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. 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 Soon for Spring Art Classes!

Watercolor and Oil/Acrylic classes will be available for 10 weeks (unless noted otherwise) beginning in spring. 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.

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.

Portrait Drawing Workshop with Morgan Lyons

Sundays | April 28, May 12, May 26 | 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM | 3 Weeks
Fee: $130 for all – no discounts apply.

This workshop is intended to provide strategies when approaching drawing the portrait from life. For each of the three sessions, there will be a new model and a new opportunity to create a pencil-and-paper portrait. Students will receive guidance on how to efficiently utilize time with the model, retain flexibility in their work so that adjustments can be continuously made, and create a “finished” impression by the end of the session. Ideal both for those with previous drawing experience and anyone open to a challenge.

Oil & Acrylic Painting with Joe Taylor

Tuesdays | March 26 – May 28 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | 10 Weeks

Wednesdays | March 20 – May 29 | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM | 10 Weeks

**Wednesdays – no class May 8**

Fee: $300 non-members/$290 members – Seniors, additional $10 off with code: senior (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.

Pastel Painting with Kathleen Newman

Wednesdays | April 3 – May 29 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | 8 Weeks

**No class April 10**
Fee: $240 non-members/$230 members – Seniors, additional $10 off with code: senior (for those 65 & better)

Kathleen Newman studied at Chicago’s American Academy of Art and the School of the Art Institute. She has been awarded the International Association of Pastel Artists Master’s Circle Gold Medal status. She has earned her signature letters in the Pastel Society of America, American Society of Marine Artists and the American Transparent Watercolor Society. Her work can be found in many private and corporate collections.

Watercolor Painting with Kathleen Newman

Thursdays | March 28 – June 6 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | 8 Weeks

**No class 4/11, 5/16, 5/30*
6/6 class – plein air painting on location.

Fee: $240 non-members/$230 members – Seniors, additional $10 off with code: senior (for those 65 & better)

SOLD OUT – THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST!

Watercolor Painting with Tom Francesconi

Saturdays | April 6 – May 25 | 10:00 AM- 1:00 PM | 8 Weeks
Fee: $240 non-members/$230 members – Seniors, additional $10 off with code: senior (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.

Watercolor Painting (Portrait/Clothed Figure) with Tom Francesconi

Saturdays | April 6 – May 25 | 1:15 PM- 4:15 PM | 8 Weeks
Fee: $240 non-members/$230 members – Seniors, additional $10 off with code: senior (for those 65 & better)