Classes &

Workshops

Fostering the creativity of artists of all levels

The mission of the continuing education program is to give our community a safe place to experiment and strengthen the importance of creating.

Check out the following categories for learning at Arlene’s:

Adult Classes & Workshops

Covering a broad range of artistic mediums and techniques, our multi-day adult classes offer plenty of time for immersion and experimentation while our one day workshops are a great way to try something new.

Make and Take's

Open to all ages and experience levels, Make and Take’s are a great way to turn something new. No judgement. All supplies included. Make and Take’s are done in conjunction with our Artist in Residence Program.

Student Guide

Learn how to get involved with workshops, residences, mentorship program, and more at the Atelier. Everything you need to know is in this guide.

CLICK HERE >

Search our upcoming classes and workshops catalog below!

Register for classes and workshops below, by calling Arlene’s at (518) 481-8882, or in person, at 57 Fuller Rd Albany NY 12205. For additional details, including supply lists and registering for individual classes or workshops, click the REGISTER HERE button next to the listing.

Have questions? Please review our Registration Information and Policies, and don’t forget to check out the Atelier FAQs.

Upcoming Classes & Workshops

Fri, Mar 13
Watercolor Masterclass with Carolyn DiFiori Hopkins, MFA
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Mar 13, 2026, 11:00 AM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
An immersive advanced class designed for serious watercolor painters. Students will take on ambitious pieces with the support of in-depth critique, demonstrations, and individually tailored guidance.
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Sat, Mar 14
Exploring Alcohol Inks on Tile with Kris Woodward
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Mar 14, 2026, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
Discover the bold, fluid world of alcohol inks in this colorful, hands‑on workshop. Perfect for beginners and intermediate artists, this class introduces you to the unique ways alcohol inks move, blend, and react on ceramic or porcelain tiles to create vivid abstract or representational pieces.
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Wed, Mar 18
Exploring Watercolor: Weekly Online Class with Carolyn DiFiori Hopkins, MFA
ZOOM
REGISTER HERE
Mar 18, 2026, 6:30 PM
ZOOM
A warm and engaging online weekly watercolor class open to all levels. Each session introduces a new technique, material, or subject, helping students build a steady foundation and a consistent creative practice from home.
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Fri, Mar 20
Artist Talk with Carolyn DiFiori Hopkins
Arlene's Artist Materials
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Mar 20, 2026, 2:30 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
Step inside the atmospheric world of Entangled Horizons with artist Carolyn DiFiori Hopkins as she shares the ideas, thoughts, and quiet observations that shaped her newest body of work. In this intimate artist talk, Carolyn will discuss how she builds her paintings through shifting light...
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Sat, Mar 21
Alla Prima Oil Painting with Rachael Duchnycz
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Mar 21, 2026, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
Ready to loosen up and let your instincts lead the way? This hands-on oil painting workshop introduces you to alla prima—a direct, expressive technique where your entire painting is completed in one lively, wet-on-wet technique.
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Tue, Mar 24
Intro to Oil Painting with Arnela Mahmutović
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Mar 24, 2026, 11:00 AM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
This four‑week beginner class introduces students to the full process of oil painting, from preparing surfaces to finishing a final piece. Through hands‑on practice with materials, color, and technique, students build a strong foundation and the confidence to keep painting beyond the workshop.
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Wed, Mar 25
Let’s Gather! Drawing from Life with Teresa Ricci
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Mar 25, 2026, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
Take a creative break and join us for an afternoon of drawing from life with artist Teresa Ricci. This workshop welcomes all levels—whether you’re just starting out, looking to sharpen your skills, or simply ready to shake off an art block and make something new.
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Sat, Mar 28
Everyday Sketching: Faces & Features with artist in residence Ottavia Huang
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Mar 28, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
Join us for a relaxed session focused on sketching faces and features with watercolor and ink. Ottavia will guide you through simple shapes, gentle observations, and approachable techniques that make drawing people feel natural and fun.
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Fri, Apr 10
Intro to Watercolor with Carolyn DiFiori Hopkins, MFA
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Apr 10, 2026, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
This workshop offers a gentle introduction to watercolor, perfect for those just starting out. You’ll learn about the essential materials—brushes, paper, palettes, and paints—and practice very basic techniques such as simple washes, water control, and how watercolor behaves on the page.
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Sat, Apr 11
Woolly Waterfalls with artist in residence Althea Pestine Stevens
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Apr 11, 2026, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
Dive into the wonderful world of wool as you create your own soft, shimmering waterfall scene. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll explore how color, texture, and shape come together while needle‑felting a two‑dimensional piece full of movement and depth.
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Sat, Apr 11
Wearable Watercolor Art with artist in residence Aly Parrott
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Apr 11, 2026, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
Get lost in a tiny magical world, and create your own wearable watercolor necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more.
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Fri, Apr 17
Painting Glass in Watercolor with Kris Woodward
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Apr 17, 2026, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
In this workshop you’ll break down how light moves through and across glass, how to suggest shine without overworking, and how to use soft edges, layered washes, and controlled highlights to create convincing depth and clarity.
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Fri, Apr 17
Beginning Watercolor with Carolyn DiFiori Hopkins, MFA
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Apr 17, 2026, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
This workshop builds on Carolyn’s Intro to Watercolor workshop and helps you take the next step in your painting journey. You’ll practice value studies, edges, basic color mixing, and simple compositions while gaining more comfort with water and pigment.
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Sat, Apr 18
Intro to Acrylic Painting with Tracy Loring
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Apr 18, 2026, 10:30 AM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
Dive into the fundamentals of acrylic painting in this two‑day, hands‑on class. Tracy will guide you through essential techniques—blending, building texture, glazing, and color mixing—so you can feel confident working with this versatile medium.
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Sat, Apr 18
Botanical Drawing: Magnolias with Colored Pencils with Nancy Lyons
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Apr 18, 2026, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
In this workshop, participants will explore the warm, earthy surface of Kraft paper, a unique alternative to traditional white or cream drawing sheets. Its natural tone creates a beautiful contrast with both highlights and shadows, allowing colors to glow in a different, more atmospheric way.
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Sat, Apr 18
Block Print Your Own Set of Reusable Cloth Napkins with artist in residence Casey Beal
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Apr 18, 2026, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
Join artist in residence Casey Beal for a relaxing afternoon of block printing and create your own set of reusable cloth napkins.
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Fri, Apr 24
Intermediate Watercolor with Carolyn DiFiori Hopkins, MFA
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Apr 24, 2026, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
For students ready to move beyond the basics, this workshop dives into atmospheric washes, transitions, color strategies, layering, and more complex subjects. You’ll begin refining your personal direction while continuing to strengthen technique and confidence with watercolor.
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Sat, Apr 25
Bright Peony Workshop with Oksana Burr
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Apr 25, 2026, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
In this workshop, Oksana will guide you step-by-step through techniques for creating texture, adding dimension, and exploring the meditative process of the medium. It’s a chance to “work in reverse” and see your subject come to life in vibrant color.
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