Spring/Summer Season Guide: Adult Studios at Asheville Art Museum

The Museum's Adult Studios offer a core curriculum in drawing, painting, printmaking, and three-dimensional media, and also explores the intersections between them. Local and visiting artists help students of all levels and abilities develop skills in media that reflect techniques and themes featured in the Museum’s Collection and special exhibitions. Classes are designed for anyone interested in exploring specific media in depth or introducing new media or processes.

BIPOC Scholarships Available

The Asheville Art Museum is working to increase accessibility for underrepresented communities, addressing historical inequities in art institutions. The Asheville Art Museum will award two BIPOC scholarships for each listed Adult Studio below.

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Abstract Painting

Two Days—Saturday and Sunday, April 20 and 21

Teaching Artist David Shurbutt

Noon–5pm • $253 (includes all materials; Museum Members receive 10% discount; one full equity scholarship for BIPOC participants)

Dive into the world of Abstract Expressionism with instructor David Shurbutt. Explore modern and contemporary themes through presentations, demos, hands-on painting, constructive critiques, and a tour of the Museum’s exhibition American Art in the Atomic Age: 1940–1960. Develop a unique personal style in this class, unlocking the limitless possibilities of abstract artistic expression. Register now.

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST—David Shurbutt

David Shurbutt is a multidisciplinary contemporary artist. He has exhibited his work in galleries, warehouses, and online for venues in the North, South and Midwest. David received his Masters of Fine Arts in Studio Art from The Maryland Institute College of Art.

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Flower Press Art—Sold Out | BIPOC Scholarships Available

Saturday, May 18

Teaching Artist Susan McChensney

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Basket Weaving

Saturday, May 25

Teaching Artist Ronda Cassada

11am–2pm • $60 (includes all materials; Museum Members receive 10% discount; two full equity scholarships for BIPOC participants)

Join us to learn beginning basket-making techniques with instructor Ronda Cassada. During this workshop, you will craft a traditional Appalachian rib basket with a God’s Eye center on the handle. The workshop includes a tour of the exhibition Counter/Balance to discuss creative concepts and be inspired by artworks on view. Register now.

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST—Ronda Cassada

Ronda Cassada is a self-taught basket maker with 30 years of experience and is a local resident of Buncombe County. Ronda holds an Associate of Arts degree and has been teaching absolute beginners to advanced basket-weaving classes in Asheville for the past five years.

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Queer Figure Drawing

Three Session Options—Saturdays: June 15, 22, 29

Teaching Artist Red Herring

2–4pm • $26 (includes all materials; Museum Members receive 10% discount; two full equity scholarships for BIPOC participants)

Designed to be a safe and inclusive space, this class invites participants of all backgrounds and skill levels to explore the beauty and diversity of the human form. Loosely guided by Red Herring, each session will start with a tour of The New Salon exhibition followed by 5 to 20-minute poses with a live model and a critique at the end. Please note that live models will be nude. Materials are included.

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Exploring Dualities with Photography

Four-Week Class—Saturdays: July 13, 20, 27, and August 3

Teaching Artist Paige Taylor

Noon–3pm • $180 (includes all materials; Museum Members receive 10% discount; two full equity scholarships for BIPOC participants)

In this four-part class, explore themes of natural/unnatural, together/apart, and inside/out. Through a series of weekly assignments, contemplate the themes and create photos that investigate the distinctions, contradictions, and intersections of these dualities. Find inspiration in the Museum’s Collection and the exhibition Shifting Perceptions: Photographs from the Collection. Class time includes gallery visits, group shares and discussion. Individual preparation between classes includes responding to weekly photo prompts, short readings, and journaling.

This in-person class is designed with beginners, hobbyists, and those with some photography experience in mind. Previous knowledge of digital photography is not needed to participate. Learning how to use a digital camera is not a focus; however, the instructor can answer specific questions about digital camera functions and use as requested. Register now.

Students need:

• Digital camera (e.g. smartphone or DSLR)

• Access to a device with an Internet connection (e.g. desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone)

• Email (to send photos to instructor)

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST—Paige Taylor

Paige Taylor is an educator and creative based in Asheville. She has worked as an art educator in art museums in California, New Mexico, and North Carolina. Currently, she teaches photography courses at Mars Hill University and for the University of New Mexico. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography from Bard College, New York and a Master of Fine Arts in art from the Art Center College of Design, California. She is a member of the Society for Photographic Education and enjoys meeting new people of all ages and engaging them in a thoughtful exploration of art.

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Painting Places from Imagination

Three-Week Class—Thursdays: July 18, 25 and August 1

Teaching Artist Callie Ferraro

6–8:30pm • $173 (includes all materials, Members receive 10% discount, two full equity scholarships for BIPOC participants)

Inspired by the exhibitions Honoring Nature and Intersections in American Art, join Callie Ferraro local contemporary abstract artist, and learn how to paint destinations that only live in our imagination. In this three-week course you will be guided through painting abstract landscapes on canvas using a multi-layered acrylic mixed-media style. Students are encouraged to bring their own nature photography to class as a source of inspiration for color, composition, and mark-making. The class includes a tour of the exhibitions Intersections in American Art and Honoring Nature to discuss creative concepts and be inspired by artworks on view. Register now.

ABOUT THE TEACHING ARTIST—Callie Ferraro

Callie Ferraro is a contemporary abstract artist whose work has been described by collectors worldwide as raw, unconventional, and thought provoking. Her abstract paintings burst with color, energy, and an assertive femininity that commands attention without pressure. She shares her mind and growing point of view through her brush, giving you a platform for your own thoughts.

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