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Continuing Education at PAFA

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Weekend Classes

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Stone Carving

$570

with Steve Nocella

Calendar Current session started Sep 12, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 12 weeks

Saturdays, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM  
Instructor: Steve Nocella  
Twelve-Week Course (36 Hours)
 
No class on November 28 (Thanksgiving Break) 

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 a $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.

Register by: September 4  
Materials List
   
Please review CE’s Fall 2026 Policy Guide, including Withdrawal/Refund Policies, prior to registering.

Full Course

Figure Painting: Alla Prima and the Limited Palette

$385

with David Wilson

Calendar Current session started Sep 19, 2026 at 10 am, runs for 6 weeks

Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM  
Instructor: David Wilson  
Six-Week Short Course (21 Hours)  

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 $40 models fee.

Registration Still Open! 
Materials List  
Please review CE’s Fall 2026 Policy Guide, including Withdrawal/Refund Policies, prior to registering.

Metal Sculpture

$515

with Steve Nocella

Calendar Current session started Sep 19, 2026 at 12:30 pm, runs for 10 weeks

Saturdays, 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM  
Instructor: Steve Nocella  
Ten-Week Course (30 Hours)  

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.

Registration Still Open!  
Materials List
   
Please review CE’s Fall 2026 Policy Guide, including Withdrawal/Refund Policies, prior to registering.

Portrait Painting Basics Workshop

$250

with Theodore Xaras

Calendar Next available session starts Oct 17, 2026 at 9 am

Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM  
Instructor: Theodore Xaras  
Weekend Workshop (14 Hours)  

This comprehensive workshop covers all aspects of painting a traditional portrait. Topics include achieving a likeness, modeling light and shade, mixing flesh tones and applying paint through various techniques. All participants will produce at least one finished portrait. Includes demonstrations and portrait history. Valuable information for all levels. Note: Tuition includes a $25 model fee.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will learn to analyze and construct a portrait using clearly defined steps.
  • Students will be able to achieve a likeness through the careful observation of shapes and their color/value equivalent, which together, form the “topography” of the face.
  • Students will learn how to mix and adjust colors to produce accurate flesh tones.
  • Students will be able to produce one completed portrait, either a head and shoulders or the entire torso and hands.
  • Students will be able to paint a recognizable portrait from life.
  • Students will gain an appreciation for the art of portraiture from their own work as well as becoming acquainted with historical and contemporary examples as a basis for further study.

Register by: October 9  
Materials List
   
Please review CE’s Fall 2026 Policy Guide, including Withdrawal/Refund Policies, prior to registering.

Autumn Leaves and Fruit in Watercolor Workshop

$195

with Linda Gist

Calendar Next available session starts Oct 24, 2026 at 9:30 am

Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM  
Instructor: Linda Gist  
Weekend Workshop  

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.

Register by: October 16 
Materials List  
Please review CE’s Fall 2026 Policy Guide, including Withdrawal/Refund Policies, prior to registering. 

Mixed Media Collage Workshop

$195

with Anthony Ciambella

Calendar Next available session starts Oct 31, 2026 at 9 am

Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM  
Instructor: Anthony Ciambella  
Weekend Workshop  

Mixed media art and collage offer a myriad of possibilities to combine papers, photographs, and 3D elements to make a statement, convey something personal, or create something textural, colorful, and beautiful. Develop rich and complex imagery finding inspiration from memory, literature, films, and other sources, while working in a variety of traditional and non-traditional materials. Sessions will discuss the characteristics of adhesives, paper and fabric cut-outs, wood, and plastics. Students will receive one-on-one instruction and participate in open discussions about their ideas and work. Topics include construction, storage and presentation strategies. Open to all levels.

Register by: October 23  
Materials List   

Please review CE’s Fall 2026 Policy Guide, including Withdrawal/Refund Policies, prior to registering. 

Painting the Portrait and Clothed Figure

$385

with David Wilson

Calendar Next available session starts Oct 31, 2026 at 10 am, runs for 6 weeks

Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM  
Instructor: David Wilson  
Six-Week Short Course (21 Hours)
  
No class on November 28 (Thanksgiving Break)  

Paint from a clothed model to advance your skills in portraiture and figure painting. Explore the proportions and anatomy of the head and neck structures, the definition of features, and how to capture expression and likeness, as well as conveying the gesture and construction of the figure with the incorporation of drapery/clothing. 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, 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 $40 models fee.

Image: David Wilson

Register by: October 23  
Materials List
   
Please review CE’s Fall 2026 Policy Guide, including Withdrawal/Refund Policies, prior to registering.

The Figure in Clay Workshop

$230

with Colleen O'Donnell

Calendar Next available session starts Nov 7, 2026 at 9 am

Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM  
Instructor: Colleen O'Donnell  
Weekend Workshop   

Learn the techniques and tools of figure sculpture through demonstration and hands-on sculpting from the model. Explore anatomy, proportion, gesture, and design through the versatility of clay. Personal expression will be emphasized though representational and abstract approaches. Open to all levels and perfect for beginners. Tuition includes a $35 models fee.

Register by: October 30  
Materials List
   
Please review CE’s Fall 2026 Policy Guide, including Withdrawal/Refund Policies, prior to registering.





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