Art and Folk Art Workshops - SOA 2011

Try a new medium, or indulge a lifelong passion—our instructors provide the experience, instruction, and feedback to help you bring your vision to life. From watercolors to chair caning to the role of notable women artists, the School of the Arts offers a glimpse at a whole new world. Skill levels for courses range from beginner to advanced; check the course listing for details.

Materials: In general, participants provide their own materials for art workshops. However, some courses have a nominal materials fee for additional supplies that are provided by the instructor. This fee is payable to the instructor on site on the first day of class.

Chair Caning with Nancy Rafal (D1) 1:30-4:30 pm

Cane the seat of that chair you’ve had in the attic all these years! Beginner, intermediate, and experienced caners are welcome in this class. The seven-step method will be taught. Bring your own chair for caning, purchase a chair from the instructor, or practice skills on chairs provided. Materials fee: $10 to $20 for supplies, depending on project; chairs $20.

Nancy Rafal has been caning for more than 10 years. She learned at The Clearing Folk School in Door County and has been teaching there for six years. She is a member of the Seatweavers Guild and does set-in caning, rushing, and binder-cane weaving in addition to the traditional seven-step woven cane method. When Nancy isn't caning she is the treasurer of the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets and a board member of the Friends of Lorine Niedecker. She has a vacation rental property near Cana Island in Door County.

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Crazy Beading with Louise Schotz (E2) 1:30-3:00 pm

Do you have a boring spot on a wall hanging, jacket, or purse? Learn how to sew beads to fabric using a variety of different stitches and textures. You will create a sample piece of many different stitches and patterns including crazy quilt patterns and three-dimensional variations in this workshop. Use the techniques you’ll learn on quilts, clothes, purses, pillows—anything! Materials fee: $15.

Louise Schotz currently teaches a wide variety of fiber arts, quilting, and jewelry classes in her studio. Her art quilts have been exhibited in Wisconsin, Chicago, Houston, and at the National Quilt Museum of the United States in Paducah, Kent., as well as in traveling exhibits through the Professional Art Quilters Alliance. She has received a wide variety of awards for her work.

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Drawing Fundamentals with Barbara Erdman (D2) 1:30-4:30 pm

Anyone can draw, and skill in drawing builds confidence for working in any art medium. Whether you are beginning to draw or building on fundamentals, you will explore basic drawing tools and techniques and will be given the opportunity to practice in a supportive, relaxed environment.

Barbara Erdman has art degrees from UW-Madison and the University of Maine. She is currently a faculty member at UW-Eau Claire, with many years of experience teaching drawing, painting, and pastels. Barbara has exhibited at the Corcoran Museum in Washington, D.C., Cornell University, and at shows throughout Wisconsin.

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Exploring Mandalas: Drawing and Journaling with Diana Randolph (A1) 8:30-11:30am - Class is Cancelled

The ”mandala,” Sanskrit word for circle, represents an outward expression of the inner self. Each session of this beginner course will begin with a guided-imagery meditation in preparation for journal writing and mandala drawing with vibrant designs. Express your inner child, and heal.

Diana Randolph has been a professional artist and instructor for more than 30 years. She received a BA in art from Northland College, and her artwork is in numerous galleries. Diana also enjoys writing poetry, fiction, and nonfiction and is currently working on a book of poetry and paintings: "Beacons of the Earth and Sky," which will be published by Savage Press. Visit www.dianarandolph.com to see her work.

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Grant Writing for Visual Arts with Tony Rajer (B5) 8:30-10:00 am

This informative and practical course focuses on writing grant narratives, proposals, and budgets. Learn how to communicate effectively in order to get the money you deserve and hope for. Some homework required.

Anton "Tony" Rajer is a professional art conservator and museum specialist. A graduate of UW-Milwaukee, Harvard University, and the University of Rome, he is the author of a forthcoming book on the business of art and art consulting.

 

Landscape Quilting with Louise Schotz (A2) 8:30-11:30 am

Artistic landscapes can be rendered in a variety of media, including fabric. In this class we’ll work from photographs, magazine pictures, or drawings to create a fabric landscape. A variety of techniques for the basic fabric layout, construction, and enhancing the final product will be presented in this beginning- to intermediate-level class. Pack your sewing machine and favorite fabrics. Additional fabrics will be available for purchase.

Louise Schotz currently teaches a wide variety of fiber arts, quilting, and jewelry classes in her studio. Her art quilts have been exhibited in Wisconsin, Chicago, Houston, and at the National Quilt Museum of the United States in Paducah, Kent., as well as in traveling exhibits through the Professional Art Quilters Alliance. She has received a wide variety of awards for her work.

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Oil and Water: Beginning Oil Painting for Watercolorists With Pat Dobrinska (D4) 1:30-4:30 pm

This is an intermediate-level workshop for the experienced watercolorist who is curious about oil painting. Using water-mixable oils, a few tubes of paint, and a minimum of supplies, you’ll learn the basics of oil painting. Colors, blending, brushes, canvas, and stretchers, mediums, the palette, drying time, and varnishing—you may come to love this medium too!

Pat Dobrinska has been a professional artist for more than 30 years and has taught secondary and adult learning workshops throughout Wisconsin and in Mexico. She paints in watercolor and oils, specializing in portraits and landscapes. Her work is displayed in galleries and private collections throughout the country.

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Plein-Aire Painting: New and Exciting Places with Pat Dobrinska (A4) 8:30-11:30 am

Make the beauty of the Northwoods and painting come together. Whether you use oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, or graphite, pack your own materials, grab a portable chair, and explore the elements and techniques to help you achieve your personal expression of the landscape. We will go outside to paint at different, beautiful sites.

Pat Dobrinska has been a professional artist for more than 30 years and has taught secondary and adult learning workshops throughout Wisconsin and in Mexico. She paints in watercolor and oils, specializing in portraits and landscapes. Her work is displayed in galleries and private collections throughout the country.

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Remarkable Women Artists with Tony Rajer (C11) 10:15-11:45 am

Georgia O’Keefe, Emily Carr, Tamara Lipicka, Frida Kahlo—pioneers who overcame societal, economic, and racial challenges to create their own unique form of art. You’ll meet these women and others who helped write an important and under-appreciated chapter in global cultural history. This art appreciation class is open to all.

Anton "Tony" Rajer is a professional art conservator and museum specialist. A graduate of UW-Milwaukee, Harvard University, and the University of Rome, he is the author of a forthcoming book on the business of art and art consulting.

 

Unleash Your Creativity with Jennifer Fink (E8) 1:30-3:00 pm

Think you’re not a particularly creative person? Think again! Come play with words, clay, fabric, paper, and paint in a supportive environment designed to help you re-discover your creative spirit. Each day, participants will experiment with a new medium, with an emphasis on process, not product. Our goal is to remember the joy of creation. Participants will also discuss ways to carve out time—and space—for creative pursuits and the benefits of creativity in daily life.

Jennifer L. W. Fink is a freelance writer and writing instructor (and busy mom of four!). Her essays, articles, and columns have appeared in Parents, The Saturday Evening Post, Ladies' Home Journal, Home Education Magazine, Wisconsin Trails, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and other regional and national publications. She is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the Wisconsin Parents Association.

 

Watercolor—Advancing Your Style with Amy Arntson (D5) 1:30-4:30 pm

This intermediate- to advanced-level painting workshop focuses on developing a personal painting direction using transparent watercolor. Discussions and demos will focus on historical and contemporary techniques and concepts and their potential relevance to individual students. Along the way we’ll try to answer the big questions about how, what, and why we paint.

Amy Arntson is an emerita professor of art at UW-Whitewater. Amy earned a BFA in painting from Michigan State University, and an MFA from UW-Milwaukee. She has exhibited internationally in Italy, China and England, and is the author of national art and design textbooks. Her paintings of water surfaces include regional, national, and international
locations.

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Watercolor and Beyond with Mary Ann Inman (A5) 8:30-11:30 pm

Experiment and stretch your imagination to maximize your creativity in this beginning- to intermediate-level class. Students will learn to use impressions, stamps, and resists to create texture and pools of spontaneous color. Just bring your regular watercolor supplies, paper, photo references, and the desire to have fun. Materials fee: $10 for stamps, impressions, and resists.

Mary Ann Inman has taught watercolor, mixed media, drawing, composition, color, realism, found items, and experimental workshops through UW-Madison Continuing Studies and the School of Eclectic Art. She is currently president of the Wisconsin Regional Artists Association. Find out more about Mary Ann and see student artwork (including School of the Arts) at www.schoolofeclecticart.com.

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Watercolor—Getting Started with Mary Ann Inman (D6) 1:30-4:30 pm

Expect to have some light-hearted fun as we explore the beauty of watercolor. You will learn color mixing, application, and technique in a supportive environment that allows you to paint with confidence, greater skill, and focused technique. Paint something different—flowers, trees, and skies—every day. Materials fee: $5.

Mary Ann Inman has taught watercolor, mixed media, drawing, composition, color, realism, found items, and experimental workshops through UW-Madison Continuing Studies and the School of Eclectic Art. She is currently president of the Wisconsin Regional Artists Association. Find out more about Mary Ann and see student artwork (including School of the Arts) at www.schoolofeclecticart.com.

Download supply list (pdf)