Enjoy instruction in a variety of media related to the Museum's collection and current exhibitions. Designed for adults of all levels of expertise (unless otherwise specified), studio courses and culinary workshops are taught by artists, Museum educators, and related professionals. Registration is required for all courses.

Hands-on studio activities guided by practicing artists focus on contemporary and historic materials and techniques related to art on view at the Getty Center and the Getty Villa. Programs range from introductory to master classes offered in both single and multisession format.

In Studio
January 8 and 22; February 12, 2012
Artists' Studios
Fee $25 per studio visit

Join us for this behind-the-scenes opportunity as artists featured in the Getty's Pacific Standard Time exhibitions open their studios and share insights on their work, inspiration, and process. Information and directions will be sent following registration.

Fred Eversley
Sunday, December 11, 2011
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Venice, CA


Ed Moses
Sunday, December 18, 2011
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Venice, CA


John Mason
Sunday, January 8, 2012
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Los Angeles, CA (Downtown)


Larry Bell
Sunday, January 22, 2012
11:00 a.m–12:00 p.m.
Venice, CA


De Wain Valentine
Sunday, February 12, 2012
4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Gardena, CA

Sculpting the Portrait in Clay
Wednesdays, February 8 and 15, 2012
10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Getty Center, Museum Studios
Course fee $165 (includes materials and lunch)

In this two-day sculpture workshop with artist Peter Zokosky, participants work from a live model and sculpt the human head in half scale. Emphasis is on exploring the forms that make up the human head and capturing the likeness of the individual model. Instructions, demonstrations, and gallery visits support the hands-on experience. Complements the exhibition Images of the Artist. Open to 25 participants.

Papyrus: The Ancient World and Beyond
Saturdays, February 18 and 25, 2012
1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Getty Villa, Museum galleries and Education Studio
Course fee $60 for two sessions
Limited to 16 participants for each session

Session 1: Making Papyrus Paper (February 18)
Join educator Sabina Miller for this hands–on exploration of ancient papyrus making. Trace the ancient industry of papyrus, from its center of production in Egypt to trade routes spanning the Mediterranean world. Discover some of the surprising uses of the plant, including food products, as well as recent scholarship and technology used to study ancient papyri. Tour the gardens and galleries to view objects that illuminate the properties that made this plant ideal for paper making. The class culminates with creating your own papyrus paper to take home.

Session 2: Drawing on Papyrus Paper (February 25)
Join artist and educator Elmira Adamian and experience the ancient process of drawing on papyrus paper using materials and tools such as those used by an ancient Egyptian scribe. Work with styli and reed pens made from plants grown along the banks of the Nile River and create your own ink by mixing mineral ochers and natural adhesives such as resins and beeswax—all by hand. Look to works of art in the Museum's collection to explore drawing techniques, such as the three–quarter pose.

The Exquisite Page: Gold Gilding for Paper and Parchment
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
10:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Getty Center, Museum Studios A & B
Course fee $135
Open to 20 participants

Shimmering gold embellishments enhanced Gothic manuscripts, propelling the ancient art of gilding to elegant, new heights. Learn about this medium in an in-depth workshop with artist Sylvana Barrett.

Participants explore a variety of materials and techniques while working on both historic parchment and modern paper surfaces. Complements the exhibition Gothic Grandeur: Manuscript Illumination, 1200–1350.

Chefs, educators, and wine experts lead classes and hands-on cooking workshops providing a unique entree to the Museum's permanent collections and special exhibitions. All experience levels welcome.

Gothic Desserts
Thursday, March 1, 2012; repeats
Friday, March 2, 2012
1:00–4:30 p.m.
Getty Center, Private Dining Room
Course fee $75
Open to 20 participants

Discover the world of Gothic art and cuisine with educators Nancy Real and Robin Trento. Participants tour the exhibition Gothic Grandeur: Manuscript Illumination, 1200–1350, prepare a banquet of historic desserts once enjoyed by the medieval courts of Europe, and savor the sweet rewards of their labors during a class tasting.

Recently in the series
Cooking with Literature: The Roman Banquet
Saturday, November 5, 2011, and
Sunday, November 6, 2011
11:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Getty Villa, Meeting Rooms
Course fee $75
Open to 20 participants

Use literature as your guide to travel to ancient times in the second of a two–part series that explores the role of food in ritual, ceremonial, and quotidian contexts. Join chef and educator Maite Gomez-Rejón in informal conversations that connect the literary, visual, and culinary arts as seen in the Museum's collection, then participate in a hands–on cooking class and lunch. In this session, explore the culinary offerings of ancient Rome through the works of Roman writers Pliny, Petronius, and Apicius. Visitors can sign up for one or both of the classes.

Enjoy the tradition of sketching from original works of art every first and third Sunday of the month during the Getty Drawing Hour. Artist Diana Bonilla provides general guidance; just bring your own drawing pads and pencils. All experience levels welcome. Free. Sign-up begins at 2:30 p.m. at the Museum Information Desk.

Learn more about this program on our blog, The Iris.

Next in the Series
Sketching with Diana Bonilla
Sundays, February 5 and 19, 2012
3:30–5:30 p.m.
Getty Center, Museum galleries
Free

Artists have long looked to classical antiquity for inspiration. Drawing from ancient works of art and architecture was a regular part of studio practice since the 15th century. Sketchbooks in hand, some artists even traveled to Italy and Greece to explore the surviving monuments of classical culture in situ.

Discover this historical tradition at the Getty Villa in this free, one-hour program. Artist Jaime Ursic guides an informal lesson as you sketch from works of art, architecture, and the gardens of the Villa. Experiment with various historical drawing materials in the gallery and studio. All supplies are provided and all skill levels are welcome. Sign-up begins 15 minutes before the program starts at the Tour Meeting Place.

Contour Drawing in Pencil and Charcoal
Saturday, April 7, 2012
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Getty Villa, Museum galleries and education studio

Plein Air Drawings with Watercolor Pencils
Saturday, May 12, 2012
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Getty Villa, gardens

Drawing Drapery and Folds
Saturday, June 16, 2012
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Getty Villa, Museum galleries and education studio