The Marion Art Center is offering several adult education classes beginning in September. A minimum of 5 students is required for all classes. Tuition for the class is $180 for MAC members and $195 for non-members (supplies not included). A current membership is required for discount.

Pastels for Adults

Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-noon at the MAC Studio

September 20 to November 8 (8 weeks)

Instructor: Cynthia Getchell

This class is designed for those who would like to work with pastel and do not know how to begin, or who have tried working with the medium, but are having trouble achieving desired results. Students will explore various painting surfaces, types of pastels, techniques and basic color theory through small-scale landscape, still-life and portrait painting. Cynthia will guide each individual to develop their own personal style and voice through the versatile medium of pastel. Students should bring what they have though materials will be on hand for use.

Beginner Watercolor Painting for Adults

Thursdays, 10 a.m.-noon at the MAC Studio

September 21 to November 16 (8 weeks; no class November 9)

Instructor: Patty White

After a brief introduction each week, students will explore different techniques, while working on the landscape, still life, figurative, and/or imaginative painting, in a nurturing environment. Participants should bring, to the first class, whatever supplies they have on hand. Instructor Patty White is an illustrator, a painter, and a Gallery Instructor Associate at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She is past President of the Marion Art Center and the current President of the Bourne-Wareham Art Association.

Visual Memoir for Adults

Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. at the MAC Studio

September 21 to November 16 (8 weeks; no class November 9)

Instructor: Patty White

Have you ever wanted to illustrate your own experiences and viewpoints, or perhaps the story of a friend or relative? This course is designed to help participants "show" their narratives, by recounting personal stories or “memoirs.” Through journal keeping and first-hand recollections (both their own and those of people they choose to interview), students will complement their visual work with details from their writing. During class time, students will be given prompts for sketching and free-writing, with the goal of connecting their painting and drawing to a written passage. Time will also be set aside for drawing or watercolor painting, critiquing and working on a larger project.

Continuing & Advanced Watercolor Painting for Adults

Day class

Fridays, 10 am.-noon

September 22 to November 10 (8 weeks)

Night class

Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m. at the MAC Studio

September 20 to November 8 (8 weeks)

Instructor: Jay Ryan

This course is a perfect “next step” for those who would like to explore watercolor painting beyond a basic understanding of color and brush strokes. Using the brilliant nature of light (and dark), we’ll “push” the medium, adding other water media, brushes, and paper surfaces, and experiment with palette color mixing to capture magic and luminosity. In each class, we will start a new painting together using landscape, still life, the figure, abstract or imaginative thought, or narrative ideas as subjects. Each class will also provide a brief and supportive group “critique”. Students will leave with expanded knowledge of technique and traditional and contemporary use of watercolor.

To register online, you may visit: http://www.marionartcenter.org/about/register/