediums and styles. Each class will be structured to familiarize students with different ways of observational drawing such as point-perspective drawing, the grid system, and studying light and shadow.
Pottery & Sculpture for Children
Instructors: Bruce Bartos & Jaime Lawler
Thursdays, October 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11, 18
3:30pm - 5:00pm
Enrollment: 10 minimum/18 maximum
Fee: $48 + $18 materials = $66
Materials: An additional $18 has been added to the course fee to cover the materials expense.
This is a fun & inspirational class open to students of all levels of ability. Students will learn pottery & sculptural techniques, creating specific projects that are always a treat to behold. A healthy snack will be provided during class and students may bring a smock.
Youth Printmaking
for children grades 3 - 7
Instructor: Rebecca Gramdorf
Location: Grand Rapids HIgh School Art Room #1494
Wednesdays, September 29, October 6, 13, 20, 27, November 3
3:30pm - 5:00pm
Enrollment: 10 minimum/20 maximum
Fee: $28 + $20 materials = $48
Materials: An additional $18 has been added to the course fee to cover the materials expense.
Students will experiment with a variety of printmaking techniques, including monotype, relief, image transfer, and collagraph. Students will develop exciting original images and print them using sophisticated techniques. Come after school to explore your creative side.
Registration Policy
Pre-registration is required for all classes. Students are registered for course when payment is received. Students can register in person with cash, check, or credit card; by mail with check or credit card; or by calling 218.326.2697 with a credit card. Registrant must provide name, address, and phone number upon registration.
Students must pay full registration amount regardless if student begins class in the middle of the session or miss classes in the middle of a session.
Students are not allowed to make substitutions for scheduling conflicts that cause absence from class.
Registration confirmation will not be sent. Students will be notified only if classes are cancelled or full.
Cancellation/Refund Policy
Classes who do not meet minimum enrollment requirements will be cancelled five working days (Monday thru Friday) before class starts. A full refund will be issued to those who register for a class that is cancelled or full. Refunds will also be given if weather or an emergency forces the class to be cancelled.
Funds will be refunded in the following manner: For credit card, credit will be issued on same card used at time of purchase. For payments of cash/check, a credit will be issued as a check from the MacRostie Art Center. All refunded money, will be given within seven to ten working days of the cancellation of the class.
To drop a class, students must request a refund from the Macrostie Art Center five working days (Monday thru Friday) before the class starts. Special consideration will be taken for cancellations relating to emergencies, illness, or unexpected tragedies.
