"Bringing Art to the People and People to the Arts"

Upcoming Classes


Pre-registration is required at least three days before the start of the class, unless otherwise specified. You are not fully registered until paid in full. Space will not be held for unpaid registrations. Material fees are included in the price of the class unless otherwise specified.

Register online by clicking the links below.


Animal Portraits

Date: Tuesday, September 12
Time: 2 – 5pm
Cost: $45 ($40 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Karen Powell
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

Bring a photo of your pet, wildlife or barn animal, or pick one from my photos at the class. Prefer photos to have good lighting which creates more drama and contrast to the finished painting. Bring your acrylics or oils, but keep in mind drying time with oils during a 3 hour class. Download suggested supply list.

Karen has lived in many areas in the US from Colorado to Pennsylvania. After graduating from Indiana University of PA as an art major, she moved to Colorado and painted for years with a wonderful artist S. Kristen Olsen. She is a member of art associations and her work can be seen in galleries throughout CO, PA, NC, SC, and GA. Karen has collectors throughout the US, and her art classes at Blue Ridge Art Center are always well attended. She is inspired to create oil paintings of the natural landscape and its wildlife. Through her use of color, light and composition, viewers can experience the sense of wonder in the natural world.

REGISTER NOW! Limit 10 participants.


Off Loom Weaving

Date: Wednesday, September 13
Time: 1 – 4 PM
Cost: $50 ($45 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Lois Fitzgerald
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

Using a picture frame as a “loom”, participants will create a weaving using yarns & natural materials.
Instructor will provide yarns, branches and some “naturals.” Participants will provide 8×10” or 11×14” picture frame, a pair of scissors, warping material (cotton string, jute or hemp twine and naturals such as sea shells, sea glass, pine needles, feathers, twigs, etc. to incorporate into the weaving. You’ll be thrilled with the results you’ll achieve in this fun class!

Lois has always enjoyed needlework and crafting, and she collects interesting natural objects while on her walks. Her novel approach to weaving with these ‘found objects’ has opened her eyes to new possibilities in everything she sees. In this class, you’ll appreciate her vision and have fun creating your own masterpiece. A collection of Lois’ weavings were on display in a fiber arts show at BRAC last year, and she has been recognized with local awards.

REGISTER NOW! Maximum Participants: 8.


Pastel Possibilities

Date: Thursdays, September 14, 21, 28 & October 5
Time: 6:30-8:30 PM
Cost: $120 ($110 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Donna O’Hara
Skill Level: Beginners, but All Levels Welcome

An exploration into pastels, discovering their varied forms of applications and possibilities of use, broken into four evenings. Each class will build on the last allowing time in between to experiment, practice and digest. Students will need to bring a sketch book, pencils and an eraser. The four sessions will cover:

  • 1st Class – Explore materials- pastels and substrates, create your own thumbnail sketches and value studies, taping and securing your substrates.
  • 2nd Class – Review of homework, understanding the many ways to create an underpainting, experiment.
  • 3rd Class – Transfer your sketch, do an underpainting, how to build your pastel, working towards completion.
  • 4th Class – Other possibilities, Pastel Impasto, Brayer drawing, Pan pastel opportunities, Museum walk summary.

Donna O’Hara has been painting in Pastels and making and teaching art for 40 plus years. She has worked on both 2- and 3-dimensional pieces, working in pastels, oils, printmaking, and clay. In all media her connection to Nature and its infinite variety of shapes, colors, patterns and compositions are at the center of her work. An award-winning artist in her own right, Donna has studied under numerous famous contemporary artists, including Albert Handel, Richard McKinley, and Liz Haywood Sullivan, which have given her an opportunity to further develop her techniques and style. Her paintings have been included in the Connecticut Pastel Society shows, Renaissance National Juried Exhibition and Purely Pastel Exhibit as well as in local galleries and juried shows. and she teaches classes in Pastel, Plein Air Painting, and Printmaking with Gelli Plates.

REGISTER NOW! Maximum Participants: 10


The Dynamics of Color & Value

Date: Tuesday-Wednesday, September 26-27
Time: 10am – 4pm each day
Cost: $190 ($180 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Erin Cronin Webb
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

Are your paintings flat or uninspiring? Breathe Life into your paintings by mastering the dynamics of color theory and the dramatic use of values to create visual excitement. In this 2-day (12-hours) pastel workshop, award-winning artist Erin Cronin Webb will teach artists of all skill levels how to apply pastel colors, lights, and darks effectively. Although this workshop is pastels, the skills you’ll learn will translate to other media. Click to download supply list. Plan to bring a lunch.

Erin has taught numerous workshops at The Pickens Museum, Holly Springs Center for the Arts, The Artists Guild Gallery of Greenville, and numerous private art groups throughout the Southeast. Her workshops have been in pastel, oil, drawing, mixed media, charcoal, and pencil. Erin has been creating art for longer than she cares to admit. She is considered to be one of America’s finest impressionists, miniaturist and portrait artist. Her work can be seen at erin-cronin-webb.pixels.com. Her work can be found in corporate and private collections in The United States, Asia and Europe.

REGISTER NOW! Minimum Class Size: 8. Maximum Participants: 12.


A Taste of Tapestry

Date: Tuesday, October 3
Time: 2 – 5pm
Cost: $55 ($50 BRAC Members)
Materials Fee: $15 to instructor
Instructor: Beverly Walker
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

An introduction to the basics of weaving artful designs on a small student loom. You will be proud of this colorful sampler and want to either frame it, add it to a tote or jacket, and perhaps take an additional workshop to become a more serious tapestry aficionado! No previous experience is needed. All skill levels welcome! Students should bring a small pair of scissors and a tote bag. All other supplies are furnished with materials fee of $15, paid directly to instructor the day of class.

Beverly Walker is an award-winning Fiber Artist, Tapestry Designer-Weaver, and Mixed Media artisan who studied at the University of Kentucky and at West Dean College in Chichester, England, in addition to many conference workshops and intense self-study. Her artworks in diverse media have been honored by many awards, multiple gallery exhibits, being in collection of the Africa Mercy ship owned by Mercy Ships Int’l, by providing a tapestry for a Paramount Pictures movie, and being chosen for U.S. and international collections. Walker derives her highest pleasures in designing unique tapestries, creating contemporary mixed media artworks, and in teaching workshops in many related topics.

REGISTER NOW! Maximum Participants: 12.


Artful Handwoven Tapestry 101

Date: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, October 10, 11, 17 and 18
Time: 2 – 4pm
Cost: $120 ($110 BRAC Members)
Materials Fee: $25 to instructor
Instructor: Beverly Walker
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

A four-session workshop for the more serious student of this fine art medium. You will learn about 10 techniques on a frame and nail loom (provided with your materials fee, and yours to keep). Topics will include tabby weave, slit tapestry, design shapes, hatching, color blending, selvedge borders, and Soumak outlining and texture. No previous weaving or art experience is needed. Design ideas will be furnished for inspiration, as well as many yarns to complete your colorful project. All materials supplied by instructor, materials fee of $25 to be paid directly to instructor the first day of class. Students should bring a small pair of scissors and tote bag at least 12″ wide.

Beverly Walker is an award-winning Fiber Artist, Tapestry Designer-Weaver, and Mixed Media artisan who studied at the University of Kentucky and at West Dean College in Chichester, England, in addition to many conference workshops and intense self-study. Her artworks in diverse media have been honored by many awards, multiple gallery exhibits, being in collection of the Africa Mercy ship owned by Mercy Ships Int’l, by providing a tapestry for a Paramount Pictures movie, and being chosen for U.S. and international collections. Walker derives her highest pleasures in designing unique tapestries, creating contemporary mixed media artworks, and in teaching workshops in many related topics.

REGISTER NOW! Maximum Participants: 12.


Create Photos Like a Pro with your iPhone

Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Cost: $85 ($75 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Erdal Caba
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

Do you know how to get professional results from the camera in your iPhone? That device that we carry with us all the time has the power to take (and edit) great reference photos. Join multiple award-winning photo artist Erdal Caba as he reveals features, tips, and tricks to get the most out of your iPhone and really make your photos stand out.

The 5.5 hour combined lecture and hands-on demonstration workshop will include: editing techniques, composition, and lighting, and will include hands-on exercises to reinforce the material covered. The workshop will conclude with editing techniques using your iPhone as well as iPhone third party apps to make your photos stand out and bring older models up to the features in the newest iPhones. This workshop is for those with any model iPhone but will focus on the iPhone 11-14 model camera features. THIS CLASS IS FOR IPHONES ONLY, NO ANDROIDS. Please bring your iPhone and a snack or lunch. There will be a $5.00 fee for the printed document you’ll receive in class, paid directly to the instructor (cash or check only, please).

Erdal Caba’s award winning photographs are on display at the Camden Art Shoppes. He has won multiple awards with photos taken with his iPhone competing against those with Nikon, Canon, and other DSLR cameras. He is a member of the Crooked Creek Art League, Columbia Camera Club, and Carolina Nature Photography Assoc. His work has been on display in the Blue Ridge Art Gallery.

Maximum Participants: 12.


Fear of Drawing

Date: Tuesdays, October 24-December 19 (no class Nov 21)
Time: 2:00 – 4:30 PM each day
Cost: $260 ($250 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Nancy Oppenheimer
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

Back by popular demand!! Learn to draw, or enhance your drawing skills, in a logical, step-by-step way. Each class is a step in understanding how to see as an artist, and the application of drawing concepts and techniques. Nancy has taught this class to over 1,000 students; all who want to learn will be able to draw whatever they want, skillfully, by the end of the course. This workshop takes place over eight, 2.5-hour weekly sessions (a total 20 hours of instruction). Practice in between sessions will help you get the most out of the classes. Click here to download the supply list.

You can see Nancy’s award-winning drawings and paintings at www.nancyoppenheimer.com, and her oil painting of Lake Keowee hangs in the Greenville airport. Nancy has worked in charcoal, watercolor, pastels, and oils.

REGISTER NOW! Maximum Participants: 12.


Exploring Watercolor Workshop

Date: Saturday, October 28
Time: 9am – 4pm
Cost: $115 ($105 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Dale Cochran
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome

In this one day Workshop, Dale will provide one-on-one instruction to help you improve your watercolor painting. The workshop includes discussions about supplies and techniques for painting with watercolors. There will be additional discussions about composition, values, and edges that will improve your approach to painting. Dale’s one-on-one instruction meets you where you are in your watercolor exploration. Class discussion about problems and discoveries encountered as each person works on their painting is encouraged. During a BYO brown bag lunch, Dale will do a painting demo.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
9am – 9:15am: introductions
9:15am – 10am: discussion – supplies, techniques, planning your painting (composition, values, edges)
10am – 12pm: painting time / one-on-one instruction
12pm – 1pm: BYO lunch – demo
1pm – 3:30pm: painting time / one-on-one instruction
3:30pm – 4pm: sharing of the days work and final thoughts

SUPPLIES
Bring what you are already using. No specific supplies are required with exception of using a high quality paper (100% cotton, acid-free watercolor paper) and reference photos. Click here to download a suggested supply guide. Students should bring lunch.

REGISTER NOW! Minimum Participants: 5. Maximum Participants: 10.


Art 101 – The Basics

Date: Wednesdays, November 1 & 8
Time: 10am – 2pm
Cost: $120 ($110 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Martha Driscoll
Skill Level: Beginner-Intermediate

This class is for artists who are beginning their artistic journey. Over the 2 days together, we will discuss the creative art path and a way to find your own voice and style as an artist. We will discuss some of the basic information that will help you progress along your path. Our topics will include: design, value, color and the importance of play. Each student will paint a small series of 3 acrylic paintings (12″x12″). We will then explore together the next steps to create a larger painting. Martha’s classes are fun and very informative, and usually fill quickly. Supply list provided and students should bring lunch.

Martha has been on the BRAC Board of Directors for several years, and her reputation as an excellent teacher and an award-winning, innovative painter are recognized by her previous students, fellow artists, and the community at large. As the facilitator of BRAC’s Critique Inspired Support, Life Drawing, and Life Painting Artist Groups, her guidance is sought by professional and amateur artists alike.

REGISTER NOW! Limit 8 participants.


Cancellations by the Art Center

Classes may be cancelled if enrollment does not meet minimums by the deadline date. Only those registered will be notified of cancellations. If Blue Ridge Art Center cancels a class, the student will have the option to transfer to another class or receive a 100% refund.

Cancellation by the Participant

We understand that life brings many surprises for us all and sometimes you will need to cancel your class reservation.

  • A refund is available if cancellation is made at least 3 days in advance.
  • No refunds will be made for “no shows” or if less than 3 days notice is provided.
  • Emergency cancellations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Our community’s health and well-being is paramount to us and we encourage you to do everything in your power to keep yourself and others safe. If you are not feeling well, please do not attend class. Masks are not required, but they are available and welcome if you choose to wear one. We are also limiting our class sizes to ensure there is ample room for social distancing. Thank you for your understanding.