Josette Urso Workshop

Workshops in Partnership with the Tampa Museum of Art (TMA)

Studio 55 | Weaving On and Off the Loom | TMA@Firehouse Adults 55+ | Beginner-Intermediate Level | with Mary Gail Russ. Be inspired by artists Mark Bradford and Charles Atlas while learning the art of fabric weaving. Using paper, fabric and thread students will warp and weft their way to unique tapestry designs that include a phone bag, wall hanging, coil basket, and greeting cards. Don’t miss this fun 6 weeks of unconventional weaving on and off the loom.
Wednesdays, Jan 28 – Mar 4 | 1:00–4:00 PM (6 classes).

Studio 55 | Jewelry Sampler | TMA@Firehouse Adults 55+ | Beginner-Intermediate Level | Students will create mosaic pendants, transform artwork and photos into necklaces, and learn metal texturing and stamping. Each session will guide you in creating your own unique, wearable pieces of art!
Sundays | 1:00 – 4:00 PM Class Dates | Mar 15– 29 (3 classes).

Link to Firehouse Page listing all TMA Workshops.

FALL/WINTER 2026 FCC CLASSES:

Figure Drawing Group. Second and Fourth Thursday of the month, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm., beginning Thursday, January 8, 2026. Look through the Figure Drawing Landing Page. Call 813-645-7651 or book online, $15 cash tuition is due at the door. Strengthen your skills in our monitored figure drawing session with a variety of timed poses. Bring your chalk, paint, charcoal or pencil, you choose the medium! Model varies by session. Open to all (18 and up).

Open Pottery Studio For a Tuesday or Thursday morning session, or Thursday Evening session: Look through the Open Pottery Studio Landing Page. Call 813-645-7651 or book online. 9:30 am – Noon, Tuesdays or Thursdays, OR Thursday Evening from 6:00 – 8:30 pm. March – Dec 18, 2025. 4 session fee, each day is it’s own session.
Open Pottery Studio – a supervised, creative space where potters of all skill levels can explore, practice, and perfect their craft. This monitored environment ensures safety and support while offering access to professional-grade tools, wheels, and kilns. Whether you are hand-building, throwing, or glazing, our staff is available during all open studio hours to assist, answer questions, and maintain a safe, respectful studio atmosphere. Must have class experience to attend. Adults.

Intro to the Pottery Wheel  You’ll discover the joy of working with clay in this hands-on, beginner to intermediate course focused on the fundamentals of wheel throwing. In 5 weeks, you’ll learn how to center clay, pull walls, and shape basic forms like bowls, mugs, and cylinders. We’ll also cover trimming, surface decoration, and glazing techniques so you can finish and fire your own unique pieces. No experience necessary – just bring your curiosity and willingness to get your hands dirty! Includes 25 lbs. of clay, glaze and firing.
Thursdays, March 26 – April 23 (5 weeks).

Teen Theater Program in partnership with Patel Conservatory Straz – 2026  Firehouse Cultural Center in partnership with Patel Conservatory @Straz Center presents a Teen Theater Program. This Free program will start Mondays, Jan. 5 until April 13 from 11:30 – 12:30 pm. Limited Space for ages 11 – 16. Free Programming provided by Patel Conservatory. Underwritten by The Straz.

Kids Theater Program in partnership with Patel Conservatory Straz – 2026  Firehouse Cultural Center in partnership with Patel Conservatory @Straz Center presents a Kids Theater Program. This Free program will start Mondays, Jan. 5 until April 13 from 10:30 – 11:30 am. Limited Space for ages 5 – 9. Free Programming provided by Patel Conservatory. Underwritten by The Straz.

Paint It Your Way Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some painting experience, this class offers an enriching journey tailored to your pace and interests. Choose the medium that suits you—watercolor or acrylic—and unlock your creative potential. Instructor: Michael Parker. Mondays, Feb 23 – Mar 30, 2026, Six (6) week class. Time: 1:30 – 3:30 pm.

From Mud to Magic Mud to Magic Kids Pottery Class – 3-Session Series for Homeschool. Ages 10 and Up – Get your hands dirty and your creativity flowing in this fun and interactive 3-session pottery series designed just for kids! Tuesdays, Feb. 10, 24, and March 10, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.

Playful Prints Take part in the joy and exploration of printmaking! During this three-session series, young artists will create one-of-a-kind prints using paint, cardboard and various recycled treasures. Ages 5 to 9. Tuesdays, Feb. 10, 24, and March 10, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.

Youth Art Class: Ages 5 to 9, Mar. 10 come explore exciting new ways to create in this hands-on art class designed for young artists. Tues, Mar 10 from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.

Youth Art Class: Ages 5 to 9, Mar 24 Come explore exciting new ways to create in this hands-on art class designed for young artists. ;Tues, Mar 24 from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.

Youth Art Class: Ages 10 & up, Mar 17 Come explore exciting new ways to create in this hands-on art class designed for young artists. Tues, Mar 17 from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.

Youth Art Class: Ages 10 & up, Mar 31 Come explore exciting new ways to create in this hands-on art class designed for young artists. Tues, Mar 31 from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.

Homeschool: Decoupage Shells Workshop Make your own decoupage shells to use as ornaments, trinket dishes or soap dishes. A wide choice of designs will be offered. Includes all tools and supplies needed to make two shells. Friday, March 13 from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm.

Seaglass Resin Jewelry In this class for adults, you’ll learn how to set seaglass into bezel pendants using resin. You’ll also have a choice of beads, shells and dried flower options and will make 3 pieces of jewelry. Friday, March 13 1:00 pm.

Wirewrapped Seaglass Jewelry At this beginner’s jewelry-making class you’ll learn the basics of wirewrapping ocean/tumbled seaglass, beach stones or beads to create pendants. Friday, April 10 at 1:00 pm.

From Mud to Magic – Kids Pottery Ages 10 and Up Mud to Magic Kids Pottery Class – 3-Session Series for Homeschool. Ages 10 and Up – Get your hands dirty and your creativity flowing in this fun and interactive 3-session pottery series designed just for kids! Tuesdays, March 24, April 7 & 21, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.

02/23/2026  – 03/30/2026

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Paint it Your Way: Watercolor Or Acrylic
Paint it Your Way: Watercolor Or Acrylic
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some painting experience, this class offers an enriching journey tailored to your pace and interests. Choose the medium that suits you—watercolor or acrylic—and unlock your creative potential. Instructor: Michael Parker. Mondays, Feb 23 – March 30, 2026, Six (6) week class. Time: 1:30 – 3:30 pm.

03/10/2026

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Youth Art Class: Ages 5 to 9: Mar. 10
Youth Art Class: Ages 5 to 9: Mar. 10
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Youth Art Class: Ages 5 to 9, Come explore exciting new ways to create in this hands-on art class designed for young artists.
Tues, Mar 10 from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.

03/12/2026  – 03/13/2026

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Figure Drawing
Figure Drawing
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Strengthen your skills in our monitored figure drawing session with a variety of timed poses. Bring your chalk, paint, charcoal or pencil, you choose the medium. Model varies by session. Second and Fourth Thursday of the month in 2026, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Age 18+. Begins Thursday, January 8, 2026.

03/13/2026

10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Homeschool: Decoupage Shells Workshop
Homeschool: Decoupage Shells Workshop
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Make your own decoupage shells to use as ornaments, trinket dishes or soap dishes. A wide choice of designs will be offered. Includes all tools and supplies needed to make two shells. Friday, March 13 from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm.

03/13/2026

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Seaglass Resin Jewelry
Seaglass Resin Jewelry
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

In this class for adults, you’ll learn how to set seaglass into bezel pendants using resin. You’ll also have a choice of beads, shells and dried flower options and will make 3 pieces of jewelry. Friday, March 13 1:00 pm.

03/15/2026  – 03/29/2026

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Studio 55 | Jewelry Sampler | TMA@Firehouse
Studio 55 | Jewelry Sampler | TMA@Firehouse
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Adults 55+ | Beginner-Intermediate Level | Students will create mosaic pendants, transform artwork and photos into necklaces, and learn metal texturing and stamping. Each session will guide you in creating your own unique, wearable pieces of art!
Sundays | 1:00 – 4:00 PM Class Dates | Mar 15– 29 (3 classes).

03/24/2026

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Youth Art Class: Ages 5 to 9: Mar. 24
Youth Art Class: Ages 5 to 9: Mar. 24
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Youth Art Class: Ages 5 to 9, Come explore exciting new ways to create in this hands-on art class designed for young artists.
Tues, Mar 24 from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.

03/26/2026  – 04/23/2026

9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Intro to the Pottery Wheel
Intro to the Pottery Wheel
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

You’ll discover the joy of working with clay in this hands-on, beginner to intermediate course focused on the fundamentals of wheel throwing. In 5 weeks, you’ll learn how to center clay, pull walls, and shape basic forms like bowls, mugs, and cylinders. We’ll also cover trimming, surface decoration, and glazing techniques so you can finish and fire your own unique pieces. No experience necessary – just bring your curiosity and willingness to get your hands dirty! Includes 25 lbs. of clay, glaze and firing.
Thursdays, 9:30 am until 12:00 pm, March 26 – April 23 (5 weeks).

03/26/2026  – 03/27/2026

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Figure Drawing
Figure Drawing
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Strengthen your skills in our monitored figure drawing session with a variety of timed poses. Bring your chalk, paint, charcoal or pencil, you choose the medium. Model varies by session. Second and Fourth Thursday of the month in 2026, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Age 18+. Begins Thursday, January 8, 2026.

03/31/2026

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Youth Art Class: Ages 10 and up: March 31
Youth Art Class: Ages 10 and up: March 31
Firehouse Cultural Center, 101 1st Ave NE, Ruskin FL

Youth Art Class: Ages 10 and up, Come explore exciting new ways to create in this hands-on art class designed for young artists.
Tues, Mar 31 from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.

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