Classes at Ghosthouse are open to all skill levels and include all materials in the admission fee. If you are interested in a class that is not currently available, please consider taking this short survey on our studio page to request classes that you are interested in.
Saturday, April 26th
6:00pm
Join us for this single evening workshop with photographer Alyssa Simone as she walks students through the process of how to create beautiful lighting with the model using limited light sources. This course is designed for artists and photographers looking to gain knowledge in various lighting techniques and those looking to create striking, professional-looking lighting with minimal gear.
Lighting is arguably the most important step when working with a live model, and understanding how to manipulate light and shadow will allow you to capture the mood, depth, and character of your subject.
See more of Alyssa’s work at her website:
www.ajoproductionsphotography.com
Instructor: Isaac Dell
Beginners & Intermediates
4 Week Class
Mondays 6:00pm-9:00pm
May 5th - 26th
Class Maximum: 12 students
Materials are included in all of our classes.
This class introduces students to the essential techniques and concepts of sculpting forms in clay. Working from classical examples as reference, the course covers basic sculptural processes, including additive, subtractive, and modeling techniques, with an emphasis on understanding volume and proportion.
* Students will complete 2 sculptures throughout this class and have the option to purchase the clay used for their sculpture at the end of class if they would like to take it home.
Recommended next class: Ecorché: Anatomical Sculpture
Instructor: Leah Morrison
Beginners & Intermediates
4 Week Class
Tuesdays 6:00pm-9:00pm
May 6th - 27th
Class Maximum: 15 students
Materials are included in all of our classes.
This class is designed to introduce students to the core techniques and principles of watercolor painting. Students will learn how to work with this versatile and expressive medium, covering basic skills such as color mixing, brush handling, and the application of washes. Students will complete 4-6 paintings in this class.
Instructors: Alec Zemper
Beginners & Intermediates
4 Week Class
Wednesdays 6:00pm-9:00pm
May 7th - 28th
Class Maximum: 15 students
Materials are included in all of our classes.
This class focuses on developing a strong foundation in the techniques of drawing the human figure. Starting with academic fundamentals such as measuring, angle finding, and basic anatomy, students will gain the ability to capture both gesture and an accurate block-ins over this 4 week class, providing important building blocks for further artistic development in representational art.
Instructor: Alec Zemper
Beginners & Intermediates
4 Week Class
Thursdays 6:00pm-9:00pm
May 8th - 29th
Class Maximum: 15 Students
All materials are included in all of our classes.
This class is dedicated to the art of drawing portraits from a live model. Students will learn the fundamental techniques needed to capture the likeness, expression, and character of the human face. The course covers essential aspects of portraiture, including proportion, anatomy, light and shadow, and the use of line and tone to create a realistic and expressive portrait. Students will complete 1-2 portraits in this class.
“A New American Art”: The C.I.A, Modern Art, and Abstract Expressionism
Friday, May 9th
7:00pm (doors at 6:45pm)
FREE Admission
In this Roundtable, we will learn about and discuss the strange but true story of the CIA’s involvement, development, and promotion of modern art and abstract expressionism throughout the 1940s, 50s, and 60s in America and Western Europe. We will discuss the effects it may have had on western art, art education & institutions, and our relationship with creativity and art as we understand it.
Open to the public; the Ghosthouse Roundtable discussion series is a free forum for local artists and students to discuss a wide range of relevant topics on process, theory, philosophy, and history. Roundtable discussions are held on the first Friday of each month.
Instructor: Josiah Hanchett
Beginners & Intermediates
3 Week Class
Saturdays 11:00am-3:00pm
May 10th - 31st
Class Maximum: 12 Students
All materials are provided for all of our classes
While exploring the historic neighborhoods of Heritage Hill, Grand Rapids, students will learn how to draw and paint local urban landscapes in ink and watercolor. By breaking down the subject into simple geometric shapes, students will learn the three rules of perspective along with how to utilize watercolor to enhance their images with simple yet effective washes.
Instructor: Anthony Cairo
Beginners & Intermediates
3 Week Class
Sundays 10:00am-3:00pm
May 11th - 25th
Class Maximum: 10 students
All materials are included in all of our classes
Join landscape painter Anthony Cairo for Plein Air Painting class through the forests of Western Michigan where you’ll learn the art of outdoor landscape painting in oil. This course explores techniques of color mixing, paint handling, and how to effectively translate the landscape onto canvas. This class is designed for anyone from those new to oil painting and landscape to those with some experience who are looking to sharpen their technique and learn new skills.
*Students will meet at Ghosthouse, and are welcome to carpool if they choose.
Instructor: Madison Memering
Beginners & Intermediates
3 Week Class
Sundays 11:00am - 3:00pm
May 11th - 25th
Class Maximum: 12 students
All materials are included in all of our classes
In this field-based illustration course, students will visit Western Michigan parks and trails to study and document native flora and fungi. Led by artist Madison Memering, the class will focus on observational drawing, watercolor techniques, and pen and ink practices. This class is designed for nature loving artists along with curious beginners. We invites you to slow down, observe closely, and develop your skills while considering the small things that make up the natural world around us.
Instructor: Caroline Hahn
Beginners - Advanced
4 Week Class
Sundays 3:00pm-6:00pm
May 11th - June 1st
Class Maximum: 15 Students
Materials are included in all of our classes
Through a mix of guided exercises, personal reflection, and open-ended painting sessions, we’ll explore how to bring out what’s underneath the surface: memory, feeling, intuition, and experience. It’s not about chasing perfection—it’s about learning to trust your own perspective, and finding the visual language that feels true to you. Whether you’re stuck, starting fresh, or trying to reconnect with why you paint in the first place, this course offers time, space, and support to go deeper. No experience is necessary—just a willingness to show up and see what comes through.
Instructor: Alec Zemper
Beginners & Intermediates
4 Week Class
Wednesdays 6:00pm-9:00pm
June 4th - 25th
Class Maximum: 13 Students
Materials are included in all of our classes.
This class is perfect for anyone looking to learn or refine the foundational principles of observational drawing. Students will explore essential topics, including materials, line quality, value, form, light + shadow, and measuring techniques. Whether you’re new to drawing or have some experience, this class offers a strong foundation to build upon. Over the course of the program, students will complete 4–5 drawings.
Instructor: Alec Zemper
Beginners & Intermediates
4 Week Class
Tuesdays 6:00pm-9:00pm
June 3rd - 24th
Class Maximum: 13 Students
Materials are included in all of our classes.
Focusing on a non-toxic method of painting in oils, this class is designed as an in-depth primer for oil painting and its materials and process. If you are interested in painting but do not know where to start, or you have some experience and are looking to improve your foundational skills, this is the class to take. Students will be completing 3-4 paintings in this class.
Who is this class for?
This class is ideal for beginners who are new to oil painting and want to build a strong foundation, as well as for those with some experience looking to refine their techniques and deepen their understanding of the materials, theory, and process of painting in oils.
Sunday, April 27th
Model: Bella
11:00am - 2:00pm
Ages: 18+, 16+ with parental permission
Don't have materials? We have materials in house that you are welcome to use for a small donation of a couple of bucks in our donation jar!
All skill levels are welcome!