If you’ve always thought that an artist
waited deep inside you, eager to burst forth, now may be the time
to tap that latent passion and make the most of it. It’s also
the time to wrestle the Nintendo and TV away from the kids,
introduce them to new friends, and discover talents you’ve
suspected but never developed. The Prairie Art Alliance and
Springfield Art Association offer a cornucopia of possibilities.
More classes than ever are being taught at PAA
this year. Artist/instructor Joan Burmeister says, “We have a
lot of members that didn’t teach before that are coming out
of the woodwork to teach, and that’s great.” Nationally
known pastel artist Anne Von Ehr will present a special workshop
July 13-15. In addition to lecturing about basic color theory and
creative techniques, the PAA catalog promises she’ll
“give plenty of individual time at your easel.”
Priscilla Kluge has returned to teaching after
some years away to concentrate on her young family. During her
“Draw It, Paint It” class, which concluded June 17,
kids ages 8 through 12 learned about color mixing, perspective, and
shading and got to draw still-lifes. Robert Konzelmann, a
sixth-grader, takes an art class in school, so why is he attending
the summer class? “I think it improves my art so I can do a
greater variety in school,” he says. Robert and his
third-grader brother Russell prefer drawing to painting at this
time in their study, and sometimes they compete with each other in
good fun. June 27-July 1, Kluge will meet her young artists at PAA
and walk to selected sites in downtown Springfield so that they may
draw landmark buildings, sitting outdoors with their easels and
paints. July 6-8, Kluge will teach a kids’ class called
“Optical Illusions,” focusing on combining art and
science and creating art that is not what it appears to be.
If your interest is drawing, painting, clay,
printmaking, altered books or photography, check out the catalog of
classes for kids and adults at PAA. Classes are under way now, but
new classes will begin as the summer continues and conclude Aug.
27. Call 217-544-2787 for a catalog.
At SAA, classes begin June 27 and continue
through the last week in August.
New this year at SAA is “Window to the
World III,” aimed at students 18 and older. The program
presents films never shown at typical American cineplexes. Taught
by documentary filmmaker Joshua Hester, the course is not about how
to make films. Instead, it offers views of Eastern cinema, which
American artists may never see. SAA education coordinator Sharon
Black says, “It’s a wonderful way to expose yourself to
perceptions of artists from other parts of the world and bring them
to your own art form.”
Also new at SAA is the “Learning to
Look” class, which guides parents and children in exploring
art together. “It takes a unique person to direct an adult
and child at the same time,” Black says. “The real
reward of that class is going to be parents’ learning
something about their child they would not learn
elsewhere.”
SAA offers several classes of interest to
ceramic artists, from beginners to the advanced. “We have
several kilns and 10 potters’ wheels,” Black says.
“Ladies’ Tuesday-Night Mud Wrestling” welcomes
all comers — even men, if, as the catalog advises, they
“can handle the estrogen rush.” Hand-building and
wheel-throwing will be taught, as will unusual glazing techniques.
SAA also is the place to learn beginning and
advanced sculpture and creative bead making. These classes and many
more are taught by John T. Crisp, profiled in the June 9 edition of
Illinois Times. To obtain a catalog of SAA summer classes, call
217-523-2631.
The classes and workshops offered by PAA and
SAA range in cost from $45 to $225. Both associations offer
discounts to members.
Calling all landscape artists: July 5
is the deadline for entries in the Springfield Art
Association’s 2005 Artist Invitational, themed “The
Modern Landscape.” The work judged Best in Show and three honorable
mentions will be awarded $1,500 in cash prizes. The competition is
open to any artist at least 18 years old who lists Illinois as his
or her permanent address. Slides of paintings related to the theme
and produced within the last two years should be sent, along with a
$20 nonrefundable entry fee, to SAA, 700 N. Fourth Street,
Springfield, IL 62702. Notice of acceptance to this juried contest
will be mailed to participants July 22, and the exhibit will run
Sept. 3-Nov. 4. Call 217-523-2631 for an entry form.
This article appears in Jun 23-29, 2005.
