fine art class SCHEDULE
Please contact the instructor directly for class information, registration and fees.
Desert Art Center offers a weekly class schedule in a wide variety of mediums. You will be challenged to grow as an artist with Fine Art classes taught by the area’s top award winning professionals. Covid safety protocols are in place and class size limited to maintain appropriate distancing.
Contact the instructor of the class of your choice for registration, materials list, and further information.
Weekly Class Roster | September - May
MONDAYS
JESSICA SCHIFFMAN: DRAWING BASICS | AUDITORIUM 9am – 12pm
Jessica’s class provides a wonderful grounding in the fundamentals of drawing, with emphasis on form, perspective, light and shadow. All levels are welcome – from seasoned artists who wish to hone their drawing skills to beginners trying drawing for the first time, Jessica works closely with her students to provide guidance and encouragement.
Jessica Schiffman has been a working artist for more than twenty-five years. In addition to creating hundreds of paintings, she has illustrated many books for children and painted murals in the Palm Springs area. She has taught art classes and workshops for over fifteen years. She holds a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute.
contact Jessica:
jscaschiffman@gmail.com,
951-212-3783.
$120 for 4 classes. $35 for 1 class.
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IAN COOKE: WATERCOLOR | AUDITORIUM 1pm – 4pm
Ian welcomes beginners as well as those wishing to improve their watercolor techniques. He will have weekly projects for students. Painting from your own photos also fine. Ian is an award-winning artist.
$120 for 4 classes. $35 for 1 class.
Contact Ian for place availability and to receive the materials lists.
(760) 408-3313 or iancooke49@gmail.com
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TUESDAYS
OIL PAINTING WITH ELAINE MATHEWS & BRUCE WEBER | AUDITORIUM, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Elaine and Bruce are award-winning plein air painters. Classes are for students of all levels who wish to learn more about desert landscape painting.

$35/per class, $120 for 4.
To register: bgw1187@gmail.com
JULIANNA POLDI: ABSTRACT PAINTING MASTERCLASS | AUDITORIUM, 1 pm – 4 pm
Julianna Poldi’s Abstract Painting class returns to DAC with an exciting new direction: spotlighting master abstract artists, examining their focus, technique, and impact on the art world, and encouraging students to apply those principles.
COST: $40 per class or $160 in advance
SUPPLIES LIST WILL BE PROVIDED
CONTACT INSTRUCTOR
text: 505-603-2658, or email: juliannapoldi@gmail.com
September 13, 20, 27 : FOUNDATION IN ABSTRACT PAINTING. Learn the method developed and used by students of Julianna Poldi. Students will begin study on professional paper and acrylics. The purpose of this course is to build a solid foundation for advanced master classes regardless of previous experience. Students of all levels gain from this foundation class, not only for beginners. Contact instructor for supply list. A kit is available for purchase with guide book. Abstractpainterscoach.com
MASTER CLASS will be an exploration into the lives and styes of the following painters and sometimes also their partners. Emphasis will be on developing new perspectives and ways of working, not to copy, but to borrow from, and expand.
Students have the option to work at their own pace and are encouraged and supported to develop their own creative voice.
Please inquire for more information.
October: 4,11,18,25: GILOT and PICASSO
November: 1, 8,15, 29: KADINSKY and Bauhaus
December: FRANKENTHALER and MOTHERWELL
January : KRASNER and POLLOCK
February: NEWMAN and MITCHELL
March : DE KOONINGS
April: TWOMBLY
May: KLINE
“Painting engages movement, imagination, and intuition. It transforms the inner world into an outer reality – making the invisible visible through touch. Nature’s intelligence inspires me.”
Poldi holds a MFA degree in Arts and Consciousness from the School of Holistic Studies at John F. Kennedy University, Berkeley, California.

WEDNESDAYS
ROBERT ROGERS: HANDBUILDING AND CERAMICS | AUDITORIUM 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.
You will be shown basic to advanced techniques in slab building and 3 dimensional clay modelling, as well as the use of different clays, glazes and other finishes.
$35 per class, $130 – 4, plus clay and firing fees.
Contact Robert for place availability and to receive materials lists.
(760) 778-1880 or robpsoro33@aol.com
MICHAEL SIMOLLARI: WHEEL CERAMICS | 1pm – 4pm noon – Clay Room
Learn the process of clay throwing on the wheel through trimming, glazing, firing
$175 / 4 classes; plus clay and firing fees
msimollari@mac.com
MOIRA JOHANNESSON: WATERCOLOR | AUDITORIUM, 1 pm – 4 pm
Moira’s classes are well attended, so call for reservations. She has won many awards in local and national shows. She teaches the different techniques of watercolor to students from beginner to intermediate.
$100 for 4, $30 for 1. (760) 322-2523
(760)322-2523
THURSDAYS
DON DIETZ: STAINED GLASS/FUSED GLASS | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (at Don’s Studio)
Don is a retired teacher with an MA in Vocational Education. He has been making stained glass for 12 years. Students learn glass selection, pattern transfer, cutting, grinding, foiling, soldering and finishing. Students will complete a basic project.
$30 per class.
Contact Don for place availability and to receive the materials lists.
(414) 722-7931 or donald.dietz1@gmail.com
MOIRA JOHANNESSON: WATERCOLOR | AUDITORIUM, 1 pm – 4 pm
Moira’s classes are well attended, so call for reservations. She has won many awards in local and national shows. She teaches the different techniques of watercolor to students from beginner to intermediate.
$100 for 4, $30 for 1. (760) 322-2523
(760)322-2523
FRIDAYS
DAVID WOLFRAM: A PASSION FOR PASTEL | AUDITORIUM, 9am – 12:00 pm
This class is for any artist who would like to learn more about working in the exciting and fast growing medium of Soft Pastels. Attendees will be learn several ways of working from start to finish, on different surfaces, to create vibrant pastel paintings. Classes will include some demonstrations, and lots of one on one instruction. Topics covered will be: materials, various types of underpainting, mark making, and framing.
There will be a supply list, and some items will be supplied.
6 session series starting February 10th
$240 for series
Contact and registration:
DAVID FAIRRINGTON: OIL & ACRYLIC PAINTING | STUDIO GALLERY 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.
David has an extensive background in painting and drawing. He has painted over 500 personal portraits, ballet subjects and he was a Combat Artist for the US Army. He will emphasize drawing, values, color and edges.
$40 per class.
Contact David for place availability and to receive the materials lists.
davidfairrington.com (951) 966-6800 or fairrington@verizon.net
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OIL AND ACRYLICSTUDIO GALLERY
ROBERT ROGERS: HANDBUILDING AND CERAMICS | AUDITORIUM 1:00 Pm – 4:00 pm.
You will be shown basic to advanced techniques in slab building and 3 dimensional clay modelling, as well as the use of different clays, glazes and other finishes.
$35 per class, $130 – 4, plus clay and firing fees.
Contact Robert for place availability and to receive materials lists.
(760) 778-1880 or robpsoro33@aol.com
SATURDAYS
DON DIETZ: STAINED GLASS/FUSED GLASS | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (at Don’s Studio)
Don is a retired teacher with an MA in Vocational Education. He has been making stained glass for 12 years. Students learn glass selection, pattern transfer, cutting, grinding, foiling, soldering and finishing. Students will complete a basic project.
$30 per class.
Contact Don for place availability and to receive the materials lists.
(414) 722-7931 or donald.dietz1@gmail.com
SUNDAYS
ALANE LEVINSOHN: LIFE DRAWING | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Alane Levinsohn is an award-winning figurative artist. Educated at California College of the Arts, The Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Brussels and studied with various contemporary artists. She shows locally and in the Hi-Desert and has also had work exhibited throughout Southern California and also Chicago. She was featured in American Art Collector magazine.
This class will be available to all levels of drawing from beginning through advanced, emphasizing classical drawing methods. We will work with a live model to study the nude or draped figure. We’ll learn form and anatomy as related to the figure.
All mediums are welcome – be sure to bring your own drawing board and art materials. Easels will be provided.

Sundays 9-12
$35 class fee + $10 model fee
Contact Alane Levinsohn to enroll.
Email: alanelevinsohn@gmail.com
Weekends at DAC are reserved for 1 – 2 day workshops in a variety of media.
Check our workshops schedule to see what interests you!