ADULT CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
At the Chester Art Centre, we give you the opportunity to make art, get messy, have fun and put some colour in your life! We provide opportunities to learn about art, art history, theory, and the practical application of various mediums. Scroll to view this season's workshops.
Find Your Expressive Voice Drawing Course
Starting April 18th, 2026 1 - 4pm
Location: The Captain's House, 33 Central St, Chester
Join artist Beth Lenco for a 4 week class on developing artistic style and technique through drawing media. Through a series of instructional classes you will learn basic drawing and watercolour principles and methods to enhance your artistic practice. Each class will focus on a separate experience to stimulate creative ideas:
-Landscape and Nature Journalling
-Portrait and Figurative
-Botanical
-Abstract and Mixed Media
-Classic drawing exercises and colour theory
Drawing is a practice, it takes time, patience, and study. But it can also be fun and full of play if approached with curiosity and an open heart. In this way drawing can be deeply rewarding and healing as it engages the creative/intuitive parts of the brain and helps to calm and relax the nervous system. In this age of tech burnout and media addiction it is a welcome alternative to go out into our world, put pencil to paper, and draw what we see. Eyes wide open!
Pattern Play - 6 Week Ceramics Course
Starting April 22nd, 2026 10am - 2pm
Location: 117 Nova Scotia Trunk 14, Chester, NS
Explore pattern, texture, and form in clay 🎨
Join local ceramic artist Teresa Bergen for a hands-on course where you’ll learn about many ways to play with clay surface. We’ll do a little glaze chemistry, try printing with slips, pressing designs into clay, and painting with underglaze. We’ll spend two weeks trying out different surface techniques, then build a larger piece and put the glaze testing to work!
At Chester Art Centre, we’re here to make creativity accessible. No advanced experience needed—just curiosity and a willingness to learn.
This is a 6 week course that starts on Wednesday April 22nd, and finishes on Wednesday May 27th. Each Wednesday the classes run from 10am-2pm, and will be located at her studio at 117 Highway 14 in Chester. Feel free to bring water/snacks. All materials are provided in the price of your purchase.
A waiver to participate in this off site workshop must be signed prior to taking part in the classes. These can be signed here at CAC or with Teresa at the beginning of the first class.
Mother's Day Pressed Flower Workshop
Starting April 18th, 2026 1 - 4pm
Location: Chester Art Centre, 60 Queen St, Chester
Join us on Saturday April 18th at 4pm to create a personalized gift for your Mom with pressed flowers. The perfect Mother's Day present made by you for that special person in your life.
Sasha Sheppard has lead many popular workshops here at CAC, and this one is sure to be a hit. Come and create a framed pressed flower arrangement for your mom (or yourself) this spring!
- Materials included in the cost of the workshop.
Floral Watercolour Class
May 24th, 2026 1 - 4pm
Location: The Captain's House, 33 Central St, Chester
Join artist Beth Lenco for a floral watercolour class in partnership with the Chester Art Centre 🎨. Explore colour, light, and simple techniques that help you see your everyday surroundings in a new way.
Embrace this opportunity to create and express. We look forward to welcoming you to an afternoon of artistry and inspiration. 🎨
Your registration supports our mission to keep arts learning accessible in Chester. All levels are welcome—whether you’re picking up a brush for the first time or returning to a familiar practice.
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Sketch by Sketch with Emma Fitzgerald
July 17-19th from 10am to 3pm
Location: The Captain's House, 33 Central St, Chester
Join acclaimed author/illustrator Emma FitzGerald (Hand Drawn Halifax and Sketch by Sketch Along Nova Scotia's South Shore) for a 3 day immersion in sketching on location in the beautiful town of Chester. Learn her strategies for letting go of negative thoughts when drawing, working quickly using pen and watercolours in a non-nonjudgmental setting. Both skilled and beginner levels welcome.
The workshop will run: July 17-19th from 10am to 3pm with an hour long lunch break each day. The workshop will be stationed out of the Captain's House in Chester at 33 Central St.
Please note that a significant portion of this workshop takes place outside and on foot, so be prepared to dress for the weather.
Supply list (Subject to change - We will email out ahead of workshop with any changes):
- a sketchbook (easy to carry)
- black fine liner pen
- small travelling watercolour paint kit, with at least the three primary colours (red, yellow, blue)
- container for water (small jar with lid)
- a thin (fine tip), medium (flat tip) and large watercolour brush
- small jar for water
- not necessary, but you might find this useful; a brush that also carries water;
- a cloth / some paper towel for cleaning brushes while out and about
Sat, Oct 11Captain's House WorkspaceDo you love to draw? Do you love Graphic Novels? If so, read on!
Thu, Oct 02ChesterCelebrate the season with a beautiful, sustainable fall craft. In this hands-on session, you’ll create a one-of-a-kind botanical pumpkin decorated with pressed flowers, ferns, herbs, and foliage—perfect as a centerpiece for your autumn and holiday décor.
Sun, Sep 28ChesterJoin artist and teacher Beth Lenco for a relaxing afternoon of flower drawing and watercolour. This mini artist retreat is all about slowing down, enjoying the process, and rediscovering the joy of seeing.
Sat, Sep 27Captain's House GalleryJoin textile artist Elise Campbell for a fun morning of felting!
Multiple DatesWed, Aug 27ChesterSummer is here, and we have a slate of youth art classes available throughout the season! We are excited to partner with the Zoe Valle Library this year in their newly restored building on Regent st. All of our youth classes will now be held there starting in July.
Sat, Aug 02ChesterPainting with Flowers Workshop with Sasha Sheppard Duration: 2 Hours Join us for a hands-on creative workshop exploring the art of flower pressing and botanical collage
Multiple DatesWed, Jul 30ChesterSummer is here, and we have a slate of youth art classes available throughout the season! We are excited to partner with the Zoe Valle Library this year in their newly restored building on Regent st. All of our youth classes will now be held there starting in July.
Sun, Jul 20ChesterSeaweed Pressing & Artwork Workshop with Sasha Sheppard Duration: 2 Hours. Discover the magic of seaweed as both a natural wonder and an artistic medium in this hands-on creative workshop.
Fri, Jul 11ChesterJoin acclaimed author/illustrator Emma FitzGerald (Hand Drawn Halifax and Sketch by Sketch Along Nova Scotia's South Shore) for a 3 day immersion in sketching on location in the beautiful town of Chester.
Sat, May 31ChesterAre you looking for a fun night with friends? Do you like pizza? Join us on May 31st at 6pm for our pizza & paint night!
Sat, Apr 12ChesterSpring is coming! As we gaze out at our gardens in anticipation of blooms to come, we may realise that it needs a little work to pull it all together. Join us in this practical two-hour garden workshop to 'problem solve' for the season ahead.
Multiple DatesSat, Apr 12ChesterFeeling stuck? Need a boost to start or finish your project? Get writing! A practical workshop for writers of anything with Jan Fancy Hull & Patricia Thomas. Saturday, April 5th & Saturday, April 12th, 2025 at 9am-12pm.
Multiple DatesThu, Apr 10HubbardsCreative Seniors is an eight week art program for seniors age 55+. The program is suitable for all skill levels, even complete beginners! Our program provides a laid-back and inclusive space to dive into art. Thursdays from 10-11:30am from February 20th- April 10 at the Blandford Community Centre.
Mon, Mar 10ChesterJoin us for an exciting week of creativity and exploration at our March Break Camp, led by the talented Mandai Mohan! From March 10th to 14th, 2025, children aged 7-12 will have the chance to dive into a wide range of materials and techniques, fostering their artistic skills and imagination.
Sat, Feb 08Chester Art CentreThe workshop will begin with a crash course on flower pressing techniques including how you can build your own press. You will learn the tricks and secrets of successful flower pressing and storing pressed flowers and then use these techniques to create your own 8x10in, botanical collage.
Multiple DatesSun, Feb 02ChesterJoin us weekly for an all-ages afternoon of art, creativity and fun! All materials are provided and projects are for all skill levels. No registration required, just drop by 60 Queen Street, Chester, anytime between 1 and 3pm.
Coastal Landscape with Black Ink with Lorna Mulligan
This weekend workshop (August 29&30) will give an introduction to black ink in all its glory! Ink can be so versatile, from delicate lines and washes to bold, assertive shapes, textures and descriptive passages. Ink painting lends itself to both a poetic interpretation and emotional appeal. It is a medium that connects us to the landscape in very immediate ways.
Black ink can indeed be a daunting medium, a bit unforgiving even - but it is oh so magical! This introduction to working with ink in our paintings will build confidence and allow participants to free-up their sketching and painting techniques. We’ll do some plein-air work each day, and will be in the studio for experimental studies, creative explorations and critique/sharing. We’ll go through lots of paper (different sizes and types of paper) and black ink. Participants will also paint in their choice of either watercolour or acrylics.
There’s the possibility that we might get ourselves a bit inky, so be prepared and dress accordingly! It will be fun.
Workshop includes:
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Plein-air sketching (different tools and inks) with watercolour or other portable medium
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In-studio tips for landscape elements
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Abstract brushwork exercises (mark making, textures, interpretations, gestural movement)
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Composition studies (Asian art influence)'
This is a two day workshop, and will be held at the Chester Legion. Just up the street from CAC.