Beginner, intermediate, and advanced potters are invited to join one of our amazing Ceramics Instructors for this immersive 5-week pottery course. This class supports all ability levels with a student-led approach to ceramics, incorporating both handbuilding and wheel throwing techniques. Whether you are new to pottery or looking to refine your craft, we will meet you where you are and help you reach your pottery goals. Community clay is included.
Open to ages 11 and up.
Beginner and Intermediate potters are invited to join Sierra Hooge for this immersive 10-week pottery course. This class caters to all ability levels with mixed methods (hand-building and wheel-throwing) and is a student led approach to ceramics.
Those new to pottery will learn the basics of wheel-throwing, hand-building, decorative treatments and glazing. Experienced potters can brush up on their craft and expand on their existing skill with the guidance of an expert ceramic artist. With a small class size (8 max) students will receive whole group instruction as well as one on one guidance. This class is open to students ages 11 and up.
Intermediate and Advanced potters are invited to join Zach Stephens for this immersive 10-week pottery course. The class is for anyone that has consistently taken All Levels Pottery classes and is an INDEPENDENT wheel-thrower and hand-builder.
PLEASE NOTE: only intermediate/advanced practices/techniques will be taught. No basics. Experienced potters can brush up on their craft and expand on their existing skill with the guidance of an expert ceramic artist. With a small class size (8 max) students will receive whole group instruction as well as one on one guidance.
The OPS Winter Membership is a seasonal, bundled studio pass for experienced ceramic artists who want regular access to the pottery studio without paying per session. This membership provides access to all scheduled Open Pottery Studio sessions throughout the season, along with clay, glazes, tools, and firings included. Memberships are waitlisted and approved after a brief interview to ensure the studio is a good fit. Interested artists must email sierra@bigskyarts.org to discuss prior ceramics experience before registering.
For full details, schedules, and studio policies, please visit our OPS information page.
Open Pottery Studio is only open to people currently enrolled in a pottery class or highly experienced ceramicists with their own tools pre-approved by the studio manager. Please note there is NO OFFICIAL INSTRUCTION during this class.
Open Pottery Studio participants will have access to wheels, hand-building materials and glazes. You must pre-register in order to secure a space.
Archie Bray A-Clay is the only clay body allowed in the studio. It is a Cone 5/6 White Stoneware. Purchase 25lb for $30 during class with cash or credit card.
We are a community pottery studio, no production pottery is permitted during this class. Kiln shelf rental for the cost of $30 is available for those wishing to produce more than 5-10 vessels during the session.
If you have any questions, please contact sierra@bigskyarts.org
Join Shannon Brennan for a fun, inspiring stained glass experience. Shannon will guide you through the basics of the process of stained glass art and design. Participants will walk away at the end of 5-weeks with 1-3 stained glass projects!
Please note that Stained Glass Open Studio is only open to people CURRENTLY enrolled in a MULTI-WEEK class with Shannon Brennan.
Please note there is NO OFFICIAL INSTRUCTION during this class. Stained Glass Open Studio participants will have access to all materials needed in order to continue to work on their class projects. You must pre-register in order to secure a space. No PRODUCTION please. This is an extension to continue working on class projects and refining your stained glass skills independently.
This five-week watercolor class taught by Vicky Merryman, is designed for beginner painters who want to build confidence and develop a strong foundation in watercolor techniques. Each week, students will explore essential skills such as brush control, color mixing, washes, layering, and understanding light and transparency. Through guided demonstrations, hands-on practice, and supportive feedback, students will learn how to work with watercolor's unique qualities while developing their own creative voice.
No prior experience is required, just curiosity and a willingness to experiment. All levels are welcome, and materials will be provided.
Any class payments above the suggested class fee (Take a Class/Give a Class, Help a Neighbor, Sponsor Materials) are tax deductible and will be acknowledged via email for tax purposes.
This introductory sewing course taught by Alyvia Schoener, owner of ScrapHouse Designs, offers a practical and approachable way to learn the basics of sewing. Across ten weeks, students will become familiar with sewing machines, essential tools, and fabrics while developing core skills such as straight stitching, seam construction, hemming, and basic finishing techniques. Instruction focuses on building strong fundamentals through hands-on practice and clear demonstrations.
Students will work on a variety of beginner-level projects starting with aprons, designed to reinforce techniques and build comfort with the sewing process. By the end of the course, participants will have a solid understanding of sewing fundamentals and ability to create their own unique pieces. No previous sewing experience is necessary.
Any class payments above the suggested class fee (Take a Class/Give a Class, Help a Neighbor, Sponsor Materials) are tax deductible and will be acknowledged via email for tax purposes.
Welcome Spring to the table! In this workshop, participants will create a living centerpiece using spring bulbs and thoughtfully curated natural materials by Jami Lavin. Choosing from a variation of glassware & baskets as planting vessels, you will design an organic arrangement that feels effortless, seasonal, and alive. We will explore simple planting and design techniques, how to layer soil and moss, and how to incorporate branches and other natural elements for texture and movement. You will also learn basic care tips so your centerpiece continues to bloom and thrive for weeks to come.
No prior experience is needed; just a love of flowers and a willingness to get your hands a little dirty. Each participant will leave with a special living centerpiece, perfect for a dining table, kitchen counter, or gifting to someone special. What better way to spend the first day of Spring?!
Any class payments above the suggested class fee (Take a Class/Give a Class, Help a Neighbor, Sponsor Materials) are tax deductible and will be acknowledged via email for tax purposes.)
This 2 hour hands-on sewing workshop taught by Alyvia Schoener, owner of ScrapHouse Designs, invites participants to transform recycled jeans into a one of a kind denim tote bag. Designed for beginners and curious creatives alike, the class covers the basics of sewing while guiding you step by step through the construction of a durable and stylish tote.
Sewing machines and all materials are provided, including recycled jeans, so there is no need to bring anything. Participants are welcome to bring additional jeans if they would like to incorporate personal details or unique fabric pieces.
By the end of the workshop, each participant will leave with a completed jean tote and the skills needed to continue sewing with confidence. This workshop offers a creative way to learn a new skill while giving old denim a second life.
Any class payments above the suggested class fee (Take a Class/Give a Class, Help a Neighbor, Sponsor Materials) are tax deductible and will be acknowledged via email for tax purposes.
Join Vicky Merryman for this watercolor workshop, where you will create a heartfelt portrait of your beloved pet using expressive, approachable watercolor techniques. You will be guided through the process of capturing your pet's personality, likeness, and charm, no matter your experience level.
We will cover essential watercolor skills including color mixing, layering, fur textures, and expressive mark making, with plenty of individual guidance along the way. Vicky has a background in teaching watercolor classes in local communities in Alta, Utah, such as the Alta Community Enrichment Center. This workshop is perfect for animal lovers, creatives, and anyone looking to make a meaningful piece of art.
Any class payments above the suggested class fee (Take a Class/Give a Class, Help a Neighbor, Sponsor Materials) are tax deductible and will be acknowledged via email for tax purposes.
In this watercolor workshop, participants will explore painting expansive skies, distant horizons, and expressive landscapes using approachable watercolor techniques. The class focuses on building balanced compositions with special attention to sky, light, and atmosphere, and is open to all experience levels.
We will cover essential watercolor skills including color mixing, layered washes, soft transitions, and creating depth through value and scale. Emphasis will be placed on capturing mood and openness rather than fine detail, with plenty of individual guidance throughout the session.
Vicky Merryman has a background in teaching watercolor classes in local communities in Alta, Utah, including the Alta Community Enrichment Center. This workshop is perfect for creatives, nature lovers, and anyone interested in exploring landscape painting with a sky-first approach.
Any class payments above the suggested class fee (Take a Class/Give a Class, Help a Neighbor, Sponsor Materials) are tax deductible and will be acknowledged via email for tax purposes.
Join artist Russell Brausch for a 2.5-hour watercolor workshop focused on capturing misty mountain landscapes through transparent, layered watercolor techniques. Students will explore depth and atmosphere using wet-on-wet methods, glazing, and thoughtful composition. Russell will guide participants step-by-step, making this workshop approachable for beginners while still engaging for more experienced painters.
Russell Brausch holds a BFA from Creighton University and an MFA from Montana State University. He currently teaches at Montana State University and the Emerson Art Center, and his work is held in the collections of Montana State University and Bridger Aerospace.
Students will leave with a completed watercolor painting and practical tools for creating layered, atmospheric landscapes.
All skill levels welcome.
Materials and supplies included in class cost.
Any class payments above the suggested class fee (Take a Class/Give a Class, Help a Neighbor, Sponsor Materials) are tax deductible and will be acknowledged via email for tax purposes.
Join Amy Gitchell to transform a vintage vinyl record into a unique piece of functional art! In this workshop, participants will learn to hand-paint a cosmic solar system scene (or design of their choice) on a record album and convert it into a working wall clock.
Any class payments above the suggested class fee (Take a Class/Give a Class, Help a Neighbor, Sponsor Materials) are tax deductible and will be acknowledged via email for tax purposes.
This 4-hour workshop explores the art of assemblage through paper collage. Participants will create a unique, finished piece in a shadow box using thoughtfully curated selection of paper elements, textures, and imagery. Led by Kate Huston of Tiny Box Worlds, she will guide you in the process of layering, cutting, arranging, and composing papers to build depth, balance, and visual interest. The workshop emphasizes experimentation and intuitive choices, offering space to explore personal style while learning practical collage techniques.
Open to all experience levels, this workshop welcomes beginners and seasoned creatives alike. All materials are provided, and participants will leave with an original paper collage to take home.
Any class payments above the suggested class fee are tax deductible and will be acknowledged via email for tax purposes.
This 2.5 hour tattoo flash design workshop focuses on the creative process behind making strong, tattoo ready designs. Participants will create their own piece of flash, either a full sheet of smaller designs or one larger standalone piece, while the artist, Drew Clendenin, owner of Clendenin Customs Tattoo and Gallery, walks through his personal approach to concept, composition, and refinement. Along the way, there will be discussion around design choices, references, and how a flash piece comes together from start to finish. At the end of the session, participants will have the option to stencil their design onto themselves to see how it sits on the body (no tattooing involved).
Any class payments above the suggested class fee (Take a Class/Give a Class, Help a Neighbor, Sponsor Materials) are tax deductible and will be acknowledged via email for tax purposes.
Step into the expressive world of charcoal drawing with graphite and charcoal portrait artist Tyler Hoff. In this three-hour workshop, students will explore the fundamentals of charcoal through focused still life studies, learning essential techniques for mark-making, shading, and capturing light, shadow, and mood.
Based in the Missoula Valley and Big Sky, Tyler's Romantic Contemporary work explores the full spectrum of human emotion. Drawing inspiration from artists like Lucian Freud and Albrecht Dürer, as well as his own life experiences, he uses bold strokes, expressive smudging, and strong contrasts to create deeply relatable imagery.
His approach emphasizes stoicism, natural beauty, and the power of imperfection. This workshop is ideal for beginners or artists looking to loosen up their drawing practice, build confidence with charcoal, and develop a stronger understanding of form and contrast through still life observation. Students will leave with practical tools for working with charcoal and new ways to translate observation and emotion into visual form.
No prior experience required and supplies are provided in the workshop. Any class payments above the suggested class fee (Take a Class/Give a Class, Help a Neighbor, Sponsor Materials) are tax deductible and will be acknowledged via email for tax purposes.