2026 adult classes at Gallery 302
The Gentle Art of Ikebana: Spring
Teacher: Melinda Thomas, MFA, who studied through the Sogetsu School of Ikebana and is a member of Ikebana International.
Location: Gallery 302
Date: Saturday, April 18th, 10am to 1pm
Description: Ikebana, or Japanese flower arranging, is an art that highlights the connections between nature, spirit and humanity. It is considered a practice just like meditation and is one of the three Japanese refinements. In this class we will learn the basic principles that apply to all Ikebana as well as the creative flourishes that make your creations especially eye-catching.
Experience: No experience required
Materials: Supplied by teacher
Class size: Maximum is 8 students.
Price: $95 per student, includes ceramic bowl and kenzan for students to keep.
Oil Painting 101 For True Blue Beginners.
Teacher: Janice Simari Siegle is an oil painter known for her captivating and expressive artworks. She is recognized for her unique style and ability to create stunning landscapes, still life and portraits using oil as her medium of choice.
Location: Gallery 302
Date: Sunday, April 19th, 1pm to 4:30pm
Description: Introduction to oil painting materials. Introduction and demonstration of the oil painting process from blank canvas to finish product. Each student will create their own 5 x 7 oil painting from start to finish.
Experience: No experience required
Materials: Supplied by teacher
Class size: Max 10, Min 4
Price: $75 per student, includes your own 5x7 painting to bring home.
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For Questions, contact Janice at Janice.siegle@gmail.com
Art and AI
Teacher: David Hursty, artist at Gallery302 and photographer at www.dnhphoto207com
Location: Gallery 302
Date: Saturday, April 25th, 12pm - 4pm
Description: Explore the intersection of art and AI. the class will offer hands on experience in working with AI and artistic expression. Possible applications, Photoshop, Midjourney, and ChatGPT 5 and Suno (music generator).
Experience: No experience required
Materials: A laptop with appropriate software will be useful, but NOT required.
Class size: Maximum 6, minimum 2
Price: $100 per student
Introduction to Illuminated Calligraphy
Teacher: Melinda Thomas, MFA, is a graduate of School of Medieval Calligraphy in Gutenberg, Germany.
Location: Gallery 302
Date: Saturday, May 2nd, 10am - 2pm
Description: Learn the basics of Medieval Calligraphy used in illuminated books like the Book of Kells and Gutenburg Bible. Students will create a letter of the alphabet and add traditional embellishments and animals using gouache and gold leaf. A perfect gift for Mother's Day.
Experience: No experience required
Materials: Supplied by teacher
Class size: Maximum 8
Price: $95 per student​
Photographing the Milky Way Galaxy
Teacher: Stephen Beckwith, artist at Gallery 302 and photographer at www.scenesofmaine.com
Location: Gallery 302
Date: Sunday, May 3rd, 2pm - 5pm
Description: Learn the basics of photographing the night sky. This comprehensive class will cover several topics:
- What is the Milky Way
- When is the best time of the year to shoot it
- Where are the best locations to capture the Milky Way.
- How to photograph the Milky Way to include a comprehensive review of the Exposure Triangle and the proper settings used to maximize your night sky results.
- A basic processing workflow using Adobe Lightroom.
- Instructor will also provide possible dates for a photoshoot meet-up to apply what you learn in the class.
Experience: A basic understanding of shooting in manual mode is helpful, but class will cover the advantages of shooting in manual mode vs. automatic mode.
Materials: A fully charged laptop with Adobe Lightroom installed will be needed if you would like to follow along to the processing portion of the class. Instrutor will provide a RAW image to work with. Not needed for the class, but having a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a fast, wide angle lens (f/2.8 - f/4, 14mm - 24mm), and a sturdy tripod will be critical to maximize your chances of capturing a compelling Milky Way image.
Class size: Maximum 8
Price: $100 per student​​
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For Questions contact: Steve at steve@scenesofmaine.com
Elevate Your Photography
Teacher: David Hursty, artist at Gallery302 and photographer at www.dnhphoto207com
Location: Gallery 302
Date: Saturday, May 9th, 12pm - 4pm
Description: You will explore the process of taking your photos from snapshot to a photograph to a fine art image. From capturing the image to printing a gallery level image the class will focus on student images and the steps one can take to elevate the process and final product.
Experience: No experience required.
Materials: Photographs taken by students prior to the class.
Class size: Maximum 6, minimum 2
Price: $75.00 per student
Winslow Homer Workshop - Learn about his wood engravings and try print making.
Teacher: Judy Crosby has been a docent at the Portland Museum of Art for 30 years where she has given numerous gallery talks on Winslow Homer's art. She has also taught art history and art making workshops for youth at DaVinci Experience and Young at Heart Art for senior citizens.
Location: Gallery 302
Date: Saturday, May 16, 1pm to 3pm
Description: This workshop combines art history and art making. Learn about one of Maine's most famous artists and see images of the truly American art he created. Before he was a painter, he was known for his wood engravings. The first hour consists of a slide show and lecture about Homer's early career of producing drawings for wood engravings such as those published in Harper's Weekly. We'll discuss how his images reflected the times. The second hour will be a demonstration of print making with an opportunity for participants to create a print using EZ Soft Cut materials and carving tools. After the slide lecture and discussion, try your hand at basic print making.
Experience: No experience required
Materials: Supplied by teacher
Class size: Max 8, Min 3, ages high school to senior citizens.
Price: $50 per student, includes 4x4 print that the student makes during the class.
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For Questions Contact: Judy at judycrosbyart@gmail.com
The Gentle Art of Ikebana: Summer
Teacher: Melinda Thomas, MFA, wo studied through the Sogetsu School of Ikebana and is a member of the Ikebana International.
Location: Gallery 302
Date: Saturday, July 25, 10am - 1pm
Description: Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging that connects nature, spirit and humanity. Summer offers an abudance of plants from gardens and roadside alike that can be integrated into arrangements. Explore floral combinations that make your arrangements sophisticated and meaningful. This class is appropriate for students new to Ikebana and those who have taken a class before.
Experience: No experience required
Materials: Supplied by teacher
Class size: Maximum is 8 students
Price: $95 per student, includes ceramic bowl and kenzan for students to keep.