The Visual Arts Department encourages creative stimulation and thought while providing an opportunity to experience the joy and satisfaction of creating works of art. A wide variety of visual arts classes and workshops are offered for students of all ages, including pottery, painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, knitting, and more. Individual instruction is available and outreach programming can also be arranged.
There will be an extra $5 fee for visual arts class/workshop registrations made within 24 hrs of the class beginning. Please register as early as possible so instructors can make sure they have enough materials purchased and prepared. Last-minute registration can result in a shortage of materials for students.
Jewelry &
Metalsmithing 2
for experienced teens/adults
with Kacie Keefe
6 weeks beginning Mar 24
5-7 p.m.
class fee $200
materials fee $50
This class will teach techniques to anneal, shape, texture, and patina copper, but the main focus will be on soldering, a technique used to join two pieces of metal together using a torch and metal alloy. We’ll use a butane torch and mini Oxy-Acetylene torch. ALL STUDENTS MUST ADHERE TO WORKSHOP SAFETY RULES. Only students who have taken Intro to Jewelry & Metalsmithing or have experience working with metal should register for this class. Students will create a small object or piece of jewelry of their choosing. Classes will consist of an hour for demos and an hour for working on individual projects.
Tuesday Pottery
for teens/adults
with Melanie Blake
8 weeks beginning Mar 25
6-8 p.m.
$150 class fee,
$25 materials fee
limit of 8 students
We’ll cover sculpture, handbuilding, and wheel throwing. Demonstration and guidance will be given for each desired technique. Please come with a project in mind or a willingness to create.
Wednesday Pottery
for teens/adults
with Melanie Blake
8 weeks beginning Mar 26
6-8 p.m.
$150 class fee,
$25 materials fee
limit of 8 students
See Tuesday’s description.
Woodcarving
for ages 14 & up
with Ralph Bacon
8 weeks beginning Mar 26
5-6 p.m.
$56 class fee, $10 materials fee
We’ll focus on knife carving, covering the basics of how to hold the knife, how to sharpen, different cuts, recognizing the grain of the wood, and safety. We’ll use poplar, bark, pine, and basswood for simple projects. Returning students are welcome to attend and carve their own pieces, getting tips on the way.
Drawing
for ages 14 & up
with Ralph Bacon
8 weeks beginning Mar 26
6-7 p.m.
$56 class fee,
$8 materials fee
We’ll focus on the merits of both sketching and drawing, and discuss perspective, proportion, tone, values, contrast, rendering techniques, and composition. Pen & pencil will be used, with charcoal included if time allows. We’ll also discuss time management while sketching.
Intro to Crochet
for teens/adults
with Pamela Amy
8 weeks beginning Mar 26
5-6 p.m.
$56 class fee,
$8 materials fee
No experience needed! This will be a fun and relaxing introduction to the art of croche designed for beginners. All supplies will be provided.
Get ‘er Done Embroidery
for teens/adults
with Pamela Amy
8 weeks beginning Mar 26
6-8 p.m.
$60 class fee,
$8 materials fee
No experience needed!
We’ll learn finishing techniques such as pillows, flat folds, wall hangings, and trays/boxes. Bring in any unfinished project and get guidance and motivation to complete it!
Intro to Jewelry & Metalsmithing
for teens/adults
with Kacie Keefe
6 weeks beginning Mar 27
5-7 p.m.
$125 class fee,
$40 materials fee
limit of 10 students
Work with copper to learn sawing and piercing, polishing, etching, jump ring- and chain-making,and cold connections like rivets and prong settings. (If you choose to work with silver, you may purchase it separately.) You’ll use these techniques to make a final piece of your choice.
Raku Pottery Lanterns
for teens/adults
with Becca Stowell
4 weeks beginning Apr 24
5-7 p.m. (final class may run longer for firing)
$50 class fee,
$20 materials fee
Raku is a low-fire process, reaching around 1830F (1000C) at its highest temperature. Pottery is removed from the fire when red hot, and is cooled rapidly, often in combustible material like sawdust or paper. The end result is brilliant and variegated colors.
Open Clay Studio
for teens/adults
with Erica Ledford
8 weeks beginning Mar 27
9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
$75 studio fee,
$30 materials fee
Open studio time available to experienced potters to create and do production work.
No teen/adult classes in visual arts are currently scheduled on Fridays. Check the schedule for Friday workshops.
Drawing for Beginners
for teens/adults
with Rebecca Ollikainen
8 weeks beginning Mar 29 (no class Apr 19)
9:30-10:30 a.m.
$56 class fee,
$8 materials fee
Learn basic drawing techniques.
Watercolors for Beginners
for teens/adults
with Rebecca Ollikainen
8 weeks beginning Mar 29 (no class Apr 19)
10:30-11:30 a.m.
$56 class fee,
$8 materials fee
Learn basic watercolor techniques while completing a landscape
3-Week Needle Felted Bunny (Intermediate)
for teens/adults
with Nancy Nelson-Brotz
3 weeks beginning May 6
7:30-9 p.m.
$45 class fee,
$38 materials fee
Payment
Payment is expected at the time of registration unless otherwise noted, and can be made by cash, check, or credit card (a $2 service fee will be applied to all payments made by phone). Members receive a discounted rate. Materials fees, model fees, and some other fees are excluded from this discount.
Registration
Registration is required. A minimum number of students is needed to hold a class. When necessary, a class start date may be postponed a week or a class may be cancelled 24 hours prior to the starting time. Classes and lessons are open to all, regardless of race, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or national origin. There will be an extra $5 fee for visual arts class/workshop registrations made within 24 hrs of the class beginning. Please register as early as possible so instructors can make sure they have enough materials purchased and prepared. Last-minute registration can result in a shortage of materials for students.
Refund Policy
If a class is cancelled, appropriate refunds will be given. Persons desiring to withdraw from a class, who do so at least 24 hours before the start time of the class, will receive a full refund. If you drop a class after this deadline, but before the second meeting of the class, you will receive a refund for 75% of your tuition. There will be no refunds after the second class meeting
Financial aid is available for eligible students. FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION Rev. 1115 may be downloaded or obtained at the front desk and must be filled out and returned no later than one week prior to the start date of the class.
By registering yourself or your child for a class/workshop/music lesson/or other activity at the arts center, you hereby waive and release all rights and claims for damages you or your child may have against the arts center and its employees. The arts center will not be responsible for injuries suffered by you or your child during classes, workshops, or activities sponsored by the arts center. In addition, you also give the arts center and its employees the right to use your or your child’s image with or without you or your child’s name, for purposes such as advertising, publicity, and public presentations.
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