Adult Art Classes
Are you a member of the Nicola Valley Community Arts Council? Click here to become a member and take advantage of everything your membership offers: a tax receipt for your membership purchase, ability to register for our programs and to book co-working or studio space, and supporting our mission to connect community through the arts. You can also sign up for our newsletter and stay up to date on all things NVCAC.
We would love your input and we're always looking for workshop teachers! Which art classes for adults would you like to see? Which art classes for adults would you like to teach? Please get in touch with us at programs@nicolavalleyarts.com and let us know.
If you're an instructor and would like to send us a course proposal, please use this form.
Looking for Adult Art Parties? Find them here.
Seasonal Watercolour Cards
This class is designed for artists of all skill levels, whether you're a beginner looking to explore your artistic side or an experienced painter eager to create a bit of card magic. Our focus will be on crafting beautiful, seasonal greeting cards that capture the essence of spring and summer.
- Introduction to Watercolours: Get acquainted with the basics of watercolour painting, including tools, techniques, and color mixing.
- Spring Themes: Capture the freshness of spring with vibrant floral designs and greenery.
- Summer Inspirations: Embrace the warmth of summer by painting sunlit beaches, sweet treats, and radiant sunsets.
- Card Composition: Learn how to design and layout your cards for maximum visual impact.
- Personal Touches: Explore how to add unique details and embellishments to your cards to make them truly personal.
Minimum 6, maximum 12 participants
Saturday, May 31 2025 @ 10 am to noon in the Artist Studio at the Nicola Valley Arts Centre, 2051 Voght St. in Merritt
Cost $25
Arts Council membership is required, no refunds unless NVCAC cancels.
Instructor: Amanda Pryzner-Dunn
Amanda of Pink Room Crafts began paper crafting in 2006 while living in Manchester, England. Initially focused on creating greeting cards, Amanda soon began to explore different techniques including quilling (paper rolling), embossing, stamping, as well as watercolour & ink, and acrylic painting. As a primary school teacher, she had the opportunity to gain experience in other areas of arts and crafts and further develop an appreciation for a variety of styles.
Creative Play - Free Drop-In Art Sessions
Join us twice a month for Creative Play, a free drop-in art session, no registration required! This is a great opportunity to get to know what the Arts Council has to offer, try something new (with our supplies!) or bring a project you are working on.
Meet us at the Artist Studio in the Nicola Valley Arts Centre, every second Tuesday of the month and fourth Thursday of the month, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. No registration required!
Adults only, please.
Find all the dates in our Event Calendar or on our Facebook page.
See you at the Arts Centre!
Healing Connection Classes and Events
Healing Connections is a program of the Arts Council and a community for Merritt and the Nicola Valley to connect over the topic of pain and illness. For all who suffer from it, are part of the support system for someone who does, or simply want to connect with community and resources. While donations are always welcome, all Healing Connections events and art classes are free to attend. A membership for the NVCAC is required ($20 per year) and we have limited grant funding available if this is a barrier.
Please reach out to NVCAC director Kerstin Auer (media@nicolavalleyarts.com) for more information or assistance.
Funding for Healing Connections Art Classes has been provided by the BC Interior Community Foundation as part of their Community Prosperity Program.
Artist Trading Cards
In this introductory course, students will make 5 to 6 Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) with the same theme. These are miniature pieces of art that are traded around the world. Artists create, trade and collect art at organized "swap" events, either in person or online. The only official rule for ATCs is the size: 2.5" x 3.5"
When: Saturday, June 7, 2025 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Free to attend, a NVCAC membership ($20/year) is required.
Where: Nicola Valley Community Arts Centre - 2051 Voght St (beside Kekuli Café) Artist Studio
Grief Movement
There isn’t just one way to approach the grieving process. Everyone experiences grief differently, so everyone copes with grief differently, and that’s okay. It can make it a little harder to figure out how to care for yourself when you’re grieving, but it also means that there are a lot of options out there for how to cope with and ease your grief.
Each journey is unique, and no matter our type of grief we often hold our pain within our own bodies. With grief movement we can learn to explore our bodies releasing some of the pain we are experiencing. Consider Grief Movement to be another tool of support.
Marcia Cooper is a Certified Grief Movement Guide, and will be providing 4 sessions that incorporate mindfulness, meditation, and movement to help individuals cope with their grief. All sessions will be done on chairs.
When: Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 pm
June 18 and 25, July 2 and 9
Free to attend, a NVCAC membership ($20/year) is required.
Where: City of Merritt Cadet Hall, 1755 Coldwater Avenue
Mini Garden Terrariums
Join the Arts Council team at the Nicola Valley Community Garden (behind the hospital, access from Reid Avenue) for a joyful Healing Connections art class. We will be building Miniature Garden Terrariums! We have glass vessels of different sizes and shapes and lot of miniature supplies to build your dream garden complete with moss, mushrooms, and more.
When: Saturday, July 12, 2025 10 am to 12 pm
Free to attend, a NVCAC membership ($20/year) is required.
Where: Nicola Valley Community Garden, Reid Avenue (behind the hospital)
Art & Soul - Spring 2025
Art and Soul is a series of introductory courses that will allow students to try out a new craft, or refresh their skills in a craft they have done before, and enjoy an informal meet-up with other crafters. These monthly classes are on Wednesday mornings from 10:30 am until noon.
All Art & Soul classes include tea and cookies ♡
*No refunds on art programs, classes or events, unless NVCAC cancels.
**Nicola Valley Arts membership required ($20/year)
Mandala Dot Art
In this introductory course, you’ll learn the art of creating beautiful mandalas using vibrant paints and special tools.
Instructor: Kristina Brewer
Wed, May 14 2025 (10:30 am - noon)
