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Arts Council of Princeton Presents Summer 2011 Classes for Adults and Teens

There is no better way to experience the dynamic and distinctive Paul Robeson Center for the Arts than to enroll in an Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) class. Students of all ages and skill levels who are interested in developing their artistic ability, as well as their creative thinking skills, will find a wide selection of courses to choose from with offerings in Ceramics, Sculpture, Digital Arts, Darkroom Photography, Painting, and Drawing, to name a few. 

The Arts Council is pleased to welcome new instructors in the summer semester, in addition to the esteemed professional faculty members returning to the ACP. The ACP’s wide selection of art classes offers something for everyone and is a great way to spend the summer. 

Select highlights in the Summer Classes schedule for adults and teens include Classical Charcoal Drawing Techniques, New & Funky Handbuilding, Grisaille Painting, Drawing Big, Houses and Gardens, Chinese Brush Painting, Portfolio Prep, Awesome Auditions, and Writing Compelling Essays.

For ages 4-16, the ACP offers week-long arts and drama camps from June 20 – August 26. Registration information is available at www.artscouncilofprinceton.org. Regular children’s classes will resume in September for the fall semester.

Summer classes begin June 20, 2011. Full descriptions of courses are on the ACP’s website at www.artscouncilofprinceton.org. Students may register for classes online, in person, or by phone. Class registration is open to the general public. Students do not have to be Princeton residents to take classes and membership is not required to enroll, but ACP members receive benefits such as discounts on registration fees. Full information about membership is available on the ACP website.

Classes take place in the Paul Robeson Center, which includes a renovated Ceramics Studio with ten throwing wheels and three kilns, digital arts studio, dance studio, darkroom, and studio art space. Arts Council classes are led by experienced professional instructors teaching beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes consisting of small groups of students in a comfortable and supportive atmosphere.  Highlights of select summer classes are:

ADULTS (select classes are also open to Teens)

Classical Charcoal Drawing Techniques (ages 16+)

Learn how to draw in charcoal using classical references from the French academic drawing schools of the 19th century. Class includes demonstrations, explanations and working time with critique so the student can complete at least one finished realistic drawing. All the basics of a beginning drawing class will be covered.

New & Funky Handbuilding (ages 15+)

Not your everyday ceramics class! This new offering will challenge the way students look at ceramics.

Grisaille Painting (ages 16+)

Literally, "grey value painting" is working with a monochrome palette, without adding color, or glazing luminous colors over the completed grayscale painting. Practiced by masters such as del Sarto, Van Dyck and Picasso, it's a great introduction to painting using a classic technique. Subjects will include still-life and portraiture.

Drawing Big! (ages 16+)

The emphasis is on large! Using a variety of drawing media, including charcoal and pastel (provided), participants will push the boundaries of their comfort zones by working on one large scale piece (minimum 36" x 48") per class. Subject matter will include the human figure, still life, and landscape. 

Houses and Gardens (ages 16+)

Participants will learn to deepen their awareness of natural light, color, and design while refining skills to create expressive images. Students will investigate how to establish a dialogue between photographer and subject through individual assignments, demonstrations, lectures, and critiques. This class will include, weather permitting, excursions into the field.

Chinese Brush Painting (ages 15+)

This new class will lead participants on a more intensive exploration of Chinese Brush Painting and its importance in Chinese culture.  Students will work progressively over the 3 weeks in creating elements of their finished work.  Subject matters will include landscapes, flora and fauna, and figurative. 

TEENS

Portfolio Prep (ages 14-18)

Finished artworks and work that can go right into your portfolio will be a goal of this new class. Working from life, students will study the fundamental elements of visual art, target problem areas and complete artworks. The first two classes will be drawing. Students can remain with drawing for the whole session or move into painting.

Awesome Auditions! (ages 13-18)

In this new course, students will go through the process of determining a character’s objectives and subtext and relating them to their own experiences. A special feature of this new offering is a 2-session introduction to the well-respected Alexander Technique, in much demand by accredited theater groups and required training in theatre conservatories world-wide.

Writing Compelling Essays (ages 13-18)

This new course will help students learn the process of creating an impressive essay, from the prewriting stage, through writing a rough draft, grasping a strong viewpoint, finding a compelling voice, and making whatever is written clearer and more interesting with revisions and peer feedback, to the final draft. Each student will leave the course with a well-constructed essay that will convey a strong message and personality, display deep thought and a mastery of the English language.

For full descriptions and a complete list of classes, visit www.artscouncilofprinceton.org. The website is updated regularly, so always check for new additions! For more information, contact Liz Murray at emurray@artscouncilofprinceton.org.