Spring art classes begin at Gallery 200/STUDIO
West Chicago's Gallery 200, a grassroots artist co-op located at 200 Main Street in the community's historic downtown district, will be offering a unique opportunity to explore individual creativity through several beginner classes geared for aspiring artists, or those just wanting to try something new. The classes will be held at Gallery 200/STUDIO, which is on the lower level of the Gallery, accessed through the back door at 203 Turner Court.
Artist Lois Easley will teach the basic principles and techniques of drawing during the After-school Art Class. The cost is $8 per student and is open to students aged 7 through adult. Persons may register for one or more sessions. Classes are scheduled for Tuesdays, March 8, 15 & 22, 2011; April 12, 19, & 26, 2011; and May 3, 10, 17 & 24, 2011. All sessions are from 3:15 – 4:45 p.m. For more information and a supply list, contact the artist at (630) 337-8973.
Various Vessels, taught by artist and Gallery 200 co-founder Heide Morris, instructs students on creating a clay vessel – a vase, bowl or sculpture of their choosing, by using slab construction from patterns created by the student. Students will choose between a larger size for $25 and a smaller size for $20 to be made from low-fire clay at the first class scheduled for Saturday, March 5, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. A second class will meet on Saturday, March 19, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. – noon to glaze the fired construction. Class size is limited to 10 students aged 9 and older, with no experience necessary. All materials are included.
Artist Lois Easley instructs an Introductory Watercolor Class on the following Saturdays: March 5, 12, 19* & 26; April 16, 23 & 30; May 7 & 14*, 2011, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. (asterisked dates will be held upstairs in Gallery 200. The entrance is located at 200 Main Street.) The cost per session is $10 per student and is open to ages 7 through adult. Persons may register for one or more sessions. For more information and a supply list, contact the artist at (630) 337-8973.
A Photography Workshop with professional photographer Mike Smith continues on Saturdays, March 19 & April 9, 2011 from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. The March topic is "Seeing the Light: Quality, Quantity and Direction" and includes techniques for shooting during "the golden hour" at sunset and "the blue hour" at twilight. The April workshop will cover basic composition and discuss what should and should not be included in an image. Workshops are geared toward beginner photographers with digital SLR cameras and the cost is $30 per workshop. Participants must provide their own cameras.
Mixed media artist Gena Ollendieck teaches the technical skills of book-binding along with the creative exploration of incorporating manipulated and reclaimed found objects into a books' cover in a 3-day Leather Bookbinding Workshop on June 8, 9, 10, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The techniques of sewing a multiple signature book, attaching a hard cover, using leather to cover the book block, and various leather techniques (i.e. inlaying, raising, embellishment, etc.) will be covered. Participants will come away having created a hand-bound leather book personalized with found objects. The cost for the 3-day workshop is $375. Please note the registration deadline is March 31, 2011. For more information, contact Gallery 200 at (630) 293-9550 or Gena Ollendieck at (563) 547-1113.
These special classes supplement ongoing programs that occur weekly, like painting with the Underground Art Club on Monday nights from 6:00 - 9:30 p.m. and Knit Night on Thursday nights from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. These two classes have already gained a loyal following, however, new members are always welcome.
Classes are updated regularly as Gallery 200 has a membership of over forty local artists offering a variety of expertise in different media. Additional information, current class listings and on-line registration are available on the website at www.gallery200.org under classes or by calling the Gallery at (630) 293-9550.