Welcome to Smithsonian Associates In-Person Programs

View iconic masterpieces and learn the stories behind their creation as lecturer Paul Glenshaw leads an engaging tour of three museums focused on several of the great works featured in his popular Art + History series for Smithsonian Associates. Start the tour at the National Gallery of Art followed by a brisk outdoor walk and lunch at a nearby restaurant. Enjoy the afternoon at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

Take this drawing fundamentals class as your first step in learning to draw. You learn to translate that stunning image in your mind or what you see in front of you onto paper, building a strong foundation for your drawing or painting practice.

Try your hand at a mixed-media approach to the popular subject of landscapes. Experiment with layering pre-printed and handmade papers, fabric, and textured materials to create vibrant compositions featuring natural and built environments.

Experiment with painting styles such as Cubism, Suprematism, and Abstract Expressionism to learn practical applications of the concepts and techniques of Modernism. Move beyond the basics to discover and develop your unique visual language. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

In this course, gain the technical background and experience you need to get started as a painter. Working from museum masterpieces, still-life arrangements, or your favorite photos, explore basic painting techniques, including color-mixing, scumbling, and glazing.

Expand on your technical background and grow your practice as an oil painter. This class provides students with the opportunity to work on personal projects, set up a still-life arrangement, and explore figure painting from a live model. Unfurl your style with support and feedback from the instructor.

This introductory course teaches the basic skills needed for drawing. Working with a variety of materials and techniques, including charcoal and pencils, students explore the rendering of geometric forms, volume, and perspective, with an emphasis on personal gesture marks.

Learn clay techniques and gain an understanding of the human body, gestures, and expressions as you sculpt a portrait, torso, or full-figure piece by working from life.

Whether you want to work in digital or film, this course offers a solid foundation for new photographers ready to learn the basics. Topics include camera functions, exposure, metering, working with natural and artificial light, and composition.

This introductory course teaches the basic skills needed for drawing. Working with a variety of materials and techniques, including charcoal and pencils, students explore the rendering of geometric forms, volume, and perspective, with an emphasis on personal gesture marks.