Classes & Workshops
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. 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.
Register Now for FALL 2025 Art Classes!
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.
Half-Sessions are available in a very limited capacity for select classes, noted below. Half-Sessions comprise five classes during the session, up to the student. Discounts do not apply to Half Sessions.
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 30 hour-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.
Promotions
Representatives from OTTA may take photos of participants and/or their artwork during class sessions. These pictures are for OTTA use only and may be used in publications and/or website. Please notify us if you would not like photos to be taken of you.
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. Those 65 and older – use code “senior” for additional $10 off!
Foundational Drawing with Morgan Lyons – CLASS CANCELED
Sundays | Sep 28 – Dec 14 | 3 PM – 5 PM | 9 Weeks
No class Nov. 9
Fee: $310/$300 members
The mission of this class is to provide you with a strong drawing foundation. Welcome are experienced artists, beginners, and anyone interested in learning a new discipline. The goal is to copy historical drawings by master artists, but this is far from a step-by-step class. Instead, you’ll find the process to be a creative one as you find your unique way, learning to better trust your eye and intuition.
Fundamentals of Drawing and Painting with Don Yang
Mondays | Aug 25 – Oct 27 | 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM | 8 Weeks
No class Sep 1 and Sep 29
Fee: $290/$280 members
In representational art (‘realistic art’), sound drawing is the cornerstone of everything that follows. In this class, the main emphasis will be on how to accurately see and draw three dimensional objects in an environment in order to create convincing realism in space.
Oil Painting; from Beginning to Intermediate and Beyond with Don Yang
Mondays | Aug 25 – Oct 27 | 10 AM – 1 PM | 8 Weeks
No class Sep 1 and Sep 29
Fee: $290/$280 members
Workshop description: This class is designed for students to have an opportunity to learn oil painting in a systematic way at a college level. This class is based on Oil Painting 101 to 400 level classes (from sophomore to senior students) at the American Academy of Art where Don has taught painting and drawing for the past 22 years.
Oil Painting with Joe Taylor (Tuesday afternoon)
Tuesdays | Sep 2 – Nov 4 | 10 AM – 1 PM | 10 Weeks
Fee: $330/$320 members
Students take on projects of their own choosing. The first 15 minutes will emphasize preparatory sketches and composition. He provides support in difficult areas; whether color, mass or any other technique that needs attention. 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.
Oil Painting with Joe Taylor (Wednesday night)
Wednesdays | Sep 3 – Nov 5 | 6:30 – 9:30 PM | 10 Weeks
Fee: $330/$320 members
Students take on projects of their own choosing. The first 15 minutes will emphasize preparatory sketches and composition. 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.
Pastel Painting with Kathleen Newman
Wednesdays | Sep 24 – Dec 17 | 10 AM – 1 PM | 10 Weeks
No class: Oct 1, Oct 15, Nov 26
Fee: $330/$320 members
Explore drawing, proportion, and color through direct observation of a model or still life. Kathleen will demonstrate her pastel techniques, including toning backgrounds, on a variety of surfaces. Prior pastel experience is not necessary, but basic drawing skills will be helpful.
Watercolor with Kathleen Newman
Thursdays | Sep 25 – Dec 11 | 10 AM – 1 PM | 10 Weeks
No class Oct 2 and Nov 27
Fee: $330/$320 members
Explore different materials to improve technique and drawing skills, how to simplify design through abstract shapes and use color and light to reflect mood and emotion. Students will use photo reference in a meaningful way as well as work from still life. The class will include demonstrations, critiques and plenty of one-on-one individual instruction.
Watercolor Painting with Tom Francesconi 
Saturdays | Oct 11 – Dec 13 | 10 AM – 1 PM | 8 Weeks
No class Nov. 8
Fee: $290/280 members
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.
Watercolor Painting (Portrait/Clothed figure) with Tom Francesconi 
Saturdays | Oct 11 – Dec 13 | 1:15 PM – 4:15 PM | 8 Weeks
No class Nov. 8
Fee: $290/280 members
The focus of this class will be a simplified approach to painting the portrait and the clothed figure. Learn how Tom creates lively paintings that resonate with emotion. Rather than relying on the burdensome task of duplicating exactness, Tom endeavors to interpret the figure through an insightful and expressive painting process with the aim of creating a work that delights and entertains the eye.