“Our community, platform, and online class meetings offer something truly authentic—and we're dedicated to helping them make a meaningful impact on your art practice.”
— Michael Azgour, Founder + Instructor, Azgour Art Group
Online Program
Our high-quality, comprehensive program is designed to help you build a productive and fulfilling art-making practice you may have never thought possible. Our unique, custom-built website provides all the tools and resources you need to consistently create compelling artworks.
To maintain our exceptional content and supportive community, we operate on a membership model that ensures the highest standards and personalized engagement.
Visit the Azgour Art Group Platform
Summer Term: May-Aug 2025
Welcome to Summer Term at AAG!
Summer Term – kicking off May 2025 – is the perfect opportunity to elevate your art-making and make this a truly transformative year.
Whether you're building a strong foundation, committing to a daily creative habit, or striving to create consistently impactful work, our supportive community is here to help you reach your goals.
Summer Orientation
Wednesday, May 14 at 11am–12noon Pacific Time
Via Zoom | Free & Open to the Public
Join us for our Summer Orientation, where founder and instructor Michael Azgour shares the vision behind Azgour Art Group, introduces our dynamic program and vibrant community, and offers a guided tour of the member platform. Q&A.
Summer Online Class Schedule
Summer Term Focus: Navigating Spaces
Zoom sessions are held on Wednesdays from 11am–12noon Pacific Time (PT), unless otherwise specified. All sessions are recorded and available for members to stream anytime.
Explore the Features of AAG
Joining Azgour Art Group opens the door to a wide range of learning resources, community engagement opportunities, and mentorship programs. Tier-specific benefits are outlined in the section below.
Newsletter
All members receive the newsletter and announcements by email and within the Start Here section on our platform. The bi-monthly newsletter is delivered straight to your inbox, featuring announcements, upcoming opportunities, creative focus prompts, a featured video, and highlights from member posts.
[★ All Plans]
Journey
The Journey collection helps you to guide your creative path with clarity and purpose. It offers tools to realign with your vision, set goals, and build momentum, while the Members' Circle fosters community and accountability to support your growth.
Embark – aka Personal Roadmap – A place to realign with your unique artistic path. Use it as a central command for your creative journey – equipped with exercises and resources to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
[★★ Emerging Plan and above]
Weekly Challenge – This space helps members set personal goals, break them into small, actionable steps, and build momentum through daily practice. Members define their own goals and action items, then track progress by checking off each step sequentially.
[★★ Emerging Plan and above]
Members' Circle – Launching Summer Term 2025 – A space for connection and growth through casual member-organized meetups – online or in person – and supportive accountability groups – designed to strengthen your art practice.
[★★★ Practicing Plan and above]Member Meetups – Members organize casual gatherings—either in person or on Zoom—to connect, share, and support one another.
Accountability – Members form groups to support and transform their art practice over time – these include Accountability Partners and Teams
Consultation + Mentorship – 30-minute or 60-minute one-on-one sessions where members receive personalized feedback and guidance on their creative work directly from the instructor. Part of our focus on mentorship, these Zoom sessions can be scheduled at mutually convenient times.
[Fee Applies]
Events
The Events collection offers a range of engaging opportunities for learning, connection, and artistic growth. From online sessions like Class Meetings and Member Conversations to in-person events such as art-making workshops and group exhibitions, these events are designed to inspire, educate, and bring the community together.
ONLINE SESSIONS
Join a variety of live Zoom sessions or watch the recordings at your convenience. These include Term Orientation, Class Meetings, Member Conversations, Guest Artists, Member Presentations, and Term Critiques. Designed to support and enrich your artistic journey, all sessions (unless otherwise noted) are recorded and available for members to stream anytime, offering flexibility to engage with valuable content at your own pace.
Term Orientation – At the start of each term, the instructor leads a detailed Orientation covering all aspects of the group, including platform features and recent updates. This session is especially valuable for new members getting acquainted with the community and how everything works.
[Open to the Public]
Class Meetings – Live 60-minute Zoom sessions held twice a month on Wednesdays from 11:00 am – 12:00 noon PT, with 7 meetings per term. Each session includes a mix of group exercises, demonstrations, and discussions on topics like painting process, art history, concept development, project management, and studio practices. Office Hours follow and are not recorded
[★★ Emerging Plan and above]
Member Conversations – Casual, 30-minute chats held before each Class Meeting (10:30am PT) on the same Zoom link. Hosted by members, topics can range from open-ended to focused discussions. Member Conversations are not recorded.
[★★ Emerging Plan and above]
Guest Artists – Once per term, a guest artist from outside our community is invited to share their work, creative journey, and unique art-making processes. These inspiring presentations often include personal stories, conceptual insights, and live demonstrations.
[★★ Emerging Plan and above]
Member Presentations – Once per term, a small group of members volunteer to share their artwork and personally meaningful concepts in 15–20 minute presentations.The Member Presentations session is held on Zoom, separate from the regular Class Meetings, and offers a chance to learn from peers and celebrate diverse creative approaches.
[★★★ Practicing Plan and above]
Term Critiques – Two Final Critiques are held at the end of each term. Active members are invited to attend both sessions as observers, and may sign up for a time slot to receive feedback from the instructor. Each participant will receive equal time with the instructor (approximately 5 minutes), while all members are welcome to contribute comments via the text chat.
[★★★ Practicing Plan and above]
IN-PERSON EVENTS
The newly opened AZGOUR ART STUDIO in San Francisco’s West Portal neighborhood marks an exciting expansion for Azgour Art Group. We’re thrilled to offer a vibrant In-Person Program with events like Art-Making Workshops, Art Walks to Museums and Galleries, Group Critique & Insights, and Member Group Exhibitions.
Group Critiques & Insights – Expert feedback in a small, supportive setting – plus deeper artistic discussions on themes that commonly arise in critiques and relate to the instructor’s current projects. 3-6 meetings per year.
[★★ Emerging Plan and above – additional fee applies]
Art-Making Workshops – Immersive workshops featuring instructor demonstrations, critique, personalized instruction, and hands-on guidance – each tailored to support your artistic growth.
[★★ Emerging Plan and above – additional fee applies]
Art Walks: Museum or Gallery Tours – Curated guided tours for artists—designed to inspire, educate, and deepen your creative perspective through discussions of art exhibitions and their connection to broader concepts
[★★ Emerging Plan and above – additional fee applies]
Exhibition Opportunities – Vibrant exhibitions celebrating the diverse talents of our artist members take place in AZGOUR ART STUDIO, located at 320 West Portal Avenue in San Francisco. Open to the public Monday through Friday for 6–8 weeks, the show will feature a lively opening reception with wine, refreshments, and live music.
[★★ Emerging Plan and above – additional fee applies]
Forums
The Forums collection features four community forums – Main Forum, Intros + Portfolios, Artists Who Inspire, and Critique Group – offering members a place to share creative work, ideas, and inspiration. In the Critique Group, members receive instructor feedback on every post, fostering constructive dialogue and artistic growth. All forums encourage active participation, feedback exchange, and connection in a supportive, welcoming environment.
Main Forum – Post interesting art-related topics, articles, books, events, exhibitions, websites, ideas—and any questions for the instructor. If you think it would interest fellow members, it belongs here! This is the general Forum, so if you're unsure where to post, this is probably the right place. You're encouraged to comment on fellow members' posts and keep the conversation going.
[★★ Emerging Plan and above
Artists Who Inspire – Share artists who inspire you by posting their work with the artist's name in the title. Please include one or more images, and feel free to add links to online resources about the artist.
[★★ Emerging Plan and above]
Intros + Portfolios – Introduce yourself to the group and share three images of your most successful artwork. You’re welcome to include links to your website or social media so members can explore more of your work. You can also use this space to share recent completed pieces once per term.
[★★ Emerging Plan and above]
Critique Group – Members are invited to share their creative work in the Critique Group Forum for feedback and exchange ideas with the community. Every post in the Critique Group Forum receives instructor feedback.
[★★★ Practicing Plan and above]
Creative Work
The Heart of Azgour Art Group, the Creative Work collection includes Projects, Assignments, Exercises, and 28-Day Challenges. Engage with these at your own pace, starting with the instructions and diverging in your own direction. All activities are optional, and you can repeat them as needed. Share your work in the Forums for peer feedback.
Projects – Create a personalized series of paintings at your own pace, guided by your unique vision. Develop your Project step by step and share your progress or finished pieces in the Critique Group Forum for instructor and community feedback. [★★ Emerging Plan and above]
28-Day Challenges – Short, focused daily practices that take just 5–15 minutes each day. These exercises are designed to build momentum by prioritizing consistency and action over perfection. By timing yourself, you stay on track and shift your focus from perfect outcomes to simply showing up and creating regularly. [★★ Emerging Plan and above]
Assignments – Assignments are painting studies that typically take 60 to 120 minutes, though you're welcome to spend more time if you prefer. Each assignment allows for creative freedom—there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Feel free to revisit and repeat assignments to refine your skills and push your practice further.
[★★ Emerging Plan and above]
Exercises – Exercises are brief creative activities (30–60 minutes) involving drawing, writing, or brainstorming in your sketchbook. They’re open to interpretation, with no right or wrong way to complete them. You can revisit exercises as often as you'd like to support your growth.
[★★ Emerging Plan and above]
Painting Course
The Painting Course is a repeatable, 4-month university-level program that guides you through seven stages of the painting process – from initial concept to final completion. You’ll formulate your own unique Project Proposal and dive in at your own pace. At the end of each term, we reflect on our progress – and then begin again.
The seven-unit structure is designed to support you as you plan, develop, and complete Projects – groups of paintings defined by your own scope and goals. Since every artist works differently, you’re free to move through the course in your own way: follow the structure, skip around, or repeat what serves you best.
[★★ Emerging Plan and above]
Videos
Explore the complete archive of recorded content, all in the Videos Collection, which includes six categories: Video Demos, Short Lectures, Group Exercises, Class Meetings, Guest Artist Talks, and Member Presentations. Whether you're looking to revisit a session or discover something new, this growing library offers valuable insights and inspiration. Videos are available for streaming only and may not be downloaded or shared.
Video Demos – A growing library of professionally produced video demonstrations offers in-depth guidance on concepts and art-making process. New demos are added periodically and organized across 7 Units, with the complete archive available in the Videos collection.
[★★ Emerging Plan and above]
Short Lectures – A growing library of concise video lectures – each 20 minutes or less – highlighting key segments from past Class Meetings. These focused recordings make it easy to revisit essential topics without watching full sessions.
[★★ Emerging Plan and above]
Group Exercises – Interactive, instructor-led exercises during Class Meetings that encourage experimentation, intuition, and risk-taking. These exercises are designed to loosen up your process, spark new ideas, and push boundaries through time limits, layered materials, and open-ended approaches—all within a supportive community.
[★★ Emerging Plan and above]
Class Meeting Archives – Previous Class Meeting recordings are available for active members to stream. Our growing archive spans over two years of sessions, offering a rich resource for learning and inspiration.
[★★★ Practicing Plan and above]
Guest Artists – Explore a growing collection of past Guest Artist presentations – featuring recorded talks, live demos, and candid conversations with inspiring artists from outside our community. Each session offers a unique perspective on art-making, creative journeys, and personal insights.
[★★★ Practicing Plan and above]
Member Presentations – Browse past Member Presentations, which are 15–20 minute talks where artists from within our community share their work, creative journeys, and personally meaningful ideas. These recorded sessions offer a chance to celebrate diverse approaches and gain insight from fellow members.
[★★★ Practicing Plan and above]
Visibility + Promotion
The Visibility + Promotion collection provides members with opportunities to showcase their work to a broader audience. This includes participation in juried online exhibitions, social media features, and the creation of a professional portfolio page. Additionally, selected artists can be featured on the AAG homepage, offering enhanced exposure within and outside the community. These resources help artists expand their reach, connect with art enthusiasts, and celebrate their unique artistic voices.
Online Exhibitions – Members are invited to submit artwork for juried virtual exhibitions, with all participants guaranteed to have one piece included. Works are selected by fellow members and are featured in a virtual gallery, celebrating the range of creativity within our community.
[★★★ Practicing Plan and above]
Social Media Spotlights – Select artworks from our online exhibitions are also highlighted on our social media platforms. This added visibility offers members the opportunity to share their work with a broader public audience, helping to expand reach, celebrate individual voices, and showcase the creative energy of our group.
[★★★ Practicing Plan and above]
Member Portfolio Page – Launching Summer Term 2025 – Create a professional presence with your own dedicated profile on our site. Each portfolio includes up to 8 images of your artwork, a personalized bio highlighting your story and artistic practice, and up to 3 external links to your website, social media, or online portfolio. These public-facing pages are accessible to collectors, curators, and art lovers worldwide, offering increased visibility and connection beyond the community.
[★★★★ Advancing Plan and above]
Featured Artist on AAG site – Launching Summer Term 2025 – Selected artists are showcased on the AAG homepage with a curated selection of their work, a short interview or statement, and a link to their Member Portfolio—offering greater visibility within and beyond our community.
[★★★★★ Mastering Plan only]
Professional Practice
The Professional Practice Collection offers artists tailored support to grow their careers. Key components include the Build Your Art Practice course, focused Professional Practice Roundtable sessions, an advice forum for ongoing feedback, and personalized mentorship. These resources guide artists in refining their creative identity, building a sustainable practice, and navigating professional development, ensuring they have the tools and support needed to take their art practice to the next level.
Build Your Art Practice Course – Launching Summer Term 2025 – This five-part workshop series is designed to help artists take charge of their careers by clarifying goals, embracing their creative identity, and building a sustainable art practice. Participants explore the three core roles of the artist – as creator, professional, and entrepreneur – while developing tools like an artist CV, marketing strategies, and gallery outreach plans. Through guided reflection, practical templates, and discussions on topics ranging from exhibitions to alternative markets, artists leave with a personalized one-year action plan and the confidence to grow their practice on their own terms.
[★★★★ Advancing Plan and above]
Professional Practice Roundtable Series – Launching Summer Term 2025 – These 60-minute Zoom sessions meet three times per year and are designed for artists serious about advancing their professional art practice. Each session offers focused discussion on professional development topics – such as exhibitions, marketing, gallery outreach, and portfolio building – drawing from themes in the Build Your Art Practice course. It’s a chance to share goals, gain insights, and stay accountable in a supportive, growth-minded community.
[★★★★★ Mastering Plan only]
Professional Practice Advice Forum – Launching Summer Term 2025 – An ongoing space for members committed to growing their professional art practice. Designed to complement the Art Practice Roundtable Series, this forum is where participants can ask questions, share challenges, and post drafts of artist documents – such as statements, bios, and CVs – for instructor feedback and peer support.
[★★★★★ Mastering Plan only]
Professional Mentorship – Includes two 30-minute Private Consultations per year with instructor Michael Azgour. These personalized sessions are designed to support your professional development, offering feedback on your artwork, artist materials, career strategy, and next steps in building your art practice.
[★★★★★ Mastering Plan only]
See how it works
Book a Free 20-min Demo
Curious about how the Azgour Art Group works?
Book a free 20-minute Zoom session to get a personalized walk-through of our platform, programs, and community. Whether you're an emerging artist or a seasoned creative, this demo is a great way to explore how we can support your artistic growth.
It’s a chance to connect, ask questions, and see how the group might align with your goals.
“I appreciate how Michael Azgour has created something unique for people who share a passion for art. The Azgour Group site is a resource for academic instruction, a community to build relationships, a place to receive constructive criticism, a destination for inspiration, and more—whatever you need to grow. The program couldn’t be more flexible, and it’s pressure free.”
– Longtime Member