MONDAY, September 14, 2026, through MONDAY, October 19, 2026 from 6-9 p.m.

This class is a 6-week session.

Our hand built pottery class has a flexible structure that offers a learning experience for potters who range in ability from beginner to advanced. If you have always admired art pottery but didn’t think you had the skill to create beautiful objects—this class is for you! Anne teaches all the basic techniques—pinch pots, coil building, and slab building—then shows students how to use those techniques to create incredible pieces. Students create everything from plates to sculpted animals to slab built birdhouses for their backyards—and she takes requests from her students.

instructor Anne Blackburn is an award-winning local fine art potter and long-time student of the discipline. She is well known for her use of texture and organic forms.

Location: Elkhart Art League Studio, 132 Tyler Street, #1B, Elkhart IN 46516 in the west end of the historic train depot.

Cost: Members $120; Non-members $146 for the 8 week class. Membership is $30 for students and senior citizens over 60 years and $50 for adults. You can sign up for a membership HERE.

Class included all instruction, stoneware clay (25 #), glazes, firing, and open studio time on Thursdays. Students may attend Thursday night open studio from 6-9 pm at no charge. (Instruction is not available at open studio.)

Email mail@ealonline.org with questions.

Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Do you love the way the sun shines through the vibrant colors of a stained glass suncatcher in the window? Have you ever wanted to try making your own suncatcher but were intimidated by the process?

This is your chance to try this fascinating art form with instructor Nancy Jackson in a beginner-friendly and supportive environment.

You will learn all the basics beginning with choosing your pattern, cutting and grinding the glass, fitting and copper foiling, soldering, and cleaning up your piece to show it off. This is all taught in our one day workshop.

You will choose from three fall patterns that are beginner-friendly. Your instructor, Nancy Jackson from Kay’s Glass Studio, will expertly guide you through each step. In just a few hours you will complete a beautiful work of art handmade by you.

Cost: Members $55; Non-members $65 for the 4-hour workshop. To access member pricing, you must be current on your membership. All materials are included. Class size is limited to 12 students. Class is suitable for ages 18+. Younger students can be considered with parental supervision.

Please choose the pattern you wish to create when registering.

Location: Elkhart Art League Studio, 132 Tyler Street, #1B, Elkhart IN 46516 in the west end of the depot building south of the Elkhart Post Office.

For more information, email us at mail@ealonline.org.

TUESDAY, September 8, 2026, through TUESDAY, October 27, 2026.

Instructor: Dwight Luna, Local Award Winning Artist

You’re invited to join our painting group for Learning from the Masters, an 8-week acrylic painting course.

When:Tuesday evenings, 6:00–9:00 PM
Where:Elkhart Art League, 131 Tyler Street, Elkhart

Each week, we will learn about a different master artist, look at examples of their work and painting techniques, and then create our own painting study inspired by that artist.

You may sign up for class with a painting kit included, or you may sign up to bring your own acrylic paints, brushes, and rags for cleaning your brushes.

Dwight’s goal for this class is to keep things lighthearted, positive, and fun while giving everyone an opportunity to see the process of making art through the eyes of great artists from the past. You do not need to be an expert painter to participate. Beginners are welcome!

Students will also be encouraged to spend a little time learning about each artist before class so we can share ideas and observations during our discussions.

Our Eight Masters

Week 1 — Giotto di Bondone

Focus: Shape & Value

We’ll explore simple shapes, light and dark values, composition, and storytelling.

Why he’s great for beginners: His paintings use clear, easy-to-understand shapes and strong arrangements of light and dark.

Week 2 — Leonardo da Vinci

Focus: Drawing & Form

We’ll study careful observation, anatomy, form, and gradual changes between light and dark.

Leonardo is an excellent artist to study when learning how careful drawing and observation can make a subject feel three-dimensional.

Week 3 — Rembrandt van Rijn

Focus: Light & Shadow

We’ll explore dramatic lighting, shadows, edges, and expressive brushwork, with an emphasis on portrait painting.

Rembrandt is one of the best artists to study for understanding how light and dark can create depth, mood, and focus.

Week 4 — Diego Velázquez

Focus: Brushwork

We’ll look at how a painter can use fewer, more confident brushstrokes while still creating a realistic image.

We’ll also explore warm and cool colors and how paintings can look different when viewed up close versus from a distance.

Week 5 — Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres

Focus: Line & Design

We’ll concentrate on drawing, outlines, proportion, and elegant composition.

Ingres is an ideal artist to study for anyone who enjoys drawing and wants to develop stronger control of line and form.

Week 6 — John Singer Sargent

Focus: Painterly Portraiture

We’ll explore confident brushwork, portraits, and the use of both sharp and soft edges.

Sargent provides a fun challenge as we begin to loosen our brushwork while still creating a convincing subject.

Week 7 — Claude Monet

Focus: Color & Light

We’ll study color relationships, changing light, and the way small touches of color can work together to create an overall impression.

Monet helps us move from thinking primarily about light and dark to thinking more aboutcolor and light working together.

Week 8 — Paul Cézanne

Focus: Structure & Abstraction

We’ll explore how artists can use color and simple shapes to describe three-dimensional forms.

Cézanne makes a great final study because his work connects careful observation with the beginnings of modern painting.

Together, these eight artists will give us the opportunity to explore many of the skills painters use:composition, drawing, anatomy, light and dark, edges, brushwork, color, and three-dimensional form.

Most importantly, we’ll have the chance to see how different artists solved painting problems in very different ways—and use those ideas to develop our own skills and ways of seeing.

Come ready to learn, experiment, and have fun!

Cost:

With painting kit $134 members/ $163 non-members

Without painting kit $115 members/$144 non-members

(Class is appropriate for ages 18 and up.)  Tuition includes instruction, painting supplies, and open studio time on Thursday nights. (Teachers are not available during open studio.)

Location: Elkhart Art League Studio, 131 Tyler Street #1-B, Elkhart IN 46516

Located in the West End of the Depot Building south of the Post Office.

Email mail@ealonline.org with questions.

WEDNESDAY, September 2, 2026, through WEDNESDAY, October 28, 2026 from 6-9 p.m. (no class September 16) Classes are for 8-week session.

CLASS SIZE IS STRICTLY LIMITED TO 12 STUDENTS DUE TO THE NUMBER OF POTTERY WHEELS IN THE STUDIO.

In this class, you will learn beginning and intermediate techniques of throwing clay on the potters’ wheel AND you will learn basic hand building techniques from instructor Kristen O’Dell. You will go through all the steps of creating clay forms from the initial step of centering the clay to making forms such as cylinders, bowls, plates, mugs, and pitchers on the wheel. You will learn how to use the various tools involved in the throwing process, as well as how to trim, glaze, and fire your creations.  Also, you will have the opportunity to build mugs, bowls, sculptures and other art with your hands. You will learn new glazing techniques and finish several projects.

Location: Elkhart Art League Studio, 132 Tyler Street, #1B, Elkhart IN 46516 in the west end of the Depot Building south of the Elkhart Post Office.

Cost: Members $153; Non-members $186 for the 8 week class. Membership is $30 for students and senior citizens over 60 years and $50 for adults. That will run for one year from when you sign up.

Class included all instruction, stoneware clay (25 #), glazes, firing, and open studio time on Thursdays. Students may attend our Thursday night Open Studios from 6-9 pm at no charge. (Teachers not available at open studio.)

Email mail@ealonline.org with questions.

SATURDAY, October 24, 2026, from 10 am - 1 pm.

Instructors: Kristen Bonelli and Melonie Gerschoffer

Workshop description:

Create your own piece of gorgeous wearable art!

Instructors Kristen and Melonie will walk you through the basics of batik dyeing fabric using resist and vibrant dyes. You will then apply this technique to design a one-of-a-kind silk scarf to take home the same day.

Students will take home one finished scarf. All supplies are included in the workshop price.

Cost: $55 members/ $65 non-members

Location: Elkhart Art League Studio, 131 Tyler Street Suite #1-B, Elkhart IN 46516
Located in the West End of the Depot Building south of the Post Office.

Email mail@ealonline.org with questions.