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Studio Programs
Registration
Registration for classes may be done in person at the Museum of Nature & Science, 411 N. Main St. Tuesday – Saturday, 10am-4pm. Registrations may also be done now online for all our free and paid programs. Please click here to be taken to our registration page. For more information call 575.528.3330 or email [email protected]. (Classes are subject to cancellation if they do not meet minimum enrollment.)
Scholarships are available through the generosity of the Foundation for Las Cruces Museums’ William Wachtel Memorial Scholarship Fund. To apply visit http://bit.ly/LCMScholarships.
Studio Programs offer access to creative learning opportunities for children, teens, and adults in the Las Cruces community. Classes are for people of all skill levels, and students have the chance to learn a new skill or enhance existing knowledge while guided by local, experienced, and qualified professional artists.
Friday Night Painting Parties (18+)
An evening of painting, socializing, and FUN! No art skills needed. All supplies will be provided. $20 per person. Each will be held from 6-8pm with snacks and drinks. Sign up now as classes are filling up FAST!!
October 6 November 3 December 1
Fall II Classes 2023 (Registration ends Oct 7)
Classes will run October 18 through December 9
You can now register online.
Wednesday
Adult Ceramics I – 10a-12:30p - $120 FULL
Adult Acrylics – 10a-12p - $80
Adult Watercolor – 2:30-4:30p - $80 FULL
Adult Oil Painting – 5:30-7:30p - $80
Teen Ceramics – 5:30-7:30p - $60
Thursday
Adult Ceramics II (Intermediate) – 10a-12:30p - $120
Adult Weaving - 5:30-7:30p - $80 FULL
Teen Painting - 5:30-7:30p - $60
Adult Advanced Wheel Throwing – 5:30-8p - $120
Saturday
Drawing/Painting (ages 10-13) – 10a-12p - $50
Kids Mixed Media (ages 10-13) – 10a-12p - $50
Kids Clay (ages 6-10) – 10a-12p $50 FULL
Drawing/Painting (ages 6-10) – 1:30-3:30p - $50
Adult Ceramics I – 1-3:30p - $120 FULL
Adult Classes
Ceramics I
This class is designed for beginner students to learn and practice basic techniques for building functional ceramic forms. Begin by exploring hand-building techniques such as coil and slab building, then move on to creating forms such as bowls, cups, and mugs on the potter’s wheel. Learn about glazing techniques and bring home functional pottery.
Ceramics II
Further your ceramics skills by continuing to practice basic techniques to build functional and decorative ceramic forms. This class will help you hone your skills in hand-building and wheel throwing. Prerequisite: Ceramics I or approval from the Studio Programs Coordinator.
Advanced Sculpting
This class is designed for students who are ready to build upon their basic ceramic skills and ideas by using hand-building techniques to sculpt. Starting with a quick overview of the materials and techniques from beginner ceramics, the class then moves on to more advanced instructor-led projects intended to help students expand their skills.
Prerequisite: Ceramics I or approval from the Studio Programs Coordinator
Acrylics & Oils
Students will learn how to master the use of this popular fast-drying versatile medium by using acrylic paints and learning about the properties and techniques. Looking at references and working from life, students will create multiple finished paintings and leave with greater confidence in working with acrylic paint.
Watercolor
Students in this class will be introduced to the beauty of watercolor painting. Students will learn various application techniques, effective brush handling, wet on wet, washes, color mixing, and more. Looking at references and working from life, students will create multiple paintings and leave with greater confidence in working with watercolors.
Drawing
Students in this class will learn the skills and techniques needed in drawing using different mediums including pencil, charcoal, and ink. They will explore the essentials of proportion, line, shading, perspective, negative space, and composition to define their own artistic styles
Landscapes
Students in this class will work with several mediums to learn the basics of landscapes. Students will learn how to draw and paint different parts of landscapes including but not limited to natural scenery like trees, flowers, mountains, rivers, skies, etc. They will be introduced to different mediums of art including pencil, watercolor, and acrylic paints. Students will work with shapes, lines, and colors to create scenery on their paper and canvas.
Still Life
Students in this class will work with several mediums to learn the basics of still life. Students will learn how to draw and paint objects that sit in front of them including but not limited to spheres, cones, pyramids, flowers, fruits, etc. They will be introduced to different mediums of art including pencil, watercolor, and acrylic paints. Students will work with shapes, lines, and colors to replicate what they see to on their paper and canvas.
Jewelry Making
Students will learn fundamental techniques of jewelry making using the cold-forming method, a process of binding and forming metals near room temperature using beading, wire wrapping, dapping, drilling, and cutting. Students will use metals such as brass, copper, and silver to make their pieces. Most processes will utilize hand tools and all tools will be provided.
Bookmaking
Students will discover the world of handmade bookmaking though a variety of techniques and applications. From single sheet constructions, accordions, sewn binds, and more, students will learn the materials and techniques needed to create a personal artist’s book.
Printmaking
Explore non-toxic methods of printmaking such as relief, monotype, collagraph, and etching. Students will participate in classroom discussions and focus on areas of personal interest while creating original works with technical guidance
Collages & Mixed Media
Students will get to create personalized pieces of art using a variety of techniques and materials. This class will allow students freedom to explore, blend color and texture, and play with action art. Fun projects will combine collage, acrylic painting, layering and found objects.
Non-Canvas Painting
Ever wanted to paint on something other than a canvas? Paint is not limited to the artist’s canvas and there are many pieces of art that use the natural world. In this class, students will take the skills of acrylic painting and apply them to both found and provided objects. Some examples include rock painting and purses.
Weaving
Have you seen the looms in the community and wanted to learn how to use one yourself? In this class, students will learn about the basics of weaving, different patterns on the loom, the differences in yarn, and create a masterpiece to bring home!
Kids / Teens Classes
Kids Clay (ages 6-10 and 10-13)
Students will get to have fun and get messy with clay in between their fingers. Students will learn about clay and ceramics while being led by the instructor to create ceramic artworks such as ice cream bowls, bird houses, animal faces and more. Each student gets to paint their work at the end and go home with multiple works of art.
Teen Ceramics (ages 13-17)
Students in this class will learn some basics of ceramics and then move on to learn the ancient art of wheel- throwing pottery under the direction of one of our art instructors. In this class, teens are introduced to the potter’s wheel to learn the tricky yet extremely fun and tactile skill of wheel throwing. Students will learn how to create bowls, plates, mugs and more, which will then be glazed and taken home at the end of class.
Drawing and Painting (ages 6-10 and 10-13)
Students will get creative and messy creating works of art using a variety of skills techniques and mediums. This class will allow students the freedom to explore and create while also develop drawing and painting skills. Learning about color, value, proportion, line, and process, students will leave the class with multiple finished works of art and a deeper knowledge of the arts.
Teen Bookmaking (ages 13-17)
Ever wanted to learn how to bind your own book? Through this class, students will learn the basics of books and book binding to create their own books, journals, and potential portfolios. Students will be encouraged to think creatively when it comes to their books and will come home with masterpieces.
Recycled Art
Students will get to create personalized pieces of art with unlikely items that can easily be found at home. Be prepared to get messy and have fun while discovering a newfound appreciation for the arts. Recycled art projects will combine crafts and mediums such as collage, acrylic painting, layering, and using found objects to create masterpieces!
Mixed Media
Students will get to create personalized pieces of art using a variety of techniques and materials. This hands-on class will allow students freedom to explore, blend color and texture and play with action art. Be prepared to get messy and have fun while learning a newfound appreciation for art. Fun projects will combine collage, acrylic painting, layering and found object to create masterpieces! Come ready to paint, draw, sketch, splatter, sculpt and more!
Fiber Arts
Want to learn something new and unique? Our southwestern culture sees a lot of fiber arts from weaving to quilting and you can make your own fiber arts with this introductory class. Students will be introduced to the loom and other yarn-based projects.