YAM adult art classes are designed for everyone from beginners to artists who want to hone their skills. Every class is taught by a professional artist who is eager to share their creative process and techniques. These museum-based classes are perfect for lifelong learners and creative members of our community. All adult art classes are available for OPI credits.

YAM Museum Members receive 20% off all adult education courses.

YAM University with Dr. Patricia Vettel-Becker
When: Tuesdays, February 11, February 25, March 11, & March 25 | 4 – 5:30 PM
Cost: $75 (for all four sessions)
This class is full. You can join the waiting list through the registration link.

Join Dr. Patricia Vettel-Becker, Professor Emerita of Art History at Montana State University Billings, for a series of four interactive, skill-building classes that will deepen your understanding of modern and contemporary art.

The Art of Looking on February 11
When faced with never-before-seen art, do you rely on wall labels and curatorial statements to explain what you’re seeing? This class will help you walk into any art gallery or museum and begin interpreting and analyzing works of art based on your own eye and lived experience.

Modernism & Postmodernism on February 25
Have you ever wondered what is meant by a modern versus a postmodern work of art? This class will provide an overview of modernist aesthetics and philosophies, then examine the postmodernist critique of modernism that began to emerge in the 1960s.

Understanding Contemporary Art on March 11
Are you often confused about contemporary works of art, even unsure why they are considered “art”? This class will explore modes of artmaking and themes that have dominated the art world since 1970. Topics include the rise of performance art, installation, and video as preferred media; the ascendancy of conceptualism; and the impact of social movements and globalization on the visual arts.

Contemporary Art in Montana on March 25
This class will continue to examine modes and themes in contemporary art, focusing exclusively on Montana artists.

Art Quilts with Maggy Rozycki Hiltner (Only a couple spots left!)
When: Saturday, February 22 | 10 AM – 4 PM (Note: this class was originally on February 15 and has been rescheduled.)
Cost: $65

In this workshop led by Art Auction artist Maggy Rozycki Hiltner, participants will make small art quilts using fusible adhesive, cotton, and found materials. Students will create in response to the materials at hand rather than a set pattern. Construction and basic decorative stitches will be covered. All materials are provided and no sewing skills required. All participants are encouraged to bring a few pieces of their own fabrics, quilt fragments, or embroidery to use in their artworks.

The Art of Woodworking — Marquetry
When: Saturday, March 22 | 10 AM – 4 PM
Cost: $65

Marquetry is the art of creating pictures and decorative designs skillfully using the grain, figure, and color in thin wood veneers. Once the basic techniques are learned, you will start seeing the entire woodworking world as a canvas. In this one-day introduction to basic marquetry class, you will take and ordinary piece of veneer, a simple image, and select pieces of contrasting and colored veneer. Using the simple “packet method” of cutting with a fret saw, you will produce an image that can be applied to a substrate and used in several ways.

Art Journaling at Tippet Rise
When: Saturday, May 10 | 10 AM – 3 PM
Cost: $20 Supply Fee

Welcome warm weather back to Montana with an inspiring and invigorating art journaling class at Tippet Rise. Enjoy the many beautiful views of nature and sculpture as you are led in creative exercises by Huntley artist Katherine Jore. Whether you are experienced in art journaling or have never heard of it, you will have fun. Katherine will give ideas for creating beautiful pages, as well as ideas for adding texture and layer to pages. Join us in interpreting the Tippet Rise landscapes using your unique creative voice.

Urban Sketching & Sketch Booking Symposium
When: Saturday, May 17 | 10 AM – 4 PM
Cost: Free!

Mark your calendars for this year’s Urban Sketching and Sketch Booking Symposium! Sharpen your pencils and join artists from The Billings Arts Association and Billing’s own Urban Sketchers for a day of FREE pop-up workshops and on-site demos at the Museum. Learn the basic framework of urban sketching and keeping a sketchbook, and discover the tools used to create on the fly. Jump into the world of rendering perspective, then study color and layout with the artists to help tell your story in a fresh new way. Other workshops include Nature Journaling, Travel Journaling, and Art Journaling. The skills you learn are useful for any creative journaling practice.

New this year! Special Creative Journaling Workshop with Stan Fellows (by registration only)

Please join us in welcoming visiting artist Stan Fellows to Billings for this special two-day symposium workshop. We will meet from 1 – 4 PM on Saturday (5/17) and then again from 10 AM – 1 PM on Sunday (5/18). Come discover a new and unique approach to using watercolor. This class is accessible to non-artists and inspiring to experienced painters.

Cancellation Policy

Classes will be cancelled two weeks prior to the scheduled date if enrollment is insufficient. Your enrollment cost will be refunded fully.  Please enroll before then to avoid cancellations.

After registering, if you cannot attend a class, you must cancel a full TWO WEEKS before the class, or your money will not be refunded.

For more information contact:
Marilu Metherell, Adult Education Coordinator
406.256.6804 x250
adulted@artmuseum.org

This monthly program is an important way for people living with early-stage cognitive impairment, including those living with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, and their care partners to connect with others at the YAM. Promoting connection, interaction, and companionship through viewing and discussing artwork and creating art in the studio. The bonds formed at these programs often last throughout the duration of the disease, creating additional support for all involved.

When: Every 3rd Friday | 10:30 AM – 12 PM
Cost: Free

Registration in advance is required. Call 800.272.3900 or email montana@alz.org to register.

January 17, 2025
February 21, 2025
March 21, 2025
April 18, 2025
May 16, 2025

For more information please contact
Alzheimer’s Association

800.272.3900
montana@alz.org

For additional support please contact the Alzheimer’s Association’s free, 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900 to speak with information specialists and care consultants.