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Adult art classes in Brookline, near Boston. Explore painting, drawing, watercolor and mixed media. All materials included. Beginners welcome. / Our Programs / Adult Art Classes / Adult Art Classes in Brookline, near Boston Make space for your creativity. Small-group painting, drawing, watercolor and mixed-media classes for adults who want thoughtful instruction, artistic growth and a welcoming creative community. Current Adult Classes I had a wonderful experience with Diana and hope to take another class with her soon. I went into the experience feeling very uncertain about my artistic abilities and finished six weeks later with a painting that I never would have believed I could make. It was also a great way to wind down and disconnect after a long day. Caitee Parmelee First Time Student I had a fantastic experience in Diana’s spring class! Diana is an enthusiastic, encouraging, and warm teacher who meets students where they are on their artistic journey. I particularly enjoyed using a variety of mediums, trying something new each week, and learning how to mix paint to create different hues. Diana uses the SPARK method to create a welcoming atmosphere where students can grow in their art skills without internal or external pressure. I wish we had even more sessions to hone our floral art skills, and I look forward to next session. Mari Giamo Student in her 5th session! I just completed a 6-class drawing and painting course with Diana Stelin, and I’m truly amazed at what I was able to accomplish. Before this course, I honestly couldn’t draw anything — I was uncomfortable even picking up a pencil! But with Diana’s patient guidance, clear instruction, and encouragement, I quickly gained both skills and confidence. Diana has a wonderful way of breaking things down and making the creative process approachable. Each class built upon the last, and by the end, I created pieces I never thought I was capable of. The supportive atmosphere she creates makes learning fun and stress-free. Discussing each others work at the end of each session makes you learn from your classmates a lot. If you’ve ever thought “I can’t draw”, this course will absolutely change your mind. I’m so impressed with what I achieved in just six sessions, and I’m excited to keep learning and creating. Thank you, Diana! Evetta Shwartzman Participant in Full Day Art Retreat You Don't Need to Be an Artist to Start Some students come to us after years away from making art. Others have never taken a formal art class. And some are experienced artists looking for new techniques, inspiration and community. We meet you where you are. Our classes combine clear instruction with room to experiment, helping you build technical skills without losing the curiosity and individuality that make your work your own. Learn More About Diana's Story What actually happens CHOOSE WHAT WORKS FOR YOU You don't need to commit to a full semester to make art part of your life. Choose the option that fits your schedule and how you'd like to learn. 6-Week Cohorts Build skills and creative momentum alongside the same small group of students over six weeks. 4-Class Packs More flexibility while still giving yourself the consistency and practice to grow. Drop-In Classes Come when you can. Try a class, explore something new, or simply make space for creativity in your week. All Materials Are Included No supply list. No trip to the art store. Just bring yourself, an open mind, and a willingness to explore. Drawing & Charcoal — observation, value, composition and confident mark-making. Watercolor, Acrylic & Oil Painting — color, layering, technique and expressive approaches to paint. Pastel & Mixed Media — experiment with materials and discover new ways of working. Art History & Ideas — connect what you're making to artists, movements and cultures across time. More Than an Art Class Mastery Build real skills through thoughtful instruction, observation and practice. Meaning Go beyond copying an image. Explore ideas, artists and materials while developing a creative voice that feels like your own. Community Make art alongside other curious adults in an intimate gallery studio where conversation, experimentation and connection are part of the experience. Our goal isn't to make everyone's artwork look the same. It's to give you the tools and confidence to make work that looks increasingly like you. The setting Classes take place at Diana Stelin Gallery & Creative Studio in Coolidge Corner, Brookline, just outside Boston. Rather than a traditional classroom, students create surrounded by changing exhibitions and the work of practicing artists—making the studio itself part of the creative experience. Make Space for Your Creativity Whether you're returning to art after years away, picking up a brush for the first time, or looking for a place to deepen your practice, there's a place for you here. All materials are included. Just bring yourself, an open mind, and a willingness to explore.

Explore a wide range of art programs including adult classes, kids’ workshops, private lessons, and seasonal creative experiences. Our Programs Book Online Birthday Parties School Partnerships The Plein-Air Art Academy Mastery. Meaning. Community. Award-winning programs for children, adults, and organizations seeking more connection, confidence, and creative thinking. ADULTS Painting, drawing, watercolor and mixed-media classes for beginners and experienced artists. CHILDREN & TEENS Build confidence, technique and creative voice. SCHOOLS & ORGANIZATIONS Creative programs for schools, teams and communities. Adult Art Classes in Brookline, Near Boston More than an art class, this is a creative practice. Our small-group adult art classes combine painting, drawing, watercolor, charcoal, pastel, clay and art history with thoughtful instruction and individual guidance. Designed for both complete beginners and experienced artists, classes help you strengthen technique, experiment with new materials and develop your own artistic voice in a welcoming gallery studio. Whether you're returning to art after years away, looking to deepen your skills, or simply craving a meaningful creative practice each week, you'll find both serious instruction and a warm creative community here. Learn More Our Signature Curriculum for Teens Designed for serious young artists, this advanced class helps teens develop both technical mastery and creative confidence. Students progress through drawing, charcoal, pastel, watercolor, and oil painting while building a strong foundation in observation, values, color theory, composition, anatomy, and artistic problem-solving. Guided by practicing professional artists, they learn not only how to create stronger artwork, but also how to develop their own artistic voice. Throughout the semester, students study artists and movements from art history, explore a variety of media, and learn how to make thoughtful creative decisions rather than simply follow instructions. Emphasis is placed on perseverance, risk-taking, self-expression, and bringing ambitious projects to completion. Whether pursuing a portfolio, strengthening artistic skills, or simply seeking a deeper creative challenge, students leave with greater mastery, confidence, and a stronger connection to their unique perspective. See Programs Our Signature Curriculum for Kids Helping children build confidence through creativity. Parents don't enroll for art. They enroll because they want children who are: confident resilient creative problem-solvers comfortable expressing themselves Our award-winning art program helps children develop mastery, meaning, and community through creativity. Each semester, students explore a rich art history theme while working with a wide range of materials, including watercolor, clay, collage, drawing, painting, and mixed media. Guided by practicing artists, students build technical skills while developing confidence, creative problem-solving abilities, and their unique artistic voice. Unlike template-based art projects, our curriculum encourages both skill development and self-expression. Students learn how artists throughout history have responded to the world around them, then use those ideas as inspiration for creating work that is distinctly their own. Our youngest artists begin each class with engaging stories from art history and culture, building a foundation of knowledge and curiosity. Through hands-on exploration of varied materials, they strengthen focus, imagination, and perseverance while discovering the joy of making art. As students grow, projects become more ambitious and individualized. We honor each child's pace and encourage thoughtful observation, attention to detail, and the satisfaction of bringing meaningful work to completion. Along the way, students learn not only artistic techniques but also resilience, self-expression, and confidence in their ideas. Every semester culminates in a visit to a local art museum, where students experience original works firsthand and deepen their connection to the broader artistic community. At Diana Stelin Gallery & Creative Studio, art education is about more than learning techniques. It is about helping young people become confident, capable, and self-expressed through meaningful creative experiences. Book Your Class Summer Camp Additional Offerings Summer Camps This is our Best of Boston program that explores varied themes in the art world and introduces an array of materials to artists of all levels. Learn More School Partnerships We're happy to partner up with local public and private schools for their after-school programming. Learn More Kids Birthday Party Unique customized birthday parties run on Sundays. Learn More

Explore contemporary artists whose work explores beauty, memory, place, and connection. Visit exhibitions, discover original artwork, and commission custom pieces. Diana Stelin Gallery We represent artists who find meaning in place, memory, and the natural world, creating work that invites viewers to slow down, look closer, and reconnect. Diana Stelin Gallery believes art can help us reconnect—with beauty, with nature, with memory, and with one another. Located in Brookline, Massachusetts, the gallery presents contemporary artists whose work invites reflection, curiosity, and conversation. Through exhibitions, commissions, artist talks, and creative experiences, we create opportunities for meaningful encounters with art. Whether you're an experienced collector or stepping into a gallery for the first time, you'll find a welcoming space where creativity and community thrive. See Events and Exhibitions See Our Press Kit New to Collecting? Whether you're purchasing your first original artwork or expanding an established collection, we're happy to help you: Select artwork for a specific space Understand scale and framing Explore commissioned artwork Build a collection over time Discover artists aligned with your interests Learn about Artists A Creative Ecosystem Diana Stelin Gallery is more than a traditional gallery. By bringing together artists, collectors, students, families, educators, and corporate teams under one roof, we create a vibrant creative ecosystem where art is experienced, discussed, and shared across generations and backgrounds. Our gallery, classrooms, workshops, artist talks, exhibitions, and special events create opportunities for meaningful connection and ongoing engagement with the arts. This unique model expands visibility for our artists while fostering a community that values creativity, lifelong learning, and cultural exchange. Corporate Installs

Then each week students get introduced to a new material, be it clay, watercolor, tempera paints or collage. Our rolling admission model allows you to try any class for a month and decide if you'd like to continue on a monthly basis. Over time, we've learned that children typically need about four sessions to fully acclimate to the group dynamic, get to know the teachers, and explore the variety of media we offer. Each week features something new, one session might focus on painting, the next one on clay, and another on printmaking. While your child may take a little to feel completely at ease, a month gives you a clear sense of whether the class is the right fit for them!

Then each week students get introduced to a new material, be it clay, watercolor, tempera paints or collage. Our rolling admission model allows you to try any class for a month and decide if you'd like to continue on a monthly basis. Over time, we've learned that children typically need about four sessions to fully acclimate to the group dynamic, get to know the teachers, and explore the variety of media we offer. Each week features something new, one session might focus on painting, the next one on clay, and another on printmaking. While your child may take a little to feel completely at ease, a month gives you a clear sense of whether the class is the right fit for them!

Then each week students get introduced to a new material, be it clay, watercolor, tempera paints or collage.

Why do certain places stay etched in our memory? I remember walking through Menton on a hundred-degree day, seeking shade in its meandering staircases and maze of winding streets. The heat was oppressive, the kind that makes you search for every sliver of shadow between buildings. And then we descended onto the beach and looked back at the city from down below. A mirage. It didn’t seem like something built by human hands. This sprawling chessboard of colors and shapes ascending the mountain. Ochres, pinks, yellows and terracottas stacked one upon another, somehow climbing upward without fighting the landscape beneath them. You have no choice but to marvel at the genius of thought that created this oasis to coexist with the terrain. It’s as if it’s one of those rare wonders of the world that has been kissed by God’s approval. I’m not religious at all. But when tears come out of nowhere, carrying some inexplicable cocktail of emotions, it’s hard not to blame the divine. Trying to translate awe That’s what I’ve been trying to express throughout my whole career: that sensation of awe. I think that, in some way, I’m constantly attempting to arrive at a perfect formula of shapes, colors and lines that could translate the divine. But interestingly, the older I get, the less interested I am in depicting the actual details of a place. Memory doesn’t work that way either. When I think back to Menton, I don’t remember individual windows or architectural details. I remember the pattern of the city climbing the mountain. I remember the intensity of the color against the water. I remember the heat. I remember looking up from the beach and feeling completely overwhelmed by what human beings had managed to build there. And I remember the feeling of being very small. That is what I want to paint. Painting a memory instead of a photograph In my paintings, some edges are purposefully melted down. Some elements remain golden, as if they are still being kissed by the sun. Buildings merge into one another. The mind-boggling number of layers only matters because of the patterns they create. The literal place begins to disappear. What remains is the sensation of it. Perhaps that’s why I’ve never been particularly interested in painting a faithful reproduction of a photograph. A photograph can already tell us exactly what something looked like. I’m much more interested in the question: What did it feel like to be there? Which colors survived in your memory? Which parts disappeared? What did the light do? What is it about that particular place that made you carry it with you years later? Because the places that matter most to us rarely stay frozen as images. They become intertwined with the people we were when we encountered them, the people who were beside us, and everything that happened before and after. Our search for beauty There is another reason I keep returning to cities like Menton in my work. I’m fascinated by that meeting point between what nature created and what human beings dared to add to it. A mountain exists. And over centuries, people build into it. They adapt to its inclines and limitations. They create stairs and passages, homes and churches, walls and windows. Generations disappear, but the marks they made remain. Eventually it becomes difficult to see where landscape ends and human intervention begins. My paintings are an ode to that human ability to transcend—to persevere in our search for beauty across centuries. Maybe that’s why certain places stay etched in our memory. They remind us that sometimes what human beings create can become so intertwined with nature, so improbably beautiful, that for a moment we can’t quite tell where human ingenuity ends and something greater begins. What place lives in your heart? Perhaps there is a place like that for you, too. A landscape. A city. A childhood home. A view from a trip you still talk about years later. Somewhere that has become so intertwined with your own story that remembering the place means remembering a piece of yourself. This fall, I’m opening my studio to four commissioned paintings, to be completed in time for the holiday season. I’m not interested in simply reproducing your photograph. I want to know what you remember about the place—its light, its colors, its atmosphere, and what it means to you—and translate that memory through my own language of layers, melted edges, color and gold. If there is a place that lives in your heart, I’d love to paint it. Reach out!

This week, Brookline.News published a feature about my work, and reading it made me realize how closely the different parts of what I do have become intertwined. The article begins in Venice, where my work is currently part of BOREANA: Isola del futuro, a satellite exhibition during the Venice Biennale. My double-sided piece contrasts a foggy Venice with the intensely colorful island of Burano and is partially submerged in the lagoon, allowing wind, water and algae to become collaborators in the work. But the story quickly comes back to Brookline. Creating the Art Education I Couldn't Find I immigrated to the United States from Moldova when I was 13, and art became my refuge through the culture shock and language barriers. It gave me a place to experiment, listen to myself and learn to trust my own intuition. Years later, when I looked for art education for my own children, I kept encountering templates and rigid instructions. It felt like the opposite of creativity. So I created Plein-Air Art Academy around a different idea: teach children real techniques, materials, art history and principles, and then give them room to decide what to do with them. As I told Brookline.News: “I give people tools and fill their toolbox with different materials and techniques, but then it's really up to them what they want to do with it.” More than a decade later, around 1,000 children and adults have participated in our programs. More Than a Gallery Something similar happened when I opened the Diana Stelin Gallery in Coolidge Corner in 2023. What began as a contemporary art gallery gradually became a creativity hub: exhibitions, hildren's and adult art classes, artist talks, book clubs, dinners, music, community partnerships and our annual Carnevale celebration. It has become a place where you don't have to already consider yourself an artist to feel comfortable around art. And that's where Venice comes back into the story. My plein-air practice influences how I teach. The uninhibited colors my students use have found their way into my own paintings. Brookline's Italian community became part of our gallery community. And now a piece shaped by all of those experiences is hanging in the Venetian lagoon. As I said during the interview, “It's bringing that full circle.” Maybe that's the thread through all of it: art as a way to slow down, observe, experiment and learn to trust ourselves. And somehow, a little piece of what we've built in Brookline has made its way to Venice. Fall art classes for children, teens and adults at Plein-Air Art Academy begin September 12. I am also accepting a limited number of commissions inspired by meaningful places and travel memories.

Watching The Odyssey with my boys recently, I had an unexpected realization: I've had an incredibly fulfilling life. As scene after scene unfolded, I realized that so many of the landscapes chosen for the film were places I've experienced with my own eyes, recorded with my brush, and quietly absorbed over the years—Iceland's stark volcanic beaches, the sweeping landscapes of Sicily, Moroccan medinas and ancient stone cities. They weren't just destinations on a map. They became part of the way I see the world. As a professional artist based in Boston, people often ask where I find inspiration for my landscape paintings. The answer is rarely a single location. It's the experience of truly being present in a place. Searching for Home Through Art Because I immigrated to the United States more than thirty years ago, I've often felt that I've been searching for home ever since. Not necessarily a physical home, but a sense of belonging. Over time, I began to realize something unexpected: each place I visited became home to a different part of me. Rather than replacing one home with another, every journey expanded my understanding of what home could be. That realization has shaped both my life and my artwork. Whether I'm creating a plein-air painting on the French Riviera, sketching in Provence, standing before glaciers in Iceland, or wandering through the quiet streets of Venice, I'm less interested in documenting a location than in understanding what it feels like to be there. Those sketches eventually become larger oil paintings, layered with memory, emotion, and light. From Plein-Air Sketch to Oil Painting Every trip begins with small plein-air studies. Working outdoors forces me to slow down. I notice the direction of the wind, the changing light, the sounds, the heat, even the smell of the landscape. Those sensory experiences become just as important as the visual composition. Back in my Brookline studio, I revisit those sketches. Recently, I found myself deciding which travel study to develop into a large oil painting. My first instinct was to choose the image I thought others would connect with most. Instead, I chose the one that wouldn't let me go. Sometimes the work chooses you. The painting depicts seven layers of hills ascending toward a quiet sanctuary, with a celestial star suspended overhead. Looking at it now, I realize it carries something of an Odyssean journey—a search, an ascent, and ultimately a return. Trusting intuition over people-pleasing has become one of the most valuable lessons in my artistic practice. Why Plein-Air Painting Matters This is also why I continue teaching plein-air painting to both children and adults. Painting outdoors isn't simply about learning watercolor or oil techniques. It's about learning to observe more deeply, tolerate uncertainty, make decisions with confidence, and trust your own perception. When students join our Brookline art classes, summer camps, or adult plein-air workshops, they're developing far more than technical skill. They're learning to slow down, notice the world, and discover their own visual voice. Those are skills that extend far beyond the studio. Bringing Meaningful Places Into Your Home One of my favorite parts of being an artist is creating commissioned paintings. Many clients don't ask me to paint famous landmarks. They ask me to paint the places that shaped them—a family beach, a favorite street in Europe, a garden where they found peace, or a landscape tied to a meaningful chapter of their lives. A painting becomes more than decoration. It becomes an anchor for memory. If there's a place that lives in your heart—whether it's in New England, Europe, or somewhere halfway around the world—I would love to help transform it into an original commissioned oil painting that brings that feeling into your home. Learn to See the World Differently If this way of looking at the world resonates with you, there are several ways to join our creative community: Adult Plein-Air Painting Classes in Brookline: Learn watercolor and oil painting while working outdoors in some of Boston's most beautiful gardens and landscapes. Children's Art Classes and Summer Camps: Our award-winning Brookline art programs combine art history, observation, creativity, and hands-on studio practice to help young artists develop confidence and independent thinking. Fall Art Classes: Semester-long classes for children, teens, and adults begin each September, blending fine art techniques with art history and creative exploration. Original Art Commissions: Commission a custom landscape painting inspired by a place that holds lasting meaning in your life. Perhaps that's what The Odyssey reminded me of. The journey isn't simply about arriving home. Sometimes the journey itself teaches us that home was never one place at all. It's every landscape that changed us, every sketch that helped us see more clearly, and every painting that reminds us who we've become.