Visual Arts Program

Principals of Digital Photography (Ages 8-12)(Ages 13-18)
1.5 hours each week
8 week sessions

Participants learn basic rules of composition and receive weekly assignments with topics that build skills and encourage creative approaches to seeing everyday objects in the world around us. Each class will include a short presentation of iconic photographs that represent that week’s approach to photography, followed by brainstorming to determine each student’s approach to the assignment, discussion of the design principals in play and group critiques of student work from the previous week. Students are encouraged to bring 1-5 photographs that they have taken to share on the first day of class and will complete the course with a selection of prints from the body of work created over the 8 week course.

Creative Doodling (Ages 8-12) (Ages 13-18)
1.5 hours each week
8 week sessions

Participants will learn basic rules of design and color theory as they explore the world of doodling. Doodles will range from small black and white to large colorful compositions. Doodlers will use colored pencils, pen and ink, and markers as they develop dense patterns on a variety of papers. Students are encouraged to bring images that tell a little bit about themselves to the first day of class. Each class will focus on a single method of patterning and introduce a number of approaches to mark making and texturing. The final product of the eight weeks will be a collection of note cards that can be used as thank you notes, general correspondence or framed as a work of art.

Exercises in Creative Entrepreneurship (Ages 8-12) (Ages 13-18)
1.5 hours each week
8 week sessions

Participants will explore the basic principles of managing artwork sales through e-commerce. Students will select a theme and medium and work to develop a line of three products that can be produced in multiples and sold from an online storefront. Students will have the option of working as part of a team or on their own. Projects will allow for success across a range of skill sets, with patterns available to allow individuals to build confidence and craftsmanship without compromising the integrity of the products sold. Students will retain profits from their sales, while also learning the real cost of manufacturing handmade products and expenses of distribution.

Play with Clay (Ages 8-12) (Ages 13-18)
1.5 hours each week
8 week sessions

Participants will tackle a handful of projects that will introduce traditional handbuilding techniques. All skill levels are welcome. Students will have the opportunity to choose the projects that will be explored by participating in discussion and brainstorming on the first day of class. Each technique will have a functional and a decorative option. At the end of the session, students will have seen several projects through from concept to final glaze firing. Functional works will be waterproof and food safe.