The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey’s Studio School, located in Summit, NJ, offers classes and workshops for artists of all ages and skill levels. Taught by experienced teaching artists, our programs span painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, and more—providing a supportive environment for learning, exploration, and creative growth.

WINTER SEMESTER 2026

Adult 5-Week Classes

8279 NEW! First Forms: Handbuilding for Beginners (3 Weeks)
Instructor: Amanda Heckman
Mondays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Have you ever wanted to give handbuilding a try? In this beginner course, a strong foundation of handbuilding skills will be established as you complete three projects to impress your family and friends. Projects include forms such as pinch pots, Valentine’s Day heart trays, and clay mushrooms. In creating these three projects, you’ll learn pinch pot techniques, slab–building, rolling coils, as well as slipping and scoring to attach pieces of clay together. You’ll experiment with creating texture on pottery by impressing clay with materials such as coral, seeds, and fabric. This class will also provide you with an introduction to the exciting possibilities of glazing. You’ll learn various ways to apply glazes to pottery and the best glazes that suit your creations.
3 session(s): 1/5–1/19
Tuition: member $150,
non–member $160

8180 Treasured Paintings from Photos
Instructor: Mary Jean Canziani
Mondays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Have you ever wanted to make big changes to a reference photo for a better–composed painting? Students will learn how to add balance, depth, and a supported focal point by making adjustments, such as moving mountains, adjusting horizon lines, or making the sky larger. Students will first plan their painting by creating a sketch focusing on basic shapes and values. Weekly, the instructor will show videos and discuss them as part of their demonstration and provide individual support to each student along the way. Students can work in the medium of their choice.
5 session(s): 1/5–2/2
Tuition: member $200,
non–member $220

8181 The Art of Drawing in Pen & Ink
Instructor: Mary Jean Canziani
Mondays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Express yourself through lines and textures in ink! Students will work with a traditional dipping pen, reed pens, markers, and brushes to create a variety of lines and textures. Students will experiment with other ways of mark–making, perhaps even fine lines of fingerprints. The instructor will show classic and contemporary artists who work in ink through videos, handouts, and books. Students may work from classroom images or their own reference.
5 session(s): 2/23–3/23
Tuition: member $200,
non–member $220

8194 Abstract Painting for All Artists
Instructor: Cynthia Pareja Dubin
Mondays, 3:30–6 PM
In this class, students will have the opportunity to explore the potential of abstract painting through different techniques, concepts, and mediums that are introduced. The instructor will present examples of abstract art from history, such as Kandinsky, to inspire students’ creativity. The class will begin with small drawing exercises to experiment with the deconstruction of representational forms and pull from new sources. Then, students will be encouraged to approach their canvas with a no sketch approach for their abstract painting. This class is taught by an instructor who is bilingual in Spanish and English. For questions or additional information, please email us at studioschool@artcenternj.org, and we will connect you with the instructor for translation assistance in your preferred language. Este curso lo dictará un instructor bilingüe en español e inglés. Si usted tiene alguna pregunta o necesita más información, no dude en enviarnos un correo electrónico a studioschool@artcenternj.org. Lo pondremos en contacto directamente con el instructor para asistirlo en su idioma (Spanish).
5 session(s): 2/23–3/23
Tuition: member $200,
non–member $220

8213 Watercolor Paintings in Florals
Instructor: Kat Block
Tuesdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Feeling inspired by the spring season? In this class, students will learn basic, and uncommon watercolor techniques to create a variety of flowers, such as daffodils, lilies, and irises. The instructor will provide step–by–step demonstrations on how to draw each flower, focusing on color, composition, and perspective.
5 session(s): 1/6–2/3
Tuition: member $200,
non–member $220

8208/8209 Drawing & Painting Open Studio (Intermediate & Advanced)
Instructor: Mary Jean Canziani
Tuesdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
This drawing and painting open studio is designed for intermediate to advanced students who already have experience in the medium of their choice. Students will be encouraged to pursue their individual drawing and/or painting practice with the support of the instructor. Each class will begin with a brief visual presentation on a particular artist or art movement to gain inspiration. Students are free to work in any of the painting and/or drawing media: acrylic, oil, watercolor, gouache, graphite, pen and ink, charcoal, colored pencils, oil, or chalk pastels.
8208 5 session(s): 1/6–2/3
8209 5 session(s): 2/17–3/17
Tuition: member $200,
non–member $220

8382 The Art of Monoprint & Beyond
Instructor: Andrea Epstein
Tuesdays, 6:30–9 PM
In this class, students will learn a variety of printing techniques such as monotypes, monoprints, collagraphy, linocuts and transfer methods. There will be an emphasis on process and experimentation. Some materials provided. Additional materials needed, will be discussed on the first day of class.
5 session(s): 2/17–3/17
Tuition: member $195,
non–member $215
Materials fee: $28

8285 Portraits by Design
Instructor: Mary Jean Canziani
Thursdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
A portrait can be many things besides a realistic likeness. In this class, students will create colorful, stylized portraits that are more abstract than accurate. First, they will practice drawing the traditional proportions of a face and its features, as well as learn how to transfer an image. Then, students can move on to freely painting portraits where design and expression are the focus. Each week features a presentation on portrait techniques of a different artist or movement for ideas and inspiration. Handouts will feature many images available to work from, or students may bring their own. Gouache is recommended, but students may work in their medium of choice.
5 session(s): 1/8–2/5
Tuition: member $200,
non–member $220

8286 Loosen Up Your Paintings
Instructor: Mary Jean Canziani
Thursdays, 9:30 AM–12 PM
Would you like your paintings to have a loose, fresher quality? This class will offer techniques to help students achieve that goal! Using longer brushes charged with ample paint and an economy of strokes are just some of the techniques you’ll learn. Many famous painters, like Sargent and Matisse, learned by setting up an easel in a museum and reproducing the brushwork of earlier artists. Students will engage in weekly painting exercises, making master studies that emulate the looser techniques of a featured artist. Learning better painting habits will translate into more freedom and confidence in their personal style. Work in your choice of painting medium.
5 session(s): 2/19–3/19
Tuition: member $200,
non–member $220

8291 NEW! Ceramic Jewelry Creations
Instructor: Jessica Garber
Thursdays, 12:30–3 PM
In this fun class, students will have the opportunity to gain experience working with clay and glazes, as well as basic jewelry–making tools and materials. Students will create their own unique ceramic components using clay and learn to cut, texture, and glaze to highlight their designs before high–firing their jewelry pieces. Students will also learn how to assemble their own jewelry pieces using jewelry components for pendants, earrings, and more!
5 session(s): 1/8–2/5
Tuition: member $247,
non–member $267

8292 NEW! Pottery Silhouettes: GR Pottery Forms
Instructor: Jessica Garber
Thursdays, 12:30–3 PM
Explore the use of a variety of GR pottery forms in the studio! Utilizing the slab roller and GR pottery forms, students will be able to create a wide range of pottery shapes that cannot be created on the potter’s wheel. Specific projects will be shown, and demonstrations will include the basics of using the forms, such as adding feet to the bottom of pieces, making and attaching handles, creating surface patterns using slip, marbling techniques in combination with the forms, advanced Nerikomi techniques, and more! Students may utilize the potter’s wheel in combination with the slab roller if desired. Glazing techniques will also be covered.
5 session(s): 2/19–3/19
Tuition: member $247,
non–member $267

8302 Introduction to Sewing
Instructor: Jessica Garber
Thursdays, 3:30–6 PM
In this 5–week class, students will learn the basics of sewing by creating their own one-of-a-kind fashion accessory. Students can choose to make tote bags, pouches, belts, and more! The instructor will provide demonstrations on how to enhance accessories by incorporating pockets, zippers, and snaps. No prior sewing experience necessary. Some materials provided.
5 session(s): 1/8–2/5
Tuition: member $195,
non–member $215
Materials fee: $28

8303 Beaded Jewelry Creations
Instructor: Jessica Garber
Thursdays, 3:30–6 PM
Enjoy jewelry making without the use of heat or machinery! This class will be a fun and relaxed environment without the worry of learning how to use machinery in the studio. Learn to make bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and more using a variety of beautiful beads. All skill levels welcome.
5 session(s): 2/19–3/19
Tuition: member $240,
non–member $260
Materials fee: $28

8307 NEW! Print–on–Demand for Artists: Putting Your Artwork on Products
Instructor: Laura Shabazz
Thursdays, 6:30–9 PM
Curious about how to turn your artwork into physical products like t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and prints? This hands-on class will introduce you to the world of print-on-demand (POD) and cover how POD works, choosing the right POD services for your art, formatting and preparing your artwork for different types of products, the step–by–step process of uploading your designs and creating product mockups, and common pitfalls to avoid and tips for getting clean, professional results. This class is made for visual artists of any medium—traditional or digital—who want to explore new ways to share and showcase their work. Students are required to bring a laptop or tablet, image editing software already installed (Photoshop, Procreate, Canva, or alternatives), and high-res digital files of your artwork if possible (multiple MBs), or original artwork size 8.5×11 or smaller.
5 session(s): 1/8–2/5
Tuition: member $210,
non–member $230

8310 Introduction to Watercolor Pencils
Instructor: Traci Zaretzka
Thursdays, 6:30–9 PM
Watercolor pencils are a versatile medium that can easily be transported, virtually mess free. In this class, students will experiment with a variety of watercolor pencil techniques: using them as traditional watercolors, drawing with them and blending the colors with water, drawing on wet paper for bold vibrant colors, and using them for fine details. The beginning of each class will focus on technique, then students will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned to create finished watercolor paintings.
5 session(s): 1/8–2/5
Tuition: member $200,
non–member $220