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FALL STUDIO for Adults and Teenagers
Drawing, Painting, Photography and more

WORKSHOPS
special one day events

OPEN STUDIOS

TO REGISTER

DISCOUNTS: Register Early!! All classes must meet minimum enrollment levels one week before start date to ensure that they will run. Registration continues to the date of the first class. Members receive a $5 discount when registering three (3) weeks before the starting date of the class.

Refer a Friend and you both save!! Refer a friend to any Mystic Arts Center class and you both receive $15 off the registration fee. Participants must mention the offer at the time of registration and both parties must register before the discount is applied. Participants must be registering for the same or separate classes running during the same session. Friend must be a newcomer to Mystic Arts Center classes.

Fall Studio | Adults and Teens

Fall Session: September 20- November 18

Classes are designed for beginning and intermediate levels unless otherwise noted.

MONDAYS

Open Studio
Resumes September 13
Bring your materials and enjoy working in a relaxed studio environment. Free.
Open studio will not meet on October 11.

Art Sampler
6:30 - 8:30 pm
September 20 - November 15
$25 per session**
**($20 per session when registering for four or more classes)
Interested in developing your artistic skills and creativity but don't have enough time to invest?
This sampler series provides you with basic techniques in various materials and instructors
so you can find out what really inspires you! Materials fee is included in the tuition - all you have to do is show up, have fun, and start learning. No class on October 11.

9/20 - Drawing Basics with Jennifer Wheeler
9/27 - More Drawing with Jennifer Wheeler
10/4 - Watercolors with Alex Trachishin
10/18 - Pastels with Jennifer Wheeler
10/25 - Acrylics with Alex Trachishin
11/1 - Abstract Techniques with Laura Gaffke
11/8 - Any Media Still Life with Alex Trachishin
11/15 - Any Media Landscapes with Laura Gaffke

TUESDAYS

Drawing Techniques
Jack Montmeat
1:00 - 3:30 pm
September 21 - November 9 (8 weeks!)
M $200 / GP $240
Learn to create realistic forms from the basic composition of the picture plane to the hierarchy
of lights and darks, meaningful mark-making and line work. This course is great for beginners or intermediate students looking to hone their techniques.
Materials List

Intro to Digital Photography
Charles Estabrooks
6:30 - 8:30 pm
September 14 - October 12
M $100 / GP $120
Demystify the complex world of digital photography and take better pictures with your camera. The five-week course will explain the inner workings of your digital SLR or point & shoot camera and cover the essentials of digital imaging as well as core photography topics such as lighting, composition, and depth of field.

The following materials and equipment while not required for class are necessary to practice techniques described in lectures.  Participants are asked to bring their digital camera and instruction manual to the first class.
Materials List

Photoshop Essentials
Charles Estabrooks
6:30 - 8:30 pm
October 19 - November 17
M $100 / GP $120
Delve into Adobe Photoshop and break down it's core components to help you get started manipulating your digital images. The curriculum will cover the essential Photoshop tools including image adjustments; Retouching tools like the Clone Stamp and Healing Brush; Layers and Masking; and more. The classes will be structured to provide 2 one-hour hands-on lab sessions where students can bring their laptops to work on projects of their choice. Students should have Photoshop CS3, CS4 or Photoshop Elements Version 6 or higher on their computers (computers and software for this course are not provided) Limited number of rental laptops available: $20 additional course fee.

The following materials and equipment while not required for class are necessary to practice techniques described in lectures.  Participants are asked to bring their digital camera and instruction manual to the first class.
Materials List

Monitored Life Drawing & Painting
6:30 - 9:30 pm, Ongoing, cost varies
Join our informal group to practice drawing or painting from a live model at your own individual pace. We provide the lighting, spacious studio, and easels to make it fun and easy for you. You’ll feel comfortable in the company of other participants, from beginning sketchers to seasoned artists. No registration necessary – just drop in any evening. The fee is $12 or less (depending on how many attend) to cover the cost of the model.

WEDNESDAYS

Intro to Digital Photography
Charles Estabrooks
1:00 - 3:00 pm
September 15 - October 13 M $100 / GP $120
Demystify the complex world of digital photography and take better pictures with your camera. The five-week course will explain the inner workings of your digital SLR or point & shoot camera and cover the essentials of digital imaging as well as core photography topics such as lighting, composition, and depth of field.
Materials List

Drawing Fundamentals
Jennifer Wheeler
6:30 - 8:30 pm
September 22 - November 10 (8 weeks!)
M $160 / GP $200
Learn to create realistic forms from the basic composition of the picture plane to the hierarchy of lights and darks, meaningful mark-making and line work. This course is great for beginners or for intermediate students looking to hone their techniques.
Materials List

Photo to Canvas
Sarah Stifler Lucas
6:30 - 8:30 pm
September 15 - October 13
M $100 / GP $120
Bring your favorite photograph and learn how to create a work of art in acrylic or oils. Demonstrations focus on design, composition, and value.
Materials List

THURSDAYS

Photo to Canvas
Sarah Stifler Lucas
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
September 16 - October 14
M $150 / GP $180
Bring your favorite photograph and learn how to create a work of art in acrylic or oils. Demonstrations focus on design, composition, and value.
Materials List

Mixed Media Defined
Laura Gaffke
1. September 16 - October 14
11. October 21- November 18
1:00 - 4:00 pm
M $150 / GP $180
Explore and experiment with materials and concepts and learn about contemporary artists working in mixed media. Techniques covered include how to create layers and washes, image transfers, and mixed media collage. Emphasis will be on the creative process with guidance on composition, content and concept of chance as part of art-making.
Materials List

Pastel Painting
Jacqueline Phillips
1. September 16 - October 14
11. October 21- November 18
6:30 - 8:30 pm
M $100 / GP $120
Improve your drawing skills while working with pastels. New still life compositions and techniques will be introduced to challenge beginners and returning pastel painters.
Materials List

WORKSHOPS

Full-day workshops will break for a one-hour lunch at noon.

Building Bridges: Tunisian Collaborative Painting
David Black, Guest Faculty
Saturday, September. 25th 1 - 4 pm  visual artist session
Sunday, September. 26th 1 - 4 pm “creative types” session
Supply fee: $25
Tunisian Collaborative Painting is a process by which three to seven artists work on one canvas to create a unified and coherent picture. Anyone can paint at any time and anyone can paint over anyone else's work. The group elects one artist who starts the painting and decides when it is finished and another artist to arbitrate disputes. Tunisian Collaborative Painting gives the artist the unique opportunity to paint without his or her ego. This exhilarating experience opens up the dialogue between artist and picture and becomes more about what the painting needs rather than what the artist wants. Two separate sessions will be facilitated by artist and guest faculty, David Black: the first is intended for visual artists, the second for creative types who may have less or no experience in visual arts, but wish to explore a collective creative process. Acrylic painting supplies are provided. 
Registration Deadline: September 17.

Spectators are encouraged to attend Saturday and Sunday sessions at no charge.

Listen to the Rocks: Master Mosaic Class
Sophie Drouin
Saturday and Sunday, October 9 & 10
10 am – 5 pm
M $300 / GP $320
Learn modern design using the ancient language of mosaic-making. This class with master teacher and guest faculty, Sophie Drouin, is meant to encourage freedom of artistic expression using common as well as non-traditional mosaic material.  Students will become familiar with the use and cleaving properties of marble as well as many different minerals and stones including a sample of the state stones of Connecticut.  Students will explore designs in abstract form, using the properties of stones as possible inspiration and influence. The class will also explore the use of classical andamento (stone placement) along with lesser known variations, as it applies to modern expressions. Class will enjoy a guided tour of the current exhibition, Art In Pieces, on view in the Mystic Arts Center galleries.  This workshop will benefit experienced mosaic artists as well as artists experienced in other media who wish to explore the mosaic medium. If you have mosaic tools- nippers, tweezers, hammer and hardie, palette knife, please bring them to class. Tools will be provided for others who need them.

All supplies included with tuition, but if you have a few "pet rocks" you wish to use, you are encouraged to bring them. Register for this class by contacting: sophie@sophiemosaics.com or 519-576-5403.

Studio Lighting Workshop for Portrait Photography
Caryn Davis
Saturday, October 16, 10:30 am - 3 pm
Sunday, October 17 - 3 - 5 pm
M $65 / GP $75
This workshop introduces students to studio lighting and working with a live model to create
a compelling portrait. Participants will gain an understanding of what makes a successful portrait as well as various lighting techniques. Each student will have individual time to photograph and direct a live nude or clothed model. Sunday’s session is reserved for a
critique of participants’ processed photographs. There will be a half-hour break for lunch
on Saturday. This workshop has a low maximum enrollment to ensure personal instruction
and camera time with the model.
Materials list

Painting in Encaustic
Julia Pavone
Saturday, November 6, 9 am - 12:30 pm*
M $70 / GP $80
Encaustic is a method for painting with molten wax first used by ancient Greek and Roman artists. Since the 1960’s, encaustic painting has regained its popularity. Learn how to paint with this amazing media made from refined beeswax, dry pigment, and resin. Encaustic paints are included in tuition. This workshop has a low maximum enrollment.
**If the morning session is filled, an afternoon session from 1 - 4:30 pm will be added to accommodate additional participants.
Materials list

Be a ROCK STAR
Deb Aldo
Saturday and Sunday, November 13 & 14
9:30 am – 4:30 pm
M $275 / GP $295
Pebbles were the material originally used in ancient mosaics. They graced the walls and floors of both public and private spaces thousands of years ago. This two day workshop will guide you in creating your own pre-cast pebble mosaic. Choose from colorful pebbles and other natural materials. Bring one, maybe two finished works home with you at the completion of the weekend. Students will learn design basics, cement mixing, pouring, keying, fitting, flipping and cleaning. The course will help you master color and size gradations as well as stone fitting through instruction and hands-on work. Class will work primarily with pebbles to create a pre-cast slab. Students will embed pebbles into a mold that is then filled with several types of mortar and flipped and cleaned the next day. Students will be provided with a pebble “buffet”, a kit that contains tools, molds, templates, and drawing materials and a handout for future reference that explains the process. Class includes a tour of the current mosaic exhibition, Art in Pieces, on view in the galleries of Mystic Arts Center. In-experienced “never-evers”, as well as experienced mosaic artists will all gain from this class.

Materials included in fee, but students are encouraged to bring additional personal items, like favorite stones, shells, and sea glass, for possible inclusion in their mosaics. Register for this class by contacting Deb Aldo at deb@pietreduredesign.com or (860) 617-1795.

OPEN STUDIOS
Mondays, 1 to 4 pm

Can't find space at home to do your art? Join us! You bring the medium, we provide the space. No reservations necessary – just drop in, set up your materials and enjoy working in our two studio spaces. Easels, tables, lighting and chairs are provided. All 2-dimensional media and select sculpting media are welcome (odorless turpentine only please). No Open Studio on State Holidays. due to our heavy summer scheduling there will be no Open Studio between 7/13 - 8/17.

TO REGISTER

Beginner to intermediate levels recommended for all programs. Teenagers are welcome in any adult class. Classes run weekly unless otherwise specified.

To register, please call the Mystic Arts Center Education Department at 860-536-7601.

DISCOUNTS

Register Early!! All classes must meet minimum enrollment levels one week before start date to ensure that they will run. Registration continues to the date of the first class. Members receive a $5 discount when registering three (3) weeks before the starting date of the class.

Refer a Friend and you both save!! Refer a friend to any Mystic Arts Center class and you both receive $15 off the registration fee. Participants must mention the offer at the time of registration and both parties must register before the discount is applied. Participants must be registering for the same or separate classes running during the same session. Friend must be a newcomer to Mystic Arts Center classes.