DAC ART CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

At DAC, we offer a wide array of art classes and workshops designed for adults of all experience levels. From our weekly figure drawing sessions and playful Making Art for Art’s Sake make-and-take workshops, to multi-part series in advanced painting, there’s sure to be something that inspires you. Join us and discover an all-new passion, or hone your skills!

Cancellations & Refunds
If a class must be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances or low enrollment, all registered students will receive a full refund and be notified by email.

Age Guidelines
Unless otherwise noted, all classes are intended for adults (18+) and may not be suitable for children.

INSTRUCTIONAL ART CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

Looking for textile art and crafting classes?

For classes in weaving, textile arts, fabric dyeing, soap-making, and more, offered by our creative partners at Hawai‘i Handweavers’ Hui, please visit hawaiihandweavers.org.

  • Wearable Art Community Playshops: Create Your Own Festival Headdress

    February 28, 2026 - April 4, 2026

    Downtown Art Center's Studio 1C gallery (street level)
    Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (drop-in anytime before 2 p.m.)
    Feb 28; March 7; March 14; April 4
    $10 per adult/session. Children ages 8 and over FREE! Each child must be accompanied by one adult (1:1 ratio)

    Create a fun, wearable art headdress, then show it off at the HEART Festival on Saturday, April 11! Drop in any time before 2 p.m. Materials provided.

    SIGN UP NOW!

  • Giant Puppet-Making Weekend Playshop

    March 28-29, 2026

    Downtown Art Center's Studio 1C gallery (street level)
    Saturday-Sunday, March 28 & 29
    11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (12 hours total)
    $25 per adult/session. Children ages 8 and over FREE! Each child must be accompanied by one adult (1:1 ratio)

    Learn how to create your own GIANT street puppet in this fun playshop, a prep session for the HEART of Honolulu Festival's HeART STRUT Wearable Art Parade! Materials provided.

    SIGN UP NOW!

  • Intermediate Watercolor with Dwayne Adams (April 2026)

    Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    6 sessions: 4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, and 5/17

    Dwayne Adams offers a six-week intermediate watercolor class for students with basic watercolor skills, featuring weekly demos and guided painting on values and shadows, beach landscapes, expressive figures, florals, and urban scenes, culminating in a final session where students paint from their own photographs with individualized guidance.

    SIGN UP NOW!

  • Intermediate Watercolor with Dwayne Adams (June 2026)

    Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    6 sessions: 6/14,6/21,6/28, 7/5, 7/12, and 7/19

    Dwayne Adams offers a six-week intermediate watercolor class for students with basic watercolor skills, featuring weekly demos and guided painting on values and shadows, beach landscapes, expressive figures, florals, and urban scenes, culminating in a final session where students paint from their own photographs with individualized guidance.

    SIGN UP NOW!

WEEKLY SESSIONS: 2026

  • Making Art for Art's Sake (2026)

    Saturdays from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. $20 per person.

    Unleash your creativity in our weekly make-and-take workshops, where DAC teaching artists guide small groups through fun, one-off projects in various media, designed to spark inspiration and introduce new art-making techniques.

    — FEBRUARY —

    2/7 -  Abstract Vignettes with Charlene DeLory

    2/14 - Sumi-e Japanese Ink Painting with Kilikina

    2/21 -  CANCELLED DUE TO STORM

    2/28 - Mini folded pocket book with Hope Hamada

    — MARCH —

    3/7 - Acrylic Abstract with Charlene DeLory

    3/14 - CANCELLED DUE TO PRIVATE EVENT

    3/21 - Pyrography/Woodburning with Kilikina

    3/28 - Carve & Stamp Postcard Patterns with Tamara Moan

    SIGN UP NOW!

  • Monday Night Life Drawing Group (2026)

    Mondays from 6 - 8:30 p.m. $15 per person online, $20 at the door.

    DAC is pleased to host a weekly artist-run uninstructed drawing session with live models, music, and a great collaborative, creative atmosphere.

    All artists are asked to bring all their own equipment and supplies. Seating is primarily at tables.

    SIGN UP NOW!

  • Tuesday Portrait Sessions (2026)

    Tuesdays from 12 - 2:30 p.m.
    Long Pose: Last Tuesdays from 6 - 8:30 p.m.
    $15 per person.

    This weekly uninstructed session focuses on creating portraits of the clothed model, with live models, music, and a great collaborative, creative atmosphere facilitated by Alla Parsons.

    All artists are asked to bring all their own equipment and supplies. Seating is primarily at tables. Every last Tuesday (and a few other special dates) is a Long Pose Evening Session, starting at 6 p.m., for artists who want to focus on figurative work for a longer period of time.

    SIGN UP NOW!