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. 

spring art classes

(View classes currently in progress)

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

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Life Drawing Open Studio (May 27)

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Tuesday, May 27 - Tuesday, May 27

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

18 - no maximum age

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Practice your drawing or painting skills with our live model figure drawing open studio!

Preschool Process Art (May 29 Last Thursday until September

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Thursday, May 29 - Thursday, May 29

Time
Thursday, 9:30am–10:30am
Grade Range
Preschool - Preschool
Age Range

-

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Preschoolers and their grown-ups can drop in for hands-on activities, Mondays & Thursdays.

Art Able: Art for All Abilities & Ages (May 29)

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Thursday, May 29 - Thursday, May 29

Time
Thursday, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Grade Range
Kindergarten - Adult
Age Range

-

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Drop in at our art program designed for people with disabilities and their families and friends!

Workshop: Painting: Simplifying the Landscape - With Mark Vander Vinne

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Friday, May 30 - Saturday, May 31

Time
Friday & Saturday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Grade Range
Adult - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

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Compose beautiful landscapes by learning to first simplify what you see, then building form.

Night Owl Nocturne Painting Workshop with Debra Howard

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, June 02 - Monday, June 02

Time
Monday, 5:30 - 10:00 pm
Grade Range
Adult - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

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Experience the magic of painting under the stars in Sutton's Bay

Workshop: Fun With Watercolors: Birds - With Janet Oliver

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Tuesday, June 03 - Tuesday, June 03

Time
Tuesday, 1:00 - 3:30 pm
Grade Range
Preschool - Adult
Age Range

-

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Family-friendly! Learn from an accomplished book illustrator how to paint birds in watercolor.

Watercolor/Acrylic Painting: Composing Landscapes with Adam VanHouten

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Saturday, June 07 - Saturday, June 07

Time
Saturday, 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Grade Range
Adult - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

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Learn techniques to break down landscapes by shape to create interesting compositions.

Workshop: Fun With Watercolors: Illustrating With Pen & Watercolor - With Janet Oliver

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Tuesday, June 10 - Tuesday, June 10

Time
Tuesday, 1:00 - 3:30 pm
Grade Range
11th grade - Adult
Age Range

16 - no maximum age

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Perfect for beginners, learn pen and watercolor techniques from an accomplished book illustrator.

TC- Artist Critique Night - June

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Wednesday, June 11 - Wednesday, June 11

Time
Wednesday, 5:30 - 7:00 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: Loose Watercolor Painting - With Steve Griggs

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Friday, June 13 - Friday, June 13

Time
Friday, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Grade Range
Adult - Adult
Age Range

-

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Learn to paint in a style that is full of movement, energy, and emotion!

Workshop: Unique Alcohol Ink Jewelry - With Julie Tibus

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Friday, June 13 - Friday, June 13

Time
Friday, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Grade Range
8th grade - Adult
Age Range

12 - no maximum age

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Learn to use dynamic and vibrant alcohol inks to create beautiful one of a kind art jewelry.

Plein Air Painting for Fearless First-Timers: June 16

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, June 16 - Monday, June 16

Time
Monday, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM
Grade Range
10th grade - Adult
Age Range

-

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An introductory workshop to plein air painting.

3-Day Plein Air workshop with Kimball Geisler

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Saturday, June 21 - Monday, June 23

Time
Saturday, Sunday & Monday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Grade Range
Adult - Adult
Age Range

18 - no maximum age

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Work with PGT 2025 Awards Juror during this three day plein air workshop

Paint Grand Traverse 2025: Pint-Sized Paint Out for Kids!

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Saturday, June 21 - Saturday, June 21

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

2 - 16

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Free art event for kids to experience plein air painting

Summer Art Camp (Grades 3-5): Fashion Design

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Wednesday, June 25 - Friday, June 27

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

-

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Learn how to think like a fashion designer! Bring your styles to life on a mini dress form.

Summer Art Camp (Grades 1-3): All About You: Amazing Stories

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Wednesday, June 25 - Friday, June 27

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

-

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Explore your own amazing stories and unique identity in this class full of self-expression.

Summer Art Camp (Grades 4-6): All About You: Amazing Stories

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Wednesday, June 25 - Friday, June 27

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

-

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Explore your own amazing stories and unique identity in this class full of self-expression.

Summer Art Camp (Grades 3-5): Fiber Art Exploration

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Wednesday, June 25 - Friday, June 27

Time
Wednesday - Friday, 1:00 - 3:30 pm
Grade Range
3rd grade - 5th grade
Age Range

-

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Explore a variety of fiber-based media such as fabric, felt, and yarn to make fiber masterpieces.

Sky, Water and Light - A Plein Air Study with Debra Howard

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, June 30 - Wednesday, July 02

Time
9:00AM - 4:00PM
Grade Range
Adult - Adult
Age Range

-

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Embrace the challenge of painting the sky, water and light in your plein air paintings.

Summer Art Camp (Grades 1-3): Wearable Art: Patterns, Statements, & Embellishments

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, July 07 - Friday, July 11

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

-

Register by
Create wearable works of art decorated with your own patterns, designs, and more.

Summer Art Camp (Grades 4-6): Wearable Art: Patterns, Statements, & Embellishments

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, July 07 - Friday, July 11

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

-

Register by
Create wearable works of art decorated with your own patterns, designs, and more.

Summer Art Camp (Grades 1-3): Japanese Art Inspirations: Nature and Light

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, July 07 - Friday, July 11

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

-

Register by
Craft unique, light-inspired artworks such as a paper lantern and mobile, using nature as a guide.

Summer Art Camp (Grades 4-6): Japanese Art Inspirations: Nature and Light

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, July 07 - Friday, July 11

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

-

Register by
Craft unique, light-inspired artworks such as a paper lantern and mobile, using nature as a guide.

Workshop: Geode Hot Water Irrigation Dyeing - With Terry Tarnow

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Saturday, July 12 - Saturday, July 12

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

18 - no maximum age

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

Summer Art Camp (Grades 1-3): Frida Kahlo's Mexico

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, July 14 - Friday, July 18

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

-

Register by
Celebrate the vibrant world of Mexico through mixed media art, using Frida Kahlo as inspiration.

Summer Art Camp (Grades 4-6): Frida Kahlo's Mexico

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, July 14 - Friday, July 18

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

-

Register by
Celebrate the vibrant world of Mexico through mixed media art, using Frida Kahlo as inspiration.

Summer Art Camp (Grades 1-3): The Middle Ages: Knights, Princesses, Castles, and Wizards

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, July 14 - Friday, July 18

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

-

Register by
Enter a world of royalty, whimsy and enchantment in this imaginative mixed media class!

Summer Art Camp (Grades 4-6): The Middle Ages: Knights, Princesses, Castles, and Wizards

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, July 14 - Friday, July 18

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

-

Register by
Enter a world of royalty, whimsy and enchantment in this imaginative mixed media class!

Summer Art Camp (Grades 1-3): Cosmic Creations: Outer Space and the Constellations

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, August 04 - Friday, August 08

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

-

Register by
Explore outer space in a mixed media space adventure combining art and astronomy!

Summer Art Camp (Grades 4-6): Cosmic Creations: Outer Space and the Constellations

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, August 04 - Friday, August 08

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

-

Register by
Explore outer space in a mixed media space adventure combining art and astronomy!

Summer Art Camp (Grades 1-3): Da Vinci and Art Explorers of the Renaissance

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, August 04 - Friday, August 08

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

-

Register by
Journey back to a time of new inventions and exploration with star maps, "flying" mobiles, and more!

Summer Art Camp (Grades 4-6): Da Vinci and Art Explorers of the Renaissance

Presented by
CTAC Traverse City

Monday, August 04 - Friday, August 08

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

-

Register by
Journey back to a time of new inventions and exploration with star maps, "flying" mobiles, and more!

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

-

Register by
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

-

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

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

-

Register by
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!

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.