Creative Arts

Knitting Open Studio

Monday, June 16, 2025 | 10:00-11:00am

Drop-in to enjoy lively discussions and laughs with this group. Work on your own project or use Next supplies to create items for donation to various charitable organizations in the area.

New! Advanced Drawing in Living Color

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 | 10:00-12:00pm

Tuesdays, May 13 through June17 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon 

If you have basic drawing skills, then join artist/instructor Kay Sulfaro in this exciting, more advanced class to experience the richness of color in your drawing. In this class, you will explore the many rich reds in apples and the variety of greens in grass. You will learn how to make a color brilliant or tone it down giving it calmness and serenity. You will find that this class will enrich your skills and your entire life. Materials list available at Next. 

Quilting Open Studio

Wednesday, June 18, 2025 | 10:00-2:00pm

Novice or experienced quilters are welcome each Wednesday for this social and creative group. Participants enjoy working on individual projects and sharing ideas. Drop-in any Wednesday and join the fun.

Palette and Brush Club

Thursday, June 19, 2025 | 9:30-12:30pm

This group of artists meets weekly to paint, with a focus on portraits and figures. Models are hired for each painting session. To join this group, you must be an accomplished artist and member of the Palette and Brush Club.

Advanced Pottery Studio

Thursday, June 19, 2025 | 9:30-12:30pm

This group of advance potters work independently in our studio.

Painting Open Studio

Thursday, June 19, 2025 | 1:00-4:00pm

Join fellow Next members for camaraderie and enjoy the creative synergies that come from being with other talented artists.

Ikebana Demonstration

Thursday, June 26, 2025 | 1:00-2:30pm

Leslie Ann Rosinski, President of the Detroit Chapter of Ikebana International 

Literally meaning, "to give life to flowers", ikebana is an art form which originated in ancient Japan. Ikebana artists use flowers and other natural elements to embody harmony, peace and beauty. Considerations of color, line, form and function are used as a guide in the creation of a composition. Please join Sogetsu School instructor, Leslie Rosinski, (President of the Detroit chapter of Ikebana International), as she demonstrates several different styles of ikebana arrangements.

Kintugi Demonstration

Tuesday, July 1, 2025 | 1:00-2:30pm

Delve into the Japanese art of Kintsugi (in Japanese, it means golden joinery or golden repair) with artist Aki Motoyama. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with urushi lacquer dusted or mixed with a powdered metal. Aki Motoyama is a Kintsugi artist based in Japan. Born in Tokyo, Aki developed a passion for arts and crafts at a young age and became deeply interested in traditional Japanese crafts after moving to the United States. She earned her BFA degree from the U of M School of Arts and Design and her Master of Design degree from Domus Academy in Milan, Italy. Aki honed her skills in Kintsugi and Makie techniques under the guidance of several esteemed artists. Her work has been exhibited in galleries across Tokyo.

Photography Club

Thursday, July 10, 2025 | 10:00-12:00pm

Please note, the Photo Club meets on the second Thursday of each month 10:00- 12:00 pm  

The Next Photography Club is for people who are interested in photography, all ability levels welcome. We maintain our own website and take monthly photo field trips.  For more information, send an email to:  info@birminghamphotoclub.org

New! Studio Art on Tuesdays

Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | 1:00-3:30pm

Two sessions to regisdter for: 4 weeks, July 15 - August 5 

The class purpose is to broaden the knowledge and growth of each student’s skills in their chosen medium. Most preferred mediums are acrylics, oils, watercolors, or collage/mixed medium. The students and Karen work together to develop student’s subjects and carry the project forward. Karen is excited to explore fresh ideas and viewpoints of the students various art backgrounds to recharge our creative juices. We look forward to sharing concepts to continue enriching our visual statements. Students are required to have prior basic instruction in the medium they will use in class. Bring your materials and what you plan to work on to class. If you work upright, plan to bring your own lightweight portable easel. 

Japanese Washi Tape Workshop

Tuesday, July 15, 2025 | 2:00-3:30pm

Beverly Singer and Pam Hall, Instructors

Join us for some fun and creativity using Japanese Washi tape, a type of decorative, low-tack masking tape made from traditional Japanese paper (washi). It's known for its wide variety of colors, patterns, and textures, and its ability to be easily torn by hand, repositioned, and removed without residue. We’ll be making bookmarks and notecards which you can make and then give away as gifts! What a great way to spend a warm summer day – inside, where it’s cool – doing crafts and chatting with friends!  

Studio Art Class

Thursday, July 24, 2025 | 1:00-3:30pm

Two sessions available: 4 weeks July 24 - August 14 

Bring your own subject, reference material, and the supplies you typically work with. No assignments. Instructor Karen Halpern will foster critical thinking, and make suggestions to guide you, as you advance with your individualized project. Her goal is to broaden your viewpoint, and develop your skills and knowledge. Students generally use materials such as acrylics, oils, watercolor or collage. Bring your own lightweight portable easel, if you work upright. If you are a returning student, plan to start a fresh piece of work this semester! Not for beginning students.

The Writer's Corner

Sunday, August 17, 2025 | 9:30-11:00am

Drop in. Join a diverse group of Next members who share a common interest in writing. For additional information, contact facilitator Bob Erlandson’s email at rferlandson@gmail.com.