At this time, many choose to make a resolution or set an intention to do something better in the coming year. Whether to build on accomplishments or shed the negative events of the past year, turning to our creative side can help us see things in a new way and to cope with stresses of daily life. Art Barn provides the opportunity to cultivate our right brain through educational art classes and cultural events.
Art Barn School of Art announces its Spring session of classes and workshops for children and adults from February through May. Adult classes run for 4-week to 10-week sessions and include drawing, photography, painting, pastels and ceramic arts. Classes for kids emphasize ceramics and drawing, but some offerings include all media. Workshop offered during this session include "Cell Phone Photography" and the "Victorian Valentine Tea Party" for children ages 5 and above plus their accompanying grown-up. Learn more about these offerings below.
All students must register in advance with payment to secure their participation. Register on-line at www.artbarnschool.org or call (219) 462-9009.
ADULT CLASSES
Watercolor for New & Advanced Beginners
Mondays 6:30-9:00pm
Session 1: New Beginners, Feb 3 - April 6, $210/10 weeks
Session 1: Advanced Beginners, Feb 24 - April 6, $165/7 weeks
Session 2: New Beginners, April 13 - June 22, $210/10 weeks
(no class May 25)
Session 2: Advanced Beginners, May 4 - June 22, $165/7 weeks
(no class May 25)
Ages 18+
Each 10 week series, with experienced painter and instructor Julia Holmaas, will provide a 3-week introduction for new beginners before advanced beginners join the class on the 4th week. Students will become familiar with a double primary palette with warm and cool color combinations, become proficient with using the watercolor brush and creating washes, along with designing compositions, plus various techniques for creating texture. Each week students will paint from a photograph or still life to create an original painting. All supplies included.
Adult Beginner/Intermediate Ceramics
Tuesdays 6:00-8:30pm, $189/6 weeks
Session 1: March 10 - April 14
Session 2: April 21 - May 19
Ages 18+
With instructor Harold Woodridge, students will learn about the material and will explore different ways to mold and construct clay pieces both on and off the potter’s wheel. This class is appropriate for beginning or experienced potters. Students may choose to work on the wheel or hand-build during the session. Class size is limited to 6 students. All supplies included.
Drawing for Scaredy Cats
Tuesdays 6:00-8:00pm, $100/5 weeks
Session 1: March 3 - March 31
Session 2: April 21 - May 19
Ages 13+
Those wishing to advance their skills or take a more disciplined approach will learn the basic elements of art, useful techniques, new ways of seeing, and exercises to connect hand and eye with instructor Sharon Angelina. Get a great foundation in the basics, or further your artistic confidence and skill. Each class progressively builds on the last. All supplies included.
NEW Class! Intro to Digital Photography
Wednesdays 6:00-8:00pm, $100/6 weeks
April 15 - May 20
Ages 18+
Beginners will learn from photographer and instructor Deb Armstrong who will teach basic camera functions and settings, lighting and exposure, composition, file management and storage, digital editing, and online/social media use. Participants will learn how to operate their digital SLR cameras and learn how to compose eye-catching photos instead of just snapshots. Assignments and group critiques will help advance your skills. Q&A time before and after class. Bring your camera and come ready to learn!
Painting with Pastels
Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30pm
Beginning: April 22 - June 3, $100.00/6 weeks
Intermediate & Advanced: May 13-June 3, $70.00/4 weeks
Ages 18+
Students will be guided step by step through the process of painting with soft pastels with experienced artist and instructor Mary Ann Pals. A 6-week series, designed for those new to the process, will provide a couple weeks of instruction before intermediate and advanced students join the class on week 3. Supply list provided after the first class. (No class May 6).
All Media, All Levels
Thursdays, 10 am – noon $80/session
Session 1: Feb 6 – 27, $80/session
Session 2: Mar 5 – 26, $80/session
Session 3: Apr 2 – 30, $80/session
Session 4: May 7- 28, $80/session
Ages 18+
Instructor Suzie Rosso guides and advances students in style and technique with her gentle approach. Many ages and levels enjoy this unique ‘open studio’ style instruction, and find the ability to advance at their own pace in their chosen media. Students should bring their own supplies, and may bring art they are working on at home. Ages 18 and older.
CLASSES FOR CHILDREN & TEENS
ARTastic Saturday
Saturdays, 10am-noon, $65/month
Session 1: Feb. 1 - 29, 5 wk
Session 2: March 7 - 21 3 wk (Spring Break)
Session 3: April 4 - 25, 4 wk
Session 4: May 2 - 30, 5 wk
Ages 5-9
Children will learn basic skills using a variety of media with instructor Alice Dickey. This class focuses on seeing and finding joy in artistic expression. Famous artists and their styles are introduced and explored. Techniques will include drawing, painting, mixed-media collage and more. Children learn to discover and accept their own style while staying curious and learning new forms of media. All supplies included.
Drawing for Scaredy Cats
Tuesdays, 6-8pm, $100/5 weeks
Session 1: March 3 - 31
Session 2: April 21 - May 19
Ages 13+
Those wishing to advance their skills or take a more disciplined approach will learn the basic elements of art, useful techniques, new ways of seeing, and exercises to connect hand and eye with instructor Sharon Angelina. Get a great foundation in the basics, or further your artistic confidence and skill. Each class progressively builds on the last. All supplies included.
Comprehensive Art
Thursdays, 6-8pm, $65/month
Ages 10+Thursdays, 6-8pm, $65/month
Session 1: Feb 6 - 27 (4wk)
Session 2: March 5 - 19 (3 wk) Spring Break
Session 3: April 2 - 30 (5 wk)
Session 4: May 7 - 28 (4wk)
Ages 10-18
Older children enjoy more mature drawing techniques with instructor Sharon Angelina such as perspective, beginner portrait, and expanded media. Some art history is taught, along with the elements of art. An ongoing dialogue between good technique and authentic self expression is encouraged with conversation about students’ artistic thoughts and feelings.
Ceramics for Kids
Saturdays, 10am-noon, $179/6 weeks
Session 1: Feb 8 - March 14
Session 2: April 4 - May 9
Ages 5-10
Children will learn the basic techniques of hand building with clay, including pinch pot, coil, and slab construction methods. Instructor Betsy Barger will guide students through several glaze-fired master pieces. No experience with clay necessary. Come prepared to get dirty hands and have some fun!
Ceramics for Tweens & Teens
Saturdays, 1-3pm, $179/6 weeks
Session 1: Feb 8 - March 14
Session 2: April 4 - May 9
Ages 11-16
Older children will learn the basic techniques of hand building with clay, including pinch pot, coil, and slab construction methods. Students will develop hand skills and problem solving in a welcoming and creative environment with instructor Betsy Barger, completing several pieces to take home. No experience with clay necessary.
Introduction to Figure Drawing for Teens
Fridays, 4:30-6:30pm, $135/8 weeks
Session 1: April 3 - May 22
Ages 15-18
Always wanted to try drawing people but don’t know where to start? Through gestural studies, artistic anatomy lessons, master copies, carefully selected exercises, and drawing from a clothed model this class will demystify the art of drawing the human form. Instructor Sarah Fantuzzo will teach a “whole brain” approach: using negative space, gesture, contour, and shadow shapes we will proceed in a perceptual ” right brain mode”. In addition we will see how learning proportions, perspective, and the mechanics of movement can inform the work. This class is perfect for anyone who wants to develop an art portfolio for college admissions and as well as those who want to gain confidence in their drawing skills. Those interested in drawing comic book characters as well as those interested in fashion illustrations will also benefit. All supplies included.
SPECIAL CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Victorian Valentine Tea Party
Saturday, February 8, 1-4pm
$35/child, attending adult- free
Children ages 5+
Bring your little sweetheart for a quiet day of quaint vintage Valentine crafts. Enjoy a real tea party complete with china, cucumber sandwiches, and cakes. Cards, decorations, paper flowers, and decoupage are just a few of the delights in store.
Upcycled Art Workshop
Saturday, March 28, 1-4pm
$35/person
Ages 18+
Holy mother of invention! Imaginations of any age have free reign at this creative recycle/reuse workshop. Participants can tinker and build using a wide variety of recyclables to create an upcycled robot, craft a futuristic bird feeder, or freestyle some abstract art. Instructor Sharon Angelina will facilitate the create chaos. All materials provided.
Cell Phone Photography Workshop
Saturday, April 4, 1-4pm
$35/person
Ages 18+
Everyone’s a photographer! Many are using their cell phone as their primary camera. Participants will learn cell phone camera settings as well as basic composition and lighting techniques that will help boost creativity. Even if you’re not on social media, a few tips and techniques will turn your snapshots into wonderful images that you will want to share! Pre registration is required.
Fairy & Gnome House Workshop & Tea
Saturday, June 6, 1-4pm
$35/child, attending adult- free
Children ages 5+
Get on the good side of those sprites living in your garden by building them a home or a tiny garden of their own. Then it’s teatime with fairy cakes. Bring your creation to Gnomes Day Out on the following Sat. June 13, 2020 1-4 pm
Open Studio
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1-4pm
$5 per person
Bring your own materials and projects and work in the Art Barn studio in the company of other artists. Still life materials available or choose an outdoor plein air scene. Feel free to bring a lunch.
ABOUT ART BARN SCHOOL OF ART
Art Barn School of Art, housed in a century old renovated barn, is dedicated to fostering the love of art for artists of all ages and abilities in its unique 69-acre environment in Porter County, IN. The Art Barn offers a full range of art education classes for children and adults and is a venue for performing arts and weddings. In the Spring, the Art Barn walls fill floor to ceiling for the annual juried art exhibition (with a 26-year history). In September, Art Barn hosts its annual outdoor Art Blitz which engages visitors in art-making, demonstrations, live music and food.