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Portland and the federal government

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Arts: Visual, Literary, and Theatre

Guide
Use the links below to view art classes offered within a city region. Art forms include a variety of visual arts, theatre, and literary arts. Within each section, click the arrow next to the participant age group you want to view.

View all arts classes with available space


East and Southeast Portland

This city region includes East Portland Community Center, Mt. Scott Community Center, Montavilla Community Center, Rosewood Initiative, and Woodstock Community Center.

Child with Adult (ages 18 months–5 years)

An adult must participate with the child.

ClassDescriptionLocationRegister
Messy ArtHands-on experiences with arts and crafts you might not want to try at home. East Portland, Montavilla, Woodstock Community CenterCheck availability

Preschool (ages 3–5 years)

ClassDescriptionLocationRegister
Messy ArtHands-on experiences with arts and crafts you might not want to try at home. East Portland Community CenterCheck availability

Youth (ages 4–13 years)

ClassAgesDescriptionLocationRegister
Drawing & Painting4–12Experiment with different materials including pencils, colored pencils, crayons, pastels, and watercolors.Rosewood InitiativeCheck availability
Theatre Arts4–12Learn about the different elements of collaborative storytelling, including creating characters, improvisation, vocal techniques, and more.Rosewood InitiativeCheck availability

Teen and Adult (ages 14 and older)

ClassAgesDescriptionLocationRegister
Calligraphy18 and olderA three-part workshop to help you create your own empowering mantra in your unique lettering style. Montavilla Community CenterCheck availability
Watercolor14 and olderExpress your creativity by exploring basic to advanced methods. Use techniques such as sketching, mixed colors, and laying washes to develop a unique style.Woodstock Community CenterCheck availability

Senior (ages 60 and older)

ClassDescriptionLocationRegister
PaintingExpress your creativity by exploring basic to advanced methods. Acrylics and watercolor classes are available.East Portland Community CenterCheck availability

Intergenerational

ClassAgesDescriptionLocationRegister
Fiber Arts10 and olderExplore the artform of needle felting and learn the basics! Activities are one-day workshops.Rosewood InitiativeCheck availability
Jewelry/Metals10 and olderExplore jewelry making and metals. Activities are one-day workshops.Rosewood InitiativeCheck availability
Printmaking – Gelatin Plate14 and olderCreate colorful and dynamic mono prints, collage, stationery, and more.Woodstock Community CenterCheck availability

North and Northeast Portland

This city region includes Charles Jordan Community Center, Matt Dishman Community Center, Peninsula Park Community Center, and St. Johns Community Center. Montavilla Community Center, on 82nd and Glisan, is included in East and Southeast Portland.

Child with Adult (ages 18 months–5 years)

An adult must participate with the child.

ClassDescriptionLocationRegister
Messy ArtHands-on experiences with arts and crafts you might not want to try at home. Peninsula Park and St. Johns Community CenterCheck availability

Preschool (ages 2-4)

ClassDescriptionLocationRegister
KidSpaceChildren discover through arts and crafts, games, and physical activities. Creativity and play build socialization, language skills, and friendships. St. Johns Community CenterCheck availability 

Youth (ages 6–14 years)

ClassAgesDescriptionLocationRegister
Drawing, Painting, and Mixed Media7–13Experience creating works of art in a variety of media using the design elements of line, shape, color, texture, and form to draw, paint, and create 2-D and 3-D compositions.Matt Dishman, Peninsula Park, and St. Johns Community CenterCheck availability
Theatre9-12Hone your skills and further your study of theatre. Play games that encourage thinking on your feet and creative story-telling. Increase social and emotional development, improve critical thinking, and explore imaginative responses in a fun, supportive environment.St. Johns Community CenterCheck availability

Adult (ages 18 and older)

ClassDescriptionLocationRegister
CrochetClass will include basic instruction for those who need it and will offer exposure to more advanced methods. All levels welcome. Charles Jordan and Matt Dishman Community CenterCheck availability
Drawing – BeginningLearn the basics using charcoal pencils. St. Johns Community CenterCheck availability

Senior (ages 60 and older)

ClassDescriptionLocationRegister
Literary Arts - Writing your Memories
Learn to easily write your thoughts and recollections and preserve them for future generations. Bring a prepared story each week to share with the class.
St. Johns Community CenterCheck availability

Southwest Portland

This city region includes Multnomah Arts Center and Southwest Community Center.

Child with Adult (ages 18 months–17 years)

An adult must participate with the child.

ClassAgesDescriptionLocationRegister
Ceramics - Family Clay2–17Create shapes from nature or imagination with your family in this one-day handbuilding and sculpting class. Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Family Art – Art Adventures18 months–6Embrace creative thinking using paint, clay, glitter, glue, found objects, and more. Construct projects that develop fine motor skills and enhance creative development.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Jewelry/Metalsmithing – Cuttlefish Bone Casting10 and olderCuttlebone casting is an ancient art that uses cuttlefish bones, which can be easily carved, and by binding two halves together, you can pour molten metal into the carved area to create one-of-a-kind jewelry.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Messy Art18 months–3Hands-on experiences with arts and crafts you might not want to try at home.Southwest Community CenterCheck availability
Woodworking - Family Hand Tool Basics9–13Build together! Gain skills in using hand tools safely and build confidence in construction and tool safety.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability

Preschool 

ClassAgesDescriptionLocationRegister
Theatre Arts4–7Young actors will use imagination, creativity, and collaboration to develop theatre skills alongside others in a nurturing environment.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability

Youth (ages 6–15 years)

ClassAgesDescriptionLocationRegister
Ceramics4–12Invent, discover, and play with clay. Create from fantasies or reality, using handbuilding techniques like coil, pinch, and molding, or explore the potter’s wheel.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Drawing and Painting4–12Experiment with paint, pastels, ink, and pencil to explore lines, colors, shapes, and compositions. Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Fiber Arts6–12Discover fiber arts through hands-on techniques. Explore felting, embroidery, sewing, and weaving in this fun class.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Literary Arts9–14Explore your creativity through writing exercises in a fun and collaborative environment with other young writers. Fiction and poetry classes available.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Mixed Media4–12Create using the basic elements of art such as line, shape, color, texture, and form to draw, paint, and sculpt 2-D and 3-D compositions. Experience self-expression and creativity while exploring various tools and media.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Print Making8–10Dive headfirst into the world of printmaking by putting together a collagraph plate. You will use solely recycled, repurposed material and transform it into a uniquely imaginative creature that is then printed with colored inks.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Theatre Arts8–14Build confidence in our theatre arts programming! Classes include acting fundamentals, improv, character work, storytelling, and musical theatre. We also offer specialized production classes that culminate with fully staged performances for the community.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability

Teen (ages 10–20 years)

ClassAgesDescriptionLocationRegister
Ceramics12–17Develop handbuilding and wheel-throwing skills, using basic techniques like coil, pinch, molding, centering, and throwing. Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Jewelry/Metalsmithing10–15Work from your own design to create a finished art object or wearable piece of jewelry. Emphasis will be on design development and basic metalworking skills.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Studio Theatre13–20This fully staged theatre production has a part for the shy first-timer and the seasoned young professional.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Woodworking – Hand Tool Basics14–17Gain skills in using hand tools such as saws, hammers, and drills, while gaining confidence in construction and tool safety.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability

Adult (ages 13 and older)

ClassAgesDescriptionLocationRegister
Book Arts13 and olderExplore a variety of classes to learn skills in book binding and essential box-making techniques.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Ceramics13 and olderExplore and practice ceramics art techniques. Handbuilding and wheel-throwing classes are available.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Drawing13 and olderGain a strong foundation and explore new techniques. Colored pencil and mixed-media classes available.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Fiber Arts13 and olderCreate art using natural or synthetic fibers. Classes include spinning, sewing, and weaving.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Jewelry/Metalsmithing16 and olderDesign jewelry and create other works of art from metals. Classes include techniques such as casting, forging, and raising, as well as enameling and setting stones.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Literary Arts16 and olderClasses include memoir, poetry writing, fiction, creative nonfiction, collage, and nature writing.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Mixed Media13 and olderExplore creating art using various techniques and materials.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Painting13 and olderAcrylics, watercolor, and mixed-media painting classes are available.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Photography13 and olderClasses are available for both digital and film camera users.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Printmaking13 and olderPrintmaking involves transferring images from a plate onto another surface, most often paper or fabric.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Smartphone Photography16 and olderThe best camera is the one you always have with you. Your Smartphone. Classes accommodate both Apple and Android users.Multnomah Arts Center and Southwest Community CenterCheck availability
Theatre Arts18 and olderActing basics and improv classes are available.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Woodturning16 and olderWoodturning is the process of shaping a piece of wood using a lathe. This woodworking technique allows artists to craft items such as bowls, lamps, and sculptures.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Woodworking18 and olderBuild a fun and useful work of art. Gain skills in using hand tools such as saws, hammers, drills safely, while gaining confidence in construction and tool safety.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability

Senior (ages 60 and older)

ClassDescriptionLocationRegister
CeramicsExplore ceramics, creating hand-built bowls or sculptures using pinch, coil, and slab forms. Learn fundamentals in a nurturing environment. This class is for beginners.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Mixed MediaRediscover the joy of creating while working with various media in a non-judgmental space.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability

Intergenerational (ages 12 and older)

ClassAgesDescriptionLocationRegister
Fiber Arts12 and olderKnitting and tie-dye classes for people of all levels.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Mixed Media - Calligraphy13 and olderExplore the art of calligraphy. Throughout the term, you'll be guided in creating a handmade calligraphic book. Gothic Cursive and Humanist Bookhand classes are available. Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability
Painting14 and olderExplore your curiosity, learn about color and techniques, and express yourself through the art of painting. All levels are welcome.Southwest Community CenterCheck availability
Watercolor12 and olderExplore various watercolor techniques, including methods in mixing colors, applying washes, and using tones and values as elements in your paintings.Multnomah Arts CenterCheck availability

Galleries at Multnomah Arts Center

The Multnomah Arts Center's Front and Center Galleries showcase artists from Oregon and Southern Washington. Exhibitions feature a wide spectrum of media, diverse subject matter, and unique perspectives. Multnomah Arts Center is located in Southwest Portland. The galleries are free to visit and open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.–9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m.


 

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