In this year-long series of art classes we'll explor nature's rhythms across the four seasons: winter spring, summer and winter.  Each class session focuses on onbserving and captureing seasonal changes in plants, animals and weather through drawing, watercolor and ink. Students will connect with the environment through hands-on activities, embracing the stillness of winter, renewal of spring, abundance of summer and transition of fall. Join us for one season or experience the full cycle. Each session offers a deeper appreciation of nature's contact transformations For supplies, we will use large drawing pads, pencils, pens and charcoal.

France Hilbert has taught classes at College of the Atlantic since 2018. She is a professional artist and art educator with an extensive resume of training and experience including major commissions and installations. Her artistic education began at the age of seven, when she was taught by her grandfather, the late artist Jaro Hilbert. From him, she received a thorough education in the classical tradition. She pursued her formal education at the National Fine Art Academy of Paris, France, (ENSBA), was an artist in residence in Copenhagen, studied German Expressionism in Berlin, and traveled extensively to paint and study around Europe and abroad. At the Art Students League of New York, she received a Merit Scholarship to master portraiture in painting and completed a Certificate in Sculpture. She was selected for “Model to Monument”, a sculpture program at The Academy of Art, Newington Cropsey Foundation, Hastings on Hudson, NY and received an Edward G. McDowell Travel Grant from the Art Students League of New York. Of her many public and private commissions, some are permanent installations. “Talma”, a 7-foot bronze sculpture is installed in the public square of the Theatre of the Valley of L’Yerres, in Brunoy, France. A pair of 4-foot bronze relief sculptures entitled ”The Calling” are installed at the Georgetown University Medical School building in Washington, DC.

This course introduces students to the techniques and methods of the depiction of the human figure through direct observational drawing.

We will be working from models online to investigate movement, volume, and anatomy of the human form. We will learn perspective to draw the figure in space. Students will practice with a variety of subjects such as themselves, people with whom they live, family members, or pets. Students will be given assignments and documents such as illustrations of anatomy, references to art history and artists’ works.  This is an in-person class.

For supplies, we will use large drawing pads, pencils, pens and charcoal.

France Hilbert has taught classes at College of the Atlantic since 2018. She is a professional artist and art educator with an extensive resume of training and experience including major commissions and installations. Her artistic education began at the age of seven, when she was taught by her grandfather, the late artist Jaro Hilbert. From him, she received a thorough education in the classical tradition. She pursued her formal education at the National Fine Art Academy of Paris, France, (ENSBA), was an artist in residence in Copenhagen, studied German Expressionism in Berlin, and traveled extensively to paint and study around Europe and abroad. At the Art Students League of New York, she received a Merit Scholarship to master portraiture in painting and completed a Certificate in Sculpture. She was selected for “Model to Monument”, a sculpture program at The Academy of Art, Newington Cropsey Foundation, Hastings on Hudson, NY and received an Edward G. McDowell Travel Grant from the Art Students League of New York. Of her many public and private commissions, some are permanent installations. “Talma”, a 7-foot bronze sculpture is installed in the public square of the Theatre of the Valley of L’Yerres, in Brunoy, France. A pair of 4-foot bronze relief sculptures entitled ”The Calling” are installed at the Georgetown University Medical School building in Washington, DC.

You can learn to paint just like Bob Ross does on TV - in a few hours! Classes are suited for beginners; you need no previous experience to attend. Annette Babcock is a Certified Ross instructor® and is certified to teach the Ross Landscape Method®.  

In Forest edge from Joy of Painting® season 23 episode 2 we will create a mystical forest setting on a 16 x 20 canvas and using a limited color palette in shades of green.  Genuine Bob Ross Inc ® materials are used and provided.  Students are asked to bring a roll of paper towels for their personal use.  This is an in-person class.

In this exciting and hands-on class, students will have the unique opportunity to unleash their creativity by carving their very own wooden spoon and crafting a beautiful gourd bowl. As the class comes to a close, we will gather together to savor a delicious group meal, where we will proudly enjoy hearty soups and crusty bread. The best part is that this meal is on the instructor, a delightful way to celebrate your accomplish-ments in this class!  This is an in-person class.

Do you want to improve your writing skills for work? Write a poem to your beloved or finish that family memoir? Or maybe you’ve considered writing a script? If so, come join us in this 6-week writer’s workshop where we will explore a variety of writing genres. 

In this session, we will be taking some time to address the concepts of Time and Place in our stories, poems, and plays. More specifically, how do they impact the scenes that unfold and the images we create, in both our earliest, developing rough drafts and in our polished, almost final revisions?  This is a live, online class using ZOOM.  

Kristin holds a Masters in English (Literature), as well as an M. F. A. in Creative Writing from the University of Southern Maine.  She is the 2019 recipient of the Maine Literary Award for Drama and Lit Fest’s 2019 Dramatic Writing Fellow for Emerging Writers. Her critical and creative works have appeared in The Explicator, Ekphrastic Review, The Atlantic, New Hampshire Public Radio, and more. Follow her at kristinjleonard.com.

You can learn to paint just like Bob Ross does on TV - in a few hours! Classes are suited for beginners; you need no previous experience to attend. Annette Babcock is a Certified Ross instructor® and is certified to teach the Ross Landscape Method®.  

Aurora's Dance is from Joy of Painting® Season 29 Episode 12.  We will explore the magic of starting with a 16 x 20 black canvas and bringing out the beauty of the northern lights in the Alaskan wilderness.  Genuine Bob Ross Inc.® materials used and provided.  Students are asked to bring a roll of paper towels for their personal use.  This is an in-person class.

Watercolor Painting is an exciting medium; it flows and moves and does beautiful things. Instructor Mary Laury has been recognized for her work by the Maine Arts Commission.  Participants will do landscapes and seascapes in this 4-session course. If you have never painted in watercolors we will start at the beginning. If you have painted before, you may pick up some new tips and tricks as well. We all learn together!   This is an in-person course.  

Makeup class, if needed, 04/28/25.

The supply list will be available here soon. 

Mary Laury served as the founding Executive Director of Schoodic Arts for All, an award winning non-profit organization celebrating the arts and culture in Downeast Maine for over 20 years. The botanical subjects and dynamic nature of Maine are Mary's passions. An experienced teacher, she has taught painting and drawing in classrooms and in the field for many programs throughout her career.

Paint flower portraits realistically. You will paint pictures of flowers in detail, but more painterly than a scientific illustration. We won’t count veins, but we will count petals! Painting flowers is a wonderful exercise in observation. This is an in-person class.  Makeup class, if needed, 04/08/25.

The supply list will be posted shortly.

Mary Laury served as the founding Executive Director of Schoodic Arts for All, an award winning non-profit organization celebrating the arts and culture in Downeast Maine for over 20 years. The botanical subjects and dynamic nature of Maine are Mary's passions. An experienced teacher, she has taught painting and drawing in classrooms and in the field for many programs throughout her career.