2026 Classes
Studio School for Adults
Our roster of professional artists bring fun, skill-developing classes for adults to begin and advance within multiple art forms including drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry, and more.
WINTER 2026 Classes
On Sale NOV 14 at 10 AM:
REGISTER BY DEC 5 & SAVE $5! OR, REGISTER FOR TWO SIX-WEEK SESSIONS TOGETHER AND SAVE 15%
(offer not valid with early registration discount)
On Sale NOV 14!
Winter 2026 Ceramics Classes
SESSION 1: MON / JAN 5 – FEB 9 / 6 – 9 PM
SESSION 2: MON / FEB 23 – APR 6 / 6 – 9 PM
$175 / $160 Museum Members, per session
Location: Carriage Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
Are you curious about the world of pottery? With a few tools, handbuilding will allow you to create amazing functional and sculptural pieces. Pam Hart will use projects to teach the handbuilding skills of coil, pinch pot, and slab. This will give you an understanding of clay and its potential. If you’re already a handbuilder, these projects can serve as a jumping off point for your own work. Each session features all NEW projects. Students are expected to purchase clay through the Center Ticket Office for $50.
Instructor Pam Hart / Beginner Level
TUE / JAN 5 – MAR 24 / 6– 9 PM
$300 / $285 Museum Members, per session
Location: Carriage Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
If you’re interested in learning to throw on the pottery wheel, this class is for you! Mike Zureich will work with you to develop your fundamental wheel throwing competencies with ten basic small steps, which you’ll be applying in sequence to make impressive cylinders, bowls, mugs, vases, and plates while having a lot of fun along this 12-week journey! Students are expected to purchase clay through the Center Ticket Office for $50.
Instructor Mike Zureich / Beginner & Intermediate Levels
SESSION 1: WED / JAN 7 – FEB 11 / 10 AM – 1 PM
SESSION 2: WED / FEB 25 – APR 8 / 10 AM – 1 PM
$175 / $160 Museum Members, per session
Location: Carriage Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
Now that you have learned the basic forms and techniques, let’s have fun with them! In this class we are going DEEP—by exploring advanced forms, surface techniques, and a bit of sculpture. In addition, we will stretch our minds to think more broadly in the realm of aesthetics and how to create a cohesive body of work around a single theme. Come join us for an adventure as we dive deeper into the vast world of ceramic possibilities. Students are expected to purchase clay through the Center Ticket Office for $50.
Instructor Beth Nova / Advanced Level
SESSION 1: THU / JAN 8 – FEB 12 / 6 – 9 PM
SESSION 2: THU / FEB 26 – APR 8 / 6 – 9 PM
$175 / $160 Museum Members, per session
Location: Carriage Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
This course is designed for students with an intermediate and/or advanced level of ceramic experience. Each student will choose projects based off previous class experiences and demonstrations of which they hope to improve. Instructor guidance and suggested practice techniques will help each student progress within their own skill level. The focus will be to practice and improve the quality and craftsmanship of each piece building up to a satisfying body of work with the option to photograph and submit work to exhibits and shows. Students are expected to purchase clay through the Center Ticket Office for $50.
Instructor TBD / Intermediate & Advanced Level
FRI / FEB 13 / 6– 9 PM
$75 / $65 Museum Members, per session
Location: Carriage Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
Looking for something fun and unique to do with your Valentine this year? Come reenact Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore in our pottery studio! We are opening up our studio for this special date night event to anyone interested—no previous clay experience needed. You and your significant other will get a crash course in throwing pottery, as well as some excellent photo ops, while you enjoy chocolate covered strawberries and a glass of champagne. Please purchase one ticket per person (two tickets needed per couple). All tools and materials are provided; ID check required to consume alcohol.
Instructor Beth Nova / All Skill Levels
Photography Classes
SAT / JAN 10 / 1 – 5 PM
$55 / $45 (Museum Members)
Location: Chippewa Nature Center (400 S Badour Rd, Midland, MI 48640)
This workshop will give students an opportunity to enhance their winter photography skills. The instructor will address challenges such as high contrast shooting, selecting subjects, and camera issues in cold weather. The group will first meet to discuss the plan of action during the workshop, then spend three hours shooting pictures, and end by reviewing students’ captured images. Students must bring their own digital camera. Warm clothing is a must; backup date is JAN 17 for inclement weather or lack of snow.
Instructor Stephen Grewe / All Skill Levels
Painting & Printmaking Classes
SESSION 1: MON / JAN 5 – FEB 9 / 10 AM – 1 PM
SESSION 2: MON / FEB 23 – APR 6 / 10 AM – 1 PM
$155 / $140 Museum Members, per session
Location: Greater Midland Community Center, 2205 Jefferson Ave, Midland, MI 48640
Learn the basics of painting or hone your current skills as you learn to manipulate brushes, mix colors, and apply paint. Use traditional and contemporary processes to develop an individual painting style.
Students will study old Master’s techniques such as grisaille and painting alla prima, while painting from life and photo references. Students must provide their own materials.
Instructor Jill Tatroe / Beginner & Intermediate Levels
SESSION 1: MON / JAN 5 – FEB 9 / 10 AM – 1 PM
SESSION 2: MON / FEB 23 – APR 6 / 10 AM – 1 PM
$180 / $165 Museum Members, per session
Location: Carriage House Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
This is a class designed to address issues with painting landscapes from photographs. We will discuss perspective, color choice, weight, temperature, values, rhythm, and repetition in your composition. You may choose to paint in oil, acrylic or watercolor. Instructor Nancy Philo is skilled in all these mediums to assist you in your art journey. Students must provide their own materials.
Instructor Nancy Philo / Intermediate Level
$180 / $165 (Museum Members)
Location: Carriage House Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
This class is for students who have taken Nancy Philo’s beginning class and want to improve their painting skills. You must have a working knowledge of watercolor techniques. We will work on more advanced techniques, practicing and honing our skills with this beautiful and elusive medium. Discussions and assignments will include how to paint from photographs, understanding layering color with watercolor, painting the still life setup, and rendering textures - glass, raffia, fur, etc. Class critiques and homework are part of this class. Students must provide their own materials.
Instructor Nancy Philo / Intermediate & Advanced Levels
$75 / $65 (Museum Members)
Location: Carriage House Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
Learn the art of block printing while making original Valentine’s Day cards for you and yours. After creating your unique design, Jill Tatroe will walk you through carving and printing your one-of-a-kind cards. Take your craved block home and print unlimited cards in the future! Great for a Valentine’s or Galentine’s date! All tools and supplies are provided.
Instructor Jill Tatroe / All Skill Levels
Jewelry Classes
MON / JAN 5 – JAN 19 / 6 – 9 PM
$125 / $110 (Museum Members)
Location: Carriage Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
Ignite your passion for jewelry making by starting with chains: beware though, you might get “hooked”! In this workshop, you will learn how to make jump rings, both regular and decorative, to create two projects without “breaking” the bank or investing a lot of time. Tools, equipment, and materials will be provided.
Instructor Becky White / All Skill Levels
MON / JAN 6 – FEB 10 / 6 – 9 PM
$175 / $160 (Museum Members)
Location: Carriage Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
This 6-week hand-fabricated jewelry class offers a wonderful opportunity to explore the versatility and endless possibilities of manipulating precious metals and gemstones into objects of adornment. Students will learn fundamental jewelry fabrication techniques with emphasis on soldering, as well as essential gemological information about gemstones and how they should be cared for during the manufacturing process. Students must purchase all raw materials with instructor assistance.
Instructor Roger Schmidt / All Skill Levels
WED / JAN 7 – FEB 11 / 6 – 9 PM
$175 / $160 (Museum Members)
Location: Carriage Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
Explore the art of jewelry making with lost wax casting. Students create wax models that are cast into silver jewelry. Open to all skill levels; beginners start with two guided projects to learn wax types and techniques before designing their own pieces. The course covers wax sculpting, spruing, casting, finishing, and polishing. Students must purchase all raw materials with instructor assistance.
Instructor Roger Schmidt / All Skill Levels
WED / FEB 23 – APR 6 / 6 – 9 PM
$175 / $160 (Museum Members)
Location: Carriage Hall, 3200 Cook Rd, Midland, MI 48640
This class is designed to be an introduction to jewelry making in its most basic form using cold connections; no soldering. You will learn all the tools used and their usages to create projects held together with rivets, jump rings, etc., in base metals like aluminum, brass, copper and steel. You will learn how to connect all the components for bracelets, pendants, and rings to complete a piece to show off your new skills! Tools and equipment provided. Instructor will help students order their materials according to their chosen projects.
Instructor Becky White / Beginner Level
Drawing Classes
MON / JAN 5 – FEB 9 / 6 – 8 PM
$155 / $140 (Museum Members)
Location: Greater Midland Community Center, 2205 Jefferson Ave, Midland, MI 48640
In this class, we will learn techniques to capture the likeness of people and animals in a grayscale drawing. We will practice basic sketching and rendering techniques as well as tricks for detailing the features of faces. Half the class will focus on human characteristics, and the other half on animals. Students will also have the opportunity to choose a final independent project to work on with instructor guidance. Students must provide their own materials.
Instructor Allise Noble / Beginner & Intermediate Levels
MON / FEB 23 – APR 6 / 6 – 8 PM
$155 / $140 (Museum Members)
Location: Greater Midland Community Center, 2205 Jefferson Ave, Midland, MI 48640
Create beautiful illustrations in ink, exploring both realism as well as more whimsical, stylized applications. Learn basic drawing skills with both pen and pencil, and then add a burst of color using watercolor markers. This technique is relaxing and experimental and works with a variety of drawing styles. Students must provide their own materials.
Instructor Allise Noble / Beginner & Intermediate Levels
Class & Workshop Info
- We’re in the process of building brand new studios as part of our ongoing reconstruction! In the meantime, we’re grateful to our community partners for providing accessible classrooms so we can continue offering classes without interruption. Be sure to double-check your class location and keep an eye on your email for updates before your session begins.
- There is a $3 processing fee per class.
- Refunds/exchanges must be requested at least 1 week before the class or workshop start date. All refunds are subject to a 15% processing fee except for those classes canceled by the Center.
- Class supply lists are given out on the first day of class unless listed in the description. For most classes, students are responsible for the purchase of supplies.
- If you are unable to attend class due to illness, please contact us at education@midlandcenter.org to receive a partial voucher to be used for future classes.
- For Fall Classes, there will be no classes the week of NOV 24 – 28, 2025, with the exception of Mixed Media Magic.