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This four week mini session is an exploration of expressive abstract techniques applied to silk. A contemporary approach to Batik, resulting in beautiful fine art for wall hangings or wearable scarves. Students will create dynamic abstract silk paintings inspired by the Abstract Expressionist movement. Working on a 22”x22” silk square suspended and stretched on a frame, students will combine soy wax layering and thickened dye to create whimsical and abstract painterly compositions. Influenced by many of the twentieth century abstract expressionist painters, this is an opportunity for participants to free themselves up to create intuitive, expressive and emotional art on silk. “Abstract Expressionism”, a modern art movement originating in New York in the 1940's after the second World War is characterized by spontaneous brushstrokes, large canvases, and vibrant colors. Some of the renowned artists of this era include Mark Rothco, Helen Frankenthaler, Hans Homan, Joan Mitchel and Lee Krasner among many others. This class takes inspiration from the radical approach to art taken in this era, sometimes referred to as "action painting" because of the physical movement one may feel in viewing some of these works. Students should bring paper towels and disposable gloves Supply fee of $25.00 payable to the instructor at the first class.

Enhance your child's tactile, critical thinking and communications skills with art! Your child will delve into several art mediums, Drawing, Painting, Sculpting, Forming, Collage and more, creating a well-rounded young artist and problem solver. The possibilities are endless!

CLASS CANCELED Learn to paint in acrylic in your own style and at your own pace in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. Students will learn how to complete a painting from concept to completion, gaining understanding of composition, color mixing, brush handling, and more. We'll use techniques both traditional and nontraditional throughout this course. Students can continue developing their skills session after session, building on their artistic growth with this independent study based class. This class will meet for 5 weeks and is priced accordingly. Supplies included.

This class is for students at any level who would like to try handbuilding techniques. Although this is not a project based class, projects may be assigned to assist students in expanding their handbuilding skills. Great for beginners to advanced! Included in the price of your class is a 25lb bag of clay as well as 2.5 hours of open studio time per week, to be used immediately prior to your class time. Students may purchase 1 additional bag of clay from The Art Center over the course of the session. For a total of 50lbs maximum per session. Tool kits must be purchased by students and are available at most Dick Blick and Michaels stores.

In this playful and creative class students will use their imagination to create functional and sculptural works of art. We will explore and use the basic forms of handbuilding- pinchpot, coil, and slab. All pieces will be glazed and food safe. Includes all supplies. Please note: This class meets for 5 weeks and is priced accordingly.

Whether you are a complete beginner or a potter who wishes to advance your skills this class is for you. This instructor led class will assist students of all levels expand their knowledge and creativity using the Potter's Wheel. Included in the price of your class is a 25lb bag of clay as well as 2.5 hours of open studio time per week, to be used immediately following your class. Students may purchase 1 additional bag of clay from The Art Center over the course of the session. For a total of 50lbs maximum per session. Tool kits must be purchased by students and are available at most Dick Blick and Michaels stores.

In the U.S., one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer. Most will undergo treatments that significantly affect both their physical and emotional well-being. While support groups, therapy, and meditation are available, there are few spaces focused on fun, joy, and creative play. That's where the "Let's Play to Beat Breast Cancer" project comes in. This low cost program, offered through local art centers, community centers, and volunteer artists, provides a stress-free environment where women affected by breast cancer can create art through play. Here, participants are invited to let go of pressure and perfection, and instead, reconnect with lightness, imagination, and beauty; discovering moments of relief, joy, and new beginnings within themselves. "My friend Linda was the inspiration behind the “Let’s Play to Beat Breast Cancer” project. When she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, I invited her to come paint and play with me in the studio. It was during those sessions that I witnessed firsthand the incredible healing power of play and creativity. In just two hours, I watched her transform. She might arrive in tears, heavy with emotion, but as we played and painted together, her entire energy shifted. She began to smile, to laugh. The weight of everything she was going through seemed to lift, if only for a little while. By the end of each session, she was glowing with joy, with pride in the artwork she had created, and with a renewed sense of herself. She had found refuge, a spark of joy, a moment of peace. This is what I want to offer to other women facing breast cancer: a space to breathe, to create, a spark of joy, a moment of peace, and to feel alive." - Françoise Lama-Solet "When I was diagnosed and became really sick, I was also caring for my ill family members. I was overwhelmed. Then you looked at me and said, ‘You need to come, play, and paint with me—just come and play.’ So, I did. We painted, played, and laughed. In those moments, the weight I was carrying and my stress lifted. You told me, ‘Breathe, have fun, just do it.’ And I did. Those sessions gave me a new perspective. I discovered a creative side I didn’t know I had. I’m still painting today. It became a healing process. I found myself through it. I’m a different person now, less stressed, more at peace. And when I feel stressed, I go to my easel and paint. Not only did you help me, but you also helped bring out my husband’s creativity too.” - Linda

In this beginning to early-intermediate drawing course we work with a range of techniques and dry media. The class is designed as a series of sequential projects, building on fundamental drawing principles such as proportion, scale, value and perspective. Students are introduced to common media utilized to complete drawings. Students also gain understanding and knowledge of space, light and composition while learning to "see" in a manner that translates the subject into a drawing or painting. Supply List Graphite Pencils: 4B, 2B, HB, 2H, 4H and any others you would like to try Paper Blending Sticks, sometimes called tortillons, with sandpaper for sharpening them Kneaded Eraser Sketchbook with drawing paper, 9x12

This course will have guided step-by-step demonstrations each week consisting of paint techniques with acrylics and acrylic mediums on canvas. We will learn texturing, sponging, stippling, glazing, dry-brush, palette knife, dripping, blending & other techniques. We will learn how to prepare surfaces & build up the paint surface with layers. We will learn how to select, blend & mix colors to create pure abstracts and imaginary scenes and natural forms. You will learn how to add depth with layers with texture and color & create a balanced abstract composition. Instructor will bring examples of all materials the first day of class. You may want to wait to see all the materials before purchasing them. If you already purchased acrylic paints, bring what you have & a few stretched canvases or canvas boards. You can wait to purchase gels, pastes & mediums until after the first day of class. -Brushes: An assortment of soft nylon brushes from flats, rounds, and filberts in a range of sizes from small to large, one 2”soft, flat “gesso” brush. -Primed & stretched canvases or canvas boards. Suggested: 11x14, 12x16, 16x20. (Advanced painters can bring larger canvases). -Palette: disposable palettes such as foam plates or paper palettes -Palette knife: at least one flexible pointed chisel-shaped metal knife -1 lg carry-all for wet paintings & tool box for your supplies -1 sm jar of Light Molding or Light Modeling Paste (see example in class) -1 sm jar of Gloss Gel Medium (see example in class) -1 sm bottle each of Acrylic Matte Medium (see example in class) - I container for water (such as a larger yogurt container) -1 roll of paper towels - disposable gloves (optional) -Paint: names of paints are all different, here is a recommended list with comparative names for acrylic paints. When in doubt get a set of primary colors, plus black & white. You can add to that as you need. Purchase 2 oz. tubes of paint, not liquid or jars. Cadmium Red Medium or Napthol Red Medium Cadmium Red Light or Napthol Red Light Alizarin Crimson or Quinacridone Magenta Lemon Yellow or Hansa Yellow Light Cadmium Yellow Medium and Deep or Hansa Yellow Medium and Deep French Ultramarine Blue or Cobalt Blue Prussian Blue or Phthalo Blue (green shade) Viridian or Phthalo Green (blue shade) Dioxazine Purple or any dark Violet color Titanium White is the preferred brightest white Any Black color is fine. Additional Earth Colors are optional: Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber, Burnt Umber

First person storytelling shows are all the rage on stages and podcasts across the country.  In this class, you will learn how to take true events from your own life and weave them into engaging performances. We will work on public speaking skills, presentation, story structure, different narrative approaches, and creating your own unique style.  Each week, students will be given a new assignment for how to structure a story.  Students choose their own subject matter for their personal stories.  This class culminates in a graduation performance, where each student will share a 3-7 minute personal story. Class occupancy: Min 4 / Max 8

In this workshop, improvisers will learn how to easily establish relationships on stage before dialogue even begins. Integrating the use of space, physicality, object work and emotional reactions, this class helps put the “theatre” back into “improvised theatre,” creating the foundation for more engaging, sustainable scenework. Prerequisites: Adults 18 and up. Previous improv training/experience required. Member discount does not apply.

The benefits of learning and exercising improv skills can help any group achieve their goals. In this workshop, the instructor will lead students through various enjoyable games which will focus on one or more of the following: confidence, listening, communication, mindfulness, collaboration, public speaking, creativity, thinking on one’s feet, and more. Then, the group will learn how to apply these skills to fit their team’s specific needs. Member discount does not apply.