As most pros will attest, interior design is the art of communicating visually—a practice shaped by the belief that a person’s surroundings should stand as the material embodiment of that individual’s personality. If you accept this basic premise, you’re already on your way to designing a space that’s entirely and only you. Once you’ve established a distinct concept, however, understanding a few fundamental principles of color and space will help you bring it to life. Whether you’re just getting started or you’re years into a project,
here’s where to go locally to discover your own visual language—and learn to speak it.
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St. Louis Artists’ Guild
2 Oak Knoll Park, 314-727-6266, stlouisartistsguild.org
When you’re working on any design project, having some sort of taste record (think Pinterest boards or a collection of magazine clippings) can help refine and organize your interests. Kathleen Barnes has taught art journaling and mixed media at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild for five years. For $120 ($150 for nonmembers), students spend eight weeks recycling old books into collections of their favorite textures, colors, and imagery. “I could easily build a room around this page,” Barnes says, pointing to her own journal, noting that several professional designers have found her techniques useful. “Usually they have a great sense of design, pattern, and color already, but this gives them permission to experiment—to go off on their own,” she explains. “And so many times, we look at the past or we look at whatever’s happening now. You know, you look at the trendy magazines. But this gets you off on your own and leads you to your own originality.”
Chesterfield Arts
444 Chesterfield Center, Chesterfield, 636-519-1955, chesterfieldarts.org
“Everyone is an artist,” says Chris Burton, a member of the faculty at Chesterfield Arts who’s an experienced artist herself, working in fiber art and expressionistic painting. “If someone doesn’t realize that they’re an artist, that’s part of what we do here.” Jump into any of the organization’s occasional weeklong sessions and you’ll find yourself in an atmosphere that cele-
brates everything out of the ordinary. Classes run from $120 to $180, with topics offered including oil and acrylic painting, illustration, and metalwork. Adults in Burton’s mixed-media class incorporate items like old keys, charms, and swatches of cloth into collages representative of their tastes and values. “We bring out naturally what interests them as far as colors, textures, fabrics,” Burton says. “Every single person will gravitate toward something different.”
St. Louis Community College
Multiple locations, 314-984-7500, stlcc.edu
If you thrive in traditional college classroom environments, consider the school system that boasts the only accredited kitchen-and-bath design program in the state. Curious learners simply looking to increase their competency in matters of art and aesthetics can enroll in art appreciation, while those looking for more comprehensive, design-focused instruction might try a course in textiles, perspective drawing and rendering, or historical design and architecture in various cultures. Intro classes welcome students of all backgrounds and skill levels to develop an enhanced understanding of the concepts of space, color, and texture.
Foundry Art Centre
520 N. Main, St. Charles, 636-255-0270, foundryartcentre.org
Grab your martini shaker and head to the Foundry Art Centre for an evening of pressure-free artistic exploration. If canvases and cocktails don’t mix for you, consider enrolling in mixed-media drawing. The class is taught by Lisa Sisley-Blinn, an artist with more than 30 years of professional experience in printmaking and encaustic painting. Program manager Jessica May says classes at the Foundry offer a distinctive combination of affordability, professional guidance, and a relaxed atmosphere, giving students the chance to break free of any limiting inhibitions and exhibit genuine creativity. Most courses run from $65 to $75. The fee covers the cost of your materials, so don’t worry about wasting money by making mistakes.
Laumeier Sculpture Park
12580 Rott, 314-615-5278, laumeiersculpturepark.org
Find out whether Alexander McQueen was right when he said, “There is no better designer than nature.” Laumeier Sculpture Park hosts classes, such as plein-air painting and drawing, designed to artistically inspire students by exposing them to the raw beauty of St. Louis outdoor life. Even if your ultimate goal is to design a room rather than to paint a landscape, you can learn about color theory or pick up skills in mixed media in Laumeier’s classes, which run from $40 to $150.
Michaels
Multiple locations, 800-642-4235, michaels.com
You can do much more than buy materials at this arts-and-crafts store. Walk into any Michaels location to inquire about classes offered in scrapbooking, crocheting, painting, and other topics related to art and aesthetics. For a $25 fee (excluding materials in some classes), those looking to quickly rejuvenate their creative energies before a design project can brush up their skills by taking part in a session taught by a professional artist or crafter.
