Get creative with hands-on classes and workshops at Oklahoma Contemporary

A woman wearing a mask painting on an easel outdoors

Want to learn a new artistic skill this spring? Studio School at Oklahoma Contemporary is here to help. Join us for hands-on four- and 10-week classes, short workshops and casual Friday Night Series courses taught by experienced working artists. Studio School’s live, small courses emphasize individualized instruction and coaching in a fun atmosphere for adults and teens.

"Studio School enables us to provide high-quality instruction and one-on-one coaching between students and teaching artists," said Studio School Associate Director Adrienne Lalli Hills. "You could watch a YouTube video and try to figure it out on your own, but the benefit of this is you have a real-life instructor on the other side who's going to be able to answer questions and give you feedback. You'll also have a network of other classmates you can connect with."

In addition to offerings in 2-D and 3-D media, ceramics, literary arts, performance and more, check out a few standout offerings below and sign up today. Registration is open now for classes conducted online via Zoom or in person with masks required and social distancing measures enforced.

A hyper-realistic painting of an artist with dark features standing in front of a painting of deer

Art and Ideas

Want to explore the theory, history and criticism of contemporary art and culture? Get curious with Studio School's new Art & Ideas courses. Far from a dry lecture or endless PowerPoint presentation, these courses emphasize your active inquiry through discussion, readings and participatory activities.

From Black History in Black Horror Films to Oklahoma Native Art History, along with classes on progressive rock, ribbon skirt making, arts writing, historical narratives and more, this new subset of courses will help deepen your engagement with culture all around you.

A closely cropped image of a woman using Illustrator software on a laptop

Digital Media

Oklahoma Contemporary's professional artists and designers teach digital media classes and workshops on a variety of topics and for a range of skill levels. Many digital media classes are interdisciplinary in nature, encouraging students to blend digital media, photography, film and performance to create new forms. Courses will take place via Zoom.

This spring, students can learn the fundamentals of sound design with the Pro Tools Basics course. Beginning with a guided tour of the software, students will learn how to start projects, navigate the interface and manage tracks and audio clips. By the end of the course, students should have a strong grasp of the essential functions of the software and be ready to use Pro Tools to make music on their own.

A cropped image of a partially knitted project and a knitting needle wrapped in blue thread

Fiber Arts

Oklahoma Contemporary offers the very best in fiber arts classes, workshops and opportunities for independent exploration. Located in The Studios building, the Fiber Art Studio features floor and frame looms, as well as materials and equipment for dyeing. Fiber Arts instructors also offer courses in embroidery, sewing and other creative and contemporary applications of fiber traditions.

Fiber arts courses include favorites like Intro to Frame Loom Weaving along with exciting new options like Experimental Embroidery, Block Printing on Fabric and more. And if you need a space for your own project, Fiber Arts Studio rentals include access to floor or extra-large frame looms, fiber dyeing equipment, large table space and temporary project storage.

Woman in an apron creating artwork at a desk

Artist Professional Development

Studio School seeks to support central Oklahoma's artists and creatives through ongoing professional development courses. Many of our offerings are pay-as-you-can to ensure that artists at all stages of their career can participate. With the four-week Teaching Artist Bootcamp taught by Studio School Associate Director Adrienne Lalli Hills, you'll explore the basics of instructional practice through class discussions, readings and guest speakers, including representatives from Oklahoma Arts Council and Oklahoma Arts Institute.

An abstract work of art, rendered in blues, pinks and yellows

Friday Night Workshops

Join us for an evening of grownup fun while you take a crash course in creativity. No art skills needed, but you can flex those social muscles as you pick up a new art-making skill. From Drink n' Doodle fun to Wall Weaving, Gelli Plate Printmaking and more, these online and outdoor courses designed for participants age 21 and older are the perfect way to have a good time while getting your feet wet with a new art form.

Still searching for the right Studio School course for you? Browse our complete listing of offerings to find the perfect class or workshop before the initial round of registration ends on April 4. In the meantime, check out the video below for a glimpse at what you can expect from the Studio School experience.