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Looking for more space to spread out and work on a project? Or maybe you want to work amongst other artists to feel inspired and get some helpful feedback on your work. Join other local artists any time between 9am-12pm, for Open Studio. Please pay $10 cash at the door. Bring all supplies you need to use, NRAS has easels available.
No registration, drop in only, cash or check.
This uninstructed plein air series offers artists of all levels the opportunity to make art outdoors in various inspiring South Shore locations. Each session will be guided by a different experienced plein air artist, providing insight into the plein air process without formal instruction. Participants will work independently while benefiting from the guidance and camaraderie of fellow artists.
Each session begins with a 10-minute orientation led by the guiding artists, covering suggested compositions and tops for working in the environment. At the end of the session, participants will gather for an optional 15-minute discussion too are work and experiences.
In case of inclement weather, sessions may be rescheduled.
Registration is required. Limited spots available per session. No refunds or pro-rating for missed sessions. Leading artists will contact students prior to the session for parking info, etc.
Open to all skill levels, artist must bring all their own supplies.
This class is open to adults and high school students, please contact the office with any questions at northriverarts@gmail.com.
Materials List:
Sewing machine (North River will have a few machines for students to share if you do not have your own machine.)
Fabric scissors
Pins
Seam ripper
Soft measuring tape
Pencils/sketchbook
After students learn the basics, they will be asked to purchase a simple pattern and fabric for a project
Olivia Harvey is an avid sewist and upcycler who first learned how to sew as a kid right here at NRAS with Brooke Stanton — and she hasn’t stopped since! Along with making and embellishing her own clothes, Olivia also sells her upcycled creations through her online shop OHpleeze. She believes that everyone should learn how to sew because it makes life (and your closet) a lot more interesting!
These four classes are a time to refresh your skills and boost your personal style.We will focus on a deeper look at design, the importance of values, color mixing and placement to create harmonious, unified, vibrant paintings. Come with an open mind and a sense of humor
About the Instructor: Page Railsback
Painting outdoors is exhilarating and challenging. Whether your goal is to be an excellent plein air painter, or you are mainly a studio painter, your practice will be enhanced by painting outdoors, from life. The Fall is a perfect time to paint outside, the weather being cooler, and the colors changing. We’ll paint all sorts of places on the South Shore, town and country, beach and meadow! Join us for stretching your creative muscles in an outdoor setting!
Choose your medium. Open to all levels, but some familiarity with your medium is a good idea.
About the Instructor: Kelley MacDonald
After getting her Art History degree at Wheaton College, Kelley continued taking art classes at various Art Associations for 10 years before she started painting. First with watercolor, then oil and now happily with acrylic and mixed media, it has been a lifetime of growing and exploring all things art.
Kelley has won numerous awards, and has taught classes and workshops for many years. While for the majority of her career Kelley has been a literal, representational painter, in the past 4 years she has been diving into abstraction, particularly Intuitive Abstraction. The history involved on the canvas, the multiple layers, the reveal and conceal and push and pull are what attracts her to this method.
A favorite thing to do is to travel, and be inspired by different landscapes and cityscapes. Kelley has traveled to Holland to paint, along with many places on this side of the ocean, namely Nova Scotia, Sedona, Santa Fe, St. Simon’s Island, Seattle, San Miguel de Allende, MX, California and Maine.
In 2009 Kelley founded the Artists’ Challenge Group “Girls Just Wanna Paint” which is a collection of award winning artists who post a response to a new topic every month consecutively since July of 2009. Aside from the Providence Art Club Kelley is a member of the North River Arts Society in Marshfield, MA. She has taught at the Art Club, Bristol Art Museum, and at North River Arts Society.
Materials List for Safari.pages
Great photos don't need fancy gear - you already have a perfect tool in your back pocket.
Whether you are a serious or a not so serious photographer, or a painter or printmaker, we will show you how to creatively capture your world through the quick and always-with-you iPhone.
You’ll learn about hidden tools and how to use them. You’ll come away with a fresh perspective on the creative process. We’ll use INTENTION as the foundation for making good photos – for bringing a picture up to its best self.
Each week in a supportive setting, we will share our work and discuss the intentional, creative choices we make. People who take our course love it and finish with a feeling of accomplishment.
About the Instructor: Mike Dick
Mike Dick has been shooting and displaying photographs for over fifty years. He has a BA in photography and video from the University of Connecticut, Inner College and also trained in photography at the George Eastman House in Rochester, NY.
Mike is a Gallery Artist at the South Shore Art Center in Cohasset, Member of North River Arts Society in Marshfield, MA and Member of Plymouth (Mass.) Center for the Arts.
South Shore Art Center presented two solo shows of Mike’s work, the first in December 2019 and the second in April, May, and June 2024. He has displayed work in juried shows at SSAC, NRAS, and Plymouth Center for the Arts. Mike took Best in Show - Photography at the NRAS Festival in 2018 and First Place, Color Photography at the Fine Art of Photography Show, Plymouth Center for the Arts, 2024.
Mike lives in Cohasset, Mass. with his wife, Lisa; they have two sons and two grandsons. Lisa and Mike are active with community civic groups and local non-profits.
Loosen up your mark making and gain confidence in your painting and drawing through creative play on paper. These will NOT be your grandma’s sketchbooks! We will be capturing familiar landscape using inks, pencils, graphite, charcoal, collage and paint. We may use a combination of paintbrushes, or sticks, or dried perennials as mark making tools. The exercises have us working fast and loose and carefree. I’ll show you the rules; the number one rule being we break rule one! Though there are a few must have items on the materials list, bring what you have in your kit but are afraid to try… we will use everything. I will demonstrate and show step by step exercises. Then you will be set free with guidance! The sketchbooks will serve you as resource material for more developed pieces or, you can work on single sheets and admire them as finished beauties!
About the Instructor: Suzette Lebenzon
Suzette Lebenzon has painted since her childhood in Scituate, MA. She has kept a studio and shown in galleries most of her adult life. Her home and studio are in Wellfleet.
Suzette was a recipient of the Mass Cultural Council’s Unrestricted Artists’ Grants. In 2023, Suzette was inducted to the National Association of Women Artists, as a Signature Member. Her work has been curated into shows at the Art Complex Museum in Duxbury, the Scollay Square Gallery in Boston’s City Hall, and the Galatea Fine Art Gallery in SOWA.
She is represented by the AMZehnder Gallery in Wellfleet, MA; and the BBLG Gallery in Smithtown, NY.
I’ll supply the spray fix
After week one you will understand the process and find materials that interest YOU!
Collage, or “Painting with Paper,” is becoming one of the most exciting mediums in the art world today. This class will allow you to explore and experiment with this fun and unique medium. Collage offers the opportunity to paint without fear. It transforms looking and composing into a playful game, where shapes of color can be easily cut and moved.
The element of SHAPE plays an important role in painting. Limiting the number of shapes in a composition can be challenging. The act of collaging helps you perceive shapes differently and encourages you to limit and simplify your design.
Each class will focus on a distinct approach and method for creating unique and unusual designs.
Most materials will be supplied, but students are encouraged to collect and share papers they may have.
About the Instructor: Nancy Colella
Nancy earned a BA in Fine Art from Muskingum University, then studied painting at the Aegean School of Fine Arts in Paros, Greece and at the Instituto Allende in San Miquel Mexico. After a career in the hospitality business and while raising two children, she resumed her studies at Mass College of Art. She teaches numerous on-line and live workshops throughout New England. She lives in Norwell with her husband and yellow lab Limoncello.
Learn the fundamentals of digital illustration using Procreate in this four-week course designed for beginners. We’ll cover everything from setting up your canvas and using layers, to inking, coloring, and creating finished artwork. Each session includes guided demos, hands-on studio time, and optional at-home exercises to support your growth. Whether you're completely new to digital tools or looking to build a creative habit, this class will give you the skills and confidence to start illustrating on your iPad.
About the Artist: Jaimee Reale is an illustrator and designer behind Jaimee Makes, known for creating vibrant, hand-drawn artwork for musicians, product lines, and independent brands. She holds a BFA in Design from Boston University and spent several years as an elementary art teacher, which informs her clear, approachable teaching style. With a background in both traditional and digital media, Jaimee is passionate about helping others build creative confidence through accessible tools like Procreate.
Materials:
iPad with Procreate Drawing App installed (https://procreate.com)
Apple Pencil
Come study with Ann Musto on Tuesdays in October and November 2025 - using a very limited palette we will work quickly to draw in paint and complete 6 all prima (all at once) paintings in the studio.
This class will stretch your comfort zone by using a three color limited palette, execute a quick beginning from life ( still life, floral, projected landscape) and explore all the possibilities you can get from the palette when executing your painting.
I will introduce three different limited palettes depending on the mood and temperature of the subject. You will become familiarized with these different palettes and be able to take that info home into your own studio!
About the Instructor: Ann Musto
Ann has been a plein air and studio oil painter for over twenty years. Her interest lies in working to capture the beauty of what we see in light and color. Ann’s work includes portraits, landscapes and still life. Ann completed her studies at the Academy of Realist Art in Boston, a traditional atelier. She has been a long time member of North River Arts Society and has served on the NRAS Board of Directors and on the NRAS Arts Committee.
annmustofineart.com
NRAS supplies tables and easels.
Materials List Coming Soon
Some previous experience with basic watercolor technique is needed for this class
Your instructor will be providing additional paint pigments for our in-class exercises (beyond the 2 tubes that you are required to bring) to keep materials costs down and facilitate class lessons.
About the Instructor: Tara Connaughton
Tara Connaughton is an artist/illustrator & art instructor living near the coast in Scituate, MA. Her botanical and nature-inspired paintings have earned multiple awards, and she has exhibited her artwork through numerous local and regional galleries and venues around the Boston area.
Tara teaches watercolor and botanical illustration through local workshops, privately, and at organizations around the Boston area and South Shore. She has a Certificate in Botanical Art & Illustration, and uses her passion for painting and love of nature to teach and inspire others to find their creative spirit and connect with the world around them.
Tara also creates custom art and illustration for clients across a wide range of subjects, with a focus on custom art for wedding invitations and stationery.
Materials List: TC_NRAS_WatercolorMaterialsFall25 (1).pdf
