Art Center Sarasota

Workshops, Classes, and Demos

Welcome to Art Center Sarasota's new Workshop Registration System.
Select a payment option and click on the Add to Cart button for each course you would like to register for. When you are ready to check out, your credit card will be processed securely using PayPal. It is not necessary to have or sign up for a PayPal account to process your payment. If you would prefer to pay by check, please print the registration form and mail it along with your payment.

Please read our Workshop Policies before you enroll for any of these workshops. Click here.

In the 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. classes there is a break for lunch which can be ordered and delivered, or you may bring your own and use our refrigerator and/or microwave.
Demonstrations fees are $12 non-members, $8 members (unless otherwise noted) and free to those pre-enrolled in the workshop.

We will send the supply list for your workshop.

Membership
Our members receive discounted rates for workshops. Before registering, please consider joining or renewing your membership so you can take advantage of the member rates. Select the Membership Level you are interested in and click Submit to add it to the Shopping Cart. Descriptions of the benefits for each member level are available here. Additional Donation to the Educational Fund
To make an additional donation, please enter a dollar amount and click Submit to add it to the Shopping Cart. All donations are tax deductible.

Workshops & Classes 2007 – 2008

Go directly to:
April 2008

October 2007

“Collage as Art”
with Judy Nadler
Mondays, Oct 8 – Nov 12
(10:00 – 1:00)
Session #1
NO DEMO
Mem $160 / Non $175

This class is an exploration of collage as fine art. Technique and design will be given equal attention as paper collage is combined with a variety of other mediums to expand and stimulate creative expression. Excellent for all levels.

“Expressionist Figurative Painting” with Daniel Petrov
Wednesdays, Oct 17 – Dec 5
(1:00 – 4:00)
Session #1
Demo: Sunday, Jan 6 (2:00 – 4:00)
Mem $160 / Non $175

Learn how to paint the human figure with confidence and pizzazz! You’ll work from a live model and from your imagination. After carefully outlining the figure you’ll move on to more energetic brushstrokes and translate your emotions into strong, vibrant color harmonies. Acrylics or water-soluble oils are acceptable. All skill levels.

“Acrylic Café”
with Joseph Melancon
Thursdays, Oct 18 – Nov 29
(10:00 – 1:00)
Session #1
Demo: Sunday, Nov 18 (2:00 – 4:00)
Mem $160 / Non $175

Tap into your subconscious well of life experiences and imagination. Experience how acrylic paint, xerox and your bag of quirky stuff can be assembled into exciting art. Think Rauschenburg, Schwitters and Cornell. Learn and use edges, textures, paint quality, positive and negative painting, value, design and collage. All levels.

“Direct Painting in Oil”
with Joseph Melancon
SESSION #1 CANCELLED
Demo: Sunday, Nov 4 (2:00 – 4:00)
Mem $160 / Non $175

Learn to see the essential relationships that are the basis for creating a beautiful visual event . By personal demonstrations, Louis will guide you in how to translate what you see into paint in terms of color, value, edges, and paint quality. “Once you see it, you can paint it.” You will learn to create your own still life settings from the trunk full of objects provided by the instructor. An invaluable experience and lesson. Bring your favorite object from home. All levels welcome.

“Mingling Not Mixing”
with Anne Abgott
Friday, Oct 26
(9:30 – 3:30)
NO DEMO
Mem $75 / Non $80

If it moves, forget it (still life). The students will be painting from photographs provided by the instructor. There will be a choice of 3 to 4 images encouraging the artist to make the composition their own. Value and color will be stressed. The art of mingling rather than mixing will be the heart of this workshop. Choices include reflections, crystals and flowers.

November 2007

“Drawing for Painters”
with Julie Hanson
Monday – Wednesday
Nov 7 – 9
(9:30 – 3:30)
Mem $225 / Non $250

Want to be a great painter? Drawing is the first essential to becoming a great painter. Study with this skillful painter who will cover how to put landscapes, building, people, faces...etc into proper perspective and composition. This class is great for any level. Refresh your skills or get good beginning training.

“Masterfield Methods / Intermediate to Advanced”
with Maxine Masterfield
Tuesday – Thursday
Nov 6 – 8 (9:30 – 3:30)
NO DEMO
Mem $225 – Non $250

Maxine Masterfield, author, artist, teacher and founder of The International Society of Experimental Artists will be demonstrating various techniques using inks and watercolors. A new method using metallic paints and modeling paste will be introduced into her class for the first time. If you like painting big and free and aren’t afraid of color, this class may be for you.

“Photoartistic Digital Imaging”
with Bob Fink
Tuesdays, Nov 6 – Dec 12
(1:00 – 3:30)
Session #1
NO DEMO
Mem: $160 / Non $175

Using your computer and Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0, you will learn how to convert digital photographs into gratifying equivalent artworks without the need for brushes, pigments, or canvas. Instructor will provide a detailed procedural outline and demonstrate these conversions. No drawing skills required.

“Clay Sculpture”
with Charlie Meyrick
Tuesday – Thursday
Nov 13 – 15
(9:30 – 3:30)
NO DEMO
Mem $120 / Non $135

Charlie has taught at ACS for 15 years and has served as President of the ACS Board of Directors. He is convinced that sculpture is a talent everyone is born with but few exercise. Students are free to make what they wish – no experience needed or expected. Come with an idea or pictures or decide when you get there. Think about it: when you were a child it was fun to play with mud. It still is! (Materials are provided at cost usually $20 - $30)

December 2007

“World of Color,
Texture & Collage”
with Beth Arthur
CANCELLED
Demo: NO DEMO

Explore the limitless possibilities of special effects water media and printing leading to exciting paths in the world of color, texture and collage. Expanding the imagination and leading to new horizons will be the springboard for fresh ideas in this workshop. Many demonstrations will be given extending the view towards personal style.

January 2008

“Acrylic Café”
with Joseph Melancon
Thursdays, Jan 3 – 24 (10:00 – 1:00)
Session #2
Demo: Sunday, Nov 18 (2:00 – 4:00)
Mem $100 / Non $115

“Direct Painting in Oil”
with Joseph Melancon
Thursdays, Jan 3 – Feb 7
(1:30 – 4:00)
Session #2
CANCELLED

“The Joy of Watercolor”
with Gail White, NJWCS, GWS
Fridays, Jan 4 – Feb 8
(10:00 – 1:00)
Session #1
Demo: Sunday, Nov 11 (2:00 – 4:00)
Mem $160 / Non $175

Various subject matter is explored while you will learn about watercolor techniques, color concepts, and elements of a good composition. The instructor provides a warm and friendly atmosphere in which individual help is provided and critiques are offered on independent work. Watch your artistic capabilities blossom in this class.

“Collage as Art”
with Judy Nadler
Mondays, Jan 7 – Feb 11
(10:00 – 1:00)
Session #2
NO DEMO
Mem $160 / Non $175
SOLD OUT

“Photoartistic Digital Imaging”
with Bob Fink
Tuesdays, Jan 8 – Feb 12
(1:00 – 3:30)
Session #2
NO DEMO
Mem: $160 / Non $175

“Expressionist Figurative Painting” with Daniel Petrov
Wednesdays, Jan 9 – Feb 13
(1:00 – 4:00)
Session #2
Mem $160 / Non $175

“Positively Negative Painting”
with Linda Kemp
CSPWC, OSA, SCA, SAA
Monday – Thursday, Jan 14 – 17
(9:30 – 3:30)
Mem $300 / Non $325
SOLD OUT

Broaden your perception and expand your artistic repertoire while you discover the joy of negative painting. Explore an innovative approach that enables you to paint a variety of subject matter from interwoven close-ups of nature through evocative landscapes. All skill levels.

“Clay Sculpture”
with Charlie Meyrick
Tuesday – Thursday
Jan 15 – 17
(9:30 – 3:30)
NO DEMO
Mem $120 / Non $135

“Tuesday Evening Life Sessions”
Tuesdays, Jan 15 – Feb 5
(6:00 – 9:00 pm) Session #1

$12 Mem / $16 Non

"Plein Aire Oil & Acrylic”
with Julie Hanson
Wednesdays Jan 23 – Feb 27
(9:00 – 12:00)
Session #1
Demo: Sunday, Feb 3 (2 - 4PM)
Mem $160 / Non $175

Why limit your painting to value and color only? Learn how to paint the “temperature” of color. This approach is used in “plein aire” painting. This is for those wanting to use color in a powerful and expressive way. Subject matter includes photographs (in the studio) and occasionally on location. You will never see color the same way again.

“Art History – Romanticism”
with Kevin Costello
Mondays, Jan 21 – Mar 17
(2:00 – 4:00)
{NO CLASS Feb 18}
Series: Mem $120 / Non $140
Single lecture: Mem $20 / Non $25

Romanticism is easier to detect than define. In the visual arts it shows itself in subject-matter as well as the artist's attitude to that subject. While it is everywhere important as a part of the history of taste, in contemporary use the term "Romantic" is treated as an attitude that may be applied to art objects or movements throughout the history of art.

“Boot Camp For Expressionist”
with Miles Laventhall
Monday – Friday, Jan 21 – 25
(9:30 – 3:30)
Demo: Sunday, Jan 20 (2:00 – 4:00)
Mem $425 / Non $450
(ALL paints & mediums included in price)

Change fear and apprehension into discovery and unexpected form, using state of the art materials. Work in any realistic, abstract or non-objective style...draw, paint, or collage...All acrylic paints, mediums, and textures from "Golden", will be provided. Whether you are beginning or experienced in painting, collage or sculpture, this workshop is essential.

“Florida Wilderness on Location” with Jeanne Blackburn
Wednesday – Friday
Jan 23 – 25
(9:30 – 3:30)
CANCELLED

We will spend time interpreting and expressing our observations of the unique Myakka landscape . Lessons learned from observing color and form in the always changing natural light cannot be duplicated in the studio. To the artist spending quiet hours in nature, many secrets will be revealed. (Her artwork is at the Sarasota Whole Foods building)

“Art Marketing / The Business of Art” with Howard Cowdrick
Saturdays, Jan 19 – Feb 23
(1:00 – 3:30)
POSTPONED

This course affords the artist and opportunity to investigate their first venture into the business side of art. It all begins with making sure the artist is prepared and works through the process of business thinking on a creative scale.

“Watercolor & Chinese Painting” with Lian Zhen
Monday – Friday
Jan 28 – Feb 1
(9:30 – 3:30)
Demo: Sunday, Jan 27 (2:00 – 4:00)
Mem $400 / Non $425

You will learn two main Chinese painting styles: detail and spontaneous. You will be shown how to use the Chinese brushes, ink and the colors, as well as the theory of the Asian Art. Breaks are taken at different stages to allow time for students to practice so that they can remember the painting process.

“Drawing”
with Joseph Melancon
Thursdays, Jan 31 – Feb 21
(10:00 – 1:00)
Session #3
NO DEMO
Mem $100 / Non $115

The ability to draw accurately is key to making sound paintings. Many artists have skipped learning this important skill in their dash to learn painting. In this class you will learn how to make accurate measurements in drawing forms, using perspective to place objects where they belong in relation to one another to create distance and foreshortening.

February 2008

“The Outdoor Judi Wagner Watercolor Workshop”
with Judi Wagner, AWS
Monday – Friday, Feb 4 – 8
(9:30 – 3:30)
CANCELLED

Sarasota gives a wide range of beautiful spots to create the best watercolors imaginable. You will expand on the basics by exploring figures in the landscape,abstract color patterns, vignettes etc.. Demos start the day, paint on location then critique back in the studio, utilizing acetate overlays to suggest changes to an improved painting.

“Art History – Romanticism”
with Kevin Costello
Mondays, Jan 21 – Mar 17
(2:00 – 4:00)
{NO CLASS Feb 18}
Series: Mem $120 / Non $140
Single lecture: Mem $20 / Non $25

“Watercolor on the Edge”
with Nicholas Simmons
Monday – Friday
Feb 11 – 15
(9:30 – 3:30)
Demo: Sunday, Feb 10 (2:00 – 4:00)
Mem $ 375 / Non $400

Nicholas Simmons received the top prize in the 2007 National Watercolor Society Exhibition" He is the "big winner" this year and you can get some helpful hints from him! Experience why Creative Catalyst Productions, Watercolor Magic Magazine, and others are recognizing Nicholas Simmons as an exciting new force in contemporary watermedia.. Explore unusual techniques, acrylic as watercolor, large-scale painting, computer-aided design, and receive individualized attention in this workshop that will encourage you to “go with the flow.”

“Tuesday Evening Life Sessions”
Tuesdays, Feb 12- March 11
(6:00 – 9:00 pm) Session #2

PRE-REGISTRATION: $40

To receive this price you must pre-register by Jan 1,2008 (You must be a Member to pre-register) Per-WEEK and Walk-ins:
$12 Mem / $16 Non

No Class Feb. 26

“Clay Sculpture”
with Charlie Meyrick
Tuesday – Thursday,
Feb 12 – 14
(9:30 - 3:30)
Mem $120 / Non $135

“Direct Painting in Oil”
with Joseph Melancon
Thursdays, Feb 14 – Mar 20
(1:30 – 4:00)
Session #3
Demo: Sunday, Nov 11 (2:00 – 4:00)
Mem $160 / Non $175

“The Joy of Watercolor”
with Gail White, NJWCS, GWS
Fridays, Feb 15 – Mar 21
(10:00 – 1:00)
Session #2
Demo: Sunday, Nov 4 (2:00 – 4:00)
Mem $160 / Non $175

“Experimenting in Ecstasy”
with Betsy Dillard-Stroud
Monday – Friday
Feb 18 – 22
(9:30 – 3:30)
CANCELLED

Explore the infinite possibilities of painting from abstraction to realism by experimenting with different approaches everyday using a variety of subjects. We’ll stamp, use varieties of textural mediums and collage, combining traditional wisdom with modern ideas about painting. Demos and critiques by instructor daily.