Upcoming Classes
Cultural Care Au Pairs Art Explorations
Join us through a journey of creativity and exploration. Discover a variety of materials, techniques, and projects to include ceramics, painting, movement, gallery experiences, photography, and a few surprises. We’ll tour the galleries of the Fine Arts Center for inspiration and discussion. Some projects will be make-and-take, others will need to be picked up at a later time. Additional projects will be required before and after class in order to receive a certificate of completion for 36 hours/3 credits.
Wine and Watercolor
Celebrate creativity at the Bemis School of Art! Bring someone special or come alone and make new friends. You don’t have to bring any supplies, just come prepared for artistic festivities guided by Bemis instructors and your love of fun. You’ll have the opportunity to experience more than one painting activity. One free drink ticket is included with admission, plus light snacks. Ages 21+
ArtTrax: Painting III
This course builds on the knowledge of the previous two courses, as well as introduces new topics such as how to create depth, basic perspective, and additional techniques. Students will have independent time to create a finished work of art or to get one on one help. Bemis ArtTrax is a new curriculum created to provide equitable and accessible pathways to the arts. ArtTrax courses introduce the fundamental concepts of painting, drawing, and sculpting through a series of engaging exercises. Emphasis is not on producing finished works of art but rather on developing a basic skill set through practice and repetition. Ages 16-Adult
The Calligraphy of Trees
All trees breathe life! Trees have much in common, but their differences give each species a unique identity. We will explore the trunks, foliage, and branches of a variety of trees as well as their individual rhythmic patterns of growth. Play with color that is unpredictable in nature, incorporate light and shadow creating value and contrast. All while embracing your individual hand, developing your own unique calligraphy. Ages 16-Adult
ArtTrax: Drawing III
This course, as well as building on the knowledge of the previous two courses, introduces new topics, such as how to work with accidents, how to choose your subject matter and style, and exploring abstractions. Bemis ArtTrax is a new curriculum created to provide equitable and accessible pathways to the arts. ArtTrax courses introduce the fundamental concepts of painting, drawing, and sculpting through a series of engaging exercises. Emphasis is not on producing finished works of art but rather on developing a basic skill set through practice and repetition. Ages 16-Adult
ArtTrax: Sculpture III
Synthesizing the knowledge from Sculpture I and II, you will learn how to design and create a small sculpture using an armature, hollowing, and single firing techniques. Bemis ArtTrax is a new curriculum created to provide equitable and accessible pathways to the arts. ArtTrax courses introduce the fundamental concepts of painting, drawing, and sculpting through a series of engaging exercises. Emphasis is not on producing finished works of art but rather on developing a basic skill set through practice and repetition. Ages 16-Adult
Handbuilding Ceramic Sets
Do you love matching sets? Come build your own matching set of wares in this course. The possibilities are endless with sets. Learn to build with slabs, coils, templates, additions, and stamps! Create a pour over coffee set, a mortar and pestle, sugar and creamer, the list goes on. Use your ceramics to serve drinks, snacks, or whatever you choose. Adults
City Lines in Watercolor
Come along for a guided “plein air” watercolor class focused on city lines. Through demonstration and various assignments, you will learn techniques for painting architecture quickly and beautifully! This low-key relaxing class is a great way to unwind or hone your existing skills. Adults
Landscape Tile
Bring a picture of your favorite landscape to capture on a ceramic tile, creating your very own lasting memento! In this workshop style mini class, you will create a single plaque style tile using perspective, textural, and slip application tricks and other techniques for you to use in your finished works of art. Adults
Watercolor Techniques and Mountain Landscapes
Discover new watercolor techniques and try something new! In this class, we will examine the art style of contemporary artist Jen Aranyi, practice drawing a simple, abstract mountain range, then outline it with black Sharpies, and finish the sky with watercolors to create a galaxy-like effect. We will explore different ways to finish the foreground (in front of the mountains, such as trees, a river, a camping site, etc.). Ages 16-Adult
Use Your Acrylics like Watercolors
Did you know that your acrylic paints are also water soluble? Learn how to use this medium like watercolors to add special effects to your work! This course will help you learn how to add drama and depth to your paintings. Using acrylics in a watercolor style is a way to get very dramatic contrast and value in your water media paintings. Add final touches with Prismacolor pencils to achieve a tight realism. Ages 16-Adult
Inspired Postcards
This workshop is inspired by Mary Chenoweth, iconic Colorado College professor of art, and the woman who carved the wooden doors at the entrance to Bemis School of Art. Let us explore collage through a playful expression of making small postcard-sized art influenced by Mary's, Matisse's, and Picasso's work. Gather your stash of ephemera from travels or precious papers you have been hanging onto and transform them into small pieces of art. Ages 16-Adult
Words on Clay: A Veteran’s Journey
This grounding experience will combine the written word with hands-on clay creations in the art studios of the Fine Arts Center’s Bemis School of Art. Guided writing and clay sculpture will be tied together to share each participant's story. Active duty and veterans will be led through writing exercises by local veteran and writer, O’Dell Isaac II. The written word will be transcribed onto the surface of sculptural clay pieces with the guidance of professional potter, Maggie Quinn. Textures and patterns will be incorporated into the clay forms. You will learn the properties of clay and the steps of construction for pit firing. Each message and vision will be a completed archival piece to hang in an exhibition. Adults