Classes
MontiArts (periodically) hosts classes and workshops by local and visiting artists. Find class information along with cost and sign up instructions below.
Upcoming Classes
Artists Way Course
Back by Popular Demand: The Artist’s Way!
Unlock your creativity with The Artist’s Way, the beloved multi-week course based on Julia Cameron’s groundbreaking book. This inspiring class helps you break through creative blocks, discover new artistic possibilities, and reconnect with your creative self.
We’re excited to partner with Enzo’s Wonderland, Monticello’s local, woman-owned bookstore, where you can purchase or pre-order your copy of The Artist’s Way. Be sure to visit them at 141 Broadway St E, Suite 5, Monticello, MN 55362 to support a great local business while preparing for class.
Don’t miss this opportunity to spark your creativity—sign up today!
**Click HERE to sign up
**You must register your address, even if you live outside Monticello, and complete email validation to confirm your registration. For help with registration email: arts@monticellomn.gov
Summer Art Camps for Youth
Past Classes
Kintsugi Workshop
Kintsugi: The Beauty of Imperfection
Join us for another round of Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. More than just a repair technique, Kintsugi is a thoughtful and reflective practice that embraces imperfections and highlights resilience. In this class, you’ll not only learn the basics of pottery repair but also explore the philosophy behind Wabi-Sabi—finding beauty in flaws and impermanence.
Whether you’re mending a cherished piece or creating something new from broken fragments, this class offers a meaningful and meditative experience. Sign up and discover the art of transformation!
Link to sign up for the class: https://secure.rec1.com/MN/monticello-mn/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTM1MzU5OTA=
**You must register your address, even if you live outside Monticello, and complete email validation to confirm your registration. For help with registration email: arts@monticellomn.gov
March 6th, 7th, & 13th
6:00-9:00pm
Creative Self Portrait Class
Tuesdays Nov. 12, 19, and 26th 6:30-8:30pm
This class is so cool, and an absolute steal! Do yourself a favor and sign-up right now. You do not need any special skills to create something really meaningful and beautiful. Local artist Lori Swanson will guide you step by step through a fun exploration of abstract painting, combined with collage and a writing exercize to create your very own artistic expression of yourself.
Here’s what Lori has to say about it:
“When was the last time you allowed yourself to play? Whether it was yesterday or years ago? Now is the time to join me, as we explore how to bring play into art as well as experimenting with various art mediums. Together we will discover types of visual languages and your unique expressions. Exploring our life experiences and mantras, we will create an authentic driven “I Am” abstract art piece. Wait. Abstract? Yep. Come play and find out how fun abstract painting is! This class is 3 sessions long and is $30. It will take place on Tuesday, Nov 12, 19, and 26th from 6:30-8:30pm. “
HERE is a sign-up link. Sign-up today! Space limited.
Advanced Mosaic Workshops
(Summer of 2024)
Buckle-up mosaic artists. We’re about to launch into overdrive! Thanks to a grant from the Central MN Arts Board, we have an opportunity to work with regional mosaic master Laura Ruprecht. Some of you took her beginner workshop last fall. This will be a whole new ball-game. The designs on the flier are some examples of her extraordinary work. But for this project Laura is creating 6 all-new original designs, just for Monticello.
In these workshops we will be working similar to the old-world apprentice style of art making, where we are all working together to create pieces true to the lead artists Laura’s vision. You will learn advanced glass cutting and shaping skills, and how to create an intricate mosaic on top of a printed design overlayed with backing mesh.
This is it, Monticello artists; the beginning of our mosaic movement. It’s a chance for us to build a coalition of highly skilled mosaic artists right in our own midst. This will be an opportunity for us to absorb and pass these skills along to others in subsequent years. Let’s create a legacy of community-built public art in Monticello together.
The design-reveal workshop dates with Laura are Sat June 29th, Sat Aug 3rd, and Sat Sept 7th, from 10 to 4.
At each of these Saturday Workshops we will receive 2 new designs from Laura and will have roughly a month to complete our work. Laura will get us started, and check on our progress throughout the project. We will get to see our work installed onto the round benches and grouted as the project unfolds. At the end we’ll host a public unveiling and have a party.
You can sign-up for one workshop, or all 3. This will be a time commitment. This will be exactling work. The results will be spectacular and unlike anything else in our region. The workshops will have a limit of 8 people. This workgroup will be an excellent chance to make some new art friends. We will arrange for many worksessions throughout the month to accomodate people’s schedules in order to complete the mosaics in time for the next launch. There will be some independent work sessions available once everyone’s skills have been brought up to par too.
This is not a beginner’s project. If you have some mosiac experience and want to be part of a legacy project everyone will be very proud of, sign-up now, and let’s make some amazing art together this summer!
*Sign-up*
* HERE for Session 1 (June 29th),
*HERE for Session 2 (Aug 3rd),
*HERE for Session 3 (Sept 7th).
Mosaics Workshop
(2 day June 1st and 2nd, 2024)
This is honestly more than a workshop. We’re starting a movement here, and leaving a legacy. Mosiac art can last for many many years, decades even. Some mosaics have even been discovered that are centuries old. Wouldn’t it be amazing if Monticello became known for having incredible community-built public mosaic art all over town? That is our dream. One of them anyway.
Sign-up for this very limited workshop and embark with us on this journey. This workshop is a precursor to some more advanced workshops we’ll be offering throughout July, August and September with Laura Ruprecht. More on those below.
In this workshop I’ll explain how the fish forms were made, in case you want to build your own outdoor sculpture pieces, but they will be ready to cover with mosaics. We’ll go over how to plan your project, select colors and create a pattern. Then you’ll be taught some glass cutting and shaping techniques that will bring your skills to the next level needed to work on more complex, intricate designs.
This is not for kids, and not suitable for those with limited hand strength/mobility. We sometimes joke amongst ourselves, we artists, saying, “It’s called art WORK.” This is that kind of project. It is not easy, and not super fast, but the results will be something you can really be proud of. Can you imagine someone someday showing their kid the fish you made on display somewhere in town and telling them, “Your great great grandparent/aunt/uncle made that, way back in 2024!”
Sign-up and hang-out with us the first weekend in June. Make some new art friends. Learn a new skill. Join a movement!
Beginning Watercolor!
(March 2024)
Sign-up up right now. These will fill quickly.
Just starting out with watercolor and want some help finding your way? Curious about the possibilities? Through demonstrations, exercises, and artistic experiments designed by local artist Carol Moore, you will be introduced to this delightful medium and learn fundamental watercolor techniques. Throughout the class, participants will engage in a series of focused activities, starting with smaller lessons that delve into concepts such as water control, color mixing, understanding hard and soft edges, executing a flat wash, experimenting with wet-into-wet washes, tonal value studies and mastering gradient techniques on a smaller scale. Building upon these foundational skills, participants will then apply these learned techniques to create a larger 11"x15" painting, allowing for a seamless transition from theory to practical application. Emphasis will be on making discoveries, learning techniques and developing confidence. Supplies will be provided. Whether you're a budding artist or an experienced painter looking to explore a new medium this is a place for you!
This activity is made possible through a grant from the Central Minnesota Arts Board, thanks to funds provided by the McKnight Foundation.”
Repair Pottery With Gold!
Kintsugi Class
(March 18-21, 2024)
If you don’t happen to have any broken pottery, don’t let that stop you from signing up for this brand new class from Erica Witzmann. Here’s how she describes what to expect:
Immerse yourself in a serene experience with artist Erica Witzmann at our enchanting event: Kintsugi Basics. Indulge in the harmonious melodies of soothing music, savor the warmth of tea, and partake in a captivating lesson on the ancient art of Kintsugi. Discover the profound artistry that lies in patiently repairing pottery with purpose and intent, culminating in the creation of a stunning piece that has transcended its past tragedies. Witness the transformative touch of gold as it delicately highlights the scars, revealing the beauty that can emerge from moments of breakage. Join us on this journey of artistic resilience and renewal.
Sign-up today: HERE
