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Fall Visual Arts Classes 2025
Acrylic Afternoons
with Heather Bennett

Acrylic Afternoons | Six Weeks | Meets Thursdays | Aug 14 - Sept 18 | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm | All Levels Welcome
Sign up for this popular class and join a relaxing atmosphere where all skill levels are welcome! Learn or "brush"-up on the basic techniques of acrylic painting. Students will have the opportunity to create a complete piece of artwork each class with the step by step guidance of the instructor. The class will paint from photos of Ocean Grove’s landscapes, seascapes, and nature.
The course will cover proportion, composition, color mixing, blending, brush techniques, and provide painters with practical tips and tricks.
Acrylic paint and other supplies can be purchased at the following for very good prices:
Michaels, Blick (dickblick.com), Amazon.com, Jerry's Artarama (jerrysartaroma.com)
Brushes: Inexpensive acrylic brush set (flat and round shaped, various sizes from an inch to a quarter inch wide.)
Acrylic Paint: Brand names are Golden, Liquitex. (Michael’s brand is Artist’s Loft) Colors you will need: Phthalo Blue, Titanium White, Mars Black, Raw Sienna, Brilliant Yellow, Brilliant Red.
Canvas: 6 pack 12x16 stretched canvases (Michael’s seems to have the best price)
Other Tools: A palette (you can use paper plates or buy a reusable plastic one), rags or paper towels, palette knife, small spray bottle (for water.)
Always wear old clothes, coveralls or an apron that can get dirty. You’ll need a way to safely transport wet paintings, as there is no storage at the JSAC. One option is to bring a cardboard box or a flat piece of cardboard large enough to put a painting on without the wet surface touching anything.
Authentic Collage
with Heather Bennett

Authentic Collage Meets on Thursdays | Six Weeks | Aug 14 - Sept 18 | 6:00pm to 8:00 pm
Join Heather Bennett at the JSAC for the opportunity to learn the true meaning of collage! What most people think of as a collage is actually more of a vision board: cutting out images of things we want or like and putting them all together. However, a true collage is the act of taking images of existing elements or objects and creating new elements or objects from those images. We'll explore color, composition, perspective, and Surrealism.
Supply List:
Images - old magazines, books, photographs, calenders, or quality printed images from the internet. Mod Podge (matte, unless you want your collages glossy) Glue brushes, Substrate or material to adhere images: canvas board, canvas paper, wood board, or found/garage sale materials such as mirrors, existing glass frames, or signs (at least 8x10 or larger.)
Intro to Jewelry Making
with Pam Lister

Thursdays | September 4 to October 9 | 10 AM -12:30 PM | Six Weeks | Materials List Below
Come learn the fundamentals of metalsmithing in this 2.5-hour weekly class. Acquire all the necessary skills to create your own unique piece of jewelry. The focus will be on developing basic fabrication techniques to form metal into creative designs. No experience is necessary. The class is for the pure novice or the beginner who wants to improve their metalwork skills in piercing, sawing, filing, riveting, texturing, and basic stone-setting.
Materials Fee $25
What to Bring:
- A small sketchbook & pencil
- An apron
- Shoes with covered toes
- Wear clothing you don’t care about—you will get dirty!
Urban Sketching in Asbury Park and Ocean Grove
with Gina Torello

Meets Mondays | September 8 - October 20 | 10:00am to 12:30pm
(No class on 10/13/25) | Six Week Class | 2 1/2 Hour Class | All Levels Welcome | See Below for Materials List
Instructor Gina Torello has designed this Urban Sketching Class in the heart of our iconic downtown. Perspective lessons will take place out on the streets of our local iconic towns. Instructions will be given on how to sketch using various drawing materials. The first 12 Artists will have access to a comfortable pleinair chair and a small portable drawing table. Each week we will meet in a different location with new and exciting lessons and exciting subject matter to enjoy. Great way to welcome the fall, enjoy the fresh air and take your own artwork home with you. All levels are always welcome. The supply list is below; you choose what materials you have and feel comfortable using. I will email everyone prior to our first class via JSAC email to inform you of our first location.
Basic Drawing Tuesdays
with Deanna Gallaro

Meets Tuesdays | Sept 9 - Oct 14 | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Six Sessions | All Levels | See Below Regarding Materials
Tap into your creativity in this relaxed and fun basic drawing class. Each class will have step-by-step instructions on how to draw from a provided reference. We will also explore various mediums, including pencils, pastels and watercolor. Students of all levels will enjoy an inspiring, judgment-free atmosphere while receiving guidance and encouragement to enhance your skills.
Materials Provided
Instructor will collect a supply fee of $15 the first class
Basic Drawing Wednesdays
with Deanna Gallaro

Meets Wednesdays | Sept 10 - Oct 15 | 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Six Sessions | All Levels | See Below Regarding Materials
Tap into your creativity in this relaxed and fun basic drawing class. Each class will have step-by-step instructions on how to draw from a provided reference. We will also explore various mediums, including pencils, pastels and watercolor. Students of all levels will enjoy an inspiring, judgment-free atmosphere while receiving guidance and encouragement to enhance your skills.
Materials Provided
Instructor will collect a supply fee of $15 the first class
Expressive Watercolor
with Philla Barkhorn

Six Weeks | Mondays |10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Sept 15 - Oct 20 | Adults | All Levels Welcome
Join us in this six week workshop for a whimsical and colorful exploration of the medium of watercolor! Learn the basics of color mixing, warm versus cool colors and opacity/transparency. Learn techniques such as wet on wet, wet on dry and dry brush. Create interesting textures utilizing salt and water spraying. Loosen up and have fun with color blends and splattering. No experience necessary.
Drawing the Portrait in Graphite
with Philla Barkhorn

Six Weeks | Mondays |1:30 - 3:30pm | Sept 15 - Oct 20 | Adults | All Levels Welcome
Working from a photograph students will learn the fundamentals of measuring, seeing tilts and shapes essential for realistic portraiture. Participants will develop an understanding of value and how it is used to turn form and show volume. Students will work on one drawing for six weeks as they delve into the intricacies of shape, value and edges.
No prior experience necessary.