Painterpretations, founded in 2019 by Randiesia Fletcher, MEd.,is an intergenerational social and cultural arts class that has gained international attention for its innovative approach to dialogue and creative expression. The program engages participants across generations in critical conversations sparked by culturally relevant topics, guiding them to write and create visual responses—“Painterpretations”—that reflect personal and collective narratives. Through the integration of sound clips, video, poetry, mapping, and the study of artists and techniques from the African Diaspora, Painterpretations creates a dynamic space where storytelling, history, and art converge.

When we write, we visualize our stories whether we know it or not. Likewise, our drawings and paintings can bring to mind words and phrases that in their own way illuminate our art. In this course, we’ll first compose a story, poem, or verse. Then we’ll sketch what the words bring to mind, and finally, develop a painting that captures the spirit of our written piece. The visual interpretation could be abstract, figurative, or a fusion of the two.

Materials not provided. Supply list coming soon!

Explore combined media: Chalk and Oil pastels and Oil paint stick and Acrylics to create transparencies and vibrant color in your artwork. Guided exercises, Materials provided to share for a small fee by instructor.

Please bring any of the following if you already have them:

acrylic paint, soft chalk pastels, oil pastels, oil paint stick and graphite on paper

In class, students will create a mixed media portrait using collage, drawing, and painting. The process is guided in clear stages, allowing each student to build a cohesive artwork step by step while making personal choices along the way.

Students will explore how to combine materials, layer imagery, and add visual storytelling through color, texture, and mark-making. Prompts are simple and flexible, supporting both beginners and experienced artists without overwhelming the process.

The art is the outcome, but the experience is where the magic resides. This is identity work, storytelling, documentation. Each participant will leave with a completed portrait that reflects their perspective, identity, and creative voice. One portrait, built in layers. Each phase adds something new, allowing students to choose how within each phase.

Materials provided by The Drawing Studio. 

Using a variety of art techniques, come back a halloween mask for you and your family to take out Trick-or-Treating. This class is great for individuals or families! 

Materials provided by The Drawing Studio. 

In class, students will create a mixed media portrait using collage, drawing, and painting. The process is guided in clear stages, allowing each student to build a cohesive artwork step by step while making personal choices along the way.

Students will explore how to combine materials, layer imagery, and add visual storytelling through color, texture, and mark-making. Prompts are simple and flexible, supporting both beginners and experienced artists without overwhelming the process.

The art is the outcome, but the experience is where the magic resides. This is identity work, storytelling, documentation. Each participant will leave with a completed portrait that reflects their perspective, identity, and creative voice. One portrait, built in layers. Each phase adds something new, allowing students to choose how within each phase.

Materials not provided. Please bring the following supplies:

-Journals or loose paper for writing

-Pens for writing prompts

-Printed portraits (We will take and print the portraits during the first class session)

-Magazine images or materials they connect with

-Props (fabric, jewelry, objects, symbolic items) or change of clothes for styling (Session 1)

-Any meaningful text, poems, or writings they want to include

-Markers (optional)

-Anything else that makes the portrait more personal and intimate to you

A monthly process painting session, open to all — no experience, no agenda, no product to produce. Each session is a 3-hour held space where participants paint freely, guided by the principle that the creative process matters more than the outcome. Participants leave feeling more connected to themselves, their body, and a community of people who showed up for the same thing.

Materials provided by The Drawing Studio. 

A monthly process painting session, open to all — no experience, no agenda, no product to produce. Each session is a 3-hour held space where participants paint freely, guided by the principle that the creative process matters more than the outcome. Participants leave feeling more connected to themselves, their body, and a community of people who showed up for the same thing.

Materials provided by The Drawing Studio.