Art instruction is offered in small groups for adults and youth. Classes are taught by Helen Kleczynski unless noted otherwise. If you are unsure of which class is right for you, Helen would be happy to meet with you. Students of all levels are welcome, and will work at their own level. Classes are kept small so each student may receive individual attention. Some classes fill up quickly. If you are a new student, please call ahead to verify that space is available, before you send in your registration. If your schedule does not allow you to come during the instruction time for the medium you are working with, you may come during another class time. Additional classes and workshops will be added to this schedule. If you would like to take a class that you do not see offered, please contact the Art House. You may attend any number of classes, and begin at any time. Most students attend weekly, unless they have scheduling conflicts.

You can downlaod a class registration form here.

Painting with Watercolors
Tuesday 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. or Wednesday 1:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Play with paint and learn when to let the paint follow its own path, and when to make it do what you want it to. Students of all levels will learn the joy of painting spontaneously, and with more precise control. Both styles of painting will be done with a limited selection of colors, mixed on the paper to achieve beautiful glowing colors. Every other class will begin with a demonstration or lecture. Afterwards, students will receive assistance as they work on their own projects. Students should select the subject matter they would like to work on and bring several reference photographs, along with their painting materials. Topics for demonstrations, or themes for group projects may be requested. $16 fee for each class.

Painting with Pastels
Tuesday 3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Students of all levels of experience will enjoy “painting” with soft pastels. Soft pastels are like chalk, and can be used to create beautiful, vibrant works of art. Every other class will begin with a demonstration or lecture. Afterwards, students will receive assistance as they work on their own projects. Students should select the subject matter they would like to work on and bring several reference photographs, along with their painting materials. Topics for demonstrations, or themes for group projects may be requested. $20 fee for each class.

Advanced Painting and Drawing
Wednesday 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Advanced students will work from still life set-ups or their own reference material, to bring their work to a higher level. Students will receive individual instruction as they work on their own projects. You may work in any medium that you are comfortable with, except for oil paint. Students need to have a good understanding of the medium that they work with, and may take this class with the instructor’s permission. $20 fee for each class. For an extra fee of $8, students may also attend the demonstration at 1:00 p.m.

Journal Making
(date to be announced) 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Sew and bind your favorite paper into a journal, so you can finally sketch on the paper of your choice. You will sew and bind one hard-cover journal, and receive directions for making additional books on your own of any size and number of pages. Bring two 22” x 30” sheets of the paper of your choice. The class fee of $80 includes the remaining materials that you will need to complete one book.

The Art of Journaling
(dates to be announced) 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)

Learn how to create a visual journal of your travels, whether you are going to an exotic location or just down the street. These classes will meet at various Vicksburg locations. Lessons will include selecting your subject, drawing from life, and watercolor sketching. You are welcome to use any medium you feel comfortable with. Bring a journal and the sketching medium of your choice. Class Fee $25.

If you would like to schedule an additional workshop (for three people or more) at the Art House in Vicksburg, you may choose from the following menu, or contact the Art House for more options. Workshops scheduled at your location may have additional charges.

Watercolor Secrets
(9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m.)

Don’t be afraid of learning to paint with watercolors! Watercolors are wonderful to work with if you know a few secrets. Understanding how the paint moves on wet, damp or dry paper will help you create the effect that you hoped to achieve. Both spontaneous and detailed styles of painting will be covered. All materials will be provided. Class fee $35

Making Your Mark with Pastels
(9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m.)

Pastels are a lot of fun if you know a few tricks. Selecting the right materials and knowing a few tips will help you begin to explore this fantastic medium. Students of all levels will have the opportunity to experiment with different types of paper and soft pastels, and to create a small landscape painting. Learn how to select the type of paper that is appropriate for your subject, along with the individual pastel stick that will make the best mark for each place in your painting. After a discussion about materials and a demonstration, participants will have the opportunity to use different types of paper and pastels to create small landscape paintings. All materials are provided, so even if you have never painted with pastels before, this is a perfect opportunity to experiment. Class fee $35

Beginning Drawing
(9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m.)

Drawing from life and from photographs can be a lot of fun, if you know a few tips. Before you take a weekly class, learn the basics of drawing, and how to select materials. All materials will be provided. Class fee $35.

Color, Color, Color: A New Approach to Mixing Color
(two days, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day)

No matter how many tubes of paint or pastel sticks you purchase, you never have the right color. Conquer the color beast by learning how to mix color, adjust color, and model with color. On the first day, you will work with a limited selection of colors to make your own color mixing handbook, which will include an alternative color wheel and recipes for adjusting color, saturation and value. On the second day, you will learn how to adjust the colors of watercolor or pastels that you currently own, to create the colors that you need. Class Fee $150

Painting With Color (one day)
Prerequisite: Color, Color, Color (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

Using the lessons you learned in the class: Color, Color, Color, you will create a still life or landscape painting to put what you learned into practice. Bring reference photographs or work from life. Bring general drawing supplies, your favorite paper, and your pastel or watercolor supplies. Class Fee $75