The Cape Ann Summer School of Art presents:
Ken Knowles –
The Studio Professional & Comprehensive Composition
MonDAY, September 14 - Friday, September 18, 2026 from 9 am - 4 pm, in the studio
RAA&M Members: $725 | Non-Members: $775
“As an artist I have a deep human need to be able to create with meaningful and thoughtful ideas, and to be true to the aesthetic that I desire. I avoid what I believe the viewer or the public wants.”
— Ken Knowles
This course focuses on working with the skills and academic traditions handed down through hundreds of years of art history. Driving for excellence, participants will avoid complacency and instead strive for integrity and authenticity, while allowing and promoting a meaningful creative process.
Day 1 introduces Rockport on the art map with a demonstration, emphasizing preparation, methods, and the understanding that it happens in the mind first through a comprehensive composition study addressing why we choose, what we choose, mood, key, and control. Day 2 explores the beginnings of the Rockport Art Association & Museum, including Hibbard, Stevens, and many of the founders, with focus on planning light, tone, and color, and learning to control light and surface. Day 3 is devoted to intensive painting and sticking to Plan A, examining what the paint looks like in relation to personal style, along with spiritual, physical, and mental preparation, and fixing the obvious. Day 4 addresses getting over the hump within RAA&M’s long tradition in representational art and the Rockport School, including discussion of RAA&M’s mission and professionalism. Day 5 concludes with finishing and critique, focusing on listening to the painting, framing, and presentation. Each artist will supply their own materials and easel.
Students are welcome to work from personal reference material or may choose from references provided by Ken. Level: Intermediate to Expert.
In addition to painting instruction, all workshops include guided gallery walks throughout the area, evening lectures and an exhibition of historic Cape Ann paintings at the RAA&M. Enroll now!
Ken Knowles is a native of Rockport, Massachusetts, where he lives, paints, and teaches in oils. With 45 years of experience, he studied under Stapleton Kearns and John Terelak, and with Tom and T.M. Nicholas. Ken has received over 40 awards for his landscape and marine paintings and is deeply rooted in the Cape Ann painting tradition.
Affiliations & Leadership
Member of the Rockport Art Association & Museum, North Shore Arts Association, Academic Artists Association, Hudson Valley Art Association, and the Salmagundi Club. Ken is a current board member of RAA&M and served as President of the North Shore Arts Association (2012–2015). His past service attracts include House Committee Chair (NSAA, 2009–2012), Board Member (RAA&M, 1998–2000), Co-Chair of the Artists Ball (RAA, 2005), and roles on fundraising, development, and exhibitions committees at NSAA. He was the creator and co-chair, with T.M. Nicholas, of Then and Now (2012), a major NSAA exhibition featuring over 75 historic works by past members and founders, for which he produced the book and all marketing.
Cancelation Policy for CASSOA Workshops: Up to two weeks (fourteen days) prior to the start of a workshop, participants may cancel and request a refund, minus a non-refundable $100 registration fee. Tuition will not be refunded after this two-week period. This policy is strictly enforced.