ONSITE: Drawing Fundamentals (B)
Learn the basic tenets of drawing and composition. We’ll cover line, shape, space and value. Hone your observation skills and use charcoal to translate what you see to paper.
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ONSITE: Introduction to Darkroom Photography (A)
Learn to take photographs using 35mm film, process the film, and print photographs in a darkroom. Enjoy lots of technical guidance and aesthetic feedback, whether you’re just getting started or expanding your portfolio and skill set.
read moreONSITE: Slip Casting and Mold Making for Ceramics
Learn how to use slip casting techniques with plaster molds for sculpture and pottery. Each student will learn to make their own molds and create models out of found-objects or their own unique designs that will be transformed into the molds and cast. The technique allows the creation of highly detailed objects, realistic sculptures, and […]
read moreONLINE: Watercolor for the Absolute Beginner (B)
This class is for watercolor beginners. Learn the art of watercolor painting as we explore basic painting techniques such as layering color and creating texture. As we build on these techniques, we'll create several pieces of artwork including a one point perspective city scape, an abstract ocean scene and a still-life plant study.
read moreONLINE: Short Story Fiction Writing
Explore short story fiction writing by studying narrative craft elements like story, plot, character, scene, structure, archetypal patterns and dialogue. We’ll examine professionally published pieces and your own work. By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to begin a story based on a word or an idea. You’ll also understand how to evaluate […]
read moreONLINE: Introduction to Digital Photography
Learn how to effectively and creatively use your digital camera and leave the auto button behind! You’ll learn the fundaments of photography and image capture, including aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and composition. We'll also cover tips and tricks like choosing the right lens for your image. Weekly assignments, critiques and discussions will help […]
read moreONLINE: Intermediate Digital Photography
Take your photographs to the next level! You know how to use your digital camera, but have creative ennui. In this five week class, students are encouraged to discover their personal style with weekly assignments. We will discuss self-portraiture, night photography, still life and documenting daily trivia (at home). Students have the opportunity to share […]
read moreONLINE: Acrylic + Water Media: Painting Intensive
Designed for painters at all levels, this course covers the fundamentals of working with acrylic paint, including color theory, brushwork and mixed media possibilities. Come away with a deeper understanding of this medium, its expressive possibilities, history and the tools for integrating it into your creative life.
read moreONLINE: Watercolor for the Absolute Beginner (A)
This class is for watercolor beginners. Learn the art of watercolor painting as we explore basic painting techniques such as layering color and creating texture. As we build on these techniques, we'll create several pieces of artwork including a one point perspective city scape, an abstract ocean scene and a still-life plant study.
read moreONLINE: Continuing Journaling for Artists, Writers + Photographers
This course is designed for anyone interested in the techniques and development of visual journaling. We'll review the contributions of visual diarists such as Dan Eldon and Frida Kahlo. Each session will begin with a short presentation on a visual diarist, technique or significant artist with follow up time for guidance, feedback and group discussion.
read moreONLINE: Illustrating Life: How Illustrators Create Characters + Action
How do artists come up with interesting and meaningful characters that come to life on a page? Learn how to develop ideas for a series of narrative illustrations from start to finish. Together, we will develop plans, experiment with character creation, and create a sequence to develop visual stories. Using colored pencil, pen, ink, and […]
read moreONLINE: Watercolor Painting: Observing + Painting the Natural World
Explore, practice and hone skills in creating watercolor works inspired by the natural world. We will research and learn from artists who celebrate nature within their work. Plan to learn both traditional observational watercolor painting techniqes and explore experimental painting methods. Throughout the class you'll develop a collection of works inspired by nature.
read moreONSITE: Writing Worlds: Worldbuilding in Science Fiction, Fantasy + Other Genres
Now is the perfect time to work on your epic fantasy novel, sci-fi video game, or tabletop roleplaying game, and this course can help you break ground. We will talk about the principles of good worldbuilding, read excerpts from stories that do it well, and write and workshop pieces as a class. You will leave […]
read moreONSITE: Writing the Memoir
Thomas Larson writes that “memoir is most successful when it is not the ‘story of a life,’ but a focused part of that life—a dozen summers spent working on a grandfather’s farm, a long relationship with a dying relative, the first year of law school.” You’ll work with writing prompts and timed writing exercises, and […]
read moreONSITE: Nature Poetry
Celebrate and observe the natural world through writing. We’ll explore what others have written about nature and write new poems inspired by your experiences. Plan to read poems, create new work and engage in readings and discussions.
read moreONSITE: Writing the Shadow
Explore the dark self, what Carl Jung called the “shadow” part of our psyche. Sometimes we see it in our dreams, sometimes it appears in dark imaginings. We’ll learn what the shadow can add to our creative writing by experimenting with timed writing, dream journals, guided imagery and Active Imagination.
read moreONSITE: WTF (Woman, Trans, Femme) Woodworking
This class is a safe space for women, trans, and femme folks to learn introductory woodworking techniques. You'll learn to make a keepsake box with a removable lid using a dado joint. Gain experience using the table saw, mitre saw, band saw, jointer and planer. We will respect marginalized identities, be patient with one another, […]
read moreONSITE: Everything is a Box: Intro to Woodworking + Design
Learn woodworking basics, including milling, basic joinery, and finishing, as we design and create your own box(es).
read moreONSITE: Reductive Color Woodcut
Create multicolored relief prints from a single block using the magic of reductive woodcut! We'll learn how to plan and carve a reductive print, and then crank them out in the VisArts letterpress studio. We'll make two different prints (one smaller, one larger).
read moreONSITE: Gum Printing: Colorful Photographic Printing
Gum printing (aka Gum bichromate) is a painterly photographic pigment process stretching back to the 19th century. This class will introduce to multi-layer contact printing techniques that utilize easily accessible analog and digital photographic technologies. Learn how to make your own digital negatives and safely prepare chemistry. We'll discuss color theory and produce beautiful color […]
read moreONSITE: Introduction to Cyanotypes
Learn about the cyanotype process and how to integrate this alternative photography process into a variety of media. The cyanotype process uses UV light and non-toxic materials to print photographic images to a variety of surfaces. We will learn how to coat and print cyanotypes on paper first. Then we'll discuss conceptualizing and creating imagery […]
read moreONSITE: Darkroom Photography
Learn to take photographs using 35mm film, process the film, and print photographs in a darkroom. Enjoy lots of technical guidance and aesthetic feedback, whether you’re just getting started or expanding your portfolio and skill set.
read moreONSITE: Documentary Photography
Learn the basics of documentary photography. Though it’s often associated with journalism, documentary photography can be driven by the ideas and inspirations of the individual artist. You’ll be introduced to some of the masters of the form and complete your own project outside of class. During class, you’ll edit your photos and participate in group […]
read moreONSITE: Color Film Processing
Tired of sending your film to be processed? This course teaches you to chemically develop your color film negatives specifically for analog color film photography. Students will learn how to safely use chemicals, develop their rolls of color film, and digitize negatives.
read moreONSITE: Introduction to Digital Photography (A)
Learn what all the buttons on your digital camera actually do. You’ll learn about things like white balance, resolution and megapixels. We’ll discuss how to capture an image, ensure proper exposure and create an effective composition. Weekly assignments coupled with in-class discussions will help you troubleshoot problems and develop a creative eye.
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