Paint & Connect: Acrylic Afternoons for Beginners with Michael Giaquinto

Whether you’re picking up a brush for the very first time or looking to strengthen existing skills, instructor Michael Giaquinto offers weekly lesson prompts and personalized guidance to help build confidence, refine technique, and strengthen your artistic voice. Through demonstrations, creative exploration, and personalized support, students will strengthen their painting skills in a relaxed, encouraging, and community-centered environment.

Beginning students receive guided instruction in the fundamentals of acrylic painting, including color mixing, brush techniques, and composition, while intermediate students may opt to work on independent projects with feedback and individualized instruction from Giaquinto.

Ongoing Monthly: 4-week sessions held Tuesdays from 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Acrylic Afternoons is perfect for anyone who wants to paint regularly, connect with fellow artists, and find inspiration through art. Students are encouraged and welcome to explore the Museum’s current exhibitions for fresh ideas and creative motivation each week!

Beginner Student materials list:

• Paint: Liquitex Basics Acrylic Colors, 250 ml tubes of the following 3 primary colors plus white

  • Cadmium Red Medium Hue, Cadmium Yellow Light Hue, Cobalt Blue Hue, and Titanium White

• Brushes: 1/2" Flat and 1" Flat, Basics Brush Synthetic Hair

• Canvas: Canvas Boards 10" x 8" or 14" x 11"

• Clean rags or a roll of paper towels

• Paper plates (dinner size) for palettes

• Apron (optional)

• Suggested reference books: Daily Painting by Carol Marine and/or Learn to Paint in Acrylics with 50 Small Paintings by Mark Daniel Nelson

Michael Giaquinto was the Exhibitions Curator at the Cape Cod Museum of Art (CCMoA) from 2003-2020. During that span, he curated over 200 exhibitions. Giaquinto studied fine art at the Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, MA, and art history at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. He became the Chief Art Preparator for the NC State University Gregg Museum of Art & Design from 1991-2000. Upon relocation to Cape Cod, Giaquinto became the art teacher for grades 9-12 at St. John Paul II High School in Hyannis. He continues to teach a wide range of mediums and levels to adults and children at many cultural institutions. 

Giaquinto has exhibited in museums and galleries across the region and his artwork can be found in private, corporate, and museum collections. He is the 2023 Cape Cod Museum of Art Muse Artist Award recipient and held a one-person exhibition at CCMoA in 2025.

Image credit: Michael Giaquinto, Still Life, Acrylic, 14" x 11"

Cancellation policy: CCMoA must be notified 1 week prior for a refund.