The Old Town Art Center
About the Old Town Art Center
Small class sizes allow students of all skill levels to take part in any given class. Instructors provide each individual student the amount of attention required. The focus is entirely on the visual arts – through drawing with pencils/charcoal and painting with oils, watercolor, pastels or acrylics. Figure Studio is open to all (these are drop-in classes and no advance registration is necessary).
Sessions typically begin the first week of January, the last week of March and the first week of September. Short sessions are offered in the summer and toward the end of the year. Workshops are added periodically. Classes are offered during the day, at night and on weekends. A full class schedule will return in the Fall with studios, pastels and more.
Register Now for Fall Extension Classes!
Watercolor and Oil/Acrylic classes will be available for five weeks beginning in November. Registration is required. Scholarships are available. If you plan to pay for a class at the first session, please call the office (312.337.1938) to place a registration hold for the class you would like to attend – this will help us to ensure minimum/maximum attendance.
Art Class FAQs
- OTTA membership is open to all
- Up to two art classes can be made up within a session
- There are no refunds after the 1st class
- Classes with fewer than five students may be cancelled – class size is limited to sixteen students.
- Students provide their own supplies
- Scholarships are available – please scroll down for complete information
- If you would prefer to pay by check or in person, please call the office (312.337.1938) to reserve your space.
Suzanne Flavin Scholarships
The Old Town Art Center offers financial aid through the Suzanne Flavin Scholarship Fund. Financial assistance is provided for the complete cost of a class and is offered for each full session – any media. To apply, please complete the application found here or visit the OTAC (1763 N North Park Avenue) to pick up a copy. Recipients will be announced two weeks prior to the start of the next session.
Art Classes
Please note: If you have any questions or run into any problems attempting to register, please send an email to info@oldtowntriangle.com or call us at 312.337.1938.
Figure Studio
Mondays | September 12th – December 19th | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM | 10 Weeks
Fee: $20 Drop-in
Artists hone their skills, working directly from a live model. Beginning through advanced students are welcome to advance their figure stylings. One hour is devoted to quick gesture poses. The focus for the remaining time will be longer poses for finished drawings and paintings. We provide drawing benches, easels, tables, and boards. All media are welcome.
Oil & Acrylic Painting
Joe Taylor
Tuesdays | November 22th – December 20th | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | 5 Weeks
Fee: $175 non-members – $170 Members – additional $5 off with code: senior5 (for those 65 or better)
Wednesdays | November 16th – December 14th | 6:30 – 9:30 PM | 5 Weeks
Fee: $175 non-members – $170 members – additional $5 off with code: senior5 (for those 65 & better)
Students take on projects of their own choosing. Joe provides support in difficult areas; whether color, mass, shadows or any other technique that fails. His level of instruction is dependent on each individual student’s needs. This class is as challenging for experienced painters as it is exciting for those expanding their knowledge.
*Please note that the Wednesday, November 23rd class has been switched to Monday, November 21st.
Oil & Acrylic Painting 
Marie Kirk Burke
Tuesdays | This class is filled.
Fee: $240 non-members – $225 Members – additional $10 off with code: senior (for those 65 or better)
This class is for all levels. Marie will set up a still life in class for students to work from along side her. This class will cover color theory, composition, impact of light, oil painting techniques including use of mediums, layering color, glazing and brush work. Marie welcomes painting students also working on independent projects who would like some additional guidance. *Please note that there is no class on November 8th.
Watercolor Painting
Tom Francesconi
Saturdays | November 12th – December 17th | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | 5 weeks
Fee: $175 non-members – $170 members – additional $5 off with code: senior5 (for those 65 & better)
Tom’s energetic teaching style and passion for painting combine to create a class that is enjoyable and informative. Any artist looking to break free of a careful, timid painting process will find Tom’s direct and representational approach very inspirational. Within this process, students learn how to create stronger, more effective visual statements. Expect discussions and demonstrations that allow you to see how Tom approaches work from start to finish. Ample opportunity is provided for everyone to paint with individual direction/guidance a priority. Students at every stage of experience are welcome.
Painting the Clothed Figure – Watercolor Painting
Tom Francesconi
Saturdays | November 12th – December 17th | 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM | 5 weeks
Fee: $175 non-members – $170 members – additional $5 off with code: senior5 (for those 65 & better)
Tom’s energetic teaching style and passion for painting combine to create a class that is enjoyable and informative. Any artist looking to break free of a careful, timid painting process will find Tom’s direct and representational approach very inspirational. Within this process, students learn how to create stronger, more effective visual statements. Expect discussions and demonstrations that allow you to see how Tom approaches work from start to finish. Ample opportunity is provided for everyone to paint with individual direction/guidance a priority. Students at every stage of experience are welcome.
Pastel Painting
Kathleen Newman
Wednesdays | This class is filled.
Fee: $240 non-members – $225 members – additional $10 off with code: senior (for those 65 & better)
Master pastelist, Kathleen Newman, will demonstrate how to create inspired paintings using the beautifully expressive medium of soft pastel. Beginning with photo reference, she will demonstrate how to break free from details and specifics, how to simplify and use shapes of light and dark to compose meaningful paintings with color and emotion. She will demonstrate her preferred method of toning sanded papers prior to painting and proceed to teach layering and direct painting techniques in pastel. A supply list will be sent upon registration. *Please note that there is no class on November 23rd.
Watercolor Painting
Kathleen Newman
Thursdays | This class is filled.
Fee: $240 non-members – $225 members – additional $10 off with code: senior (for those 65 & better)
Welcome to the fluid world of watercolor! Kathleen’s ongoing watercolor class provides instruction for beginners and continuing students in learning the methods of watercolor application. She will provide demos and individual instruction throughout your practice of mixing color, layering color, painting wet into wet, and teaching the many ways to put the paint down on paper. Watercolor is a wonderful medium to use for sketching, journaling and creating finished paintings. We will explore it all! A complete supply list will be sent upon registration. *Please note that there is no class on November 24th.
