Upcoming Classes

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• Laura Sippos, Mastering Color Theory

  • When
    Tuesday, June 17, 2025
  •  
    6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    MAL Studio, 4069 Washington Rd., McMurray, PA, 15317
  • Spaces left
    9
  • Registered
    7 registrants

  Register

  Dive into the vibrant world of color in this engaging 3-hour workshop designed for artists of all levels. Unlock the secrets of color theory through easy-to-understand concepts, practical applications, and hands-on activities. Participants will explore the color wheel, learn about color harmony, and discover how to mix and apply colors effectively in their artwork. Whether you're an aspiring painter or a seasoned artist looking to enhance your skills, this workshop promises to be informative, inspiring, and a fun way to deepen your understanding of color dynamics. Join me for an immersive experience that will enrich your artistic journey!

  All supplies included. 

  Minimum: 6
  Maximum: 16

  
  

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• Nancy Kenney, Gouache and Ink Resist Technique

  • When
    Wednesday, June 25, 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    MAL Studio, 4069 Washington Rd., McMurray, PA, 15317
  • Spaces left
    9
  • Registered
    7 registrants

  Register

  Learn the process for using gouache and India ink to create colorful, unified paintings. Nancy will explain and demonstrate the steps required to complete the process, as well as providing examples of some of her work done in this method. For those enrolling in the class, it would be helpful to have a subject or abstract design in mind that has colorful areas as well as some black areas in it.  The gouache will resist the ink and areas that are not covered with gouache will be filled in with the ink during the process.

  Supply List:

  • Gouache colors (Acrylic gouache will NOT work so make sure it is regular gouache).
  • Watercolor paper at least 140 lb. (9x12 or 11 x 14 are good sizes.)
  • Brushes that you use with oil or acrylic because the gouache needs to be applied thickly for this to work. 
  • An apron is suggested.

  Nancy will have some gouache on hand and provide the ink. 

  
  

  
  

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• Laura Sippos, 6/27 Watercolor Happy Hour

  • When
    Friday, June 27, 2025
  •  
    6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    MAL Studio, 4069 Washington Rd., McMurray, PA, 15317
  • Spaces left
    12
  • Registered
    4 registrants

  Register

  Enjoy snacks and drinks while trying your hand at watercolor painting. Learn a technique and create your own step by step masterpiece on blank notecards. All skill levels are welcome including the absolute beginner. Supplies and light refreshments are included with the workshop fee.  

  Of course, happy hour is best with friends, so bring one or two, or come and make a new one! A great date night, too! 

  Happy hours are the fourth Friday of each summer month.

  June 27, 6:30-8:30

  July 25, 6:30-8:30

  August 22, 6:30-8:30

  Minimum: 6
  Maximum: 16

  
  

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• Laura Sippos, Brushless Acrylic Painting Techniques

  • When
    Saturday, July 12, 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    MAL Studio, 4069 Washington Rd., McMurray, PA, 15317
  • Spaces left
    16
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  Leave your brushes at home for this workshop teaching innovative ways to create striking acrylic paintings. Try your hand at techniques to achieve styles from abstract to more realistic.  After some practice, you’ll be guided through a complete painting without ever touching a brush.

  Most materials including canvas are provided with the workshop fee. Students can choose to bring their own acrylic paints, or pay a $5 materials fee the day of class to use paint provided by the instructor. 

  Bring a bag lunch.  A refrigerator is available and water, coffee and tea will be provided. 

  Aprons or smocks are encouraged.  

  Minimum: 6
  Maximum: 16

  
  

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• Laura Sippos, Mixed Media Collage Landscapes

  • When
    Wednesday, July 16, 2025
  •  
    6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    MAL Studio, 4069 Washington Rd., McMurray, PA, 15317
  • Spaces left
    16
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  Explore collage in a whole new way.  The instructor will guide students to select from vintage and antique materials to create a unique landscape ‘painting’ full of texture and often unexpected elements.  Once you give this unique style a try, you may never want to stop!

  All skill levels are welcome including the absolute beginner. Fun with a friend, or great for date night! 

  Workshop fee includes all materials.  

  Minimum: 6
  Maximum: 16

  
  

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• Laura Sippos, 7/25 Watercolor Happy Hour

  • When
    Friday, July 25, 2025
  •  
    6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    MAL Studio, 4069 Washington Rd., McMurray, PA, 15317
  • Spaces left
    16
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  Enjoy snacks and drinks while trying your hand at watercolor painting. Learn a technique and create your own step by step masterpiece on blank notecards. All skill levels are welcome including the absolute beginner. Supplies and light refreshments are included with the workshop fee.  

  Of course, happy hour is best with friends, so bring one or two, or come and make a new one! A great date night, too! 

  Happy hours are the fourth Friday of each summer month.

  June 27, 6:30-8:30

  July 25, 6:30-8:30

  August 22, 6:30-8:30

  Minimum: 6
  Maximum: 16

  
  

  Show details
• Barry Jeter, Plein Air Watercolor or Oil Series at Gilfillan Farm

  • Start
    Thursday, July 31, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Friday, August 01, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    2 sessions
  • Location
    Gilfillan Farm, Orr Rd, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241
  • Spaces left
    9
  • Registered
    3 registrants

  Register

  On July 31 and August 1, we have a rare opportunity to paint on the grounds of Gilfillan Farm in Upper St. Clair (next to Westminster Church). Then, on August 2 6-9 PM there will be a "wet paint" sale of work completed during the class or a prior plein air event at Gilfillan Farm. There will also be food and music. Register here for the wet paint sale.

  Note: the paint out will be held rain or shine (there are several porches in case of rain). No refunds unless we can fill your spot from the waitlist. The lower gate by the garden opens at 9:30 for check-in and parking and closes at 4:30. If you have mobility issues, indicate so during registration and we can accommodate giving you access to the upper gate for drop-off and pick-up. Please observe the off-limits areas on the map you will be provided with on arrival.

  The public is invited to view the artists at work.

  Here are Barry's comments:

  "Return to Gilfillan, En Plein Air"

  Having taught several workshops at Gilfillan, and one as recent as last year, we return to this subject-rich location. Hope you can join us. Those workshops, as this one, were with the McMurray Art League, great times. This time around you can chose your medium, watercolor or oil. I will only have watercolors on my part but can help you with either medium. This class will center around several things but one of the main points I will try and get across while we are on location is to not be overwhelmed with so much subject matter and panorama views of the farm. We have to zero in on an item... could be a full landscape, could an old door or a door knob for that matter but isolating a subject and giving it your full attention is critical, otherwise you get caught up in too much. Of course this involves composition.... you may want to bring along "L" shaped croppers/viewfinders to help that process. I want to limit enrollment to no more that 12 students so that I can get around to each one. I will give a quick chat at the beginning of class and maybe point out a few things of interest on the property and then you can scout for subject matter and then set up and get started. I will be making my rounds, on my bicycle, to give pointers and help, and near the end of class we all gather for a class critique as usual.  Hope to see you there! 

  "Special things to consider when painting out of doors"

  • Pack a lunch with something to drink.
  • Seating, if you like to paint sitting down.
  • Easel, if you want a support for your painting (some watercolorists simply hold a watercolor block with no support)
  • Water container and a waste water container.
  • Oil painters MUST have containers for their thinner and zip lock bags for their paper towels and or rags.
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent, including tick spray
  • Some artists use an umbrella, that's fine if you like, I have always found them somewhat cumbersome in that they have to be well supported or the wind or a quick breeze can shake your setup or take them away.  Sometimes it's best just to find a shady spot that you can work in.
  • Sunglasses can help but they can change your colors.
  • Dress appropriately for the day... if it's a cool day, you don't want to be chilly all day painting.

  Watercolor supplies list here.
  Oil supplies list here. 
  

  Maximum class size: 12
  Minimum class size: 8

  
  

  
  

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• David Csont, Plein Air Watercolor at Gilfillan Farm

  • When
    Saturday, August 02, 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Gilfillan Farm, Orr Rd, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241
  • Spaces left
    5
  • Registered
    7 registrants

  Register

  On July 31 and August 1, we have a rare opportunity to paint on the grounds of Gilfillan Farm in Upper St. Clair (next to Westminster Church). Then, on August 2 6-9 PM there will be a "wet paint" sale of work completed during the class or a prior plein air event at Gilfillan Farm. There will also be food and music. Register here for the wet paint sale.

  Note: the paint out will be held rain or shine (there are several porches in case of rain). No refunds unless we can fill your spot from the waitlist. The lower gate by the garden opens at 9:30 for check-in and parking and closes at 4:30. If you have mobility issues, indicate so during registration and we can accommodate giving you access to the upper gate for drop-off and pick-up. Please observe the off-limits areas on the map you will be provided with on arrival.

  The public is invited to view the artists at work.

  The Gilfillan Farm plein air seminar taught by David Csont immerses participants in the practice of painting outdoors, directly from nature, rather than in a studio. For over 20 years, David has specialized in plein Air painting, competing and designing many events for the arts community both local and national. David offers a unique opportunity to learn from an experienced instructor, engage with the natural environment, and develop skills in capturing the essence of a landscape or subject in a spontaneous and expressive way. While his primary medium is watercolor, discussion of composition, color use, drawing and other artistic approaches that will be discussed, are valuable to working in any media.

  Here's a more detailed look at what you can expect from the seminar: Csont Gilfillan Farm.pdf

  Materials list: Csont Materials List Gilfillan Farm.pdf

  David has been a professional artist and illustrator for over 35 years. HE has a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin- Madison. He has taught extensively and specializes in Watercolor and Plein Air Painting. In July 2021, he won the award for best watercolor at Plein Air Easton, The largest outdoor painting competition in the country.

  Whether you are a professional or amateur artist, David’s hands-on approach and personal attention will provide you with new and positive ways to approach your painting.

  "Special things to consider when painting out of doors" (from Barry Jeter)

  • Pack a lunch with something to drink.
  • Seating, if you like to paint sitting down.
  • Easel, if you want a support for your painting (some watercolorists simply hold a watercolor block with no support)
  • Water container and a waste water container.
  • Oil painters MUST have containers for their thinner and zip lock bags for their paper towels and or rags.
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent, including tick spray, long pants suggested
  • Some artists use an umbrella, that's fine if you like, I have always found them somewhat cumbersome in that they have to be well supported or the wind or a quick breeze can shake your setup or take them away.  Sometimes it's best just to find a shady spot that you can work in.
  • Sunglasses can help but they can change your colors.
  • Dress appropriately for the day... if it's a cool day, you don't want to be chilly all day painting.

  Maximum class size: 12
  Minimum class size: 8

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• Peter Stamoolis, Digital Mandalas

  • When
    Saturday, August 09, 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    MAL Studio, 4069 Washington Rd., McMurray, PA, 15317
  • Spaces left
    16
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  Peter will teach a class about using software to create mandalas (kaleidoscopic images). There are several different kinds of such software: online, downloadable to work with photos, or work by drawing in the software, etc. He will select a couple of apps from each category (hopefully free to use) and demonstrate using them. 

  
  

  
  

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• Laura Sippos, Mixed Media Collage Portraits

  • When
    Tuesday, August 12, 2025
  •  
    6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    MAL Studio, 4069 Washington Rd., McMurray, PA, 15317
  • Spaces left
    16
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  Explore collage in a whole new way.  The instructor will guide students to select from vintage and antique materials to create a unique portrait ‘painting’ that is sure to delight!  Once you give this unique style a try, you may never want to stop creating!

  All skill levels are welcome including the absolute beginner.  Fun with a friend, or great for date night! 

  Workshop fee includes all materials. 

  Minimum: 6
  Maximum: 16

  
  

  Show details
• Laura Sippos, 8/22 Watercolor Happy Hour

  • When
    Friday, August 22, 2025
  •  
    6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    MAL Studio, 4069 Washington Rd., McMurray, PA, 15317
  • Spaces left
    16
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  Enjoy snacks and drinks while trying your hand at watercolor painting. Learn a technique and create your own step by step masterpiece on blank notecards. All skill levels are welcome including the absolute beginner. Supplies and light refreshments are included with the workshop fee.  

  Of course, happy hour is best with friends, so bring one or two, or come and make a new one! A great date night, too! 

  Happy hours are the fourth Friday of each summer month.

  June 27, 6:30-8:30

  July 25, 6:30-8:30

  August 22, 6:30-8:30

  Minimum: 6
  Maximum: 16

  
  

  Show details