Creative Arts

Knitting Open Studio

Monday, April 28, 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.

Drawing Workshop for Beginner & Intermediate Students

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 | 10:00-12:00pm

6 week series: March  - April 15 

Discover drawing abilities you don’t realize you have! This workshop can accommodate beginners, as well as those who would like to build strong skills and increase confidence. You will practice skill-building exercises from Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. These exercises will help you steadily build skills. You will gradually gain confidence in your abilities. Surprise yourself in this workshop and have fun with Kay along the way. Level 1- Begin……Level 2 – Build confidence 

Quilting Open Studio

Wednesday, April 30, 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, May 1, 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, May 1, 2025 | 9:30-12:30pm

This group of advance potters work independently in our studio.

Painting Open Studio

Thursday, May 1, 2025 | 1:00-4:00pm

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

Photography Club

Thursday, May 8, 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! Advanced Drawing in Living Color

Tuesday, May 13, 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. 

Origami - Japanese Paper Folding Workshop

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 | 11:00-12:30pm

Chizuko Donovan and Lauren Northrup, Instructors T

Join us for a fun and creative Origami Workshop where you can learn to fold paper into beautiful shapes and designs! The timeless craft of origami is not only enjoyable to do, it’s good for your brain! It can help reduce stress, improve hand-eye coordination, boost creativity, enhance patience and persistence, and promote learning. Let’s learn origami together.

The Beautiful Art of Calligraphy with Master Calligrapher, Kyoko Fujii

Tuesday, June 10, 2025 | 6:00-7:30pm

Shodō is a form of calligraphy, or artistic writing of the Japanese language. Shodō expert Kyoko Fujii started learning the art of Japanese calligraphy at the age of six in her hometown of Hiroshima, Japan. While in college she earned the “master instructor,” or shihan license and the 5th level of 8 ranks (dan). She is a teacher, designer, performer, and master artist. Recently she performed her calligraphy at the Detroit Institute of Arts, and her works adorn both private homes and public buildings. Mrs. Fujii will do a live demonstration of Shodō on a large scale at Next so that all attendees can experience the beauty of her art.

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.

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. 

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.