ARS Gallery is once again offering fall classes in The Benton Harbor Arts District.
Anna Russo-Sieber, Gallery Studio Classes, is offering a wide range of educational classes this fall season, covering life-style classes as well as adult, young adult and children’s art classes.
This is the gallery’s second fall season, and the classes have grown in interest and subject matter.
The gallery is also offering a wide array of art classes for adults and children of all ages. The goal is to make learning fun and offer diversity in education, covering much more than the basics.
The classes range from Italian 101 and 102 to mosaic, as well photography and furniture painting, to covering the basics of art for children. Classes begin the third week of September and run through the end of November.

Lifestyle classes

The End of Summer … A Celebration with Food & Wine with Donna Moynihan
Friday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30, $30

An “Art of Entertaining” class, focusing on farm to fork foods and wine pairing, as well as the aesthetics of table in this celebration of food and wine.

Pinot & Pastel (A wine education and painting class) with Victoria Buckley and Susan Henshaw
Wednesday, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Sept. 21 and 28, Oct. 12 and 19, $95

Sign up for these separately, and enjoy just the pastel or just the wine: wine $40, pastel $65
Students will get an hour of wine education with lots of information, and an hour and a half of basic pastel painting.  This class is proven to be fun and educational, and walk away with a new knowledge of both and a stunning piece of handcrafted art.

Wine Education Class with White Pines Winery hosted by Dave Muellen
Thursday, 6 to 7 p.m., Sept. 22 and 29, $30

White Pines Winery will be visiting the gallery and bringing a wealth of knowledge and educating about its wine offerings. Students will learn about the basics of wine and from growing grapes to storage and preservation.

Italian 101 with Lucia Liano
Tuesday, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Sept. 20 to Nov. 8, $95

Learn basic Italian and how to communicate and understand this beautiful language.

Italian 102 with Lucia Liano
Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sept. 20 to Nov. 8, $95

This class is for someone who speaks some Italian, or has taken a prior class. For the more advanced student.

Philosophy of Art “From Introducing Books … A Guide to Different Thinkers” with Josh Mason
Tuesday, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Oct. 4 to Nov. 8, $60

Join Mason is in the gallery to reflect on the meaning of life, love, art and work, among other life’s big questions. Listen to readings given by an instructor and have an opportunity to purchase a book from the “Introducing Philosophy” series.

Art education classes

Re-cycle, Re-purpose, Re-use (A furniture refinishing/interior design class) with Donna Moynihan
Wednesday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Sept. 21 to Oct. 19, $105

Students will follow the lead of Moynihan, a former interior designer, as she guides them through the steps of re-purposing your piece of furniture. Whether it is an antique, or a newer piece, you will learn how to create a stunning look to plug into your home. Class will cover aesthetics of furniture placement, colors and textures used to create a beautifully pulled together room.

Photography 101 with TBA, $105
Tuesday, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Sept. 20 to Nov. 8

This class will cover the basic foundation of photography, as the instructor leads students through the fundamental s and use of the camera. Students will also learn about various lenses and when to use them, as well as the art of black and white photography, and ideas on how to capture that perfect photo moment. This class will cover both digital and 35-millimeter cameras.

Mosaic on Board with Toni Smith
Thursday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 6 to Nov. 10, $120

Students will work in this age-old medium experimenting with small scale sculpture while working in mosaics on board. The instructor will cover the basic foundation of mosaics so students are prepared for anything from that point on, while developing their own style. There are several options in materials, which will give a world of choices in color, texture and creating a design line all their own. Students will walk away with a stunning relief masterpiece. Sign-up early; this class always fills fast.

The Art of Faux Painting with Susan Henshaw
Wednesday, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Oct. 12 to Nov. 16, $105

Have you been inspired by that faux accent piece you saw in House Beautiful or Elle Decor? Well, here is your chance to create your own. Whether you are bringing in a favorite piece of small furniture, using a found piece of interesting wood, picture frame, chair or box, it will become a much more exciting piece when painted with an interesting finish. Henshaw will teach techniques in faux leather, vinegar painting and lapis lazuli.

Art classes for young adults and children

Mosaic Creations with Toni Smith
Tuesday, Oct. 6 to Nov. 10, 4:30 to 6 p.m., 8 to 12 years old, $85

Students will learn the process of creating a relief piece of art, while working on composition, color and aesthetics, as well as tile cutting and working in concrete. A focus on creating your own style, developing new skills and walking away with a masterpiece are key goals. Students will also hear a bit of the history of mosaics in this very fun, creative class.

Fall into Clay with Anna Russo-Sieber & Assistant
Wednesday, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Oct. 5 to Nov. 9, 7 to 12 years old, $85

Students will learn basic hand-building techniques while creating functional/utilitarian pieces as well as sculptural non-functional works of art. Students will explore different glazes and techniques in application as we explore the world of clay. All pieces will be glazed, fired and ready to take home.

Installation/Art Merchandising (using mix media to create visual merchandising) with Josh Mason
Tuesday, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Oct. 4 to Nov. 8, 13 to 16 years old, $75

Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol created their art, and even window displays. Students will create their own installation, a.k.a. visual merchandising, which is a combination of environment and product (art) to fill a space with an engaging display or artistic creation.

Covering the Bases in Art with TBA
Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon, Oct. 1 to Nov. 5, 13 to 16 years old, $90

This class is for the more serious artist who likes it all. This course will cover everything from printmaking to sculpture, painting on canvas to mixed media, clay and so much more. Students will learn some of the fundamentals and elements of art as they explore authentic art materials and create beyond their usual boundaries.

Preschool Art … Covering the Basics with TBA
Tuesday, 10 to 11:15 a.m., Oct. 4 to Nov. 8, 4 to 6 years old, $65

Preschoolers will focus on authentic materials and their basic functions. Cutting, tracing and assembling skills will be developed as we create stunning works of art in this fun and educational class.

Italian for Kids with Lucia Liano
Tuesday, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Oct. 4 to Nov. 22, 9 to 12 years old, $95

Students will learn the basics of the Italian language in this class, from the alphabet to proper pronunciation and communication.

Private Lessons
Painting and drawing at the gallery for adults and children;$25 an hour for private; $12.50 for semi-private.
For more information and a full class calendar, visit annarussoart.com.