Sedona, AZ (August 20, 2009) As families and children say goodbye to hot, lazy summer days and everyone looks forward to the vibrant fall foliage and cool autumn air, it is time to embrace the excitement of a new school year - including a full schedule of classes at the Sedona Arts Center. The 2009-2010 Annual Catalog has arrived and should have been delivered to your home by now. If not - call us and one will be sent immediately. You won't want to miss the exciting lineup of classes, workshops and field-trips that are being offered over the next 12 months . . . and beyond.
But - let's take a look at the classes you do not want to miss that begin SOON!
Year-Round Community Classes
Creativity and Composition with Peggy Sands ~ Sept 3 - Oct 22 (8 sessions) is the course for everyone who will delight in uncovering and exploring his or her own inner creativity. The class is about understanding the principles of composition so that ANY creation can be a work of art. Students are encouraged to work in their medium of choice.
For those who love to draw and paint, you will want to study with Gretchen Lopez, one of the Arts Center's most dedicated and talented instructors. Three new classes start in early September. Figure Drawing ~ Sept 8 - Oct 13 (6 sessions). The class is taught with an emphasis on using rhythmic line and gesture to capture the essence of the live model's pose. Beginning Painting ~ Sept 11 - Oct 16, (Mornings - 6 sessions). Students will work and learn at their own level in oil or acrylic, exploring the basics of value pattern, composition and color, while working from life or photos. Going Further with Your Painting ~ Sept 11 - Oct 16, (Afternoon - 6 sessions). Working in oil, acrylic or pastel, students will explore various lighting conditions from focused to natural lights and work with the figure, still-life, and photos. Multiple sessions will be spent on one piece that leads to the issues of "finishing" the work. Instructor demonstrations and lots of individual attention will be provided in both the morning and afternoon sessions.
Raku Basketry with Shirley Eichten Albrecht (Sept 12 and Sept 18) may be the perfect choice for you if you love the hands-on approach to art. In the first session, students will create two ceramic pots using easy-to-learn slab and hand-building techniques, followed in the second session by glazing and firing using the Raku process. Later in the afternoon the Raku pottery will be topped off with woven basketry resulting in a unique piece of original art.
Alternative Photography with Peg Doig and Brent Cox ~ starts immediately on Aug 28 - Oct 16 (8 sessions) Students will use new digital printmaking tools combined with traditional art materials to create unique alternative photographic prints. Techniques for printing on art papers and creation of prints with digital emulsion skins and collage will also be taught.
Workshops and Field Trips
A variety of outstanding workshops are scheduled for September and the first week of October - some especially for beginners. Adele Earnshaw will teach a three-day Watercolor Workshop (Sept 12 - 14) that is open to all levels, from beginner to advanced. Two demos each day will show how to paint with layering and glazing of transparent pigment on dry 300 lb Arches watercolor paper. Emphasis will be on composition. Some class time will be spent on the practical side of being an artist, including the all important attitude, framing, pricing, marketing, etc.
Vince Fazio will lead Painting Without Fear (Sept 14 - 16). This beginning painting course will give students a 'virtual toolbox' of basic techniques and familiarity with materials required for painting with oils and acrylics. Painting still-life and landscapes will be explored using photography as a useful tool. Each student will work in their own personal studio space inside the larger classroom.
Join Libby Caldwell as she teaches The Reflective Journey (Oct 1 & 2). The class will guide students through the process of journaling everyday life, life changing events, travels, and memories. By learning simple techniques that anyone can do, students will be able to combine sketches, color, collage elements and words into unique personal compositions that capture the essence of life's moments.
Kath Macaulay will guide students through Pochade Sketching (Oct 3 - 5). Also known as pocket sketching, students will learn to work in a very small 4 X 6 inch format and with inexpensive materials. Through the techniques taught in this class, anyone can learn to create watercolor sketches of excellent quality anywhere in 20 minutes or less. The course enhances creative awareness and teaches an ideal skill for journaling and traveling, which embellishes the experience of each.
A Day in Sedona (Sept 26 or Oct 24) led by Ian Whitehead are two separate photo day-trips that will work for everyone at all levels and in all formats. The group will travel to selected Sedona locations where discussions will be held on how to approach composition along with the technical aspects of photography, such as focusing for depth field and exposure. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from a master.
The Art Experience
This program was introduced in 2009 to add an important new dimension to the Art School curriculum. The purpose was to encourage everyone to become actively engaged in the arts - as an artist or one who simply enjoys art. The events and workshops are typically half-day or full-day in length, often scheduled on weekends, which makes them available to everyone. And . . . they are very affordable . . . fees typically range from free to $100.
Experiences will be offered in three categories: Art Appreciation Events, Introductory Art Workshops, and Artistic Development Opportunities. They are often scheduled only a month out, so watch for e-blasts announcing upcoming classes and be sure to check regularly for listings on the home page on our website at www.sedonaartscenter.com. Art Experiences Workshops currently available and listed on the Website home page are: Painting and Drawing the Human Figure (half-day workshop) with Gretchen Lopez (Aug 29) and two, half-day Photography Workshops with Susie Reed (Sept 12 and Sept 19).
Treat yourself today with the gift of art! REGISTER ONLINE for ANY CLASS - ANYTIME at www.sedonaartscenter.com or call 928-282-3809. A complete schedule of classes, workshops and field expeditions can also be accessed on the website.
