Classes for Adults
Explore a variety of arts experiences including painting, collage, felting, basket-making and more.
Classes are available in a variety of mediums for both accomplished artists, and those wishing to explore.
ONLINE REGISTRATION BELOW.
PLEASE NOTE: If the class of your choice is full or canceled due to lack of enrollment, you will be notified and entitled to a full refund. Class tuition is due in full on or before the first day of the class session. Make-up classes will only be offered when the instructor is unable to teach his/her class.
Members of the Library Arts Center may subtract 10% from tuition prices of select classes, or can enter the code MEMBER when registering online to receive the discount.
Our open studio art group meets for plein air painting trips throughout the warmer months.
Painting the New England Architecture in Watercolor
with instructor Robert O’Brien AWS NWS-M
Saturday, October 17, 9:30am-4:00pm
Fee: $95
Learn to paint the unique beauty of the historic New England architecture in this fun and creative watercolor workshop. Students will learn elements of composition and perspective as it relates to the subject, as well as painting texture and natural materials, and how to render the unique beauty of light and shadow in a realistic manner. The class will begin with a demonstration by the instructor followed by class painting. A critique and class discussion will be held at the end of the session. This workshop is open to all levels of painting ability. *Pre-registration required.
Capturing the Winter Light in Watercolor
with instructor Robert O’Brien AWS NWS-M
Saturday, December 5, 9:30am-4:00pm
Fee: $95
Learn how to paint the magnificent New England landscape in winter with
Robert J. O’Brien AWS NWS-M in this workshop. Students will learn techniques on
how to create contrast and spectacular light effects through the use of shadow on a
snowy subject. This class is open to all abilities with some watercolor experience
suggested. The class will begin with a demonstration by the instructor followed by
class painting with a critique at the end of the session. *Pre-registration required.
Ceramic Flower Cups
Make Your Own Ceramic Bee “Flower Cup” Plant Picks
with instructor kB Miller
Saturday, March 27, 10:00am-1:00pm
& Saturday, April 10, 10:00am-12:00pm
Tuition: $125, includes all materials for a bouquet of six finished ceramic flowers, as well as firing fees.
Join us as we welcome spring, creating gorgeous ceramic flowers with ceramisist kB Miller. Over the two sessions you will create your own ceramic cups, have them fired in kB’s kiln, glaze them, have them refired, and turned into your own bouquet of plant picks, to use yourself, or created in time for Mother’s Day gifting. Stop in at the final session to pick up your ceramic bouquet and see everyone else’s creations, or pick them up the following week in the Arts Center office.
Day 1 Saturday March 27, 2027 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (3 hours):
Following a brief introduction and demonstration on hand-building ceramic flowers, enjoy the process of working with clay! You will shape your blooms, add details, and prepare them for their initial firing.
Day 2 Saturday April 10, 2027 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (2 hours):
After the bisque firing, return to class and add your personal touch by adding color to each bloom in preparation for the glaze firing.
Pickup your finished flowers, complete with their brass stems, on Saturday April 24, 2027 between 10:00 am and 11:00 am.
*Pre-registration required.
Art Camp for Grown-ups!
Thursday Evenings, 6:30-8:30pm
$18 per session
Because why should the kids have all the fun?
These stand-alone studio art classes are a fun, welcoming, low-pressure way to try different art techniques and projects, while meeting other creative community members. Bring a friend or come alone, or heck, make it a date night! Beginners and seasoned artists alike will feel welcome and engaged in each of these sessions. All materials are provided for each session. Sign up quickly, as these popular sessions fill. If you have to cancel, please let the Arts Center office know in advance if possible so your spot can be refilled by someone off the waiting list.
October 1 – Washi Tape Journal-Making
Instructor: Carol Sullivan
Learn the basics of book making and create a fall themed washi tape journal.
Join artist’s book maker, Carol Sullivan, in the studio to explore the basics of book making. In this classic with a twist you create a washi tape journal: a small autumn-themed journal made using washi tape and basic materials that transform into a paper treasure.
Open Studio Needle-Felting
with facilitator Jennifer Boyd
*pre-register for the sessions that work for you
Open to all levels.
$5 per session
Dates:
Sunday, September 20th – 9:30am-12:30pm
Sunday, October 18th – 9:30am-12:30pm
Sunday, November 15th – 9:30am-12:30pm
Join the Arts Center’s popular felt artist and instructor Jen Boyd for a drop- in open studio. This studio time will be for you to bring your felting projects to work on, in community with other felters, with light guidance and inspiration available from Jen, as desired. Felters with minimal experience to seasoned felters, are all welcome. Bring those projects you are nervous to start, your unfinished works of art, or what you are working on and build community in this inspiring, low pressure, and welcoming group. *Pre-registration is required.
Basket-Making Workshops
with artisan Ray Lagasse
Upcoming Sessions:
Sat. Oct. 10
Sat. Nov. 14 – SOLD OUT
Sat. Dec. 12 – SOLD OUT
Time: 8:30am-4:30pm (bring a bag lunch)
Tuition: $135-172 depending on basket choice *LAC members may enter the code MEMBER at checkout to receive a 10% tuition discount.
Location: Library Arts Center Studio
In this one-day workshop students will create an artisan, heirloom-quality basket from start to finish! The baskets will be woven using reed with a hardwood base, rails, and rim. All materials are created and prepared by instructor Ray Lagasse–a juried member of the League of NH Craftsmen. Each participant will be asked to choose which basket he or she will be making upon registration. View all of the basket options HERE.
Each student will leave the workshop with the completed basket of his or her choosing. Registration will close a week before the class starts.
Please Note: **Students who cancel before the class will still owe a $35 fee for materials preparation.
Open Studio Art Group
Facilitator: Heidi Lorenz
Wednesday Mornings, ongoing
9:30am-12:30pm
$8 Members / $12 Non-Members, per session
PLEASE NOTE: This group is meeting for weekly summer plein air painting sessions beginning Wed. June 3rd. See a link to the plein air experiences calendar at the link HERE.
Bring your own art supplies and paint alongside a delightful and supportive group of artists. Facilitator Heidi Lorenz will paint alongside all, but is available for light guidance and instruction if desired. This welcoming and friendly drop-in style group is available to artists of all styles and abilities. The group meets for weekly plein air painting dates during the summer months and returns to the studio in October.
Drop in–No pre-registration necessary.
Plein Air Adventure Painting
An ‘En Plein Air’ Art Experience
Guided and Coordinated by artist Heidi Lorenz
Saturdays, once per month – 1:00-4:00pm
Fee: $8/session for LAC members, $12 for non-members
This drop-in class meets in different inspiring locations throughout the year to draw, paint, sketch or photograph nature in comradery with other outdoor art enthusiasts. This inclusive and welcoming group is designed to engage artists at all levels & to consider the natural effects of light & its ever changing influences on our landscape. Careful consideration of comfort in your outdoor gear is important when creating art in the open air. Feel free to bring a full plein air kit or for ease & simplicity bring a simple sketchbook with pencil & pen, or anything you like, whatever works in your favor. This drop-in series is an opportunity to create a fun community of artists, to be inspired, creative, adventurous, & to be amidst nature in all seasons throughout the year!
**You can register and pay online in advance, or if needed Heidi can collect cash or check for the class upon arrival.
For any questions, or to ask to be added to the group contact list, please contact Heidi at heidi.libraryartscenter@gmail.com.
Art for Differently-Abled Adults
Instructor: Susan Feige
Thursday Mornings, ongoing
9:00am-12:00 noon
Library Arts Center Studio
$6 per session for each team of student and caregiver. Includes materials.
This inclusive group meets in the studio for inspired art projects with artist and instructor Susan Feige. This class is designed to engage differently-abled adults as well as their caregivers in fun, creative art projects! Class themes change weekly. Please register if you are interested in the class, then each session is a stand-alone drop-in which won’t require pre-registration.
Sound Bath Series
with practitioner Beth Pollari
Immerse yourself in a transformative one-hour Sound Bath, designed to guide you on a journey of deep relaxation and inner peace in the beautiful ballroom of the Richards Free Library! The soothing melodies of the crystal harp, crystal singing bowls, and singing triangles will wash over you, allowing the tension and stress to melt away from your body and mind. The gentle vibrations will lull you into a state of profound relaxation, where you can let go of the day’s worries and embrace a sense of tranquility.
This immersive experience includes a guided meditation, crafted to help you release mental and emotional blockages, fostering a renewed sense of clarity and focus.
Benefits include:
– Reduced anxiety and stress levels
– Enhanced sleep quality
– Increased mental clarity and focus
– Improved emotional balance and resilience
– A deeper connection to your inner self and intuition
Master Class with Peter Granucci – 2026-27
Paint Quality and Color Usage
Developing a Unique Style and Vision
A Continuation of the Master’s Series
Saturdays, Oct. 3, Oct. 24, Nov. 21, Dec. 19, 2026
Jan. 2, Feb. 6, Mar. 6, Apr. 3, Apr. 24, 2027
9:00am-4:00pm each session
Library Arts Center Studio
Tuition: $1,150 for all nine sessions, or $135 each session with the understanding that you are committing to the full series of classes and payments. Students can choose to pay for the whole series at once, or to pay month by month if necessary; pay for the full series and save. Make-up sessions are offered for missed sessions.
Membership Discount (10% discount for members! = $1,035 for full series and /or $121 session.) Use code MEMBER when registering online.
This class is designed for students who have been attending this annual Master’s Series. If you would like to join the class and have not been part of the series so far, Peter is happy to offer private sessions to catch students up and prepare them for this series.
Register and pay online, or check payments may be sent to Library Arts Center, 58 N. Main St. Newport, NH 03773.
Letterpress for Beginners
Instructor: Sarah Chaffee
*classes are currently being offered by appointment
*If you would like to schedule an appointment, please send us an email at info@libraryartscenter.org.
*max capacity of two students per class for our small letterpress studio. Sign up individually, or with a friend.
Tuition, includes all materials: $35 per person* *Sign up two people for a session and receive a discount, $60 for two.
Choose your own project. Various options include: business cards, notecards, small poster style quotes, coasters etc.
In this class you will learn the basics of letterpress, working in our small, but wonderfully equipped letterpress studio. From setting your own type to using the printing press, you will complete a small project of your own creation in this beginner’s class with letterpress instructor, Sarah Chaffee.