Museum of Fine Arts

The Glassell Junior School

is an art school for young people, devoted to

nurturing creativity and dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the

arts and an awareness of the world. Classes and workshops offered year-round.

https://www.mfah.org/visit/glassell-school.

I have been taking classes at Glassell since 2018. I have loved all of the courses I have taken! I have taken drawing, acrylic painting, digital story book illustration, media , and tons of drawing classes . If you want excellent teachers and university-level classes without the price tag, Glassell is a fantastic community resource.

Classes are offered in jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, drawing, photography, painting, design...the list goes on. My experience is mostly with the drawing, painting and illustration program, whose jewel is their very active workshop program. The facilities for here are probably the finest and most well-stocked and equipped in the city. Most, if not all of the instructors at Glassell, have advanced degrees in their field, so you are, in fact, getting university-level instruction. I had to taken a full summer of 7 drawing , painting and digital media for my enhancement which, as a middle-schooler at that time, just about killed me, but I have to admit I learned a lot. All teachers are also actively exhibiting artists.

Even if you're not taking classes for credit here, Glassell has its own program which includes a "Certificate of Acheivement" for taking a specific number of courses within your specialty, along with required foundation classes. You can stop in here during business hours and check out the student shows at the end of each academic year--though some students at Glassell are more recreational, others utilize the courses as upper-level instruction without the accompanying university price tag. You'll definitely see some work that inspires you. During the year, core fellows (artists with their Master's degrees who receive a stipend from the MFAH as they transition to being working artists) also exhibit their work intermittently. All of the faculty I have met so far have been warm and welcoming to all, inspiring, and providing constructive feedback.

  • J548-1 Composition and Drawing

    Refine your drawing skills with projects that focus on line, texture, perspective, and shading. Learn how composition serves the intention of your work. Instructor: Ninci

  • J503-1 Drawing and Painting

    This course provides the technical instruction needed to refine drawing and painting skills. Using a variety of media, students work for a longer period of time on fewer projects and receive individual attention from the instructor to help define creative goals. Instructor: Ortiz

  • J600-1 Mixed Media

    This multimedia class for older students allows more time for each assignment. The instructor works closely with each student, enabling them to proceed at their own pace. Advanced creative methods are introduced, such as drawing with pencils, pen and ink, and oil and chalk pastels; painting with tempera and watercolor; and working with ceramics. Instructor: Vasquez

  • J555-1 Self-Portraits

    Create an 11” x 14” self-portrait similar to the style of the Old Masters. After learning about making a composition, mixing skin tones, and showing drama, you will be able to create paintings worthy of framing! Instructor: Williams

  • J625-1 Drawing: An Added Dimension

    Focusing on simple techniques, this class addresses the illusion of form and space. Work with perspective, proportion, and shading, using a variety of media to enhance your skills and build a portfolio. This is a basic course that should not be repeated. Instructor: Williams

  • J523-2 Acrylic Painting

    Explore acrylic painting, working from still-life setups, the clothed human figure, landscapes, and the imagination! Drawing fundamentals are reviewed. Instructor: Williams

  • J543-1 Working Journal

    Produce an artist’s journal filled with a variety of creative activities and innovative ideas, from pop-up art to conceptual work. The journal can be presented as a work of art in itself or used as a source to inspire major works. Instructor: Williams

  • J632-2 Digital Art

    Create art on a computer! Using Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop, learn the fundamentals of working with color, shape, design, and collage. Projects also include photo manipulation and enhancements.