Classes &

Workshops

Fostering the creativity of artists of all levels

The mission of the continuing education program is to give our community a safe place to experiment and strengthen the importance of creating.

Check out the following categories for learning at Arlene’s:

Adult Classes & Workshops

Covering a broad range of artistic mediums and techniques, our multi-day adult classes offer plenty of time for immersion and experimentation while our one day workshops are a great way to try something new.

Make and Take's

Open to all ages and experience levels, Make and Take’s are a great way to turn something new. No judgement. All supplies included. Make and Take’s are done in conjunction with our Artist in Residence Program.

Student Guide

Learn how to get involved with workshops, residences, mentorship program, and more at the Atelier. Everything you need to know is in this guide.

CLICK HERE >

Search our upcoming classes and workshops catalog below!

Register for classes and workshops below, by calling Arlene’s at (518) 481-8882, or in person, at 57 Fuller Rd Albany NY 12205. For additional details, including supply lists and registering for individual classes or workshops, click the REGISTER HERE button next to the listing.

Have questions? Please review our Registration Information and Policies, and don’t forget to check out the Atelier FAQs.

Upcoming Classes & Workshops

Sat, Jan 31
Make and Take: Valentine's Cards
Arlene's Artist Materials
RSVP
Jan 31, 2026, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
Looking for a fun, heartfelt way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Come make your own one‑of‑a‑kind Valentine’s cards at Arlene's. Whether you’re crafting for a partner, a friend, or someone who simply deserves a little love, a card says it all.
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Fri, Feb 06
Intro to Watercolor with Carolyn DiFiori Hopkins, MFA
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Feb 06, 2026, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
This workshop offers a gentle introduction to watercolor, perfect for those just starting out. You’ll learn about the essential materials—brushes, paper, palettes, and paints—and practice very basic techniques such as simple washes, water control, and how watercolor behaves on the page.
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Sat, Feb 07
Snowscapes in Pastel with Kris Woodward
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Feb 07, 2026, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
Bring warmth and sparkle to winter by exploring the surprising color hidden in snow. A snowscape doesn’t have to feel “blah”—even when the world looks gray and white. Snow is simply frozen water, reflecting everything around it, and this workshop will show you how to make it come alive on the page.
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Sat, Feb 07
Unexpected Journeys-Fantasy Storytelling with Watercolor with artist in residence Aly Parrott
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Feb 07, 2026, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
They will be encouraged to experiment with the medium and to try unique and uncharted color combinations. They will then use their ‘findings’ from the watercolor exercise to design and create a character from their own imagination, and incorporate the character into their final watercolor painting.
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Tue, Feb 10
Bookmaking Workshop with Maria DeAngelo
Arlene's Artist Materails
REGISTER HERE
Feb 10, 2026, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materails , 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to make a handmade hardcover book from start to finish. Join Maria as she guides you through folding paper, sewing signatures, making a cover, and connecting it all together into a beautifully bound book.
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Fri, Feb 13
Beginning Watercolor with Carolyn DiFiori Hopkins, MFA
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Feb 13, 2026, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
This workshop builds on Carolyn’s Intro to Watercolor workshop and helps you take the next step in your painting journey. You’ll practice value studies, edges, basic color mixing, and simple compositions while gaining more comfort with water and pigment.
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Fri, Feb 20
Intermediate Watercolor with Carolyn DiFiori Hopkins, MFA
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Feb 20, 2026, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
For students ready to move beyond the basics, this workshop dives into atmospheric washes, transitions, color strategies, layering, and more complex subjects. You’ll begin refining your personal direction while continuing to strengthen technique and confidence with watercolor.
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Sat, Feb 21
Hand-felted Cat Bookmark with artist in residence Althea Pestine Stevens
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Feb 21, 2026, 11:00 AM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
Create something irresistibly cute while learning two classic felting techniques. In this two‑day class, you’ll make your own wool cat bookmark from start to finish. During the first session, you’ll use wet‑felting methods to form the cat’s body.
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Fri, Feb 27
Advanced Watercolor with Carolyn DiFiori Hopkins, MFA
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Feb 27, 2026, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
For students ready to move beyond the basics, this workshop dives into atmospheric washes, transitions, color strategies, layering, and more complex subjects. You’ll begin refining your personal direction while continuing to strengthen technique and confidence with watercolor.
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Sat, Feb 28
Intro to Gouache with Rachael Duchnycz
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Feb 28, 2026, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
In this vibrant, hands-on workshop, you’ll dive into the expressive magic of gouache, starting with playful floral studies and building up to a full-sized landscape bursting with color and light. Whether you're a total newbie or looking to refine your skills, this is your chance to explore gouache
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Sat, Feb 28
Everyday Sketching: Gestures & Movements with artist in residence Ottavia Huang
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Feb 28, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials , 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
Join Ottavia to capture the energy and flow of human movement using watercolor and ink. This workshop celebrates the beauty of everyday gestures, turning simple poses into lively, expressive sketches. You’ll explore quick studies, playful lines, and the joy of observing people in motion.
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Sat, Mar 07
PS I Love You, Block Printing Your Own Snail Mail with artist in residence Casey Beal
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Mar 07, 2026, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
Join artist in residence Casey Beal for a relaxing afternoon of block printing. Using Speedy‑Carve blocks and ink pads, you’ll design, carve, and print your own custom stamps to create uniquely personal cards.
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Sat, Mar 07
Drawing a Winter Scene of Trees in Graphite Pencil with Nancy Lyons
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Mar 07, 2026, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
Capture the quiet beauty of winter in this 3-hour workshop with artist Nancy Lyons. Students will be introduced to graphite pencils and explore techniques such as shading, toning, and blending. Step by step, you’ll learn how to bring depth and atmosphere to your work...
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Sat, Mar 07
Mask of Many Faces - Fantasy Mask Making with artist in residence Aly Parrott
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Mar 07, 2026, 12:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
Masks have been essential parts of storytelling in every culture in the world, from every time period in history. From Japanese Noh Theater to Carnivale Festivals, from Greek tragedies to ComicCon cosplays, masks help us immerse ourselves in a character, to embody their essence, and...
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Tue, Mar 10
Block Print on Fabric Workshop with Maria DeAngelo
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Mar 10, 2026, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
Spend time learning how to design and cut your own original block for printing. Workshop time will be dedicated to creating your block and learning how to print your design on fabric. Students will print on a canvas bag provided, but you’re welcome to bring other fabrics to experiment with.
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Fri, Mar 13
Watercolor Masterclass with Carolyn DiFiori Hopkins, MFA
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Mar 13, 2026, 11:00 AM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
An immersive advanced class designed for serious watercolor painters. Students will take on ambitious pieces with the support of in-depth critique, demonstrations, and individually tailored guidance.
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Sat, Mar 14
Exploring Alcohol Inks on Tile with Kris Woodward
Arlene's Artist Materials
REGISTER HERE
Mar 14, 2026, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Arlene's Artist Materials, 57 Fuller Rd, Albany, NY 12205, USA
Discover the bold, fluid world of alcohol inks in this colorful, hands‑on workshop. Perfect for beginners and intermediate artists, this class introduces you to the unique ways alcohol inks move, blend, and react on ceramic or porcelain tiles to create vivid abstract or representational pieces.
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Wed, Mar 18
Exploring Watercolor: Weekly Online Class with Carolyn DiFiori Hopkins, MFA
ZOOM
REGISTER HERE
Mar 18, 2026, 6:30 PM
ZOOM
A warm and engaging online weekly watercolor class open to all levels. Each session introduces a new technique, material, or subject, helping students build a steady foundation and a consistent creative practice from home.
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