Explore dry point technique to create your monoprint artwork. In this class we will discuss image composition and combining drawing, texture, and form to create a monoprint of your image. Students should to bring their sketchbook and multiple images (landscape, still life, portrait, abstract, photograph, etc.) and ideas to review for their first print. Black and white images, preferred. Artwork should be sized to 6x8. Students will be expected to work on their own during the course. No experience necessary.

"Artivism" is the word combining Art and Activism. It is considered effective to convey social messages, etc.  Graffiti and big murals are often used for Artivism, but Naoko Kamioka, an Origami Instructor, demonstrates an example of Artivism using Origami, 1000 paper cranes for wishes of peace and hope. 

The series of 5 Origami classes for children to learn a set of basic folds and bases. Applying the learned folds/bases, the children create fun and interesting figures.

As autumn begins and the air turns crisp, let's gather to honor this season of transition through the art of scroll-making. Using journaling and collage, you’ll create a personal scroll to capture what you’re releasing, what you’re harvesting, and what you’re inviting in for the months ahead. No art experience needed—just curiosity and openness to play. Bring images that resonate with you, a glue stick, scissors, a pen, and a black Sharpie.

Learn the fundamental techniques of Bookmaking. This class will give Artists a foundation for exploring their creativity through the Art of Book Making. A total of six books will be created in class using a variety of materials and techniques. The techniques that will be discussed are Belgian Stitch, Japanese Stab Book, Traditional Spine Construction, Maze and Fan Fold Books with a final project using Alternative Materials.

Students will learn the rudimentary of working with watercolors. Color theory and mixing of colors will be taught as well as wet and dry methods of using the  watercolors.

This course is designed to help participants get comfortable with drawing, painting and mixed media. Through a series of exercises and projects, participants will develop their skills in fast sketching, contour drawing, color and composition basic knowledge.

In this hands-on course, you’ll dive into the colorful and creative world of gel plate printing. Using charcoal, acrylic paints, stencils, and special layering techniques, you’ll learn to create beautiful one of a kind monoprints. We’ll explore ghost printing, layering, and even incorporate a Japanese tissue paper collage technique. By the end, you’ll have a series of prints and the skills to continue your gel plate journey on your own.

The series of 5 Origami classes for children to learn a set of basic folds and bases. Applying the learned folds/bases, the children create fun and interesting figures.

Step into a serene space where art and mindfulness meet. This 75-minute beginner-friendly session invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with yourself—surrounded by the contemplative beauty of sculptural monoprints and layered textile works from our current exhibition, Engaging the Wild.

Explore using various media (printmaking, collage, painting) to create your monotype artwork. In this class we will discuss the principles and elements of design, composition, and combining drawing, texture, and color to create a monotype of an image using line and plexiglass, collage, and oil (or acrylic) painting. Students will learn to transfer an image to paper, add collage materials to enhance image, and paint into the image to create final one-of-a-kind pieces of artwork.

Learn the fundamental techniques of Bookmaking. This class will give Artists a foundation for exploring their creativity through the Art of Book Making. A total of six books will be created in class using a variety of materials and techniques. The techniques that will be discussed are Belgian Stitch, Japanese Stab Book, Traditional Spine Construction, Maze and Fan Fold Books with a final project using Alternative Materials.

Join us for a transformative two-hour creative experience where art meets mindfulness through the practice of neurographic art. Using vibrant acrylic paint markers, participants will be guided to create abstract, flowing patterns that reflect their inner thoughts, emotions, and subconscious mind after being led through a brief meditation.

Join us for a transformative two-hour creative experience where art meets mindfulness through the practice of neurographic art. Using vibrant acrylic paint markers, participants will be guided to create abstract, flowing patterns that reflect their inner thoughts, emotions, and subconscious mind after being led through a brief meditation.

Richard Louis is an experienced art lawyer and is licensed to practice in Washington D.C.  and New York. Richard has worked with Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts and Maryland  Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. He has a speciality in contracts, small business matters, and  estate planning. He was also a paid speaker at the Kennedy Center for the Access/VSA  Emerging Young Artists Program. 

Artists traditionally spend a lot of time drawing the nude human form because it’s the fastest way to develop an understanding of human anatomy. Problematically, a lot more goes into creating artwork about people than just understanding anatomy.

Write a poem and create a collage to go with it

Come join us for an afternoon of art-making that merges writing and art. We'll create a little haiku poem--just 3 lines of 5-7-5 syllables--and then make a collage to go with it. (Don't worry, we'll have some "readymades" on hand in case we get writer's block :)

In the art world, this is called "ekphrasis," usually when writing describes a work of visual art. We're turning that on its head by creating art inspired by the written word. We'll handwrite a simple haiku about weather or a season, and integrate all or fragments of our poems into a picture. 

"Artivism" is the word combining Art and Activism. It is considered effective to convey social messages, etc. Graffiti and big murals are often used for Artivism, but Naoko Kamioka, an Origami Instructor, demonstrates the examples of Artivism using Origami.

Discover the power of the iPhone’s built-in editing tools in this hands-on workshop. Whether you're capturing portraits, landscapes, or spontaneous moments, you'll learn how to enhance your photos directly from your device—no third-party apps required. We'll explore features such as exposure adjustment, color correction, cropping, filters, and more. Perfect for artists, travelers, and content creators who want to make the most of their mobile photography. Bring your iPhone, and get ready to turn ordinary shots into compelling images.

Origami (paper-folding) is the Japanese traditional art still practiced in Japan commonly. Explore using Origami for your artwork! Naoko Kamioka, originally from Japan and an Origami Instructor shows an example. First, she teaches how to do Japanese sumi ink marbling on Japanese rice paper. Then she instructs folding of some Origami figures to paste on the cards. The cards generate the Japanese ambience of tranquility and refinement. I imagine this combination of sumi marbling and origami is unprecedented.

In this workshop, we will begin by exploring the essential settings on your iPhone and its camera to ensure you're capturing the highest quality images possible. Participants will learn how to optimize resolution, enable useful tools like grid lines and Live Photos, adjust exposure and focus manually, and understand when to use different formats like HEIF or RAW (on supported models). We'll also dive into using features like Night Mode, Portrait Mode, and HDR effectively, helping you adapt your settings to various lighting conditions and shooting scenarios. This foundation will set you up for successful editing and elevate your overall photography workflow—right from your phone.

Make souvenir collage art as keepsakes of your trip

Every wish you could create art on the road but don't want to pack a lot of supplies? Or come back from a trip with tons of memories (and photos!) that get lost as the day-to-day takes over? 

Come join us for an afternoon of art-making where you'll learn how to collage your travel memories into something you can share with friends and family. Whether you use what you find to make art on the road or shortly after you get back home, there's no wrong way to do it--this is FUN art, not fine art!

Using acrylic paint and a glass surface, participants will explore creating prints in B&W and color. Inspired by abstract expressionist artists, the workshop emphasizes the creative journey and the joy of an unpredictable result. Participants enjoy experimenting with different techniques, materials, and inspirations. -Experience different ways of monoprinting -Explore creating atmospheric prints -Develop skills in using brayers/rollers

This course is designed to help participants get comfortable with drawing and painting fundamentals. Through a series of exercises and projects, students will develop their skills in fast sketching, contour drawing, mixing colors and composition elements. The main focus is to enjoy the process and train the eye to register different forms and shapes with ease and sensitivity.

Come join us for an afternoon of art-making "improv" as we work together on group collages.
De-stress, get inspired, release inhibitions, and make friends while creating a new piece of art suitable for framing (or at least for the fridge)... this is FUN art, not fine art!

Sketch it Quick: Markers Edition is all about letting go of perfection and enjoying the process of fast, expressive sketching. In this 3-week workshop, we’ll explore how to capture faces, figures, and everyday objects quickly and confidently using vibrant markers — no pressure, no stress, just relaxed creativity. This class is perfect for artists who already know the basics of drawing and want to loosen up their lines, experiment with markers, and have fun sketching freehand. Each session includes live demos, guided exercises, and plenty of time to practice at your own pace. Expect casual, supportive vibes and space to experiment without worrying if every line is perfect. Syllabus: Week 1: Marker Basics & Still Life Sketching Week 2: Quick Portraits & Facial Features Week 3: Gesture Drawing & Figures

Learn Stich Book Binding Techniques, this class will cover the fundamentals of book making. Focusing on a creative artistic approach to making books/ journals. We will explore a variety of papers and learn the proper folding, crease and paste techniques. Decorative stitching techniques will be introduced for the book spin detail.

Meant as a continuation of Drawing 1, Students progress to more advanced stages of historical academic training. Students will be introduced to faster but more complicated styles of drawing and begin to study the human form.

Want to develop your interest as an artist and looking for a place to start? Whether you want to make artwork that is realistic or abstract, all art shares the same fundamentals.

What’s the only thing better than a beautiful hardwood frame around your artwork? A beautiful hardwood frame that YOU made! This summer, learn to make frames from scratch at Washington Printmakers Gallery. Students will gain a basic understanding of woodworking with hand tools and learn all the tips and tricks to make beautiful frames with ease.