Archive for Classes

ArtOrg’s steamroller printing event at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts went well today despite a day-long pall and presence of a rainy mist. Over 100 prints were made for mostly kids and a few adults. Review photosets of both the prints and the entire steamroller printing process here. Thanks to everyone who helped!

[Sept. 11 update: the Star Tribune, in the regular B-section, today had almost 1/2 page of two photos and text describing the event. “Little hands create their own masterpieces. Block printing and coloring, and music and dance were all part of Family Day at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts on Sunday. Above: the Lynch family, of St. Anthony, waited patiently for the results of some family fun. From left were Joe, 5, John, Ethan, 3, and Maureen Lynch. Rick Swearer, center, from ArtOrg, a community arts organization in Northfield, Minn., peeled off the imprints…”]

ArtOrg will be printing with a small steamroller at the next Minneapolis Institute of Arts Family Day called “Sailing Into September” on Sunday, September 10 from 11 am to 4 pm. This event usually draws 2000 visitors, and we are setting up our printing activity to accommodate about 500 kids. That’s a bunch of kids!

We will be printing medium-sized, individual prints using non-conventional materials for the kids. Check the weather forecast here. We are also holding a class in Northfield on the school vacation days Thursday and Friday October 19 and 20 on block printing, and we may also incorporate steamroller printing into that class, as well.

This steamroller printing event, while large in number of prints, is not the biggest production this fall. We are renting a larger roller and attempting to complete a one-hundred-foot-long print with local and Minneapolis Latino artists in October. This print will be unveiled at the November First Northfield Dia de Los Muertos celebration at the Northfield Armory. The print incorporates some members of the popular Grupo Soap del Corazon such as Douglas Padilla, Xavier Tavera, and Luis Fitch.

OPEN DRAWING STUDIO
WEDNESDAYS FROM 7 TO 9 PM AT ARTORG MAIN GALLERY, 200 DIVISION STREET (RIVERSIDE ENTRANCE).

OPEN PRINTMAKING STUDIO
SATURDAYS FROM 1 TO 3 PM AT ARTORG PRINTMAKING STUDIO, 314 DIVISION STREET (UNDERNEATH THE ART STORE).

Since the inception of the ArtOrg live model open drawing studio over 1 1/2 years ago, it has been a time for many to improve their drawing skills and enjoy the camaraderie of their fellow artists. For the most part, the evening has been of quiet concentration and drawing industry, but afterwards the group sometimes toasts to wonderful charcoal sketches in hearty cheer at one of the local potationary establishments.

Added to the program only recently is the open printmaking studio. Whether expert or beginner, this wonderful afternoon will give everyone the chance to learn about and exercise their printmaking skills. It is FUN, so please join us.

The ArtOrg summer arts program (ASAP) started last Saturday and a great time was had by all! The topic was abstract expressionism–and here are some of the results! The full kids summer program can be found here, and there is still space in most classes–so sign up in person at the Art Store, call us at 507-645-2555, or email us at info artorg.info. Here is an interview from one of the students from the first class.

ArtOrg would like to inroduce our summer instructors!

Andy Lum: Andy Lum is a 2000 graduate of Northfield High School and 2005 graduate of Carleton College with a B.A. in studio art and a teaching license for K-12 art education. He currently works as an art teacher, educational assistant, and after school supervisor at Prairie Creek Community School. Andy’s main artistic interests include drawing, photography, painting, and printmaking.

April Rypka: April is a St. Olaf graduate with a BA in studio art. She is currently back in school pursuing art direction in advertising, using Continue Reading…

Here are the particulars about our summer program for kids. It is very exciting, well-organized and expanded in hours over 50% from last year’s successful program. Basically, we have set the program up for two age groups: grades one, two and three, and then a second group for grades four, five, and six. Join “kewl” instructors like Andy Lum, Cynthia Welle, Katie Schmitt, Erica Ness, April Rypka, Jennifer Simpson-Dahl, Paul Christianson, Katie Wall, and more for a productive and FUN experience. Each week long class costs $80 with an additional $10 material fee, and each Saturday class costs $15 plus a $5 material fee. You can register in person at The Art Store in downtown Northfield, by phone by calling 507-645-2555, or by mailing to ArtOrg, 200 Division Street (riverside entrance), Northfield, MN 55057. Remember that registrations are only held if you have paid.

We are holding SIX WEEKS of classes throughout the summer, and each week runs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The younger age group runs from 9:30 to 11:30 and the older age group runs from 1:00 to 3:00.

In addition, TEN SATURDAYS will also have special classes. 9:00 am to 10:30 am for grades one, two, and three; and from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm for grades four, five and six.

Each class can be registered for independently. Here are the topics:

SIX WEEK LONG CLASSES:

June 19-22: morning (A1) and afternoon (B1) session
Pop-Art: Learn about the Pop-art movement as you discover the work of Claus Oldenburg and Andy Warhol. Make over-sized sculptures; plunge into printmaking, and design portraits. Katie Schmitt

June 26-29: morning (A2) and afternoon (B2) session
Early Tribes: Cynthia will be researching early native tribes from Mexico and South America to get art ideas for this class. Collage using traditional items is just one of the activities planned. (Please note that this is a bilingual English / Spanish class!) Cynthia Welle

July 10-13: morning (A3) and afternoon (B3) session
Multiculturism & Multimedia: We will look at and use as a resource work from Africa, Asia, South America, or the Pacific Islands. Even our snacks will reflect the area of study. Erica Ness

July 17-20: morning session only (A4)
Write and Illustrate a Book: Using a collection of fabulous picture books as a starting point, we will create a rough draft, ‘story board’, make illustrations, add text, and bind our own stories. Jennifer Simpson-Dahl

July 17-20: afternoon session only (B4)
Body Parts: Faces, hands, and feet all have been easy subjects for artists. Come and use drawing, painting, cut paper, and collage to express yourself. Connie Halpern

August 7-10: morning (A5) and afternoon (B5) session
Mobiles: Do you like to tinker? Learn how American artist Alexander Calder turned his love for tinkering into art in motion. Make mobiles, draw with wire, and create a circus scene inspired by Calder. Katie Schmitt

August 14-17: morning session only (A6)
Puppet-making: We’ll use a favorite story to get us started, create puppets, and put on a show. Jennifer Simpson-Dahl

August 14-17: afternoon session only (B6)
Mask-making: Animals will be our jump off point. With different paper techniques we will make masks. Look for real, semi-real, or mystical creatures at the end of the session. Katie Wahl

TEN SATURDAY CLASSES

June 17: first 9:00-10:30 (A7) and second 11:00-12:30 (B7) session
Abstract Expressionism: Using paints, kids will experiment with color, composition, and form. We’ll start by getting ideas from famous artists and their work. Paul Christianson

June 24: first 9:00-10:30 (A8) and second 11:00-12:30 (B8) session
Drawing Flowers: Drawing what you see is a challenge! Using colored pencils students will learn to use their eye to create a drawing of a flower. Paul Christianson

July 1 and July 8: (sign up for both Saturdays) first 9:00-10:30 (A9) and second 11:00-12:30 (B9) session
Relief Printing: Animals will be our theme – we’ll explore the process of relief printmaking. Andy Lum

July 15: first 9:00-10:30 (A10) and second 11:00-12:30 (B10) session
Memory Landscapes: Painting will be our medium. Using memory we will reproduce a familiar landscape. Examples will get the process started. Paul Christianson

July 22 and July 29: (sign up for both Saturdays) first 9:00-10:30 (A11) and second 11:00-12:30 (B11) session
A 2-day Clay Special: Coil building and pinching are a couple of techniques we’ll experiment with and then paint our creations. April Rypka

August 5: first 9:00-10:30 (A12) and second 11:00-12:30 (B12) session
Masquerade: Uncover the magic of masks! Design masks that express your emotions and creativity. Learn about masks from other cultures and how to build masks using a variety of materials. Katie Schmitt

August 12: first 9:00-10:30 (A13) and second 11:00-12:30 (B13) session
Color: Learn what color can do. Using paint we’ll see how different colors affect us in different ways. April Rypka

August 19: first 9:00-10:30 (A14) and second 11:00-12:30 (B14) session
It’s a Bug’s Life: Summer is here and so are the bugs! Create large-scale creepy, crawly insects that are big enough to scare away those pesky mosquitoes. Learn about scale and proportion in art while discovering the insect world. Katie Schmitt

The second year of our big summer arts program is here!

There will be six weeks of classes which run from 9:30 am to 11:30 am for grades one, two and three; and from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm for grades four, five and six. The classes run Monday through Thursday. The weeks of Continue Reading…

Here is a pdf file of our new winter class schedule.

Winter 06 Class Schedule

Thank you.

Here is the schedule for the Fall series of classes from ArtOrg for kids after school. Please look at the other “posts” which tell about the other classes offered by ArtOrg for Adults. Register by calling us at 645-2555, in-person by going to The Art Store at 314 Division Street in downtown Northfield, or by mailing us at the address above. Remember, your registration is only valid if you are paid up. Some of the printmaking and other classes have small material fees.

Kids classes are offered each night after school on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for FOUR different age groups. The instructors are “raring to go” so make sure and sign up soon! Thanks for your support.

A pdf file is available here, with a complete class list and information!

CHILDREN’S CLASSES: Special, Preschool and Art Outreach.

506 PARENT/CHILD ART
Saturdays, Preschool age 5-7 plus parent, cost $120, ArtOrg 200 Division Street
10 am to 12 noon. Eight weeks from Oct. 1 to Nov. 19.
Children ages 5 to 8 and their parents will create works of art based on a book theme. Small supplies fee payable to instructor.
Connie Conway is the instructor of this class, aand is well-known from her many years teaching in the Northfield School District.

507 ART OUTREACH
Saturdays, Middle ages from 8 to 12, cost: please inquire, Viking Terrace complex
10 am to 12 noon. Eight weeks from Oct. 1 to Nov. 19.
Children ages 8 to 12 will work on various art projects. A significant number of scholarships will be available for this class.
Cynthis Welle was an instructor for the ArtOrg ASAP summer arts program for kids and is an accomplished mask maker.

CHILDREN’S CLASSES: Grades 1 to 3.

A1: BOOKMAKING PROJECTS
Mondays, Grades 1 to 3, cost $142, ArtOrg 200 Division Street
3:30 open, instruction from 4 to 6 pm. Eight weeks from Sept. 26 to Nov. 14.
Projects in papermaking, writing, and bookmaking for younger kids.
Instructor is Erica Ness, who is an intern in the Farmington School District and also was an assistant in our ASAP summer arts program for kids.

A2: DRAWING SKILLS
Tuesdays, Grades 1 to 3, cost $142, ArtOrg 200 Division Street.
3:30 open, instruction from 4 to 6 pm. Eight weeks from Sept. 27 to Nov. 15.
A structured series of projects and fun to give Continue Reading…