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Stone Carving (In-Person)

$570

with Steve Nocella

Calendar Current session started Sep 13, 2025 at 9 am, runs for 12 weeks

Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Instructor: Steve Nocella 
Twelve-Week Course (36 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.0 Undergraduate Credit (See Below)
Note: No class on November 29

Explore the possibilities of stone carving by using traditional and nontraditional methods. All processes from rough carving to polishing will be covered, and various tools and techniques will be demonstrated. Open to all levels. Note: Tuition includes $30 lab fee.

Learning Objectives 

  • Develop proficiency in basic tool use including manual carving, pneumatic carving, sawing, grinding, and sanding.
  • Learn the methods of stone carving beginning with "roughing out" a form and finishing with sanding and polishing.
  • Develop a perceptual ability for spatial relationships of the elements that constitute a sculpture or a three-dimensional image.
  • Learn to use creative and critical thinking in the process of carving sculpture.
  • Gain an appreciation for the influence and informing effect that medium and process have on image making.
  • Acquire an introductory understanding of the history of stone carving and the capacity to conceptualize context for the student's sculpture.

Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $725 (including lab fee). Select credit option with price adjustment when registering.

Image: CE Student Alan Miller.

Register by: September 5 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Figure Painting: Alla Prima and the Limited Palette (In-Person)

$330

with David Wilson

Calendar Current session started Sep 20, 2025 at 10 am, runs for 6 weeks

Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Instructor: David Wilson 
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Painting the human form from observation is one of the cornerstones of PAFA's long tradition of rigorous instruction. Working from the nude model in poses of varying lengths, investigate color mixing, proportion, and composition using oil paint as a medium. Focusing on alla prima painting techniques and a limited flesh-tone palette, learn to model the human form through gesture, shape, volume, and temperature – excellent for painted sketches and preparatory studies, foundations for extended work, or an introduction/refresher to figure painting. Intended for all skill levels, this course also offers the valuable opportunity for more advanced students to continue to hone their skills to deepen their understanding of the language of painting.  Instruction will be geared toward oil, but students may draw-only, or use other appropriate media, if they wish. Note: Tuition includes a $35 models fee.

Image: David Wilson

Register by: September 12 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Metal Sculpture (In-Person)

$515

with Steve Nocella

Calendar Current session started Sep 20, 2025 at 12:30 pm, runs for 10 weeks

Saturdays, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Instructor: Steve Nocella 
Ten-Week Course (30 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.0 Undergraduate Credit (See Below)
Note: No class on November 29

This ten-week course teaches the basic skills needed for making metal sculpture. Learn fundamental methods of cutting, bending and welding metal such as sawing, heating, and MIG welding. Students will be encouraged to explore the medium with directness and spontaneity to gain a knowledge and understanding of its complexion. Open to all levels. Note: Tuition includes a $65 lab fee.

Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $660 (including lab fee). Select credit option with price adjustment when registering.

Image: CE Student Molly Patterson.

Register by: September 12 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Full Course

Watercolor Workshop (In-Person)

$225

with James Toogood

Calendar Next available session starts Sep 27, 2025 at 9 am

Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Instructor: James Toogood 
Weekend Workshop
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Interested in learning or improving your watercolor skills? All materials and techniques will be discussed, including the selection of papers, brushes, and pigments, as well as transparent and opaque painting methods. Students will work from still-life subjects and/or their own source material. All levels welcome.

Image: James Toogood

Register by: September 19 
Materials List
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Portrait in Pencil Workshop (In-Person)

$205

with RA Friedman

Calendar Next available session starts Oct 11, 2025 at 9 am

Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Instructor: RA Friedman 
Weekend Workshop
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Using inexpensive materials, this hands-on workshop will introduce the concepts and methods needed to create a strong sense of dimension and likeness in your portrait drawings. Explore the proportions and planes of the head, neck and shoulders. Learn how to create a structural foundation and how to easily manage anatomy by breaking down forms into simple geometric shapes. Instruction will address different strategies for creating a finished tonal portrait as well as tips and tricks that will help you draw like a pro! Note: Tuition includes a $10 models fee.

For more advanced instruction or an optional follow-up to this course, see Advanced Portrait Drawing Workshop.

Image: RA Friedman

Register by: October 3 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Nature in Autumn: Leaves, Flowers, and Fruits in Watercolor (In-Person)

$195

with Linda Gist

Calendar Next available session starts Oct 18, 2025 at 9:30 am

Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Instructor: Linda Gist 
Weekend Workshop
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Watercolor is the perfect medium for capturing the jewel-like tones and gradients of color in autumn’s changing leaves and abundant harvests. Learn to preserve the season’s rich textures and tapestries of color by exploring a variety of paint mixing and application techniques while working from natural forms. This workshop will include demonstrations of wet-into-wet and dry-brush techniques and one-on-one instruction. All experience levels welcome. 

Image: Linda Gist

Register by: October 10 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Figure Painting: Developing Form and Finish (In-Person)

$330

with David Wilson

Calendar Next available session starts Nov 1, 2025 at 10 am, runs for 6 weeks

Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Instructor: David Wilson 
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only
Note: No class on November 29

Paint from a life model in long, multi-class poses to develop and refine your figure painting compositions. Extended poses will allow students to adjust and resolve issues of surface, color, and composition. Instruction will cover a variety of topics including glazing, broken color, surface texture, composition and design, the relationship of the figure to the environment, the creation of atmosphere and color harmony, disrupted realism, and open- versus closed-form painting. All levels welcome. Instruction will be geared toward oil, but students are welcome to draw-only, or use other appropriate media, if they wish. Note: Tuition includes a $35 models fee. 

Image: David Wilson

Register by: October 24 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Handmade Papermaking: Sheetforming (In-Person)

$245

with Clay Tenhula

Calendar Next available session starts Nov 8, 2025 at 9 am

Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Instructor: Clay Tenhula
Weekend Workshop
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Learn the traditional methods and materials of hand-papermaking in PAFA’s state-of-the-art Richard C. von Hess Papermaking Studio! This workshop will focus on sheet production. Instruction will familiarize students with the rules and practices of the studio, introduce new students to the basics of handmade papermaking, and challenge those with papermaking experience to try new techniques or fibers. Students will have supervised time to practice techniques in pulling paper with the mould and deckle, pressing using a hydraulic press, and drying with a restrained dried system. Students of all disciplines and levels are encouraged to bring their ideas to this tactile medium. Tuition includes a $50 lab fee which covers all supplies.  See materials list for clothing/studio considerations. 

Note: This is Workshop 1 of 2 independent papermaking classes. Students can enroll in one or both workshops; the first class is not required for enrollment into the second.

Image: Clay Tenhula

Register by: October 31 
Materials List
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies





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