Artists of all skill levels are invited to sketch from a live model without an instructor. This group is perfect for those looking for a creative outlet or to hone their drawing skills! Join our friendly, small drawing group! The class meets in our upstairs classroom space at 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. Subject to weather & model availability, please call the CAA before attending.

David Kiehm, An alumnus of the School of Visual Arts in New York City, with a BFA in Illustration, works as a freelance illustrator, specializing in wildlife. His work has appeared in many publications and secured numerous awards and honors. David states, "A lifetime of living closely with nature has inspired me to capture some of the everchanging images that flourish around us everyday. I try to express my love of these wild things through my paintings, and if I can capture the essence of my subjects, hopefully the viewer can also experience the passion I feel and even a coax a memory of a similar experience they may have had."

Mary Nolan was born and raised in Massachusetts. Her work reflects the beauty and diversity of the region, from coastal marshes and beaches, to the streams, wetlands, fields, ponds and forests of central New England. An award winning artist who has worked in various media for the past 30 years, she now focuses primarily on creating small on-site oil paintings, many of which are used as studies for larger studio paintings. Her paintings are found in numerous national and international collections. Open to all levels of skill, Mary's classes are often taught onsite with the location changing each week. Students are given the opportunity to learn the techniques of oil painting while working from life.

Elaine Wentworth is one of New England’s Prominent watercolor painters, and has won many national and regional awards over the years including gold and silver medal awards. Elaine states, “I try to capture the elusive spirit of the changing seasons and atmospheric conditions. always based on a foundation of strong design concepts. My inspiration has long evolved from sketching and painting on location in broad vistas and close-up views, whether of the sea and its estuaries, mountains and valleys, streams and rapids, or fields and wildflowers.” In her 8 week course, “Beginning Watercolor” Elaine guides the students through the basic techniques to gain confidence in this elusive medium. Elaine demonstrates at each session, first with limited color and simple compositions, progressing to full color using not more than 7 or 8 different pigments. Class time includes individuals and group critiques.

Dr. L. David Pye is Dean and Professor of Glass Science, Emeritus, the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, and Chief Executive Officer of Empire State Glassworks, LLC. He has been involved in stained glass art work for several years and operates a modern glass studio at Spruce Lake, NY.

Amy Cannon has a degree in Illustration from Parsons School of Design and her artistic fervor spans a wide breadth of mediums including ceramics, design, drawing and jewelry making. Amy's classes work with basic drawing skills (composition, contours, values and perspective) but encourage individuals to explore and experiment with new ways of seeing and translating feelings and observations of 3D forms to the 2D page. Her classes are also often open to serious younger students. Students need a 14x17 sketchbook, a variety of pencils, charcoal, kneaded erasers and stumps for blending. Classes work primarily in black and white.

Hand Prints: Summer Art Classes The CAA periodically offers an exciting selection of art classes for children ages 7 - 10 and young adults ages 11 - 18 throughout the summer months. These fun 2 - 3 hour workshops are typically held twice a week in our upstairs classroom space. Past classes have included Mosaics with Wendy Reich, Posters & Portraits with Martha Sharer, Collage with Sue Holmes and Abstract Sculpture with Jeremy Holmes.

The Healing Arts Program is an art therapy class specifically designed for cancer patients and survivors. The free program, funded by the Glimmerglass Foundation of Exeter, NH is normally held during both our fall and spring semesters. Instructors vary from year to year, but past teachers have included oil artist, Mary Nolan and ceramicist/collage artist Sue Holmes. With weekly sessions, the Healing Arts Program uses art as a means to foster creativity and allow participants a safe outlet for their fears, desires, hopes and sometimes for their grief. Drawing, painting, writing and sculpture can give vent to powerful emotions and release feelings of stress, regardless of the participant's artistic skills. No previous art experience is necessary for this free program.