Figure Drawing Classes, Workshops, Open Studios

This page includes Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Tennessee.
Illinois, Texas, Minnesota and Wisconsin have been moved to separate pages.
Other States and Provinces

Alabama — sorted by Zip Code

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Space One Eleven
2409 2nd Ave N
Birmingham, AL 35203
Contact Suzanne Endsley, Project Director, suzanneendsleyspaceoneeleven.org 205-328-0553
Instructed
ARTfix! is back by popular demand with Figure Drawing classes, open to all skill levels. Come learn to observe and draw the human form from live art models while drinking wine with friends at Space One Eleven. $150 for six Wednesday classes 6:00-8:00pm. Space One Eleven is a visual arts non-profit, and procedes from our for-fee ARTfix! classes help keep our reduced-fee/free art classes available for underserved youth. We have a wide variety of ARTfix! studio classes designed and taught by professional artists.
[2010-07-21]

Birmingham Museum of Art
2000 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd (formerly 2000 8th Ave. N.)
Birmingham, AL 35203
205-254-2565
Instructed
Classes include Drawing and Painting from Life. Advance your artistic skills by drawing and painting the human figure from a live art model. Emphasis will be placed on proportional accuracy, foreshortening, spatial relationships, and the use of light and shadow. Prior experience is helpful.
[E]

Forstall Art Center
402 Palisades Blvd.
Homewood, AL 35209
forstallartearthlink.net 205-870-0480
Uninstructed
X8 (Times Eight) Life Drawing Group. Tuesdays 7:00-9:00pm. Drop in rate $7, by the month $20. This figure drawing group is open to all serious artists from beginner to advanced. The first Tuesday of each month is costume night and the art model is clothed. The remaining Tuesdays of each month the art models are nude and will rotate between male and female. Everyone is welcome to come to the costume night, but no one under the age of 18 may attend on the evenings that the art models are nude.
[E]

Alabama Art Kitchen
2626 University Blvd
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
alabamaartkitchengmail.com
Instructed and Uninstructed
Nude drop-in figure drawing the last Sunday of every month. $5 drop-in fee (tips highly encouraged for good models). Both male and female art models. Bring your own materials. Generally jovial and comfortable but studious atmosphere.
[2011-02-28]

Huntsville Art League
3005 L&N Drive, Suite 2
Huntsville, AL 35801
educationHuntsvilleArtLeague.org 256-534-3860
Uninstructed
• Every Monday morning 9:00am-12noon. Figure Drawing Group with a clothed art model. HAL Gallery. Call Terri Shows for information: 882-1427. Contact Terri before coming the first time.
• Second Monday evening of each month, 7:00-9:00pm. Life Drawing. $10 members/$15 non-members. This is an independent study group for those who wish to work from a live, clothed art model and are unable to attend the daytime sessions. Students will bring their own supplies. Eeasels and chairs provided. Space is limited, so early sign up is required to reserve your spot.
[2011-12-02]

Space 301
Centre for the Living Arts
301 Conti Street
Mobile, AL 36602
cla.phillipscityofmobile.org 251-208-5677
Instructed and Uninstructed
• Instructed figure drawing class with nude art models, male and female. Night and time changes with season. Meets 6 sessions four times a year. Pose length varies. Easels, tables, and chairs provided. $150 CLA members / $175 non members.
• Uninstructed figure group with nude art models, male and female. Wednesday nights 6:00-8:30pm, 8 sessions four times a year. Pose length varies up to about 20 minutes. Some easels, tables, and chairs provided. $12 per session CLA members / $15 per session non members.
• Saturday Figure Drawing Group meets alternate Saturday mornings at 10:00am on a quarterly basis. Uninstructed. Nude male and female art models. Tables and easels available. Fees based on number of attendees. For information about the Saturday group contact conroy2k6yahoo.com
[2010-02-23]

Arkansas — sorted by Zip Code

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Arkansas Arts Center
501 East 9th Street
P.O. Box 2137
Little Rock, AR 72203
infoarkarts.com 501-372-4000
Instructed
Art classes include Figure Drawing, Approaches to Realistic Figure Painting, and Dynamic Portrait Painting.
[E]

University of Arkansas at Little Rock
2801 S. University Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72204
Uninstructed
Open figure drawing Mondays 7:30-10:30pm and Fridays 1:00-4:00pm in room FA270. All are invited, even bring your friends. The model fee will be split among attendees, so bring a few dollars. For questions contact Stephen Cefalo at 501-888-5075 or stephencefalosbcglobal.net
[2011-03-14]

Iowa — sorted by Zip Code

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Octagon Center for the Arts
427 Douglas Avenue
Ames, IA 50010
directoroctagonarts.org 515-232-5331
Instructed
See website for current schedule. Recent class offerings include:
• Clay Figure Sculpture Class.Working from a nude figure model, learn to produce sculptures using block, slab and press mold methods.
• Figure Drawing. This in depth course will cover foundations in nude figure drawing that will build lifelong skills for all ages and levels of artists. Some drawing experience will be useful. Observation, perspective, gesture and line will be explored using graphite, and charcoal.
[E]

The Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50312-2099
515-277-4405
Instructed
Classes include Open Studio: The Figure. Use oils, acrylics, pastels, or drawing media as you master drawing and painting from the nude art model. Work with a range of long and short poses throughout the term. Beginning Drawing is a prerequisite for this class.
[2009-09-02]

Pearson Lakes Art Center
PO Box 255
2201 Highway 71
Okoboji, IA 51355
infolakesart.org 712-332-7013
Uninstructed
Open Studio: Ceramics, Painting, & Drawing. Thursdays 7:00-9:00pm. Bring your own supplies. Live clothed art model available. Suggested donation: $5. This is not a class, but rather an opportunity to expand your own working techniques.
[E]

Iowa City / Cosgrove Drawing Group
Cosgrove Institute
2009 400th St SW
Oxford, IA 52322
juliejohnsonartgmail.com
Uninstructed
We meet Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:00pm. The studio is 7 miles west of Iowa City at the Cosgrove Institute. Male and female art models. We draw both nude and clothed. Poses start out with short gestures (2 minutes) and then go to 10, 15 and 20 minute poses. Please email for more information and to reserve a space, as space is limited.
[2010-02-05]

CR Drawing Group
Coe College, Art Building-3rd Floor
1220 1st Avenue NE (campus address)
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
crdrawingleadersyahoo.com
Uninstructed
Each session features an experienced model who poses for a set of gestures and then usually does 4-6 twenty minute poses. Sometimes a pose will go as long as 45 minutes. Each session costs $8 per artist (as of 2009) and lasts 3 hours. There are tables provided, boards for paper and some benches. In the past these have always occurred Sundays 10:00am-1:00pm and Tuesdays 6:00-9:00pm. Sometimes around the holidays the group doesn't meet. So check yahoo address to get on mailing list for updates. The art models are generally nude, sometimes partially draped. Will take requests from artists for poses or hats, etc. if no one in the group minds. The artists are college students to senior citizens (often professional artists). Music is usually played in the background.
[2009-11-14]

Figge Art Museum
225 West 2nd Street
Davenport, Iowa 52801
563-326-7804
Instructed
Art classes include Figure Drawing: Refine drawing skills while working from the unclothed art model in a relaxed studio environment. All ability levels are welcome and instruction will be given. Participants under the age of 18 need written parental permission to attend.
[E]

Kansas — sorted by Zip Code

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University of Kansas, Department of Visual Art
KU Art & Design Building, Room 405
1467 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, KS 66045
visualartku.edu 785-864-4401
Uninstructed
Free figure drawing on Saturdays 11:00am-2:00pm. See website for specific dates. Open to all students and non-students alike. Bring a friend. High school students may participate with signed parental waiver form—see website. It is a good experience for an artist to draw a wide variety of different human forms. Therefore, not all models will be young and in great shape. Sometimes the best art models are older, and even elderly. Models can run the gambit from skinny to heavy.
[2011-02-24]

Red Door Studios
738 Armstrong, Suite 200
Kansas City, KS 66101
LaceyLSquaredartwork.com 913-909-5408
Uninstructed
Uninstructed Long Pose Open Figure Sessions. Each Saturday from 6:00-9:00pm artists of every discipline are invited to join us for our Long Pose Session. Doors open at 5:30pm so you have time to set up your easel and supplies. There is a $10.00 charge which covers the cost of the art model and the space.
[2011-02-10]

VALA Gallery
5815 Johnson Dr.
Mission, KS 66202
913-787-7899
Uninstructed
Figure Drawing/Life Drawing Sessions. Every Sunday 1:00-4:00pm.
Fee $10.00 Per session or $99 for 12 sessions.
[E]

CityArts
334 North Mead
Wichita, KS 67202
CityArtsfeedbackwichita.gov 316-350-3245
Instructed
Classes include Figures and Portraits. Students will draw from live nude art models every class, and will develop an array of skills. Age 18+ (unless with parental consent).
[2012-01-19]

Wichita Center for the Arts
9112 E. Central
Wichita, KS 67206
artswcfta.com 316-634-2787
Instructed
• Adult Sculpture. Open to any skill level, this sculpture class will include instruction on the building of armatures and modeling all parts of the human figure using water based clay.
• Romantic Figure and Life Drawing. The figure will be partially clothed in sheer or 'romantic' fabrics and dresses.
[E]

Kentucky — sorted by Zip Code

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Preston Arts Center Inc
3048 Bardstown Rd
Louisville, KY 40205-3020
infoprestonartscenter.com 502-454-9954
Instructed
Art classes include Life Drawing, Artist’s Anatomy & Figure Drawing.
[E]

Lexington Art League
209 Castlewood Drive
Lexington, KY 40505
infolexingtonartleague.org 859-254-7024
Instructed
Classes include Nude Figure Drawing and Nude Figure Painting.
[2011-02-08]

University of Kentucky
202B Reynolds Building
Lexington, KY 40506-0022
Questions can be directed to Anthony Roccanova at Anthony.roccanovauky.edu
Uninstructed
Open Drawing Sessions. Saturdays 9:00am-noon. $8 (to pay for the model). Come and draw from the live art model in any medium in a relaxed atmosphere. No instruction is offered; provide your own paper and drawing media.
[2011-10-14]

Louisiana — sorted by Zip Code

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New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts
5256 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
504-899-8111
Instructed
Art classes include Life Drawing, Life Painting, and Figure Sculpture.
[E]

Fair Grinds Coffeehouse
3133 Ponce deLeon
New Orleans, LA 70119
Coffeehouse 504 913-9072 - Art workshop contact: Sandy 504-914-5341
infofairgrinds.com
Uninstructed
Life Art Modeling. Thursdays 8:00-10:00pm. Artist group session with posing art model. $5 fee collected for model.
[2009-07-14]

Cully Firmin Photography & Production
1305 Lafayette St.
Lafayette, LA 70501
cullyfirminhotmail.com 337-962-5635
Instructed and Uninstructed
Figure drawing and fine art photography workshops.
[2011-12-01]

Mississippi — sorted by Zip Code

Jerrod Partridge's Adult Figure Drawing
119 South President Street
Jackson, MS 39201
painterjerrodgmail.com
Instructed
Classes meet on Monday evenings 6:00-9:00pm at Gallery 119 in downtown Jackson. We use live nude art models, both male and female. Easels are provided. Classes are $275 for a 10 week session. Throughout the 10 weeks the poses will range from quick gestures to 3-hour poses. Classes are taught by Jerrod Partridge who earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the New York Academy of Art in 2004. Other classes occasionally offered at this location are portrait drawing and extended pose classes where one pose is drawn over the course of two 3-hour classes.
[2011-10-10]

Millsaps Drawing Group
Millsaps College
Academic Complex, 3rd Floor, Drawing Room (on Park Avenue off State Street)
Jackson, MS 39210
Contacts: Martha Ferris marthaferris1gmail.com or Carol Clark Hammond cchstudiosaol.com
Uninstructed
Our drawing group meets on Saturdays 1:00-4:00pm. The charge is $10 to cover the cost of the nude art model. Anyone interested in being added to the contact list can email Martha Ferris at the address above.
[2011-10-17]

Missouri — sorted by Zip Code

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Concrete Ocean Art Gallery/Mojo Studios
2257 S. Jefferson (at Shenandoah)
Saint Louis, MO 63104
314-497-0199
Uninstructed
Mojo Studios hosts open figure drawing sessions on Thursday nights 8:00-11:00pm. Feel free to come set up as early as 7:00pm. Cost is $10, some refreshments are provided. BYOB. We host a diverse set of art models and constantly look for ways to keep things interesting.
[E]

St. Louis Artists’ Guild
Two Oak Knoll Park
St. Louis, MO 63105
guild.infostlouisartistsguild.org 314-727-6266
Uninstructed
Weekly sketch groups meet in the third floor studio. The art model may be nude or partially nude at times. $5 for students and members, $6 for non-members.
Tuesdays 6:30-9:30pm
Thursdays 12:00noon-3:00pm
Thursdays 6:30-9:30pm
[E]

Arts Council of Southeast Missouri
32 North Main Street
Cape Girardeau, MO 63702
artscouncilcapearts.org 573-334-9233
Uninstructed
Figure Drawing Group meets Wednesdays 7:00-9:30pm. Come join a mixed group of amateur and experienced artists in a live figure drawing group. Figures will be clothed or nude, depending on the art model. Drawing horses and tables will be available for use, but participants are responsible for bringing all other supplies. $5 per session. Teens and up. Contact Craig Thomas 573-334-8120.
[2011-12-15]

Got Art Gallery
18 SW Third St
Lees Summit, MO 64063
gotartgalleryyahoo.com
Uninstructed
Figure Drawing. Thursday nights 6:00-9:00pm. $10 drop in fee. Third Thursday is a portrait session with a clothed model.
[2011-03-31]

Northland Art Gym
William Jewell College
Art Department - Brown Hall
500 College Hill
Liberty, MO 64068
Uninstructed
Thursdays 6:30-9:00pm - see website for current calendar. We are a group of artists, teachers, and students of all skill levels dedicated to working from the human figure in an environment of mutual respect and support. Cost per session ranges from $9 to $12 per artist. You are responsible for your own art supplies. Parking lot in front of Brown Hall is open to visitors after 5:00pm.
[2011-12-05]

Dr. Sketchy's Kansas City
1331 Union Ave
Kansas City, MO 64101
drsketchyskcmogmail.com
Uninstructed
Cabaret drawing events. This is an affiliate of Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School, founded in New York City.
[2010-03-19] [E]

The Art Department: KCMO POD
1427 West Ninth Street
Kansas City, MO 64101
treybryanmac.com
Uninstructed
Figure Drawing sessions every Monday from 6:00-9:00pm. Cost is $6. This session focuses on gestures and short poses. Most sessions will feature a nude art model or occasionally costumed. The POD is located in the romantic West Bottoms in the Hobbs building. Easels and drawing horses are available, So bring your pad or you sketchbook and join us for a fun night of figure drawing. Make sure you text or call 321-298-8742 upon your arrival, as you need a key code to access the building.
[2011-02-23] [E]

UMKC CommUniversity
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Kansas City, MO 64110
commuumkc.edu 816-235-1407
Instructed
Art classes include Figure Drawing. Some classes may be held off campus.
[2011-10-10]

Kansas City Art Institute
4415 Warwick Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64111
rkartmankcai.edu 816-802-3505
Instructed and Uninstructed
Instructed Art classes include Life Drawing (8 weeks) and Life Drawing Weekend Intensive (2 days).
Uninstructed Life Drawing Open Studio is also offered.
[E]

Springfield Art Museum
1111 East Brookside Drive
Springfield, MO 65807
artmuseumspringfieldmo.gov 417-837-5700
Instructed
Art classes include Figure Drawing. Sharpen your skills as you work from the nude, human figure in a class for the serious student.
[E]

Nebraska — sorted by Zip Code

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Drink n Draw Omaha
House of Loom
1012 S. 10th Street
Omaha, NE 68102
litundressedyahoo.com
Uninstructed
Semi-monthly event in Omaha welcoming artists (drawers, painters, sculptors) of all levels to come together socially while also creating from two professional live nude art models. Poses range from short to long, depending on request of artists present. Chairs provided, bring your own supplies, $5. See website for exact event dates and times. No photography.
[2011-10-28]

Joslyn Art Museum
2200 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68102
402-342-3300
Instructed
Joslyn offers a variety of figure based art classes throughout the year, such as Life Drawing and Figure Sculpting, although they are not always offered each semester. See the website for current course listings.
[2009-07-21]

Rhythm & Hues Studio of Fine Arts
9313 G Court
Omaha, NE 68127
402-330-2761
Instructed
Drawing from the Live Model. Figure drawing is excellent training for adults and teens at all levels. Instruction is available if desired. Our art model begins with several quick poses for gesture drawings and rounds out the evening with a dynamic extended pose! Instruction is available for beginners. Selected Mondays 7:00-9:00pm. See website for schedule. $20 if you bring your own supplies or $22.50 if supplies are needed. Bring a friend and you'll both receive a $5 discount! Please register at least 48 hours in advance.
[2011-09-25]

LUX Center for the Arts
2601 N. 48th St
Lincoln, NE 68504
402-466-8692
Instructed
LUX Center for the Arts offers figure drawing classes for adult and high school students throughout the year, although they are not always offered each term. Classes in pottery, painting, jewelry, printmaking and textiles also available. See the website for current course listings.
[2009-08-10]

North Dakota

No listings yet in North Dakota.

Fargo area artists: Closest listing is in Moorhead, MN.

Oklahoma — sorted by Zip Code

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Dr. Sketchy's Oklahoma City
IAO Gallery
706 W. Sheridan Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
drsketchyokcyahoo.com
Uninstructed
Cabaret drawing events. This is an affiliate of Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School, founded in New York City.
[2010-03-23]

City Arts Center
3000 General Pershing Blvd - State Fairgrounds
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
infocityartscenter.org 405-951-0000
Instructed
Art classes include Life Drawing, Wednesdays 7:00-9:00pm. Students learn to render the human figure quickly and accurately by working each week with live art models. Early emphasis is on creating quick gestural drawings. As the class progresses an emphasis is placed on expressive line, value, perspective and proportion.
[2009-07-21]

Oklahoma Art Guild
City Arts Center
3000 General Pershing Blvd - State Fairgrounds
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
405-408-5355
Uninstructed
Tuesdays — Figure drawing sessions with live art models are provided free for members each Tuesday unless otherwise noted in the newsletter. No guests allowed. Sessions are from 7:00-9:30pm at City Arts Center. See website for information on membership.
[2009-07-21]

Philbrook Museum of Art
2727 South Rockford Road
Tulsa, OK 74114
AdultProgramsphilbrook.org 918-749-7941
Uninstructed
Life Drawing Open Studio, Thursdays 6:30-9:00pm year-round. $10 per session of $55 for six sessions. Ages 18 and above. These open studio sessions allow participants to practice drawing nude male and female art models through gesture sketches. Intermediate to advanced skill level.
[E]

South Dakota — sorted by Zip Code

Thursday Evening Figure Drawing Group
Sioux Falls, SD 57101
figuredrawinggroupyahoo.com
Uninstructed
A group of artists — semi-professional, professional, students, and everything in between — that meets once a week to draw/paint/create from the human figure. There is an energy, a synergy, that happens when artists work along side each other.
[E]

Dahl Arts Center + Rapid City Arts Council
713 7th Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
contactthedahl.org 605-394-4101
Uninstructed
Life Drawing. Adults 18 and up. Tuesdays, 6:30-9:00pm. Call for schedule of dates. $12 per session drop-in or 8 sessions $80. Draw or paint the human form from live nude art models. This is an opportunity for independent work. No instructors, just an open friendly atmosphere of similarly interested artists. All abilities welcome. Easels, drawing boards, tables, locker storage and wet canvas racks available for use. Bring your own media of choice.
[2011-10-18]

Tennessee — sorted by Zip Code

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Plaza Artists Materials
633 Middleton Street
Nashville, TN 37203
helpplazaart.com 615-254-3368
Instructed and Uninstructed
Instructed classes include and Figure Drawing & Painting.
Uninstructed workshops include Open Studio with Figure Model. Fee $12. Call for dates.
[2011-03-09]

Dr. Sketchy's Nashville
The 5 Spot
1006 Forrest Ave
Nashville, TN 37206
drsketchysnashvilleyahoo.com
Uninstructed
Cabaret drawing events. Every third Sunday. This is an affiliate of Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School, founded in New York City.
[2010-03-21]

Watkins College of Art, Design & Film
2298 Rosa L. Parks Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37228
communitywatkins.edu
Instructed
Classes include Figure Study: Working from both male and female nude art models using charcoal, ink, and graphite, students will learn to render a realistic human figure. Studying techniques such as gestures, mass, and volume, students will learn to create effective compositions. Poses will vary in length. The atmosphere is relaxed; drawing tables are provided, but other materials (paper, charcoal, etc.) are the student's responsibility. Cost is $230 for nine sessions lastings 3 hours each.
[2011-04-18]

Art Creations
7351 Commons Blvd. (in the Hamilton Place shopping complex behind Smokey Bones)
Chattanooga, TN 37421
educationart-creations.com 423-266-3626 x2.
Instructed
Classes include Academic Figure Drawing Studio.
[2011-10-14]

The Oak Ridge Art Center
201 Badger Avenue
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
oakridgeartcentercomcast.net 865-482-1441
Instructed
Art classes include Life Drawing. Drawing from the nude art model with emphasis on observation skills. An opportunity for adults of all levels of ability to experience working from a live model in a relaxed and supportive setting. Participants may work in the medium of their choice and should bring their drawing supplies with them to class the first evening. Beginners may call the Art Center for a list of suggested materials. Adults only, space is limited.
[E]

Flicker Street Studio
74 Flicker Street
Memphis, TN 38104
flickerstreetgmail.com 901-767-2999
Instructed and Uninstructed
Uninstructed Life Drawing Open Studio. Fridays 10:00am-12:00noon. $10 per session.
A variety of instructed classes and workshops are offered, such as Drawing and Painting the Figure.
[E]

Memphis College of Art
1930 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
commedmca.edu 901-272-5142
Instructed
Art classes include Life Drawing.
[2009-07-09]