Upcoming Classes
Rock ‘n’ Roll and Stamp: Create Clay Texturing Tools (Semiprivate)
Make your own expressive set of clay texturing tools from clay! Build hollow balls, eggs, flying saucers, rolling cylinders, rolling coils, and stamps. Then carve your own design and textures into leather hard surfaces to be bisque fired clay. Imprint plants, transfer your own designs, and create your signature stamp. Press a collection of found objects in the clay and create sprig molds. Then Rock ’n’ Roll & Stamp a clay tumbler or platter! Ages 16-Adult
Splatter Watercolor Paintings
Learn how to create action-packed splatter watercolors! Great for creating visual movement and excitement in a watercolor painting. The instructor will provide you with reference images to inspire you as you create and bring your own unique piece to life! Adults
Tuned-In: The Soundtrack of Your Life
Tuned-In... where psychology meets the music you love. Discover what really happens when music crawls inside your head. Two wildly fun, life-changing days with very cool people and intriguing dialogue offer life-altering insights and deep music listening from Bach to Rock. Explore how six human behavior patterns (archetypes) –the victim, wanderer, warrior, caregiver, innocent, and magician–aim to run your life's show. Discover how to choose music to positively direct that show to the outcome you desire. Lunch, refreshments, and supplies are included. Adults
Enchanted Textures of Taos, New Mexico
Taos’ light, color, and culture have inspired modern artists for over 125 years to create inspirational and memorable paintings. Taos is especially stunning in the autumn with glorious textures and colors. Professional artist and instructor Martha Mans will concentrate on watercolor and gouache painting with a special small presentation about how she creates her casein paintings. We will visit a different location each day with a demonstration by Martha to encourage you to try water media techniques designed to help you hone your painting skills. Martha will take great care in making sure your experience as a painter in Taos is rewarding. She will work with each of you in the group and as an individual painter. You can expect her to help you work out your individual painting challenges and develop better ways of seeing subject matter to create more dynamically designed paintings. Adults
Beginning Wheel Throwing
Build on your basic skills of wheel throwing and further your understanding of clay. Complex functional and decorative forms, refinement of throwing skills, and advanced decorative and glazing techniques will be shown and discussed. We'll review and critique fired results to foster the development of your personal style. Ages 16-Adult
Watercolor in Nature
In this course, we will be explorers of the world! We will learn new watercolor techniques as we are inspired by the nature around us. Every day we will take our sketchbooks out to the park and paint from observation, so be sure to wear sunscreen! We will observe and paint Pikes Peak from the park, and we may even find flowers and paint them up close as Georgia O'Keeffe would. So, grab your paints and some paper, and let’s create in nature! Ages 9-12
Fundamentals of Figure Drawing
Figure drawing is one of the basic skills all artists should have. I have developed a formula to teach drawing the human body that ensures most people are successful after just a few lessons. The first step is the stickman, then we look at the fundamental areas of bulk in the body, and finally there is “bubble boy”. Once you have mastered “bubble boy,” we will continue to smooth out the form. Ages 16-Adult
Introduction to Watercolor Techniques
This watercolor introductory course is designed for beginners with a desire to learn watercolor painting techniques. If you are more advanced, you might learn something new or brush up on some skills! Through various exercises and demonstrations, participants will learn about the medium and techniques for creating their own watercolor paintings. Ages 16-Adult
Creative Clay Creatures
Join this clay class to make animal inspired projects that include an animal face plate, a snake guarded pencil holder, and more. We will learn how to use basic handbuilding skills and techniques to construct successful pieces. Various glazing and mixed-media techniques will be used to finish our pieces to perfection! Ages 9-12
In-Person: Military Artistic Healing
There are many benefits to using art to express emotions — art can offer a healthy outlet and an alternate way to communicate something that one cannot always put into words and provides a safe containment for emotions that are expressed. Reflecting on art supplies healing and connection. Increase personal management of life stressors by practicing artistic exercises outside of class to help with trauma. Together, we'll practice for progress, healing, connection, retreat, creativity, confidence, clarity, and calm. This class includes a bi-weekly visit to the Fine Arts Center Museum. Adults