Art Classes at Jessel Gallery

Art Classes at Jessel Gallery include acrylic painting, watercolor painting, illustration, mixed media art, collage, and assemblage. The program also offers floral design projects such as bridal bouquets, personal flowers, head wreaths, boutonnieres, Christmas centerpieces and wreaths, spring and Mother’s Day arrangements, and everyday hand-tied bouquets. All lessons are customized to fit each student’s needs, and each student leaves with a completed piece of art.

• Schedule: Classes can be held on-site or off-site at Jessel Gallery.

Jessel Gallery was established in 1984 in three small rooms within the former Hedgeside Whiskey Distillery. The gallery’s mission statement is “Fine Art for any Budget in a Gallery Full of HeART.” Jessel coined the term “Jesselism” for her intuitive, heart-led teaching approach that celebrates exploration and the unknown. The gallery has been voted Napa’s Best Art Gallery and Napa Valley’s best art experience.

Acrylic painting at Jessel Gallery is taught by Jessel Miller, who also founded the Napa Valley Mustard Celebration. Watercolor painting is taught by Diane Pope, and John Roos teaches with a focus on perspective and color mixing when working from reference photos; students bring their own supplies for his sessions. Mixed media art, including collage and assemblage, is taught by Sunshine Moeschler. Floral design, including everyday and special-occasion arrangements, is taught by Heather Hamilton, an experienced floral design instructor known for her loose, organic aesthetic.

Jessel Gallery provides all project supplies for the described art class experience, except that students bring their own supplies for John Roos’s sessions. The program offers hands-on individualized teaching, and it is not a paint-by-numbers class, with artwork that is personalized and unique. The gallery has an animal-friendly, kid-friendly policy, and visitors are encouraged to take their time and sit on the deck among hand-tended plants and flowers. Jessel hosts many art classes and shows throughout the year with potlucks, and the gallery has showcased shows by groups such as the Napa Photographic Society, Napa Valley Open Studios, and Brown Street Gallery, which features adults with developmental disabilities. As a special feature called “The WOW Moment,” Jessel or one of her Plein Air artists can attend an event and paint the view.

Visitor feedback includes comments that Jessel Gallery is “a Napa treasure” and “such a wonderful studio,” and that Jessel is “the warmest, most hospitable, welcoming presence” with works that are “alluring, comforting, peace-inducing.” Visitors also note the variety of different mediums, the many art classes and shows, and describe visits as “fun” and “inspiring.”

Last updated March 21, 2026.