New Mexico Art League upcoming events

Teen Studio: Tomorrow's Young Artists Start Here with Susan Roden (Saturdays) (MAY Session) (05/02/2026)

Sat, 02 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Do you love to paint and draw? Join artist and teacher, Susan Roden, for a comprehensive 4-week skill-building course covering areas of study in two-dimensional art and three-dimensional sculpture, offered several times a year. Students will create multiple painting, drawing and design projects. As well as making your own work, you will look at and learn from artists of the past and present to fuel your own unique art. Come ready to ask questions, share ideas and create. This is a no-pressure environment where all levels are welcome. Individualized guidance and constructive feedback will be given.

Most materials will be provided for you, included in the price of the course. Students will need to purchase a small amount of personal supplies.

Materials List

Albuquerque multidisciplinary artist Susan E. Roden, attended the Cleveland Institute of Art and the Houston Art Institute. Her art is exhibited nationally and she is the recipient of awards including Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club’s Award (NY) and the Yarka Award from the Salmagundi Club (NY). She attended residencies to Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park (2009) and California’s Desert Dairy Farm (2021, 2022). Roden was featured on the cover of the Pastel Artist International Magazine (2002) with an accompanied article of her technique and cited in the Southwest Art Magazine. She has taught at the University of California San Diego Extension, San Diego Museum of Art and Oasis /Albuquerque. Roden is juried member with the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club (NY), Distinguished Pastelist and Past President of the Pastel Society of New Mexico, member of the Women Entrepreneurs of New Mexico and the New Mexican Chapter of the National Museum of Women in the Arts. www.susaneroden.com

Sunday Afternoon Life Drawing - No Instruction (05/03/2026)

Sun, 03 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

The New Mexico Art League holds Sunday Life Drawing Sessions each week with either a clothed or nude model.

We will begin with quick warm-up poses so artists can capture the figure in motion and move to extended poses during the 3 hour session. These drawing sessions are open to artists of all levels. Artists should bring their own materials and drawing surface. Easels and drawing benches are provided for your use.

These sessions do require advance registration.

Please check your calendar! Payment is not transferable or refundable.

Please sign up early; each group is limited to 12 artists.

Payment must be made at the time of registration in order to hold your place.

Without payment your place will be cancelled.

Wednesday Evening Life Drawing - No Instruction (05/06/2026)

Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

- SOLVENT FREE STUDIO -

The New Mexico Art League now holds Wednesday Life Drawing Sessions each week with a different classical nude pose.

We will begin with quick warm-up poses so artists can capture the figure in motion and move to extended poses during the 2 1/2 hour session.

These drawing sessions are open to artists of all levels. Artists should bring their own materials and drawing surface. Easels and drawing benches are provided for your use.

These sessions do require advance registration.

Please check your calendar! Payment is not transferable or refundable.

Please sign up early; each group is limited to 12 artists.

Payment must be made at the time of registration

in order to hold your place.

Without payment your place will be cancelled.

Teen Studio: Tomorrow's Young Artists Start Here with Susan Roden (Saturdays) (MAY Session) (05/09/2026)

Sat, 09 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Most materials will be provided for you, included in the price of the course. Students will need to purchase a small amount of personal supplies.

Materials List

Sunday Afternoon Life Drawing - No Instruction (05/10/2026)

Sun, 10 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

The New Mexico Art League holds Sunday Life Drawing Sessions each week with either a clothed or nude model.

These sessions do require advance registration.

Please check your calendar! Payment is not transferable or refundable.

Please sign up early; each group is limited to 12 artists.

Payment must be made at the time of registration in order to hold your place.

Without payment your place will be cancelled.

Teen Studio: Tomorrow's Young Artists Start Here with Susan Roden (Saturdays) (MAY Session) (05/16/2026)

Sat, 16 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Most materials will be provided for you, included in the price of the course. Students will need to purchase a small amount of personal supplies.

Materials List

Teen Studio: Tomorrow's Young Artists Start Here with Susan Roden (Saturdays) (MAY Session) (05/23/2026)

Sat, 23 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Most materials will be provided for you, included in the price of the course. Students will need to purchase a small amount of personal supplies.

Materials List

Texture & The Landscape in Soft Pastels with Susan Roden (Monday through Friday) (06/01/2026)

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Take a creative journey into pastel landscape painting using unexpected surfaces. In this class, you’ll learn how to prepare canvas panels and wooden boards to hold pastel by building a textured, tactile ground that enhances mark-making. Class time is divided between studio work and outdoor sessions, where you’ll explore techniques with pastel sticks, strengthen your compositions, and use complementary color to create depth and visual impact. Open to artists of all levels, the course offers both individualized guidance and group instruction. Enrollment is limited to 12 students, so early registration is encouraged. Come experiment, explore, and enjoy the process.

Materials List

Texture & The Landscape in Soft Pastels with Susan Roden (Monday through Friday) (06/02/2026)

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Materials List

Texture & The Landscape in Soft Pastels with Susan Roden (Monday through Friday) (06/03/2026)

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Materials List

Texture & The Landscape in Soft Pastels with Susan Roden (Monday through Friday) (06/04/2026)

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Materials List

Texture & The Landscape in Soft Pastels with Susan Roden (Monday through Friday) (06/05/2026)

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Materials List

Summer Abstract Express with Michael Ottersen (Monday through Friday) (06/08/2026)

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Get ready to shift into high gear with this high-energy summer workshop focused on quick, intuitive strategies for creating abstract art. Over the course of the week, you’ll explore the power of speed as you choose to work in painting, drawing, or a fusion of both. Your goal? To tap into raw emotion, fleeting memories, spontaneous process, and unfiltered thought.

In this workshop, speed is the theme. Our motto: "Paint or draw first, think later." Let go of overthinking and lean into instinct. Abstraction thrives when you trust your gut, and sometimes the most compelling work comes from impulse, not deliberation.

No matter your natural pace, you’ll be encouraged to loosen up, move fast, and break free from tired habits. Running shoes and headbands optional... but a readiness to push your practice into the fast lane is a must!

Ready to meet the bold, instinct-driven artist inside you? The countdown’s on. Let’s make art at the speed of inspiration.

Beep beep... your inner roadrunner awaits!

Materials List

Summer Abstract Express with Michael Ottersen (Monday through Friday) (06/09/2026)

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Ready to meet the bold, instinct-driven artist inside you? The countdown’s on. Let’s make art at the speed of inspiration.

Beep beep... your inner roadrunner awaits!

Materials List

Summer Abstract Express with Michael Ottersen (Monday through Friday) (06/10/2026)

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Ready to meet the bold, instinct-driven artist inside you? The countdown’s on. Let’s make art at the speed of inspiration.

Beep beep... your inner roadrunner awaits!

Materials List

Summer Abstract Express with Michael Ottersen (Monday through Friday) (06/11/2026)

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Ready to meet the bold, instinct-driven artist inside you? The countdown’s on. Let’s make art at the speed of inspiration.

Beep beep... your inner roadrunner awaits!

Materials List

Summer Abstract Express with Michael Ottersen (Monday through Friday) (06/12/2026)

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Ready to meet the bold, instinct-driven artist inside you? The countdown’s on. Let’s make art at the speed of inspiration.

Beep beep... your inner roadrunner awaits!

Materials List

Gouache, Watercolor, and Framing without Glass with Cynthia Inson (Tuesday through Friday) (06/16/2026)

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Skip the glass and bring your gouache and watercolors into a new dimension. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to prepare panels that mimic watercolor paper, create 2–4 small works in either gouache or watercolor, and seal them for a clean, no-glass and no-glare presentation. We’ll also cover basic composition, color, line, and balance, plus a live demo on framing your pieces, demonstrating the process, tools necessary, and method of measuring and installing “hanging” hardware.

Bring: 5”×7” or 6”×8” acrylic-primed canvas panels and two matching wooden frames (no plastic or floater frames; hanging hardware preferred).

Keep it small, learn a lot, and leave ready to display your work... No glass required.

Materials List

Gouache, Watercolor, and Framing without Glass with Cynthia Inson (Tuesday through Friday) (06/17/2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Bring: 5”×7” or 6”×8” acrylic-primed canvas panels and two matching wooden frames (no plastic or floater frames; hanging hardware preferred).

Keep it small, learn a lot, and leave ready to display your work... No glass required.

Materials List

Gouache, Watercolor, and Framing without Glass with Cynthia Inson (Tuesday through Friday) (06/18/2026)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Bring: 5”×7” or 6”×8” acrylic-primed canvas panels and two matching wooden frames (no plastic or floater frames; hanging hardware preferred).

Keep it small, learn a lot, and leave ready to display your work... No glass required.

Materials List

Gouache, Watercolor, and Framing without Glass with Cynthia Inson (Tuesday through Friday) (06/19/2026)

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Bring: 5”×7” or 6”×8” acrylic-primed canvas panels and two matching wooden frames (no plastic or floater frames; hanging hardware preferred).

Keep it small, learn a lot, and leave ready to display your work... No glass required.

Materials List

An Introduction to Art Grid Journaling: From Blank Page to Daily Practice with Allison Jones Hunt (Tuesday, Wednesday) (06/23/2026)

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Does the intimidation of a blank canvas or the paralysis of perfectionism prevent you from building the consistent creative habit you dream of? Discover the freedom of art grid journaling in this workshop led by Albuquerque abstract painter Allison Jones Hunt. Art grid journaling is a bite-sized painting practice using a sketchbook and mixed-media materials in a grid of hand-drawn squares to harness your creativity. In this two-day workshop, you’ll learn how to set up and structure your own art grid journal for daily practice for exploring color, composition, mark-making and intuition in a visual playground of small, manageable squares. In a low-pressure and supportive environment, you’ll explore using the art grid journal as a meditative tool to bypass the inner critic, embrace imperfection, and build a joyful daily art practice one square at a time.

This workshop is perfect for:

Artists of all levels, from absolute beginners to experienced painters looking for a new source of inspiration.
Anyone feeling creatively stuck or seeking a consistent, low-pressure art practice.
Journal-keepers, creatives, and individuals curious about abstract art but unsure where to begin.
Those interested in mindfulness and using art as a tool for self-discovery and emotional expression.

Materials List

Instructor Bio:

Allison Jones Hunt is an Albuquerque-based abstract painter and art teacher. Recognized by the Harwood Art Center as one of New Mexico’s Emerging Artists, her work has been exhibited throughout the Southwest and Pacific Northwest. As a dedicated creative educator, Allison leads creative workshops and teaches painting, the business of art, and color theory at the New Mexico Art League, Corrales Art Center, and her colorful home studio. She believes that everyone has a unique visual story to tell, and she is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and accessibility in the art world. Visit her website at allisonjoneshunt.com to learn more.

An Introduction to Art Grid Journaling: From Blank Page to Daily Practice with Allison Jones Hunt (Tuesday, Wednesday) (06/24/2026)

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

This workshop is perfect for:

Artists of all levels, from absolute beginners to experienced painters looking for a new source of inspiration.
Anyone feeling creatively stuck or seeking a consistent, low-pressure art practice.
Journal-keepers, creatives, and individuals curious about abstract art but unsure where to begin.
Those interested in mindfulness and using art as a tool for self-discovery and emotional expression.

Materials List

Instructor Bio:

Painting Trees and Forestscapes in Watercolor with John Cormier (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) (06/25/2026)

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

A three-day workshop exploring approaches and techniques to paint trees and forest scenes using watercolor with John Cormier, New Mexico Watercolor Society Signature Member. Through demonstration and practice, students will learn and apply various watercolor techniques that John uses to paint his watercolors including wet-in-wet approaches, pouring, mark-making, brush technique, and lifting. Instruction will include various ways to create textures to represent leaves and foliage. Instruction will also include overview of design, color story, layout, approaches to realizing vision, mood and atmosphere, materials, and set-up. Students will create 2-3 paintings using the techniques demonstrated and exercised in the class. Some watercolor painting experience is beneficial to understanding and applying the techniques in this workshop.

Materials List

Painting Trees and Forestscapes in Watercolor with John Cormier (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) (06/26/2026)

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Materials List

Painting Trees and Forestscapes in Watercolor with John Cormier (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) (06/27/2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Materials List

Encaustic Collage and Mixed Media with Carolyn Berry (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) (07/17/2026)

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Join encaustic artist, Carolyn Berry, in this fun and experimental workshop where the sky is the limit! Encaustic wax is a versatile medium made from beeswax, damar resin and powdered pigments that can be used for traditional painting techniques as well as a way to add texture, layer and join mixed media materials together. We will explore experimental techniques of painting, drawing, collage, stenciling, photo transfer, wax fusing and surface manipulation. Be inspired to create artwork with a unique surface using melted wax and pigments. Using magazine images, photo images and found collage materials students will achieve successful and personal imagery in this creative medium. No previous art experience is necessary, only an adventurous spirit.

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* There will be an additional $50 materials fee to be paid directly to the instructor on the first day of the workshop. If you have attended this workshop in the past, then your materials fee may require an upcharge for use of extra materials on your "advanced" activities.

Carolyn Berry has been passionate about teaching art for over 25 years. As a public school teacher, she has been named Outstanding Kansas Educator of the Year and has taught workshops for the Kansas City Art Institute Continuing Education, the Nelson Atkins Museum, Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts and various art centers. Working primarily with collage, photography and encaustic wax, her encaustic mixed media work can be seen in the recent North Light Book publications, Incite 3 and Incite 4. She maintains a studio and exhibits in the Albuquerque, NM area. http://www.carolynberryart.com/

Encaustic Collage and Mixed Media with Carolyn Berry (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) (07/18/2026)

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

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Encaustic Collage and Mixed Media with Carolyn Berry (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) (07/19/2026)

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Materials List *

Black & White Compositions: Exploring Text in Abstract Art with Laura Balombini (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) (07/24/2026)

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

What’s one of the most essential elements in creating a strong work of art? Composition. In this class, we’ll explore that idea through a bold black-and-white approach, using contrast, balance, and visual rhythm to guide our designs. Working on three 8" x 8" cradled wood panels, you’ll experiment with paper, paint, and text in a variety of forms. Text will become a key design element—applied through collage, block printing, stenciling, or direct writing—to help unify your work. By creating a small series, you’ll have the opportunity to test ideas, refine your approach, and develop a cohesive abstract vision across multiple surfaces.

MATERIALS LIST COMING SOON...... *

* $20 materials fee (for wood panels) will be collected. To be paid to instructor on first day of workshop.

Laura Balombini is a storyteller who paints and creates what she can imagine. A theme of contemporary folk art and narrative stories runs through all that she makes. With BFA degrees in clay and fibers and 50 years of trial and error she has sorted through what works best! She is the present owner of Red Paint Studio and a past owner of galleries in Maine, North Carolina, and New Mexico. She has previously been a board member of Maine Crafts Association (statewide advocacy) and a past member of River Art District Association in Asheville, NC. Laura has been a workshop instructor at Haystack School, Arrowmont, and private workshops in Italy, and was awarded a residency and solo show at Jen Tough Gallery in Santa Fe. Her artwork is in collections throughout the United States including Northwest Airlines and the City of Albuquerque. www.lbalombini.com

Black & White Compositions: Exploring Text in Abstract Art with Laura Balombini (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) (07/25/2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

MATERIALS LIST COMING SOON...... *

* $20 materials fee (for wood panels) will be collected. To be paid to instructor on first day of workshop.

Black & White Compositions: Exploring Text in Abstract Art with Laura Balombini (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) (07/26/2026)

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

MATERIALS LIST COMING SOON...... *

* $20 materials fee (for wood panels) will be collected. To be paid to instructor on first day of workshop.

Mixed Media Magic with Alice Webb (Monday through Friday) (07/27/2026)

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

In this immersive five-day workshop, we’ll dive into the vibrant intersection of the natural world and abstraction using a large variety of materials. Through energetic mark-making and bold gestures, you’ll learn to transform still lifes and landscapes into expressive, dynamic compositions. We’ll begin with sketching still lifes and move on to create several color studies, followed by four medium to large-scale paintings—tailored to your preferred size. We will explore a variety of ways to create shapes, lines and textures using acrylics, spray paint, stencils and metal leaf. Whether you lean toward stylized representation, pure abstraction, or a fusion of both, you’ll be encouraged to follow your creative instincts and push your work in new directions. Throughout the week, we’ll explore canvas orientation, foundational design principles, the seven key color schemes, collaging methods, and a variety of painting techniques. Classes will include lectures, slide presentations, live demos, and, most importantly, plenty of painting time. This workshop is ideal for artists looking to energize their work and embrace a more intuitive, exploratory process.

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