Adult Classes and Workshops

REGISTRATION - You must register for a class one week in advance.
Print out a registration form, or phone 413-663-8338 to request more information.

Scholarships are available thanks to generous funding from the First Congregational Church's Makepeace fund and the Northern Berkshire United Way. Print out a scholarship form here.

Become a NBCA Member to receive Members only discounts on classes and other special offers!

Spring 2008

Classes

Life Drawing @ The Clark
Saturdays, 10am to 12noon, May 3, 10, 17 and 31; June 7 and 14, 2008
Class held at the Clark (May 31 class will be held at NBCA)
Six sessions Tuition $95 for NBCA and Clark Members; $120 for non-members
Instructor: Sean Riley
Drawing the human figure is the most fundamental of all art techniques and often the most rewarding. Whether you need to refresh your skills or have never drawn the human figure from observation of a live model, this class will open your eyes to the possibilities of figure drawing. Intended for all levels of skill, students will also explore work in the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. Basic supplies provided. For beginners and intermediate level.

Classical Still Life Painting
Tuesdays, 6:30pm to 8:30pm, April 29 through June 3
Six sessions Tuition $95 for NBCA Members; $120 for non-members
Instructor: David Lane
Working with a similar approach to many of the Dutch Masters, participants will study classical principals of line, value, form, and color as a basis for descriptive painting. Careful observation and study will lead to the ultimate goal of naturalistic painting—training the brush to paint as the eye sees. Mood, ambiance and the suggestion of atmospheric space will also be considered as we work toward a natural aesthetic concerned with employing technique to achieve painting with feeling—painting that reflects a human relationship to the subject. Painting with a limited palette at first, participants will practice basic “drawing in paint” to create value studies on which layers of colors can be applied. These transparent color glazes are what give Dutch Masters’ paintings their unique luminous “glow.” Simple subjects, such as a piece of fruit or a vase will provide us with a starting point, and a useful way to practice technique before moving on to more complex set ups. Participants may work in either oil or acrylic, or both.

Springtime Color
Wednesdays, 6pm to 8pm, April 30 through June 4
Six sessions Tuition $95 for NBCA Members; $120 for non-members
Instructor: TBA
Get ready for summer with a springtime exploration of color. Working from observation, students will use the rich, unique medium of oil pastels to learn about color and space. Students will also learn quick methods to getting color down fast, including quick paintings with oil color. Some materials provided.

Figure Studies
Wednesdays, 6pm to 8pm, April 30 through June 4
Six sessions Tuition $95 for NBCA Members; $120 for non-members
Instructor: TBA
Learn to model the human figure through exercises and close study from a live model. Class will include lessons in human anatomy, structure of the figure, building a wire armature, and modeling in clay.



West African Drumming with Marafanyi Percussion
Adults, Mature Teens and Seniors of All Skill Levels
May 10 and 31 , June 14 and 28, 4pm to 5:30pm
Tuition $15 per class NBCA members / $20 per class nonmembers
($5 drum rental with pre-registration)
4 class pre-registration price incentive: $55 members / $75 non-members
Instructors: Marafanyi Percussion
Marafanyi Percussion has a holistic approach to drumming that is fun, encouraging and accessible with a focus on joyful exploration! Connecting mind, body and spirit, students learn to express themselves through a powerful and lyrical vocabulary of traditional and purposeful rhythms that are hundreds of years old.

Lara Gonzalez and Yael Shacham, co-founders and artistic directors of Marafanyi, travel frequently to Guinea, West Africa to study with master artists in the capital region. They strive to make accessible the therapeutic, empowering and educational benefits of the music and cultures of West Africa to all ages, populations and the community at large.

Marafanyi recently supported Congolese guitarist Dominic Kanza and his African Rhythm Machine at MASS MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) and the Mesgana Dancers from Ethiopia at SOPAC (South Orange Performing Arts Center). In addition, Lara & Yael have been a resident teaching artists for NBCA for 5 years. Visit Marafanyi on the web www.marafanyi.com

Workshops

Draw Your Family Tree
Saturday, April 5, 1pm to 4pm
Tuition: $35
Instructor: Ann Kremers
Using your grandparent and favorite tree as a starting place, draw your family tree, from the roots to the leaves. This class is ideal for a grandparent and grandchild to work together and bring to life an artistic version of their family.


Wearable Art: Handmade Paper Jewelry
Sunday, May 18, 2pm to 4pm
Tuition: $45
Instructor: Robin Brickman
Using sculpted paper techniques, participants will make paper jewelry inspired by nature. Robin Brickman, an award-winning illustrator of children's picture books, will lead the group in creating an attractive handmade paper sculpture. Appropriate for adults and teenagers. (Ages 13 and up; ages 11 and 12 are welcome if accompanied by an adult)

REGISTRATION - You must register for a class one week in advance.

Print out a registration form, or phone 413-663-8338 to request more information.