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Classes & Workshops

ALL classes & workshops are held in our garden level art studio accessible by stairs only unless otherwise noted. Charlevoix Circle of Arts is located at 109 Clinton Street, Charlevoix, MI 49720 

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CERAMICS - CARVING
3-Part Class Series

MARCH 24, 26 & 31, 2026
Tuesday & Thursday

6 - 8pm each day

 

REGISTER BY: March 22nd


CLASS FEE: $125, or $112.50 for members​

FORMAT:  in-person

3-part class series.​​

Discover more about the world of clay in this in-depth Carving workshop with instructor Bethany Newman! Carving in ceramics involves removing clay from a leather-hard piece to create texture, depth, and patterns. Key techniques include incising (drawing fine lines), relief carving (removing background areas to make designs stand out), and carving through underglaze layers.

Day 1 will be the assembly of the pottery vessel (a simple cylinder, tumbler, vase, or tile). The pieces will be carefully dried to the leather-hard stage for Day 2, where students will clean up and carve their work! Day 3 is glazing and finishing. All supplies are provided.

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About Bethany Newman

 

Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.

Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 4

Maximum # of Participants = 12

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INTRO TO STAINED GLASS:
SUN CATCHER

MARCH 25, 2026
Wednesday

5 - 8pm

 

REGISTER BY: March 22nd


CLASS FEE: $60, or $54 for members​

FORMAT:  in-person

Discover the beauty and artistry of stained glass with artist & instructor Ruby Smith! Learn essential techniques such as cutting, shaping, and assembling glass pieces to create stunning designs. Each person will be able to create 1 suncatcher using a variety of glass colors.
No prior experience necessary—just your creativity and enthusiasm! 

All materials and tools are provided.​​

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About Ruby Smith

 

Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.

Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 3

Maximum # of Participants = 6

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WATERCOLOR ABSTRACT
2-day Workshop

APRIL 10 & 11 , 2026
Friday & Saturday
9:30am - 4:30pm

REGISTER BY: April 5th


CLASS FEE: $200, or $180 for members​

FORMAT:  in-person

Creating Spontaneous Watercolor with Abstract Elements and Techniques Workshop with exhibiting artist Rocco Pisto!  For beginners & dabblers to experienced.
In this two-day workshop students will learn how to free up their paintings with abstract elements and various techniques used by professionals around the country. Learn about art history and how it translates to today’s artists. Discuss and work on a color therapy project. Learn about color value, hue and gradation. Discuss the elements of art and how it relates to both representational and abstract painting. Push your painting beyond your comfort zone and explore the freedom of working with a mop brush on quality watercolor paper both white and black. Bring at least six sheets of paper and have your paint already dried on a palette.

Rocco Pisto
has embraced the spontaneous, unpredictable beauty of water-based media, allowing color, movement, and intuition to shape each piece. Each work is built through layered washes that create depth and harmony. The brush moves with both intention and openness, responding to the magic of the unexpected. Guided by a creative instinct, Pisto’s paintings invite viewers into a world where structure and improvisation meet, offering a visual symphony that feels both alive and effortlessly free.

 

SUPPLY LIST:  Click HERE to download & print.

Paints, paintbrushes, watercolor paper, a palette, a container for water, paper toweling , tape.
- I use a variety of professional watercolor paint: Lukas, Winsor Newton, and Holbein. Black and White India Ink.

 - Paintbrushes (Here is what I use): Winsor & Newton Goat Hair Brush - Wash, Size 3. A bulk of my work is done
   with this brush. Princeton Aqua Elite Series 4850 Synthetic Brushes and Sets.

 - Container for Water.

 - Scotch Blue Painter's Tape - 1.88” x 60 yds and an X-Acto #1 Knife

 - I use a number of stencils to add to the painting. Stencil Girl has a number good one.
   https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/

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Tips & reminders: 

1. Place watercolor from the tubes on to a palette to dry for a few days, it not already done so… you will get more paint for the dollar.
2. Please bring an exacto knife .. we will be cutting tape
3. Please make sure that you have a mop brush in your brush selection. Most of the work will be done with a mop brush.
4. Bring a container for water, empty cups, etc.
5. Bring a plastic plate if you do not have some kind of mixing tray… Most palettes provide a space for mixing. If your palettes is dirty with dried paint, leave it as is


If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. Email roccopistoart@gmail.com â€‹

Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.

Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 4

Maximum # of Participants = 12

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CERAMICS - SLAB PLATTERS
2-Part Class

APRIL 14 & 21, 2026
Tuesday & Thursday

6 - 8pm each day

 

REGISTER BY:  April 11th


CLASS FEE: $75, or $67.50 for members​

FORMAT:  in-person

2-part class with Bethany Newman.​​

Join instructor Bethany Newman for this platter-making adventure! Students will have the opportunity to learn how to use a slab roller and various forms to create a hand-built slab platter. Day 1 will be the making of the platters, and then they will be bisque-fired by the instructor, then ready for glazing on Day 2.

If you have a platter or form you enjoy, feel free to bring it to use in class!

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All supplies are provided.

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About Bethany Newman

 

Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.

Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 4

Maximum # of Participants = 12

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WATERCOLOR & INK
Workshop

APRIL 15 , 2026
Wednesday
10am - 1pm

REGISTER BY: April 10th


CLASS FEE: $40, or $36 for members​

FORMAT:  in-person

​Join us for a captivating Watercolor & Ink Abstract Painting class where creativity knows no bounds! In this hands-on workshop, you'll enter the vibrant world of abstract art, experimenting with watercolors & ink pens to create stunning pieces. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, our experienced instructor will guide you through techniques and inspire your imagination Embrace the joy of self-expression and discover your unique artistic style in a fun and supportive environment!


With local artist & instructor Patty Clark.
For beginners & dabblers to experienced.

Participants are welcome to bring their own supplies such as brushes and fine line Sharpie pens.

Instructor will provide paints, paper, extra brushes, tools and pens.

 

Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.

Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 4

Maximum # of Participants = 12

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ARTIST TALK & WOODCUT PRINTMAKING WORKSHOP

MAY 14, 2026
Thursday
5 - 8pm

REGISTER BY: May 13th


CLASS FEE:   FREE! ​

FORMAT:  in-person

As the artist in residence at Good Hart Artist Residency this May, JANHAVI  KHEMKA will share her artistic journey, inspirations, and personal experiences. She will discuss how she has adapted to communicate with the world as an artist who is deaf and showcase her work independently. This presentation will offer a unique glimpse into her creative process and how she’s overcome challenges to share her art with others.

Janhavi will then guide participants in creating unique textures using wood objects, resulting in dynamic prints without the need for a press machine. Enjoy complimentary food and beverages while you unleash your creativity!

Space is limited, Pre-Register to secure your spot.

Please note: the workshop is located in our lower level art studio accessible by stairs only.

Appropriate for ages 15 and up.

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About Janhavi

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Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 4

Maximum # of Participants = 10

SUMMER CLASSES

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WATERCOLOR: LOOSE LANDSCAPES

JUNE 11, 2026
Thursday

10am - 1pm

REGISTER BY: June 8


CLASS FEE: $85, or $76.50 for members​

FORMAT:  in-person

Nourish your spirit of experimentation in this high-energy session focused on the "flow" of water. You will discover wet-in-wet techniques and learn the simplicity of dragging, splattering, and spraying to bring fields, trees, and waves to life. 

For all levels.
Takeaway: A newfound confidence in expressive landscape fundamentals.
Supplies included for $10 supply (please pay instructor directly at beginning of class).
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With artist JULIE TIBUS

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Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.

Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 4

Maximum # of Participants = 12

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ALCOHOL INK: BEAUTIFUL BIRDS

JUNE 15, 2026
Monday

10am - 4pm

REGISTER BY: June 12


CLASS FEE: $125, or $112.50 for members​

FORMAT:  in-person

Apply the magic of alcohol inks to a specific subject as you learn to paint the bird of your choice. Through step by-step demonstrations, you will learn to achieve intricate detail and precision within a fluid medium.
Takeaway: A finished, intricate bird painting and personalized guidance on ink control.
Supplies included for $15 supply (please pay instructor directly at beginning of class).
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With artist JULIE TIBUS
 

Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.

Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 4

Maximum # of Participants = 10

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REVEALING TREES: THE ART OF LAYERS, 2-day

JULY 7 & 8, 2026
Tuesday & Wednesday

10am - 4pm each day

REGISTER BY: July 3


CLASS FEE: $250, or $225 for members​

FORMAT:  in-person

Day one is all about making and building your "library" of papers on a Gelli plate. On day two, we layer these onto cradle boards, apply thick-bodied paint, and then—in a moment of exciting visual reveal—we scrape away the top layers to find the "trees" beneath.
Takeaway: A finished 12x12" painting on a wood cradleboard that captures soft, atmospheric light.
Supplies included for $20 supply (please pay instructor directly at beginning of class).
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With artist JULIE TIBUS
 

Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.

Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 4

Maximum # of Participants = 8

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ABSTRACT WOW!

AUGUST 20, 2026
THURSDAY

10am - 4pm

REGISTER BY: Aug. 17


CLASS FEE: $125, or $1125.50 for members​

FORMAT:  in-person

Wake up your child-self! We start with a playful warm-up on a taped grid before moving to a 10x10" canvas diptych. Using a limited palette, you will learn to layer paint with mixed-media pigments and "fun tools"
like wedges, palette knives, graphite marks, and wax paper transfers.

Takeaway: Two cohesive, gorgeous abstracts and a toolkit of fun mark-making techniques.
Supplies included for $20 supply (please pay instructor directly at beginning of class).​​ 

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With artist JULIE TIBUS
 

Space is limited & Pre-Registration is required.

Minimum # of Participants to hold class = 4

Maximum # of Participants = 8

CANCELLATION POLICY

 

Student Withdrawal

Due to artist/instructor preparations and travel, we do not provide refunds.

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Weather-Related 
In the event that Charlevoix Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather, classes will be cancelled. To the best of our ability, CCA will schedule a make-up class. Refunds will not be provided if the student is unable to attend a rescheduled class.

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Minimum Enrollment
If a class does not have the minimum number of students enrolled, CCA will notify you prior to the first session that the class is cancelled and will offer a full refund to the student. (Credit card payments will be refunded to the same card and check & cash payments will be refunded by check.)
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