Unleash Your Creativity: Explore OCAF Courses Today!
Interested in teaching a class at OCAF? We are now accepting Fall 2026 (Sep-Nov) course and workshop proposals HERE.
May 2026
Drawing by Diane Tigue
Art Modeling 101 with Rick Waters
Date: 05/02/26, Saturday | Time: 10am-12pm
Location: Koffman Studio | Level: All
Fee: $15
Does possibly becoming an art model intrigue you? Then attend the Saturday, May 2nd “Art Modeling 101” class. Two experienced models (male and female) explain how to become an art model. You’ll learn about types of poses like ‘gestures’ and long or short poses and see examples of them applied in portrait, clothed, costumed, and nude drawings and paintings. The instructors will answer questions about modeling, including even working with the medical school here in Athens. You’ll leave knowing places to work (to your comfort level of dress/undress) and what the pay is for the different types of modeling. Attendees under the age of 18 will need to have a parent sign an emailed permission form after registering.
Drawing by Diane Tigue
Life Drawing and Painting Open Studio with Rick Waters
Date: 05/02/26, Saturday | Time: 1pm-4pm
Location: Koffman Studio | Level: All
Fee: $20
Three-hour life drawing and painting open studio from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the Koffman Studio at OCAF in the School Street Studios building. A professional nude art model will provide opening and closing gesture poses, with short and long poses in-between. Adult artists only.
Scripts & Sips with Taylor McKenna
Date: 05/13/26, Wednesday | Time: 6pm-8:30pm
Location: Koffman Studio | Level: All
Fee: Member/$10, Non-member/$15
Join us for a relaxed and fun play reading session! Come, disappear into a character with us as we read Almost, Maine by John Cariani. No advance preparation necessary. Open to all experience levels! Light snacks and beverages included.
Hand Building Mania! with Ethan Snow
Date(s): 05/14/26-06/18/26, Thursdays (6 weeks) | Time: 6pm-9pm
Location: Pottery Studio | Level: All, Ages 18+
Fee: Member/$200, Non-member/$250 | Materials Fee: $35 for OCAF clay
A hand building free-for-all. All techniques will be covered initially with the student being able to chose which technique they'd like to use depending on what they'd like to make. Bring in an idea and we'll figure out how to make it!
Freely Improvised Music Workshop with Jack Wright, Evan Lipson, and Jonah Gelbart
Date(s): 05/31/26, Sunday | Time: 1pm-3pm
Location: Koffman Studio | Level: All, Ages 15+
Fee: Member/$12, Non-member/$15
We (Jack Wright, Evan Lipson, and Jonah Gelbart) present the idea of what free playing or free improvisation is about, then demonstrate, with a short example of a duo. We then ask for volunteers to play in duo with one of the three of us. Typically, we move toward larger ensembles, with discussion in between. The main leader of the workshop is Jack Wright, author of The Free Musics, which has become widely viewed among practitioners (both domestically and in Europe), as the definitive text on the subject since its publication in 2017.
June 2026
Watercolor for the Beginner and Beyond with Lauren Adams
Date(s): 06/02/26-06/30/26, Tuesdays (5 weeks) | Time: 10am-12pm
Location: Upper Classroom | Level: Beginner, Ages: 18+
Fee: $200 for members, $250 for non-members
Learn everything you need to build a strong foundation for getting started in watercolor, considered by some to be the most challenging painting medium. Receive detailed information on paper, paint, and brushes explained clearly and demonstrated in class. Practice mixing colors, learn how to do basic washes, and learn about techniques unique to watercolor. No experience necessary!
Acrylic Exploration with Lauren Adams
Date(s): 06/04/26-07/02/26, Thursdays (5 weeks) | Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
Location: Upper Classroom | Level: Beginner & Above, Ages: 18+
Fee: $200 for members, $250 for non-members
Learn the techniques of painting using versatile acrylic paints. Explore the foundations of value, color, and composition in a relaxed and supportive setting with demos, presentations, group discussion, and plenty of individual attention. Course is open to all levels of experience from absolute beginner to more advanced artists.
Shake It Up! - Rattle Making Workshop with Barbara Odil
Date(s): 06/06/26-06/07/26, Sat & Sun, 2 days | Time: 10am-3:30pm (w lunch break)
Location: Upper Classroom | Level: All, Ages: 11+
Fee: $125 for members, $150 for non-members | Materials Fee: $20
We invite you to join us in a two-day workshop to create a gourd rattles. Rattles date back 4,500 years and were used by indigenous cultures for ceremonies and percussion. They continue to be used today as rhythmic instruments, to soothe young children, in ceremonies, and energy work. Rattling, like drumming, activates the Theta Waves of the brain, shifting consciousness and perceptions. We will be creating our rattles from gourds grown in east central Georgia and locally sourced sticks. Before we began working with these natural materials, we will drop into the creative process through rattling. Then we will select our materials and begin the making of the rattles. The rattles can be embellished by wood burning, beading, painting, and adding feathers. Finally, you can choose the sound you want for your rattle by trying out seeds, dried peas, rocks, sand, and other non-breakable materials. They will be sealed inside the gourds. Throughout the workshop, we will discuss the various uses of the rattles. Once the rattles are complete, we will take our rattles for a shake.
Batik - Traditional Wax Resist Dying with Greg Krakow
Date(s): 06/13/26-06/14/26, Sat & Sun, 2 days | Time: 1pm-4pm
Location: Upper Classroom | Level: All, Ages: 15+
Fee: $100 for members, $125 for non-members | Materials Fee: $45
This workshop is an introduction to the craft of batik or wax resist dyeing on fabric in the traditional methods. Students will sketch out simple designs and then execute them with hot beeswax and paraffin on t-shirts or scarfs. Fabric will be dyed using a permanent, commercial, cold-water dye. During the dying process the wax will crack leaving the typical batik crackle pattern on the fabric. The wax is then removed by boiling.
Aromatherapy Skincare with Essential Oils: Create Your Own Natural Routine with Olga Pyshnyak-Lawrence
Date: 06/20/26, Saturday | Time: 1pm-3pm
Location: Upper Classroom | Level: All, Ages: 15+
Fee: $60 for members, $75 for non-members
Discover the basics of safe, effective aromatherapy skincare in this fun, hands-on workshop. You’ll learn how to select and blend essential oils for your unique skin type, understand safe dilution practices, and create a custom aromatherapy product to take home. We’ll cover foundational topics like patch testing, carrier oils, and simple routines for radiant, healthy skin. No prior experience needed—just curiosity and a desire for natural self-care!
Hand Building Mania! with Ethan Snow
Date(s): 06/25/26-07/30/26, Thursdays (6 weeks) | Time: 6pm-9pm
Location: Pottery Studio | Level: All, Ages 18+
Fee: Member/$200, Non-member/$250 | Materials Fee: $35 for OCAF clay
A hand building free-for-all. All techniques will be covered initially with the student being able to chose which technique they'd like to use depending on what they'd like to make. Bring in an idea and we'll figure out how to make it!
July 2026
Beginning Pottery on the Wheel: Cylinders with Rebecca Seidl
Date(s): 07/07/26-08/25/26, Tuesdays (8 weeks) | Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm
Location: Pottery Studio | Level: Beginner, Ages: 18+
Fee: $240 for members, $300 for non-members | Materials Fee (clay): $35
This class will cover the basics of throwing on the potter's wheel. We will cover cylinders, including cups, mugs, vases, and pitchers. We will learn the entire process through to a finished piece, including pulling handles, wedging, and glazing. You will get messy in this class, so please dress accordingly.
Aromatherapy Skincare with Essential Oils: Create Your Own Natural Routine with Olga Pyshnyak-Lawrence
Date: 07/14/26, Tuesday | Time: 6pm-8pm
Location: Upper Classroom | Level: All, Ages: 15+
Fee: $60 for members, $75 for non-members
Discover the basics of safe, effective aromatherapy skincare in this fun, hands-on workshop. You’ll learn how to select and blend essential oils for your unique skin type, understand safe dilution practices, and create a custom aromatherapy product to take home. We’ll cover foundational topics like patch testing, carrier oils, and simple routines for radiant, healthy skin. No prior experience needed—just curiosity and a desire for natural self-care!
August 2026
Beginner’s Wheel Throwing with Yvonne Dixon: Pottery with Purpose for Your Home
Date(s): 08/23/26-09/27/26, Sundays (6 weeks) | Time: 3pm-6pm
Location: Pottery Studio | Level: Beginner, Ages: 18+
Fee: $200 for members, $250 for non-members
This is a beginner’s course for throwing on the potter’s wheel. Basic skills are taught, along with techniques for centering the clay, throwing cylinders, handles, bowls, plates and lidded vessels. Bring a towel or an apron (dress for mess). One bag of clay, glazes and firing fees are included. Additional clay may be purchased.
Find out more about OCAF Kids Camps and Programs HERE.