Mark your calendar for September 16, 5-8pm!

September’s 3rd Thursday is all about WOOD!  Come and marvel at our major wood exhibition Outside the Box: The Art of Wood, an incredible exhibit of studio woodworking and furniture that highlights the innate beauty of wood—whether in the form of a sculpture, rocking chair or teapot (yes, a teapot!). The exhibition combines the studio furniture-making skills of Montana and Northwest master craftsmen with the work of renowned international and national sculptors and turners. 

In addition, Helena Woodworkers’ Guild, our featured artists in the Held Family Hallway, will give a wood-working demonstration.  We will also have wood toys for kids of all ages to play with, so bring the whole family!

Our featured musician for September will be Tim Drackert who will play his 12-string gypsy guitar, (also made of wood!)

In keeping with our wood theme, Bert & Ernie’s will offer tasty skewers as well as an oak barreled Chardonnay. Members receive a discount on food and drinks.

And as always, 3rd Thursday events are FREE!

Register Online

Holter Museum docents (volunteer museum educators) teach these popular workshops for children ages 3 to 7 and accompanying adults. The workshops are fun and challenging—and include viewing art, stories, movement, music, and hands-on art activities. A suggested donation of $5 per child supports the Holter docent program. Call 442-6400 to reserve
a spot.

Click here to become a member

Teacher Discounts
Senior Discounts &
Scholarships available for all Holter Museum classes.  Call 442-6400 for details.

Renewal Units are available for all Holter Museum Classes.

Register Online

Learn to capture the light and magic of the Montana landscape with professional photographer Kurt Keller in this two-session workshop. Working in the field, participants will practice ways of creating eye-catching photographs by experimenting with composition and using varying view points. With Kurt’s guidance, participants will capitalize on light, shadow, and abstract detail. For extra fun, create low-light photos and try some night photography. This workshop is slated to be jam-packed with ideas and ways to help hobbyist and amateur photographers improve their skills. Please bring your own film or digital camera.

Tuition: $90

Kurt Keller is a commercial and fine art photographer living in Helena, Montana. Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, Keller earned an associate’s degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University in photo illustration. Keller has been an instructor and artist-in-residence for the Holter Museum.

5:30–8pm

Register Online

For those who always wanted to learn how to draw—but didn’t know where to start—this is the class you’ve been waiting for! It’s is easier than you think. Popular instructor, Tulasi Zimmer will have participants drawing in 1 hour! This workshop teaches the basic keys to drawing, developing visual perception, and everything needed for realistically representing subjects. Topics will include shading, depth perception, and composition.

Tuition: $120 (all materials included)

Tulasi Zimmer has an MFA degree from Miami University of Ohio and a BA degree from The Ohio State University, specializing in painting, drawing, and art history. She is an active member of the Montana Association of Weavers and Spinners, Montana’s Artist-in-the-Schools Program, and has served on the City of Helena Public Arts Commission.

Register Online

Instructor Jim Howard will discuss watercolor basics like materials, drawing as basis for painting, washes and strokes before delving into meatier lessons such as ways of painting buildings, skies and clouds, trees, mountains and rocks, and reflections on water. Lecture, discussion, and demonstration will all be incorporated. Each session will include time for students to paint with instructor support and assignments will be given to allow for practice between sessions. This class is for individuals who are just beginning watercolor, as well as those with some experience under their belt.

Tuition: $130 (some materials included, click on More below for details)

Jim Howard is an artist with a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature. He received his formal art training from the American Academy of Art in Chicago and currently lives in Helena with his wife Joyce. He is a member of the Helena Art Center and enjoys teaching classes in both drawing and watercolor. We welcome Jim to the Holter.

Materials needed: (new or used)

Drawing sketch pad (9×12)
2B pencil
Kneaded eraser
Brushes, round (#4 and #10)

Tubes of pigment:

Alizarin crimson
Ultramarine blue
Yellow ochre
Vandyke brown umber
(or close equivalent, Academy Brand is Ok)

Sponge (3×5 flat)
Water container (free plastic yogurt containers available at Museum)

Optional

Palette ( plastic tray with indentations to hold the various colors) Museum has white plastic plates available
Mixing tray (porcelain butcher’s tray, small or medium size, or another suitable mixing tray)
Board or small easel (may borrow from Museum’s supply or provide your own)

Paper will be provided by the Holter Museum.

Register Online

If you ever wanted to attempt oil painting, but were afraid to try, this is the class for you. Working with a limited color palette, students will learn the basics of oil painting such as: color mixing; color values, color temperature— warm colors, cool colors, and color schemes. Learn a variety of techniques for getting started as well as different ways of using brushes to create texture. Popular instructor, Tulasi Zimmer will use demonstration, discussion and critique to benefit all skill levels, especially the real beginner.

Tuition: $120 (some materials included, see “more” below for details)

See Tulasi Zimmer’s biography above in “Drawing for Real Beginners.”

Materials Needed (new or used)
BRUSHES

Oil Paint
alizerin crimson
cadmium red light
cadmium yellow light
ultramarine blue
titanium white
small tube of mars black
Paper pallettes
Canvas Boards  8×10 & 9×12

Museum will Supply
Gamsol (for clean-up)
Table easels
Liquin windsor newton

Fri, Oct 29, 6–7:30 pm
and Sat, Oct 30 & Sun, Oct 31  9am–4pm

Class is Full

Woodblock is a method of printing where the image is carved into the surface of a piece of wood. It is the earliest form of printmaking and first appeared in China in the 9th Century. In this weekend workshop, participants will practice preparing and carving a woodblock and learn time-saving and creative carving techniques. The use of numerous blocks and registration concerns will be covered. Participants will also experiment with different methods of printing including “rainbow rolls” and gradations from dark to light. Explore the possibilities of this age-old art form under the direction of experienced artist and instructor Phoebe Toland.

Tuition: $120 (some materials included, see “more” below for details)

Phoebe Toland, an abstract painter who lives in Helena, has been teaching at the Holter for ten years. She earned an MFA at Montana State University and exhibits her work extensively around the West. As an artist in the schools in Helena and throughout Montana, she has taught students of all ages how to make and appreciate art.

Materials Needed: (new or used)
wood block carving tools
non slip mats
Paper for printing (Japanese, etc.)

Materials Supplied
X-acto knives
brayers
plexi palettes
inks
transparent base
paint thinner for clean up
Shina plywood blocks  (McClains printmaking supply)
Mylar
Gudy (adhesive) Talas conservation supplies

Register Online

Try something new with watercolor. In this weekend class, participants will discover less conventional ways to paint with watercolor. Experiment with pouring, resists, using feathery and leafy objects, and stencils. Use liquid watercolor and water based paints to create both abstract and representational paintings. Emphasis will be on non-traditional media but will include basic instruction in composition and color mixing. This class is open to beginners and to students with some experience who want to stretch their repertoire.

Tuition: $90 (materials provided)

Carol Montgomery has taught watercolor workshops in California and Montana.  She enjoys many art mediums from printmaking to paper making and teaches classes throughout Helena.