Scroll below the calendar for class descriptions and registration links.
Tuesday, March 5 - Mardi Gras Brews & Brushstrokes with Barbara Carlson: - 6pm $40 Register
Celebrate Mardi Gras by creating this festive and fun painting!
You will receive a 16" x 20" canvas, materials, and instruction. Your choice of beverage from Aldea Coffee or Grand Armory Brewing is included in your ticket price.
Thursday, March 7 - Brave Art with Paulette Carr - 1pm $50 Register
Have you always wanted to paint “that” picture… the one you took on vacation or on your grandparent’s farm or at the beach… It takes courage to do the new thing, to follow your dreams… to fight through the fear. Be brave enough to try painting that memory with Paulette.
This class is will challenge you, teach you techniques to make your memory come alive on the canvas in your voice. You provide your photo (no magazine photos or someone else’s unless you have a release to do so; otherwise you could violate copyright laws. Also, it should be a landscape, not an animal or a person).
It will be helpful to just print it on paper in color and in black and white. You may NOT leave with a completed painting, your memory is much more detailed than that, but you will have the arsenal to help you to overcome that fear, or bring it back for another Brave Art session.
11x14 canvas provided. If you prefer a different size, please feel free to bring it. No larger than 16x20 (we are painting on table easels). Paint and brushes provided as well. Let’s do this. Let’s face that blank canvas and memory together. Please plan for transporting your (possibly) wet painting home. A flat box such as a soda flat would work perfectly.
Thursday, March 7 - Explore the Pour - 6pm SOLD OUT Next class is April 15 Register
Explore the process of acrylic pouring. Using additives and a few tools we will play and create. You will receive (4) 8x10 canvases and all supplies. This is a very messy class! Aprons will be furnished, but you will also want to wear old clothing. Don't let that scare you. Acrylic pouring is super fun and very popular. Class size is limited and usually sell out. Items will not be dry the night of class. They can be picked up a day or 2 after class.
Monday, March 11 - Gelli Art Prints - 6pm - $40 Register
Thursday, March 14 - Gelli Art Prints - 6pm - $40 Register
Wednesday, March 27 - Gelli Art Prints - 6pm - $40 Register
Explore print making with a Gelli Plate. This class is for everyone - and wiggly, jiggly fun! Simply apply paint to the Gelli with a rubber brayer, make your marks and pull your print. It's that simple! You'll create intriguing layers and patterns using tools like sponges, stencils and a variety of mark makers. You'll have a chance to create your own stencils and stamps. You will have time to create many prints and receive a 5x7 cradle board to create a final masterpiece for your wall. Class size is limited and we expect it to be very popular so register now!
Tuesday, March 12 - Brews & Brushstrokes Watercolor Night with Cathy Dykstra - 6pm - $40 Register
This watercolor night painting features an adorable cow. $40 includes all supplies, instruction, and beverage of choice from Aldea Coffee or Grand Armory Brewing. Seating for this class is limited, so be sure to register for the class as soon as possible!
Tuesday, March 12 - Explore the Pour BYOT (bring your own thing to pour on) - 6pm $20 Register
Pour a Box, a Name or Special Word, a Wall Piece, you name it - using the acrylic pour painting method. Participants will receive the supplies needed to pour the item that YOU bring. Wood and cardboard type items work best. Items that are mostly flat work best. A small pouring fee will apply per item and will depend on the size. Your additional payment can be made the night of class in cash, check, or card. This project is great for a kid's name for their bedroom or a special project one-of-a-kind project. Limit 6 people. This is a very messy class! Aprons will be furnished, but you will also want to wear old clothing. Don't let that scare you. Acrylic pouring is super fun. Items will not be dry the night of class. They can be picked up a day or 2 after class.
Thursday, March 14 - Playing with Knives with Paulette Carr from Brave Art - 1pm $53 Register
Who hasn’t been intrigued by those artists carving out a picture with a palette knife? In a new version of Brave Art, come on out and try your hand at knife skills. We will do 2 exercises with the knife. One flower and one landscape. You will also receive an additional blank canvas to create your own.
What you need to bring: your bad self, courage to try the new thing, a picture of your own to work on with the blank canvas (think simple-single bloom or landscape with a single tree). Supplied: 3 8"x8" canvas panels, use of paints, medium, knives, and aprons. Beverages are available for purchase at Aldea Coffee. Beginning at 3pm food and adult beverages are available from Righteous BBQ and Grand Armory Brewing.
PREREGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS!! Please plan for transporting your wet paintings home. A flat box such as a soda flat would work perfectly, please measure as you will have 3 8x8 wet canvases to transport.
Saturday, March 16 - Color 101 - noon-1:30pm $20 Register
Bringing it back to the basics.
When it comes to color in art and design, things can be pretty confusing. Analogous, complementary, values, monochromatic, tertiary, warm vs. cool - what does it all mean? We’ll break it down for you. Have you always wanted to make the perfect black to paint with? We’ll show you how!
You’ll learn how to use a color wheel and why it’s important. You'll learn which colors to use together and why. You’ll leave with lots of useful information to use in your personal art exploration, including your own color chart that you mix youself. We will be using our studio acrylic paints, however, if you have certain brands or colors that you prefer, please feel free to bring them.
Monday, March 18 - Brews & Brushstrokes with Barbara Carlson: Angel Goddess - 6pm $40 Register
We pulled this beautiful Angel out of the vault and dusted her off so she can sit proudly on an easel and watch as others paint her likeness. This is a fun one to do - includes brush and palette knife work - even finger painting if you want.
You will receive a 16" x 20" canvas, materials, and instruction. Your choice of beverage from Aldea Coffee or Grand Armory Brewing is included in your ticket price.
Tuesday, March 19 - Pet Portrait Night - 6pm $40 Register
Send us a photo of your beloved pet and we'll sketch it on the canvas for you and have it ready for you to paint. Class size is limited so that everyone receives individual guidance as they paint. This is a fun class and easier than you might think. Includes 11 x 14 canvas, individual and group instruction, all supplies, and your choice of beverage from Aldea Coffee or Grand Armory Brewing. Images should be sent to armoryartcentergh@gmail.com
Tuesday, March 19 - Vision Boards with a Purpose with Denise LeClaire - 6pm - $50 Register
Vision Boards are a visual representation of goals and dreams. They help us be clear about the kind of life we want to live. If you then put intention and purpose behind your vision board, you'll watch your life change for the better!
Join Denise LeClaire, Grand Haven mixed media artist, intuitive painter and psychologist to create a Vision Board With Purpose. Using pictures, photos, memorabilia, ephemera, paint and collage techniques on canvas you will create a personal piece of art to hang in your home as your guide. You'll then identify action steps to help you move toward and achieve your vision.
All materials provided. You may bring: photos (it helps to photo copy these), collage items, other ephemera. Age - Teens - Adult. Materials provided.
Wednesday, March 20 - Explore the Pour More, Acrylic Pouring Level 2 - 6pm - $40 Register
We will explore the process of acrylic pouring. Using additives and different tools (from level 1) we will play and create. Participants will receive (4) 8x10 canvases and all supplies. Limit 8 people. This is a very messy class! Aprons will be furnished, but you will also want to wear old clothing. Don't let that scare you. Acrylic pouring is super fun. $40
Thursday, March 21 - Brews & Brushstrokes: Staycation Beach - 6pm $40 Register
Pretend you're at the ocean on this sandy beach while you create your own version of this painting.
$40 includes beverage of your choice from Grand Armory Brewing or Aldea Coffee, a 16 x 20 inch canvas, instruction, and painting all supplies.
Sunday, March 24 - Brews & Brushstrokes with Barbara Carlson: Finger-painting for Grown-ups, Flowers - 1pm - $40 Register
Get in the mood for spring and paint an Impressionist Style floral arrangement using 6 tools - 1 brush and 5 fingers! Grown up finger painting! This is an amazingly fun class and super messy. But it's a good messy. :) A 16" x 20" canvas, instruction, and all supplies included, plus choice of beverage from Aldea Coffee or Grand Armory Brewery.
Tuesday, March 26 - Watercolor Calligraphy with Sara Koert- 6pm - $40 Register
Join artist and guest instructor, Sara Koert as she walks you through creating calligraphy with simple brushstrokes. Learn the basics of modern calligraphy with watercolor and a paint brush. You'll leave with a beautifully unique 8x10 watercolor of “Do small things with great love", ready to frame and enoy in your home. Try it - it may be the start of a new hobby for you to continue to practice at home! All supplies, instruction, and a beverage of your choice from Aldea Coffee or Grand Armory Brewing included.
Thursday, March 28 - Ugly Brush Painting with Paulette Carr - 1pm Register
Come out and learn a new brush technique, painting with The Ugly brush. You will learn to paint an impressionistic style painting using a unique brush. All supplies are provided. Preregistration is required.
Tuesday, April 9 - Brews & Brushstrokes Watercolor Night with Cathy Dykstra - 6pm - $40 Register
Create your version of this spectacular floral watercolor, 'Queen Ann's Lace'. $40 includes all supplies, instruction, and beverage of choice from Aldea Coffee or Grand Armory Brewing. Seating for this class is limited, so be sure to register for the class as soon as possible!
Sunday, April 14 - Quick Trip Sketching - 1pm - $20 Register
Next time you travel, bring along a sketchbook because in this class you'll learn the secrets of Quick Trip Sketching. Such sketches are the perfect starts for painting. Using photographs, learn to break down landscapes and cityscapes in preparation for your own travels or plein-air drawing/painting adventure!
Celebrate Mardi Gras by creating this festive and fun painting!
You will receive a 16" x 20" canvas, materials, and instruction. Your choice of beverage from Aldea Coffee or Grand Armory Brewing is included in your ticket price.
Thursday, March 7 - Brave Art with Paulette Carr - 1pm $50 Register
Have you always wanted to paint “that” picture… the one you took on vacation or on your grandparent’s farm or at the beach… It takes courage to do the new thing, to follow your dreams… to fight through the fear. Be brave enough to try painting that memory with Paulette.
This class is will challenge you, teach you techniques to make your memory come alive on the canvas in your voice. You provide your photo (no magazine photos or someone else’s unless you have a release to do so; otherwise you could violate copyright laws. Also, it should be a landscape, not an animal or a person).
It will be helpful to just print it on paper in color and in black and white. You may NOT leave with a completed painting, your memory is much more detailed than that, but you will have the arsenal to help you to overcome that fear, or bring it back for another Brave Art session.
11x14 canvas provided. If you prefer a different size, please feel free to bring it. No larger than 16x20 (we are painting on table easels). Paint and brushes provided as well. Let’s do this. Let’s face that blank canvas and memory together. Please plan for transporting your (possibly) wet painting home. A flat box such as a soda flat would work perfectly.
Thursday, March 7 - Explore the Pour - 6pm SOLD OUT Next class is April 15 Register
Explore the process of acrylic pouring. Using additives and a few tools we will play and create. You will receive (4) 8x10 canvases and all supplies. This is a very messy class! Aprons will be furnished, but you will also want to wear old clothing. Don't let that scare you. Acrylic pouring is super fun and very popular. Class size is limited and usually sell out. Items will not be dry the night of class. They can be picked up a day or 2 after class.
Monday, March 11 - Gelli Art Prints - 6pm - $40 Register
Thursday, March 14 - Gelli Art Prints - 6pm - $40 Register
Wednesday, March 27 - Gelli Art Prints - 6pm - $40 Register
Explore print making with a Gelli Plate. This class is for everyone - and wiggly, jiggly fun! Simply apply paint to the Gelli with a rubber brayer, make your marks and pull your print. It's that simple! You'll create intriguing layers and patterns using tools like sponges, stencils and a variety of mark makers. You'll have a chance to create your own stencils and stamps. You will have time to create many prints and receive a 5x7 cradle board to create a final masterpiece for your wall. Class size is limited and we expect it to be very popular so register now!
Tuesday, March 12 - Brews & Brushstrokes Watercolor Night with Cathy Dykstra - 6pm - $40 Register
This watercolor night painting features an adorable cow. $40 includes all supplies, instruction, and beverage of choice from Aldea Coffee or Grand Armory Brewing. Seating for this class is limited, so be sure to register for the class as soon as possible!
Tuesday, March 12 - Explore the Pour BYOT (bring your own thing to pour on) - 6pm $20 Register
Pour a Box, a Name or Special Word, a Wall Piece, you name it - using the acrylic pour painting method. Participants will receive the supplies needed to pour the item that YOU bring. Wood and cardboard type items work best. Items that are mostly flat work best. A small pouring fee will apply per item and will depend on the size. Your additional payment can be made the night of class in cash, check, or card. This project is great for a kid's name for their bedroom or a special project one-of-a-kind project. Limit 6 people. This is a very messy class! Aprons will be furnished, but you will also want to wear old clothing. Don't let that scare you. Acrylic pouring is super fun. Items will not be dry the night of class. They can be picked up a day or 2 after class.
Thursday, March 14 - Playing with Knives with Paulette Carr from Brave Art - 1pm $53 Register
Who hasn’t been intrigued by those artists carving out a picture with a palette knife? In a new version of Brave Art, come on out and try your hand at knife skills. We will do 2 exercises with the knife. One flower and one landscape. You will also receive an additional blank canvas to create your own.
What you need to bring: your bad self, courage to try the new thing, a picture of your own to work on with the blank canvas (think simple-single bloom or landscape with a single tree). Supplied: 3 8"x8" canvas panels, use of paints, medium, knives, and aprons. Beverages are available for purchase at Aldea Coffee. Beginning at 3pm food and adult beverages are available from Righteous BBQ and Grand Armory Brewing.
PREREGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS!! Please plan for transporting your wet paintings home. A flat box such as a soda flat would work perfectly, please measure as you will have 3 8x8 wet canvases to transport.
Saturday, March 16 - Color 101 - noon-1:30pm $20 Register
Bringing it back to the basics.
When it comes to color in art and design, things can be pretty confusing. Analogous, complementary, values, monochromatic, tertiary, warm vs. cool - what does it all mean? We’ll break it down for you. Have you always wanted to make the perfect black to paint with? We’ll show you how!
You’ll learn how to use a color wheel and why it’s important. You'll learn which colors to use together and why. You’ll leave with lots of useful information to use in your personal art exploration, including your own color chart that you mix youself. We will be using our studio acrylic paints, however, if you have certain brands or colors that you prefer, please feel free to bring them.
Monday, March 18 - Brews & Brushstrokes with Barbara Carlson: Angel Goddess - 6pm $40 Register
We pulled this beautiful Angel out of the vault and dusted her off so she can sit proudly on an easel and watch as others paint her likeness. This is a fun one to do - includes brush and palette knife work - even finger painting if you want.
You will receive a 16" x 20" canvas, materials, and instruction. Your choice of beverage from Aldea Coffee or Grand Armory Brewing is included in your ticket price.
Tuesday, March 19 - Pet Portrait Night - 6pm $40 Register
Send us a photo of your beloved pet and we'll sketch it on the canvas for you and have it ready for you to paint. Class size is limited so that everyone receives individual guidance as they paint. This is a fun class and easier than you might think. Includes 11 x 14 canvas, individual and group instruction, all supplies, and your choice of beverage from Aldea Coffee or Grand Armory Brewing. Images should be sent to armoryartcentergh@gmail.com
Tuesday, March 19 - Vision Boards with a Purpose with Denise LeClaire - 6pm - $50 Register
Vision Boards are a visual representation of goals and dreams. They help us be clear about the kind of life we want to live. If you then put intention and purpose behind your vision board, you'll watch your life change for the better!
Join Denise LeClaire, Grand Haven mixed media artist, intuitive painter and psychologist to create a Vision Board With Purpose. Using pictures, photos, memorabilia, ephemera, paint and collage techniques on canvas you will create a personal piece of art to hang in your home as your guide. You'll then identify action steps to help you move toward and achieve your vision.
All materials provided. You may bring: photos (it helps to photo copy these), collage items, other ephemera. Age - Teens - Adult. Materials provided.
Wednesday, March 20 - Explore the Pour More, Acrylic Pouring Level 2 - 6pm - $40 Register
We will explore the process of acrylic pouring. Using additives and different tools (from level 1) we will play and create. Participants will receive (4) 8x10 canvases and all supplies. Limit 8 people. This is a very messy class! Aprons will be furnished, but you will also want to wear old clothing. Don't let that scare you. Acrylic pouring is super fun. $40
Thursday, March 21 - Brews & Brushstrokes: Staycation Beach - 6pm $40 Register
Pretend you're at the ocean on this sandy beach while you create your own version of this painting.
$40 includes beverage of your choice from Grand Armory Brewing or Aldea Coffee, a 16 x 20 inch canvas, instruction, and painting all supplies.
Sunday, March 24 - Brews & Brushstrokes with Barbara Carlson: Finger-painting for Grown-ups, Flowers - 1pm - $40 Register
Get in the mood for spring and paint an Impressionist Style floral arrangement using 6 tools - 1 brush and 5 fingers! Grown up finger painting! This is an amazingly fun class and super messy. But it's a good messy. :) A 16" x 20" canvas, instruction, and all supplies included, plus choice of beverage from Aldea Coffee or Grand Armory Brewery.
Tuesday, March 26 - Watercolor Calligraphy with Sara Koert- 6pm - $40 Register
Join artist and guest instructor, Sara Koert as she walks you through creating calligraphy with simple brushstrokes. Learn the basics of modern calligraphy with watercolor and a paint brush. You'll leave with a beautifully unique 8x10 watercolor of “Do small things with great love", ready to frame and enoy in your home. Try it - it may be the start of a new hobby for you to continue to practice at home! All supplies, instruction, and a beverage of your choice from Aldea Coffee or Grand Armory Brewing included.
Thursday, March 28 - Ugly Brush Painting with Paulette Carr - 1pm Register
Come out and learn a new brush technique, painting with The Ugly brush. You will learn to paint an impressionistic style painting using a unique brush. All supplies are provided. Preregistration is required.
Tuesday, April 9 - Brews & Brushstrokes Watercolor Night with Cathy Dykstra - 6pm - $40 Register
Create your version of this spectacular floral watercolor, 'Queen Ann's Lace'. $40 includes all supplies, instruction, and beverage of choice from Aldea Coffee or Grand Armory Brewing. Seating for this class is limited, so be sure to register for the class as soon as possible!
Sunday, April 14 - Quick Trip Sketching - 1pm - $20 Register
Next time you travel, bring along a sketchbook because in this class you'll learn the secrets of Quick Trip Sketching. Such sketches are the perfect starts for painting. Using photographs, learn to break down landscapes and cityscapes in preparation for your own travels or plein-air drawing/painting adventure!
