Urban Sketching with Merrill Rainey (August)

Explore the art of Urban Sketching in this two-part workshop series with award-winning author and illustrator Merrill Rainey. Connect with fellow creatives while learning techniques for capturing the world around you through sketching. Participants also have the opportunity to enhance their experience with an optional third offsite urban sketching session, offering extra time for creative exploration and observational drawing in an inspiring new setting.

Urban Sketching is the practice of drawing or painting on location in cities, towns, and public spaces while capturing life as it happens. Merrill will teach his unique techniques, focusing on sketching with watercolors and cut paper collage, while sharing how he applies inspiration gathered on location to his illustration work.

Session 1 on August 3: Participants will create a take-home travel watercolor set, and Merril will demonstrate Urban Sketching techniques to help everyone get comfortable with the concept.

Session 2 on August 10: Everyone will meet at 577 before heading to downtown Perrysburg to begin Urban Sketching on location. The group will return to 577 for a brief show-and-tell of each artist’s work.

*Optional Session 3 on August 17: Offsite Urban Sketching, Participants may also register for an additional offsite Urban Sketching session to continue building their skills in a new location. Location TBD. 

Open to all skill levels, and no drawing experience necessary - only the desire to learn and create!

Class Note: Participants must bring a 5" x 7" sketchbook (cold press, 150 lb. paper recommended). Instructor suggestion-- https://a.co/d/03NhWpfT

CLASS INFO:
Dates & Times:
- Part One: Monday, August 3, 6pm to 8pm, Green Door Studio
- Part Two: Monday, August 10, 6pm to 8pm, Virginia's House ~ Library
Fees: $80 (*Optional Add-On Session on Monday, August 17 for $20)
Age: 18+
Locations: Class on August 3 will take place in the Green Door Studio; Class on August 10 will take place in the Library of Virginia's House
Parking: Courtyard Parking Lot
Directions: View the campus map for class location and parking -> https://bit.ly/577ClassLocationandParking

Community Instructor: Merrill Rainey

Growing up, award-winning author-illustrator Merrill Rainey spent most of his Saturday afternoons drawing, watching monster movies, and going on imaginary adventures. Today, he is a cowboy-boot-wearing picture-book creator and paper-toy maker. Merrill’s work explores creativity and imaginative play. Whether he is working with traditional or digital mediums, Merrill’s work is full of deep storytelling, rich textures, and color! He is the author-illustrator of over seven children’s books, and his work regularly appears in leading children’s magazines. Merrill’s workshop is in Northwest, Ohio, where he doodles away with his editor (his wife), subject matter experts (his kids), and his very opinionated coworker — his pup! To find out more about Merrill and his work, visit LittleRainey.com

UrbSketch_1_MRainey - Merrill Rainey
Photo & illustration by Merrill Rainey

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577 Cancellation & Refund Policy

Each month, 577 offers a wide variety of class topics with small class sizes. Because space is limited, we rely on you to register for classes thoughtfully.

Life brings many surprises to us all and sometimes people must cancel their class reservations. Please help us continue to offer these wonderful classes as affordably as possible by adhering to the following registration, cancellation, and refund policies listed below in the notes section.

FRIENDLY REMINDER: Your health and safety matter to us. If you’re feeling unwell or have symptoms of a contagious illness, please stay home and join us another time. If someone in your household is sick, monitor for symptoms and consider simple precautions. Thank you for helping keep our shared spaces healthy and welcoming.

Please see our website for the full policies.

Note:

We’re excited to welcome you to class. Please note that doors will open no earlier than 20 minutes before the scheduled class time. This allows our instructors time to prepare and ensures the best experience for everyone.

Please remember: This class is for registered participants only, and we’re not able to accommodate additional guests such as children, family members, or friends. Thank you so much for understanding and helping us keep classes running smoothly.


Class Note: Participants must bring a 5" x 7" sketchbook (cold press,150#). Suggested-- https://a.co/d/03NhWpfT

CLASS INFO:
Dates &Times:
- Part One: Monday, August 3, 6pm to 8pm, Green Door Studio
- Part Two: Monday, August 10, 6pm to 8pm, Virginia's House ~ Library
Fees: $80 (*Optional Add-On Session on Monday, August 17: $20)
Location: Aug 3: Green Door Studio & Aug 10: Virginia's House ~ Library
Parking: Courtyard Parking Lot
Directions: View the campus map for class location and parking -> https://bit.ly/577ClassLocationandParking

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CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellations should be reserved for emergencies and illnesses, but we recognize that life happens and conflicts may require you to cancel your registration. If you must cancel and the class date is within 6 or less days, please call us immediately at (419) 874-4174. If the cancellation is 7 or more days from the class date, cancellations may be emailed to hello@577foundation.org.

PLEASE NOTE:
• Calling other extensions or emailing other staff members may delay your request. Please use the main voicemail box and the email address above. Cancellations must be processed through those channels; our online system does not allow you to cancel online on your own. Refunds are available based on the proximity of your cancellation request and the class date. Please see the Refund Policy below.
• Once you are accepted into a class, a 5% cancellation fee applies to any refunds processed via credit card, cash, or check, regardless of the reason for canceling.

Minimum Enrollment & Inclement Weather: Classes are cancelled by 577 when enrollment minimums are not reached or for inclement weather. If 577 or a Community Instructor cancels a class, you will have the option to a) transfer to another class, as long as space is available, b) receive a 100% refund via the original payment method, or c) receive a 100% household credit to your account for a future class.

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REFUND POLICY:

Important Considerations: As a small non-profit organization, we strive to keep class sizes small and affordable. Please only register for classes you will be able to attend, and reserve cancellations for emergencies and illnesses. Even with the waitlist that we offer for most classes, when you cancel out of a class, the other excited potential participants may have made other plans because the class is full.

This refund policy was established to honor 577's Instructors, to respect the time and energy they invest in preparing for each class, and to encourage class participants to weigh their class registrations carefully and in balance with other potential participants.

If you choose to withdraw from a class, the refund policies are as follows:

Refund via the Original Method of Payment ~ Credit Card, Cash, or Check*:
>>> 100% refund with seven (7) or more days’ notice prior to the start of class, less a 5% administrative fee.
>>> No refunds will be given for cancellation six (6) days prior to the start of class. Exception: If we can fill your spot with another participant, you may elect to receive a 100% refund, less a 5% administrative fee.

Refund via Household Credit to use on another class at a future date*:
>>> 100% refund as a Household Credit with seven (7) or more days’ notice prior to the start of class.
>>> No refunds will be given for cancellations six (6) days prior to the start of class. Exception: If we can fill your spot with another participant, you may elect to receive a 100% refund via Household Credit.

*Exceptions may be made to this policy in extreme circumstances. Please contact us to discuss options for cancellation in the event of illness or emergency.

**Once a refund is processed as a Household Credit, you may not request a refund via a credit card, cash, or check at a later date.

Donations: In lieu of a refund, you may request your registration fee be donated back to 577 to support future educational programming and a scholarship fund designed to make classes available to all.

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ILLNESS: Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 or other contagious illnesses may not visit 577’s indoor facilities or an in-person class. Anyone who has COVID-19 or is knowingly exposed to COVID19 should follow CDC guidelines for quarantine and isolation before entering any indoor space at 577.

Program Details
Field Value
Program Type Studio Art
Program Subcategory Painting and Drawing
Program Code -
Online Registration Yes
Enrollment Begin Date 6/24/2026 9:00 AM
Enrollment End Date 7/31/2026 12:00 PM
Instructor(s)
Merrill Rainey
Gender Any Gender
Enrollment Minimum 5
Maximum 10
Grade Minimum
Maximum
Age Minimum 18 years
Maximum -
Program Fees
Standard Fee Residency Restriction Membership Restrictions Amount
Adult 18+ -None-
-None-
$80.00
Addon Fees
Add On Fee Residency Restriction Amount
Off-site Urban Sketching -None- $20.00
Program Schedule
Date Day Start Time End Time Location
08/03/2026 Monday 6:00 PM 8:00 PM Green Door Studio
08/10/2026 Monday 6:00 PM 8:00 PM Virginia's House ~ Library