Click on the "Youth Classes" Above For Kids ONLY Classes
"Classes For All Ages" Are Listed Below
Valley River Arts Guild and the Murphy Art Center offer a wide variety classes in a variety of mediums. We offer scheduling options to fit your schedule.  Our art education  programs locally and regionally sourced, all with talented local artists as our instructors. 
Registration for all classes is easy and required to save your place in the class. Simply call the gallery at 828.360. 3038 with your credit card information or stop by in person at The MAC located at 33 Valley River Avenue here in Murphy, NC.
To speak to the Education's Committee Chairman and answers to any questions, email Penny Johnson at cockapoos4u@yahoo.com.
Fearless Watercolor: Winter Landscape
Step-by-Step Guidance For Beginners
Suitable For Teens (14 years and older) and Adults
2 pm - 5 pm

January 18 - Saturday
  • Class fee is $35
    • $15 for supplies, collected by teacher,  day of class
    • All supplies and class handout included
  • Learn how to paint a successful watercolor even if you have no experience or talent
  • After some practice exercises, follow the instructor to complete a 8 x 10 painting
  • Learn basic techniques and how to make corrections
  • Class size is limited to first 8 paid in full students
  • Instructor is Joyce Clair.  If you have questions about the class please email Joyce at clairjoy@hotmail.com or call her at 210.268.3978
  • Click here for more information on Joyce Clair
Good Morning Magnolia Cards Class
Step-by-Step Guidance For Beginners
Wednesday, January 22
1 pm - 3 pm

  • Class fee is $15
  • Everything is included to make 4 "one of a kind" cards
  • Students will use rubber stamps, card stock, markers and ink pad
  • Class size is limited to first 15 paid in full students
  • Instructor is Sharon Francis.  If you have questions about the class please email Sharon at stampinsharon2004@yahoo.com or call her at 828.644.1105
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Simple Steps to Watercolor Painting
Paint A Woodsy Winter Scene With Cubs
10:30 am - 1:30 pm

January 25 - Saturday
  • Class fee is $35
    • $12 for supplies, collected by teacher, day of class
    • All supplies included to complete an 5 x 7 painting matted in a 8 x 10 mat
    • Bring two containers for water and an old dish towel
  • Learn basic techniques in watercolor painting while following the instructor step by step
  • No previous drawing or painting skills needed
  • Learn to paint trees, snow and a bear cub
  • Class size is limited to first 12 paid in full students
  • Instructor is Sheryl Bessette.  If you have questions about the class please email Sheryl at paintinwater2@gmail.com or call her at 828.360.4893
  • Click here for more information on Sheryl Bessette
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Art Journaling Class
Creative Expression - Perfectly Imperfect
No Experience Needed - Class Offered Monthly
6 pm - 7:30 pm

January 30 - Thursday
  • Class fee is $20
  • There is no one way to describe art journaling
  • Think of it as a way in which you express yourself and explore your creativity using a variety of mediums
  • No one way is right and it is always good
  • Come explore new techniques, prompts, supplies and more
  • Class size is limited to first 10 paid in full students
  • Instructor is Patricia Sherrill.  If you have questions about the class please email Pat at pashe309@gmail.com or call her at 980.297.2270.
  • Click here for more information on Patricia Sherrill
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Pine Needle Jewelry
Make A Colorful Pendant Necklace
Beginners Welcome
1 pm - 4 pm

February 1 - Saturday
  • Class fee is $55, all materials included
  • Learn to make your very own beautiful pine needle pendant by wrapping and coiling pine needles
  • Class size is limited to first 10 paid in full students
  • Instructor is Carmen Haynes.  If you have questions about the class please email carmenhaynes444@gmail.com or call 828.557.3400
  • Click here for more information on the instructor
Elegant Cards Class
Step-by-Step Guidance For Beginners
Wednesday, February 5
or
Saturday, February 11
  • Class fee is $15
  • Everything is included to make your own Elegant Cards
  • Students will use rubber stamps, card stock, markers and ink pad
  • Class size is limited to first 15 paid in full students
  • Instructor is Sharon Francis.  If you have questions about the class please email Sharon at stampinsharon2004@yahoo.com or call her at 828.644.1105
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Paint A Valentine Gnome
Share The Love With This Chubby Gnome
Beginners Welcome

Thursday, February 6
10:30 am - 1 pm

  • Class fee is $45, all supplies included
  • Make this "one of a kind" Valentine for the one you love!
  • This will be a fun class with the instructor guiding you through the steps

  • Class size is limited to first 10 paid in full students
  • Instructor is Barbara McMillan.  If you have questions about the class please email Barbara at bmcmillan0927@gmail.com or call 828.557.5881
  • Click here for more information on Barbara McMillan
Upcycling With A Purpose
Clean Out The Attic
10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Beginners Welcome

February 12 - Wednesday
  • Class fee is $25, all supplies included
  • Bring anything you would like to repurpose:
    • furniture you can carry
    • picture frames
    • mirrors, you get the idea
  • Let's make them pretty again!
  • Students will use paints, stains, and waxes
  • Class size is limited to first 12 paid in full students
  • Instructors are Barbara McMillan.  If you have questions about the class please email bmcmillan0927@gmail.com or call 828.557.5881
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Photoshop Class
Mastering The Use Of Layers
Class Accommodates Beginners and More Experienced Photoshop Users
Saturday, February 15
10 am - 1 pm

  • Class fee is $25
  • Students will learn different techniques of layers using Photoshop.
  • Students will learn masking to be able to seamlessly combine images together
  • Students are recommended to bring laptops with current Photoshop (2019)
  • Class size is limited to first 8 paid in full students
  • Instructor is Tim Ford.  If you have questions about the class please email Tim at tlford2035@gmail.com or call him at 386.956.6902
  • Click here for more information on Tim Ford
Amazing Alcohol Inks: Paint On Silk
Easy Design Just By Dripping Ink
Suitable For Teens (14 years and older) and Adults
NOT Advised For Those With Sensitive Respiratory Systems
2 pm - 4 pm

February 15 - Saturday
  • Class fee is $25
    • $20 for supplies, collected by teacher,  day of class
  • Even if you are not an artist, you can create a beautiful 8 x 48 painted silk scarf
  • Instructor demos how to prepare scarf, select colors, apply inks and set the colors
  • No painting experience needed
  • Class size is limited to first 8 paid in full students
  • Instructor is Joyce Clair.  If you have questions about the class please email Joyce at clairjoy@hotmail.com or call her at 210.268.3978
  • Click here for more information on Joyce Clair
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Simple Steps to Watercolor Painting
Paint A Red Barn and Snowy Mountains
1 pm - 4 pm

February 18 - Tuesday
  • Class fee is $35
    • $12 for supplies, collected by teacher, day of class
    • All supplies included to complete an 5 x 7 painting matted in a 8 x 10 mat
    • Bring two containers for water and an old dish towel
  • Learn basic techniques in watercolor painting while following the instructor step by step
  • No previous drawing or painting skills needed
  • Class size is limited to first 12 paid in full students
  • Instructor is Sheryl Bessette.  If you have questions about the class please email Sheryl at paintinwater2@gmail.com or call her at 828.360.4893
  • Click here for more information on Sheryl Bessette
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Art Journaling Class
Creative Expression - Perfectly Imperfect
No Experience Needed - Class Offered Monthly
6 pm - 7:30 pm

February 27 - Thursday
  • Class fee is $20
  • There is no one way to describe art journaling
  • Think of it as a way in which you express yourself and explore your creativity using a variety of mediums
  • No one way is right and it is always good
  • Come explore new techniques, prompts, supplies and more
  • Class size is limited to first 10 paid in full students
  • Instructor is Patricia Sherrill.  If you have questions about the class please email Pat at pashe309@gmail.com or call her at 980.297.2270.
  • Click here for more information on Patricia Sherrill
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Simple Steps to Watercolor Painting
Paint A Red Barn and Snowy Mountains
10:30 am - 1:30 pm

February 29 - Saturday
  • Class fee is $35
    • $12 for supplies, collected by teacher, day of class
    • All supplies included to complete an 5 x 7 painting matted in a 8 x 10 mat
    • Bring two containers for water and an old dish towel
  • Learn basic techniques in watercolor painting while following the instructor step by step
  • No previous drawing or painting skills needed
  • Class size is limited to first 12 paid in full students
  • Instructor is Sheryl Bessette.  If you have questions about the class please email Sheryl at paintinwater2@gmail.com or call her at 828.360.4893
  • Click here for more information on Sheryl Bessette
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Enriching Your Life With Mushrooms
An Introduction to Mycology
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

February 29 - Saturday
  • Class fee is $25
  • Two Mycologists with different specialties will share knowledge to cultivate an appreciation for fungi through presentations and storytelling
  • Major topics include myco-terminology; aspects of identification; wild foraging; mushroom species of culinary utility and medicinal value
  • Class size is limited to first 40 paid in full students
  • Instructors are Michael Weese and Mandie Quark.  If you have questions about the class please email muchroomlifellc@gmail.com or call 410.590.1167
Fearless Watercolor: Greeting Cards
No painting Experience Required
Suitable For Teens and Adults
2 pm - 5 pm

March 14 - Saturday
  • Class fee is $35
    • $15 for supplies, collected by teacher,  day of class
    • All supplies and class handout included
  • Instructor guides you step-by-step to paint 4 small paintings for greeting cards
  • Painting subjects include florals, landscapes and  still life
  • Class size is limited to first 8 paid in full students
  • Instructor is Joyce Clair.  If you have questions about the class please email Joyce at clairjoy@hotmail.com or call her at 210.268.3978
  • Click here for more information on Joyce Clair