Full Studio Sessions Summer 2026 Schedule

WELCOME + INTRODUCTION
6:30-7:00 PM

ART FITNESS WITH UMOCA
7:00-8:30 PM
Join the UMOCA team for Art Fitness, a conversation-driven experience that helps viewers slow down, ask questions, and form their own interpretations of art. This session focuses on Altered States in the Acid West, an exhibition that uses psychedelia, surreal imagery, and spiritual inquiry to challenge traditional Western myths. By practicing how to look at and talk about the work, you will learn to draw inspiration, unpack meaning, and explore diverse artistic styles.

GREAT SALT LAKE LANDSCAPES
4-5:30 PM
Inspired by Alfredo Jaar’s exhibition, The End, we will explore texture, shape, and color by creating salt watercolor landscapes. Jaar’s work uses small, quiet, printed images to lament the loss of the Great Salt Lake. Through color washes and line drawing, this workshop offers a space to process these environmental themes and translate your reflections into art.

DINNER
5:30-6:30 PM
Break for dinner — grab a bite to eat nearby

ORGANIC SKETCHING
6:30-9:00 PM
Take a creative step forward by learning the fundamental skills of sketching. Sketching is the foundation of so many artistic mediums, so developing the ability to quickly capture what you see has a lasting impact on your entire creative output. In this class, we’ll dive into simple and memorable exercises to build the connection between your eyes, brain, and hand. Learn to think through your ideas while you work them out on the page. You’ll build confidence and control, and finish with stronger observational skills to carry into the rest of your work.

A WORLD OF COLOR
10 AM – 12:30 PM
In this workshop, we’ll uncover what emotionally connects us to the art and world around us: color. By studying the science and mystery of color theory, you’ll learn to consistently mix a cohesive, unique palette. We’ll explore harmonies and limited palettes, then take a deep dive into the fundamentals of hue, saturation, and value.

LUNCH
12:30-1:30 PM
Break for lunch- grab a bite to eat nearby

FINDING YOUR STYLE
1:30-4:30 PM
This workshop invites artists to explore a range of styles and subjects through oil painting. Together, we’ll look at several historical painting approaches and what defines them. Then, choosing a subject from a selection of photo references, artists will create their own painting inspired by the style that resonates most. Through guided instruction, artists will explore the distinct use of color, brushwork, light, and abstraction tailored to the chosen style.

STUDIO IN THE WILD
10 AM – 4:00 PM
Bring together everything you’ve learned throughout the Studio Sessions in a full day of creative work. Hosted at Tracy Aviary’s Nature Center, artists will have access to a range of indoor and outdoor spaces full of inspiration. From local western plants and wildlife to vast views and secluded alcoves, this is your day to develop a piece based on your personal style, story, and surroundings. You’re invited to bring the materials that resonate most with you, and the Studio Session instructors will be available throughout the day for individual feedback and advice.

RECEPTION
7:00-8:30 PM
Join us at a public reception for Visions of the West, featuring a pop-up exhibition of work created during Studios Sessions, Summer 2026! All participants are invited to submit work to be displayed in the Education Gallery at UMOCA. Light refreshments will be served.