Art Exploration Workshops
Level: Beginners - Youth 8-11
Ages: 8 to 11
$55.00* 2 hour lesson/person Group rates available
Level: Beginners - Teens - Adults
Ages: 12 and up
$55.00* 2 hour lesson/person Group rates available
Virtual Instruction is available. Contact the Artist.
Materials not included for virtual classes.
Due to the nature of this series, most supplies will be provided for the in-person classes where possible. A materials list will be sent by email before the specific class starts. For all classes clothes coverings are highly recommended and gloves are optional.
Overview:
A basic age appropriate introductory project can be expected at each meeting. Each presentation is designed to create a willingness to explore, teaching appropriate risk taking in the art form, learning from mistakes, and being open to other possibilities. Each class improves the student's problem solving techniques: challenging beliefs and encouraging open-ended thinking in an environment dependent on questions in search of answers. Our emphasis in on strengthening focus and increasing attention span, developing hand-eye coordination, and strategic thinking. Each project involves interacting with the material world through different tools and mediums.
Choose one or several topics from the list to personalize your exploration.
We can also theme the workshop to fit needs.
Workshop Topics
Monoprints
Monoprints: (Definition courtesy of Original Print Gallery in Dublin, Ireland) The monoprint or monotype is often thought of as a halfway stage between painting and printmaking. The process is simple: the artist paints, rubs, or wipes the design directly onto a plate, using a fairly slow drying paint or ink. The fleeting image must be printed before the ink dries. Printing may be by press or by hand, and as the name monoprint implies, one can usually get only one strong impression. The effect must be guessed right from the start; there will be no trial proofs or different states unless the design is redrawn for a second impression. This term is used to refer to any print made in one version and incapable of being repeated. A monoprint cannot be done in editions like other “prints”. While a bit technical monoprinting does allow the artist unusual freedom and spontaneity.
Collagraph Prints: In this form of printmaking, various thin materials are arranged as a collage and glued to a rigid surface. Then an embossed print is taken from the design. The types of objects you can find, alter and combine to make a collagraph are unlimited.
Basic Sculpture:
Students will create an abstract sculpture or a critter or 'elf' using wire armature and paper or fabric to create a statue that we will paint and add finishing touches to with mixed media.
Watercolor;
Make a painting to get a feel for the basics of this medium.
Wet Pastels:
Try a different way to use a time honored medium.
Mod Podge 'silk screen'
Mod Podge is the masking fluid and an embroidery hoop is the frame for out designs.
Sunny Canvas
Use paint and scrapbook paper for a fun introduction to mixed media!
Make a Book:
Students will create a unique book based on their favorite quotes or short poems.
Alternative Self Portraits:
We are always more than we appear. Thinking creatively about themselves students will make a portrait that lets the viewer know who they are.
NatureClay;
Make a series of nature tiles to display either a baked polymer or air dry clay.
Exploring Artists;
Using famous art as inspiration we will create our own interpretations of their style.
For Example: Crittermania; Miro/Sendak:
Joan Miro and Maurice Sendak were two 20th Century artists who went ‘wild’ producing paintings and illustrations using unique critters and figures. Each became an icon of modern art. After looking and discussing each artist’s work, students will be encouraged to let their imaginations create paintings in tempera.Famous contemporary artist,
Making Stamps/Embossing Tools
Students will carve their own designs from materials such as erasers or ‘linoleum’ blocks creating their personalized images which can be used for projects like scrapbooking, relief embossing into clay and more.
Chiully Ball:
What do you do with plastic water bottles when you are done? Use them to create art of course! Students will use plastic bottles they paint and shape to make a Chiully glass inspired hanging ball. This class may be done as a collaborative activity.
Art ClassTrading Cards with a Twist.
Best as a group activity. Each person creates 4 cards using a basic template, then make some 'trades' with classmates that all come together into one collaborative wall mural. Media will vary.
Color Pencil;
Do a project to learn about this medium.
Assemblage:
(Definition courtesy of About.com) Based on to word "assembly" :assemblage is a form of 3-D sculpture comprised of "found" objects arranged in such a way that they create a piece. These objects can be anything organic or man-made. Scraps of wood, stones, old shoes, baked bean cans and a discarded baby buggy - or any of the other 84,000,000 items not here mentioned by name - all qualify for inclusion in an assemblage. Whatever catches the artist's eye, and fits properly in the composition to make a unified whole, is fair game. This is not collage.
Graffiti: It's All In a Name
You may know what graffiti is, but they may not know that graffiti has existed since ancient times, or that lettering is a genuine form of art or that a great amount of work is done to perfect to lettering style. Sometimes graffiti is employed to communicate social and political messages. To some, it is an art form worthy of display in galleries and exhibitions. We will design a personal and stylized signature, which can be a given name, a nickname or something they’ve made.
We will then create stylized illustration about things important in our lives around the stylized name.
Simple Mosaic
We will create paper tiles that have multi colored surfaces and experiment with overlapping colors on multi-colored backgrounds creating mosaic designs.
Acrylics:
Do a project to learn about this medium.
Drapo
A unique form of art originating in Haiti it is the creation of elaborately decorated flags called “Drapos.”
students will make a banner of their own design using a variety of glittery, sparkly, shiny materials and brilliant felt.
Masks
What is the artist’s favorite animal? We will create the answer with a craft paper mask form, added on features and colorful designs. The meaning of animal traits in other cultures will be explored.
Kinetic Hanger
Just like in science kinetic means an object is in motion. Students will use various materials to create art with the potential for movement.
Mixed Media Techniques:
Textures, stencils, transfers and more
Ages: 8 to 11
$55.00* 2 hour lesson/person Group rates available
Level: Beginners - Teens - Adults
Ages: 12 and up
$55.00* 2 hour lesson/person Group rates available
Virtual Instruction is available. Contact the Artist.
Materials not included for virtual classes.
Due to the nature of this series, most supplies will be provided for the in-person classes where possible. A materials list will be sent by email before the specific class starts. For all classes clothes coverings are highly recommended and gloves are optional.
Overview:
A basic age appropriate introductory project can be expected at each meeting. Each presentation is designed to create a willingness to explore, teaching appropriate risk taking in the art form, learning from mistakes, and being open to other possibilities. Each class improves the student's problem solving techniques: challenging beliefs and encouraging open-ended thinking in an environment dependent on questions in search of answers. Our emphasis in on strengthening focus and increasing attention span, developing hand-eye coordination, and strategic thinking. Each project involves interacting with the material world through different tools and mediums.
Choose one or several topics from the list to personalize your exploration.
We can also theme the workshop to fit needs.
Workshop Topics
Monoprints
Monoprints: (Definition courtesy of Original Print Gallery in Dublin, Ireland) The monoprint or monotype is often thought of as a halfway stage between painting and printmaking. The process is simple: the artist paints, rubs, or wipes the design directly onto a plate, using a fairly slow drying paint or ink. The fleeting image must be printed before the ink dries. Printing may be by press or by hand, and as the name monoprint implies, one can usually get only one strong impression. The effect must be guessed right from the start; there will be no trial proofs or different states unless the design is redrawn for a second impression. This term is used to refer to any print made in one version and incapable of being repeated. A monoprint cannot be done in editions like other “prints”. While a bit technical monoprinting does allow the artist unusual freedom and spontaneity.
Collagraph Prints: In this form of printmaking, various thin materials are arranged as a collage and glued to a rigid surface. Then an embossed print is taken from the design. The types of objects you can find, alter and combine to make a collagraph are unlimited.
Basic Sculpture:
Students will create an abstract sculpture or a critter or 'elf' using wire armature and paper or fabric to create a statue that we will paint and add finishing touches to with mixed media.
Watercolor;
Make a painting to get a feel for the basics of this medium.
Wet Pastels:
Try a different way to use a time honored medium.
Mod Podge 'silk screen'
Mod Podge is the masking fluid and an embroidery hoop is the frame for out designs.
Sunny Canvas
Use paint and scrapbook paper for a fun introduction to mixed media!
Make a Book:
Students will create a unique book based on their favorite quotes or short poems.
Alternative Self Portraits:
We are always more than we appear. Thinking creatively about themselves students will make a portrait that lets the viewer know who they are.
NatureClay;
Make a series of nature tiles to display either a baked polymer or air dry clay.
Exploring Artists;
Using famous art as inspiration we will create our own interpretations of their style.
For Example: Crittermania; Miro/Sendak:
Joan Miro and Maurice Sendak were two 20th Century artists who went ‘wild’ producing paintings and illustrations using unique critters and figures. Each became an icon of modern art. After looking and discussing each artist’s work, students will be encouraged to let their imaginations create paintings in tempera.Famous contemporary artist,
Making Stamps/Embossing Tools
Students will carve their own designs from materials such as erasers or ‘linoleum’ blocks creating their personalized images which can be used for projects like scrapbooking, relief embossing into clay and more.
Chiully Ball:
What do you do with plastic water bottles when you are done? Use them to create art of course! Students will use plastic bottles they paint and shape to make a Chiully glass inspired hanging ball. This class may be done as a collaborative activity.
Art ClassTrading Cards with a Twist.
Best as a group activity. Each person creates 4 cards using a basic template, then make some 'trades' with classmates that all come together into one collaborative wall mural. Media will vary.
Color Pencil;
Do a project to learn about this medium.
Assemblage:
(Definition courtesy of About.com) Based on to word "assembly" :assemblage is a form of 3-D sculpture comprised of "found" objects arranged in such a way that they create a piece. These objects can be anything organic or man-made. Scraps of wood, stones, old shoes, baked bean cans and a discarded baby buggy - or any of the other 84,000,000 items not here mentioned by name - all qualify for inclusion in an assemblage. Whatever catches the artist's eye, and fits properly in the composition to make a unified whole, is fair game. This is not collage.
Graffiti: It's All In a Name
You may know what graffiti is, but they may not know that graffiti has existed since ancient times, or that lettering is a genuine form of art or that a great amount of work is done to perfect to lettering style. Sometimes graffiti is employed to communicate social and political messages. To some, it is an art form worthy of display in galleries and exhibitions. We will design a personal and stylized signature, which can be a given name, a nickname or something they’ve made.
We will then create stylized illustration about things important in our lives around the stylized name.
Simple Mosaic
We will create paper tiles that have multi colored surfaces and experiment with overlapping colors on multi-colored backgrounds creating mosaic designs.
Acrylics:
Do a project to learn about this medium.
Drapo
A unique form of art originating in Haiti it is the creation of elaborately decorated flags called “Drapos.”
students will make a banner of their own design using a variety of glittery, sparkly, shiny materials and brilliant felt.
Masks
What is the artist’s favorite animal? We will create the answer with a craft paper mask form, added on features and colorful designs. The meaning of animal traits in other cultures will be explored.
Kinetic Hanger
Just like in science kinetic means an object is in motion. Students will use various materials to create art with the potential for movement.
Mixed Media Techniques:
Textures, stencils, transfers and more