Art Classes in Traverse City

With a focus on the visual arts, CTAC-TC offers year-round art classes, lectures, and other special opportunities for all ages. Our classroom is large, comfortable, and has great natural light. A utility sink, drinking fountain, and restrooms are just steps away. 

fall schedule

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Search for upcoming arts classes at CTAC -Traverse City! Just select your arts area and age range:

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Friday Night Live with Crooked Tree Arts Center

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Friday, August 08 - Friday, August 08

Time
Friday, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Grade Range
Preschool - Adult
Age Range

- no maximum age

Stop by for a free, fun art activity for families of all ages.

Summer Art Camp (Grades 1-3): Into the Wild: Prints Inspired by Nature

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, August 11 - Friday, August 15

Time
Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Grade Range
1st grade - 3rd grade
Age Range

-

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Prepare for a printmaking extravaganza - nature will be our inspiration!

Summer Art Camp (Grades 4-6): Into the Wild: Prints Inspired by Nature

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, August 11 - Friday, August 15

Time
Monday - Friday, 1:00 - 3:30 pm
Grade Range
4th grade - 6th grade
Age Range

-

Register by
Prepare for a printmaking extravaganza - nature will be our inspiration!

Summer Art Camp (Grades 6-8): The Infinite World of Eye-Popping Printmaking

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, August 11 - Friday, August 15

Time
Monday - Friday, 1:00 - 3:30 pm
Grade Range
6th grade - 8th grade
Age Range

-

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Explore traditional printmaking with monoprints, embossing, linocuts, & more!

Summer Art Camp (Grades 3-5): The Infinite World of Eye-Popping Prints & Patterns

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, August 11 - Friday, August 15

Time
Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Grade Range
3rd grade - 5th grade
Age Range

-

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Discover limitless ideas using "gelli" plates to make amazing designs with colors that POP!

TC- Artist Critique Night -August

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Wednesday, August 13 - Wednesday, August 13

Time
Wednesday, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Grade Range
Adult - Adult
Age Range

- no maximum age

a supportive gathering where artists share works in progress and receive constructive feedback to in

Workshop: Geometric Abstracts With Collage - With Julie Tibus

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Saturday, August 16 - Saturday, August 16

Time
Saturday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Grade Range
Adult - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

Register by
Explore mixed media techniques & learn how to create abstraction on canvas like famous artists did.

Mixed Media Fabric Journals with Amber Coulter

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Wednesday, September 03 - Wednesday, September 24

Time
Wednesdays, 1:00 - 3:30 pm
Grade Range
12th grade - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

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Create a unique hand-bound journal with a sewn fabric cover.

Workshop: Sunflowers Finding Joy

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Saturday, September 06 - Saturday, September 06

Time
Saturday, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Grade Range
Adult - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

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One-day sunflower still life workshop with Lori Feldpausch

Discovery Series 2.0: It Starts With a Notebook

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Tuesday, September 09 - Tuesday, September 16

Time
Two Tuesdays, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Grade Range
Adult - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

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The first in the creative process series; realize the creative freedom of the design process.

Having Fun with Watercolors: Beyond

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Friday, September 12 - Friday, September 12

Time
Afternoon Session: Beyond - Friday, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Grade Range
10th grade - Adult
Age Range

16 - no maximum age

Register by
Expand your watercolor skills in this beginner-friendly course; 2 classes, 1 day!

Having Fun with Watercolors: The Basics

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Friday, September 12 - Friday, September 12

Time
Morning Session: The Basics - Friday, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Grade Range
10th grade - Adult
Age Range

16 - no maximum age

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Enjoy the art of watercolor painting in this beginner-friendly course; 2 classes, 1 day!

Creating Little Critters: Felt Animal Making with Mary Fortuna

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Saturday, September 13 - Saturday, September 13

Time
Friday, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Grade Range
9th grade - Adult
Age Range

15 - no maximum age

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Through felt, fabrics, beads, and embroidery, hand stitch and stuff a miniature animal.

Watercolor: Nature in Fall with Margaret Weeks

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Tuesday, September 16 - Tuesday, October 21

Time
Tuesdays, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Grade Range
Adult - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

Register by
Add new depth and color to your fall landscape paintings in this 6 week class.

Youth Sewing (Grade 3-6)

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, September 22 - Monday, October 27

Time
Mondays, 4:15 - 5:45 pm
Grade Range
3rd grade - 6th grade
Age Range

8 - 13

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Kids will learn the basics of operating a sewing machine and sew their own projects.

Illustrating with Ink & Watercolors

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, September 22 - Monday, September 22

Time
Monday, 1:00 - 3:30 pm
Grade Range
12th grade - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

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Join artist Janet Oliver to learn tips and techniques for using ink with watercolor pieces.

Art Explorers (K-3)

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Tuesday, September 23 - Tuesday, October 21

Time
Tuesdays, 4:15 - 5:30 pm (NO CLASS ON OCTOBER 14)
Grade Range
Kindergarten - 3rd grade
Age Range

5 - 9

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Using all of their senses, students become explorers of the world in this mixed-media class.

Discovery Series 2.0: It Starts with an Underpainting

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Tuesday, September 30 - Tuesday, October 21

Time
Tuesdays, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Grade Range
Adult - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

Register by
Second session in the creative process series; begin beneath your painting through values.

Under the Influence with Royce Deans

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Wednesday, October 01 - Wednesday, December 17

Time
Wednesdays, 12:00 - 3:00 pm
Grade Range
Adult - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

Register by
Explore drawing, painting, and printmaking under the influence of the art masters!

Highschool Portfolio (Grade 8-12)

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Wednesday, October 01 - Wednesday, December 17

Time
Wednesdays, 4:00 - 7:00 pm (No class week of Thanksgiving)
Grade Range
8th grade - 12th grade
Age Range

14 - 18

Register by
Eleven-week program offered to current high school students interested in building skills.

The Art of Comics (Grades 3-5)

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Friday, October 03 - Friday, October 03

Time
Friday, 4:15 - 5:45 pm
Grade Range
3rd grade - 5th grade
Age Range

8 - 11

Register by
Create your very own comic strip while learning about what makes a great cartoon!

Painting with Wool

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Friday, October 03 - Friday, October 03

Time
Friday, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Grade Range
12th grade - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

Register by
Learn how to use felting and blending techniques to create 2D "paintings" completely out of wool.

Workshop: Geode Hot Water Irrigation Dyeing - With Terry Tarnow

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Saturday, October 04 - Saturday, October 04

Time
Saturday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Grade Range
Adult - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

Register by
Using an innovative process, create one-of-a-kind geode dye patterns on bamboo scarves and socks!

Creative Interpretation for Tweens (Grade 6-8)

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Thursday, October 16 - Thursday, November 20

Time
Thursdays, 4:15 - 6:00 pm
Grade Range
6th grade - 8th grade
Age Range

12 - 15

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Depict aspects of your life through art in this mixed-media art series for tweens.

Having Fun with Watercolors: Holiday Card Making

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Friday, October 17 - Friday, October 17

Time
Friday, 2:30 - 5:00 pm
Grade Range
10th grade - Adult
Age Range

16 - no maximum age

Register by
Create unique, hand-crafted holiday cards to give to friends, family, and loved ones.

Jewelry & Metalworking: Silver Russian Wedding Ring

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Saturday, October 18 - Saturday, October 18

Time
Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Grade Range
12th grade - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

Register by
Learn the basics and work with sterling silver to create a Russian wedding ring.

Handmade Portrait Doll-Making with Mary Fortuna

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, October 27 - Tuesday, October 28

Time
Monday and Tuesday, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Grade Range
9th grade - Adult
Age Range

15 - no maximum age

Register by
Using a mixture of hand and machine stitching, create a soft sculpture doll based on a loved one.

Mixed Media Art Books with Mary Fortuna

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, November 03 - Monday, November 03

Time
Monday and Tuesday, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Grade Range
9th grade - Adult
Age Range

15 - no maximum age

Register by
Create personal art objects that can be explored one page at a time in this mixed-media course.

The Art of Comics & Graphic Novels (Grade 6-9)

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Friday, November 07 - Friday, December 05

Time
Fridays, 4:15 - 6:00 pm (Skipping week of Thanksgiving)
Grade Range
6th grade - 9th grade
Age Range

12 - 15

Register by
Create your own graphic novel or comic book zine, and learn all the tips and tricks to comic making!

Discovery Series 2.0: It's Not Moving, It's a Still...Life

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Tuesday, November 18 - Tuesday, December 09

Time
Tuesdays, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Grade Range
Adult - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

Register by
Third session in the creative process series; paint a creative still life.

Jewelry & Metalworking: Beachstone Jewelry

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Saturday, November 22 - Saturday, November 22

Time
Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Grade Range
12th grade - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

Register by
Learn how to turn your favorite beachstone finds into unique pendants or rings.

Drypoint Intaglio Printmaking

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, December 01 - Monday, December 15

Time
Mondays, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Grade Range
12th grade - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

Register by
Learn this 15th century printmaking technique, where you scratch a design directly into metal plates

Art Explorers: Winter Wonderland (K-3)

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Tuesday, December 02 - Tuesday, December 16

Time
Tuesdays, 4:15 - 5:30 pm
Grade Range
Kindergarten - 3rd grade
Age Range

5 - 9

Register by
Kids explore the art world through a winter wonderland theme in this 3-week mixed media class.

Soft Sculpture from Kid's Drawings, with Mary Fortuna

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Friday, December 05 - Saturday, December 06

Time
Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Grade Range
11th grade - Adult
Age Range

17 - no maximum age

Register by
Bring your child’s drawing to life as a toy they can hold!

Mixed Media Journaling (Grade 8-12)

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Wednesday, January 07 - Wednesday, January 28

Time
Wednesdays, 4:00 - 5:45 pm
Grade Range
8th grade - 12th grade
Age Range

14 - 17

Register by
Create a personalized art journal in this four-week class.

Relief Printing Workshop

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Friday, January 09 - Friday, January 09

Time
Friday, 3:00 - 6:00 pm
Grade Range
7th grade - Adult
Age Range

14 - no maximum age

Register by
Learn how to create a relief carving and print without a press in this 1-day workshop!

Woodblock Printing with Ben Bohnsack

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Thursday, January 15 - Saturday, January 17

Time
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Grade Range
Adult - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

Register by
Learn the basics of woodblock printing from beginning to end in this 3-day workshop.