Creative Arts courses - Central Oregon Community College

ART 143: Scientific Illustration - Basic Techniques

Learn the basic techniques to visually interpret scientific principles. Attention to the tools and skills essential for creating accurate and effective scientific illustrations. Emphasis on keen observational skills and communicating accurate information using a variety of media. This is a non-credit Community Education class. You will not receive college credit.

June 24, 2025 to August 28, 2025 | 1:00pm-3:50pm PDT | Bend

ART 181: Beginning Painting

Introduces materials and techniques of painting, using alkyd oil, acrylic, and/or water-soluble oil paints. Provides essential painting skills such as building canvas supports, stretching canvas, and preparing painting grounds. Subject matter for paintings will vary. This is a non-credit Community Education class. You will not receive college credit.

June 23, 2025 to August 27, 2025 | 1:00pm-3:50pm PDT | Bend

ART 184: Beginning Watercolor

This course explores the unique qualities of watercolor as a painting medium. Emphasizes fundamental skills, color, and composition while painting from a variety of subjects. This is a non-credit Community Education class. You will not receive college credit.

June 24, 2025 to August 28, 2025 | 9:00am-11:50am PDT | Bend

Beginning Ballet

Embrace the world of ballet with experienced dance instructor Hilary Crockett. This beginning ballet class is suitable for the absolute beginner as well as those with more experience who wish to improve their dance conditioning. Practice proper warm-up techniques and center work using a chair as your barre. Learn ballet terminology while increasing flexibility, strength, and coordination in an encouraging environment.

April 17, 2025 to May 15, 2025 | 6:15pm-7:15pm PDT | Bend

Beginning Leatherworking: Cuff Bracelet and Keychain or Earring

Learn the art of leatherworking at this one-day workshop! You will be able to make two projects: a Cuff Bracelet and choose between a key chain or earrings. Learn how to design, stamp, and paint your leather projects. At the end of the class, you will know the best ways to effectively stamp leather using leather tools, what paints to use to make your designs stand out, how to finish the leather, and how to set rivets. All materials & supplies will be available at the class.

Sunday, June 1, 2025 | 1:00pm-4:00pm PDT |

Creative Expression through Art Journaling

Discover the transformative power of art journaling. This immersive, hands-on course is designed for all levels. Whether a seasoned artist, or complete beginner, this course will guide you through the process of combining visual art with written expression to create a personal and reflective journal. Explore a variety of art techniques, materials, and prompts, to tap into your creativity and document your inner journey.

May 2-23, 2025 | 9:00am-1:00pm PDT | Bend

Design Simplified: Mixed Media Collage

This class combines the principles and techniques learned with dimensional objects for exciting three-dimensional design. Bring any meaningful items you may want to include in this personal art piece. If not, materials are available.

Friday, June 6, 2025 | 9:00am-12:30pm PDT | Prineville

Design Simplified: Scribble Art

Relaxing and stress-free scribbles create unique patterns and designs through simple, repetitive strokes. The results are fascinating, complex images. The process is meditative, as it involves repetitive patterns and strokes, which can help in reducing stress and promoting relaxation. There's no pre-planned outcome; the artist lets the patterns evolve organically, fostering a sense of calm and mindfulness. All materials are supplied.

Saturday, May 31, 2025 | 9:00am-12:30pm PDT | Redmond

Figure Drawing Open Lab

Be part of a community of beginning and professional artists as you practice drawing/painting the human figure. This course offers a structured studio environment with nude and clothed models.

April 4, 2025 to May 16, 2025 | 4:15pm-6:15pm PDT | Bend

Introduction to Contemporary Dance

This beginning adult contemporary class will introduce students to the basic skills of contemporary dance technique. Contemporary dance is influenced by the foundations of modern dance and fused with contemporary practices (release technique, GAGA, Countertechnique, etc.). Students will learn the fundamentals of contemporary floor work, traveling steps, and simple choreography. Classical training, Pilates, and yoga are important tools that will be used to help students gain an understanding of healthy alignment. Not only will students learn the basics of contemporary dance, but they will also get a great workout, build strength and flexibility, and most of all have fun!

March 20, 2025 to June 19, 2025 | 10:00am-11:00am PDT | Bend

Introduction to Guitar Online Course

Learn to play any style of music on the guitar, and become the musician you've always wanted to be! This course provides basic guitar skills that you'll build step-by-step with hands-on exercises, audio and video recordings, and detailed instructions to put you well on your way to becoming a skilled player.

Click here to register online through Ed2Go

iPhone Photography Basics

Discover the ins and outs of creating incredible photos with your iPhone. This class will teach you how to use your iPhone camera more effectively using basic composition skills and exposure control. Learn about image editing and apps that can add that extra something to make your images stand out. You'll likely discover things you never knew about your iPhone camera, and be inspired to create images that you'll love!

Monday, May 5, 2025 | 5:00pm-8:00pm PDT | Bend

Mastering Digital Photography: Photographing People Online Course

Become a skilled photographer when it comes to taking beautiful pictures of adults, children, or babies. This course will help you discover the best way to shoot faces, fix common close-up problems, and use digital photo editing techniques to retouch your photos.

Click here to register online through Ed2Go

Metal Arts: Build Your Own Textured Disc Ring

Learn the basics of metalsmithing while making your own disc ring! Metalsmithing techniques for this project include filing, sanding, ring sizing, forming, hammering, finish work, and more. By the end of the class, you will have made a unique disc ring to take home with you! No experience necessary!

Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 10:00am-2:00pm PDT | Bend

Metal Arts: Build Your Own Textured Ring with Gemstone

Learn the basics of metalsmithing while making your own textured ring with a set gemstone! Metalsmithing techniques for this project include filing, sanding, ring sizing, forming, hammering, soldering, finish work, and more. By the end of the class, you will have made a unique textured ring with a set gemstone to take home with you! No experience necessary!

Friday, June 27, 2025 | 10:00am-2:00pm PDT | Bend

Metal Arts: Make a Spinner Ring

Learn the basics of metalsmithing while making your own fidget/spinner ring! Metalsmithing techniques for this project include filing, sanding, ring sizing, forming, hammering, finish work, and more. By the end of the class, you will have made a unique spinner ring to take home with you! No experience necessary!

Friday, July 25, 2025 | 10:00am-2:00pm PDT | Bend

Metal Arts: Make a Stacker Ring

Learn the basics of metalsmithing while making your own initial and textured stacker ring! Metalsmithing techniques for this project include filing, sanding, ring sizing, forming, hammering, finish work, and more. By the end of the class, you will have made a unique spinner ring to take home with you! No experience necessary!

Friday, August 15, 2025 | 10:00am-2:00pm PDT | Bend

Metal Arts: Make Your Own Enamel Pendant and Earrings

Learn the basics of metalsmithing while making your own custom enamel earrings, and matching pendant! Metalsmithing techniques for this project include designing, sawing, filing, sanding, forming, hammering, finish work, and more. By the end of the class, you will have made a unique, custom pendant with a set of matching earrings. No experience necessary!

Friday, June 6, 2025 | 10:00am-2:00pm PDT | Bend

Mini-Art Journal: Cut, Bind, and Design

Unleash your creativity in this hands-on workshop where you'll craft your own mini-art journal from scratch! In this short yet engaging class, you'll learn the basics of paper cutting, simple bookbinding techniques, and cover design to create a unique, pocket-sized journal. Whether you want to use it for sketching, collage, or daily reflections, this DIY journal will be a personal work of art. No prior experience is needed, just bring your creativity, and we'll provide the materials! Additionally, this course will offer a demonstration on selecting various art supplies to pack and use when traveling with your mini-art journal.

Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 9:00am-2:00pm PDT | Bend
Sunday, June 8, 2025 | 9:00am-2:00pm PDT | Bend

Nature Journaling: Seeing, Thinking, and Connecting Through Art

This five-week class welcomes students of all ability levels who want to develop a deeper connection with the natural world through drawing, writing, and observation. Nature journaling is more than making art-it is a way of seeing, thinking, and engaging with the environment through careful attention and curiosity. Using a combination of sketching, ink, watercolor, and annotation, participants will learn to document their observations, ask meaningful questions, and explore connections between art, science, and personal experience.

April 23, 2025 to May 21, 2025 | 9:00am-11:30am PDT | Redmond

Night Star Photography

Experience the creativity and beauty of star photography with professional photographer Brent Bunch! Learn how to do star photography and light painting with a flashlight, how to set up a digital camera in full manual mode to achieve the best star shots, and how to edit star shots in your computer. This class will take place at Prineville Reservoir State Park, which is an International Dark Sky park.

Saturday, May 31, 2025 | 7:00pm-11:00pm PDT | Prineville

Perspective Drawing Simplified: 1

It's fun and easy to learn two-point perspective with this step-by-step method. Perspective gives objects like houses, barns, office building, fences, etc. the appearance of going back in space in two directions which give depth and distance. A pencil is used for this technique which adds realism to your projects. This also teaches the use of measuring exact proportions. Perspective Drawing Simplified series builds on techniques and experience. It is recommended the series be taken in order, but not required.

Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 9:00am-12:30pm PDT | Bend

Perspective Drawing Simplified: 2

It is better to learn one-point perspective after taking Perspective Simplified 1 because it makes the concepts easier to understand. This technique relies more on horizontals, verticals, and different points of view. Pencil or ink techniques will add to the interest of your two finished projects. All skill levels are welcome and all materials are provided. Perspective Drawing Simplified series builds on techniques and experience. It is recommended the series be taken in order, but not required.

Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 9:00am-12:30pm PDT | Bend

Photography 102: File Management and Lightroom Editing

Learn digital photo file management and basic Adobe Lightroom editing skills and techniques. Professional photographer Steve Giardini will teach you how to create a commonsense file management strategy to keep thousands of photo files organized and retrievable. Using Adobe Lightroom software, you will also learn basic photo editing skills to transform acceptable digital photos into stellar images. Students must possess an Adobe Lightroom software subscription or be willing to secure a free 7-day trial subscription. Using a personal laptop computer or tablet with wi-fi capability is recommended. Loaner computers will be available for in-classroom use only. Geared toward beginner and intermediate students.

April 29, 2025 to May 8, 2025 | 5:00pm-7:30pm PDT | Bend

Photography 103: Landscape Composition and Advanced Editing

Join professional outdoor photographer Steve J. Giardini and learn how to create dynamic landscape photographs and edit them like a pro. The course covers photo composition theory and field practice. The course also includes advanced photo file editing techniques and skills. Students must possess an Adobe Lightroom software subscription or be willing to secure a free 7-day trial subscription. An Adobe Photoshop subscription is optional. Using a personal laptop computer or tablet with wi-fi capability is recommended. Loaner computers will be available for in-classroom use only. Geared toward intermediate level students.

May 13-20, 2025 | 5:00pm-7:30pm PDT | Bend

Photography 106: Night Sky-Plan, Prepare, and Execute

Learn how to create dynamic photographs of the night sky, Milky Way, and stars. Professional photographer Steve Giardini will teach you exposure techniques, the planning process, and best editing practices. This course is designed for photography enthusiasts who understand basic camera operations and exposure controls. Students must have the following equipment for this course: digital camera with interchangeable lenses. A wide-angle lens and tripod are essential, and a portable computer or tablet with an Adobe Lightroom or equivalent photo editing software subscription. Contact the instructor if you have questions. The field session will take place near Sparks Lake along the Cascade Highway. To capture night sky photos, the sky must be mostly clear. Since there is no guarantee that the sky will be clear on the scheduled field session night, two alternate nights have been scheduled. Students must self-transport to field session(s).

August 19-26, 2025 | 5:00pm-7:30pm PDT | Bend

Photography 107: Fall Colors and Waterfalls

Discover how to capture beautiful waterfall and autumn color photographs. This course combines classroom theory with two practical field sessions. Professional photographer Steve Giardini will teach you how to create compelling compositions, achieve well-balanced exposures, and apply best-practice editing techniques to enhance your waterfall and Fall color photos Students must have the following equipment for this course: digital camera with interchangeable lenses and a tripod; and a portable computer or tablet with an Adobe Lightroom or equivalent photo editing software subscription. Contact the instructor if you have questions. Students must self-transport to field sessions.

October 14-21, 2025 | 5:00pm-7:30pm PDT | Bend

Photography Jumpstart

Dive in to the world of digital photography. Learn how to capture a beautiful image and use simple photo editing techniques to create a final product. Course includes an overview of basic camera controls as well as post-processing techniques.

Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 9:00am-1:00pm PDT | Madras
Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 9:00am-1:00pm PDT | Redmond

Pottery

Students will learn various techniques of working with clay through demonstrations and specific projects. Those with prior clay experience will review techniques and expand their skill level in both wheel throwing and hand building. Because there is a wide range of skill level and technique focus among students, emphasis will be placed on individual development and one-on-one attention, particularly for beginners. Materials are required for this course.

Pour it on! Discover Acrylic Pouring

Discover the art of skillful adult finger-painting! Acrylic pouring is a method of painting that is brush-free, and uses gravity to spread fluid color on just about any surface. Acrylic pouring is easy, fun, and relaxing when you know what you're doing. By the end of the class, you will have completed 3-4 acrylic pouring paintings of various sizes. Even if you think you're not an artist, this class is for you! All supplies provided, and no experience necessary.

Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 10:00am-1:00pm PDT | Bend

Redmond Community Choir

Redmond Community Choir provides an opportunity for amateur singers to participate in a fun choral singing experience. This non-auditioned ensemble will learn and perform a wide variety of musical styles and genres including classical, pop, sacred, jazz, and spiritual. The course will culminate with a concert performance at the end of the term. All experience levels are welcome. Bring $25 (cash or check) for a music rental fee to the first class session.

Add your name to our Redmond Community Choir Interest List.

Watercolor Simplified 1

Learn the simplicity and the joy of watercolor for all levels of experience. Discover simple techniques to create three small paintings with the use of ink to accent and define shapes. These techniques are easy and fun with step-by-step instructions. All materials are provided. The Watercolor Simplified courses build on technique and experience. It is recommended that the courses be taken in order, but it is not required.

Watercolor Simplified 2

Discover more watercolor techniques in the second class to create texture and depth in your paintings using salt, plastic wrap, spray bottles, and masking fluid. No experience is required for the two projects. Watercolor Simplified series builds on techniques and experience. It is recommended the series be taken in order, but not required.

Friday, May 9, 2025 | 9:00am-12:30pm PDT | Redmond

Watercolor Simplified 3

Using the techniques learned in Watercolor Simplified I and 2, you will discover how value and blending are key elements in giving depth and volume to a finished painting. Students will complete a painting 8x10, 9x12, or 11x15 inches. All materials are provided. The Watercolor Simplified courses build on technique and experience. It is recommended that the courses be taken in order, but it is not required.

Friday, May 16, 2025 | 9:00am-12:30pm PDT | Redmond

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