March

April

Collage Painting Workshop

Create impressionistic paintings by gluing papers in colorful patterns. (collage = glue in French). These lovely papers are very absorbent and often imbedded with fibers or patterns. Once colored and torn, portions of these interesting papers, as well as metallic papers, dried leaves and other flat objects, will be collaged (glued) into shapes and patterns to create abstract or impressionistic paintings. Emphasis will be placed on shapes, colors and textures in abstract arrangements. All supplies including a packet of sample papers will be provided. Additional papers may be purchased at cost.

Instructor: Kay Duffy (Kay teaches watercolor and collage at Hakone Gardens in Saratoga.)
Offered: April 5 & 6
Time: 10-4, please bring lunch.
Level: All
Fee: $150/$130 Members

May

Figure Sculpture Workshop: Weekend Intensive - Clay

Learn to sculpt the figure from life! We will use clay and wax to create expressive figure and portrait sculpture. Emphasis will be placed on capturing the distinctive way the model holds him/herself, the gesture, and the feeling the gesture expresses. If you've never sculpted or have sculpted before, come and enjoy the time to focus on your vision.

Instructor: Debbie Simpson
BA from U.C. Berkeley and MA San Jose State University, Debbie has taught at DeAnza College as well as San Jose State. She has exhibited at many galleries and museums throughout the state of California.

Offered: May 3 & 4
Level: All levels
Time: 9-3:30, Bring lunch
Fee: $150 / $130 -Members,
Model Fee: $20 paid 1st day of class.

Plein Air Watercolor

Add a new dimension to your artistic expression and join us for a weekend of painting the beautiful Central Coast. Bonni will demonstrate, instruct, and guide the development of your individual work at each session. She will help you zero in and simplify your subject. Bring a bag lunch and come ready to paint!

Instructor: Bonni Carver
Bonni has been teaching art through Watsonville-Aptos Adult Education for the past 10 years, has been an Open Studio participant and has exhibited her work locally and in the Bay Area. She receives alot of fulfillment teaching and encouraging people to open that door to creativity.

Offered: May 24 & 25

Level: Beginner. - Intermediate.
Time: 10-4:00, please bring lunch
Fee: $150 / $130-Members

June

More About Pastel

The directness, chromatic brilliance and expressive strokes that are characteristic of this dashing and flamboyant medium make it a favorite of painters and non-painters alike. Various exercises designed to make fullest use of the medium's unique qualities. Claire will work closely with you as you progress from an initial drawing to a finished painting. She will supply the reference material needed. Demos and critique included.

Instructor: Claire Verbiest's work appear in national exhibits as well as in national publications such as Splash 4,6,7, The Best of Pastel, Pastel Artist International, Masterstrokes: Pastel and many more.

Offered: June 21 & 22
Level: All levels
Time: 9-3:30, please bring lunch
Fee: $150 / $130-Members

July

Painting the Light - Oil - Plein Air

This workshop will feature a brief demonstration and presentation of my working methods and approach to plein air painting. I will place special emphasis on palette and color theory and include tips to improve observational skills. For advanced painters, I will address my remarks to your questions as we work on site. For a modest fee, I will also offer a trial run of recommended palette.

Instructor: Peter Loftus
Trained at Maryland Institute College of Art, and the University of Pennsylvania, Mr. Loftus moved to Santa Cruz in 1975. He has painted the California Landscape, through studying the light, ever since.

Offered: July 26 & 27
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Time: 9-3:30, Bring lunch for 1/2hr. lunch break
Fee: $150 / $130-Members

August

Beyond the Laborious-Watercolor

Recovery and treatment options for those afflicted with Stutter Brush Syndrome (SBS). Dealing with issues surrounding the repeated use of smallbrushes, your painting has became more constricted. Time to have some FUN again. This workshop will focus on composition, rearranging elements, perspective, depth, the use of color, temperature and value to make your painting read.

Instructor: Bill Fravel, is represented by Big Sur Gallery, Ventana Gallery and Sedona Arts Center, where he is a faculty member. He is a member of Northern Arizona Watercolor Society, Arizona Watercolor Assn., Sedona Visual Artists1 Coalition, and the Arizona Plein Air Painters

Offered: August 30 & 31
Level: All levels
Time: 9-3:30, please bring lunch
Fee: $150 / $130-Members

September

7 Keys to Great Paintings - Watercolor

Jane's classes are based on "7 Keys to Great Paintings" (her book). Improve your work using tried and true principles, regardless of your subject matter to create a memorable painting. Subject will be landscape and seascapes.

Instructor: Jane Hofstetter, NWS, WW is an award winning artist, instructor and juror. She studied at UC-Berkeley and Los Angeles, Chouinard Art Institute. She teaches throughout the United States and Europe.

Offered: September 20 & 21
Level: Beginner plus - Advanced
Time: 9-3:30, please bring lunch for 1/2hr. lunch break
Fee: $150 / $130-Members

Introduction to Abstraction (Painting medium of your choice)

This workshop is for anyone interested in the process of art with the focus on development of personal aesthetics. It is sensitizing oneself to two dimensional organization using the tools of color, texture, area division, illusion of motion, contrasts, etc. It is allowing yourself create "using forms that have little connection with observable reality."

Instructor: Mary Brooks
As a painter and experienced teacher Mary has a BFA from Rhode Islands School of Design, 3 years of graduate printmaking, taught life drawing at Indiana University. She is founder of the Studio School of Fine Art, Bloomington, Indiana. Brooks taught at Capitola Activities for many years. Her paintings are in collections nationwide.

Offered: September 27 & 28
Level: All
Time: 9-3:30, please bring lunch
Fee: $150 / $130-Members

October

Assemblage

Permanently assemble your personal collection of interesting objects in wooden boxes. You will receive instruction on design, color, attaching items, and how to know when your arrangements are completed. The workshop is an easy hands-on, creative exploration of intriging sculpture art.

Instructor: Dore Bodenheimer
Dore has been creating and exhibiting her assemblages for over 18 years. Her work has been included in numerous juried shows throughout the US

Offered: October 25 & 26
Level: Beginner plus - Advanced
Time: 9-3:30, please bring lunch
Fee: $150 / $130-Members

November

Watercolor

Using people and the still life as our subject matter, we will explore various topics such as materials, drawing, design, framing. You will learn how to keep your color clean, your washes luminous and your values sound and organized. Demos and critique included.

Instructor: Claire Verbiest.
Offered: Nov. 1 & 2
Level: All levels
Time: 9-3:30, please bring lunch
Fee: $150 / $130-Members