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.
Wool Applique Penny Rug Class
with instructor Candice LaBree
Friday, Sept. 18th (10:00-1:00) and Friday, Sept. 25 (10:00-12:00)
Fee: $65
Learn the old-fashioned craft of wool applique Penny Rugs, with a modern twist from the Library Arts Center’s famed Gallery of Gifts wool applique and penny rug super star, Candice Labree. All materials and instruction and pattern needed for the project. Enjoy a welcoming fun studio environment while working with Candice on this project. Leave the workshop with a finished piece as well as the skills to continue with this beautiful craft on your own.
*Pre-registration required.
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.
Beginner and Continuing Watercolor Painting
with instructor Sophia Starr Eastley
Tuesdays, 10am-12:30pm
Fall Session: Sept. 8, 15, 22 (three weeks)
Tuition: $100 per student
Learn, or reacquaint yourself with, watercolor painting in this welcoming and engaging class.
Come join us to play with colors, experiment with washes, blending colors, reserving white on paper, and learning how to capture your interpretation of subjects. Over the multi-week series, explore painting Still life, florals, landscapes, water and much more. The class will focus on having fun finding stimulating ways to play with color and light. Palettes and color theory will also be included. Demonstrations, the steps of a painting, and helpful exercises will be part of each class. We’ll be referring to artists Winslow Homer, O’Keefe, Skip Lawrence and others for reference and inspiration. Drawing experience is helpful. This class is designed to engage beginners and continuing watercolor artists alike.
BIO
Sophia Eastley earned her MFA from Southern NH University. Sophia has been studying with various art teachers since she was 11 years old. She studied with Sylvia Brofos, Dustin Knight, Sean Beavers, and at the University of New Hampshire, Kent State University, New Hampshire Institute of Art, and Kimball Jenkins. She has had paintings published and exhibited in New Hampshire. She is a member of the Two Villages Art Society in Contoocook, NH, and the St. Augustine Art Association in Florida. Watercolor is her favorite medium, but she also paints with oils. Sophia loves capturing the power, light, and beauty of nature whether it is trees, sky, stones, flowers, water, or animals, and she specializes in equine art. Sophia draws upon her Abenaki, Cherokee, and Celtic Ancestral lineages for inspiration and ideas.
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.
September 24 – Needle-Felted Mini Pumpkins
Instructor: Jennifer Boyd
Want to try out felting? Join us in the studio to get fall vibes going with felted mini pumpkins. Arts Center’s ever popular felting teacher will lead participants through the creation of your own mini pumpkin, with plenty of color options and choices along the way to personalize your creation.
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.
Mixed Media, Monoprints and Mark-Making
with instructor Jennifer Stark
(Typically) the First Tuesday of the Month
NEXT CLASS: Tuesday, August 4th – CANCELED
9:00am-12:00noon each session
Tuition: $12 per session, all materials included
Join us for creative exploration of mixed media, creating monoprints with Gelli plates, printing with paint, paper transfers, using masks, expressive mark making and more. Each session will have a different basic focus, with plenty of time for open-ended exploration with the materials and techniques. Attend each session, or sign up for the ones that work with your schedule; this welcoming creative group will help beginners through professional artists explore materials and techniques to make a variety of papers to use as finished pieces, or materials to work into future mixed media and collage.
**Please NOTE that registration for upcoming sessions of this class is temporarily paused.
Basket-Making Workshops
with artisan Ray Lagasse
Upcoming Sessions:
Sat. Sept. 19 (please note this change from the previous schedule)
Sat. Oct. 10
Sat. Nov. 14
Sat. Dec. 12
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
Maine Plein Air Drawing Workshop
with Peter Granucci
September 14-18, 2026 (Workshop is Sept. 15, 16 & 17)
Lincolnville and Camden Maine
Instructional Fee: $345.00
**Please note that the cost of accommodations are not included in the cost of the workshop.
Come and enjoy drawing along the coast of Maine! This year we will return to the Camden/Lincolnville area. There are endless beautiful and interesting things to draw there. This three day class will consist of a morning drawing lesson and and afternoon drawing on location session then an evening session to continue and finish the work begun that day or don something new. This class is meant to enable and encourage artists to draw regularly in their own life and work. Drawing is where the artist thinks and ideas are born all the while increasing our powers of perception and observation. Not to mention it’s really fun! Great place, great people, food and art!
We will be staying at the Glenmoor by the Sea Motel. A great place. www.glenmoorbythesea.
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.