Latest Event News
Art Classes and Workshops
We offer various art classes, workshops, and events, as well as some craft activities. Anyone may register.
Community Social Art Circle
Tuesday, July 7th, 1-3;00PM
Old Murdock Building (COA)
52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon
Do you need a day and space to spend some time to work on your project or simply invite your friends to an afternoon or evening of conversation and creativity? Explore a variety of art in a supportive social environment. A group with different skill levels who wish to learn, explore, laugh, share, connect, and be inspired. A safe, low key, non-intimidating space. Non-makers are also welcomed. No fee!
Open to ages 15 and above
Self-led group—there will be classroom monitors who will assist you.
Spend a few hours to be a part of our social art gathering with artists, friends and seniors! Share your project and make new friends.
Afternoons: 1st Tuesday of every month, 1:00 – 3:00 PM
You may bring your own artwork or craft project and supplies that you are working on. We do have a community art supply area where you may choose something you would like to try. We supply paints, paper, brushes and other supplies.
Note: We are looking for volunteer classroom monitors—monitors can take part in creating. If you are interested, email debgiordano59@comcast.net
In Partnership with the Council on Aging
Scratchboard Workshop
Old Murdock School
52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon
A Fun Filled Day of Scratching!
This 6-hour one-day workshop will provide an introduction to scratchboard materials, tools and techniques. We will explore scratchboard mark-making methods using a variety of tools, learn how to create different values, textures, and then plan and execute a scratchboard composition drawing. There are many tools used in this medium and Joe will explain how to use them all.
NOTE: Joe will be giving a FREE Scratchboard Demonstration that you will not want to miss. Are you curious about this relatively new medium? You may want to watch this live demonstration before you take Joe’s workshop or just come and be curious about the process. Thursday, October 8th, 6 – 8 pm in the Art Gallery. It will be shown on the large TV screen.
All materials are included. No experience needed.
Bring your lunch, we can also place a pizza order. Bring some tight surgical gloves, small brush or cloth to keep things clean.
$85 Workshop (6 hours)
Instructor: Joe Smith
Saturday, October 17, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Special Watercolor Series
All levels from beginners through advanced students are welcome. Work at your own pace. Bring a friend and enjoy the afternoons with these relaxed, low-key fun workshops.
GALA Art Center, Old Murdock, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon
This is a 4-week Series, Special 4-hour Workshops
You may sign-up for individual classes or take the SPECIAL PRICE DEAL for all 4 workshops.
1st Workshop: Back to Basics or Refresher Saturday, July 11, 12 – 4 PM
For Starting or Refreshing Students, any age: Have you thought about trying watercolors, yet been overwhelmed by paint and paper choices, or thought it seemed too difficult to learn? Here’s a great Basics course, no art experience necessary, to start a successful journey learning to play with watercolors! We’ll introduce the supplies, (all will be provided to participate), and we’ll help to “demystify” types of paints, palettes, brushes and papers. Handout notes for you to keep will be provided, and an experienced instructor will lead us through creating “swatches”, “sketches”, and a simple landscape or two! We’ll also cover the uses and reasons behind a “limited palette” approach and closely examine different grades and manufacturers of watercolor paints… pans or tubes? We’ll cover all of your questions!
2nd Workshop: Explorations-Stage 1 Saturday, July 25, 12 – 4 PM
For Starting or Intermediate Students, any age: Many students of watercolor have described their frustrations in “letting go and let the process”! All of us want to have fun, exploding colors but end up with muddied effects. We’ll learn together how to make our paints work; how to enjoy our process, how to create using transparent yet still very vibrant colors! It can all be easier than you imagined! We’ll cover all the questions and demystify the “rules” to letting it all “flow” yet learning the strategies to avoid an overworked or unhappy piece. Emphasis will be on dry vs wet techniques, layering and glazing, developing a plan for our painting.
3rd Workshop: Explorations-Stage 2 Saturday, August 8, 12 – 4 PM
For Starting to Intermediate and Advanced Students, any age: Watercolor paints, by nature, are transparent; but have you struggled to express or mix your neutrals as it pertains to the whole composition? Problems with a background, or with harmonious colors? Want to make sure that your choice of palette will “pop”? We’ll learn together how to make our neutrals work for our composition; how to use and evaluate the choices of “out of tube” greys and make it valuable to each individual expression. Emphasis will be on color wheel and understanding complementary colors, triads, splits.
4th Workshop: Explorations-Stage 3 Saturday, August 22, 12 – 4 PM
For Starting to Intermediate and Advanced Students, any age: If you’re up to achieving the ultimate challenge and freeing yourself as an artist, then please come play with us for our “Stage Four” in watercolor paints! We’ll be working on challenging watercolor collaboration pieces, executed by all in the class; outcomes will be “to be determined”. Do you love a challenge, and might you be able to live with the outcomes? Watercolor explorations, the use of abstract and composition techniques, use of textures and knowledge of pigments will be tested in this team-inspired challenge! Very large format papers, very expressive painting techniques? Bring your very best to contribute to these paintings and have a blast of fun in the process!! We’re truly living and experiencing “outside of the box” in our joint ventures.
Workshop Series – $150
Or register for individual classes for $45 each
Includes all materials (you may bring your own). All ages over 15 are invited. There is limited seating. Light refreshments, coffee, and tea is available. You may bring and share food with the class if you wish.
Instructor: Susan Burdsall
We have 4 workshop Dates:
Saturdays, 12-4:00pm
July 11, July 25, Aug 8, Aug 22
This workshop is partly funded by the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation
Art Critiques
Saturday, July 25, August 8, October 3,
10:00am-1:00pm
Old Murdock Building, 52 Murdock Ave, Winchendon MA
We will be holding the critique in the Gallery on the 1st floor
Are you looking for encouragement and support from other artists?
Bring up to 2 pieces of your artwork (finished or unfinished) to share with your circle of artist friends. The first 15 minutes we will be social time, then we will go into sharing our artwork. You may bring snacks to share with the group.
You may attend even though you didn’t bring any artwork—feel free to join us.
Free to all GALA members. New artists, first 2 classes are free.
A great way to receive heartfelt feedback from your circle of artists friends.
Janet Dupuis will help guide us during our time together. Mark your calendar!
Email Janet to let her know that you will be joining us at Jandu516@gmail.com