Classes held in our studio building or at the Mercer Island Community & Event Center
How to Create Realistic Flowers with Soft Bokeh Effect
Saturday, May 3rd, 1 – 5 PM
All Skill Levels. Age 18+
with Yu-Yin Lin
This class is for anyone who likes realistic style painting and wants to learn how to create dreamy soft backgrounds with watercolors. You will learn watercolor techniques including, dry-on-dry, wet-on-dry, wet-on-wet, and lifting, as well as composition, perspective, illusion of depth, and masking fluid tips. After this class you will be able to apply these skills to any future paintings.
Taught by Yu-Yin Lin, an artist, educator, and designer. Originally from Taiwan, she earned her Bachelor degree in Oil Painting and obtained her Master’s degree in Art Education at California State University, Long Beach.
” Exceeded my expectations!
This is a very enjoyable class! I had never tried bokeh effects before in my paintings, but I was inspired to try something new and will add it to my repertoire. Yu-Yin is a patient instructor who knows how to keep things simple while presenting advanced possibilities.”
– Aleks M.
Cost: $120/$100 for MIVAL members
Location:
Mercer Island Community and Event Center
8236 SE 24th St, Mercer Island, WA


Mixed Media Drawing and Painting with Gouache
Classes will start again in mid-April.
Tuesdays – Two classes
Each class is six sessions
Maximum of six students in each class
Instructor: Claudia Zimmerman
To Register or Join the Waitlist: email Claudia Zimmerman at cvonz1@gmail.com
Cost: $90 for all 6 sessions. Payable first day of class to MIVAL by check or card
Mixed Media Drawing 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Dates TBD
Beginners welcome! Students will experience fundamental drawing skills in a way that will enhance their unique creative ability. Mixed media will include pencil, pen, charcoal, dry pastels, and colored pencils. Necessary items are a pencil and a drawing pad (approx. 11×14″). Weather permitting, we will try for a landscape session, though the main focus will be still life setups. Art supplies will be available to students and you are welcome to bring your own supplies.
Painting with Gouache 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Dates TBD
Through still life setups, students will experience the ease, versatility, and brilliance of painting with gouache. It is a non-toxic, water-based medium that is regaining popularity now that artists are discovering its value and convenience. Weather permitting, we will try for a landscape session. Art supplies will be available to students and you are welcome to bring your own supplies.
A Thursday class from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM may be offered if the above classes are full.
Location: MIVAL Studio: 7710 SE 29th St. between MIVAL Gallery and Met Market.
Street parking or park behind the Reading Room next door.
Open Studio Times
Mondays – 1 PM – 3 PM
Fiber Fridays 1 PM – 3 PM
MIVAL now has a new space! The building is located on 29th Street between the Gallery and Metropolitan Market and we are adapting the space for our various needs, making some improvements inside. The building has heat and air conditioning to get us through the seasons and the space is well suited for classes, workshops and small events.
We are excited about having this wonderful space for our artists to create and for all of you who wish to attend or lead classes. If you have suggestions or would like to teach a class let us know.
We continue to have Open Studio time from 1:00 – 3:00 PM on Monday and Friday afternoons. All MIVAL artists and their guests are welcome to join us for a couple of hours to work on art projects, discuss ideas or just drop by to see what is happening in our additional location.
To get on the list for Open Studio Reminders contact Mary or Kim:
Mary McKelvey, mkmckelvey@gmail.com or Kim McDonald, kimannem@me.com
Location: MIVAL Studio: 7710 SE 29th St. between MIVAL Gallery and Met Market.