Visual Arts & Crafts

Our visual arts and crafts classes offer an opportunity for people of all backgrounds and skill levels to flex their creative muscles and have fun working with with paint, charcoal, ink, metal, wood, glass, fiber, and more.

Browse + Enroll in Classes

All Visual Arts & Crafts

Art History

Call for Art: Flora x Fauna

The natural world has been a source of inspiration for mankind since the beginning. Its impact on art can be seen in the sketches of amateurs and the works of masters throughout history, expressing awe, reverence, curiosity, as well as fears. "Flora x Fauna" looks to explore our connection to nature, specifically plants and animals, and its influence on us.

CCAE welcomes current and former students and faculty to submit works that depict, explore, and or represent plants and/or animals. Any two-dimensional medium with a maximum side of 30" will be considered. Three-dimensional work may be considered on a case-by-case basis (wall hanging three-dimensional work can have a relief height maximum of 4" and can weigh no more than 5 lbs). All work submitted must have been made in the past two years.

If you have any questions, please email bryan.ramey@ccae.org.

Submission Deadline: Sunday, September 17 at 12:00 Midnight

Propose a Small Art Group Show!

Small group shows are small groups (3-10 CCAE artists) who would like to display their work together under a specific shared vision. It is a chance for students to connect with other artists, display their own work, and participate in a larger artist community at CCAE. Read the Art Show Proposal Submission Guidelines or fill out the Art Show Proposal Submission Form.

Art Supplies

Many of the visual arts classes require the purchase of additional art supplies. The supply lists can be found in the section description for each class.

Once you register for a class, the supply list will be accessible through your online account under Academics > Current Classes > Section description.

CCAE Studio School

Since 1994, Cambridge Center for Adult Education’s Studio School offers a group of coordinated intensive classes that focus on perceptual drawing and oil painting. Students develop skills that enable them to record and interpret, analyze and express. Our Studio School classes include painting and drawing from life, stressing the importance of spatial relationships and careful observation. Studio School instructors include Jeremy Durling and Brett Gamache.

Learn more about CCAE's Studio School

“The teacher [Kelly Slater] is encouraging and inspiring, inviting all of us to try natural drawing and various kinds of reduction and trace monotype. It made me more open to experimentation and new techniques. Her positivity and enthusiasm made the class the high point of everyone’s pandemic week.”

Kathleen D., Trace Monotypes: Improvisational Printmaking at Home

"The way Nick [Mancini] organized the class was very impressive. I appreciated the mix of lecture, demonstration, time to work and critiques... I think this class was well organized and made the best use of distance learning."

Carole S., Watercolor Pen & Ink Illustration

"I appreciated the openness and interactive nature of the class. Dan [Paret] was wonderful to offer an extra class and help with questions. This class was one my few regular commitments during the COVID spring months and really looked forward to it."

Rebecca B., Woodcarving: Demo and Questions

“Jeremy [Durling] covered many of the basics of drawing with excellent demonstrations. The small size of the class made it possible to interact easily with both Jeremy and classmates. Jeremy spent time with each student individually giving feedback during every class. Everyone could follow along with his feedback.”

Ruth C., Beginner Drawing