Date: Saturday, October 3

Time: 10 am to 1 pm

Cost: $125/115 ACE Member

Instructor: Leslie Mathews

Register online or call 860-871-8222

Join your guide, Leslie, for a half-day nature journaling workshop. Together, we will observe the natural world and record our experiences through writing and expressive sketching in a laid-back community atmosphere. Learn to cultivate a practice of mindful awareness in order to deepen your connection with yourself, others, and the natural world. We will explore the vast tapestry of nature, noticing textures, patterns, colors, and sounds, and tune into the senses in depth. In this meditative class, we will learn different methods of recording our findings and experiences on the nature journal page through a variety of writing and sketching techniques. These practices have been shown to ease loneliness and help us feel a part of the great whole of Life, and make us feel more connected to ourselves and others. Learn the foundation for a regular nature journaling habit.

Materials Needed:
Sketchbook
Micron Pens

Eureka Gallery
The last Tuesday of each month
Upcoming Dates: August 25, & September 29
Time: 6:30–9:00 pm
Cost: $25/$20 for ACE Members
Register online or call 860-871-8222

Limited to 15 artists

Arts Center East offers a monthly life drawing session on the last Tuesday of the month. Artists are welcome to come to the Arts Center for an un-instructed Life Drawing session to sketch live nude models.

Artists are expected to be respectful of the models and of one another. Individuals whose behavior is deemed disrespectful, confrontational, or otherwise inappropriate will be asked to leave.

Date: September 27

Time: 1:30 - 2:45 pm

How does family shape our identities? We will examine traditions, trauma, memories, and heirlooms to generate new poems or short prose. 

Instructor Elaine Nadal is Poet Laureate of Milford, and author of When and Sweat, Dance, Sing, Cut.  A teacher, she holds a Master’s from Wesleyan, as well as degrees in Spanish secondary education and fine arts (music).

Dates: Thursdays, Oct 1 - 29, Nov 5
Time: 6:00–8:30 pm
Cost: $220/200 ACE Member
Instructor: Joe Burger
Register online or call 860-871-8222

Painting in Watercolor
This class is intended for those who have some prior watercolor experience. All are welcome!

We’ll review the various basic watercolor techniques such as wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, blending edges, establishing values, etc. In the remaining sessions, a reference photo and/or a sketch of the suggested painting will be emailed to class participants beforehand, and then discussed in class as well. The emphasis will be on composition and the underlying drawing, and how shapes and tone are especially important for a successful painting. We’ll explore how the unique behavior of the watercolor medium can work to your advantage in producing an attractive painting, whether it’s a landscape, a city scene, a stormy sky, or a still-life type painting. We’ll do this through instructor demonstrations as the painting develops and one-on-one assistance during class.

Joe Burger is a retired engineer and has been painting for over ten years and has benefited from some of the finest instructors in the region. His work is usually in the traditional realistic style. He has won many awards in local exhibits and is an active member of the Academic Artists Association and several other local art organizations.

Materials List:

Note: This is a suggested list based on what I’ve become accustomed to over a long period of time. Please bring what you have to start off.

• Kitchen sponge

• Spray bottle (Holbein 2 oz. is good)

• Straight edge (I like the see-through plastic variety)

• Paper big enough to do an 8x10 or 11x14 painting. Arches Natural White cold-pressed 140 lb. paper is a good brand. Comes in 22x30 sheets, smaller pads, and so-called blocks. Or - just bring what you’re accustomed to.

• Masking tape

• Pencil – a harder pencil (like HB) is better because light lines are easier to erase off the watercolor paper. Softer lead gets embedded.

• Kneaded Eraser

• Water container (or two).

• Paper towels

• Masking fluid (I like Pebeo Drawing Gum because it is blue and can be seen on the white paper, but others are ok)

• Hair dryer (optional – Instructor will bring one) to sometimes speed up drying time

• Palette: If you already use a custom palette, by all means use it. Suggested colors: Desired colors:

  Yellow Ochre

  Cadmium Yellow

  Shadow Green

  Gold Green

  Sap Green

  Cobalt Blue

  Sepia

  Neutral Tint or Payne's Gray

  Burnt Sienna

  Alizarin Crimson

  Red

  Brilliant Orange

Date: September 22, 2026
Time: 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Instructor: Anita Balkum
Fee: $125/115 ACE Member

Materials Fee: $8 (due night of class)

Pocket Journals with Sewn Binding:

Pocket journals go everywhere (and easily slip into a daypack) with their durable covers and hand-stitched pages. With plenty of space to make your mark, these little books are the perfect companions to keep track of your bright ideas, quick sketches or lists - great for nature journaling too!  Participants are invited to bring their own papers to add a personal touch to your pages: sheet music, magazine page, maps, art images, etc. No bookbinding experience required, a great starting point to hold your own book in your hand! 

Supplies to bring: Scissors, Ruler

Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Cost: $65/60 ACE Member
Instructor: Kelly Kelly

Create your own beautiful mosaic goldfinch in this fun and creative hands-on workshop! Inspired by the bright yellow and bold markings of the beloved American goldfinch, you’ll create a unique bird using a colorful mix of stained glass, mosaic tiles, and other embellishments.

You’ll have the opportunity to experiment with different colors, textures, and materials as you bring your goldfinch to life. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced mosaic artist, you’ll receive guidance throughout the process while having plenty of freedom to make your piece uniquely your own.

Come enjoy a relaxing, creative experience and leave with a one-of-a-kind mosaic goldfinch ready to brighten up your home or garden. No previous mosaic experience necessary!

Date: Saturday, Sept 26

Time: 9 am - 12 pm

Cost: $65/60 ACE Member

Instructor: Christine Sniadach

Watercolor is a unique medium that requires some knowledge of how it reacts to water and other substances.  In this workshp, we will be using basic techniques to create a rusty watering can and clay pot.

Prerequisite -  Knowledge of basic watercolor techniques, including:l

• Control of Water

• Values & Hues

• Brush Control

A sketch will be provided along with transfer paper.

Artist-grade supplies to bring to class:

• 9"x12" or larger watercolor paper - 140 lb ( Arches preferred)

• Set of artist-quality watercolor paints. I like Winsor & Newton, but there are several brands - bring yours

• Palette pigment colors we will use - Cerulean Blue, Sap Green, Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna, Payne’s Grey, Rose or Magenta, Cadmium Yellow, Violet

• Set of watercolor brushes ( Size 3, 6, and 12 rounds, and½" flat, plus a liner or detail brush)

• Pencil and a gum art eraser

• Water container

• Kleenex/paper towels

• Masking tape

• A board or surface to tape your watercolor paper down