Thursday, July 28, 2011

Wethersfield Launches Fall Program: Art Classes and Workshops

Atelier Program



Directed by Sandra Wakeen , a nationally-recognized and award-winning artistNew England’s Classical Atelier Program at Wethersfield Academy for the Arts provides the serious artist-in-training an opportunity to be coached and mentored by a distinguished faculty member. Atelier students work side-by-side with their instructors in WAA’s beautiful north light studio. Students are also provided with individual space within the studio to complete projects independently or with the guidance of their instructor. It is advisable to meet with an Atelier instructor before the beginning of each session. For more information, please contact the Academy at 860-436-9857 to leave a message to speak to an Atelier instructor or call Sandra Wakeen at 860-763-4565.


Atelier Course (Beginner through Advanced)
Instructor: Sandra Wakeen


Thursdays - 10:00 am to 3:00 pm; 4-week sessions (ongoing)
Session l            September 22 – October 13
Session ll            October 27 – November 17
Session lll            Beginning in Jan 2012

Course Fee: $350 (members) / $380 (non-members); model fees extra
             
Program  may be designed to accommodate individuals with work or student schedules.
Private instruction is available with Atelier instructors upon request.

Sandra Wakeen’s Atelier course is a contemporary guide to drawing and painting as taught by the Old Masters and today's most respected artists. Students follow the same disciplines that produced the great artists and illustrators of the past, such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Michelangelo, Sargent,  N.C. Wyeth, and Maxfield Parish.

The Wethersfield Academy for the Arts is a small and intimate setting for learning, and enjoys a spirit of camaraderie and community. The Classical Atelier program at WAA is no exception. The key characteristics of the program are individual instruction in traditional methods of drawing and painting with a dedicated classical artist combined with the support and friendship of a group of enthusiastic and dedicated students. The day consists of a morning figure session and an afternoon mentored studio, structured for working on cast, master copy, and still life projects. The morning and afternoon studios can be taken individually or combined into a full-day program. Each session includes individual, group and peer critiques, discussions, and demonstrations. The student will learn how to use different materials, including varied pencils, papers, paints and mediums.  All that is necessary for this course is a strong desire for learning the fundamentals.  Studio time will be allotted for all Atelier students to work on their own paintings. Participants will also be exposed to what is needed to create successful paintings as they observe the progression of Sandra's own work in the Atelier.


Atelier Course – Young Masters (Ages 9 and up)
Instructor:  Sandra Wakeen

Thursdays – 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm; 4-week sessions (ongoing)
Session l            September 22 – October 13
Session ll            October 27 – November 17
Session lll             Beginning in January 2012

Course Fee: $225 (members) / $250 (non-members)

Guided by the belief that artists are made, not born, Wethersfield Academy for the Arts is pleased to announce this new program. The Young Masters’ Program is designed for the serious young artist and is committed to providing an unmatched foundation in drawing and painting. This training will inspire and fuel enthusiasm for drawing and painting. Young artists will discover new concepts and master basic skills while gaining confidence, pride and self-discipline. (Portfolio development is available for high school students.)


Open Studio with Model, [monitored, no instruction]

Figure and Portrait Sessions (ongoing)
Mondays – 9:30 am to 4:00 pm; Beginning September 19
Fee: $20 per session 

Evening Figure and Portrait Sessions (ongoing)
Mondays – 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm; Beginning September 19
Fee: $10 per session

These monitored, non-instructional sessions give artists the opportunity to draw or paint the portrait or figure from a live model. Each session starts out with several short poses and leads up to a three-hour pose. The model will be in the same pose for three weeks. Open to artists of all levels using the medium of their choice.




WAA Studio Arts Program

Introduction to Painting
Instructor: Jack Broderick

Wednesdays – 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
October 5 – November 9 (6 weeks)
Course Fee: $300 (members) / $330 (non-members)

Through guided and individualized instruction, the student will be introduced to color theory and paint mixing using a limited palette, image transfer, composition, underpainting, problem solving and more. No experience is necessary. A materials list will be provided; class materials will be provided by the student and brought to the first class.


Still Life Painting  
Instructor: Jack Montmeat 

Tuesdays - 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
October 11 – November 15 (6 weeks)
Course Fee: $300 (members) / $330 (non-members)

Traditional still life painting is about representing objects with accuracy of proportion and color in a controlled lighting environment.  The primary focus will be to capture a sense of three-dimensional form and space through accurate use of subtle value relationships.  Students will choose from two still life arrangements and will be encouraged to focus on one painting in class.  Through demonstrations and personal instruction, the instructor will assist the student to quickly recognize the dynamic effects of light and subtle use of color. All levels of art experience welcome.  A materials list will be available; class materials will be provided by the student and brought to the first class.


Figure Drawing
Instructor: Andrea Fenn

Fridays – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
October 7 – November 11 (6 weeks)
Course Fee: $280 (members) / $310 (non-members)

The ability to produce accurate figure drawings ultimately allows the artist to successfully pursue other artistic media.  This course is designed to make the student more comfortable with drawing the figure from life through the repetition of essential principles of composition and value.  This class will focus on creating a strong sense of three-dimensional forms by looking closely at proportions, edges, and light effects.  We will make practical use of anatomy, focusing on major anatomical landmarks.  An unclothed model will be presented in a variety of lighting effects. 




Youth Program - Ages 6 and Up
Drawing and Painting
Instructor: Nick Frasco
Saturdays – 10:00 to 11:30 pm; 
6-week sessions; Course Fee: $195
Session l   
September 24 – October 29
Session ll  
November 5 – December 17 
(no instruction on Nov 26th)  


This course will teach the basic fundamentals of drawing, composition and painting, how to mix and apply paint, and use of a variety of art materials. Students may bring a project of their own to work on. The ultimate goal of the Youth Program is for the student to enjoy a rewarding experience and to create a work of art that is satisfying.  Contact instructor regarding supplies.



Workshops


Sandra Wakeen - Portrait Painting-3-Days – beginner to advanced
Workshop Dates: Friday, September 23 – Sunday, September 25, 2011
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Workshop Fee: $320 (members) / $350 (non-members)

This course is designed to help the student problem solve as they are guided through a step-by-step approach to painting the portrait. Sandra will teach classical methods and techniques used by 19th century artists as well as today's prominent portrait painters. Students will work from a live model concentrating on form; capturing light: color relationships; structure anatomy and edges. There also will be discussions and demonstrations on key elements in achieving a likeness in the portrait.  






Ron Boehmer
Plein Air Painting -- 4 Days
Beginner to Advanced Students
Workshop Dates:  Tuesday October 18-
Friday, October 21, 2011
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Workshop Fee:  
$350 (members)/ $380 (non-members)

Four days of guided practice in plein air and landscape painting. Instruction includes “hands on” instruction in the field, lectures, demonstrations, and group critiques. The focus will be on encouragement and development of personal skills and perception and awareness, expression and techniques. Critiques and demonstrations will cover universal issues related to process, composition, color construction, and image content.  Participants may work in oil, acrylic, pastel, or opaque watercolor. While most plein air painting tends towards representational modes of imaging, anyone who works in any abstract genre of painting is also welcome to participate. 


Workshops – Coming in 2012!

o      Koo Schadler: Egg Tempera, April 2012

o      Kathy Anderson: Gardens, Still Life, Landscapes, June 2012

Please check back with us for new courses!
For more info:  Call Sandra Wakeen 860-763-4565 or leave a message: 860-436-9857
Email: info@wethersfieldarts.org


Heritage Project--Corrected Artist List and Update

Heritage Project Continues:  Opening 8/31/11, 6:30 p.m.
Area artists are paired up with Wethersfield property owners for artistic collaboration in an event sponsored by the Wethersfield Academy for the Arts (WAA).  After touring the property, meeting with the owners, and learning the history of the property, the artists are creating  artwork inspired by this collaboration.  The twelve pairs of artists and property owners are:


Doug & Virginia Buck--Kathy Simmons
Comstock Ferre -- Jen Holmes
Ms. Judy Keene -- Diane Aeschliman
Silas Robbins House-- Jack Broderick
Webb House Gardens, Webb Dean Stevens Museum--Jane Penfield
Buzz Willard House--Janet Romanowski
Great Meadows--Jane Zisk
Jim & Kate Woodworth--Shauna Shane
Antiques on Main Street--Bob Norieka
Main Street Creamery--Art Scholz
Paul & Clare Meade--Phil Lohman
First Church--Anda Styler

The artwork will be presented in a show at WAA and the artists and owners will speak about their interaction on August 17th and August 24th.  The goal of this event, funded by the Greater Hartford Arts Council,  is to develop knowledge and strengthen connections among artists and the community and to bring  community awareness to the new Wethersfield Academy for the Arts.  In addition, to the heritage project,  WAA will sponsor a Community Paint-Out, with awards.  All artwork is for sale, and artists are requested to bring completed, framed pieces to WAA by August 15th.    

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Paint Out is ON: Still Time to Register and Paint Wethersfield

If you missed Sandra Wakeen's photo in the Hartford Courant print edition, by Cloe Poisson, staff photographer with info on the WAA heritage project and community paint out you can still catch the action at the link below.  Here is a photo taken by Dave Gilbert of First Church of Buz Willard discussing the history of First Church with Anda Styler, prior to Anda painting.




Anda Styler and Ellie Boyd were discussing Anda's painting of First Church after meeting with First Church representative and town crier, Buz Willard.  Anda was painting up a storm (literally--it was drizzling) when Cloe Poisson, the Courant photographer happened by, stopped, parked, got out and spent time with us and then checked out Sandy's spot at the Wethersfield Community Garden, behind the Fire Station.  Anda, one of 12 artists for the Heritage Project sponsored by Greater Hartford Arts Council, is collaborating with First Church for a painting.  Sandy and Ellie are participating in the Paint Out! portion of the project, open to all in the community.  Come see the results August 31st when the show opens at 6:30 p.m.  All paintings are for sale and a portion goes to support programs at WAA.


Friday, July 15, 2011

Duane Keiser Teaches Workshop at Wethersfield Today



Duane Keiser arrived in Wethersfield today to teach a 3-day workshop about daily painting, and how to break out of a rigid painting mindset, based on his experience as a painter in Richmond who now sells around the world.  We were riveted to his slide presentation, morning demo, and enjoyed painting under his watchful eye in the afternoon.  WAA is a wonderful place to paint!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Life in Historic Wethersfield As Seen by Artists

Left to right; Paula Rubinow of Main St. Creamery, Art Scholz who will be painting Paula's location. Janet Romanowski who will be painting Buz Willard's (to her right) at the Meet and Greet reception of Artists and Owners.

Heritage Project Underway
Area artists are paired up with Wethersfield property owners for artistic collaboration in an event sponsored by the Wethersfield Academy for the Arts (WAA).  After touring the property, meeting with the owners, and learning the history of the property, the artists will create artwork inspired by this collaboration.  The twelve pairs of artists and property owners are:
Doug & Virginia Buck--Kathy Simmons
Comstock Ferre -- Jen Holmes
Ms. Judy Keene -- Diane Aeschliman
Silas Robbins House-- Jack Broderick
Webb House Gardens, Webb Dean Stevens Museum--Jane Penfield
Buzz Willard House--Janet Romanowski
Great Meadows--Jane Zisk
Jim & Kate Woodworth--Shauna Shane
Antiques on Main Street--Bob Norieka
Main Street Creamery--Art Scholtz
Paul & Clare Meade--Phil Lohman
First Church--TBA

The artwork will be presented in a show at WAA and the artists and owners will speak about their interaction on August 17th and August 24th.  The goal of this event, funded by the Greater Hartford Arts Council,  is to develop knowledge and strengthen connections among artists and the community and to bring  community awareness to the new Wethersfield Academy for the Arts.  In addition, to the heritage project,  WAA will sponsor a Community Paint-Out, with awards.  

Paint the Town!

Diane Aeschliman paints the home of Judy Keene in historic Wethersfield
 in preparation for the Heritage Project.

Community Paint-Out July 9th through August 15th
 Registration at the Academy 431 Hartford Ave
($10 registration fee).  For more info, call 860-436-9857 or 860-763-4565

Any artist, any age is invited to paint the charming historic village of Old Wethersfield, by the  Wethersfield Neighborhood Arts & Heritage project.  To participate in this event, artists need to register with WAA, by calling the numbers listed---then get out there and paint!  
All artworks must be framed, wired for hanging and delivered to the Academy by August 15th.  First, second and third prizes as well as honorable mentions will be awarded.  An awards reception will be held on August 31st, 6:30– 8:00p.m. at the Wethersfield Academy for the Arts, at the Old Buck Farm, 431 Hartford Avenue, in Wethersfield.  Jurors, Sandra Wakeen and Paul Batch will announce the awards at this time.  All artwork will be displayed and offered for sale with 30% of the sale going to support programs of WAA.  The goal of this event, funded by the Greater Hartford Arts Council, is to strengthen connections among artists and the community and to bring  community awareness to the new Wethersfield Academy for the Arts.


Important dates to remember: 
(All of the events below happen at Wethersfield Academy for the Arts)


Ongoing:   Registration for Paint Out, 431 Hartford Ave ($10)


August 15th:  All artwork due at the Academy!


August 17th, and 24th:  Lecture series begins, Exhibition Opening Events - Artist and homeowner presentations by 12 artists of collaborative part of project


August 31st:  Community Exhibition, Awards and Opening Reception 6:30 – 8:00pm