ADULT art classes at arts beacon

Drawing is the structure beneath almost any creative endeavor - it’s an incredible meditative tool and is deeply grounding. This class focuses on the fundamentals of drawing. It's a place where beginners can start to find their tools and more experienced artists can revisit and strengthen their skills. Through focused exercises and creative exploration, you’ll develop greater confidence with observation, line, shape, proportion, and value. Whether you're starting out or looking to reconnect with the basics, this class offers a supportive space to practice, experiment, and grow.

Instructor: Madonna Mayfield

Supply list HERE

Fall Session II runs from October 19 through December 18, 2026. There will be a break the week of November 23 (Thanksgiving week). 8 sessions.

**NOTE: we anticipate moving from Grant Park to East Atlanta Village sometime around November. We will keep you informed of the exact date as the site buildout is completed.

• Mondays from 6:30pm to 8:30pm

• Wednesdays from 1:00 to 3:00pm

This class focuses on two essential elements of drawing—perspective and proportion—while exploring a wide range of subjects, from the human and animal form to buildings, structures, and the natural world. Through guided exercises and observation-based drawing, you’ll learn how to better understand scale, spatial relationships, depth, and form. You’ll have opportunities to work from different subjects and experiment with ways to create more convincing and expressive drawings. Whether you're building on existing skills or looking to strengthen your foundation, this class offers a supportive space to practice, explore, and grow.

Instructor: Zoe Iatridis

Supply list HERE

Fall Session II - this session will start the week of Oct 12 and run through December 18, 2026. There will be breaks the weeks of October 27 and November 23 (Thanksgiving week). 8 sessions.

**NOTE: we anticipate moving from Grant Park to East Atlanta Village sometime around November. We will keep you informed of the exact date as the site buildout is completed.

• Tuesdays 6:30pm-8:30pm

• Wednesdays 10:00am-12:00pm

This beginner-friendly class is perfect for those new to watercolor or looking to revisit the basics. You’ll focus on fundamental techniques that make watercolor such a unique and expressive medium, including washes, color mixing, layering, and brush control. As you learn to work with the fluid, luminous qualities of paint and water, you’ll build confidence through guided exercises and creative projects in an easy-going, collegial environment.

Instructor: Madonna Mayfield

Supply list HERE

Fall Session II runs from October 19 through December 18, 2026. There will be a break the week of November 23 (Thanksgiving week). 8 sessions.

**NOTE: we anticipate moving from Grant Park to East Atlanta Village sometime around November. We will keep you informed of the exact date as the site buildout is completed.

• Wednesdays from 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Splash into some intermediate watercolor techniques! In this class you will explore your personal esthetic in watercolor paintings. We will play with form, tone, and design as we delve into composition and subject matter. We will examine materials, process, and design as you grow in skill and confidence with a community of learners who are all taking the journey together. Basic drawing skills are required, and some watercolor experience is preferred. 

Instructor: Shannon Kelly

Supply list HERE

Fall Session II runs from October 19 through December 18, 2026. There will be a break the week of November 23 (Thanksgiving week). 8 sessions.

**NOTE: we anticipate moving from Grant Park to East Atlanta Village sometime around November. We will keep you informed of the exact date as the site buildout is completed.

• Tuesdays from 6:30pm to 8:30pm

• Thursdays from 10:00am to 12:00pm

This is a beginning to intermediate class for learning how to engage with colors confidently in your paintings and develop an understanding for how and why you like to use them. This will be a class rooted in play, non judgment and finding expression from your unique voice. You will learn how to let go and trust the process while mixing colors, gaining understanding of various painting techniques and how to develop compositions. 8 week session.

*Suggested (not mandatory) prerequisite Beginning Drawing

Instructor: Erin Drakeford

Supply list HERE

Fall Session II runs from October 19 through December 18, 2026. There will be a break the week of November 23 (Thanksgiving week). 8 sessions.

**NOTE: we anticipate moving from Grant Park to East Atlanta Village sometime around November. We will keep you informed of the exact date as the site buildout is completed.

• Thursdays 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Learn how to make your own notebook or sketchbook by hand! This introductory bookbinding class will focus on folded and soft-cover book forms. You’ll begin by creating a fun collection of painted papers to use for covers, and you’ll learn how to make books from a single sheet of paper. The second week will focus on binding single-signature pamphlet books with a 3-hole stitch and variations. The last two weeks you’ll learn to bind a multi-signature French link book with an exposed spine and cool criss-cross stitch. These book forms lie flat, making them wonderful for journals or sketchbooks–and every time you open it, you get to say, “I made that!” Just a fair warning: you may feel compelled to give everyone you know a handmade book for the holidays this year!

Week 1: Paint a paper bank and single page books

Week 2: Pamphlet Books

Weeks 3 & 4: French Link Book w soft covers

Instructor: Meredith Eastburn

Supply list HERE

Dates: 4 weeks - 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10

**NOTE: we anticipate moving from Grant Park to East Atlanta Village sometime around November. We will keep you informed of the exact date as the site buildout is completed.

• Tuesdays 10:00am to 12:00pm

An art class where you don’t need to draw? Try cutting and pasting your way to a self portrait or landscape (or any idea you have).  You will be guided through the art of “painting with paper “ . This is a very meditative process and a very forgiving art form. Suitable for beginners to expert artists. 

Instructor: Madonna Mayfield

Supply list HERE

Fall Session II runs from October 19 through December 18, 2026. There will be a break the week of November 23 (Thanksgiving week). 8 sessions.

**NOTE: we anticipate moving from Grant Park to East Atlanta Village sometime around November. We will keep you informed of the exact date as the site buildout is completed.

• Mondays 1:00pm to 3:00pm

This class is designed for those curious about ceramics, as well as those with prior experience who are looking to get back into the swing of things. We’ll learn the basics of hand-building ceramic forms that don’t require the use of a potter’s wheel. In addition to the foundational techniques of slab, coil, and pinch, we’ll cover joining methods, moisture control, and glazing and firing processes. Hand-building offers endless creative freedom—the only limit to what you can create is your imagination.

Supply list HERE

Students are eligible to come to open studio throughout the semester on Sundays from 10-2:00PM.

Fall Session II runs from October 19 through December 18, 2026. There will be a break the week of November 23 (Thanksgiving week). 8 sessions.

**NOTE: we anticipate moving from Grant Park to East Atlanta Village sometime around November. We will keep you informed of the exact date as the site buildout is completed.

• Mondays from 6:30pm to 8:30pm - Instructor: Will Durrett

Designed for advanced beginners and intermediate students, this class builds on foundational hand-building skills while encouraging a deeper exploration of form, design, and function. Through projects and guided support, you’ll refine techniques while developing individual projects that push you to find your artistic voice. This is an opportunity to expand your skills, push your ideas further, and learn in a community of other ceramics lovers. Supplies for this class can be purchased at your local clay store.

Supply list HERE

Students are eligible to come to open studio throughout the semester on Sundays from 10-2:00PM.

Fall Session II runs from October 19 through December 18, 2026. There will be a break the week of November 23 (Thanksgiving week). 8 sessions.

**NOTE: we anticipate moving from Grant Park to East Atlanta Village sometime around November. We will keep you informed of the exact date as the site buildout is completed.

• Thursdays from 6:30pm to 8:30pm - Instructor: Stacey Shulman

Looking for dedicated time to create in the company of other artists? Open Studio is a relaxed, self-directed session where you can bring your own materials and work on whatever inspires you—whether it's painting, drawing, collage, fiber art, or another creative project. There is no formal instruction, making it the perfect opportunity to practice your skills, experiment with new ideas, exchange feedback, and connect with fellow makers in a welcoming, supportive environment. Come for an hour or stay for the whole session—Open Studio is your time to create at your own pace.

NOTE: If you are a current student, this is included! Otherwise this is a monthly membership - cost varies according to how many Thursdays we meet in a given month. See options below.