Artists hone their foundation by employing the technical skills of a particular art or field of endeavor. These courses are Prime specific, unless otherwise designated as open to students from all primes. Students should focus their Applied Arts choices in their prime arts area, but may explore outside of their prime in some cases. Commitment to Applied Arts courses includes process journaling and/or portfolio building.
Artists engage in projects that emphasize the creative process through opportunities designed to expand their creative lens through collaboration, community engagement, and multiple performance and presentation avenues. These courses are open to students from all primes. Enrollment and eligibility requirements vary among project offerings. Projects are designed to encourage students from all prime arts areas to collaborate. Project enrollment requires participation in the Spring Showcase as part of the Apex Arts Annapolis Arts Week Open House.
Courses offered on Mondays & Wednesdays are listed before those offered on Tuesdays & Thursdays.
Teaching Artist: Atalante Shay
Mondays & Wednesdays
class at capacity with waiting list, not accepting new registrants
All primes welcome, visual art experience recommended.
With a paintbrush in hand, learn, and explore inspiring acrylic painting techniques while tapping into your self-expression.
Deepen your understanding of painting in this acrylic painting experience that will leave you feeling relaxed, inspired, and able to express yourself through painting on canvas.
In this course, you will:
Experiment, explore, and learn how to create an acrylic painting on canvas that expresses who you are.
Deepen your knowledge of color mixing and how to create color.
Experiment with various paintbrushes and learn which brushes to use, when, and why.
Practice dozens of new painting techniques, including: how to create and build texture, opaque paint application, glazing, composition, abstract and realistic painting techniques, palette knife paint application, layering of paint, expressive mark making, and more!
Relax and have fun in our non-judgmental, fear-free, and supportive art class.
Discover your unique style and voice through acrylic painting.
Engage in a supportive group environment with like-minded people.
Teaching Artist: Susan Lenon
Mondays & Wednesdays
class at capacity with waiting list, not accepting new registrants
Visual Art experience recommended.
Unleash your creativity and develop the essential skills needed for the field of illustration in this comprehensive course. Perfect for aspiring illustrators and creative thinkers, this class focuses on building concepts and transforming ideas into compelling visual narratives.
Students will explore three key areas of illustration: Concept Development, Product Design, and Editorial Illustration, gaining hands-on experience in brainstorming, refining, and executing their ideas. Through guided projects, you’ll learn to effectively use gouache and watercolor techniques on sketchbooks and watercolor paper to bring your concepts to life with precision and artistry.
This course emphasizes the integration of technical drawing and painting skills with imaginative problem-solving, empowering students to create visually engaging illustrations that communicate powerful ideas. Whether you’re interested in storytelling, branding, or visual communication, this class provides the tools and inspiration to advance your artistic journey.
Teaching Artist: Rachel Cagle
Mondays & Wednesdays
All primes welcome.
Are you ready to dance, sing, and sweat your way to fitness? Karaoke Dance Fusion combines the high-energy, calorie-burning moves of a Zumba-like class with the joy of singing your favorite songs. This unique workout not only turns your exercise routine into a party but also helps you build physical stamina, vocal endurance, and breath control.
Groove to exhilarating rhythms while belting out the lyrics to popular hits. Perfect for all fitness and singing levels, Karaoke Dance Fusion keeps you moving, laughing, and motivated. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or a beginner looking to stay active and have fun, this class offers a holistic way to enhance both your fitness and vocal performance. Come ready to sing, dance, and shine—because in Karaoke Dance Fusion, everyone’s a star!
Teaching Artist: Lynn Schwartz
Mondays & Wednesdays
All primes welcome and encouraged.
Folktales are oral and written stories passed down from generation to generation. In many cultures, these tales not only entertain but also help us make sense of our world and the human experience. They encompass a variety of genres: fairy tales, fables, myths, legends, and scary stories, featuring clever animals, wizards, goblins, fairies, monsters, and more. Whether a cautionary tale, an instructive lesson, or an effort to preserve cultural traditions, folktales illustrate how to behave, overcome challenges, and lead meaningful lives.
We’ll explore classic folktales from around the world and uncover how their wisdom might apply to our own lives. Students will have the opportunity to update a traditional tale of their choice or create an original story. Stories may be expressed through various mediums, including oral or written storytelling, art, music, or any combination. The final stories will honor the essence of the folktale: a means to protect and teach us, connect us to one another, and inspire wonder.
Teaching Artist: Barbara Bustard
Mondays & Wednesdays
class at capacity with waiting list, not accepting new registrants
Visual Art experience recommended, particularly in clay.
Discover the art of wheel-thrown pottery in this hands-on course designed for beginners and those looking to refine their skills. Students new to the wheel will learn the foundational techniques of centering clay, pulling walls, and shaping functional forms such as bowls, mugs, and plates. Students who have taken a wheel course previously will create pieces of their choice.
Through guided demonstrations and personalized feedback, participants will gain confidence in their abilities while exploring creative expression in clay.
In addition to mastering the potter's wheel, the course will cover essential glazing and finishing techniques, allowing students to complete and take home their unique creations. Whether you're new to pottery or eager to enhance your skills, this course offers a supportive and engaging environment to unlock your artistic potential. All materials and tools are provided.
This course is limited to a small number of participants due to available equipment.
Teaching Artist: Robert Schumacher
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Students who have already taken this course are not eligible to repeat. It is the same course.
In this class we will discuss the history of tattoos and the varying styles, reviewing periods from as early as 3300 BCE to today.
We will learn about the design elements incorporated from ancient tribal tattoos, to the new school style of today, who started these techniques, and the symbolism involved. Students will be tasked with designing (through paper, ink, paint, or digital) to create original designs incorporating the different styles discussed.
What will your designs say about the person who you imagine wearing them?
Teaching Artist: Marisa Evangelista
Tuesdays & Thursdays
class at capacity with waiting list, not accepting new registrants
Digital Visual Art experience and basic understanding of Procreate required.
The goal of this course is to strengthen fundamental skills using digital media while bridging the gap between digital and traditional methods. All of the work in this class will be done digitally. This course will explore the similarities and differences between traditional and digital media, and it will highlight the technological advantages that digital media allows. By the end of the trimester, students will have learned core fundamental skills that are relevant to not only their digital work, but to several other forms of visual media.
Each section of the course will have its own core assignment that explore topics such as value scales, color relationships, rendering materials utilizing various digital brushes, thumbnail exercises, and more. As the trimester progresses, software skills will slowly be introduced to best showcase their advantages in different scenarios.
By the end of the course, students will present a final piece that explores all of the fundamentals that were worked upon; understanding of value, color, material, composition, hierarchy, and of course, a basic understanding of the software used. This final will allow them to explore these fundamentals however they choose with their own creative lens.
If you have an iPad with Procreate, you may use your own device. If you do not, an iPad will be provided for you for the duration of this class, and will be kept at Studio 39.
Teaching Artist: Rachel Cagle
Tuesdays & Thursdays
All primes welcome.
Unlock your creative potential with our "Pilates for Artists" class, specially designed for individuals in all artistic disciplines! This invigorating course blends mindful movement with core strengthening exercises to enhance your physical well-being, boost your energy, and inspire your creative flow.
In each session, you’ll engage in a series of Pilates exercises that focus on alignment, flexibility, and core stability, helping to alleviate tension and improve posture—essential for artists who spend long hours in their craft. As you strengthen your body, you’ll also cultivate mindfulness, learning to connect your breath with movement, which can enhance focus and concentration in your artistic practice.
This class is inclusive and welcoming, catering to all levels, from beginners to seasoned practitioners. Through a combination of mat work and dynamic movements, you’ll build strength, increase stamina, and enhance your overall body awareness.
Join us for this unique opportunity to harmonize your physical health with your artistic endeavors. Experience how improved body mechanics and increased energy can lead to greater creativity and expression in your art. Elevate your practice and discover the powerful connection between body and creativity!
Enrollment priority will go to those who have not previously been enrolled in this course.
Teaching Artists: Maggie Heemstra & Lynn Schwartz
Tuesdays & Thursdays
class at capacity with waiting list, not accepting new registrants
All primes welcome.
This "Exploring Emotions & Human Connection" Workshop is divided into three units. Students are expected to remain enrolled for the full collection. At the conclusion of each collection, final work is turned in and presented. In order to earn credit for each unit, that work must be handed in and presented.
Units of study:
Setting (5 sessions)
Discover the Emotional Truth of Your Writing (6 sessions)
Poetry for Human Connection (7 sessions)
Click the button below for more information about the units of study.
Teaching Artist: Barbara Bustard
Tuesdays & Thursdays
class at capacity with waiting list, not accepting new registrants
Visual Art experience recommended, particularly in clay.
Discover the art of wheel-thrown pottery in this hands-on course designed for beginners and those looking to refine their skills. Students new to the wheel will learn the foundational techniques of centering clay, pulling walls, and shaping functional forms such as bowls, mugs, and plates. Students who have taken a wheel course previously will create pieces of their choice.
Through guided demonstrations and personalized feedback, participants will gain confidence in their abilities while exploring creative expression in clay.
In addition to mastering the potter's wheel, the course will cover essential glazing and finishing techniques, allowing students to complete and take home their unique creations. Whether you're new to pottery or eager to enhance your skills, this course offers a supportive and engaging environment to unlock your artistic potential. All materials and tools are provided.
This course is limited to a small number of participants due to available equipment.
Teaching Artist: Athena Hiotis
Tuesdays & Thursdays
class at capacity with waiting list, not accepting new registrants
All primes welcome and encouraged.
From the 8-bit humble beginnings of Tetris to the open world vastness of Legend of Zelda to newer sensations like Minecraft and Roblox, video game music has been a huge part of the experience of gaming. In this class, we will delve into the world of iconic video game music, exploring its history and the elements that make these scores memorable. We will examine how these compositions evoke strong emotions and enhance the scenes or themes of their respective games.
While we will look at the musical elements of the soundtracks, you do not have to be a music prime to take this class.
Please note that this is not a video game composition class.
Projects offered on Mondays & Wednesdays are listed before those offered on Tuesdays & Thursdays.
Participation in a presentation is required. Presentations may be in-class presentations for peers or may be part of the SPRING SHOWCASE as part of the APEX ARTS ANNAPOLIS ARTS WEEK OPEN HOUSE.
Teaching Artist: Dr. Kari Shea
Mondays & Wednesdays
Instrumental Music experience required.
Instrumental Chamber Music is a directed ensemble course designed to empower students with efficient and effective techniques for practicing and preparing chamber music.
With one person on a part, students will learn leadership and collaboration skills.
Students will select a desired genre of music and performance goals and work to realize their potential through various strategies and tools to maximize their musical progress on a selected piece with a small group of musicians.
This project will perform at the SPRING SHOWCASE on June 3. Details can be found on the presentation page. Dates and times for any necessary extended rehearsals will be communicated in advance.
Teaching Artists: Jamie Levine & Emily Zinski
Mondays & Wednesdays
class at capacity with waiting list, not accepting new registrants
Vocal Music background required.
Are you an artist who has a passion for musical theatre? Are you a singer who wants more experience on stage? Are you an actor or dancer who wants to develop your singing ability?
In this course, vocal artists will gain experience singing Broadway solos, duets, scenes, and small group numbers. Our students will build skills in the technique, interpretation, and performance of musical theatre repertoire, and develop an original musical theater showcase.
PLEASE NOTE: You will be required to sing and act in front of your peers during each class.
This project will perform at the SPRING SHOWCASE on June 3. Details can be found on the presentation page. Dates and times for any necessary extended rehearsals will be communicated in advance.
Teaching Artists: Robert Shumacher & Johnny Weissgerber
Mondays & Wednesdays
All primes welcome and encouraged.
Dive into the art of creating rich, immersive worlds and compelling narratives in Worldbuilding and Storytelling. This course is designed for writers, game developers, filmmakers, and creative minds eager to craft settings and stories that captivate and inspire.
Through guided exercises, engaging discussions, and hands-on projects, you’ll learn how to design believable worlds, develop memorable characters, and weave narratives that resonate with your audience. Explore themes like history, culture, geography, and mythology to breathe life into your fictional universes, while mastering the techniques to structure and deliver dynamic stories.
Whether you're building epic fantasy realms, futuristic sci-fi landscapes, or grounded contemporary settings, this course provides the tools and inspiration to bring your creative visions to life.
Perfect for creators of all experience levels, Worldbuilding and Storytelling is your gateway to constructing stories and worlds that leave a lasting impact.
This project will perform as part of an in-class presentation for other Apex+ students on May 12 or 14.
Teaching Artists: Emily Karol and Francesca Chilcote
Tuesdays & Thursdays
All primes welcome.
Step into the spotlight and unleash your comedic genius in Live from Studio 39! This dynamic, hands-on course invites students to explore the art of sketch comedy by diving into every aspect of the craft—watching, writing, and performing their own original sketches.
In the style of legendary sketch comedy shows like Saturday Night Live, Key & Peele, A Black Lady Sketch Show, and The Carol Burnett Show, students will analyze what makes iconic sketches tick and how comedic timing, character work, and clever writing come together to create laughter that resonates.
You’ll become a comedy ensemble to collaboratively brainstorm, write, and workshop your ideas, transforming them into polished sketches ready for performance. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, you’ll learn to hone your comedic voice, develop memorable characters, and master the timing and delivery that bring sketches to life on stage or screen.
The course culminates in a live showcase where you and your ensemble will perform your sketches in front of an audience of your peers, channeling the energy and thrill of a professional comedy production.
Whether you’re an aspiring comedian, a writer eager to try something new, or just someone who loves to make people laugh, this project is your chance to flex your creative muscles and shine in a collaborative, supportive environment.
Get ready to laugh, create, and take center stage in Live from Studio 39! No prior experience is necessary—just bring your humor, imagination, and willingness to collaborate!
This project will perform as part of an in-class presentation for other Apex+ students on May 12 or 14.
Teaching Artist: Selin Balci
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Visual Art experience recommended.
Unite creativity, collaboration, and storytelling in this high-energy class designed to teach students the art of creating a collective mural. In this course, students will learn how individual contributions come together to form a larger, cohesive artwork that tells a shared story or explores a common theme.
The class emphasizes the importance of teamwork, creative problem-solving, and the power of visual storytelling. Students will brainstorm themes, plan designs, and execute their individual pieces while considering how their work connects with others to form a unified whole.
The final project will be a collaborative mural composed of individual artworks that fit together seamlessly to create a large-scale, meaningful piece. This mural will serve as a visual representation of the group’s collective vision, highlighting each student’s unique voice while demonstrating how teamwork can elevate artistic expression.
This project will present at the SPRING SHOWCASE on June 3. Details can be found on the presentation page.