2025 Art Classes
At Martha Lafite
drawing
nature
Saturday, May 17, 2025, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Ages 16 and up
$60/artist (members $50)
Teacher: Shawn Garland
Join us for a serene and inspiring drawing workshop surrounded by the natural beauty of Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary. This three-hour session will guide you through capturing the dramatic elements found in nature, with a focus on light, shadow, and contrast. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, you’ll learn techniques to bring depth and life to your sketches.
We’ll explore how lighting can transform the mood and form of natural subjects like trees, plants, and landscapes. You’ll receive hands-on guidance to develop your observational skills and experiment with graphite and charcoal for bold, expressive artwork.
Class size is limited to 10 students. All registrations are final.
Students provide their own supplies, listed here. Bring a snack or lunch.
Supply List:
- A sketchbook (at least 9″x12″)
- One graphite HB pencil
- One medium charcoal pencil
- One soft charcoal pencil
- One white charcoal pencil
Come connect with nature, sharpen your skills and leave with drawings that capture the beauty and drama of the world around you!
For Members price, call to register – 816-781-8598.
pastels
at martha's place
Saturday, June 7, 2025, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Ages 16 and up
$80/artist (members $60)
Teacher: Holly Ann Schenk
Join us for a three-hour exploration of dry pastels surrounded by the natural beauty at Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary. Holly will provide demonstrations, studio time and critiques. Topics will include selection and use of materials, techniques, and finishing and framing options.
All levels of experience are welcome. Students bring their own supplies listed here.
Class size 20 students. All registrations are final.
Recommended Materials List:
Soft Dry Pastels (not oil)
- 50 – 100 sticks
- Full range of colors – reds, blues, yellows, greens, violets, oranges, earth colors (browns), black and white
Papers
- 2 sheets, no smaller than 9″x12″
- Choose from the following:
Wallis paper (slightly sanded – rough) – white
Heavy water color paper – white
Heavyweight textured paper or mattboard – colored
Miscellaneous
- Masking tape
- Board to which to tape your papers (two sheets of cardboard taped together for strength will work)
- Kneaded rubber eraser
- Soft vine charcoal
- White paper towels (Bounty)
- Dust catcher (old bedsheet) or thin fleece throw
Optional
- Tortillions
- Pastel pencils
- Drawing board
For Members price, call to register – 816-781-8598.
felted landscapes:
painting with wool
Saturday, June 14, 2025, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages 11 – 15 years
$65/artist (members $55, sibling discount $55)
Teacher: Orange Easel School of Art
Calling all creative tweens and teens! In this unique fiber arts class, artists will explore the art of needle felting to create a stunning landscape “painting” using soft wool roving.
Guided by landscape photography for inspiration, participants will learn how to layer and blend wool fibers using felting needles to sculpt texture and depth — just like painting, but with fiber! Each artist will leave with a beautifully matted 11×14-inch felted artwork, ready to display.
Due to the use of sharp felting needles, participants must be mature, responsible, and able to handle tools with care. Parents are welcome to stay and assist if needed. Class size is limited to 12 artists. All registrations are final.
For Members price, call to register – 816-781-8598.
forging nature:
the artistry of coppersmithing
Saturday, June 21, 2025, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Ages 8 to Adult (children 8-16 must have parent supervision)
$40/artist (members $30)
Teacher: Marti Dodge
Immerse yourself in the timeless art of coppersmithing, which combines the beauty of nature with the artistry of metalworking. This hands-on workshop begins with a demonstration of essential metalworking techniques, including cutting, shaping, and joining copper. Guided by an experienced artisan, you’ll learn to manipulate these metals to bring native birds, butterflies, or rabbits to life. By the end of the class, you’ll have a unique, handcrafted sculpture to cherish or experience in crafting your own spinner, wall hanging, or lapel pin.
All materials will be provided. Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes.
Bring a snack or lunch.
Class size is 10 students. All registrations are final.
For Members price, call to register – 816-781-8598.
painting
nature
Saturday, June 28, 2025, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Ages 16 and up
$80/artist (members $70)
Teacher: Shawn Garland
Discover the beauty of nature through watercolor in this immersive three-hour workshop at Martha Lafite. Guided by expert instruction, you’ll learn techniques to capture the essence of natural landscapes, focusing on color blending, light, and texture. Whether you’re new to watercolor or looking to refine your skills, this workshop offers the perfect opportunity to experiment with this versatile and expressive medium.
Class size is limited to 10 students. All registrations are final.
Students provide their own supplies, listed here in the graphic. Bring a snack or lunch.
Supply List:
Brushes
- Small round brush
- Medium round brush
- Mop brush
- Suggested additions: Fan brush, liner brush
Paint
- Watercolor (pans or tubes – tubes suggested)
Paper
- 140-lb cold-pressed watercolor paper
Other
- Painter’s tape
- Plastic palette
- Watercolor pencils
Optional Supplies
Bleed-proof white, tissue paper, and a hair dryer.
Join us to experience nature’s beauty through art, experiment with a variety of techniques, and leave with your own vibrant watercolor masterpieces!
For Members price, call to register – 816-781-8598.
sun-printed botanicals:
cyanotype art in nature
Saturday, July 12, 2025, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
All Ages
$65/artist (members $55, sibling discount $55)
Teacher: Orange Easel School of Art
Step into the magic of the sun and nature in this hands-on cyanotype printing class! Artists will embark on a guided nature walk through the sanctuary, gathering leaves, flowers, and other natural treasures. Then, they’ll learn the ancient photographic printing process that uses sunlight to create stunning blue-and-white prints.
After practicing the technique, each artist will create a final masterpiece on either fabric or paper, transforming their nature-inspired prints into a one-of-a-kind work of art. Finished art will be displayed in an 11×14-inch mat (paper) or stretched in an embroidery hoop (fabric).
This unique outdoor art experience blends creativity, science, and exploration—perfect for nature lovers and budding artists alike!
Artists under the age of 8 will need an adult assistant. Parents of artists 8 years and older are welcome to drop-off. Please review our drop-off policy. Class size is limited to 12 artists. All registrations are final.
For Members price, call to register – 816-781-8598.
light-up circuit bugs:
a glowing sculpture experience!
Saturday, August 2, 2025, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages 3-10 years
$65/artist (members $55, sibling discount $55)
Teacher: Orange Easel School of Art
Create, build, and bring your very own glowing bug sculpture to life! In this exciting hands-on class, young artists will explore the magic of simple circuits while crafting unique, light-up insect creations. Using LEDs, batteries, and magnetic wire, each participant will learn how to complete a working circuit — making their bug light up when the battery is inserted!
Once their circuit is successfully built, artists will let their creativity soar as they design and decorate their bug with wings, antennae, legs, patterns, and colors using a variety of craft materials.
This class is open to all ages, but due to the hands-on nature of circuit building, each child must have an adult assistant to help with assembly and troubleshooting.
Class size is limited to 20 artists. All registrations are final.
For Members price, call to register – 816-781-8598.
forging nature:
the artistry of coppersmithing
Saturday, August 24, 2025, 12:30 am – 4:30 pm
Ages 8 to Adult (children 8-16 must have parent supervision)
$40/artist (members $30)
Teacher: Marti Dodge
Immerse yourself in the timeless art of coppersmithing, which combines the beauty of nature with the artistry of metalworking. This hands-on workshop begins with a demonstration of essential metalworking techniques, including cutting, shaping, and joining copper. Guided by an experienced artisan, you’ll learn to manipulate these metals to bring native birds, butterflies, or rabbits to life. By the end of the class, you’ll have a unique, handcrafted sculpture to cherish or experience in crafting your own spinner, wall hanging, or lapel pin.
All materials will be provided. Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes.
Bring a snack or lunch.
Class size is 10 students. All registrations are final.
For Members price, call to register – 816-781-8598.