Classes at Ghosthouse are open to all skill levels and include all materials in the admission fee. If you are interested in a class that is not currently available, please consider taking this short survey on our studio page to request classes that you are interested in.
Instructor: Shannon Mack
4 Week Class
Mondays 6:00pm-9:00pm
September 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th
*All materials are included in all of our classes
This class is focused on teaching the techniques and skills needed to create vibrant and expressive landscape artworks using pastels. Students will explore the unique qualities of pastel as a medium, learning how to layer, blend, and apply color to capture the beauty and atmosphere of natural spaces. The course covers fundamental aspects of landscape art, including composition and the effective use of light and shadow to create depth and atmosphere.
Who is this class for?
This class is perfect for artists of all levels who are interested in exploring the medium of pastels, particularly in the context of landscape art. I
instructor: Alec Zemper
4 Week Class
Tuesdays 6:00pm-9:00pm
September 10th, 17th, 24th, & October 1st
*All materials are included in all of our classes
This class is designed to teach the fundamental techniques of still life painting using oil paints. Students will learn how to design their own still life arrangements, observe and accurately depict a variety of objects while focusing on composition, light, color, and form. The course will cover essential skills such as mixing colors, handling brushes, and building up layers to create realistic textures and depth in their paintings.
Who is this class for?
This class is suitable for beginners who are new to oil painting as well as intermediate artists looking to improve their observational painting skills. It’s designed to provide clear, practical instruction in the basics of still life painting, helping students build confidence in working with oils and creating realistic, detailed works.
Instructor: Alec Zemper
4 Week Class
Thursdays 6:00pm-9:00pm
September 12th, 19th, 26th, & October 3rd
*All materials are included in all of our classes
This class is dedicated to the art of drawing portraits from a live model. Students will learn the fundamental techniques needed to capture the likeness, expression, and character of the human face. The course covers essential aspects of portraiture, including proportion, anatomy, light and shadow, and the use of line and tone to create a realistic and expressive portrait. Students will complete 1-2 portraits in this class.
Who is this class for?
This class is ideal for artists of all levels who are interested in learning the art of portraiture. It’s particularly suited for those who wish to improve their skills in capturing the human face with accuracy and expression. Whether you are a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced artist seeking to refine your technique, this course offers a comprehensive approach to portrait drawing from life.
Instructor: Anthony Cairo
2 Hour Plein Air Demonstration
Sunday 11:00am-1:00pm
September 15th
*This FREE event in an introduction to the 3 week class on Plein Air Painting that starts September 29th. All ages and experience levels are welcome!
Join landscape painter Anthony Cairo at Millennium Park in Grand Rapids for a free demonstration of Plein Air Landscape Painting. Anthony will be painting a landscape in oils, and will be available for a short Q+A at the end of the demonstration.
Instructor: Shannon Mack
4 Week Class
Mondays 6:00pm-9:00pm
October 7thth, 14th, 21st, & 28th
*All materials are included in all of our classes
This class encourages students to explore the creative possibilities of combining various materials and techniques to create unique and expressive imagery. The course will cover the integration of different mediums, such as paint, charcoal, ink, and collage, to develop richly layered and textured images.
Who is this class for?
This class is perfect for folks who enjoy experimenting and want to push the boundaries of traditional color and drawing and painting by incorporating a variety of materials and methods.
Instructor: Olga Conens
4 Week Class
Tuesdays 6:00pm-9:00pm
October 8th, 15th, 22nd, & 29th
*All materials are included in all of our classes
This class introduces students to the essential techniques and concepts of sculpting in clay. Working from classical examples as reference, the course covers basic sculptural processes, including additive, subtractive, and modeling techniques, with an emphasis on understanding volume and proportion.
Who is this class for?
This class is ideal for beginners and intermediate folks who are interested in learning the foundational skills necessary to create three-dimensional works. The course is also suitable for artists from other disciplines who wish to expand their practice into the realm of sculpture.
Instructor: Alec Zemper
4 Week Class
Wednesdays 6:00pm-9:00pm
October 9th, 16th, 23nd, & 30th
*All materials are included in all of our classes
This class is meant for anyone looking to learn (or brush up on) foundational principles of drawing from observation. We will be covering everything from the basics of materials, line, value, and form, to composition and effect. If you are new to drawing, or even looking to improve your painting skills, this is a great class to take! Students will be completing 3-5 drawings int his class.
Who is this class for?
Anyone interested in learning to draw or paint! This class moves quickly and aims to give students a very strong understanding of drawing as the building block of many other art forms including painting and sculpture.
Instructor: Alec Zemper
3 Week Class
Thursdays 6:00pm-9:30pm
October 10th, 17th, & 24th
*All materials are included in all of our classes
This class is designed as an in-depth primer for oil painting, its materials and process. If you are interested in painting but do not know where to start, this is the class to take. Students will be completing 3-4 paintings in this class.
Who is this class for?
Total beginners and intermediates who want a refresher on the ins and outs of painting in oils. This class is designed to demystify Oil Paints and help students find a way to paint in an affordable and Non-Toxic manner at home without a big set up.
Instructor: Shannon Mack
4 Week Class
Fridays 6:00pm-9:00pm
October 11th, 18th, 25th, & Nov 1st
*All materials are included in all of our classes
This class is designed to introduce students to the core techniques and principles of watercolor painting. Participants will learn how to work with this versatile and expressive medium, learning basic skills such as color mixing, brush handling, and the application of washes. The course will cover both traditional and contemporary approaches to watercolor, encouraging students to explore and develop their own style while gaining a solid foundation in the medium.
Who is this class for?
This class is perfect for beginners who are new to watercolor as well as intermediate artists looking to refine their skills and deepen their understanding of the medium. The course is also suitable for artists from other disciplines who wish to incorporate watercolor into their practice.
Instructor: Anthony Cairo
3 Week Class
Sundays 10:00am-2:00pm
September 29th, October 6th, & 13th
*All materials are included in all of our classes
Join landscape painter Anthony Cairo for an immersive Plein Air Painting class, where you’ll learn the art of outdoor landscape painting in oil. This course explores techniques of color mixing, paint handling, and how to effectively translate the landscape onto canvas. This class is designed for anyone from those new to oil painting and landscape to those with some experience who are looking to sharpen their technique and learn new skills.
*Students will meet at Ghosthouse, and are welcome to carpool if they choose.
Who is this class for?
This class is ideal for both beginner and intermediate artists who are passionate about landscape painting and eager to learn from an award winning working artist.
Instructor: Josiah Hanchett
3 Week Class
Sundays 10:00am-1:00pm
October 20th, 27th, & November 3rd
While exploring the historic neighborhoods of Heritage Hill, Grand Rapids, students will learn how to draw and paint local urban landscapes in ink and watercolor. By breaking down the subject into simple geometric shapes, students will learn the three rules of perspective along with how to utilize watercolor to enhance their images with simple yet effective washes.
Who is this class for?
This class is ideal for artists of all levels who are fascinated by cityscapes and want to explore the combination of ink and watercolor in their work. It’s perfect for those who enjoy sketching on location or wish to capture the energy and atmosphere of urban life in a portable, expressive medium. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics of urban sketching or an experienced artist interested in refining your technique, this course offers valuable insights and creative inspiration.
Instructor: Shannon Mack
4 Week Class
Mondays 6:00pm-9:00pm
November 4th, 11th, & 18th, & 25th
*All materials are included in all of our classes
As a practical color theory course for artists, this class is designed to illuminate students to the beauty, behaiviors, effect, and interplay of color. Students will focus on building their sense of color relationships while exploring various methods and compositions in acrylic. Anyone looking to deepen their understanding of color won’t want to miss this one! Students will complete 2-4 paintings in this class.
Who is this class for?
Those interested in learning how to use color more effectively and with deeper meaning in their drawings, paintings, or collage.
Instructor: Alec Zemper
4 Week Class
Tuesdays 6:00pm-9:00pm
November 5th, 12th, 19th, & 26th
*All materials are included in all of our classes
This class is designed to teach the fundamental techniques of still life painting using oil paints. Students will learn how to design their own still life arrangements, observe and accurately depict a variety of objects while focusing on composition, light, color, and form. The course will cover essential skills such as mixing colors, handling brushes, and building up layers to create realistic textures and depth in their paintings.
Who is this class for?
This class is suitable for beginners who are new to oil painting as well as intermediate artists looking to improve their observational painting skills. It’s designed to provide clear, practical instruction in the basics of still life painting, helping students build confidence in working with oils and creating realistic, detailed works.
Instructors: Alec Zemper & Shannon Mack
4 Week Class
Wednesdays 6:00pm-9:00pm
November 6th, 13th, 20th, & 27th
*All materials and model fees are included in all of our classes
This class focuses on the art of drawing the human figure from life. Students will develop their observational skills by working from a live model, learning techniques to accurately capture the proportions, anatomy, and gesture of the human form. The course will cover various approaches to figure drawing, from quick gesture sketches to more detailed studies, emphasizing both structure and expression.
Who is this class for?
This class is ideal for artists of all skill levels who are interested in improving their ability to draw the human figure. It’s particularly suited for those who want to gain confidence in working from life, whether for fine art, illustration, or personal study. The course provides a solid foundation in the essentials of figure drawing, with a focus on observation, accuracy, and artistic expression.
Instructor: Alec Zemper
3 Week Class
Thursdays 6:00pm-9:30pm
November 7th, 14th, 21st
*All materials are included in all of our classes
This class is dedicated to the art of drawing portraits from a live model. Students will learn the fundamental techniques needed to capture the likeness, expression, and character of the human face. The course covers essential aspects of portraiture, including proportion, anatomy, light and shadow, and the use of line and tone to create a realistic and expressive portrait. Students will complete 1-2 portraits in this class.
Who is this class for?
This class is ideal for artists of all levels who are interested in learning the art of portraiture. It’s particularly suited for those who wish to improve their skills in capturing the human face with accuracy and expression. Whether you are a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced artist seeking to refine your technique, this course offers a comprehensive approach to portrait drawing from life.
Instructor: Shannon Mack
3 Week Class
Fridays 6:00pm-9:00pm
November 8th, 15th, & 22nd
*All materials are included in all of our classes
This class is dedicated to the art of botanical illustration, where students will learn to accurately and expressively depict plants, flowers, and other botanical subjects. Emphasizing close observation, the course covers essential techniques for capturing the intricate structures and vibrant colors of botanical specimens. Students will work with various mediums, including pencil, ink, and watercolor, to create expressive and aesthetically pleasing illustrations.
Who is this class for?
This class is ideal for artists, nature enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the intersection of art, science, and nature. It’s suitable for all skill levels, from beginners looking to explore botanical art to experienced artists aiming to refine their illustration techniques.
Wednesday, Sep 11th
Model: Gracie
6:00 PM 9:00 PM
Every Wednesday evening. 6:00-9:00pm.
Ages: 18+
All skill levels are welcome!!