Beginning and Maintaining a Sketchbook Practice
Beginning and Maintaining a Sketchbook PracticeCain Center for the Arts: Classroom 115 Jan. 8 – Feb 12, 2026 Price: $175.00 Thursdays, 4:30pm – 6:00pm Instructor: Lisa Albinus Course Description: Learning to draw can be done easily enough — practicing it is an entirely different discipline. This six-week class focuses on building a consistent sketchbook practice rooted in curiosity rather than perfection. Students will learn to see, record, and respond to the world around them through accessible, creative prompts. Each week introduces a new concept such as observation, storytelling, inspiration, or reflection, supported by hands-on demos and open exploration. Students are encouraged to work with materials they already have — pencil, ink, or watercolor — and to find the method that feels most natural to maintain a daily sketchbook habit. Drawing is a learnable skill. Maintaining it is a choice. All materials welcome. This class is about process, not polish. ***Cornelius Residents will use RESCODE for Cornelius resident price in the shopping cart.***
Watercolor Beginners and Beyond
Watercolor Beginners and BeyondCain Center for the Arts: Classroom 115 Jan. 7 – Feb. 18, 2026 Price: $195.00 Wednesdays, 1:00pm – 3:30pm Instructor: Gail Kolenda Course Description: This class is for anyone who loves watercolors – both beginners and advanced students. Beginners will learn about colors, papers and brushes. Each week we will build upon the lessons moving from color chart, to mixing, to techniques, to creating a complete watercolor painting. I will be teaching the basic washes, glazing, watercolor “tricks”, and use of shadows. Composition will be introduced. At the end of each class the student will have at least one, if not more, projects to take home. Advanced students will have a special project weekly using different techniques and themes. Please note: This class will not meet on Wednesday, January 14th. ***Cornelius Residents will use RESCODE for Cornelius resident price in the shopping cart.***
Mixed Media Painting and Collage
Mixed Media Painting and CollageCain Center for the Arts: Classroom 115 Jan. 5 – Feb. 9, 2026 Price: $195.00 Mondays, 4:30pm – 6:30pm Instructor: Kathy Murray Course Description: Try some new techniques to create textural and interesting mixed media art! Using acrylic paints students will create patterned, lined, and nature gel printed papers. Then they will layer them with pencil marks, paint and other media to create exciting pieces. The instructor will assist with the basics like composition and color optimization. This class welcomes beginners or those who are more experienced that just want to have fun! ***Cornelius Residents will use RESCODE for Cornelius resident price in the shopping cart.***
Discover Your Own Artistic Style
Discover Your Own Artistic StyleCain Center for the Arts: Classroom 115 Jan. 7 – Feb. 11, 2026 Price: $195.00 Thursdays, 1:00pm – 3:30pm Instructor: Gail Kolenda Course Description: Explore different art styles and experiment with techniques designed to spark inspiration and deepen your creativity. You will learn what makes each style unique and discover what speaks to you personally. This class guides adult artists in uncovering and refining their own unique style – one brush stroke at a time. One doesn’t need experience – just enthusiasm. All levels welcomed. ***Cornelius Residents will use RESCODE for Cornelius resident price in the shopping cart.***
Painting with Graphite: Discover the Power of a “Simple” Medium
Graphite: The Hero Hiding in Your Pencil CaseCain Center for the Arts: Classroom 115 Jan. 7 – Feb. 11, 2026 Price: $175.00 Wednesdays, 10:30am – 12:00pm Instructor: Lisa Albinus Course Description: Graphite is so much more than a sketching tool — it’s a powerhouse medium hiding in plain sight, In this six-week technical class, we slow down the pace and treat graphite as a true painting medium. What we’ll explore: – Technical graphite layering for soft, even tone – Clean edges and controlled transitions – Texture development without harsh strokes – Light, shadow, and subtle tonal mapping – Managing light so highlights remain crisp and believable – Rendering natural forms with accuracy and intention By the end, you’ll have artwork that feels polished, dimensional, and far from a quick sketch. If you’re ready to stop sketching and start truly drawing with graphite, this is your class. ***Cornelius Residents will use RESCODE for Cornelius resident price in the shopping cart.***
Intermediate/Advanced Wheel Throwing
Intermediate/Advanced Wheel ThrowingCornelius Arts Center: Ceramics Studio Oct. 22 – Nov. 5, 2025 Price: $100 Wednesday, Oct. 22 – 6pm-9pm Thursday, Oct. 29 – 6pm-9pm Thursday, Nov. 5 – 6pm-9pm Instructor: Ken Lambdin Course Description: This workshop is for experienced students capable of centering and throwing 5lbs of clay. Three sessions meeting on Wednesday evenings will focus on special topics including handles, throwing off the hump, and glazing. Students will have a hands-on instructor to help to improve their wheel throwing skills. PLEASE READ: given our upcoming move out of the Oak Street Mill location and the subsequent abbreviated ceramic session, registration does not guarantee firing for all pieces created in class. The last firing date will be Nov. 3rd. Pieces created after November 3rd run the risk of not being fired. ***Cornelius Residents will use RESCODE for Cornelius resident price in the shopping cart.***
Youth Create with Clay: Beginner
Youth Create with Clay: BeginnerCornelius Arts Center: Ceramics Studio Oct. 23 – Oct. 30, 2025 Ages: 10-16 Price: $85 Thursday, Oct. 23 – 5pm-7pm Thursday, Oct. 30 – 5pm-7pm Instructor: Taisia Ealy Course Description: This ceramics class provides the opportunity to explore the joy and the challenges of working with clay. Students will learn how to make pottery on the wheel while also learning how to roll coils, build slabs, & create textures and unique surface patterns while sculpting their own unique pieces. *Pre-Requisite: Beginner for this class is considered to be 3 or less classes with this instructor. PLEASE READ: Given our upcoming move out of the Oak Street Mill location and the subsequent abbreviated ceramic session, registration does not guarantee firing for all pieces created in class. The last firing date will be Nov. 3rd. Pieces created after November 3rd run the risk of not being fired. ***Cornelius Residents will use RESCODE for Cornelius resident price in the shopping cart.***
Youth Create with Clay: Intermediate & Advanced
Youth Create with Clay: Intermediate & AdvancedCornelius Arts Center: Ceramics Studio Oct. 23 – Oct. 30, 2025 Ages: 10-16 Price: $85 Thursday, Oct. 23 – 7pm-9pm Thursday, Oct. 30 – 7pm-9pm Instructor: Taisia Ealy Course Description: This ceramics class provides the opportunity to explore the joy and the challenges of working with clay. Students will learn how to make pottery on the wheel while also learning how to roll coils, build slabs, & create textures and unique surface patterns while sculpting their own unique pieces. *Pre-Requisite: Must have taken 4 or more classes with this instructor. PLEASE READ: Given our upcoming move out of the Oak Street Mill location and the subsequent abbreviated ceramic session, registration does not guarantee firing for all pieces created in class. The last firing date will be Nov. 3rd. Pieces created after November 3rd run the risk of not being fired. ***Cornelius Residents will use RESCODE for Cornelius resident price in the shopping cart.***
Discover the Power of Color
Discover The Power Of ColorCain Center for the Arts: Classroom 115 Oct. 30 – Dec. 11, 2025 Price: $195.00 Thursday, 1:00pm – 3:30pm Instructor: Gail Kolenda Course Description: Over 6 weeks you will learn about color theory and experiment with color to better understand how they work when creating a piece of art. Whether you use watercolor, or acrylic, or gouache, you will experience lab classes where we will use one color weekly and complete the session with a piece of art. We will delve into hue, value and intensity as we create. Transparency and opacity will come into play. The color wheel will become your companion as you plan and do an art piece. Did you know that the colors used in an art piece can exude emotion, indicate action or perhaps establish a visual impact? Come discover how colors work and interact. It is fun and often surprising. Join us at our discovery lab! ***Cornelius Residents will use RESCODE for Cornelius resident price in the shopping cart.***
Colored Pencil: Still Life With A Fall Focus
Colored Pencil: Still Life with a Fall FocusCain Center for the Arts: Classroom 115 Oct. 30 – Dec. 11, 2025 Price: $175.00 Thursday, 4:30pm – 6:00pm Instructor: Lisa Albinus Course Description: Celebrate the colors and textures of the season while strengthening your drawing skills in this six-week colored pencil class. Using seasonal subjects, students will learn how to capture light, shadow, and form through composition, layering, shading, and color blending. Each week builds on essential techniques — from planning strong compositions and mapping shadows, to turning form and creating surface textures with color. Students will work from both live models and photo references, gaining confidence in observation, design, and colored pencil techniques. Prior experience is not necessary. Students who are new will be supported with handouts and practice exercises to get them up to speed, while continuing students will have opportunities to deepen their skills. By the end of the session, students will complete a finished seasonal still life, with the option of exploring additional studies for variety and challenge. ***Cornelius Residents will use RESCODE for Cornelius resident price in the shopping cart.***