NEW! Natural Pigments I: Earth Colors from Foraging to Paint

Instructor: Mira Cabrera
Friday 5-7PM &Sunday, 2-4PM
Tuition: $115
Location: MSS Court St

This beginner-friendly, two-part workshop focuses on creating watercolor paints from earth-b ased pigments such as rocks and soil. In the first session, students will explore a local trail and learn to identify and harvest pigment-rich natural materials, while discussing the cultural and environmental histories of earth pigments. In the second session, students will gather in the studio to process their materials—washing, grinding, and mulling them into usable watercolor paints. Emphasis is placed on sustainable practices and technique. Students will leave with their own handmade watercolor paints and the knowledge necessary to continue their natural pigment practice independently.
Students will need to be comfortable walking in a trail setting, and should dress appropriately for weather conditions.

June 13&15 REGISTER>

NEW! Natural Pigments II: Botanical Color & Lake Pigments

Instructor: Mira Cabrera
Friday 5-7PM &Sunday, 2-4PM
Tuition: $115
Location: MSS Court St

This intermediate workshop explores the vivid, living world of botanical pigments. In session one, students will hike local trails to gather plant-based materials—flowers, barks, berries, and leaves—while learning about their historical use, environmental impact, and colorfastness. In session two, participants will return to the studio to extract color, experiment with modifiers and pH shifts, and transform raw plant material into shelf-stable pigment. Designed for students who already have some experience with natural pigments, this class centers on the process and basic techniques by which botanical colors can be integrated into an artistic practice. Participants will leave with a unique set of handmade botanical color samples and theconfidence to continue working with plant-based color at home.

June 27&29 REGISTER>

NEW! Basket Weaving Workshop: Garden Harvest Basket

Instructor: Kris Andrews
Saturday, 9AM-2PM
Tuition: $180
Location: MSS Court Street

Build a rectangular basket that you can use for harvesting your garden veggies and fruit. Learn how to construct a basket with a woven bottom, put a rim on and carve a handle. We will do all this in a 1-day workshop and you will go home with your own handmade basket ready for harvesting! Adults/Teens 16+, All levels. Materials included.

Basket dimensions: 15”L x 11” W x 5” H

Students should bring: rulers, scissors, a jackknife for carving and lunch.

June 14 REGISTER>

NEW! Drawing for Everyone

Instructor: Phoebe de Noronha
Mondays or Wednesdays, 5:30-7PM
Tuition: $75
Location: MSS Court Street

Whether you are a beginner at drawing or more experienced, this class invites you to break down drawing into its basic elements before combining them together again into a finished piece of art. Each week we will be using a new still-life composition set up by the instructor (or students are welcome to bring in their own props to draw). We will be practicing line, shape, texture, space, and value as separate pieces. All levels/Teens 16+ welcome.

Materials: Students will need to bring a 12×14 or larger sketchbook. Students can bring their own graphite pencils, charcoal pencils or sticks, and 1-2 erasers. MSS will provide basic drawing supplies for those who do not bring their own.

July 30-August 13  REGISTER>
September 15-29  REGISTER>

Thursday Morning Oils  

Instructor: Mary Lower 
Thursdays, 10AM-12PM
Tuition: $145
Location: Lower Studio 

This class is for both the beginner and the more experienced oil painter. Students will begin by blocking in the composition focusing on placement, proportion, perspective, and the dynamics of composition. Value, intensity, and temperature of color will be emphasized. Instruction will include demonstrations, examples from art history and individual critiques. Oil painting supplies will be provided. Classes are held at the instructor’s studio in Middlebury.

Spring Session 2: May 1 – 29 RUNNING

Monday Night Oil Painting   

Instructor: Mary Lower 
Mondays, 6-8PM
Tuition: $145
Location: Lower Studio 

Whatever your level of experience, this class is your laboratory to learn from seeing and expand your command of the oil medium. The first class presents a one night fun painting challenge. For the next four classes, students work on canvas following a painting process that emphasizes form, the dynamics of composition and use of value, intensity, and temperature of color. Instruction will include demonstrations, examples from art history and individual critiques. Oil painting supplies will be provided. Classes are held at the instructor’s studio in Middlebury. Teens welcome!

Spring Session 2: May 5 – June 2 RUNNING

NEW! Portraiture in Oils

Instructor: Katalin Tolgyesi
Tuesday, 5:30-7:30PM
Tuition: $195
Location: MSS Court St 

In this five week introductory portraiture oil painting class students will work from a reference photo of their choosing to study the concepts of value, mixing skin tones, controlling the paint and building details. Through hands-on instruction and personalized guidance, your portrait will gradually come to life.
This class covers the most common mistakes made by beginner painters and breaks down the process of portraits into easy-to-understand phases. Students will leave with a finished portrait, an understanding of the oil painting process/ specific skills they can transfer to future projects. This class is suitable for beginning and continuing students.
Materials included. All level/Adult

July 1-29 REGISTER>

NEW! Gouache Fundamentals and Watercolor  

Instructor: James Beihl
Mondays 6-8PM
Tuition: $155
Location: MSS Court St

The purpose of this class is to develop a love and appreciation for the medium of Gouache and how to paint with it in the manner of a watercolorist. Students will learn the fundamentals and examine the strengths and limitations of gouache through a study of the basic techniques employed when using the medium. Throughout the session we will do a limited number of Gouache pieces in which students will be able to apply and explore techniques gone over in class. We will also learn a little about the history of the medium and how it can be used with watercolor. Each session we will bring to bear techniques gone over in class, and recapping basic Gouache techniques students will explore new uses for Gouache such as how to incorporate an underdrawing. The class will appeal to both watercolorists, as well as people who are curious about Gouache in general.  
All level/Adult. Materials included.

July 14 – August 4 REGISTER>

NEW! Painting Classic Portraits 

Instructor: Katalin Tolgyesi
Mon-Wed, 10AM-12PM
Tuition: $130
Location: MSS Court St 

In this 3-day comprehensive workshop, students will go in depth as they learn the fundamentals of painting classic portraits. Working with the oil medium, key elements will be covered in learning to mix values, tones, highlights, then how to add subtle value and color variations to make a portrait or any subject come to life. Students will choose their own reference photos, and learn how to transfer those outlines to canvas, block in the values, study the lighting in the reference.

Students will learn to overcome some of the most common mistakes made by beginner painters and break down the process of completing a work into easy-to-understand phases. Participants will leave with a finished artwork, an understanding of the oil painting process, and specific skills they can transfer to future projects. This workshop is well suited to both beginning and continuing students. Materials Included. All level/Adult

Aug 11-13 REGISTER>