Watercolor Classes: Fall Series

Watercolor Classes

Select Days & Times ǀ Ages 16 & older
THS Member: $40/class ǀ Non-member: $48/class
Scroll down or click here to register.

Watercolor teacher and artist Megan Swoyer will guide students in using watercolor techniques to create colorful scenes. No experience is necessary; all supplies will be provided. Please arrive on time and put your cell phone on silent. Scroll down to see what we'll be painting this fall!

Watercolor classes are held inside Niles-Barnard House on our site. If you have any questions about accessibility, please visit our Accessibility page or contact info@thvmail.org and we will be happy to help!

Fall 2025 Class Schedule:

Wednesday, September 10, 5:30pm – 7:30 pm
*SOLD OUT* Watercolor Basics for Beginners

If you’ve always wanted to try watercolor-painting and are nervous about taking a class, start here! You will learn various techniques and complete exercises, from painting a sky to practicing leaves to creating a value study so that you can create a beautiful bouquet.

Tuesday, September 23, 4:30 pm – 6:30pm
*SOLD OUT* Bird & Bloom

A shimmery grackle finds a nice perch atop a pretty autumn sunflower and provides painters with a lovely subject! Students will create the bird’s pretty colors and the flower’s eye-catching texture and palette.

Wednesday, October 15, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
*SOLD OUT* Historic Home in Autumn

We’re painting the Niles-Barnard House and old 1800s building with lots of autumnal vibes. You will create a pure fall beauty, including an orange-scarlet tree, a vintage/classic building, and more.

Wednesday, November 5, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Vintage Fishing Bobbers

Spotted at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle, these antiquated fishing bobbers will be the subject of a fun watercolor class for all levels. Scroll down to register.

Tuesday, November 11, 4:30pm – 6:30pm
*SOLD OUT* African Violet Afternoon

Velvety violet petals will come to life in this fun watercolor class where students will learn how to create painterly leaves and blooms, along with streaming sunshine.

Tuesday, November 18, 4:30 pm – 6:30pm
Mackinac Island Cosmos

We’re going to beautiful Mackinac Island for this watercolor class. You will capture cosmos flowers with various pink tones, as well as old vintage buildings, trees, and charming windows. Pure Mackinac! Scroll down to register.

Meet the Teaching Artist

Watercolor artist Megan Swoyer teaches all of the Watercolor Classes at the Village. Megan has appreciated art since she was a child growing up in Connecticut, Ohio, and Michigan. When she was very young, her mother gifted her with a learn-to-draw kit that got Megan dabbling in drawing.

Years later, Megan began studying watercolors at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. It was there that she began attending workshops and taking classes from top-tier drawing and painting teachers. Megan also attended various workshops hosted by painters from around the country.

This has happily come full-circle for Megan, as she now a teacher herself and teaches watercolor-painting around Michigan and online since 2014.

What to Expect

When you arrive, please check in inside the Niles-Barnard House (the large white house facing Wattles). Please be sure to arrive 10-15 minutes early. When you check in, you'll talk with a Village staff member and get a name tag. At this time, please silence your cellphone!

Watercolor artist and teach Megan Swoyer will lead the class through step-by-step instructions. Please wait for her instructions and do not paint ahead as your registration fee is paying for her expertise! This will ensure that you have a completed painting by the end of the class.

We will provide all of the supplies including watercolor paper, watercolor paints, brushes, reference photos, and more! You will also receive step-by-step instructions at the end of class so that you can replicate the painting at home. Interested in what brand of paints and other supplies we use? Ask the Village staff member at the end of class!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have accessibility questions, please click here to visit our accessibility page or contact us at info@thvmail.org and we will be happy to help!

• Do I need to bring my own supplies? No, we will supply all of the materials needed to complete your painting.
• Do I need to register in advance? Yes! Watercolor Classes often sell out, so please register in advance. We do not accept walk-ins at the door for this program
• Can I get a refund for this program? No, we do not offer refunds for this program unless we (the Village) cancels or reschedules the program. We will provided credit for a future Watercolor Class if you provided at least a 24-hour notice. If you are not able to provide a 24-hour notice, we would be happy to convert your registration into a tax-deductible donation and send a receipt upon request.
• What happens if I’m running late? Should I still come? Probably! We do not offer refund for this class without advance notice so as long as there is at least one hour left of class you can come and most likely finish the painting.
• I registered online, but I have friends/family that want to join. They should call 248-524-3570 to see if there is still space in the class.
• Who teaches this class? Watercolor artist Megan Swoyer teaches all of our Watercolor Classes. Her bio is listed above.
• Is this event held rain or shine? Yes, this event will be held rain or shine as it takes places indoors. In cases of severe weather, we will contact you to let you know if the class has been rescheduled or cancelled.
• Will I be able to get around easily using my wheelchair or walker? Yes! The Village offers three accessible parking spaces in our west parking lot. The Niles-Barnard House has a wheelchair-accessible entryway, is connected to the parking lot by a paved pathway, and has wheelchair-accessible restrooms. For more information, please contact us at info@thvmail.org.
• How old do I need to be to attend this program? This program is designed for those ages 16 years old and older. We recommend attending this class with your teenager!
• Will food or drink be available? No, Troy Historic Village does not sell food, nor do we have water fountains. You are welcome to bring a bottle of water and snacks are allowed for medical reasons. Please note we are a peanut free facility.
• Can I bring my dog? Only service animals are allowed at the Village. We strive to make sure everyone feels safe and comfortable, so please leave your pets at home.

Parking & Directions

Troy Historic Village is located at 60 W. Wattles Road, Troy MI 48098 (northwest corner of Wattles and Livernois). There are two parking lots at the Village and you should park in the larger lot on the west side. After you park, head inside the Niles-Barnard House (the large white house) to check-in. We will have signs to direct your path.