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Boston's Best Painting Classes

It is hard to live in Boston and not want to learn how to create artistic representations of the city. Everything from the budding flowers of the Boston Public Garden to the architectural details of the Boston Public Library stimulates creativity. Boston also has very good painting classes to get those who are inspired to create the knowledge they need to do so. No person is too young, too old, too skilled or too unskilled to find a painting class in the Boston area.
Watercolor
(credit: Thinkstock)

Museum of Fine Arts Boston
465 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 267-9300
mfa.org

Classes: Teen to adult, beginner to advanced
Price: $230 to $500+ (Supplies included for an additional fee)
See class schedule here.

Take courses taught by talented instructors where numerous paintings by masters adorn the walls. These courses include viewing the collections at the Museum of Fine Arts so students can visualize what they are learning. The materials and instruction will depend on the course. Students have several options to choose from, so take a closer look before committing to one.

Eliot School of Fine and Applied Arts
(credit: Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts/Facebook)

Eliot School of Fine and Applied Arts
24 Eliot St
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617) 524-3313
eliotschool.org

Classes: Toddler to adult, beginner to advanced
Price: $15 to $300+ (Price may not include supplies)
See class schedule here.

The Eliot School of Fine and Applied Arts currently has 12 different painting courses available. They offer courses in various mediums and to nearly all age groups. Toddlers can come in for a class with their parents for a unique bonding experience. There are even drop-in courses in drawing for just $15 per class. The skills taught in these classes will help in painting courses, acting as a great foundation for embarking on this artistic journey.

Related: Boston's Best Contemporary Art

Art Studio
(credit: Thinkstock)

The Cambridge Center for Adult Education
42 Brattle St
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 547-6789
ccae.org

Classes: Adult, beginner to intermediate

Price: $100 to $300+ (Materials not included)
See class schedule here.The Cambridge Center for Adult Education has basic to intermediate painting courses in oil, acrylic and watercolor. Students can choose from abstract training, portrait training and more. Prices for courses do not include materials, so consider investing in some quality materials to last you a while. Students will get a list of materials from the school that the student will have to purchase. If painting is just a new hobby you're trying out, consider looking toward some discount supply stores for your equipment.

Artist's brushes
(credit: Thinkstock)

Brookline Arts Center
86 Monmouth St
Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 566-5715
brooklineartscenter.com

Classes: Ages 2 and up, beginner to advanced
Price: $83 to $310 (Open studios $17, Materials provided for a fee)
See class schedule here.

The Brookline Arts Centers has a diverse listing of courses available from metalsmithing to puppet making. As for the painting classes, they have plenty to choose from in all age groups. However, the adult painting class list is more extensive than the others. There is at least one painting class every weekday at the Brookline Arts Center, making it an extremely convenient option that can fit into most busy schedules.

Artist at work
(credit: Thinkstock)

Arlington Center for the Arts
41 Foster St
Arlington, MA 02474
(781) 648-6220
acarts.org

Classes: Toddler to adult, beginner to advanced
Price: $90+ (Some courses require payment for materials)
See class schedule here.

The Arlington Center for the Arts is a family-oriented establishment that has courses for painters of all ages. Their programs go above and beyond sit-down painting classes. This center offers camps, after-school courses and more. Anyone hoping to visit can attend their open studios on the third weekend of October from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. to get a better feel for the center and what it has to offer.

Shelly Barclay is a professional freelance writer and amateur author. She writes on a variety of topics from food to mysteries. She loves to share the culture and rich history of her birthplace and home, Boston, with the rest of the world. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.


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