Arts & Culture   

You can’t escape your inner artist in this class, where a sneaky seagull on the lookout for snacks is the inspiration. You will learn how negative painting and lifting techniques can help define shapes to create this mischievous seagull surveying the sea. By the end of this workshop, the only thing getting swiped are hearts, thanks to the gorgeous cards you have created. Lots of reference photos and embellishments will be available to spark your creativity. All painting materials will be supplied. (P.S. You can bring your own snacks.)

Imagine some cute seagulls on the beach being greeted by a peaceful sunrise over ocean waves bathed in all those soft, warm colors...that’s the beach scene you will create in this class focused on color theory. You will learn which colors work well for a sunrise palette, brushstroke techniques for blending, secrets to creating realistic ocean waves, how to create gradients of color, and how to use reflective light to enhance your painting. Canvas, paint, and supplies will be provided by the instructor. Let’s escape to the beach!

This class is a continuation of the Basics of Playing the Button Accordion, Level 1. In this session, students will advance to following basic music sheets with scales already learned and will be able to play easy songs while accompanied by a Bajo Sexto, played by the instructor.

Students must have their own button accordion in the key of GCF. Prerequisite for the class is the completion of Beginning Button Accordion Level 1. Ages 15+ welcome. Rentals are available at Alamo Music Center, contact Gary Smith (gary.smith@alamomusic.com or 210-538-9421) for pricing.

Add a splash of personality to your canvas in this lively rooster painting class! In Bold & Beautiful Rooster, students will create a vibrant portrait full of expressive brushstrokes, rich color, and rustic charm. This step-by-step acrylic workshop focuses on capturing the confident stance and brilliant feathers that make roosters such a fun and eye-catching subject. Pre-drawn canvas. This is a 2-hour class. For those who need a little extra time, you'll have up to an additional hour to finish your masterpiece, extending the workshop to a total of three hours.

Just like a lighthouse guides you to a safe harbor without getting lost at sea, this class will guide you to create a beautiful card without too much artistic worry. In this workshop, you will paint a charming lighthouse on a rocky shore utilizing a variety of wash applications and brushstroke techniques to add texture and contrast of values. At the end of this journey, you will have 1-2 beautiful cards that you can share with family and friends. Reference photos, patterns, and embellishments will be available to spark your creativity. All painting materials will be supplied.

Calling all crafty bookworms! Personalize your own acrylic bookmark with alcohol inks, stamps, and charms while we chat about our favorite books and adaptations! Grab your bestie and join us for an evening of creative and crafty fun!

Join us for a hands-on class and learn how to etch glass, in addition to porcelain, mirror, ceramic, marble and slate, and also how to ‘faux etch’ on other surfaces. Grab your bestie and join us for an evening of creative and crafty fun!

Make your own cheerful stenciled flower pots and fill them with summer blooms! Grab a paintbrush and use your favorite colors and designs to personalize your own terra cotta pot. Then pot a plant, and add sunshine and water! Grab your bestie and join us for an evening of creative and crafty fun!

Let’s dive into a dreamy ocean of color! In this workshop, you will play with soft washes, transparent glazes and splatter techniques to create an enchanting seahorse drifting among the seaweed. At the end of the workshop, you will have 1-2 beautiful cards that you can share with family and friends. Reference photos and embellishments will be available to spark your creativity. All painting materials will be supplied.

Welcome the upcoming back-to-school, fall and holiday season with a fun boho fabric garland to brighten up your space made just for you by you! Choose from a variety of fall and holiday prints or your favorite school colors. You will choose your fabric and trim and create a 6-foot-long fabric garland for use as interior home or bedroom decor against walls, draped from the ceiling, over windows or doorways. Use outside for whimsical patio/porch or garden decor or kids' play areas. They also serve as great photo back- drops. These garlands can also be used to decorate for special occasions such as holidays, parties or wedding or baby showers and are meant to be reused and repurposed over the years- a great alternative to disposable paper décor. No sewing involved.

This course is intended for beginning and advanced students. Beginning students learn the art of lapidary, cutting and polishing gemstones that can be used to make beautiful jewelry. Using diamond-based lapidary equipment, each participant will make 2-3 finished gemstones. No prior experience is required. Advanced students are those that have taken this course before and will, therefore, require less supervision. They will be allowed to work with a larger range of and more challenging lapidary materials. Special thanks goes to The Southwest Gem and Mineral Society in San Antonio for supplying the lapidary equipment used in the class.  This program is priced as marked; no additional discounts apply.

This course is intended for beginning and advanced students. Beginning students learn the art of lapidary, cutting and polishing gemstones that can be used to make beautiful jewelry. Using diamond-based lapidary equipment, each participant will make 2-3 finished gemstones. No prior experience is required. Advanced students are those that have taken this course before and will, therefore, require less supervision. They will be allowed to work with a larger range of and more challenging lapidary materials. Special thanks goes to The Southwest Gem and Mineral Society in San Antonio for supplying the lapidary equipment used in the class.  This program is priced as marked; no additional discounts apply.

This course is intended for new lapidary students only. Beginning students learn the art of lapidary, cutting and polishing gemstones that can be used to make beautiful jewelry. Using diamond-based lapidary equipment, each participant will make 2-3 finished gemstones. No prior experience is required. Special thanks goes to The Southwest Gem and Mineral Society in San Antonio for supplying the lapidary equipment used in the class. This program is priced as marked; no additional discounts apply.

Pick up your paint brushes and have some fun with a different type of paint- gouache. Like watercolor but with stronger pigments, this paint is available in tubes and pans. It can produce both soft and solid, vibrant looks. Cleanup is a breeze with water. Student supply list: #2 pencil, white eraser, clear straight edge/ruler, masking tape, watercolor paper pad/spiral with smooth texture and 80 lb. or higher rating (this is on the cover of the pad), hand sharpener, gouache paint set, small plastic water container, 1-3 paint brushes (round, flat, detail), and paper towels or napkins. More information will be sent out after registration to help you choose a paint set, so please make sure your email address is on file at registration. A supply fee of $5 payable to instructor at start of class for take-home resources. Beginners and ages 18+ are welcomed. Please make sure your email address and mobile number is on file when you register in case more info is sent to registered participants.

Get ready for a “purr”fect drawing class where you’ll learn the basics of using colored charcoal pencils to draw different cat breeds’ facial features and fur textures. Plus, the instructor will spill the catnip on techniques for capturing a pet’s personality. This class is the cat’s meow for beginners and intermediates alike, so let’s have a howlin’ good time drawing felines! All supplies will be provided.

Get ready for a paws-itively stress-free drawing class where you’ll learn the basics of using colored charcoal pencils to draw different dog breeds’ facial features and fur textures. Plus, the instructor will spill the treats on techniques for capturing a pet’s personality. Class is structured for beginning to intermediate levels, so don’t worry if you think your art skills are a little “ruff”. Let’s have a doggone good time drawing fur babies! All supplies will be provided.

Ever wanted to learn Spanish but didn’t know where to start? Join us for a stress-free introduction to one of the world’s most spoken languages. We start with the alphabet and move quickly to real-world topics like food, travel, and meeting new people. Go from your first "Mucho gusto" to your first real conversation! 

Say hello to summer with a fun boho fabric garland to brighten up your space made just for you by you! Choose from a crisp white/neutral, blue/aqua, or yellow/orange color palette. You will choose your fabric and trim and create a 6-foot-long fabric garland for use as interior home or bedroom decor against walls, draped from the ceiling, over windows or doorways. Use outside for whimsical patio/porch or garden decor or kids' play areas. Extra supplies will be available if time permits the opportunity to create more than one garland during this class. These garlands can also be used to decorate for special occasions such as holidays, parties or wedding or baby showers and are a great alternative to disposable paper décor. No sewing involved.

Say hello to summer with a fun boho fabric garland to brighten up your space made just for you by you! Choose from a crisp white/neutral, blue/aqua, or yellow/orange color palette. You will choose your fabric and trim and create a 6-foot-long fabric garland for use as interior home or bedroom decor against walls, draped from the ceiling, over windows or doorways. Use outside for whimsical patio/porch or garden decor or kids' play areas. Extra supplies will be available if time permits the opportunity to create more than one garland during this class. These garlands can also be used to decorate for special occasions such as holidays, parties or wedding or baby showers and are a great alternative to disposable paper décor. No sewing involved.

Capture the warmth and glow of an August morning in this uplifting acrylic painting class. In Sunflower Sunrise, students will create a vibrant field of golden sunflowers stretching toward a glowing sunrise sky. With simple, approachable techniques, you’ll learn how to blend a radiant sky, build depth in a field of flowers, and add light-filled highlights to foreground flowers. A sketch will be supplied for inspiration. This is a 2-hour class. For those who need a little extra time, you'll have up to an additional hour to finish your masterpiece, extending the workshop to a total of three hours.

Capture the warmth and brilliance of summer in this two-session acrylic painting class featuring three radiant sunflowers arranged in a glass vase. Designed for beginners and developing painters alike, this course guides students step-by-step through building a successful still life painting.

A peaceful Texas field stretches beneath a wide sky, dotted with sweeping clusters of iconic bluebonnets in full bloom. A classic metal windmill rises gently from the meadow, its silhouette catching the light as it stands against soft clouds drifting across a pale blue sky. Loose brushwork and layered color keep the painting relaxed and expressive rather than overly detailed—perfect for adult painters of all skill levels. This is a 2-hour class. For those who need a little extra time, you'll have up to an additional hour to finish your masterpiece, extending the workshop to a total of three hours.

Paint loose wildflowers on your own stemless wine glass. Enamel paints bring bright colors to flower stems growing from the base of the glass. You’ll receive curing and care instructions at the end of class. This is a 2-hour class. For those who need a little extra time, you'll have up to an additional hour to finish your masterpiece, extending the workshop to a total of three hours. Note: doesn’t have to be a stemless glass, could be a tea glass or juice glass.

This class is a continuation of the Basics of Playing the Button Accordion, Level 1. In this session, students will advance to following basic music sheets with scales already learned and will be able to play easy songs while accompanied by a Bajo Sexto, played by the instructor.

Students must have their own button accordion in the key of GCF. Prerequisite for the class is the completion of Beginning Button Accordion Level 1. Ages 15+ welcome. Rentals are available at Alamo Music Center, contact Gary Smith (gary.smith@alamomusic.com or 210-538-9421) for pricing.