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Spend three Monday evenings learning encaustic painting with award-winning artist Kristianne Tefft at 5501 Jefferson Ave in Midland. This beginner-focused workshop covers collage, photo transfers, and hot-tool techniques—materials included.
Spend three Monday evenings learning encaustic painting with award-winning artist Kristianne Tefft at 5501 Jefferson Ave in Midland. This beginner-focused workshop covers collage, photo transfers, and hot-tool techniques—materials included.
Book with Creative 360
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Creative 360 · Midland, Michigan
On three consecutive Monday evenings in April, Spring Beginning Encaustic Painting arrives at 5501 Jefferson Ave in Midland, Michigan, offering a hands-on introduction to a craft that blends heat, pigment, and texture into luminous surfaces. Led by award-winning artist Kristianne Tefft, this three-night workshop (April 6, 13, 20; 6:00–8:30 p.m.) teaches encaustic collage, photo transfer methods, and hot-tool techniques. Tuition is $90 plus $40 for materials; classes are limited to 12 students for focused instruction.
The studio pulses with practical energy: small torches, heated palettes, blocks of beeswax, and jars of powdered pigment. Night one lays the foundations of encaustic collage—learning safe wax handling, adhesion, and compositional basics. Night two introduces photo transfers and mixed-media layering, an immediate way to fold personal imagery into translucent wax. The final evening is about control and risk: mastering hot tools, building texture, and making choices that turn experiments into finished panels. Materials are included, so you arrive ready to work and leave with multiple finished pieces.
Encaustic is unusual in a workshop format because it asks you to engage with volatile materials at close quarters; the instructor balances safety and creative freedom. Kristianne Tefft brings exhibition experience and a practical approach, breaking each technique into repeatable steps so beginners leave confident rather than overwhelmed. The small class size and progressive curriculum make this a compact skill-building retreat within a municipal neighborhood.
This course also connects to encaustic’s long history: derived from ancient encaustic processes used by Greek and Egyptian painters, modern encaustics mix archival pigment with beeswax and damar resin for durable, luminous results. That continuity—old materials, contemporary imagery—gives work made here a quiet resonance.
Practical notes: the workshop meets indoors; wear clothes you don’t mind getting dusty with pigment. The location is easy to reach from central Midland and suits travelers who want a creative evening between area outdoor activities. Local makers, photographers, and curious beginners all find a welcoming rhythm in the class.
Why book it? You’ll learn three core encaustic techniques, get guided studio time with an established artist, and walk away with finished art and fresh process skills. For visitors passing through Midland who want a focused, tactile creative experience off the beaten path, this three-night encaustic primer is an efficient, hands-on way to make something uniquely yours. Classes capped at 12 allow personalized feedback, and instructors adapt demonstrations to different learning speeds; the provided materials kit means you don’t have to source specialty wax or pigments. Whether you’re a complete beginner, an experienced maker branching into encaustics, or a visitor seeking a creative evening, this workshop delivers focused technique, immediate results, and professional guidance from Kristianne Tefft—an artist invested in helping students build sustainable studio habits. and confidence.
easy.
2.5 hours (per session).
No particular fitness level required; appropriate for seated studio work and standing table time
Yes — the workshop listing specifies that materials are included; there is an additional $40 materials fee noted in the course description.
Classes are limited to 12 students to allow for focused instruction and individual feedback.
No prior experience is necessary; the course is designed for beginners and progresses through core techniques.
No minimum age is listed in the provided description; contact the organizer if you have questions about youth participation.
Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dusty with pigment and avoid loose sleeves; bring an apron if preferred.
Each session runs 2.5 hours (6:00–8:30 p.m.) across three Monday evenings.
Encaustic painting traces back to ancient Greek and Egyptian practices; modern encaustic revives these methods with archival pigments and damar resin.
Use responsibly sourced beeswax and dispose of pigment residues thoughtfully; instructors typically emphasize ventilation and minimal solvent use to reduce impacts.
Creative 360 is a community-centered arts organization based in Midland, Michigan, offering a broad calendar of performances, classes, workshops, and volunteer opportunities. Dedicated to accessible arts education, Creative 360 runs inclusive semesters such as Artshop Clay and Artshop Painting Explorations that welcome participants of all ages and abilities, including those with disabilities. Small class sizes—typically limited to eight students for specialized hands-on art sessions—ensure personalized attention and skill development. Creative 360 presents recurring public performances including the free Sound Community Music Series held every second Wednesday, featuring classical and jazz artists like Trio Rubaton and electro-acoustic sets. The venue hosts visiting artists and special concerts such as the June performance by Michigan native Sarah Bomber. Seasonal programming includes a Summer Theatre Intensive for ages 11–17 where students audition, rehearse, and perform under a professional director, and short-term workshops like Sewing for Everyone focused on upcycling and practical skills. Community engagement is central to Creative 360’s mission: the organization operates volunteer programs that allow community members to support events and enjoy performances, and coordinates special events such as the inaugural Holiday Art Fair during Midland’s Holiday Arts Weekend. Additional offerings like Tai Chi 360 provide wellness-focused movement classes suitable for all levels. Creative 360 partners with local artists and instructors to maintain a varied, community-rooted schedule of arts experiences in Midland.
Book with Creative 360