Winter - Spring and Summer class offerings

Winter 2009
2/28 - Painting with Water Soluble Colored Pencils
9179 Sat Miffitt $39 10-4pm
Want the look of watercolor and the control of colored pencils? Water-soluble colored pencils can match anything watercolors do, plus have the ability to create effects impossible with watercolor. Discover this medium’s exciting versatility with techniques such as wet-on-dry, wet-on-wet, and much more! Learn about materials, tools, and techniques, and then apply this information to create a painting. Participants bring watercolor paper and watercolor pencils to class.
Tacoma Community College Extended Ed, 6501 S 19th St, Tacoma, WA call for class fee and registration [253] 566-6031

3/2-3/30 Zen Brush with Color - Monday March 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 from 6 to 8 pm
First begin by practicing brush control and continue the basic stroke study by painting the “Four Gentlemen” and the “Four Seasons” in color (with a flower representing each season). Using the refined sumi-e style, students learn to paint flowers, insects, birds, and animals with simple strokes in color.
Olympia Parks and Recreation – 222 Columbia Street NW, OlympiaWA98501 www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par Call 360.753.8380

3/10 - 3/31 Painting with Water Soluble Colored Pencils Tuesday from 6-8 pm
Want the look of watercolor and the control of colored pencils? Water-soluble colored pencils can match anything watercolors do, plus have the ability to create effects impossible with watercolor. Discover this medium’s exciting versatility with techniques such as wet-on-dry, wet-on-wet, and much more! Learn about materials, tools, and techniques, and then apply this information to create a painting. Participants bring watercolor paper and watercolor pencils to class.
Olympia Parks and Recreation – 222 Columbia Street NW, OlympiaWA98501 www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par Call 360.753.8380

3/14 Collage: Exploring the Written Word through Art Sat 9:30 - 3:30 pm
In this workshop, participants will create a series of five small collages, each with a Muse/Guide as the focal point. Creative people visually benefit from stretching their ‘writing legs.’ Likewise, for writers to confront visual material enhances their own process. After the completion of each collage, a short paragraph based on a writing prompt/exercise will be completed that ties into the particular piece of artwork like “Is this Muse/Guide trying to tell you something?”
Olympia Parks and Recreation – 222 Columbia Street NW, OlympiaWA98501 www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par Call 360.753.8380

3/28 WC Pencil Saturday from 9:30 to 3 pm
Want the look of watercolor and the control of colored pencils? Water-soluble colored pencils can match anything watercolors do, plus have the ability to create effects impossible with watercolor. Discover this medium’s exciting versatility with techniques such as wet-on-dry, wet-on-wet, and much more! Learn about materials, tools, and techniques, and then apply this information to create a painting. Participants bring watercolor paper and watercolor pencils to class.
Centralia Community College, ) 7 600 Centralia College Blvd, Centralia WA 98531-4099Phone: (360) 736-9391 Toll-free from Olympia: 753-3433 36-9391 http://www.centralia.edu/

4/6-27 -Introduction to Basic Enameling Monday from 6 to 8:30
The art of creating with enamel on metal is a well-documented art form. Participants will learn basic enameling procedure and simple techniques such as stenciling, sgraffito, overglazes & underglazes on copper. No prior metalwork experience necessary.
Olympia Parks and Recreation – 222 Columbia Street NW, OlympiaWA98501 www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par Call 360.753.8380


Spring and Summer 2009
“You-Don’t-Need-To-Know-A-Thing” Collage
Thurs May 7, 14, 21, 28 June 4, 11 6-8pm – Six 2 hour classes
Collage offers versatility and flexibility. Free your creative spirit with this fast-paced, upbeat “You-Don’t-Need-To-Know-A-Thing” Introduction to Collage. Come prepared to learn the basics of collage, materials, and techniques in a supportive environment. Emphasizing fun - catch the spontaneity of a child: finding objects, bits & pieces in the most unlikely places and putting a puzzle together
Olympia Parks and Recreation – 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia WA 98501 www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par Call 360.753.8380

Introduction to Bronze Clay
Monday May 4, 11 & 18 – 6 to 8:30 pm three 2.5 hour classes
BRONZclay™ is an exciting medium offering a new world of possibilities for creating unique jewelry. The forming techniques are similar to working with ceramic clay. After you have gained the basic skills using the Bronze clay you could move on to the more expensive silver clay. The creative possibilities are endless. Materials and supply list will be forwarded to all registered students.
Olympia Parks and Recreation – 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia WA 98501 www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par Call 360.753.8380


Painting with Water Soluble Colored Pencils
Monday June 1, 8, 15, 22 from 6 to 8 pm Four 2 hour classes
Want the look of watercolor and the control of colored pencil? Water-soluble colored pencils can match anything watercolor do, plus have the ability to create effects impossible with watercolor. Discover this medium's exciting versatility. Learn about materials, tools, and techniques, and then apply this information to create a painting. Participants bring watercolor paper & watercolor pencils to class.
Olympia Parks and Recreation – 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia WA 98501 www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par Call 360.753.8380


Artist Trading Cards – May 2 from 9 to 3 pm Saturday workshop
As their name indicates, ATC are collectable miniature works art, a brilliant idea born of the older sports-themed trading cards. The only rules being that the small works of art are, (1) exchanged and not sold, and (2) that they must be 2.5"x3.5" or 64 X 89 mm in size. The whole essence of these tiny works of art is about artists meeting (by correspondence or online if need be) and exchanging their works, thus meeting many artists and getting exposed to many personal styles. Because they are art for the sake of art, ATCs are a precious reminder of what creativity is about – the pleasure of working with beauty and the excitement of being surprised by experimental techniques.
Olympia Parks and Recreation – 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia WA 98501 www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par Call 360.753.8380


Watercolor: Textures and Techniques May 9 from 9 to 3 pm Saturday
In this one-day workshop you will try 15-20 techniques for achieving textures and special effects in your watercolors. You will employ colored pencils in the wash, ink line, markers, salt, wax paper, crayon, and other materials with the washes, both while wet and when dry. The morning will be spent exploring these materials and in the afternoon you will complete a work combining 5 or 6 different techniques. Some painting experience required and participants bring watercolor paper, paint and brushes.
Olympia Parks and Recreation – 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia WA 98501 www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par Call 360.753.8380

Travel Sketching/Watercolor/Pencil Workshop June 27 from 9 to 3 pm Saturday
Ever wonder why we rarely relive our travels through photos? Perhaps because taking a photo requires so little investment of one’s attention. Artistic journaling slows your pace, as you observe a scene for at least as long as it takes to sketch it. Journaling is solely for pleasure – it doesn’t require that you be an accomplished artist. Regardless of skill level, you’ll be amazed how quickly your drawing and watercolor skills improve – within hours! We'll visit and sketch some of Olympia’s interesting locales. By the end of the workshop, you’ll be dedicated to journaling.
Olympia Parks and Recreation – 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia WA 98501 www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par Call 360.753.8380

Children classes
Draw Your Own Comic Book Ages 8-12 -
Monday-Friday, July 20-24 9am-12pm
Have you been wondering if you could come up with your own super characters or silly family? Join this class to draw, doodle, and have oodles of creative fun. Learn how develop your ideas into a story line which then is translated into character studies for your comic strip. Get the ideas out of your head and into reality through basic drawing, sequencing, writing, production, and character development techniques.
Olympia Parks and Recreation – 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia WA 98501 www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par Call 360.753.8380

Art from Around the World - Ages: 8-12 –
Monday-Friday, July 20-24, 1-4pm
Take a trip with your creativity and imagination! Discover the secrets of art from faraway places. Create a range of art projects derived from various cultures around the world. Both 2D and 3D processes will be covered. Enjoy painting, drawing, and mixed media as we learn about different countries.
Olympia Parks and Recreation – 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia WA 98501 www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par Call 360.753.8380

Art Sampler for Ages 8-12-
Monday-Friday, July 27-31, 9am-12pm
Through the use of paint, pastels, watercolors and other materials explore nature from Aardvarks to Zebras and beyond. Students will be guided through a step-by-step drawing and painting techniques that include subject development using basic shapes, shading, blending, and the development of an environment/background.
Olympia Parks and Recreation – 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia WA 98501 www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par Call 360.753.8380

Fantasy Sculpture - Ages: 8-12 –
Monday-Friday, July 27-31, 1-4pm
Create imaginative, playful animals, monsters and masks using self-hardening clay, papier-mâché, found objects and wood. Students will learn about form, space and have a lot of fun!
Olympia Parks and Recreation – 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia WA 98501 www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par Call 360.753.8380

Mimic the Masters - Ages: 8-12
Monday-Friday, August 3-7, 9am-12pm
Each class one or two different artist will be featured. Students will use various media such as watercolor, pastel, or acrylic paint to mimic the artist’s style.
Olympia Parks and Recreation – 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia WA 98501 www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par Call 360.753.8380

Open Studio - Ages: 8-12 -
Monday-Friday, August 3-7, 1-4pm
Explore a range of techniques and media in this studio class: linoleum printing, collage, stenciling, watercolor painting and more.Olympia Parks and Recreation – 222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia WA 98501 www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par Call 360.753.8380

Leave No Plastic Behind Episode 4 Gallery link

Episode 4 Gallery Link: http://lnpb.org/plastic/episodefourgallery.html

Episode 5 - CALL FOR ARTISTS - Apply here by March 15, 2009
Be part of the creativity and join the most exciting LNPB episode yet. The plastic-avoiding & art-creating happens between March and May 2009, with opening events beginning in June 2009. All Locations to be announced. WHO:Performers, Filmmakers, Community Leaders and Elected Officials, Visual Artists (even Photographers) wanted!THEME: United by PlasticENTRY FORM: Apply here by March 15, 2009
All artist participants agree to live plastic-free for the same three-month time period. A plastic-free lifestyle challenges you to refrain from purchasing items that are packaged in any sort of single-use plastic, including: to-go coffee lids, plastic cups or cutlery, water, prepackaged foods, soap, shampoo, toilet paper, dish soap, laundry soap, utensils...
Any plastic accumulated must not be trashed or recycled curbside. During the course of these three months, artists make paintings/sculptures/mobiles/multi-media collages, video, film, poems, music, etc using or "inspired" by the collected plastics. Photography welcome for this episode!

Shelton Parks & Recreation youth class

SPRING BREAK
YOUTH ART SAMPLER
Through the use of paint, pastels, watercolors and other materials explore nature from Aardvarks to Zebras and beyond. Students will be guided through a step-by-step drawing and painting techniques that include subject development using basic shapes, shading, blending, and the development of an environment/background.
Ages: 8—12
Days: Mon, Tue, Wed Dates: March 30— April 1
Times: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Fee: $35.00
Site: Shelton Civic Center
Instructor: Ellen Miffitt
Min/max: 5/15

The Melon Online - Sweet Spot Gallery

My Sweet Spot Gallery show is online. You can find it here: http://themelononline.com/2009/01/ellen-miffit/

Tacoma Art Slam Images on Click! [see link]

2008 Art Slam participants:

We have a wonderful opportunity to further promote your work on Click! Cable TV On Demand
(http://www.click-network.com/CableTV/PackagesProducts/OnDemand/tabid/64/Default.aspx). We are partnering with Click! to set up an On Demand channel called Tacoma Art & Culture (accessible to anyone who is a current Click! Network cable TV customer with a digital receiver) on which we will be airing arts programming and or projects which were either produced and/or funded by the Tacoma Arts Commission.

One of the items we would like to put on the On Demand channel is the 2008 Art Slam video that was aired at the Rialto Theater on November 21, 2008. This will be the visual images and music (without the live spoken word performances).

The video would tentatively be available for viewing through 12/31/2009.


Naomi Strom-Avila
Cultural Arts Specialist
City of Tacoma
747 Market Street, Room 900
Tacoma, WA 98402
253.591.5191

Tacoma Community College Environmental Art Exhibit

An Environmental Art Exhibition will occur from Jan. 5 – Feb. 27, 2009, at The Gallery, Tacoma Community College. The reception is open to the public and will occur at The Gallery on Jan. 8, from 4 to 7 p.m.

The idea for the exhibition came from The Gallery Coordinator Jennifer Olson-Rudenko. It supports the educational mission of The Gallery and the goal of the college, to “ensure that all TCC employees and students are aware of, and dedicated to, sustainability principles.” The jury included TCC instructors from the art, English, philosophy, and science departments, as well as a member of the campus sustainability committee. The exhibition focuses on work that contributes to dialogue about our environment with works in a variety of media. The majority of the artists have an ongoing concern with the environment and drew from the body of their work.

Featured artists include Marit Berg, Kathleen Casteel, Melinda Cox, Jenni Denekas, Kyle Dillehay, Frank Dippolito, M. Irene Eggerman, Julia Haack, Connie Hardy, Gail E. Kelly, Melanie Johnson, Karen La Grave, Kristen M. Lawson, Annette Lucas, Bret Lyon, Crista Matteson, Zachary A. Mazur, Dorothy McCuistion, Mary J. McInnis, Ellen Miffitt, William Mitchell, Carson Murdach, John O’Gara, Jason Sobottka, and Sarah Waldo.

The Gallery is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To access The Gallery, use the entrance just off South 12th Street between Pearl and Mildred. For more information, contact Olson-Rudenko: 253.460.4306.

Shop the Froniter in Republic WA

This is a reminder that Shop the Frontier, the physical shop in Republic, WA, is moving on January 4. We\'ll be in the same building, but in a \"Main street\" location! We\'re moving to the front of the buildng, facing Clark, which is our main street in Republic and the major throughfare for the town.. The phone number will remain the same, and we\'ll be sure to send everyone our new address.

This is so exciting, because we will gain more exposure, be easier to find and have more window frontage for your products. In addition, the space will feature a separate training room, and we hope to set up a calendar od classes to include technology, commerce and art classes, as well as other rural handicrafts.