Art Classes
Shark Garden Art Classes 2026
Holly Vedder
Class 1. Botanical Shape Lab: A Matisse-Inspired Collage Workshop
Collage
What: Slow down and explore the playful side of art through bold botanical collages inspired by the cut-paper work of Henri Matisse. Using color swatches, layered shapes, and acrylic details, participants will create sophisticated compositions full of color, texture, and movement.
Where: New Start Community Garden (Shark Garden)
614 Southwest 120th Street, Burien, WA 98146
When: Sunday, May 31, 2026
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Registration: https://www.sharkgarden.org/events-and-classes
Class 2. Nature Revealed: A Spontaneous Watercolor Workshop
Watercolor
What: Explore the expressive possibilities of watercolor through loose, nature-inspired washes that embrace spontaneity and discovery. As the paint dries, participants will use acrylic paint pens to reveal plants, wildlife, and organic forms hidden within their compositions.
Where: New Start Community Garden (Shark Garden)
614 Southwest 120th Street, Burien, WA 98146
When: Sunday, June 28, 2026
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Registration: https://www.sharkgarden.org/events-and-classes
Class 3. Garden Greetings: A Nature Inspired Card-making Workshop
Stamping/Card-making
What: Explore the art of creating handmade postcards and greeting cards inspired by plants, flowers, and wildlife. Using stamps, inks, colored pencils, and paint pens, participants will layer imagery and color to create thoughtful compositions that can be shared, displayed, or mailed to someone special.
Where: New Start Community Garden (Shark Garden)
614 Southwest 120th Street, Burien, WA 98146
When: Saturday, July 11, 2026
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Registration: https://www.sharkgarden.org/events-and-classes
Class 4. Stylized Silhouettes: A Shadow & Stencil Design Workshop
Design & Silhouettes
What: Explore the garden through observation and design as you trace plant shadows and experiment with layered stencils. Using acrylic paint pens, overlapping contours, and bold color, participants will create vibrant botanical compositions inspired by the shapes and structures found in nature.
Where: New Start Community Garden (Shark Garden)
614 Southwest 120th Street, Burien, WA 98146
When: Saturday, July 18, 2026
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Registration: https://www.sharkgarden.org/events-and-classes
Class 5. Leaf Impressions: A Nature Printmaking Workshop
Printmaking
What: Discover the intricate patterns and textures hidden within leaves as you explore nature-inspired printmaking techniques. Using gathered foliage, acrylic paints, and layered color, participants will create vibrant prints that evoke forests, flowers, butterflies, and other forms found in the natural world.
Where: New Start Community Garden (Shark Garden)
614 Southwest 120th Street, Burien, WA 98146
When: Saturday July, 25, 2026
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Registration: https://www.sharkgarden.org/events-and-classes
Class 6. Seeds of Gratitude: A Garden-Inspired Memory Box Workshop
Illustration & Mindfulness
What: Create a handcrafted keepsake box inspired by flowers, plants, and garden life while learning simple illustration techniques with acrylic paint pens and colored pencils. Participants will fill their boxes with notes, memories, and moments of gratitude, creating a personal collection that can continue to grow throughout the season.
Where: New Start Community Garden (Shark Garden)
614 Southwest 120th Street, Burien, WA 98146
When: Saturday, August 1, 2026
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Registration: https://www.sharkgarden.org/events-and-classes
Class 7. Wild Prints: A Hand-Carved Block Printing Workshop
Block Carving & Printing
What: Learn the fundamentals of relief printmaking as you design, carve, and print your own custom stamp. Participants will transform simple sketches into reusable printing blocks while exploring pattern, contrast, and the timeless art of hand-carved prints.
Where: New Start Community Garden (Shark Garden)
614 Southwest 120th Street, Burien, WA 98146
When: Saturday, August 15, 2026
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Registration: https://www.sharkgarden.org/events-and-classes
Zentangle Art Classes
What: Discover the relaxing art of Zentangle through simple, structured patterns created one stroke at a time. This welcoming class encourages creativity, mindfulness, and observation while helping artists of all experience levels build confidence through repetition and exploration.
- June 21
- June 28
- July 19
- July 26
- August 16
- August 30
Where: Highline Heritage Museum 819 SW 152nd St. Burien, WA 98166
When: June – August 2026, from 2:00-3:30 PM
Cost: Free
Registration: https://highlinemuseum.org/event/zentangle-art-classes-5/
Teacher Bios:
Meg Steele is a long-time resident of Burien and enjoys sharing her love of Zentangle with beginners and experienced artists alike. Meg holds a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art and a Master’s degree in Organizational Development. She retired early from a successful career in Human Resources having worked locally for Starbucks, Swedish Medical Center, and Providence Health and Services, among others. Meg is a Certified Coach and works with individuals in transition, particularly retirees, women experiencing divorce and empty-nesters. She travels the country in her RV teaching art classes and coaching and returns to the Pacific Northwest for the glorious summers. Meg is a Certified Zentangle Teacher and is thrilled to work with Burien Arts.
Holly Vedder is a local artist, illustrator, educator, and founder of Vedder Creative, LLC. A Burien resident for the past ten years, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education from Michigan State University and enjoys helping people of all experience levels explore their creativity through curiosity, observation, and simple techniques. Holly currently teaches community art classes for Burien Arts at the Shark Garden and the Highline Heritage Museum. Holly believes anyone can learn to create through observation, repetition, and encouragement. Her classes emphasize process over perfection, creating a welcoming space where participants can slow down, experiment, and discover the joy of making art—one stroke at a time.
Holly Vedder
Past Art Classes
Botanical Shape Lab
Where: New Start Community Garden (Shark Garden)
614 Southwest 120th Street, Burien, WA 98146
When: May 31st, 2026, from 1:00-3:30 PM
Cost: Free
Class taught by Holly Vedder.
Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-art-class-botanical-shapes-lab-tickets-1989929600001
What: Outdoor summer art classes for children & youth in a lovely community garden this summer with teacher Gabee Rafert unless stated otherwise:
- May 24 – Painting Bumblebees
- June 28 – Sun Prints
- July 12 Rock Art Mandela with Adam
- July 26 Pinecone Bird Feeder
- August 16 Shadow Painting
- August 30 Leaf Printing
Where: New Start Community Garden aka Shark Garden, next to New Start High School, 614 SW 120th Street, Burien 98146
When: May – August 2025, from 1:00-3:00 PM
Cost: Free
Art Classes on Zoom 2021-2024
Burien Arts held its first-ever Zoom art classes in 2021 due to pandemic restrictions for in-person classes. Originally aimed at children and youth, these quickly evolved to all-ages with students from around the US and foreign countries as well.
The classes were every Sunday at 3:00 PM for 2021-2023 and April-December 2024 with signups and donations through Eventbrite.
Classes at the Burien Library 2014-2019
Burien Arts ran art classes for children for five years at the Burien Library, 400 SW 152nd Street, Burien during Famers’ Market Thursdays in the summer. Classes took place in the summers of 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
In-person classes were canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Classes at Woodbridge Park 2015
In 2015, we partnered with New Futures to offer art classes in Woodridge Park, a King County Housing Authority apartment community in Burien. New Futures (by South West Youth and Family Services) provides students with after-school and summer programming at five apartment locations in the Highline area.