Watercolor Skies Workshop with Margaret Oakley

If you have ever stared at a sunset over the Pacific and wished you could get it onto paper, this is a good place to start. On Saturday, November 14, 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica hosts a two-hour watercolor workshop led by resident artist Margaret Oakley, built around one subject: the sky.

When: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 1 PM to 3 PM Where: Co-Create Space, 18th Street Arts Center, 1639 18th St, Santa Monica Cost: $40, paid directly to the artist at the event Capacity: 20 participants

What to expect

The session leans into the spontaneous side of watercolor. Oakley takes her cue from the sky's changing moods, and participants experiment with color, clouds and atmosphere rather than aiming for a polished picture. Watercolor rewards a loose hand: water and pigment drift on their own, and the happy accidents are often the best part.

The organizers describe the workshop as relaxed and open to beginners and experienced painters alike, so nobody needs to arrive with a portfolio or a steady brush technique. It is the kind of low-pressure class that makes a good addition to a list of things happening in Los Angeles this month, especially if you want a creative afternoon that is not a screen.

About the facilitator

Margaret Oakley is an interdisciplinary artist whose work explores ecological processes and human psychological environments. She is an Associate Professor of Art at Santa Monica College, where she teaches art fundamentals, watercolor and ceramics, and she is one of the resident artists at 18th Street.

What to bring

Basic supplies are provided, and the center will email a list of what is included before the workshop. You are also welcome to bring your own watercolor paints, palettes, brushes and paper. If you do, label your things so they are easy to tell apart from the shared supplies.

Getting there and signing up

Spots are limited to 20, so RSVP on the event page to hold one. The $40 fee is collected by the artist on the day by cash, Venmo or Zelle, so bring one of those. The workshop is held in the Co-Create Space at 1639 18th St, so check the event page for parking and arrival details before you go.

If you are scanning for LA events this weekend, note that this one lands the following Saturday, which gives you time to plan. Browse more from the neighborhood on our Santa Monica page, or see other arts and culture picks around the city.

Full details and the RSVP form are on the 18th Street Arts Center event page.