Adult Art Classes

Come join us for a fun, creative evening and try something new, whether you are a total beginner or an experienced artist! In this two-hour workshop, you’ll learn fluid art techniques to create your own one-of-a-kind abstract painting—no experience necessary. Come solo, bring a friend, or make it a date night! All materials are included, and you'll receive a drink voucher to use at Phipps concessions. Get ready to experiment, relax, and take home a beautiful work of art!

Fall classes explore the Flip Cup Pour.

Class size is limited to 12.

This family friendly workshop is designed for makers of all ages and abilities. We will explore the photographic process of cyanotype and its relationship to objects of varying levels of opacity and transparency. Participants will be invited to create a sculptural “still life” composition on their cyanotype paper, paying attention to the shadows the objects make. The dimensionality of the objects have interesting and sometimes surprising effects! Kids 8–12 must attend with an adult (each registered separately).

Join teaching artist Kim Gordon for a six-week drawing class designed for everyone from complete beginners to artists with some experience. Drawing is a skill anyone can learn, and this class offers a fun, meditative way to strengthen your connection to the world around you. You'll experiment with different drawing tools and papers while learning practical techniques to build your abilities. By the end of the six weeks, you'll take home both new skills and materials to continue your drawing practice. All materials are provided.

Drawing can be a meditative art–an enjoyable way to calm the mind, focus, and see the world around us with more clarity. You don’t need to be a skilled artist to enjoy drawing. In this class we will explore a different way of drawing and you will get practice with several techniques that quiet the inner critic and bring you back to center.

No experience required

Join teaching artist Kim Gordon for this relaxed, six–week drawing class for those who have already taken Intro to Drawing, who have drawn in the past, or who are already comfortable with drawing. In this class, you will enhance your drawing technique and experiment with materials to foster your confidence in the world of drawing. You will take home new skills and materials to continue your drawing practice. Materials included.

Phipps Figure Drawing offers artists a welcoming space to practice and grow their life drawing skills in a relaxed, self-directed setting. Held on Sunday afternoons, these sessions bring together artists from the St. Croix Valley and Twin Cities to draw professional models. A member of the Phipps Visual Arts Council facilitates each session, without instruction. Artists should bring their own materials and an easel if they have one—six easels are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No instruction or materials are provided.

Welcome to the wonderful world of mosaic art! In this beginner class, each student will have fun learning the basics of this ancient art form. Students will complete one project: a Mosaic Wall Panel which makes a great gift or can be used as a trivet for your favorite pie or hang on your wall. The class will be divided into 3 parts: Design/Layout and Tile Cutting Techniques, How to Glue and Transfer, and Grouting Tips & Tricks. Close–toed shoes required. Bring a friend, share in the magic of mosaic art.

Curious about trying out the potter’s wheel? This one-night workshop is the perfect place to start! Come solo, bring a partner or a group of friends for a creative evening together. You’ll watch a wheel-throwing demo, then get hands-on time on the wheel with guidance from our instructor. Choose your favorite glaze color, and we’ll finish and fire your piece for pickup 2-3 weeks later. All materials are provided, plus you’ll get a drink voucher to enjoy during the class.

This class will cover the basics of throwing on the potter’s wheel and working with clay. Topics covered will include throwing cylinders and bowls, trimming and finishing pieces, adding handles, and glazing. Complete beginners and those with some experience are welcome to learn and develop their skills. Students will also receive 8 hours of studio access per week to practice outside of class.

Level up your pottery skills! Intermediate and Advanced students will learn more complex techniques to create forms such as plates, lidded jars, tea pots, pitchers, etc. Throughout the 8-week session there will be demonstrations from the instructor as well as one-on-one time to work through your own ideas. Additionally, students will learn how to fire an electric kiln by having the chance to participate in the loading with the guidance of the instructor. Students will also receive 8 hours of studio access per week to work on projects independently. Class size is limited to 9

Open Studio gives experienced students the freedom to practice their wheel throwing and hand building skills independently. Participants must have taken an 8-week ceramics course at the Phipps within the last 3 years or seek special permission from the Studio Manager before registration. No instruction will be provided during this 8-week session. Includes 10 hours of studio access per week, one 25lb bag of clay, access to pottery wheels, clay tools, glazes and kiln firing. Studio participants must sign up for timeslots on a weekly basis.

Discover the art and science of textile dyeing in this hands–on six–week class. Explore techniques for creating beautiful, wearable art. You'll create custom tote bags with flour paste resist, explore the Japanese art of Shibori, and capture nature's beauty using locally foraged botanical dye and indigo to create one–of–a–kind shirts and tea towels. Whether you're interested in fashion, sustainable design, or simply want to add unique skills to your creative practice, this class offers a fun introduction to a variety of dyeing methods. Please bring a 100% cotton shirt to class for the first day, all other materials included. No experience necessary!

Looking for a group of art friends that will help inspire you to keep painting and developing your talents? The Thursday Morning Painters (TMP) invite you to join their welcoming group.  

This informal gathering provides dedicated time and space to paint, develop your talents, and connect with fellow artists. Each session concludes with a completely optional critique, offering helpful advice and encouragement from peers. While participation is free, attendees are asked to maintain an annual Phipps membership!

Join instructor Kim Gordon to explore the unique process of watercolor batik—a contemporary take on the ancient Javanese technique of using watercolor paint and wax. No painting or drawing experience necessary! You’ll work from an image traced onto rice paper and then use melted wax and watercolor to create a beautiful final work of art.

Building on the foundations of Intro to Watercolor, this six–week class takes your watercolor practice further. Students will develop more advanced techniques alongside composition and narrative skills – learning not just how to paint, but how to make deliberate choices about what a painting says and how it's arranged. Materials list will be emailed prior to the first class.

Join us for this fun, beginner-friendly six-week watercolor class! We will cover the basics of watercolor painting—including materials, brushwork, color mixing, and foundational techniques. Explore your creativity as you build and practice new skills with guided exercises and projects. No experience necessary. Materials list will be emailed prior to the first class.

This supportive studio-style class is great for students with some watercolor experience who want to keep growing their skills—but beginners are welcome, too! Each session includes instruction and demonstrations from teaching artist, John Grancorvitz, with plenty of time to work on your own projects. Whether you’re refining techniques or exploring new ideas, you’ll get feedback and guidance to help you develop your style. Materials list will be emailed prior to the first class.

What We Need Is Here is a group of member artists who engage in the exploration of a theme related to the role of art, ecology, and community through group discussion, guest speakers and field visits to inspiring venues. Their responses will culminate in a gallery exhibition at The Phipps in Spring 2027. In 2026–2027 the group will be exploring Gift Economies as described by Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book The Serviceberry. Group meets on the second Monday of the month.

Registration for Winter classes opens November 2, 2026.

Art Night Out: Acrylic Paint Pouring
Beginning Pottery on the Wheel
Figure Drawing
Improv for Everyone
Intermediate/Advanced Pottery on the Wheel
Intro to Mosaic Art
Pottery Night Out
Pottery Open Studio
Theatre for Adults: Auditions
Watercolor Batik Workshop
Watercolor: Intro to Watercolor
Watercolor Studio
Weaving for Adults: Woven Wall Hangings
Weaving Retreat

Registration for Spring classes opens February 3, 2027.

Art Night Out: Acrylic Paint Pouring
Beginning Pottery on the Wheel
Cyanotypes: Leveling Up
Drawing Studio
Figure Drawing
Improv for Everyone
Intermediate/Advanced Pottery on the Wheel
Intro to Drawing
Meditative Drawing Workshop
Pottery Night Out
Pottery Open Studio
Theatre for Adults: Scene Study
Watercolor Batik Workshop
Watercolor: Intro to Watercolor
Watercolor Studio
Watercolor Workshop: Landscape