Arts Benicia
Classes & Workshops

 

Photos from Classes and Workshops

Adults, and teens 15 and older may enroll in classes.

All Classes are held at the Arts Benicia Classroom Studio, 991 Tyler Street #115, unless otherwise specified.
To contact Arts Benicia by telephone: 707-747-0131, fax: 707-747-0241, email: info@artsbenicia.org

ENCAUSTIC PAINTING DEMO - BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

Saturday, May 30, 10 - 1 PM  |  Instructor: William Harsh  |  $35/member  |  $40/non-member

Encaustic (painting with pigment suspended in molten beeswax) is one of the world's oldest and most permanent painting mediums.  The unique and seductive qualities inherent in encaustic have been rediscovered and employed by recent and contemporary artists such as Jasper Johns, among many others.  Encaustic is known for it's extremely rapid drying (by cooling), versatile range of applications, and its characteristic velvety surface and color quality.

This half-day demonstration will serve as a thorough introduction to encaustic painting, and will equip participants with all of the knowledge they need to get started in the medium.  Topics covered will include: equipment, materials and tools; supports and substrates; how to make encaustic paints and encaustic medium; fusing and painting with heat sources; painting techniques and approaches; incising and inlaying; use of masks and stencils; collage techniqes;  image transfer techniques; encaustic used with other media; and framing and display options.  Students will have the opportunity to briefly sample painting in encaustic for themselves.  A list of materials needed, a bibliography, and sources of supply will be given out.
 

Printmaking
Etching/Intaglio, Relief, Collagraph, Monotype

Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced
Instructor: William Harsh

Saturdays, June 6 to August 1 (No class on July 4th), 10 - 1 PM  |  $205/member  |  $225/non-member

Printmaking is one of the oldest fine art forms, and has attracted artists throughout the centuries for its rich graphic qualities, the marriage of ink and paper unique to the medium, and the pleasure of its processes.

This course is designed as an introduction to as many as four traditional fine art printmaking disciplines: Etching/Intaglio (multiple prints made from etched metal or metal otherwise worked with tools), Relief (multiple prints made from cutting wood planks and linoleum and related materials), Collagraph, a collage-like hybrid relief and intaglio printmaking form, and Monotype, whereby single images are printed from a painted plate. Students may opt to try all four forms, or concentrate on one or two if they wish.

The class is also for for more experienced artists who would like to continue their development of any or all of the offered printmaking approaches.

Students will work in a well-equipped and spacious printmaking studio/classroom which includes a large professional caliber etching press and a small etching press. All etchants used are non- toxic.

A materials list will be reviewed and distributed at the first class session.

William Harsh, monotype print

William Harsh is an artist with over 25 years of dedicated studio practice. Primarily an oil painter, he also works extensively with other painting and drawing media and with monotype printmaking. Raised in Europe and the US, he studied with Philip Guston and James Weeks at Boston University, and has for many years taught studio art at colleges in New England and California. His work is included in numerous collections in the US, Canada, and Europe. For the past seven years he has taught numerous classes in the studio art education program at Arts Benicia. Click here to view more of William's work online.

Painting

Instructor: Jody Mattison

Sundays, June 21 - Aug. 9, 1 - 4 PM  |  $205/member  |  $225/non-member

All levels of experience welcome... from representation to abstraction, 'alla prima' to glazing techniques. Weekly demonstrations will include topics such as composition, observation of light and color, paint handling and tools of the trade, painting as a process, quick studies, visual and atmospheric perspective. Other relevant topics might be included as requested.

Instructor will be on hand for personalized help. Individuals are welcome to bring in their own subject matter or reference; still life set-ups will be available, and painting outside is also encouraged.

Oil or water-based paints.

 

 

Jody Mattison

Jody Mattison is an accomplished painter, portrait artist, and instructor, working in the Bay Area for over 15 years. An MFA graduate from Academy of Art College, her work has been published in International Artist, juried into the Crocker-Kingsley Biennial 2005, and is in numerous collections across the country and internationally. For the past 6 years she has taught color theory, design and drawing, figure drawing and painting at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and Civic Arts Education in Walnut Creek.

 

 

Plein Air Painting

Instructor: Nikki Basch-Davis

Saturday, June 13, 10 - 3 PM  |  $55/member  |  $65/non-member

Learn to paint outdoors "en plein air" ("in the open air") just like the French Impressionists. Be inspired by the vibrant light and landscape as you capture one lovely afternoon on canvas. Materials list to be provided. Meet at Arts Benicia at 10 AM; painting location within the Benicia area to be announced. One 5 hour session.

 


Nikki Basch-Davis

BOOK ARTS: COVER TO COVER

Instructor: Courtney Cerruti

Saturdays, June 6-27, 2-5 PM

Series rate: $140/member  |  $160/non-member
This four week course will cover a myriad of art and writing techniques to create a final accordion book.  Each class with focus on a specific set of techniques with the theme of our final book running through out the four-week course.
 
Paste Paper - June 6
When's the last time you finger painted? Spend an afternoon creating original hand painted paste paper  to use as gift wrap or in collage. Traditionally used as endpapers in books, paste paper is used by artists today in a myriad of paper crafts including card making, painting, and mixed media. Learn various techniques for making traditional and modern patterns to use in your final book.
 
Image Transfer Techniques for Bookmaking - June 13
Learn various image transfer techniques for using with paper arts, collage, fiber arts and more . You will discover the best methods for combining found and created imagery to your work whether it be paper based, painting or fabric and beyond. This class will allow us to create core imagery for the final book as well as show how to combine text and imagery in unusual ways.
 
Text, Theme and Storytelling- June 20

Now that you know how to make a beautiful book, learn how to create delightful pros to fill its pages. We will spend the day discussing theme and ways of storytelling appropriate for your accordion book. We will talk about how to select a theme and use various writing exercises to create text to use in your book.
 
Simple Structure Accordion Book-June 27
Using one of the most versatile book structures, the accordion, learn how to use your imagination and all the techniques learned in he first 3 weeks to create your own accordion book. Using a wide selection of beautiful papers, rubber stamps and assorted ephemera, learn & explore the various techniques that make altering books a favorite amongst paper artists.

Lowell Dalton, figure drawing

Figure Drawing Studio

Ongoing, No instructor

1st & 3rd Tuesday / Month

7pm-10pm, ongoing; please arrive at 6:45pm

Monthly: $35/member, $45/non-member  | Drop-In: $20/member, $25/non-member

Payments may be made by check or cash on Tuesday nights.

These ongoing sessions allow artists to challenge their drawing skills while developing a better understanding of human form and movement. The three-hour session begins with short poses for warm-up gesture drawings, and then gradually increases to 20-minute poses. The professional artists' models are from the Bay Area Models Guild.

Bring your own drawing materials; a number of easels are available for use.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BENICIA FIGURE DRAWING GROUP, click here

The mission of the Education Program is to provide a learning environment for the exchange of ideas and information and to inspire the community to develop its creative potential. Our community is very fortunate in having many professional studio artists who are also gifted teachers, and who have provided highly skilled instruction over the years in a caring, attentive classroom environment.

Registration Information:

Please register for your class at least one week before it begins. Arts Benicia's instructors are independent contractors and determine their own fees, class size, content, and style of instruction. It is not necessary to be a member of Arts Benicia to take classes, but we do appreciate the support your membership provides. Once registered, you will not receive registration confirmation unless a class is full or cancelled.

Cancellation and Refunds:

Early registration is encouraged. Our instructors need adequate time for preparation and purchase of materials. Minimum enrollment must be met at least one week prior to the first day of class or there is a possibility of cancellation. No refunds will be given after a week before class begins. If enrollment is insufficient and the instructor cancels a class, your fee will be refunded or transferred to another class of your choice. Classes cannot be prorated.


Testimonials

"For me the best thing about taking Arts Benicia classes has been the ability to learn various printmaking techniques, while learning about art theory and art history in the process from instructors who possess an amazing amount of expertise. The atmosphere is relaxed and encouraging, and time is always given to personalized instruction that suits the needs of beginners and experienced artists alike. I've learned more in a short time about art at Arts Benicia than in many classes taken previously elsewhere. These classes have provided me with a way to rediscover and nurture my artistic self, and enriched my life tremendously."

Geri Lujan is an IT Business Consultant in the field of health care. For 4 years she has taken classes in Printmaking, Oil Painting, Color Theory, Drawing and Silver Clay Jewelry.

"The best things about the classes at Arts Benicia are the excellence of the teaching staff, and the community of people interested and working in the same medium. Consistent access to the well equipped printmaking studio is a huge asset."

Ronna Leon, a Puppeteer, has broadened her artistic skills during the last 6 years with AB classes in Printmaking, Color Theory, Perspective, and Drawing. A skilled maker of artist books, she offers an annual course in Bookmaking. Her prints were exhibited in the fall of 2007 in a magical installation at the Benicia Public Library.

"The high quality of the teachers who are professional artists and have many years experience teaching is the best thing about Arts Benicia's program. Also, the students are often artists who bring much knowledge to share with other students, and the classes are fun! Through these classes, I have deepened my understanding of painting and the creative process, and I continue to build my skills."

Anne Petty, a recently retired Clinical Social Worker, has been taking classes at Arts Benicia since the beginning of the program in 2001. The skills she has acquired and sharpened since then through numerous classes in painting, printmaking, and drawing, have given her the confidence to show her work in numerous exhibits in the region.

"Working during the week, the Saturday workshop with Bill Harsh has turned out to be a perfect fit for my schedule. The level of instruction, the thoughtful critique of work and the enthusiasm shared by the group creates a very positive environment for creative work. The opportunity to make prints every week has helped my work to evolve over time and the generous feedback and support has helped me to develop my artistic voice."

For the past 3 years, Elizabeth Wooley, Print Production Manager for Charles Schwab, has been productively engaged in the printmaking classes at Arts Benicia. She will be installing her first solo show of artwork at Olson Realty in the spring of 2008 through Arts Benicia Presents.


TO ENROLL FOR CLASSES:

CLICK HERE for a Printable Form to Fax in to Arts Benicia: http://www.artsbenicia.org/classes/classregform.htm

Or contact Arts Benicia by telephone: 707-747-0131, fax: 707-747-0241, email: info@artsbenicia.org

View Photos from our Classes and Workshops...

Arts Benicia is located at 991 Tyler Street, Suite 114 in Benicia, California. Art Classes and Workshops are located next door in the Arts Benicia Classroom Studio, unless otherwise noted above.

Arts Benicia is a non-profit organization with a contemporary gallery exhibiting the work of selected fine artists and artisans of California. Adjunct activities include art workshops and classes, poetry readings, slide shows and talks by exhibiting artists, as well as music and dance events. Arts Benicia is Benicia's official arts body promoting culture and the arts in the area.