This mini-retreat is about Discovery and Play with several water based media on a variety of surfaces, with an emphasis on creating unity of design, texture and color. The first morning will focus on short term studies with spraying and pouring techniques, using watercolor. The afternoon session will focus on developing a sustained study with a combination of both dry and wet media. On the second day we will explore a variety of methods for integrating surface and image with textural solutions added into the mix. Our media will be primarily watercolor, with texture paste, some collage and graphic materials. We will be working with a variety of rollers, sprayers, gloved fingers, brushes, and other unconventional tools. Pastels, charcoal and graphite combine wonderfully well with watercolor. All imagery is applicable and paintings might develop entirely from layering with different materials, yielding surprisingly rich and unexpected results. Each artist is invited to use her/his water-based medium of choice, on paper, panels or canvas. Adventurous beginners as well as developed painters are welcome. Bring a sack lunch. Materials list provided upon registration.

Colored pencils are inexpensive, easy to use and simple to transport. A variety of colored pencils from different manufacturers will be provided during the workshop. We will learn and practice the techniques of layering, burnishing, and "etching" for vibrant effects. We will apply these techniques to capture the tones and textures of a colorful plant subject that participants bring to the workshop. Instructor will provide all supplies and will collect a nominal fee from students.

This series of classes is designed to free students to build student confidence in reporting what you see on-site in drawing. Each class is different, so enroll in one or the entire series! Good for both beginning and intermediate artists.

class information Each class is 1 day in Carousel Room
fee (per class): $72 members/$82 non-members

Are you a kid at heart? Your imagination and some quick techniques will help you be on your way to making the comic book or graphic novel of your dreams. We will talk about pioneers of the comic strip such as Winsor McCay and more contemporary masters such as Chris Ware, Gabrielle Bell, and Lynda Barry. We will cover character development, sequencing, movement, panel structure, narrative voice, backgrounds, and inking. The instructor is trained by famed Disney animator Al Baruch! You will leave with the start of your own comic book or graphic novel. Beginners welcome. Materials list provided. Bring a lunch.

Learn the basics of single and 2-point perspective. By the end of this workshop you will be able to plot perspective lines to make architecture and objects fade into the background realistically and identify perspective lines in the world around you. Students who want more of a challenge can play with the rules to create perspective illusions (a la Escher). We will also touch on other cues to distance besides point perspective. Students can bring their own selection of pencils and eraser. Bring a bag lunch. Beginners welcome, but basic drawing skills are strongly recommended.

In this one-day workshop, you'll start with a simple duct tape wallet, then move on to a more complicated wallet and tote bag. You'll also have the opportunity to make a duct tape case for your iPod, cell phone, camera, etc. (bring to class) or duct tape luggage tags. A rainbow of colored duct tapes, including a variety of designer duct tapes, will be at your disposal. You can stick to the basic projects or experiment with more elaborate designs. Bring a sack lunch. An additional materials fee will be collected by the instructor. All materials provided. Course may be opened to teens by request.

Making boxes can be a complex and mind boggling experience. This class will give building techniques and materials suggestions as well as tips and tricks for making basic boxes successfully at home. Students will create a paper covered box with lid. No previous bookbinding experience required. Instructor will provide all supplies and will collect a materials fee from students on the day of class. Bring a sack lunch.

PREREQUISITE: Basic Metal Arts experience necessary. Mokume Gane is a Japanese technique used to create a beautiful decorative effect to metal. The end result resembles the grain of wood. Reticulation is a technique used to texture silver. By delicately applying a particular type of flame to a sheet of silver, the surface will ripple and buckle and create another unique effect. Bring a sack lunch. Additional fee to instructor, who will provide all materials.

In this class students will be learning the art of making a copper speculum which can have a Bic ink cartridge inserted to make it a pen. The result of the project is an organic hollow pod-like shape which could also be incorporated into large scale metal work or smaller jewelry items. Students will make one pen and if time allows for it they can create additional pod shapes to experiment with in other uses. Instructor will collect a materials fee and provide all materials.