Learn Music Live
We’re excited to announce Learn Music Live at the Cain Center for the Arts on June 7th, 2026! Sixty students will take the stage to showcase what they’ve been working on in their lessons for friends and family. Twenty of the performing students are part of the Community Lesson Program, made possible by the Cain Center. We invite you to join us in cheering on these talented students. https://www.learnmusicnc.com
Charcoal Drawing: Beginners and Advanced
Charcoal Drawing: Beginners and Advanced (Ages 14 – Adults)Cain Center for the Arts: Classroom 115 May 11 – June 8 Price: $175.00 Mondays, 1:30pm – 3:30pm Instructor: Jenny Zito Description: Students will work directly from observation while learning how to see more accurately and translate what they see onto paper. We’ll focus on value, contrast, proportion, and creating depth using a variety of charcoal techniques. Through guided instruction and demonstrations, students will build confidence in observational drawing and complete a finished piece by the end of the workshop.
Bold & Bright
Bold & Bright (Ages 15 – Adults)Cain Center for the Arts: Classroom 115 May 13 – June 10 Price: $175.00 Wednesdays, 1:30pm – 3:30pm Instructor: Jenny Zito Description: Indulge your senses and explore the richness of color, texture, and form in this vibrant acrylic painting workshop. Luscious Fruit invited artists of all levels to create a bold, contemporary still life inspired by the natural beauty and fruit. Students will learn how to build layers of acrylic paint to achieve depth and luminosity, while focusing on color mixing, composition, and brushwork techniques. Through guided instruction, we’ll explore how to make fruit feel juicy, tactile, and alive–transforming everyday subject matter into expressive, contemporary artwork. This workshop encourages a balance of observation and personal style, allowing each artist to develop their own unique visual voice. Whether you lean toward realism or a more painterly approach, you’ll leave with a finished piece that feels fresh, dynamic, and full of life. Perfect for beginners and experienced painters alike.
Fluid Lines: Exploring the Beauty of India Ink
Fluid Lines: Exploring the Beauty of India Ink (Ages 14 – Adults)Cain Center for the Arts: Classroom 232 May 12 – June 9 Price: $175.00 Tuesdays, 1:30pm – 3:30pm Instructor: Jenny Zito Description: This workshop introduces students to the expressive and versatile medium of India Ink. Participants will explore observational drawing techniques using both still life and photographic references. Emphasis will be placed on-line quality, value, contrast, and mark-making to create dynamic, finished compositions. Students will learn how to translate what they see into bold ink drawings while developing confidence in working with permanent materials. Through guided instruction and demonstrations, participants will experiment with a variety of tools such as brushes, dip pens, and ink washes.
An Artist’s Hand in a Digital World: Intro to Procreate
An Artist’s Hand in a Digital World: Intro to Procreate (16+)Cain Center for the Arts: Classroom 115 Saturday, April 25th 10AM-1PM Price: $100 Instructor: Lisa Albinus Description: Discover how to bring your artistic vision to life on the iPad using Procreate, the powerful and intuitive digital drawing app loved by artists worldwide. This hands-on workshop introduces participants to the essential tools and techniques for creating digital artwork — from setting up your canvas and working with layers to exploring brushes, color palettes, and blending modes. Designed for artists of all levels, especially those transitioning from traditional to digital media, this session emphasizes creativity over complexity. Students will complete a simple digital illustration while gaining confidence navigating the Procreate workspace. No prior digital art experience is necessary — just bring your iPad, Apple Pencil, and curiosity to explore a new way to make art.
Drawing Whites: Advanced Shading Skills
Drawing Whites: Advanced Shading SkillsCain Center for the Arts: Classroom 115 April 16 – May 21 Price: $200.00 Thursdays, 10:30AM-12:00PM Instructor: Lisa Albinus Course Description: White objects and pale surfaces are deceptively difficult to draw. Push too hard and they turn gray. Hold back too much and they fall flat. This six-week graphite class focuses on learning how to work in that narrow, subtle space where light values come to life. Students will explore how to build form using restraint—layering graphite gently, controlling pressure, and learning how small value shifts can describe shape without overwhelming it. Working from simple, light-colored subjects, the class emphasizes developing a drawing after it has been established, strengthening it through nuance rather than contrast. This course is ideal for artists who already know how to construct a drawing and are ready to refine it. The skills developed here deepen control in graphite and translate naturally to other drawing and painting mediums. ***Cornelius Residents will use RESCODE for Cornelius resident price in the shopping cart.***
Pen & Ink Foundations
Pen & Ink FoundationsCain Center for the Arts: Classroom 115 April 16 – May 21 Price: $200.00 Thursdays, 4:30pm – 6:00pm Instructor: Lisa Albinus Course Description: This beginner pen and ink class introduces students to drawing with ink as a precise, line-based medium. Students will learn how to control line weight, build value through hatching and stippling, and use contour and cross-contour lines to describe form and texture. Class will focus on observational drawing, mark-making exercises, and guided projects designed to build confidence and control with ink. Emphasis is placed on slowing down, making intentional marks, and developing drawings through line rather than tone or color. This class is suitable for adults with little to no experience working in ink, as well as those looking to strengthen their drawing fundamentals through a structured, skill-focused approach. ***Cornelius Residents will use RESCODE for Cornelius resident price in the shopping cart.***
The Art of Abstract Painting
The Art of Abstract PaintingCain Center for the Arts: Classroom 115 April 14 – May 19 Price: $200.00 Tuesdays, 2:00pm – 4:00pm Instructor: Kathy Murray Course Description: Have you ever wished your paintings could be looser and more energetic? In this class we will explore different methods and techniques to create abstract paintings. How to look at something real like a still life or landscape and make it abstract by really changing the shapes, lines, colors and other things that you see. Create using your choice of many types of media, different brush sizes, textures, patterns, acrylic paints, tools, stamps, stencils, collage papers, pencils, art crayons, etc. Some basic art “rules” will be discussed and discarded at your discretion. Beginners or Experienced Welcome! Let’s get loose and have fun! ***Cornelius Residents will use RESCODE for Cornelius resident price in the shopping cart.***
Unbe-Weavable : Intro to Forms of Weaving (10-12) WK 5 AM
Unbe-Weavable : Intro to Forms of Weaving – WK 5 9:30AM July 20 – July 24 | 9:30AM – 12:30PM Cain Center for the Arts | Classroom 232 Age: 10-12 Price: $200 Instructor: Devann Gardner Camp Description: Students will explore the possibilities of weaving in exciting and unexpected ways. Students will begin by learning the basics of weaving, experimenting with color, texture, and pattern. They’ll then take weaving outdoors (or use collected natural materials) by creating woven artworks on tree branches and sticks, learning the versatility of weaving techniques. Students will scale up their skills to create large woven sculptures called “boondoggles” using thick yarn and cordage. Participants will leave with multiple finished woven artworks and the knowledge of how weaving works from small and detailed to bold and large-scale. ***Cornelius Residents will use RESCODE for Cornelius Resident price in the shopping cart.***
Ceramics for Teens (10-15) WK 5 PM
Ceramics for Teens – WK 5 1:30PM July 20 – July 24 | 1:30PM – 4:30PM 21212 Catawba Avenue | Wheel Room Age: 10-15 Price: $200 Instructor: Lindsay DeBlasio Camp Description: Ceramics for Teens offers campers the experience of learning both wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques. With these skills, campers will be able create a variety of different ceramic pieces. ***Cornelius Residents will use RESCODE for Cornelius Resident price in the shopping cart.***