Classes and Workshops

Adult Art Classes
Call 661-323-7219 for enrollment information

Saturday workshops will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $40 for members and $45 for non-members.

Elements of Art
Saturday, June 21
Line, shape, form, color, value, texture, space. These are the fundamental concepts every artist works with while creating an image. The better the understanding, the more successful the work will be. Students will explore these ideas in a hands-on workshop that requires no prior experience and is essential for anyone interested in making or looking at art. Students will explore these ideas through collage, painting, and drawing.

Principles of Design
Saturday, June 28
Once you understand the elements of art, how do you apply them? This workshop answers that question. Balance, proportion, rhythm, emphasis, unity, variety. Come explore these fundamental concepts that every artist, designer and connoisseur must understand. Students will explore these principles through collage, painting, and drawing.

Anatomy Workshop 1: The Skeleton
Saturday, July 5
Anatomy is an essential study for anyone who wants to draw or paint the figure in any style. This is the first of three workshops that will teach the fundamental concepts behind artistic anatomy. The skeleton is the scaffolding of the body that forms all proportions and that all muscles connect to. Students will draw from a live model.

Oil Painting Workshop
Saturday, July 12
Taught by local painter and Museum art instructor Vikki Cruz, this workshop will aquaint students with the materials and methods of oil painting through still life.

Color Workshop
Saturday, July 19
Color is an essential part of art and design. This workshop teaches color; how to mix it, how to use it, and how it effects viewers psychologically. Students will work with color in paint, pastel, collage, and even on Photoshop.

Anatomy Workshop 2: Muscles of the Torso
Saturday, July 26
Once you have an understanding of the skeleton you’re ready to learn the dynamic system of muscles. The second installment of this essential series introduces students to the workings and forms of the muscular system. There is a focus on the core of the body from which the limbs will spring from. Students will draw from a live model.

Bringing Art into the Classroom
Saturday, August 2
This workshop is designed for teachers who want to learn how to bring art into their classroom. The focus will be on effective and fascinating projects that can be done with simple materials and easy to teach lesson plans. Students will create their own examples in collage, paint, pencil, pastel, clay, and more.

Hand-Made Modern
Saturday, August 9
Artist and Designer Liz Sherwyn will teach a class on making objects for décor and function. Her methods include simple materials and ideas that produce one-of-a-kind storage, totes, clothes, and more. Students will sew, glue, print, paint and more.

Anatomy Workshop 3: Muscles of the Arms and Legs
Saturday, August 16
The final installment of the Anatomy series focuses on the most dynamic sections of the human body: the arms and legs. Learn how these forms allow us to move through and interact with our environment. Students will draw from a live model.

Desktop Publishing
Saturday, August 23
With the home computer and desktop publishing capabilities at everyone’s fingertips, everyone plays with design. Whether you’re designing a flyer for the school play or your own website, design is important. But just because you know how to use a graphics program doesn’t mean you know how to design. Students will learn powerful design concepts through drawing, collage, and computer demonstrations.

Print-Making Workshop
Saturday, August 30
Come explore the world of printmaking. From screen printing to linoleum cuts, print-making is a powerful image making process that is accessible to anyone regardless of art experience. Bring your own surfaces and learn to print clothing, totes, posters, wall paper, just about anything.

Open Studio
$10 per session
Beginning Sunday, June 15, The Bakersfield Museum of Art will open its studio doors to all artists. This is a forum for creative people to come and practice, interact with and learn from each other. Every Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. the museum will provide a live model as well as still life materials and encourages artists to come and work. An experienced artist in residence will be available to give instructions and demonstrations on a variety of subjects. On the last Sunday of each month, the group will meet at a different location in the community. These off-site trips will include trips to CALM, dance studios, theatres and more. The destinations will be announced at the beginning of each month. This is a perfect supplement for the art classes and is a great way to exchange ideas with other artists.

Plein Air Painting
Tuesdays, April 22 - May 27
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Learn to paint outdoors at various locations around Bakersfield. Materials provided. Open to beginners. $200

Fundamentals of Drawing
Thursdays, April 24 - May 29
6 - 9 p.m.
This class teaches drawing basics including gesture, measuring techniques, line quality, three-dimensional shapes and light logic. The perfect primer for those interested in figure drawing or painting. $200
 To enroll please call the Bakersfield Museum of Art at 661-323-7219.