Manifest Drawing Center

Call Directions Website Contact the school

Manifest Drawing Center A non-profit center for the study and instruction of drawing, printmaking, photography, and more. The future home of the Manifest Center for the Visual Arts.
(1)

What past participants say about our studio program:

“The Manifest program is of great value to me. My love of drawing has been with me all of my life although my experience has been sporadic and I am mostly self-taught. The Manifest Studios offer a wonderful environment for drawing and learning. The instructor has been very supportive and her enthusiasm and dedication to the fine art of drawing in the classical style has been a joy and an inspiration.”

“Manifest Drawing Center has been vital to my continuing education in the arts. Drawing from the model has honed my skills in drawing and my painting has improved because of it.”

"Thank goodness for this teaching commitment to the community by Manifest.”

"I valued the individual guidance and 'one-on-one' style of teaching as well as the opportunity for group critiques. With [the instructor's] guidance I was able to break through years of frustrated drawing attempts and really identify what my challenges and my successes were."

“The Manifest courses are a great opportunity for recent graduates to continue learning in a studio environment.”

"For a non-artist, taking Jonathan Queen's Still Life Drawing was an eye-opening experience. The visual world doesn't look the same anymore." What is the Manifest Drawing Center Studio? Manifest’s Drawing Center is a fully-equipped, 3000 square foot facility located in the historic suburb of Madisonville in Cincinnati, Ohio*. Two expansive studios allow for a variety of programs and studio courses. Natural light spills in through the large windows overlooking the surrounding neighborhood. Drawing horses and easels are available for use by participants and students, though each participant should bring his or her own drawing boards, paper, media, etc. as needed. The studio also has a range of plaster casts and busts, anatomical models, as well as life-sized skeletal and musculature models. Temporary storage areas are available for participants involved in multiple sessions. Participants are encouraged (though not required) to display their drawings around the wall as an ever-growing in-situ display of images created at the Drawing Center, as well as to post images of finished drawings and works in progress in our online 'StudioWall' found here. (Read an article featuring Manifest's Drawing Center program in Drawing Magazine here.)

*note that the studio is located on the second floor, and is accesible only by steps. What Programs Does the Drawing Center Offer? Manifest's Studio Program offers a diverse range of professionally instructed drawing courses and uninstructed 'open' sessions all centered on the Manifest mission of standing for and promoting quality in the visual arts. Our Instructed Courses are taught by local professional artists and follow an approach similar to college-level courses. They vary in subject and level of experience required depending on the current term of courses. Our Open Figure Sessions are an ongoing resource for artists of any experience level to come draw the live n**e figure independently (without instruction). Manifest's courses and sessions provide the balance of artistic rigor with an approachable atmosphere of creativity and support. A current list of our Drawing Center programs can be found here. This is updated on a roughly quarterly basis. Who Teaches at the Drawing Center? Each of our Instructed Courses and Open Figure Sessions are led by professionally-trained instructors and moderators. Many of them currently teach at the academic level in local university art and design programs. While each course differs in structure, our instructors blend a planned curriculum with a customized approach for each participant. You can learn more about our instructors here. Why Study at Manifest? Manifest’s Drawing Center is the only regional art center devoted to the discipline of drawing. (Why is drawing so important? Go here to find out!) Our desire is to cultivate an atmosphere of creative growth for local artists and designers who want to strengthen their skills and broaden their artistic network. While our programs are open to everyone, we strive to offer a high-quality experience that inspires the serious artist in his or her art-making endeavors. How Can I Get Involved? Visit: http://www.manifestdrawingcenter.org

ABSTRACTION AND THE NATURAL WORLDThursdays | 6 - 9 pmOctober 22 - December 17, 2026Registration Deadline: October 19Led ...
10/13/2026

ABSTRACTION AND THE NATURAL WORLD
Thursdays | 6 - 9 pm
October 22 - December 17, 2026
Registration Deadline: October 19

Led by Instructor Megan Wolfkill

Time is quickly growing short to be able to join in Abstraction and the Natural World!

In this upcoming course, students will investigate form, mark, color, and composition while exploring methods of abstraction stemming from direct observation.

Considering paint itself as context as well as examining the visual and conceptual relationships between the “real” and the “abstract”, this course is perfect for those interested in both direct observational study and in creating new abstract and nonobjective forms in their paintings.

Don’t delay and miss out!
To read more and register, visit:
https://manifestgallery.org/studio/painting/natural_world/

Image: Megan Wolfkill

QUESTIONING PHOTOGRAPHYSaturdays | 10 am - 1 pmOctober 24 - December 12, 2026Registration Deadline: October 22Led by Res...
10/12/2026

QUESTIONING PHOTOGRAPHY
Saturdays | 10 am - 1 pm
October 24 - December 12, 2026
Registration Deadline: October 22

Led by Resident Instructor Michael Wilson

This course is for those looking to consider a range of motivations for making photographs while exploring ways to nurture inspiration, curiosity, and enthusiasm for the medium.

Through photographs drawn from the history of the medium, class room discussion, shooting exercises and assignments, the course will explore different ways of approaching and thinking about photographic work.

Regular group critiques will provide opportunities to share work, discuss ideas and approaches, and consider the choices involved in making and presenting photographs.

Are you interested in exploring why we make photographs, and what keeps us engaged?
To read more and register, visit:
https://manifestdrawingcenter.org/studio/photo/questioning-photo/

FINAL REGISTRATION DEADLINE ALERT!AN INTRODUCTION TO PAINTINGWednesdays | 6 - 9 pmOctober 14 - December 2Registration De...
10/11/2026

FINAL REGISTRATION DEADLINE ALERT!

AN INTRODUCTION TO PAINTING
Wednesdays | 6 - 9 pm
October 14 - December 2
Registration Deadline: October 11, 2026

Led by Resident Instructor Dan O’Connor

Just in case you needed a reminder: TODAY is the final day to register and join in the upcoming course Introduction to Painting!

Designed with absolute beginners in mind, this course is for those interested in developing foundational skills in this timeless medium.

Students will learn how to set up a palette, mix colors, handle brushes, and explore expressive mark-making techniques.
With simple, direct exercises and practice working from observation, this course will provide students with a sense of color theory and how to connect what you see with what you put on the canvas.

Whether you’re picking up a brush for the very first time, or returning after a long break, this course will guide you step-by-step through the essentials.

Don’t delay and miss out!
To read more and register, visit:
https://manifestdrawingcenter.org/studio/painting/intro/

Image: painting studies by Samantha Haring

ABSTRACTION AND THE NATURAL WORLDThursdays | 6 - 9 pmOctober 22 - December 17, 2026Registration Deadline: October 19Led ...
10/10/2026

ABSTRACTION AND THE NATURAL WORLD
Thursdays | 6 - 9 pm
October 22 - December 17, 2026
Registration Deadline: October 19

Led by Instructor Megan Wolfkill

In Abstraction and The Natural World, students will create abstract and non-objective paintings that are grounded in observation of the natural world.

With time split between working en plein air and in the studio, this is for those interested in exploring how to collect visual information and use it to develop abstract forms in new paintings.

During this upcoming course, students will:
• Explore methods of abstraction stemming from observation
• Investigate form, mark, color, and composition
• Consider paint itself as context
• Examine the visual and conceptual relationships between the “real” and the “abstract”
…and much more.

Interested in learning more?
To read more and register, visit:
https://manifestgallery.org/studio/painting/natural_world/

Image: Wolf Kahn

INTRO TO LITHOGRAPHYTUESDAYS | 6 - 10 pmOctober 20 - November 10, 2026Registration Deadline: October 17, 2026Instructed ...
10/09/2026

INTRO TO LITHOGRAPHY
TUESDAYS | 6 - 10 pm
October 20 - November 10, 2026
Registration Deadline: October 17, 2026

Instructed by Alyssa Baker

Introduction to Lithography will allow students to have a basic understanding of the stone lithography process.

In this course, students will learn about: stone graining and preparation, image transfers, etching with nitric acid, printmaking, print studio orientation, safety procedures and emergency equipment, and much more.

As an added bonus: While enrolled in Introduction to Lithography, participants may attend open print studio hours outside of instruction hours for no additional cost for the duration of the 4-week introductory course.

To find more information and register, visit:
https://manifestdrawingcenter.org/studio/printmaking/intro_litho/

AN INTRODUCTION TO FIGURE DRAWINGTuesdays | 6 - 9 pmOctober 27 - December 15, 2026Registration Deadline: October 24Led b...
10/08/2026

AN INTRODUCTION TO FIGURE DRAWING
Tuesdays | 6 - 9 pm
October 27 - December 15, 2026
Registration Deadline: October 24

Led by Instructor Mark Hanavan

The human figure is one of the most challenging—and rewarding—subjects in all of art.

Introduction to Figure Drawing is designed for students who are new to drawing the figure or looking to strengthen their understanding of the fundamentals.

Working from a live model, students will learn practical strategies for capturing the body’s proportions, structure, and gesture with clarity and confidence. Through guided exercises, you will explore how to break down complex forms into simpler shapes, how to measure relationships across the figure, and how to draw what you actually see rather than what you assume.

You’ll be introduced to the basics of anatomy, gesture drawing, and composition, while also learning how to use line, value, and edge to bring your drawings to life.

This course was designed to be approachable, but rooted in serious skill development—it’s not about stylization or shortcuts, but about learning to see the figure with accuracy. Whether interested in fine art, illustration, animation, or just improving your drawing, this course lays a strong foundation for working with the human form.

To read more and register, visit:
https://manifestdrawingcenter.org/studio/figure/figure1/

Image: Edgar Degas

QUESTIONING PHOTOGRAPHYSaturdays | 10 am - 1 pmOctober 24 - December 12, 2026Registration Deadline: October 22Led by Res...
10/07/2026

QUESTIONING PHOTOGRAPHY
Saturdays | 10 am - 1 pm
October 24 - December 12, 2026
Registration Deadline: October 22

Led by Resident Instructor Michael Wilson

Why do we make photographs, and what keeps us engaged with picture-making over time?

In this eight-week course, students will consider a range of motivations for making photographs while exploring ways to nurture inspiration, curiosity, and enthusiasm for the medium.

Through photographs drawn from the history of photography, classroom discussion, shooting exercises, and assignments, the course will explore different ways of approaching and thinking about photographic work.

Students will work across a variety of photographic approaches, including still life, landscape, portraiture, reportage, and abstraction. Regular group critiques will provide opportunities to share work, discuss ideas and approaches, and consider the choices involved in making and presenting photographs.

This course is open to all skill levels, and participants may work with either digital or film photography.

Please note: students choosing to work with film should consider the additional time required to process and prepare their photographs, as having work ready to share for group critique will be an important part of the course.

To read more and register, visit:
https://manifestdrawingcenter.org/studio/photo/questioning-photo/

ENVISION PROJECT 9 SHOWCASE — October 2026Check out what local area high school students have created as part of this ye...
10/06/2026

ENVISION PROJECT 9 SHOWCASE — October 2026

Check out what local area high school students have created as part of this year’s Envision Project, The Places We Keep: Holding Place, Holding Time.

Support for this 2026 FotoFocus Biennial project was provided in part by FotoFocus.

“In a process that foregrounds the ways photography connects the immediate moment to what came before and what is yet to come, students explored their most cherished places while investigating the impact that time, civic development, and unseen natural forces inevitably have on our treasured places’ appearances, functions, and associations.”

A showcase of thoughtfully crafted works will be on view at the Manifest Drawing Center, located at 3464 Central Parkway through October 30th.

********
Available Viewing Dates/Times:
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 6 - 9pm
Wednesdays: 4 - 8pm
Fridays: 1:30 - 4pm
Saturdays: 11am - 3pm

RSVP required for entry: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1985087130043.

********

Please email [email protected] or call (513) 861-3638 with questions.

--
This 9th Envision Project was guided by instructors Shannon Eggleston and Michael Wilson.

INTRO TO ETCHINGSUNDAYS | 10 am - 1 pmOctober 18 - November 8, 2026Registration Deadline: October 15, 2026Instructed by ...
10/06/2026

INTRO TO ETCHING

SUNDAYS | 10 am - 1 pm
October 18 - November 8, 2026
Registration Deadline: October 15, 2026

Instructed by Alyssa Baker

Are you interested in exploring a new artistic process this Autumn?
Consider joining in Introduction to Etching!

In this course, students will acquire a basic understanding of the copper plate etching process, including cover plate preparation, hardground line etching, aquatint, and the printing process.

As a bonus: while enrolled in Intro to etching, participants may attend open print lab hours outside of instruction hours for no additional cost for the duration of the 4-week course.

Interested in reading more?
To find more information and register, visit:
https://manifestdrawingcenter.org/studio/printmaking/intro_etching/

ABSTRACTION AND THE NATURAL WORLDThursdays | 6 - 9 pmOctober 22 - December 17, 2026Registration Deadline: October 19Led ...
10/05/2026

ABSTRACTION AND THE NATURAL WORLD
Thursdays | 6 - 9 pm
October 22 - December 17, 2026
Registration Deadline: October 19

Led by Instructor Megan Wolfkill

In this upcoming course, students will create abstract and non-objective paintings grounded in observation of the natural world.

Students will work both en plein air and in the studio—outdoor sessions will focus on collecting visual information through direct observation, which students will then bring back to the studio.

These investigations will inspire a lexicon of abstract and nonobjective forms used to develop new paintings.

Are you interested in exploring abstraction and the natural world?
To read more and register, visit:
https://manifestgallery.org/studio/painting/natural_world/

Image: Fairfield Porter

Address

3464 Central Parkway
Cincinnati, OH
45223

Opening Hours

Monday 6pm - 10pm
Tuesday 6pm - 10pm
Wednesday 6pm - 10pm
Thursday 6pm - 10pm
Friday 1:30pm - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4:30pm
Sunday 10am - 10pm

Telephone

+15138613638

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Manifest Drawing Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The School

Send a message to Manifest Drawing Center:

Shortcuts

Share

Category