DAC ART CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

Please Note:

In the event that classes are canceled because of unforseen circumstances or low attendance, all students who signed up will receive a full refund and be notified by email. Please be aware that unless specified, all our classes are for adults (18 years of age or older) and may be unsuitable for children.

For classes in textile art, weaving, soap-making, fabric dying and more, offered by our creative partners, Hawaii Handweavers’ Hui, visit hawaiihandweavers.org!

Weekly Sessions at DAC

Monday Night Life Drawing Group (Mondays, 2025)

DAC is pleased to host the revival of Monday Night Life Drawing Group, a weekly artist-run uninstructed drawing session with live models, music, and a great collaborative, creative atmosphere.
All artists are asked to bring all their own equipment and supplies. Seating is primarily at tables.
Facilitator: Jared Wickware
Mondays, 6 - 8:30 p.m.
Tuition: $15 per session online, $20 at the door
Limit 25 people.

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Making Art for Art's Sake (Saturdays, 2025)

Let your creative spark loose. Release your INNER ARTIST! Come play, and make art with an open mind, free spirit, and sense of fun - for its own sake.
In our weekly one-off make & take art workshops, taught by various DAC teaching artists, students will be given a new project designed to stimulate creativity and learn new art-making techniques in various media.
Instructor: Various
Every Saturday from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Ages: Adults 18+ (or 16+ accompanied by a parent or guardian)
Tuition: $20 (all materials included)
—AUGUST—
8/2 - Carol Coverstone (Decorative Initial Lettering)
8/9 - Fae Yamaguchi (Mini 3D Forest Landscape)
8/16 - CANCELLED due to previously scheduled event
8/23 - Kilikina (Sumi-e Ink Painting)
8/30 - Kilikina (Woodburning/Pyrography)
—SEPTEMBER—
9/6 - Printmaking with Legos (Cathy Gleason) Max 12
9/13 - Watercolor Fish on Unique Backgrounds (Charlene DeLory) Max 12
9/20 - Circle Weaving (Annie Kuhn) Max 12
9/27 - Tag in Tag Mini Book (Hope Hamada) Max 12
—OCTOBER—
10/04 - Multi-layered Printmaking (Cathy Gleason) Max 12
10/11 - Abstract Floral Painting (Charlene DeLory) Max 12
10/18 - Mixed Media Collage (Cathy Gleason) Max 12
10/25 - Mystery Abstract Madness (Cathy Gleason) Max 12
…With more to come!
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*Please Note: Due to the limited space in these classes, we highly recommend booking online!
For questions or cancellations, please email classes@downtownarthi.org.

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Tuesday Portrait Sessions (Tuesdays, 2025)

This weekly uninstructed session focuses on creating portraits of the clothed model, with live models, music, and a great collaborative, creative atmosphere.
All artists are asked to bring all their own equipment and supplies. Seating is primarily at tables.
Facilitator: Alla Parsons
Tuesdays, 1 - 3:30 p.m.
Tuition: $15 per session online, $20 at the door
Limit 25 people

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Long Pose Figure Drawing Sessions (Monthly, Last Tuesdays)

The monthly Long Pose Figure Drawing Sessions is the pilot project for a new series of evening artist run, uninstructed drawing sessions with live models doing long poses (alternating clothed portrait and nude). These sessions are intended to serve artists who want to focus on figurative work for a longer period of time (2.5 hours), producing a more finished work of art.

Artists are asked to bring their own equipment and supplies. DAC provides tables and chairs, but artists may bring their own easels.
Facilitator: Alla Parsons
Tuesdays, Sept. 30, Oct. 28, and Nov. 25, 2025, at 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Tuition: $15 per session online, $20 at the door
Limit 25 people

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Art Classes & Workshops

Basic Watercolor Techniques Single Sessions with Michelle Dolan

Busy life? Pressed for time? Don't worry! Each of these classes is a standalone single session that can be purchased similar to our popular weekly Making Art for Art's Sake workshops. Each workshop begins with one hour of basic instruction, followed by two hours of guided practice.
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August 7 - Bouquet of Flowers (Focusing on form & negative space)
August 21 - Table of Fruit (Focusing on light & shadows)
September 18 - Forest of Trees (Focusing of texture & brush strokes)
September 25 - Beachy Landscapes (Focusing on color & value)
October 2 - Clear Glass Objects (Focusing on reflections & translucent views)
October 16 - Bouquet of Flowers (Focusing on form & negative space)
October 23 - Table of Fruit (Focusing on light & shadows)
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Instructor: Michelle Dolan
Thursdays, 9:00am - 12:00pm on the dates specified above
Class cost: $50 per person per session
Ages: 18+

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Stamp Making and Printing Adventure with Margo Vitarelli (Aug 31, 2025)

Learn the art of block printing on fabric by designing your own stamp and printing it on a cotton tea towel using non-toxic, permanent inks—perfect for beginners and creative explorers!

Instructor: Margo Vitarelli, visiting artist from Hawaii Island
Two standalone sessions on Sunday, August 31, 2025:
9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
OR
1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Tuition: $45 per person per session, all supplies included
Ages: 18+ (or 16+ accompanied by an adult)

SOLD OUT!
Bead Bonanza Knotted Keychain Workshop with Elaine Imoto (Sept 7)

Create your one of a kind beaded art keychain in this fun workshop! Materials provided.
Instructor: Elaine Imoto
1 session: Sunday, September 7, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Class cost: $20 per person
Ages: 18+
Maximum students: 6

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All About Abstract Art Single Sessions with Marina Borovok (Sept-Oct 2025)

This series of single-session abstract art classes introduces students to the history, pioneers, and techniques of abstraction. Each class begins with a 20-minute creative prompt inspired by influential artists like Hilma af Klint, Piet Mondrian, and Vasily Kandinsky, followed by hands-on painting exercises and demonstrations. Topics range from design principles, color theory, and mediums, to developing personal style, with opportunities for students to present favorite artists and experiment in their styles.
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9/10/25: Intro to abstract art, syllabus, and materials. Create small paintings inspired by Hilma af Klint and František Kupka.
9/17/25: Discuss abstract “rules” (color, design). Create sketches focused on negative space, inspired by Piet Mondrian.
9/24/25: Present a favorite abstract artist and paint in their style (ex: Robert Delaunay).
10/01/25: Explore mediums/techniques for space effects. (ex: Vasily Kandinsky)
10/08/25: Discuss “style” in art. Share ideas/sketches. (ex: Kazimir Malevich)
10/15/25: Use color to create mood. Paint with complementary, bold, and neutral colors.
Instructor: Marina Borovok
Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m.
Dates: (9/10, 9/17, 9/24, 10/01, 10/08, 10/15)
Class Cost: $40.00 per person, per class
Ages: 18+

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Makers Play: Playshops with Kilikina and Trish Brubaker (Monthly, Sept-Nov 2025)

Enjoy making with re-imagined materials at these FUN playshops, where you’ll recycle rubbish, upcycle ‘ōpala, and repurpose junk to make awesome wearable and processional art!
Most supplies and tools provided, but feel free to bring your own (no glitter). Workshops can be taken in sequence or individually.
All playshops are warm ups for the HeART Strut Community Procession at the HEART of Honolulu Festival on April 11, 2026
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Playshop #2– Sept. 27: Cosplay on the Cheap
Cheap, upcycled, reimagined, sustainable. How clever and resourceful can you be?
Playshop #3– Oct. 25: Last-Minute Masks
Because you forgot or procrastinated about Halloween and now there’s nothing good left in the stores, or just because you want to.
Playshop #4– Nov. 22: Street Puppets 101
Experiment with giant puppet structures and mechanisms, starting with small working models or maquettes.
Playshop #5– Dec. 20: Street Puppets 102
Enlarge and begin construction of your giant puppet design.
Instructors: Kilikina and Trish Brubaker
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the dates specified above
Class Cost: $50 per person, per session
Ages: 18+

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