Creative Classes

This intensive four-hour workshop will guide students through the exciting process of transforming disparate materials into cohesive and expressive works of art. Moving beyond traditional representational imagery, students will explore the power of shape, color, texture, and composition to evoke emotion and tell stories without explicit narratives. The workshop will begin with a focused visit to the Denver Art Museum’s Modern & Contemporary Art galleries where students will examine David Huffman’s Provo Soul in order to spark imagination and reflect on composition. Students will return to the studio to experiment with a variety of cutting, adhering, and coloring techniques. Students will also learn how to cultivate and build a rich source material collection and develop a personal vocabulary for creating compelling abstract compositions. Whether an experienced artist or a curious beginner, this workshop will help each student develop their creative practice and leave them with a newfound appreciation for the art of collage.

At its heart, drawing is simply mark-making, and the ways in which one can make an interesting mark are endless - drawing is often seen as a simple act, but the definition is expansive. This can be seen plainly in the Denver Art Museum’s collections—Frederick Sommer made a drawing by simply impressing a sharp implement into foil, and Andy Goldsworthy placed an icicle on paper, calling the record of the melting and the marks left behind a drawing. In the instructor’s own work, she places snails on black paper and cuts around the slime they leave behind to make a drawing.

In the quest to make an interesting mark, artists have experimented with process, made their own tools, designed systems and even built machines in the quest to make an interesting mark. In this 1-day workshop, students will explore some of this methodology for inspiration, create their own tools, and play with a variety of unusual materials in the quest to make that perfect, compelling mark on paper.

This drawing-based, 1-day Workshop will focus on exploring repetitive mark-making as a calming, meditative practice. Students will use repetition with a variety of drawing materials to discover the benefits of slowing down, finding focus, and developing rhythm in order to counteract the high stress of our fast-paced society. With emphasis on exploration, this class is open to all levels of creatives while placing value on the practice of being present in the moment rather than thinking too far ahead to a finished piece.

To gather ideas and an understanding of ways in which repeated marks are used by artists, the class will tour the Denver Art Museum galleries to see works by Agnes Martin, Vance Kirkland, Lucy Lewis, and Camille Pissarro (and other Impressionists.) In addition, students will view works by Modern and Contemporary artists beyond the DAM Collections. Students will experiment with mark-making in sketchbooks using a variety of drawing tools including pencils, pens, markers, and other dry media. This experimentation will lead to creating a work or multiple works on small-format fine art paper. Class participants will develop a unique visual language of marks to add to their toolbox for both artistic creation and personal well-being.

In this 1-day workshop, students will learn how to make paper from recycled materials. Students will gain an understanding of papermaking methods through the process of creating paper pulp and using different screen sizes to press and dry their own custom paper pages. This paper can be used for cards, tags, and artwork. Each student will leave the workshop with a handful of unique recycled paper sheets.

Price includes a $60 Studio Fee for all materials provided.

This one-day workshop will explore the Indigenous design practice of parfleche. The name parfleche was initially used by French fur traders and derives from the French language parer meaning "to parry" or "to defend", and flèche meaning "arrow". Parfleche was used to describe tough rawhide shields carried by Plains Indian warriors but was later used primarily for decorated rawhide containers. Plains Indian tribes often had an abundant source of hides in the buffalo they hunted, but, as they were nomadic, they had little opportunity to tan the skins. Parfleche, or rawhide, was prepared by cleaning and dehairing the skin and then by stretching it and allowing it to dry in the sun. This process created a stiff but durable leather that was used for many items, including bags, boxes, envelopes, and war shields. Designs historically consisted of geometric shapes and symbols in primary colors. Today, many contemporary Plains Indian artists evolved the idea of parfleche by making earrings, bracelets, wallets, etc. Students will learn about parfleche techniques and create their own keychain or earrings using their newfound knowledge.

This one-day workshop will explore the Indigenous design practice of parfleche. The name parfleche was initially used by French fur traders and derives from the French language parer meaning "to parry" or "to defend", and flèche meaning "arrow". Parfleche was used to describe tough rawhide shields carried by Plains Indian warriors but was later used primarily for decorated rawhide containers. Plains Indian tribes often had an abundant source of hides in the buffalo they hunted, but, as they were nomadic, they had little opportunity to tan the skins. Parfleche, or rawhide, was prepared by cleaning and dehairing the skin and then by stretching it and allowing it to dry in the sun. This process created a stiff but durable leather that was used for many items, including bags, boxes, envelopes, and war shields. Designs historically consisted of geometric shapes and symbols in primary colors. Today, many contemporary Plains Indian artists evolved the idea of parfleche by making earrings, bracelets, wallets, etc. Students will explore parfleche techniques and create their own keychain or earrings using their newfound knowledge.

The Traditional Japanese Art of Bonseki: Seasons in Sand will introduce participants to the meditative practice of arranging white sand, stones, and small tools on black lacquer trays to create ephemeral miniature landscapes. Rooted in ancient Japanese and Chinese traditions and connected to the appreciation of suiseki (scholar’s stones), bonseki embodies themes of ephemerality, seasonal awareness, and poetic reflection. Through guided demonstrations, hands-on practice, and quiet viewing (haiken), students will learn both introductory and intermediate techniques for shaping landscapes such as winter skies, blossoms, and birds in flight. The workshop will incorporate seasonal poetry, a tea and sweets service, and group reflection. In addition, participants will have the rare opportunity to view selections from the instructor’s personal antique bonseki collection, including traditional trays and tools, offering a tangible connection to the art form’s history and refinement. The class resonates with Japanese aesthetic traditions within the Arts of Asia collections at the Denver Art Museum.

*Price includes a $60 Studio Fee for all materials provided.

The Traditional Japanese Art of Bonseki: Seasons in Sand will introduce participants to the meditative practice of arranging white sand, stones, and small tools on black lacquer trays to create ephemeral miniature landscapes. Rooted in ancient Japanese and Chinese traditions and connected to the appreciation of suiseki (scholar’s stones), bonseki embodies themes of ephemerality, seasonal awareness, and poetic reflection. Through guided demonstrations, hands-on practice, and quiet viewing (haiken), students will learn both introductory and intermediate techniques for shaping landscapes such as winter skies, blossoms, and birds in flight. The workshop will incorporate seasonal poetry, a tea and sweets service, and group reflection. In addition, participants will have the rare opportunity to view selections from the instructor’s personal antique bonseki collection, including traditional trays and tools, offering a tangible connection to the art form’s history and refinement. The class resonates with Japanese aesthetic traditions within the Arts of Asia collections at the Denver Art Museum.

*Price includes a $60 Studio Fee for all materials provided.

Join the Butterfly Pavilion and the Denver Art Museum for a two-part artistic adventure! In part one, students will learn to draw butterflies by exploring their representation in artworks from the Denver Art Museum’s collections, while also discovering the fascinating anatomy of butterflies through the presentation of preserved specimens. In part two, students will be given a guided tour and immersed in the Butterfly Pavilion’s lush conservatory, surrounded by thousands of free-flying butterflies. They will continue to refine their drawing practice in this natural setting with the opportunity to nature journal and draw from live or preserved specimens. This two-part workshop is perfect for artists and nature enthusiasts alike and does not require any prior technical knowledge.

This is a two-part Workshop hosted in collaboration with the Butterfly Pavilion. Week one, 5/16/2026 will take place at the DAM. Week two, 5/23/2026 will take place at the Butterfly Pavilion.

In this 2-week workshop, students will create unique, personal, free verse tapestries inspired by Tracey Emin’s work, in particular, her appliqued blankets and tapestries. This class will explore textiles, typography, the personal in art, materiality, and more. This workshop also offers a fun entry point for writers to experiment with fiber art! No experience is necessary for this class, beginner artists and writers are welcome as well as experienced artists interested in exploring fiber arts and the personal in their art practice.

In this 4-week introductory level class, students will explore tools and techniques for making dynamic drawings with ink and brushes. Inspired by art from both the Denver Art Museum’s Arts of Asia and Impressionism collections, students will create drawings of plants, animals, and landscapes with a focus on line, composition, and pattern. Students will learn to approach ink drawings with confidence, and a spirit of experimentation.

Students will become comfortable with the mediums of ink and brush, while learning about how Asian Art inspired Van Gogh, and other Impressionist artists. They will focus on creativity, self-expression, and joy in the process of drawing with ink.

Students will purchase their own materials and should expect to spend $80-$100.

In this 4-week class students will take inspiration from the Denver Art Museum's Sensory Garden and collections to explore the link between creativity and the natural world. Students will experiment with a variety of drawing techniques and materials as they learn to look closely at details, patterns, and textures in nature. This class will give students the opportunity to engage their senses and connect more deeply with nature, grow observational skills, and use creative prompts to fill their journal with fascinating natural subjects.

Students will purchase their own materials and should expect to spend $20-$30.

Flow State is a 4-week abstract painting class that explores the connections between intuitive painting, mindfulness meditation, and community. Students will learn how to combine abstract painting and drawing skills with mindfulness meditation techniques. Each class will present different ways this hybrid practice can be used to hold space for ourselves and each other. Students will work individually and as a group using acrylic paint, pastels, paper and canvas. This class will connect to abstract works in the Denver Art Museum collection, including pieces by artists like Mark Bradford, Elaine de Kooning, Joan Mitchell, Sam Gilliam, Shinique Smith, and Sonia Gechtoff.

In this 4-week class, the foundations of learning and practice will be centered around the question of how the Impressionists captured light and color in their paintings. Students will explore how to create a sense of atmosphere with color, light and shadow, and mark-making through the study of The Honest Eye: Camille Pissarro’s Impressionism and other Impressionist works in the DAM collections. Students will learn basic watercolor techniques to guide their artistic explorations, culminating in a final painting over the course of the class session.

This 4-week introductory oil painting class is an excellent opportunity to learn about the materials and techniques of painting in the oil medium. Students will start by asking what makes oils unique and how to celebrate this beautiful and expressive medium. Students will use a variety of subjects to practice the working methods and techniques presented in class. The focus will be alla-prima painting; however, students will discover simple glazing techniques to adjust their paintings. This creative journey in oils will also include instruction in drawing with the brush, color theory and mixing, understanding the importance of judging values and using a variety of edges to give a painting added depth and interest. Oils are incredibly versatile, and the Denver Art Museum's collections will inspire students and reinforce concepts discussed in class. Students will look at representational and abstracted works to dive deeper into their personal painting journey.

Students will purchase their own materials and should expect to spend $120-$180.

In this 4-week class, students will learn a variety of watercolor techniques through practice and will experiment with the ways watercolor interacts with other media through the creation of multiple watercolor paintings. By the end of the session, students will understand the basic techniques and practices in watercolor painting and feel comfortable experimenting at home to form their own practice centered around joy and experimentation.

Students will purchase their own materials and should expect to spend $40-60.

This 4-week class will offer a well-rounded introduction to the art of crochet taught by Sadie Young, the creator of The Tangled Self, an installation at the Denver Art Museum. Class will begin with instruction on the basics of crocheting in 2D, using single crochet and double crochet, allowing students to work on a small project, such as a scarf or beanie. Later, students will expand their knowledge of 2D stitches and build a deeper understanding of different stitches with hands-on assistance. As the class progresses, students will learn more complex methods of crocheting and how to crochet in the round, perform color changes, and more! Students will also learn about the basic tools needed for crocheting as well as tips and tricks for specific tools. This class will cover the differences between yarn types and provide guidance on where to source various yarns. The instructor will introduce students to the basics of reading patterns and impart the necessary foundational knowledge and confidence to crochet simple items without a pattern. The goal of this class is for students to leave the course with the knowledge they need to continue crocheting on their own as well as leave classes with finished items to treasure forever! The class will spend time in the installation The Tangled Self, where students will learn how the instructor problem-solved specific sculptural and 2D elements inside of the installation.

In this six-week class, students will abandon the idea of working on just one painting at a time and dive into creating many at once! Students will explore the dynamic process of making multiple abstract paintings in tandem, developing a cohesive set of works while experimenting with style, texture, and color. Instruction will begin with essential acrylic painting techniques and a bite-sized introduction to color theory, followed by guided exploration of the medium. Students will learn to balance spontaneity and intention while keeping their paintings connected yet distinct. By the end of the course, students will have completed their own miniature body of work with four abstract acrylic paintings and will have gained the skills and confidence to keep creating beyond class. All skill levels are welcome; this class is perfect for curious beginners to seasoned artists looking to shake up their process.

Flow State is a 6-week abstract painting class that explores the connections between intuitive painting, mindfulness meditation, and community. Participants will learn how to combine abstract painting and drawing skills with mindfulness meditation techniques. Each class will present different ways this hybrid practice can be used to hold space for ourselves and each other. Participants will work individually and as a group using acrylic paint, pastels, paper and canvas. This class will connect to abstract works in the Denver Art Museum collection, including pieces by artists like Mark Bradford, Elaine de Kooning, Joan Mitchell, Sam Gilliam, Shinique Smith, and Sonia Gechtoff.

This all-level studio class explores the art of paper and bookmaking through the lens of Modern & Contemporary Art as well as cross-cultural traditions. Students will learn hands-on techniques in papercraft and book arts—ranging from folded and stitched book structures to sculptural paper forms—while drawing inspiration from African, Asian, Ancient American, and Latin American artistic practices.

Throughout the course, students will engage with select works from the Denver Art Museum’s Collections and exhibitions, using these as catalysts for creative exploration. By studying pattern, symbolism, and material traditions across cultures, students will discover how book arts can become a vessel for storytelling, cultural exchange, and personal expression.

The class emphasizes experimentation with media such as handmade and recycled papers, collage and mixed media. Students will leave with a series of unique artist books and paper-based projects that reflect both technical skill and imaginative interpretation.

No prior experience is required, only curiosity and a willingness to explore the possibilities of paper.