Arts: Visual Arts   

In this course participants will learn to draw and paint wild animals. Using photographs as references, students will first work with pencils, then complete their pictures in watercolor. Step- by-step instruction, including demonstrations, will be given, and the instructor will share samples of her own work. The instructor will provide chalk pastels, watercolors and brushes; students should bring their own watercolor paper and a sketchbook. A small donation for art supplies would be appreciated. Students are always encouraged to draw/paint at home and bring in their work to share with the class. All levels of drawing experience and expertise are welcome.

In this course participants will learn to draw and paint wild animals. Using photographs as references, students will first work with pencils, then complete their pictures in watercolor. Step- by-step instruction, including demonstrations, will be given, and the instructor will share samples of her own work. The instructor will provide chalk pastels, watercolors and brushes; students should bring their own watercolor paper and a sketchbook. A small donation for art supplies would be appreciated. Students are always encouraged to draw/paint at home and bring in their work to share with the class. All levels of drawing experience and expertise are welcome.

The Byzantine Empire, 330-1453 C.E., was centered in Constantinople (modern Istanbul) where religious and imperial themes were combined to reflect the “caesaropapism” of that culture. Byzantine art differs from earlier Greco-Roman art in that it is interested in depicting the unseen, spiritual world — the intangible world of heaven. Rather than the depth and naturalism of the classical world, Byzantine art portrayed flatness and mystery in shimmering gold. We will survey this world: from its beginning in Ravenna and Constantinople, through the development of central-planned cross-in-square churches in Greece, to ivory and gold luxury items, to St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, and on to 14th-century frescoes in Constantinople that influenced the Italian Renaissance. This is a lecture course. 

Creating collages is a freeing, fresh way of creating compositions, whether they stand on their own or become sketches for other artwork. Working with recycled, purchased, found and hand-painted papers, students will learn to think outside the box to hone their art-making skills. We will start with the basics: cutting, gluing and exploring the elements of a composition. Demonstrations will be given on ways to select and combine papers and on working in multiples. Students will explore color, line, space, shape, texture and value and will start by creating small postcard-sized collage pieces. At the end of the workshop, participants will have images they can glue into their scrapbooks/sketchbooks. The course is geared to students of all experience levels.

NOTE: There is a $5 per student materials fee.

Do you return from a memorable trip only to find that your photos don’t capture what it was really like to be there? This practical three-session class explores how to create stronger, more engaging travel photographs with any camera, from smartphones to professional systems. From planning your trip to printing the final image, you’ll learn how to work with the best light, improve composition and recognize the moments that tell the story of a place. The class focuses on observation, timing and visual storytelling rather than technical camera settings, making it ideal for photographers of all experience levels who want to create images that preserve both the sights and the experience of travel.

Join us as we harvest from our community dye garden and fix living color onto natural fibers! Students will be harvesting natural botanicals from our dye garden that the previous OLLI participants helped grow from seed and plant. Projects will also use some dye materials that are purchased from a woman-owned dye supply company in Washington. In this five-week series, you will learn the basics of natural dyes while using indigo on napkins, bundle dye techniques on socks and marigold dyestuff on bandanas.

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $140 ($28 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate.

In this course you will learn about the art of serigraphy, aka screen printing. Students will practice three different techniques for making screen prints and look at the work of screen printing legend Corita Kent. Learn about the screen filler/drawing fluid technique, Grafix Dura-lar drawing technique and screen stencil making. You will come away with your own unique prints on paper and fabric!

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $112 ($28 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate.

Explore the fundamentals of clay and handbuilding in this beginner-friendly clay class. During the four weeks, students will learn pinch, coil and slab construction techniques. Surface decoration methods, glazing and an introduction to the firing process will also be covered. No previous experience in clay is needed, just a desire to play and explore.

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $112 ($28 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate.

If you have ever watched a solid lump of clay take form on a potter’s wheel, it looks like magic, but really it is just a skill that can be practiced and learned. Over four weeks, students will learn the fundamental steps of throwing: preparing the clay, centering, opening, pulling the clay into a cylinder and shaping. We will also cover trimming and glazing. This course is designed for students with no experience or those who want to refine their skills.

NOTE: The total cost to participate is $112 ($28 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate.

Discover the joy of shaping wood on the lathe in this hands-on introductory course. You’ll learn the fundamentals of safe lathe operation and tool selection, the principles of spindle and face plate turning, and essential turning techniques while practicing on a variety of small projects. This is a project-directed class. Students will leave with projects reflecting their learned skills. No prior experience is required — just curiosity and a willingness to try something new.

NOTE: The total cost to participate is $100 ($25 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate.

In this course you will learn the basics of relief printmaking. Students will learn design tips and tricks to make a dynamic print, proper tool usage and cleanup, and how to successfully transfer a design. Instructor Amy Godard will guide you through the process of creating your own one- color relief prints that can be made into cards or limited-edition prints.

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $112 ($28 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate.

If you can hold a pencil, you can do this. Zentangle comes from the words “Zen” and “tangle” (entangled, interwoven) and combines creativity with meditation. Zentangle is an easy method to learn because it consists of structured patterns. Stroke by stroke, simple lines are repeated onto paper. With every line, you can dive further into the world of tangles. In a short time, tangles turn into amazing 3D, graphic, elaborate and beautiful tiles. They are unplanned, abstract, black and white. Zentangle calms, relaxes, and is fun. 

NOTE: Students should be prepared with pens, other drawing supplies and Zentangle tiles. A complete materials list will be sent to registered students. Depending on personal preferences and supplies already owned, the cost could range from $20 to $45. 

Transform nature into metal clay jewelry! Discover the magic of turning leaves, flowers and found treasures into stunning jewelry. In this hands-on course, participants will learn how to capture botanical textures and natural forms using Art Clay bronze, copper and silver — all versatile metal clays. Create your own one-of-a-kind pendant, earrings or charms inspired by the beauty of the world around you. No prior experience is needed — just your curiosity and a love of nature and wearable art. Let your creativity take root and blossom into timeless jewelry you’ll be proud to wear.

NOTE: The total cost to participate is $120 ($30 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate.

If you have ever tried to draw, and said, “I can’t make my hand do what’s in my head,” then you are not alone. No matter how often art teachers tell students that drawing is not the only gateway to art making, that powerful “gateway” belief persists. So to create an accurate representation of what you see, our strategy will be to slow down and learn to see what is there — searching out lines, shapes, textures, shade, shadow and color variations that create the illusion of depth on a flat surface. Through short lecture/discussions, demonstrations, drawing activities and practice, the instructor will be your “guide on the side,” asking and answering questions in a positive, supportive learning environment. Fun is also allowed.

NOTE: It is imperative to attend the first class. Please do not register if you are unable to do this. There will be a $10 materials fee. All materials will be provided.

Think you don’t have artistic talent? We are all artists! Come play, explore and discover your own unique creativity. Surprise yourself with our fun, playful art exercises. Make a maze; express yourself through painting, drawing, collage and words on 4-by-4-inch wooden boards. Challenge yourself to try geometric drawing and use Paul Klee’s saying, “A line is a dot that went for a walk” — to complete three-line drawings. Bring your enthusiasm and willingness to allow your inner child/artist to emerge. Playful Art 3 encourages you to experience the mystery of imagination and being open to curiosity with exercises, media and techniques that are different from what was taught in Playful Art 1 and 2. We will provide ideas and suggestions as you work. No art experience is required. 

NOTE: A materials fee of $10 is due at the first class. A materials list, a brief description of class content and list of materials provided will be sent to registered students. 

Explore the timeless art of stained glass in this beginner-friendly, hands-on class. Over four weeks, you will learn the essentials of the copper foil method, including choosing patterns, cutting glass, foiling, soldering and finishing your piece. Guided step-by-step, you will create your own stained-glass artwork to take home while gaining confidence with the tools, materials and techniques of the craft. No prior experience is necessary.

NOTE: The total cost to participate is $132 ($33 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate.

If you’ve been wanting to dive into a rainbow of color, this class is for you! No prior art experience is necessary. We will work with tempera/gouache paint on large-scale art paper in a welcoming studio environment, one that is free of judgment and critique. Process painting invites artists and nonartists alike to step toward the blank canvas and discover the richness that emerges from within. Imagination, intuition and creativity flow as we follow the energy of the creative process.

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $112 ($28 per session) and includes course materials. Payment should be made directly to Talent Maker City after registration is processed. Registration fees are nonrefundable, and a signed liability waiver is required to participate. There is no class on Nov. 3. 

Travel sketching can be for your next trip to Rome or for looking out your kitchen window on a snowy winter’s day. Your sketches will give you immediate connection with scenes and everlasting memories. The course will teach members how to find hidden artistic selves and to apply knowledge gained to drawing and sketching scenes found while traveling or at home.  Students will learn basic art concepts and apply them using simple tools such as pencil, pen and watercolor. Instruction will focus on the importance of using a small array of colors to yield vast arrays of colorful paintings. No prior drawing experience is required. Each student should come to the first class ready to work and have fun! 

NOTE: Students will be provided with a materials list and suggested reference material.