Workshops
VIVA Gallery offers an exciting and diverse selection of instructional workshops in various styles and media in our classroom above the VIVA Gallery. One-off classes are listed first, following by Ongoing Series.
Note that our classes include more than painting workshops! See also our list of Other Classes at the bottom of this page.
If a class is highlighted (blue box), click on its title for more details and sample images. To register for any workshop, please contact the individual instructor (or organization).
Art Workshops for Adults – Special Dates/Series:
Sketching with Watercolor
With Brenda Swenson. Three days: Fri-Sat-Sun, September 11, 12, & 13, 2009. Improve your drawing and painting skills or create travel journals – and come away excited and inspired about sketching. More details and images.
Art Workshops for Adults – Ongoing Series:
Alliance For Creative Psychotherapy *new series
Last Saturday of each month at 12 noon. This unusual series of explorative monthly workshops is intended to spring new hopes, possibilities, and awareness. Through the use of images and various art materials you’ll experience self-discovery, and begin a transformative process. Each of the unique explorative exercises is designed to unleash natural creativity, connect to the intuitive, and access inner truths. Appropriate for artists and non-artists alike. The workshops are facilitated by Dr. Anita Bavarsky, a clinical psychologist who specializes in the field of creative therapy and Adrian Krauss, MFT, a psychotherapist and author of “The Art of Healing”. Cost: $60 per 2 hour workshop (materials included). Call for additional information or to register Anita (818) 340-4999 or Adrian (818) 329-2920.
Art Journal Making
First Wednesday of each month, 11am – 4pm. Art journal making and techniques for pages in the style of Julianna Coles, Lynne Perrella and others seen in Somerset Studio magazine. Using Golden acrylic paints, photocopies, rubber stamps and embellishments. Make your own journal from scratch, use a purchased one, or alter a used book. Limited space. Some supplies will be provided. Contact: Pat McMahon at (818) 787-3169 or email her at patmcm3@sbcglobal.net.
Collage & Journal Construction
Various Sundays, 1–5pm. Workshops with Reva Solomon, (323) 876-7090. Contact me privately for further info at
Creative Drawing Workshop
With artist/instructor Mike Lynch. Every third Saturday of the month, 12:30–5pm, through 2009. Download Flyer for exact dates (JPG). Find your personal voice! Exercises will be given to expand creativity and drawing ability, as well as helping free your mind and attain deeper levels of freedom and expression. Explore and express in a fun supportive atmosphere. Email mikelynchrocks@hotmail.com
Figure Drawing: Painting from the Nude
With artist/instructor Stephen Wright. Wednesdays, 6–10pm. Focus on the artist's subjective viewpoint through the development of excellent drawing skills. Each session we’ll begin with short gesture poses and work up to a long or intermediate length pose. More details and images...
The Art of Pastel Painting
2nd Saturday of each month, 12:30–4:30pm (with an occassional “plein air” trip to a nearby site). Instructor: renowned pastel artist Loraine Veeck. Pastel painting with emphasis on the Elements of Art and Composition. Call Loraine, (818) 346-0855. More details and images...
Painting Fast, Loose and Free
Workshops with Diane Dubin. Tuesday evenings now through 2009, 6–9pm. Four- and six-week sessions available. Call Diane at (818) 342-6161. More details and images.
Watercolor with Rea Nagel
Watercolor Workshops. A 10-week series on Tuesday afternoons, 12:30–3:30pm. Call Rea at (818) 908-5919. More details and images.
Gene Inglis-Ward
Watercolor, Acrylic & Collage. Every 4th Monday of the month, 10am–4pm. Call Gene at (805) 688-5282.
Out of Sight Monotypes
Diane Dubin monotype printmaking workshops, every 2nd Tuesday of the month. New students welcome. More details and images...
Alexandra Tarakanov
Personalized Art Workshop. Every Thursday evening, 6:30–9:30pm. More details and images...
LA Experimental Artists
Experimental Mixed Media & Collage Workshops. Please note that these are “co-op” classes; each experimental group consists of approximately 12 artists, and each member teaches one session per year. The LAEA groups have held three exhibitions to date – see Exhibits page for links.
Group 1
Led by Ben Goldman, Tel. (323) 656-3465. Last Thursday of every month, 10am–4pm. Currently at full enrollment. Call for Wait List Placement. More details and images...
Group 2
Led by Barbara Jones, Tel: (818) 346-2704. Second Friday of every month, 10am–4pm. Currently at full enrollment. Call for Wait List Placement.
Group 3
Led by Avinger Nelson, Tel: (626) 791-9202. Third Thursday of every month, 9am–4pm. Currently at full enrollment. Call for Wait List Placement.
Group 4
Led by Anita Van Tellengen, Tel: (818) 996-5241. First Thursday of every month, 10am–4pm. Currently at full enrollment. Call for Wait List Placement.
New dates to be announced / call for wait list:
Painting with Watercolor
With Brenda Swenson. Three days: Fri-Sat-Sun. With each day of the workshop you’ll build a stronger understanding of design, color, content, value, edges and much more. More details and images...
Negative Painting with Watercolor
With Brenda Swenson. Three days: Fri-Sat-Sun. An exciting and unique approach of painting around an object to define it in your composition. More details and images...
Digital Photography For Artists
Workshop by Chuck Buch. Download PDF Flyer. Fee $60. Chuck Buch is a working professional in the entertainment industry with great expertise in digital media, digital cameras, computers (Mac and Windows) and software programs. Chuck will teach you easy ways to deal with the digital world and how it pertains to you and your artwork. Topics covered in this workshop include: how to choose the right digital camera; how to use a digital camera; how to photograph your artwork and how to understand the terminology (i.e., JPG, pixels, resolution, and so on). For more info, email Chuck at digital4art@earthlink.net.
Society for Calligraphy Workshops:
Pointed Pen Calligraphy
With calligrapher Xandra Y. Zamora of XYZ Ink. More details and images..
Italic Calligraphy, or Uncial Calligraphy
With calligrapher Carrie Imai. More details and images.
Art Workshops for Children & Teens:
Art Studio for Children
With Alexandra Tarakanov-Plax. Every Thursday evening, 5–6:30pm. More details and images...
Michelle Katona
Oil Painting & Drawing. Every Friday evening, 6–10pm. Inspirational coaching in technical and spiritual artistry. Beginners and children (from age 8) welcome. Call (818) 905-3350. Details and images on Michelle’s website.
Other Classes and Workshops held at VIVA:
Meditation Classes
Gary Davis for Khandakapala Buddhist Center. Advanced & beginners. Monday nights, 7:15–9:15pm. More details...
Master Your Livelihood...by Making Your Trade Work For You. Part of our Mindful Professional Series. Wednesday, January 21 through February 18, 6:00pm–8:45pm. For more information visit mindfulvalley.org or send email to