Studio Sessions

Each Studio Session includes a 15 minute art history lesson followed by a hands-on art-making workshop inspired by your selected artist or movement.

  • Overlapping colorful paint strokes in red, yellow, green, blue, pink, and orange creating an abstract pattern.

    Washington Color School

    In the 1950s and ’60s, D.C. became home to the Washington Color School—an influential group of abstract artists like Morris Louis, Alma Thomas, Sam Gilliam, others who used bold color fields to evoke emotion. In this workshop, you’ll learn about the movement’s history and techniques, then create your own vibrant, abstract artwork inspired by their iconic styles.

    DC Movement

  • Self Portrait of Vincent Van Gogh

    Vincent van Gogh

    Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist painter who used thick brushwork and dreamlike colors to create beautiful imaginative paintings. In this lesson we will help you achieve his thick, impasto brushwork to create a depiction of a landscape that is significant to you - resulting in a swirling, fantasy-like painting.

  • Jackson Pollock

    Jackson Pollock was a pioneer of the Abstract Expressionist movement in New York, known for his large scale action paintings. Learn about Jackson Pollock and create your own action paintings incorporating Pollock’s signature drip technique.

    New York Artist

  • Abstract painting with heart shapes, circles, and green accents in red, pink, white, and green colors.

    Lee Krasner

    Lee Krasner was an abstract, gestural, and expressive painter who was born in Brooklyn and spent a great deal of her early career living and working in the East Village. Her career was marked by an ever changing style as she refused to adopt a singular method. Learn more about this pillar of the Abstract Expressionist movement and create a unique work in her style.

    New York Artist
    ★ Great for Women’s History Month

  • Abstract watercolor painting with blue and green colors

    Helen Frankenthaler

    Helen Frankenthaler was an American Abstract Expressionist painter best known for her “soak stain” paintings, which she created by diluting her paint and soaking it into unprimed canvas. Like Jackson Pollock, Frankenthaler didn't use brushes, but rather poured her paint onto the canvas and used sponges to move it around. The result was a calming field of liquid-like color. Learn about Helen Frankenthaler and create your own calming soak stain paintings.

    New York Artist
    ★ Great for Women’s History Month

  • Two yellow figures holding hands and raising their arms underneath a depiction of Earth inside an orange framing.

    Keith Haring

    Keith Haring was a New York street artist and activist, whose cartoon-like characters have flooded public consciousness since the 1980s. His works told stories about his life and NY culture in the 80s. Learn about Keith Haring and create your own characters and symbols that tell stories about your life and experiences in New York today.

    New York Artist
    ★ Great for Pride Month

  • Colorful abstract painting of a face with exaggerated features, surrounded by vibrant blue, yellow, red, and black brushstrokes.

    Jean-Michel Basquiat

    Jean-Michel Basquiat took the art world by storm in the 1980s, when he became famous for his mixed-media works incorporating crowns, skulls, and cryptic words. He took his inspiration from everything he witnessed in New York's nightlife, street art culture, and politics. Learn about Jean-Michel Basquiat and create your paintings in his style reflecting your own New York experiences.

    New York Artist

    Great for…
    ★ Black History Month (February)
    ★ Hispanic Heritage Month (September)

  • A triangular display case with various vintage pocket watches inside, arranged along the edges. The case is lit from within, highlighting the watches.

    Judy Chicago

    Judy Chicago is a contemporary feminist artist, best known for her installation at the Brooklyn Museum, The Dinner Party, which features 39 elaborate place settings on a large triangular table, each designed to celebrate the accomplishments of an iconic female leader or creative, including Georgia O'Keeffe, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, and Virginia Woolf. Learn about this epic masterpiece and create your own painted plate to represent your place at the table.

    ★ Great for Women’s History Month

  • Colorful abstract floral pattern with circles and petal shapes on a blue background.

    Hilma af Klint

    Hilma af Klint was a visionary Swedish artist whose work was influenced by her spiritual beliefs and practices, including séances and automatic drawing. Her works, often considered visual representations of complex spiritual concepts, explore themes of evolution and the interconnectedness of all things. During this event, delve into Hilma af Klint's mystical world and create your own abstract masterpieces inspired by the spiritual qualities of nature.

    Great for…
    ★ Women’s History Month (March)
    ★ Pride Month (June)

  • Large pumpkin sculpture painted with black and yellow polka dots, resembling a Dots-themed design.

    Yayoi Kusama

    Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama's goal in her art is to draw attention to what everything and everyone has in common, as opposed to the qualities that set us apart. In this effort, she covered the world in polka-dots to create a blaring commonality. Her favorite object to cover in polka dots is the pumpkin, which she describes as the least pretentious of all the vegetables. Kusama's pumpkin paintings and sculptures have become iconic symbols of contemporary art. During this event, you'll learn about Kusama's journey from a young artist in Japan to international artistic stardom. Then you'll create your own polka dotted paintings and pumpkin sculptures inspired by her work.

    Great for…
    ★ Women’s History Month (March)
    ★ AAPI Heritage Month (May)
    ★ Halloween

  • Abstract painting of a stylized horse wearing a hat, with geometric shapes and muted colors.

    Wifredo Lam

    A major early 20th-century painter of Afro-Cuban heritage, Wifredo Lam created his own style by fusing Surrealism and Cubism with the spirit and forms of the Caribbean. Learn about Wifredo Lam’s inspiration and paint your own symbolic self-portraits, integrating Lam’s style and symbols with your own life and heritage.


    ★ Great for Hispanic Heritage Month (September)

  • Colorful paper cutouts of hand and leaf shapes arranged in a vibrant pattern with the artist's initials HM and the year 53 in the bottom right corner.

    Henri Matisse

    Towards the end of his life, Henri Matisse created a series of colorful and vibrant works capturing the energy of falling foliage. He used a technique he called “drawing with scissors," which involved painting with gouache on paper, cutting out leaf-shaped pieces and assembling them on boards. During this event, you'll learn about Matisse’s vibrant cut-out works and create your own works by painting, cutting, and assembling paper on board.

  • A painting of a pond with lily pads and pink flowers, reflecting trees and the sky.

    Claude Monet

    Claude Monet was a pioneer of the French Impressionist movement and is best known for his poetic paintings that capture fleeting moments in nature. Learn the story behind the famous paintings of Monet, from his sunsets and seascapes to his iconic water lilies. Then create paintings of your favorite nature scenes, taking inspiration from the Impressionist techniques of portraying light and color through energetic and perfunctory brushstrokes.

  • Close-up painting of a blue and yellow iris flower with detailed petals and a glowing yellow center.

    Georgia O'Keeffe

    Georgia O'Keeffe's striking flower paintings are a powerful reminder to appreciate the beauty in the little things, even during the most chaotic times. She paved the way as the foremother of the feminist art movement and holds the record for the most expensive work ever sold by a female artist. Learn about the inspiration behind O'Keeffe's work and create your own abstract flower paintings.

    New York Artist
    ★ Great for Women’s History Month (March)

  • Abstract painting with horizontal blocks of blue, orange, yellow, and red colors.

    Mark Rothko

    Upon first glance, Mark Rothko’s paintings may appear to be simple blocks of vibrant colors. However, upon investigation one will realize that both the intention and the execution of these paintings are much more complex. During this event, you’ll learn about the inspiration behind Mark Rothko’s works, how he hoped his viewers would react to them, and the process he used to create them. Then, using similar materials and techniques, you’ll create your own color field paintings inspired by Mark Rothko!

    New York Artist

  • Colorful mosaic of concentric circles in rainbow colors surrounding a central red circle.

    Alma Thomas

    Alma Thomas was a DC-based artist known for her brightly colored, poetic paintings inspired by music and nature. Thomas was the first Black female artist to receive a solo show at the Whitney and the first to be shown in the White House Collection. Learn about Thomas' inspiring artistic journey and create your own rhythmic, nature-inspired compositions in her signature style.

    DC Artist

    Great for…
    ★ Black History Month (February)
    ★ Women’s History Month (March)

  • Three men are in a room decorated with large colorful flower cutouts on the walls and on the ground. One man sitting on a white chair in the foreground, wearing sunglasses and a blue jacket, is resting his head on his hand. The other two men are standing in the background, one with his arms raised and the other holding a camera or a phone. The floor has rugs with flower patterns, and the overall scene appears to be a stage or an art installation.

    Andy Warhol

    Andy Warhol is most known for his collaborative approach to creating silkscreen prints of everyday objects and celebrities, which came to define Pop Art of the 1960s. His work incorporating mass media and mass production led the world to question what it means to be an artist and how we value a work of art. During this event, you'll learn about Andy Warhol, snap polaroid pictures and create silkscreen prints incorporating Warhol's iconic images of Prince, Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy, and Flowers!

    New York Artist
    ★ Great for Pride Month (June)

  • An elderly man with white hair and glasses sits in a wooden chair in an art studio surrounded by large abstract paintings and canvases with colorful brushstrokes.

    Willem de Kooning

    Willem de Kooning was a Dutch-American artist best known for his unique combination of abstract forms, recognizable figures, and dynamic brushstrokes. His postwar involvement with the New York School resulted in the honing of his emotionally intense, gestural style and recognition as a leading figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement. During this event, you will learn about de Kooning’s colossal seven-decade career and create your own action painting inspired by his work.

    New York Artist

  • Two women walking on a sidewalk, happily talking, near a small street-side newsstand. One woman has curly hair and is wearing overalls, while the other has a bun and is wearing a tank top. The caption says, "I'm excited to leave this party we're going to."

    New Yorker-Style Cartoon Workshop

    In this workshop you’ll learn to draw cartoons from New Yorker cartoonist Hilary Campbell. Not only will you learn the basics of cartooning, you'll also be given the tools to find humor and inspiration in your day to day life and build a routine to discover your creative side.

    *Available in New York Only

  • Abstract round wall clock with splashes of pink, yellow, green, blue, white, and black paint in a dynamic, chaotic design.

    Damien Hirst

    Damien Hirst is a contemporary British painter known for his dot and spin paintings. During this event you can emulate some of his most iconic works and use our custom spin painting machine and other supplies to create your own unique masterpieces in the style of Damien Hirst!

  • Collage with various historical and cultural photographs, handwritten notes, and colorful abstract overlays.

    Robert Rauschenberg

    Robert Rauschenberg was an American painter associated with both the Pop Art Movement and Abstract Expressionism. He is well known for his Combines, which took personal objects and found material from the streets of NYC and incorporated that into both 2D and 3D works which reflected the grit of the city. He also believed strongly in using the power of art as a catalyst for social change. He advocated for environmental causes, designing the first Earth Day poster. In this lesson you will use collage materials to make your own sculptural painting that reflects your experience in the city.

    New York Artist
    ★ Great for Pride Month (June)

  • A portrait of a woman with dark hair styled with pink highlights and a headpiece made of white butterflies. She has a serious expression, with large eyebrows and peach cheeks. The background features large green leaves and insects. She is wearing a white top with an intricate necklace made of twigs and a hummingbird pendant. Two animals, a black cat and a small monkey, are positioned behind her.

    Frida Kahlo

    Frida Kahlo was a Mexican artist who is very well known for her self portraits inspired by nature and the culture of her native Mexico. She is associated with the movements of Surrealism and Magical Realism. She became increasingly inspired by traditional Mexican folk art throughout her career. She defined herself as a communist and activist and continuously advocated for anti-colonial and feminist causes. Create a surreal self portrait using props provided by ArtsClub and assisted by expert guidance from our staff.

    Great for…
    ★ Pride Month (June)
    ★ Hispanic Heritage Month (September)

  • Abstract painting with various inkblot and geometric shapes, including circles, lines, and splatters in black, red, blue, and yellow, on a beige background.

    Joan Miró

    Joan Miró is typically associated with the movement of Surrealism although his work also carries influences from Fauvism and Expressionism. He was born in Spain and worked in many different mediums including painting, sculpting, and ceramics. He was inspired by dreams and the Catalan landscapes, among other things. Learn about Joan Miró’s life and inspiration and create a surrealist landscape in his style.

    ★ Great for Hispanic Heritage Month (September)

  • Abstract colorful painting with prominent red, blue, and green streaks.

    Gerhard Richter

    German-born artist Gerhard Richter is known for a career that spans many types of artwork including photorealistic paintings, photographs, glass pieces, and abstract work. For this event we will focus on his abstract pieces which were created using a homemade squeegee. Create your own abstract painting in Richter’s style by using the same materials he used in his work.

  • A modern abstract drawing inspired by Picasso, featuring a female face with multiple eyes and lips, and a green hat or fruit on her head.

    Pablo Picasso

    In Picasso’s portraits, he did not paint his subjects as they looked physically, but rather used colors, shapes and symbols to reveal a deeper truth about them. During this event, you’ll learn about the portraits Picasso painted of the people that inspired him. Then you’ll create your own self portrait — or a portrait of a friend or colleague — using Picasso’s techniques to reveal inner thoughts and passions.

  • A man with a painted mustache appears surprised as he looks at an open book titled 'DALI' in black and white.

    Surrealist Games

    In 1920s Paris, the Surrealist artists invented a series of games, designed to help them access their unconscious minds and expand their imaginations. Learn about French Surrealism and the artistic techniques and games used by its members, like Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró and Max Ernst. Then play collaborative Surrealist Games and make your own dream-like artworks.

    ★ Collaborative Event

  • A painting of a pond with water lilies and lotus flowers, reflecting the sky and surrounding foliage, in impressionist style.

    Impressionism

    Impressionism is an art movement which began in 1860s France. It is based on the practice of painting spontaneously in nature as opposed to rigidly painting within an indoor studio. Because of this, Impressionist paintings look as though they were painted leisurely, resulting in an unfinished look that critics disparaged as simply “impressions” of subjects, as opposed to finished paintings. Discover how the Impressionists made their colorful and lively work and learn how to create your own.

  • Abstract expressionist painting with bold brushstrokes in black, red, purple, orange, yellow, green, and white, creating a dynamic composition.

    Women of Abstract Expressionism

    The Abstract Expressionist movement was greatly boosted by the artistic contributions of numerous female painters, who defied institutionalized sexism to create impressive and beautiful paintings in male-dominated spaces. These artists include Helen Frankethaler, Lee Krasner, and Joan Mitchell, all of whom were integral parts of the exhibitions which elevated Ab-Ex to the globally recognized art movement it is today. Get inspired by these fearless icons of 20th century art, and learn how to create your own paintings which mirror their bold, rule-breaking styles.

    ★ Great for Women’s History Month

  • An abstract painting featuring interconnected, curving lines and shapes in pink, white, gold, green, and black, with a rough, textured background.

    New York School

    The New York School refers to a group of painters, poets, and dancers working in New York City in the wake of the second world war. Through interdisciplinary exposure, each of these mediums impacted the development of one another, resulting in simultaneous breakthroughs in both the visual and performing arts. Learn about how radical new styles of abstract painting were catalyzed by other art forms, making NYC a locus for artistic expression, and get inspired by the incredible art of this period!

Two women in white lab coats are sitting at a table with paint and small containers of paint, creating abstract splatter art on canvas.
A woman in a black floral dress holding a colorful painting at an art event, with art supplies on a table and framed artwork on the wall behind her.
An artist's workspace with two colorful abstract paintings, tubes of acrylic paint, jars of water, and a person's hand in a white smock.
A person holding a drawing featuring two stick-figure people with raised arms and legs, holding a large red heart with blue lines radiating from it, set against a crowd of people at a table with markers and papers.
A woman with long blonde curly hair wearing a white apron and black shirt, stands near an art printmaking setup with a large pink and black print. The setup includes a wooden table, an ink-covered printing screen, and printing supplies, with artwork
Group of people in a virtual meeting holding up colorful paintings of flowers, fruits, and abstract designs.
Abstract art created by dripping and splattering multicolored paint onto a canvas, with prominent yellow, black, red, white, and blue sections.
Person painting a yellow flower on canvas with a dark background surrounded by art supplies.
Art supplies including abstract paintings with green watercolor and acrylic paints, clear cups with water and yellow liquid, and tubes of paint on a table.
Group of people in white paint smocks holding colorful abstract canvas paintings, smiling in a studio or warehouse.
Two hands with red painted nails holding decorated small pumpkins; on the table are three small pumpkins, paint tubes, paintbrushes, and an open box with cards, with a painting of a ladybug on black paper.
Two women sitting at a table engaged in conversation, with art prints, a jar of Campbell's soup, a bottle of white wine, and some papers on the table, in a busy indoor setting.
A woman and man in white painter's coveralls holding paintings, standing against a plain white background. The woman is smiling and looking at the man, who is smiling directly at the camera. The woman holds a mostly gray and yellow abstract painting,
Group of people sitting around a table engaged in a painting activity with various art supplies, paintings in progress, and colorful painted pumpkins.
People creating abstract art with colorful paints on canvas in an art studio.
A woman with long blonde hair smiling and holding a colorful floral artwork, standing in a modern kitchen.
A person is creating a painting of a pink pumpkin with black polka dots on a black canvas, with a geometric pattern of pink lines on the left side.
A woman in a white jumpsuit and a man in dark clothing kneel on the floor, looking at a canvas with abstract painted stripes. The man points at the artwork, which has horizontal stripes in black, white, pink, and purple. Art supplies are scattered ar
Colorful painting of a happy person jumping with arms raised, surrounded by a flower and lively lines on a pink background, with painting supplies nearby.
A person holds a red flower in a vase over a table with watercolor paints and an abstract painting in progress. The table has tubes of paint, glasses with water, and a canvas with a gradient of red and yellow colors.
Four people create artwork at a table filled with paints, brushes, and canvases, with colorful paintings on the walls behind them.
Group of people participating in a paint and sip party, sitting around a long table covered with colorful paintings, bottles of wine, and art supplies in a well-lit room.