Capture the feeling and beauty of the land, sky and water with soft pastel. Join award winning Michigan Artist, Tom Tomasek for a one day exploration of pastel techniques that can be applied to studio work as well as plein air painting. 

Utilizing sanded surface pastel paper and odorless mineral spirtis, this process begins with the development of a strong under painting and evolves with the application of each additional pastel layer. 

The properities of various pastel brands and different painting foundations wil be covered. The special considerations for pastel presentation, such as matting and framing will be demonstrated at the conclusion. 

Students will need to bring

Good quality soft pastel (no oil pastels)

Hand towel (cloth or paper)

Masking tape

Inexpersive stiff bristle brush (1/2 thick)

Variety of photo references (printed to 4 x 6 required) 

Saturday, March 28, 2026

10 am til 3 pm 

Intro to Beadmaking Workshop

Sat Mar 28 • 12–3 PM

Description:

Step into the world of glass art with this beginner-friendly beadmaking workshop! Learn how to wind molten glass onto a mandrel, shape it, and add simple color and design elements. A perfect hands-on introduction before joining the 6-week beadmaking course.

In this class you will blow a special shaped vessel. 

Please note it will be hot in the glass studio. Long hair must be pulled back, closed toed shoes are requried. 

Saturday, March 28th

1 pm to 4 pm 

SWARM!

Summer is coming but so are the bugs. Create your own swarm of three to decorate your walls but not annoy you! Using slabs and coils handbuild and for those experienced in throwing learn how to make an enclosed forms. Decorate with colorful slips and learn a technique called scraffitto to make your swarm truly unique

Sun March 29, 2-4pm

$15 materials included

  ACA metalsmith studio is a state of the art facility with  natural gas and oxygen torches, rolling mill and numerous texture plates, buffers, large overhead shears, pickle pots, flex shafts and lathe with abundant attachments, hydraulic press with a full complement of bending and cutting accessories, and a full assortment of hand equipment.  The fee for Open Hours is 5 dollars per hour.  In addition to signing up https://adriancenterforthearts.org/classes/categories/metalsmithing-jewelry/, please text Annemarie at 708 287-9085 for the dates you are attending before 24 hours of the allotted hours (This facilitates communication for weather closures, staffing, availability communication).  Open hours expire at the end each month so come on in.  There is a monitor in attendance but no actual scheduled teaching.  Participants can use tools with which they are competent and comfortable.  All safety precautions are to be followed and are posted.  Looking forward to great times together making wearable art.  Want more details, want to schedule a tour:  text or email.

Monday  9 am - 1 pm

Wednesday 12-4 pm

Thursday 6-9 pm

Saturday  9 am - 1 pm

In this class Laura will take you through the practical steps of throwing big vessels on a wheel.

April 1st through May 6th

6 pm to 8 pm 

Clay included 

Spring '26  Teen Club (8 sessions)

Teen club Thursday April 2 - May 21

4 pm to 6 pm 

Ages:  12 - 17 years old

In ACA's Teen Club, young artists are surrounded by other creative minds. We work with a broad range of artistic challenges & media, and everyone is encouraged to explore their personal style.

Please know the Youth Studio is in a historic building with steps.

How to Photograph Your Art

Saturday, April 4th -- 10am to 1pm

This 3-hour workshop can be for iPhone or digital camera users. We will start with some basic camera and lighting concepts. Lad will structure the workshop around the needs and wants of those taking part in the workshop. Workshop participants should bring a couple pieces of their art to photograph. Depending on physical space we will set up a few stations to take pictures. Lad will provide different types of lights to experiment with. Lad’s objective is to give class participants hands-on experience photographing their own art. You will need to have your own camera or camera phone that you know how to use.