Continuing Ed Brings Adult Learners Back to RISD Campus for Spring and Fall 2025 Courses

Spring 2025 marked the return of in-person adult art classes offered by RISD’s Continuing Ed division after a five-year, pandemic-related pause. Although virtual and long-distance learning is still available for teens and adults who prefer online learning or can’t make it to Providence, the live courses offer a more communal experience and, in some cases, take advantage of unique campus spaces such as the Nature Lab and the RISD Museum.

“When we pivoted to online classes during the pandemic, we opened our metaphorical doors to a global audience, which was extraordinary,” says Ashley Nikolyszyn, associate director of adult extension learning. “But reconnecting with local students and artists is an integral element of our mission in Continuing Ed.”

One popular spring course led by local arts writer Michael Rose focused on arts appreciation and invited participants into the studios of area artists and other insiders-only venues like the nonprofit Steel Yard on Providence’s West Side. “Art lovers always have the option of visiting galleries on Gallery Night, but participants really appreciated the unique opportunity to get behind-the-scenes tours of spaces not normally open to the public,” notes Nikolyszyn. 

Jessica Egan, CE’s director of marketing and communications, took a collaging class in the spring and appreciated the opportunity to step away from her computer and the normal activities of her 9-to-5 life in order to try something new and creative. “The hands-on making courses we introduced in the spring were intended to draw people into the RISD community whether or not they had any previous experience in the arts,” says Program Manager Jeremy Durling, who also teaches a course in plein air painting.

Like Egan, student Leo Selvaggio—who enrolled in Starting a Sketchbook taught by RISD alum Cathy G. Johnson MAE 17—really appreciated the opportunity to be a beginner in a new medium. “I’m not much of a drawer,” he says, “but I thought ‘why not give it a shot and see what comes out of it?’ I had a good time. I gave myself permission to let go and just draw whatever came to mind.”

Other popular courses that will be offered again this fall include Watercolor Exploration led by illustrator and alum Michael Lyons 05 IL, The Art of Portraiture led by painter Michael Peery, Painting with Acrylics led by mixed-media artist Scott Lerner MFA 22 PT, Crafting Books: An Introduction to Bookbinding led by Christine Park MFA 19 PR, Mastering Color with Gouache led by painter Ashley Pelletier, Sculptural Design: Everyday Materials led by sculptor and sound artist Matt Steinke, and Drawing in the Nature Lab led by Illustration department faculty member Amanda Clarke 03 IL. Each of them was designed to build participants’ skills and self-confidence and reintroduce creativity into their daily lives.

“We’re all humbled by the opportunity to do this work,” says Senior Director John Murphy, “and we’re especially excited for fall programming, which will feature twice as many in-person classes as this past spring, along with expanded offerings at Tillinghast Place in Barrington, and at the Westerly Education Center in southern Rhode Island.”

Check out RISD’s Continuing Ed course catalogue and register for fall classes.

Simone Solondz / images by Rob Ranney
July 7, 2025