Classes
UPDATED August 28, 2025
Upcoming Classes and Workshops:
Beginning Watercolor Weekly Class
Fridays 9 am - 11 pm
Sep 12 - Oct 17, 2025
Fayetteville YMCA, Fayetteville, NY
(You do not have to be a member of the YMCA)
Register Here or call the YMCA at (315) 637-2025
Ages 16+. Beginner to intermediate. Do you want to make art, but don’t feel comfortable calling yourself “an artist?” Does watercolor intimidate you? We will explore the elements of watercolor and what potential it holds as a practice, as well as ways to silence the inner critic that keeps us from expressing ourselves.
This class is a mixed-ability, adaptive class that is fully inclusive of people with disabilities. Whether you want more control over the medium, or long to loosen up more, this class will give you strategies to tune your unique artistic voice.
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Drawing from Observation and Life Weekly Class
Thursdays 9:30 - 11 am
Sep 11 - Oct 16, 2025
Fayetteville YMCA, Fayetteville, NY
(You do not have to be a member of the YMCA)
Register Here or call the YMCA at (315) 637-2025
Ages 18+. All skill levels. No drawing ability necessary, just the willingness to learn this timeless skill. More experienced drafts people, come hone your craft in the company of other artists. Learn how to see your world from a different perspective, set aside your self-doubts, and enter the “flow state.” We will cover techniques like composition and shading, as we draw what we see using pencil, ink, charcoal, and pastel. What you learn in this class, you can apply to any other art form—the sky is the limit.
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Paint & Sip Tea Watercolor Workshop
Date TBA
2 pm - 4:30 pm
Burnet Art Center, Syracuse, NY
Unwind, learn, and make fall harvest themed art while sipping seasonal hot drinks in this mellow workshop for adults. We’ll even try painting with tea! Everything is provided, just bring yourself.
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Art Starters Preschool Art Classes
Fridays in September and October
11:15 am - 12 pm
Fayetteville YMCA, Fayetteville, NY
(You do not have to be a member of the YMCA)
Register Here(for September)
Register Here (for October)
or call the YMCA at (315) 637-2025
Your 2-4 year old will explore the world of art with rich sensory activities in a variety of medium from paint to sculpture. Meet other kids and their grownups while practicing hand on skills. This class is designed for kids and their adult to work together.
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Watercolor Workshop - Autumn Scene
Wednesday September 17, 2025
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Northwest YMCA, Baldwinsville, NY
(You do not have to be a member of the YMCA)
Register here or call the YMCA at (315) 303-5966
For adults of all skill levels. I will guide you in techniques to create a seasonal composition in watercolor. Think pumpkins, sunflowers, apples, and leaves of every color.
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Paint & Sip Tea Watercolor Workshop
Wednesday October 1, 2025
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Northwest YMCA, Baldswinsville, NY
(You do not have to be a member of the YMCA)
Register Here or call the YMCA at (315) 303-5966
Unwind, learn, and make fall harvest themed art while sipping seasonal hot drinks in this mellow workshop for adults. We’ll even try painting with tea! Everything is provided, just bring yourself.
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All Ages Mixed Media Leaves Workshops
2 separate sessions (register for one or both):
Sunday October 12, 2025
2 pm - 4 pm
Thornden Park Carriage House
(near Madison St. entrance)
Syracuse, NY
Register here
Sunday October 19, 2025
2 pm - 4 pm
Onondaga Park Fire Barn
500 Summit Ave. Syracuse, NY
Register here
Fall leaves come in a spectacular variety of shapes and colors. In this workshop, you’ll collect leaves in the park that catch your eye and create a mixed media illustration of them using watercolor, colored pencil, oil pastel, and printmaking. All ages and skill levels welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Past Offerings
Pet Portrait Watercolor Workshop
Create a likeness of your pet in watercolor. No drawing experience necessary; I will teach you a technique to transfer a photo directly to your watercolor paper, so please bring a print out or photo of your pet. All levels welcome!
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Nature Journaling Workshops
All ages (children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult). Draw and write what you see out in nature! We will use a variety of media such as pens, pencils, markers, collage, and watercolor to practice mindfully observing the flora, fauna, and landscapes of our local parks.
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Hand-bound Sketchbook Workshop
In this workshop you will learn up to two methods for creating your own sketchbook from scratch! We will learn a few options for decorating covers, and (time permitting) break your new book in with some drawing exercises.
All materials included. Optionally, If you have your own paper you would like to include in your book, please bring it.
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Printmaking
All ages (children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult). Beginner to intermediate. Experiment with handmade reproductions using upcycled materials found in your house! We will practice techniques in intaglio (etching), gel printing, and relief printing.
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Remembrance Jar Workshop
Many cultures traditionally spend the fall season remembering their deceased. Honor an ancestor or departed loved one with a mixed media jar you decorate with their photo, in this two hour workshop. All materials provided though feel free to bring in any items you’re drawn to add to your jar.
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Watercolor Flowers Workshop
Cozy up to watercolor in a relaxed atmosphere at this floral painting workshop. Use loose and expressive brushstrokes to decorate postcards that you can send to a loved one or keep for yourself. All materials included.
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Upcycled Art
All skill levels. Stretch your creative muscles and turn the old into gold! In this class we use supplies you might find around your house to craft unique pieces of art.
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Intermediate / Advanced Watercolor Weekly Class
Ages 16+. If you have taken Beginning Watercolor with me, or have experience in the medium, and want to stretch your creative muscles and further explore the medium, this class is for you. While the Beginning Class is largely techniques based, in the Advanced Class you have more time for independent projects.
It is my mission to make all of my classes inclusive of people with disabilities. Please reach out for details about accessibility and access needs.
If you have any questions, please call, text, or email me at jess@jessjakus.com
