Registration is now open! Check out courses for 2024 like Papermaking, Advanced Jewelry, 2D Animation, Knitting, Fashion Design, Architecture, Textiles, and Advanced Illustration!

Registration closes four business days before the start of each course. Email extension@cca.edu with questions about late signups.

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• $665 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Corey Wolffs
• Sundays, 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
• September 29 - December 15 (10 sessions, no class Oct 27 or Dec 1)
• Simpson Family Makers Building, D109, 145 Hooper St

Embark on a creative journey exploring the fundamentals of fabricating unique jewelry pieces using traditional tools and techniques. Learn how to design and hand fabricate unique pieces of art in copper, brass, and silver as well as use a jeweler's torch to anneal and solder.

Prerequisite: None. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to first class: Safety glasses (a must!), sketch book (can be just a notebook or papers in a folder), pen and/or pencil, ultra fine point black Sharpie or permanent marker, 1 inch painter’s tape, 0.5 to 0.75 inch double sided tape, N95 dust mask, cotton rag or dish towel (to be used instead of paper towels), apron for metal dust/stains, closed toe shoes, clothes with close fitting sleeves (loose fitting clothing is dangerous when working with machines and torches). All basic materials (metal/tools) will be provided with the cost of tuition.

Registration closed.

• $665 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Olivia Shih
• Sundays, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
• September 29 - December 8 (10 sessions, no class Dec 1)
• Simpson Family Makers Building, D109, 145 Hooper St

Ready to take your jewelry making skills to the next level? In this class, we will be covering more advanced techniques such as sweat soldering, prong settings, tab settings, earring posts, and more. Students are encouraged to come to class with a jewelry design sketch they would like to bring to life! This course is a perfect next step for anyone who has taken Intro to Jewelry Making with CCA Extension.

Prerequisite: Intro to Jewelry Making or equivalent skills (sawing, filing, soldering, sanding, polishing, etc.)

Bring to first class: Safety glasses (a must!), sketch book (can be just a notebook or papers in a folder), pen and/or pencil, ultra fine point black Sharpie or permanent marker, 1 inch painter’s tape, 0.5 to 0.75 inch double sided tape, N95 dust mask, cotton rag or dish towel (to be used instead of paper towels), apron for metal dust/stains, closed toe shoes, clothes with close fitting sleeves (loose fitting clothing is dangerous when working with machines and torches). All basic materials (metal/tools) will be provided with the cost of tuition.

Registration closed.

• $650 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Daniel Mendoza
• Wednesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• October 2 - December 11 (10 sessions, no class Nov 27)
• Simpson Family Makers Building, Studio D125, 145 Hooper St

This introductory 10 week studio course focuses on the fundamentals of sculpture and three dimensional design while exploring a variety of media, techniques, and subject matter. Participants will experiment independently with the formal aspects of sculpture such as material, scale, surface, volume, structure, and space through assignments using materials such as wood, plaster, paper mache, and found, everyday objects. Each assignment is designed with a specific concept or material in mind, but each student will translate the prompt by how they individually embody and articulate the world around them. Students will gain basic woodshop skills while completing their projects in the Sculpture bench room and maintain a dedicated sketchbook to hold their drawings, ideas, and notes. Students will also hone the verbal and analytical skills necessary to examine their work critically by engaging in group critiques. Readings and screenings will be assigned throughout the course to give further context as they continue to work, and to reveal questions and prompts that working artists have given themselves in their practice. This course is appropriate for beginners and those wishing to try new techniques, ideas and materials.

Prerequisite: None. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to First Class: Sketchbook and pencils. Basic materials are included with tuition, and additional materials list will be discussed at the first class.

Register now!

• $550 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Ben Peterson
• Sundays, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
• October 13 - December 8 (8 sessions, no class 12/1)
• Simpson Family Makers Building, Studio D125, 145 Hooper St

This eight week class will cover the fundamentals of handbuilding and direct casting, with an emphasis on learning material techniques that straddle the line between classical and modern approaches to working with plaster. To facilitate and expand the students’ knowledge of historical and contemporary approaches, this course will explore the work of a diverse group of artists who have used plaster in their practices. This exploration will be coupled with a brief introduction to sculpture as a practice distinct from painting or drawing, although related in many ways. Students will experiment with different methods for translating a drawing into a plaster sculpture through maquette and gestural wire study, and from a study to a final form.

Prerequisite: None. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to First Class: Sketchbook and pencils. All basic materials are included with tuition, and an additional materials list will be discussed during the first class.

Register now!

• $650 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Jay Torres
• Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
• October 5 - December 14 (10 sessions, no class Nov 30)
• CCA Main Building, Textiles Studios, 145 Hooper St

This 10-week studio course introduces students to the diverse and creative potential of textiles. From woven forms to surface design to handwork, students explore a wide range of hands-on textile techniques in both two and three dimensions. Participants will experiment independently with the formal aspects of textiles such as material, scale, surface, structure, and space through assignments using processes such as dyeing, stitching, fabric printing, and weaving. Students are encouraged to work experimentally and to push the boundaries of the media, using both traditional and non-traditional materials. Students will also hone the verbal and analytical skills necessary to examine their work critically by engaging in group critiques. Readings and screenings will be assigned throughout the course to give further context to the history of textiles as a whole and in contemporary art. All are invited to discover the physical properties, conceptual principles, and diverse cultural histories of textiles and to incorporate these possibilities into their practices.

Prerequisite: None. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to First Class: Unlined 9” x 12” or 11” x 14” sketchbook and pencils. Tuition will cover the basics and an additional materials list will be discussed at the first class.

Register now!

• $395 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Dance Doyle
• Wednesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• October 23 - November 20 (5 sessions)
• CCA Main Building, Textiles Studios, 145 Hooper St

In this class, students will be introduced to methods of weaving using table looms. Students will see physical examples of contemporary woven works, exploring the use of mixed-media and repurposed materials, while participating in artistic discussions and critiques. Students will learn to create distinct weaving patterns including plaid, twill, and tapestry, and explore painted warp techniques. After students spend time practicing different methods of weaving, they will execute a final project of their choice. The course culminates in a class critique and potluck. 

Prerequisite: None. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to First Class: Your sketchbook of choice and pens/pencils. Tuition will cover the basics and an additional materials list will be discussed at the first class.

Register now!

• $550 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Kat Karnaky
• Thursdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• October 10 - December 5 (8 sessions, no class Nov 28)
• CCA Main Building, Textiles Studios, 145 Hooper St

This introductory studio course focuses on the fundamentals of screen printing onto fabric, using traditional and exploratory dyeing processes. Students will learn through demonstrations, lectures about textile artists/designers and making samples as well as yardage on fabric. This course is appropriate for beginners as well as those who are experienced and want to further their screen printing skills. Topics will include dyeing yardage, ice dye, canning, resists, handpainting, and digital patterns in Photoshop.

Prerequisite: Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class. Experience with Photohsop recommended but not required.

Bring to first class: clear shelf paper, pencil and or any drawing materials, exact blade, sketchbook (can be any size), disposable rubber gloves, clear tape, smock or apron

Register now!

• $495 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Wallace Keller
• Saturdays, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
• October 12 - December 7 (8 sessions, no class Nov 30)
• CCA Main Building, Lab 120, 145 Hooper St

This course is a fun and creative exploration of the methods and tools of visual storytelling. Students will learn how to create clear storytelling images from written ideas, and to develop these images into emotionally engaging storyboards that can be used as a foundation for animation, illustration, graphic novel, comics or children's book projects. Students will create characters and environments that explore and support story structure, with emphasis on design, composition, staging, perspective, value and color.

Prerequisite: None. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to first class: This class will use iPads with Procreate or Photoshop. If you have an iPad with Procreate or Photoshop, please bring it with you. We will also have iPads for students to use during class

Register now!

• $495 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Wallace Keller
• Saturdays, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
• October 12 - December 7 (8 sessions, no class Nov 30)
• CCA Main Building, Lab 120, 145 Hooper St

This course will introduce students to the basic forms and terminology of animation, and provide training in fluid representations of motion and expression. Instruction will emphasize traditional character animation techniques such as character development, exaggeration, timing, acting and weight. Examples of great animation will be shown frequently, and students will be asked to analyze great sequences. Students will gain understanding of physics and gravity. The goal is to give students a proper foundation (timing, posing) and a workflow they can use when they move onto more advanced character-driven animation classes.

Prerequisite: None. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to first class: Nothing is required for the first session. Students will have access to lab computers.

Register now!

• $325 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Sarah Maloney
• Mondays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• October 7 - November 4 (5 sessions)
• CCA Main Building, Studio N9, 145 Hooper St

This course introduces students to the foundations of the comics language: creative writing and visual storytelling. Through exercises, readings, lectures, and discussions we will explore and experiment with the building blocks of comics: scripting, story structure, panel compositions, page flow, and more. Students will focus on bringing their own complete stories to life through a variety of in-class assignments, from 3-panel comic strips to multi-page stories. By the end of the course, students will have produced an eclectic collection of comics of varying themes and lengths and gained a greater understanding of the comics language and its endless potential.

Bring to first class: a sketchbook for drawing, pencil, pen, and a method for note-taking.

Prerequisite: No prior comics experience is required, just the desire to tell stories visually.

Registration closed.

• $375 (noncredit)
• Instructor: GB Tran
• Thursdays, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM PST
• October 3 - November 21 (7 sessions, no class 10/31)
• Online

Ready to take your next step in comics and cartooning? In the second level of Making Comics you’ll spend 8 weeks bringing a single story to life. Each weekly class concentrates on a specific stage of this process, starting with brainstorming and refining story ideas all the way through illustrating and finalizing artwork. This course is ideal for students wanting to focus on a single, longer form project in a workshop environment and are already familiar with cartooning foundations and/or have taken other comics courses (CCA's Making Comics: The Art of Reading, Journaling & Memoir Techniques for Comics, etc.). Each weekly class is a guided exploration on a specific stage of the process through instructor demonstrations, group/individual discussions of student work, and studio time. By the end of class, students will have created a single, long form comic.

This class meets Thursdays 7-9p PT, OCT 3 through NOV 21 for a total of 7 classes (no class OCT 31). The instructor is GB Tran, a cartoonist and senior adjunct professor in CCA’s MFA in Comics program and Extension’s Making Comics: The Art of Reading (Intro level). www.gbtran.com

Bring to the first class: your preferred method for note-taking. Laptop or desktop computer (Mac or PC), high-speed internet connection, Zoom.

Registration closed.

• $495 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Susannah Hainley
• Tuesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• CCA Main Building, Computer Lab A, 145 Hooper St

Dive into the world of online storytelling in this hands-on workshop, where you'll create your own dynamic digital comic from start to finish using Readymag, a user-friendly web app. Throughout the course, you'll develop new technical and creative skills applicable to various digital comics projects and platforms—like using scroll-based animation and gif animation to bring your stories to life, and how considering user experience (UX) can ensure that your comics meet accessibility standards and are optimized for both desktop and mobile devices. By the course's end, you'll have your own published digital comic and be equipped to navigate the evolving landscape of digital storytelling, empowering you to choose the most effective tools, platforms, and techniques for your future comics projects.

Prerequisite: Students must be 18+ years or older and have some prior experience in making comics, plus basic computer skills.

Bring to first class: A sketchbook/notebook plus pen or pencil for brainstorming. Students do not need to bring their own laptops (desktop Macs will be provided) but are welcome to do so if they would like. Additional materials will be discussed in class.

Registration closed. This course will be offered in winter/spring 2025.

• $495 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Yina Kim
• Saturdays, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
• September 28 - November 23 (8 sessions, no class 11/2)
• CCA Main Building, Studio N9, 145 Hooper St

Set aside your daily responsibilities and indulge in a moment for yourself! This course is designed for students to explore the art of maintaining a sketchbook practice and to create prompts that offer a welcomed pause in their busy lives. The course includes a field trip to a museum, offering an opportunity to hone life drawing skills. Additionally, the instructor will share valuable insights on various methods to turn artistic creations into micro-business ventures.

Throughout the course, students will be involved in diverse projects, learning how to gather inspiration, trust the creative process, and bring their visions to life. Group critiques will be integral to the learning experience, offering constructive feedback from peers to refine and elevate individual work. This collaborative approach is aimed at fostering a sense of confidence in sharing one's creations with the public, with the ultimate goal of establishing a supportive creative community that promotes accountability.

Prerequisite: Students will need to have already taken an introductory illustration course or have experience with illustration or drawing. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to first class: A 5x8 sketchbook and any art materials with which you feel comfortable.

Register now!

• $495 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Gus D’Angelo
• Thursdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• October 17 - December 12 (8 sessions, no class Nov 28)
• CCA Main Building, Studio N9, 145 Hooper St

Many techniques go into creating the art for a children’s book that kids (and adults!) will love: illustration style, character development, text/art relationship, color palette, and more. Through class exercises, readings, and critiques, we’ll explore the fundamentals to illustrating engaging stories. We’ll also try to capture some mystery and magic along the way! Each student will start illustrating a story, either their own or a pre-existing one, while focusing on technique and refining their individual style. In addition to exploring the key components of children's book creation, this course also covers industry practices. We’ll approach the main course project all as if we’re submitting our book to a publisher, or self-publishing.

Prerequisite: No previous experience required. Open to all adults 18+

Bring to first class: A sketchbook, plus pencils, pens, or other media you are comfortable using. A favorite illustrated children’s book.

Register now!

• $595 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Don Porcella
• Mondays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• October 14 - December 2 (8 sessions)
• CCA Main Building, Room 102B, 145 Hooper St

This studio class explores a range of strategies, exercises, and principles for a successful career in the arts for both emerging and established artists. Students will focus on building a community around their practice in a supportive and collaborative environment. This course covers best practices for artists to have a fulfilling career in the fine arts and/or utilizing art to enhance their life and career. We will work on the nuts and bolts of your creative practice and discuss the contemporary methods being used by artists today. We will help you craft your biography, artist statement and CV which are important aspects of communicating your art to the world. We will discuss the strategies employed by other artists within and outside the current paradigm. This class will focus on the bay area art scene and will also discuss other markets that can help contribute to a sustainable career for you.

Prerequisite: Interested in a career of making art. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to first class: Please bring your phone/laptop/tablet and your art to the first class.

Register now!

• $395 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Amy Tavern
• Thursdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• October 24 - November 21 (5 sessions)
• CCA Main Building, Studio N7, 145 Hooper St

The creative process is about how artworks come to life and includes five steps: gathering inspiration, idea generation and development, preparation, creation, and reflection. Every artist has a unique process and understanding yours can be a helpful tool for making stronger pieces and for dealing with studio challenges. In this five-week course, students will learn about the creative process, and they will begin to discover and define their own. Each week, a different aspect of the creative process will be introduced and explored through demonstrations and conversations, hands-on exercises, writing, and work time. Group instruction will be complemented by opportunities for individual instruction. Students should also expect to spend some time working outside of class.

This class is an opportunity to deeply consider the how and why of your work. It’s also a great way to reinvigorate your practice if you’ve been feeling stuck or feel ready to explore new territory and are unsure where to begin.

Prerequisite: Open to all artists with at least three years of art making experience.

Bring to first class: New spiral bound 9x12 sketchbook, pens and pencils, glue stick, artist tape, scissors, 18-inch ruler. Optional: markers, colored pencils, or watercolors.

Register now!

• $495 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Juan Pablo Rahal Soto
• Wednesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• October 16 - December 11 (8 sessions, no class Nov 27)
• CCA Main Building, Studio N9, 145 Hooper St

This course offers a broad introduction to the field and practice of graphic design. Through weekly studio assignments and two core projects, students cultivate the ability to combine core design elements to convey meaning. Projects are supplemented by critical readings, lectures, and individual and group critiques. Topics include typography, color, grid systems, and hierarchical information in print and digital design. Presentations accompany many of the lectures. Computer skills and software programs will not be covered but are essential to implementing assignments and projects. Computer labs will have access to Adobe Creative Cloud Suite of programs.

Prerequisite: None. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to the first class: Bring a sketchbook and your favorite sketching/note-taking materials. A more in-depth list of materials will be discussed during the first session.

Register now!

• $295 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Juan Pablo Rahal Soto
• Saturday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• November 2 - November 9 (2 sessions)
• CCA Main Building, Flat Lab, 145 Hooper St

Explore the intricacies of Risograph printing in a comprehensive two-day workshop. Explore the technical foundations of this unique printing process, from color separation to layout design, as you gain a deep understanding of its capabilities and limitations. Through hands-on experimentation, participants will learn to harness the nuances of Risograph printing, creating their own designs for ephemera, such as posters, zines, and postcards. Through making, this workshop explores Risograph techniques, empowering participants to elevate their printing skills with confidence and precision.

Prerequisite: None. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to first class: Bring a sketchbook and your favorite sketching/note-taking materials.

Register now!

• $395 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Darian Newman
• Wednesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• November 6 - December 11 (5 sessions, no class Nov 27)
• CCA Main Building, Studio N7, 145 Hooper St

This course is for those who are interested in typography and want to use type more effectively in their personal or professional lives. It offers an introduction to typography and its powerful role in conveying meaning, information, and emotion. Over five sessions of informal critiques, presentations, exercises, and one-on-one coaching, students will develop an understanding of typographical details and overall communication intent, preparing them to make effective and informed typographical choices in their own work. We’ll cover such topics as informative and emotive intent, typographical designers and their work, typefaces, the relationship between language and typography, and how to develop a keen eye for both the big picture and the minute details therein. Further, the course can also accommodate other subject matter that interests students. Students will have the opportunity to complete typographical projects of their own choosing and will be challenged to demonstrate how their typographical choices align with their intentions. This course will not focus on the mechanics of using software tools. Optional, outside-of-class design work can be done using any tool and in any medium the student chooses.

Prerequisite: None. Students must be 18+ at the start of class.

Bring to first class: Students should come to the first class with a sense of curiosity and some general ideas about a small project that they might want to complete during the course. 

Register now!

• $475 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Darian Newman
• Tuesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• October 22 - November 26 (6 sessions)
• CCA Main Building, Studio N9, 145 Hooper St

This studio explores a range of techniques, exercises, and core principles for developing a brand identity. Students go hands-on with typography, color, image-making and other techniques while learning best practices for brand design. We will also explore the history of design and branding, and how branding functions within contemporary creative fields. Students complete the course with a distinct brand identity for a product or event that is suitable for both digital and print application. Students will also gain knowledge of popular and emerging trends in design and the studios and designers who are currently leading the industry. This course will not focus on the mechanics of using software tools.

Prerequisite: Comfortability and intermediate knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite is required. Must be 18+ years or older.

Bring to first class: Please come prepared with sketching materials, a laptop with Adobe Creative Suite and an example of a brand you admire.

Registration closed. This course will be offered in winter/spring 2025.

• $595 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Ki Schmidt
• Wednesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• October 2 - December 11 (10 sessions, no class Nov 27)
• CCA Main Building, Room 103, 145 Hooper St

Through hands-on making, lectures and workshops, this course introduces the basic principles of architectural thought, history and practice. Students will develop an understanding of how considerations of form and space interact with materiality, scale and site to affect spatial and perceptual experience. Over the 10 week course students can expect to take an individual project from ideation to presentation, starting with precedent study, and building skills, hand sketching, and model-making; while also learning to articulate their work in both group and individual discussions. Participants will be introduced to concepts of digital fabrication while visiting the CCA Rapid Prototyping Studio (RPS), as well as learn basic tool safety and practice in the model shop on campus.

Prerequisite: None. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to first class: Architect's scale, X-acto knife with box of No. 11 blades, 18"" cork-bottomed metal ruler, Elmer's glue, pencil.

Register now!

• $495 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Jade Muir
• Tuesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• October 15 - December 3 (8 sessions)
• CCA Main Building, Studio N7, 145 Hooper St

Interior environments provide the physical framework for daily life, community, and activity. The design of occupiable space is a careful balancing act that satisfies established metrics while uncovering new potentials made possible only through the lens of iterative study and imagination. This course provides an introduction to interior design practice with a human-centered design approach steering students toward the thoughtful making of space and objects. Students will design a concept for an interior space to set a framework for an extended design study. Ideas will be tested and evaluated through sequential exercises, transitioning from intuitive form-making to detailed refinement. Both physical and digital visual representation will be a core component of the curriculum, allowing participants to become familiar with drawing techniques in the context of a narrative. Topics will include geometry, programming, sequence, materiality, lighting, and identity.

Prerequisite: None. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to first class: Please come prepared with sketching materials and a laptop. Please find three brands you find compelling and examples of the spaces that accompany them. Students will share work through MIRO, a free virtual "presentation wall" website.

Registration closed.

• $595 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Benja Ellis
• Thursdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• CCA Fashion Studios, Room 120, 80 Carolina St

Students are introduced to the world of the working fashion designer; they are asked to create fashion ideas guided by a series of design prompts and briefs that mimic product development. The class connects initial ideas, process, research and development to come away with ideas grounded in apparel materiality and an ability to share your ideas professionally. There will be multiple projects during the course that provide instruction on creating a fashion sketchbook, illustration, draping, and conducting dynamic research. Students will engage in supportive discussion and critique while working in a collaborative studio environment.

Prerequisite: None. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to first class: A sketchbook, pencil, pens, markers, muslin, tagboard, paper scissors, tape, glue stick

Registration closed.

• $595 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Benja Ellis
• Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
• CCA Fashion Studios, Room 120, 80 Carolina St

This fashion studio course introduces students to beginning and light to intermediate sewing techniques, fashion construction, and clothing design solutions. Students will become familiar with the studio, industrial machines and pattern making practice. The course includes instructor demonstrations and studio time for student practice. With hands-on experience, students complete three projects: a pillow from scratch, a custom collared shirt, and an upcycled garment. This course is open to all students interested in sewing, garment construction, or improving upon their current skill sets in a supportive studio environment.

Prerequisite: Some prior experience in making or altering a garment. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to first class: A sketchbook, pencils, pens, muslin, tagboard, paper scissors, fabric scissors, 1/2 yard tagboard, pins, thread (if you want something besides black/white). Additional materials will be discussed in class.

Register now!

• $375 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Jeanette Au
• Tuesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• November 5 -December 10 (5 sessions, no class Nov 26)
• CCA Fashion Studios, Room 140, 80 Carolina St

This is an exploratory introduction to fashion knitting where both the textile and garment are designed simultaneously. Learn to use the domestic single bed knitting machine to construct custom made fabric while understanding how to employ the different fiber content, colors and properties of various industry yarns to create harmonious textures and colorways. Fully fashioning will be covered to shape fabric without the industry excess waste of cut and sewn fabrication and hand manipulated stitches unique to machine knitting will be used to create 3D textures. Using all these skills, pattern calculation and finishing techniques we will design an accessory.

Prerequisite: None. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to first class: Bring images of inspiring knitwear and your favorite designs. Bring a notebook and pencil to take notes and sketch.

Register now!

• $395 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Alex Combs
• Saturdays, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
• November 16 - December 14 (5 sessions)
• CCA Main Building, Computer Lab C, 145 Hooper St

Adobe InDesign breaks down the barriers between online and offline publishing, allowing the user to create compelling print layouts, interactive ebooks, and PDF presentations. InDesign is the standard for publishing and page layout because of its short learning curve and seamless integration with other Adobe programs. This short course covers the following basic features: tools, creating a multi-page document, handling type and text flow, paragraph formatting, handling pictures, navigating within InDesign, working with layers, adding graphics, working with color, working with master pages, formatting with styles, creating and formatting tables, time-saving tips and workarounds for publication workflows, preflighting and packaging, and exporting for a variety of formats. Following a discussion of the program and overview of the basic elements, students explore the tools of this software through hands-on exercises designed for beginners with optional intermediate and advanced take-home work if desired. The class sessions are split between InDesign lessons and working with students on their projects (such as a zine, chapbook, calendar, novel/prose, art book, comic, brochure, newsletter, poster, interactive presentation or invitation) with individualized assistance from the instructor. Course topics may shift to best suit the individual needs of the class.

Prerequisite: Basic Mac or PC computer skills. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to first class: Your preferred method for note-taking. Students will work in a lab with Adobe provided.

Registration closed. This course will be offered in winter/spring 2025.

• $395 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Max Gavrich
• Tuesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• October 1 - October 29 (5 sessions)
• CCA Main Building, Computer Lab C, 145 Hooper St

Adobe describes their Photoshop software program as the ultimate tool for bringing out the best in your digital photographs and showcasing them in extraordinary ways. It has become the standard for image manipulation in many professions including: photography, design, art, and marketing. This online course provides an overview of Photoshop, Bridge, and Camera Raw through which participants will learn to navigate the workspace using different tool sets, palettes and windows such as layers, masks, text, gradients, adjustment layers, color space, resolution, dust removal and blemish correction, the use of specific filters, as well as best practices for organizing adjustments and selections into layers for more control and nondestructive editing. Upon leaving this class, students should be able to process images through Photoshop in a streamlined workflow and properly manipulate, color correct, or touch up existing images, as well as export for print or the web.

Bring to first class: Preferred method of note taking.

Prerequisite: Basic Mac or PC computer skills. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Register now!

• $395 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Corey Wolffs
• Thursdays 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
• October 31 - December 7 (5 sessions, no class Nov 28)
• CCA Main Building, Computer Lab A, 145 Hooper St

This beginner-friendly Rhino 3D workshop is tailored specifically for artists and craftspeople looking to expand their creative toolkit with 3D modeling. Rhino's intuitive and flexible environment offers artists the ability to bring their visions to life with precision and artistic flair. In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of Rhino 3D, focusing on how to use its tools to enhance your artistic practice and explore new forms of expression.

Prerequisites: No prior experience in Rhino 3D is required, but familiarity with basic computer operations and understanding of 2D drawing concepts is beneficial.

Bring to first class: Preferred method of note taking.

Registration details forthcoming!

Register now!

• $495 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Hifumi Ogawa
• Wednesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• October 9 - December 4 (8 sessions, no class Nov 27)
• CCA Main Building, Studio N10/12, 145 Hooper St

This course is designed for beginners and students with minimal experience. The class focuses on the fundamentals of painting, covering basic techniques and skills, using a variety of materials and approaches. Students will learn how to handle paint, mix colors, and develop composition and texture while exploring a wide range of subject matter, including still life, portraiture, and abstraction. Experiments and personal projects are encouraged. Group discussions and slide presentations are interspersed throughout the course, as well as time for instructor one-on-one progress review.

Prerequisite: Open to all levels. Experience with drawing is helpful, but not required. Students must be 18+ years or older.

Bring to first class: A sketch book (9” x 12” or larger), #2 pencils, a ruler, two pre-primed canvas boards 16" x 20", acrylic paint: titanium white, cadmium yellow light, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, (or any yellow, red, and blue if you already have them) burnt umber, burnt sienna, and yellow ochre. A jar of acrylic gel medium (matt, regular). Palette knife (large rounded spatula and/or medium trowel), painting shirt, palette or paper plates, 4-6 brushes (example: size 2 and 10 rounds, size 6 filbert, size 6 and ½” flats or Blick Essentials Craft Value Brush Set), a few jars, rags or paper towels.*
*We use only acrylic paints in the class in order to keep numerous demonstrations done in the class simple and focused.
*If you prefer, you can get a student grade starter paint set instead of individual paints above. Some preferred paint brands include Golden, Winsor & Newton, Liquitex, and Utrecht.

Registration closed. This course is also offered in the winter/spring session.

• $595 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Patrick Dintino
• Tuesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• October 1 - December 3 (10 sessions)
• CCA Main Building, Studio N14/16, 145 Hooper St

Abstract painting has been with us for over a century. Where do we go from here? In this course, you will explore the challenge of creating truly original abstract work as it relates to current times. The development of a unique approach is emphasized while the creation of a consistent process for experimentation is intensified. Both source material and internal inspirations are used. Practical information for presentation is provided as well as strategies about how to navigate the art world. There will be field trips to museums and gallery openings. We learn that confidence building and critical analysis are a crucial part of discovering your voice. There will be a special focus on color theory and application when executing original works. We will learn how to base our color decisions on color schemes and complexities. Art historical discussions and references included.

Prerequisite: This class is open to all skill levels. Experience drawing and painting is helpful, but not required. Students must be 18+ years or older.

Bring to first class: Two pre-primed canvas boards 18"" x 24"", acrylic or oil paints (black, white, yellow, ultramarine blue, phthalo blue, alizarin crimson and cadmium red), palette knife, palette paper, several brush sizes, a few jars, rags; if working in oils, bring linseed oil and odorless mineral spirits, Gamsol preferred. No Turpenoid (or Turpenoid ""natural"") due to toxicity.

Registration closed.

• $595 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Patrick Dintino
• Thursdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• October 3 - December 12 (10 sessions, no class Nov 28 for Thanksgiving)
• CCA Main Building, Studio N10/12, 145 Hooper St

This course is designed to help painters develop their voice through a body of work, focusing on expanding their unique process, while discussing the implications of creating significant artwork in contemporary society. The class emphasizes the use of practical tools for establishing your aesthetic and demystifies the intricacies of operating in the art world. The course includes exercises for continuing a committed painting practice, as well as enhancing your ability to speak eloquently about your art.

Prerequisite: No prerequisite necessary except a desire to create a body of work, but experience with drawing and painting preferred. Students must be 18+ years or older.

Bring to first class: two pre-primed canvas boards 18"" x 24"", acrylic or oil paints (black, white, yellow, ultramarine blue, phthalo blue, alizarin crimson and cadmium red), palette knife, palette paper, several brush sizes, a few jars, rags; if working in oils, bring odorless mineral spirits and linseed oil.

Registration closed.

• $495 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Merl Ross
• Saturdays, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
• October 5 - December 7 (8 sessions, no class Oct 12 or Nov 30)
• CCA Main Building, Studio N10/12, 145 Hooper St

A variety of themes are explored, including the model, landscape painting and other projects drawing upon the imagination. Emphasis is given to developing a personal vision. Individual feedback and group critiques assist students to examine the properties of color and its application, along with other compositional and technical concerns. Intended for those students who have completed an introduction to painting course and wish to further develop their body of work.

Prerequisite: Students must be 18+ years or older and have experience painting in oils or acrylics. Intended for those students who have completed an introduction to painting course and wish to further develop their visual explorations using acrylic or oil paint.

Bring to first class: Several brushes (small, medium, and large), a few jars with lids, rags or paper towels, a pre-primed canvas (at least 16"" x 20""), palette paper, palette knife, acrylic or oil paints (titanium white, mars black, lemon yellow or cadmium yellow light hue, hansa yellow medium, cadmium naphthol red or cadmium red light hue, quinacridone violet, ultramarine blue, phthalo blue). Please no pure cadmium colors only cadmium HUES. If working in acrylic paint please bring Golden Acrylic Glazing Medium in matte, satin or gloss finish. If working in oils, bring odorless mineral spirits, Gamblin Gamsol (solvent) and Gamblin Linseed Oil, or Walnut Oil (any brand). Gamblin is an art supply brand that focuses on safety. Students must use Gamblin gamsol and linseed oil, no exceptions. NO Turpentine or Turpenoid, which is quite toxic, as is Turpenoid "natural". Please also bring a still life item to the first meeting.

Registration closed.

• $595 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Evri Kwong
• Mondays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• September 30 - December 2 (10 sessions)
• CCA Main Building, Studio N10/12, 145 Hooper St

This oil painting class is meant to inspire your inner artist to take a deeper dive into finding imagery that has meaning to you. Through a freeform exploration in oil painting and an ongoing studio practice, students will learn basic techniques and build upon skills already learned in previous classes. Risk taking is encouraged. Projects are meant to inspire students to move beyond learning techniques to a deeper experiential understanding of how to develop your artistic voice through the medium of painting. At the beginning of class there will be demonstrations and lectures on various oil painting techniques and compositions. Students will be exposed to classical master painters as well as contemporary artists. A daily sketchbook will be a part of this class as a tool for generating new ideas for paintings or problem solving compositions. The instructor will provide 1:1 hands-on guidance for the projects and facilitate in-progress critiques to help us articulate the concepts and motivations behind the paintings we make. All points of view are welcome. The critique is meant to be a safe place for dialogue.

Prerequisite: All levels of painting experience are welcomed. Experience drawing is helpful, but not required. Students must be 18+ years or older.

Bring to first class: One Sketchbook, 2 B graphite pencils, 6 B graphite pencils, One old T-Shirt, One disposable palette, One palette Knife, Gamsol (odorless mineral spirits), Two Jars with lids (one small, one large), One smock or apron, Vinyl gloves, Gesso, (at least one quart), Assortment of inexpensive bristle brushes ( ½”, 1”, 2”,) for oils, round tip and flat tip, One house painting brush, One bottle of Damar Varnish, 2oz., One bottle refined linseed oil 2oz., One empty coffee can to hold brushes, One sheet of sandpaper, 6 primed canvases or masonite boards. Oil colors: Alizarin Crimson, Cadmium red medium, Cadmium yellow medium, Viridian Green, Ultramarine blue, Cerulean Blue, Cobalt violet, Burnt sienna, Burnt Umber, Prussian Blue, Titanium white, Ivory, Black

Recommended Textbook: The Painter’s Handbook by Mark Gottsegen and The Artist’s Handbook by Ralph Mayer

Registration closed.

• $595 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Yael Levy
• Mondays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• September 30 - December 2 (10 sessions)
• CCA Main Building, Studio N14/16, 145 Hooper St

This course introduces the medium of watercolor painting, while providing an environment where students can experiment with a variety of techniques and practice controlling this notoriously unpredictable medium. We will cover various techniques and tricks and learn about color, layering, blending, hard and soft edges as well as wet in wet, frisket and some mixed media explorations. We will draw and paint from both observation and our imaginations; using photo reference and natural objects. We also look at the work of past and contemporary watercolorists for inspiration.

Prerequisites: None. Students at all levels are welcome in this class, and must be 18+ years or older.

Bring to first class: paper and pens/pencils. If you already have watercolor supplies, feel free to bring them along. We will go over options for paint, brushes, paper, and supplementary materials on the first day.

Register now!

• $325 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Hifumi Ogawa
• Sundays, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• November 3 - November 17 (3 sessions)
• CCA Main Building, Studio N10/12, 145 Hooper St

This painting workshop focuses on the development of personal voice and strength as an individual painter. It is intended for emerging artists who want to challenge themselves by spending 6 focused hours in the studio to gain more muscle as a painter. Students are strongly encouraged to come to each workshop ready to develop their own theme/idea, practice specific skills they are interested in, and experiment with acrylic, oil, or mixed media materials required to explore their projects. Slide presentations and demonstrations for techniques will be tailored to student projects. During each workshop, the instructor will have an in-depth discussion with each student about their project and facilitate small group discussions amongst peers.

Prerequisites: any introduction to painting class or equivalent.

Bring to first class: A sketchbook and a pencil. Any material required to execute students’ projects. Open to all painting mediums (oil painting, water base painting, mixed media, etc.). Appropriate painting surfaces such as paper, canvas, or wood panel.

If working in oils, bring Gamblin Gamsol (solvent) and Gamblin Linseed Oil, or Walnut Oil (any brand). NO Turpentine or Turpenoid. Students can bring their own still life items and/or photographs, etc. for reference.

Register now!

• $325 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Wendy Liang
• Saturdays, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
• October 19 - November 16 (5 sessions)
• CCA Main Building, Studio N14/16, 145 Hooper St

Landscape painting is a timeless art form, tracing its roots back to the 16th century, where artists first captured the world around them, not with the lens of a camera, but with the brush of their soul. Unlike photography, landscape painting transcends mere accuracy, allowing us to paint not just what we see, but what we feel—the emotions, moods, and spirits of the places that shape us. In this course, we will delve into the technical aspects of landscape painting, exploring perspective, composition, and coherence. Yet, our true focus will be on infusing these techniques with personal memory, nostalgia, and passion. Here, your brush will not just paint a scene but will tell a story—your story—whether it’s of a cherished hometown, a place that holds a special place in your heart, or a dream destination you’ve always longed to visit. Each canvas will become a window into your soul, inviting viewers to share in the joy, longing, and beauty that reside within your personal landscapes.

Prerequisite: None. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to first class: Several brushes (small, medium, and large), a few jars with lids, rags or paper towels, a pre-primed canvas (at least 16"" x 20""), palette paper, palette knife, acrylic or oil paints (titanium white, mars black, lemon yellow or cadmium yellow light hue, hansa yellow medium, cadmium naphthol red or cadmium red light hue, quinacridone violet, ultramarine blue, phthalo blue). Please no pure cadmium colors only cadmium HUES. If working in acrylic paint please bring Golden Acrylic Glazing Medium in matte, satin or gloss finish. If working in oils, bring odorless mineral spirits, Gamblin Gamsol (solvent) and Gamblin Linseed Oil, or Walnut Oil (any brand). Gamblin is an art supply brand that focuses on safety. Students must use Gamblin gamsol and linseed oil, no exceptions. NO Turpentine or Turpenoid, which is quite toxic, as is Turpenoid "natural".

Registration closed.

• $595 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Yael Levy
• Tuesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• October 1 - December 3 (10 sessions)
• CCA Main Building, Studio N10/12, 145 Hooper St

This introductory studio course focuses on the fundamentals of drawing while exploring a variety of media, techniques, and subject matter from still life and landscape to portraiture. Using traditional and experimental approaches to drawing, students develop an understanding of proportion, form, line, gesture, and tone. Through demonstrations, practice, and class discussion, participants also hone the verbal and analytical skills necessary to examine their work critically. This course is appropriate for beginners and those wishing to further develop their drawing skills.

Prerequisite: None. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to first class: 20” x 26” drawing board with clips, 18"" x 24"" Strathmore drawing pad (other brands are fine, but paper must be drawing quality), a variety of drawing pencils (4H, 2H, HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B, 8B), soft vine charcoal, compressed charcoal (Char-kole brand), white plastic eraser, kneaded eraser, sketchbook (any unlined notebook), pen/pencil, Conté à Paris Crayons (set of 4), white chalk, and a portfolio for transporting drawings.

Now a 5-week class! Register now!

• $395 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Emma Strebel
• Wednesdays, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• October 23 - November 20
• Hubbell Drawing Studio, 111 Hubbell St

This course focuses on figure-drawing techniques that help drawers see the human figure in a new way. Students will draw from live models each week, learning techniques from historical artists to contemporary methods of problem solving. Paying consistent attention to line sensitivity, participants hone their skills in drawing the human form with an emphasis on both gesture and expression. Students learn to respond directly to the movement, weight, mass, gesture, and character of each pose, while developing the skill of conceptualizing the human figure as a series of connected geometric forms. They gain the ability to measure dimensions and align various parts of the body by incorporating intuition with mechanical methods. The class explores the dramatic effects of chiaroscuro and analyzes the planes and surface contours of the figure by using the sense of touch as well as sight. By the end, students should be able to balance their attention between gesture, core, and surface volumes, investing their figures with accuracy and character.

Prerequisite: Experience with drawing helpful, but not required.

Bring to first class: Biggie Sketch or Canson Sketch pad (50 lb 18"x24"), Newsprint pad (18"x24"), soft willow charcoal - thin, compressed charcoal (brand: char-kole), 1 kneaded (or other) eraser, 1 chamois, pencils (soft or 2B and 4B or 6B), portfolio for all your work (highly recommend but not essential).

Register now!

• $495 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Phoebe Deutsch
• Saturdays, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
• October 12 - December 7 (8 sessions, no class 11/30)
• CCA Main Building, Studio 200, 145 Hooper St

This studio-based course explores the history and strategies of drawing through the experimentation of mark-making processes. In this class, students begin to understand the relationship between form and meaning while relating the drawing process to broader concepts of visual communication. We will begin class with a talk about drawing techniques and discuss how to navigate our ideas into reality. Learning how to draw is a problem-solving endeavor, failures and successes are often equally valuable to making and developing your work. In class we will address technical components of making a work of art through drawing, examining a variety of media and methods that will transcend this course and your entire experience of making art, from concepts to final works.

Prerequisite: Intended for those students who have completed an introduction to drawing course. Students must be 18+ years or older.

Bring to first class: Strathmore drawing pad (other brands are fine, but paper must be drawing quality), pencils, inky pens/ markers, chalk, compressed charcoal, colored pencils, pastels, white plastic eraser, kneaded eraser, sketchbook (any unlined notebook).

Registration closed. This course will be offered in winter/spring 2025.

• $295 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Elissa Callen

What if instead of using store bought inks, paints, and pastels you made them yourself–out of plants? Art materials made from plants, minerals, and even insects are the original sources of color in art and full of robust color possibilities. Learn about revered natural dye colorants, as well as what plant-based colors can be found and gathered right here in the Bay Area, and how to process them into handmade inks and pastels for painting, printmaking, and drawing with.

This course includes a brief introduction to native and invasive plant species, ethical gathering, and the in depth process of turning these plant materials into an array of color for art making. Students will leave with a revived sense of ecological creative potential and their own sampling set of botanical pastels and inks made together in class. Students will also take away their own botanically printed and painted experimentations on paper. We will have the opportunity to observe and harvest modest collections of plants during class to use for color making and printing.

Prerequisite: None. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to first class: All materials will be provided (brushes will be available, but students are encouraged to bring their own brushes and paper if they’d like to use their own)

Registration closed. This course will be offered in winter/spring 2025.

• $550 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Miguel Sarabia
• Wednesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• October 9 - December 4 (8 sessions, no class Nov 27)
• CCA Rayko Building, Darkroom + Lighting Studios, 428 3rd Street

In an age of digital photography with instant images and limitless shooting capabilities, traditional darkroom and film photography provides a hands-on slower approach to image making. This 6-week class introduces students to the basic principles and procedures of B&W darkroom photography. Class will begin with an overview of photo history, film cameras, camera operations, metering for proper exposure, and other critical components of darkroom photography. In the following weeks, students will then head into the darkroom to learn film processing, printing and darkroom techniques to produce unique silver gelatin based prints. Weekly shooting assignments and critique will help students gain the skills in learning this unique process.

Prerequisite: Comfortable working with darkroom chemistry. Students must be 18+ years old at the start of class.

Bring to first class: film cameras with manual controls, extra batteries, camera instruction manuals. Basic materials like film and paper are included in tuition.

Registration closed.

• $550 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Bec Imrich
• Mondays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• October 7 - November 25 (8 sessions)
• CCA Rayko Building, Darkroom + Lighting Studios, 428 3rd Street

Students in this course will explore how to further their technical skills in black white photography; choose how to apply digital or experimental techniques to their creative practice; and develop creative projects in a variety of genres while engaging various discourses on contemporary photographic practices. The goals of this course are to better understand the language of photography in its various cultural forms, and to investigate how different presentational strategies influence photographic meaning. The key question will be: how will a better understanding of photographic methods and materials help one use photography as a persuasive visual language and as an effective mode of personal creative expression?

Prerequisite: Students will need to have already taken B&W Photography or have experience in analog photography and working in a darkroom studio. Students must be 18+ years or older.

Bring to first class: Working film camera, extra batteries, camera instruction manuals, and any other camera accessories. Basic materials like film and paper are included in tuition.

Register now!

• $375 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Anthea Black
• Thursdays, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
• October 31- December 5 (5 sessions, no class Nov 28)
• CCA Rayko Building, Print Studio, 428 3rd Street

For queer people, self-publishing is an act of political autonomy, liberation, and personal expression. The Queer Artists Book Intensive is for artists, writers, or photographers who want to draw from their artistic practice to create a self-published artist book. Anthea's expertise will allow participants to learn the technical skills of creating an artist book, including demos in screenprinting, relief, bookbinding, and mentorship to create a visually layered finished book. Students will be able to access Anthea's collection of artist books for reference, and work in CCA's screenprinting and relief studios to create artwork that will go in your book.

Prerequisite: Must be 18+ at the start of class. Some prior printmaking experience is helpful, but not required.

Bring to first class: 10 images or an element of text that you want to experiment with. Come inspired with your story to tell!

Register now!

• $375 (noncredit)
• Instructor: Julia Goodman
• Sundays, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• November 3 - November 17 (3 sessions)
• CCA Rayko Building, Print Studio, 438 3rd St

This papermaking course introduces students to beginner hand papermaking techniques. Students will become familiar with papermaking processes and equipment. The course includes instructor demonstrations and studio time for student practice. With hands-on experience, students learn about: sheet formation, watermarks, shaped sheets, inclusions, and using recycled materials and DIY equipment at home. This course is open to all students interested in technical and creative methods of papermaking.

Prerequisite: No prior experience in making paper is required. Students must be 18+ years or older at the start of the class.

Bring to first class: Clothing that can get wet. Pulp will come off clothes. Rainboots and a waterproof apron are recommended. Additional materials for class 2 and 3 will be discussed in class.

Registration details forthcoming!

Registration closes four business days before the start of each class, but we can make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

Reach out to extension@cca.edu with any questions.