SFF Presents offers spring classes at Sisters Art Works

SFF Presents has announced two adult art and music classes at Sisters Art Works beginning in April. First up is an all-day painting class with renowned local painter, Paul Alan Bennett on Saturday, April 26, followed by a 6-week bluegrass workshop with Joe Schulte every Wednesday evening from April 30 – June 4. Registration is now open for both classes at https://www.sffpresents.org/workshops-and-classes.

In “Learn to Paint with Paul Alan Bennett,” participants will work with water-based tempera paints on a 3′ x 3′ sheet of tar paper, selected because its surface takes the paint very well. Class will begin by participating in a guided pencil drawing to cover the basics of composition and expression. Bennett will cover techniques on color mixing and working with a brush before setting students loose to complete at least two paintings. To conclude the day, the class will gather to discuss their processes and share their work.

Paul Alan Bennett attended the Maryland Institute of Art and lived in Greece for 6 years where he taught art and got a master’s degree in Greek History with an emphasis on Greek Art. He’s published three collections of his work, including “HUG,” “Night Skies,” and “Pandemic Portraits.” He has created backdrops for five productions for Bend Opera and is currently working on a sixth! By his own estimate, Paul has taught this kind of painting to more than 25,000 students over the years.

Students should come dressed to paint and move around. The class will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the JAM studio on the second floor of the Sisters Art Works building. All supplies and lunch will be provided, with gluten-free and vegan options available. Class registration is limited to 10 people. Participants must be 18 or older to enroll; no experience necessary.

In “Jam-Ready Bluegrass: A 6-Week Music Workshop,” instruction will focus on song arrangement, jam awareness and “bluegrass etiquette.” Participants will learn how to take traditional bluegrass tunes commonly found in jam circles and bring them to life by finding the right key(s) to play them in, construct intros, outros and apply other interesting arrangement ideas. Students will improve their ability and confidence in jamming and learn to take their favorite song and turn it into a tune they could bring to any jam to lead.

This is a beginner/intermediate class open to 20 pickers. Participants must be 18 or older to enroll and should have a solid ability to strum and switch between the basic and common chords on their chosen instrument. Bass, cello or fiddle players must be able to identify some common notes and to play at least one basic scale or simple melodies.

Recommended tuition for each course is $150/person and SFF Presents is offering a pay what you can pricing model to help eliminate financial barriers. Classes will take place in the upstairs JAM Studio or Suite 101 of Sisters Art Works. For more information visit https://www.sffpresents.org/

This story is based on submitted information and has not been verified by our news team.

This article appears in The Source Weekly March 20, 2025.