Weeks-Long Courses Develop Artistic Talents
For the artistically minded, there’s a chance to sharpen skills or develop new talents at the Chestnut Center for the Arts this winter.
The lineup includes portrait drawing, sequential storytelling, pottery, abstract painting, acrylics, and making a musical. Classes last several weeks on certain weekday evenings.
“We try to offer a broad scope of classes from portrait drawing to painting,” said Executive Director Adam Smrcka. “We try to do 6-week classes at least three times a year, if not four.”
The classes are a hands-on way for people to get involved in art, a service that the Chestnut Center provides. “We’re the only educational, nonprofit arts center in the Marshfield area,” Smrcka said. “There’s not a lot of educational classes offered where people can participate in the art.”
Art classes are not only educational, but can have health benefits as well. “It’s meant to be a time where people take a break and invest their own health and sanity,” he said. “It’s a great way to charge your batteries and start off the new year.”
In Fundamentals of Portrait Drawing, instructor Jason Cole guides students through the likeness and form of the human head with graphite. All levels of artists can participate in this course, which will advance to charcoal drawing where students can draw their own portrait from a photo.
For lovers of graphic novels, comic books, and children’s books, learn the Art of Sequential Storytelling, or combining words and pictures. Students will re-imagine characters from classic fairy tales and visualize the world of these characters. Explore storytelling theories and learn drawing and sketching techniques using graphite and markers.
A hands-on experience is offered with Mudslingers: A Clay Experience, by Marty Yohn, which teaches beginner and intermediate students the art of pottery and ceramics. Learn how to properly use studio tools, materials, and equipment. Begin by making slab constructions, coil building, and various techniques. Later in the course, students will learn wheel throwing and principles of glazing.
Two painting classes teach students the art of acrylics: learn abstract painting and explore its history, trends, and techniques in this new course. Use intuitive and gestural strokes to discover your inner artists through three projects. Delve further into acrylic paint in another course by exploring techniques and applications of the paint. The focus will be on black and white, color layering, and 3D texture. Complete your own design or receive careful instructions to create a budding masterpiece.
The popular Cork & Canvas returns on Thursdays, ideal for fun with groups of friends. Wine, beer, and light appetizers will be served.
Dramatic children will enjoy learning the ropes of theater in Let’s Make a Musical, an eight-week course that will culminate in a 20-minute performance. Children will rehearse lines and even make their own costumes. Last year this filled up fast, so hurry to claim a spot.
Information can be found on the Chestnut Center’s website, or on its Facebook page. To sign up for any of the classes or to receive more information, please call the Chestnut Center at 715-389-8999.
