Creative Classes

*Price includes a $60 Studio Fee for all materials provided.

Class Description:

Utilizing traditional techniques of carving, we will be working with linoleum to put a contemporary twist on a classic medium of printmaking. Within this class, you will reflect on line, shape, pattern, and repetition to begin to understand layering in relief. Relief traditionally began in Japan with prints like the "Great Wave". Students will take traditional pattern elements and build on printmaking's ability to develop layers to create a series of one-of-a-kind prints. What you will learn can be carried on and done even at your own home after the one-day session is done!

What to Expect:

We will be working on small 4” x 6” pieces of linoleum and carving 2 plates that you will use to create intuitive patterns and shapes. The patterns and shapes can be anything abstract or identifiable, it just needs to consist of a repeating pattern. Utilizing the gardens and spending time in the museum, we will identify repeating patterns that each student is drawn to and develop imagery and creative relief monotypes. This will be collaborative and have the potential for a really amazing experience working with your fellow artists as your work through layering a combination of patterns and colors.

Class Cancellation Policy:

If a class or workshop needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather or teacher illness, a “make-up” day will be scheduled on a SATURDAY as the educator’s schedule allows.

Materials:

All materials will be provided for students and are included in the price for this workshop.

Educator:

Alanna Austin is a printmaker and multimedia artist from Boulder, Colorado. She graduated with her MFA at the University of Colorado Boulder in Printmaking and her BFA emphasizing in Printmaking, a BA in Anthropology and a minor in art history from the University of Colorado. Austin is the founder of the Western Wilds Collective that acts as a conference for artists to come together on a digital platform once every other year to discuss work and innovative techniques. Alanna Austin is also the current co-editor of the Mid America Print Council journal. Austin has shown work across the country, most recently with shows in Florida and Texas, and is featured in collections that span the US and Australia.

alannaaustin.com

*Price includes a $60 Studio Fee for all materials provided.

Course Description:

Do you have old t-shirts, socks, bandanas, or pillow covers shoved in a corner of your closet?

Instead of throwing those away, you can transform the old garment with natural indigo dye at this workshop. Students will learn about the art of indigo dyeing and how to make natural indigo vats using fructose sugar, henna and iron ferrous sulfate. We will explore making various resist patterns including Japanese techniques, Shibori and Ita-jime.

What to Expect:

Inspiration will be taken from the museum’s Thread Studio, textile collection on view, and European Art Before 1800. Students will work with 2 plant-based textile garments to for the indigo dyeing process. (See Materials for specific requirements of used garments.) Make sure to wear something you don’t care to get indigo splashed on. No previous experiences necessary at all.

Class Cancellation Policy:

If a class or workshop needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather or teacher illness, a “make-up” day will be scheduled on a SATURDAY as the educator’s schedule allows.

Materials:

All materials are included in the price of the class and will be provided to students at the beginning of class. Students can bring 2 used garments, which should be plant based natural fibers such as cotton, linen, soy, rayon or ramie. Size and weight of the garment you can bring to the class are limited due to the size of the indigo vats. Each garment should be less than 150gm/5.3oz and smaller than approximately 25” x25”. The garments have to be pre-washed before coming to the class.

Educator:

Maki Teshima is a natural dye fiber artist and owner of Tomorrow Is Always New studio. She creates one of a kind, eco-conscious hand dyed products and artworks. Born and raised in Japan. She learned natural dyeing techniques at the Fashion Institute of Technology, the Textile Art Center in New York, and private studios in Kyoto, Japan. She actively organizes natural dyeing workshops and teaches as a mentor at Textiles MFA, Parsons School of Design. In 2021, she relocated to Denver, Colorado after living in New York City for 15 years where she worked as a textile surface designer for various fashion companies. tomorrowisalwaysnew.com

Class Description:

This 4-week class is an introduction to techniques used in professional outdoor chalk art including base painting, pouncing, color mixing, and blending. The class will draw inspiration from the Asian, European and American art collections to recreate a masterwork in chalk using everything from pounce stencils, tempra paint, and layered and blended chalk techniques. Students will be work on the floor and/or ground - so be prepared to experience the real world of chalk art.

What to Expect:

During this class, students will create a chalking board to practice different drawing techniques. We will go over sketching tricks and blending secrets, using art from the Asian Art, European and American Art collections as inspiration. We will do some sketching and exploring in the galleries to find inspiration and experiment with different chalk drawing styles. Finally, students will work to recreate a masterwork in chalk using inspiration from the museum. You will learn to create a pounce stencil and how to apply chalk and tempra paint to create a final artwork.

Timeline:

Week 1- Intro to chalk art, prepping a chalking board and chalk technique practice.

Week 2- Finding inspiration in the museum collections, sketching and drawing practice on paper and chalk board.

Week 3- Creating a pounce stencil from your museum inspiration & apply tempra base paint

Week 4- Chalk and finalize your work.

Class Cancellation Policy:

If a class or workshop needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather or teacher illness, a “make-up” day will be scheduled on a FRIDAY or SATURDAY as the educator’s schedule allows.

Materials:

Students will purchase their own materials and should expect to spend $30-70. Chalkboard Paint will be provided in the classroom.

Educator:

Chelsea Romaniello is a Denver based artist, born and raised in Colorado with artistic influence from her time living in Vancouver, Canada and Santiago, Chile. Her work has gained her a wide range of art skills including printmaking, photography, mural art, chalk art, graphic design, and illustration. Her love for nature, animals and whimsy is the driving force behind much of her work. She loves capturing the meticulous beauty of the natural world and putting her own spin on the animals, characters and creatures. Her current work has allowed her to dive into large-scale illustration projects, where she gets to create worlds full of imaginative details. She hopes to help bring this whimsy and creativity into the design world as well as expand her illustrative projects through collaborations and commissions.

www.chelsearomaniello.com

Class Description:

In this class, students will be introduced to the art of embroidery, the many different stitches one can use to be creative with embroidery and will be inspired by the fiber works in the museum collection. Once students gain confidence with embroidery, they will be encouraged to create their own works.

“I view embroidery as simply drawing with thread. This has inspired my own studio practice and I hope it will inspire my students!” - Charis

What to Expect:

During class time, students will mostly be creating. The class will briefly view art works in the museum collection for inspiration, as well as the work of fiber artists. Focus will be placed on practicing stitches and then incorporating them into individual creative projects. No experience necessary.

Timeline:

Class 1: Introduction to the art of embroidery via images and the museum collection, and practice on a few beginning stitches.

Class 2: We will learn a few more embroidery stitches and practice them.

Class 3: Students will keep practicing stitches and begin thinking about their own individual projects.

Class 4: Individual project worktime and assistance.

Class Make-up Day Policy:

If a class or workshop needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather or teacher illness, a “make-up” day will be scheduled on a FRIDAY or SATURDAY as the educator’s schedule allows.

Materials:

Students will purchase their own materials and should expect to spend $20-50. A materials list will be emailed to students prior to the class start date.

Educator:

Charis Lillene Fleshner is a conceptual mixed media artist who completed her MFA in studio art at the University of New Mexico. Fleshner currently teaches art at Aims Community College and shows work nationally. Before starting graduate studies, Charis Lillene Fleshner used her BFA in art education from University of North Texas to teach junior high and elementary art for seven years. Her studio practice currently focuses on painting, soft sculpture, Craftivism, and the intersections of Feminism and art.

charismakesart.com

Class Description:

Flow State is a 4-week abstract painting class that explores the connections between intuitive painting, mindfulness meditation, and community. Participants will learn how to combine abstract painting and drawing skills with mindfulness meditation techniques. Each workshop will present different ways this hybrid practice can be used to hold space for our Selves and each other. Participants will work individually and as a group using acrylic paint, pastels, paper and canvas. This class will connect to abstract works in the Denver Art Museum collection, including pieces by artists like Mark Bradford, Elaine de Kooning, Joan Mitchell, Sam Gilliam, Shinique Smith, and Sonia Gechtoff.

What to Expect:

Students will be led into the galleries at the beginning of each workshop to observe and discuss one work. The selected work will serve as an introduction to and inspiration for the exercises that will be practiced that day, which will include: guided meditations, gestural painting prompts, and group reflections. While each week will be a different experience, students can expect:

1) to be guided through various meditations as a group with visualization and mindfulness based techniques;

2) to practice guided, individual meditative painting/drawing exercises on paper,

3) to create a large-scale, group painting on canvas,

4) to reflect on the day’s work in a group discussion at the end of each workshop.

Participants will walk away with a series of personal abstract paintings on paper, a set of creative meditations to use in everyday life, and the opportunity to co-create a large scale group painting with others. The large group painting will require participants to work on the same surface at the same time in some instances.

No prior painting or drawing skills are required. No experience with meditation or mindfulness required. This class is open to all skill levels.

Timeline:

Class 1 - Artist introduction and Meditation Intro

Class 2 - Intuitive Drawing Intro, Individual practice and getting to know your materials

Class 3 - Individual Practice continued, Begin Group Painting

Class 4 - Final Group Painting

Class Cancellation Policy:

If a class or workshop needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather or teacher illness, a “make-up” day will be scheduled on a FRIDAY or SATURDAY as the educator’s schedule allows.

Materials:

Students will purchase their own materials and should expect to spend $20-60. A materials list will be emailed to students prior to the first day of class.

Educator:

Visual artist, Sarah Darlene, explores the functionality of abstraction through a feminine, queer, and contemporary perspective. Her work investigates the intersections of painting, social practice, and meditation and their collective ability to promote self-reflection, cathartic healing, and true social change. Palmeri holds a BFA in Painting and Drawing from Louisiana State University, and an Executive Certificate of Nonprofit Management from the University of Notre Dame. She has been a member of Strangers Art Collective since 2015 and is a former Artist in Residence at RedLine Contemporary Art Center in Denver. Her work has been exhibited throughout the United States and Iceland.

www.sarahdarlene.com

Class Description:

Etching is an intaglio printmaking process, where an image is incised onto a plate, then inked and printed on a press. This class seeks to demystify etching by teaching a method that’s as simple as drawing: drypoint etching. No expensive metal plates, no acid baths! Just an etching needle, a plexiglass plate, and you. We will learn what intaglio is, the difference between traditional acid etching and drypoint, and how to ink and print an image. We will be using nontoxic etching ink, plexiglass/pvc plates, and light washi papers to learn the chine collé method of adding color. The museum’s collections and past exhibitions will be used as a source of inspiration.

What to Expect:

We will learn the process of incising an image onto a plate by hand, how to ink an etched plate, and how to print our plates on a press. We will also experiment with adding color to our etching using the chine collé method of layering thin, colored tissue paper. We will also go over ways that simple drypoints can even be printed by hand so the experimentation can continue at home!

Timeline:

Class 1: Learn about etching and intaglio, look at examples within and without the Denver Art Museum collection. Introduction to the materials and methods we’ll be using. Have everyone prepare and talk about the image they’ll be using. Begin etching.

Class 2: Etching first plate! Class will largely work on getting their images etched. Go over the plate inking process.

Class 3: Ink plates and print! Introduce chine coll?.

Class 4: Continue printing! Demonstrate how simple plates can be printed at home with elbow grease and a metal spoon or burnisher.

Class Cancellation Policy:

If a class or workshop needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather or teacher illness, a “make-up” day will be scheduled on a FRIDAY or SATURDAY as the educator’s schedule allows.

Materials:

Students will purchase their own materials and should expect to spend $20-60.

Educator:

Dianna Miguez is a multimedia artist and printmaker in Denver, Colorado. She works primarily with paper and textile, and has a background in digital art and graphic design. Dianna has a B.A. in English and a B.A. in Studio Art, and she currently works in Creative and Public Engagement at the Denver Art Museum. View her art on her Instagram, @diannamiguez.

Class Description:

In this class, students will explore an affordable, accessible, and experimental method to weave small hanging pieces. First, students will learn how to make their own basic frame looms using a wooden picture frame and nails. Then, they will learn how to set up their loom and do a basic plain weave. Finally, students will have the opportunity to experiment with mixed media materials and techniques in their weaving process with the guidance of an instructor to help them explore.

What to Expect:

During class time students will first explore the Thread Studio on the 6th floor of the Martin building. Then, students will follow step-by-step instructions on how to make a frame loom by driving nails into the front of a wooden frame. This will include a decent amount of hammering so students will be physically exerting themselves but, the instructor will be around and able to help anyone who needs assistance. After looms are created, students will follow step-by-step guided instructions to set up their looms and prepare to weave. Then, they will follow guided instructions to learn how to achieve a basic plain weave on their loom using a needle and yarn. After this process, the class will become less guided and more experimental. Ideas on how to incorporate unexpected or alternative materials will be introduced, and the students will have time to experiment adding these to their own weaving pieces. Participants will then follow guided instruction to take their weaving off the loom and finish the ends. Students will aim to create one finished piece, but if for any reason they are unable to finish during class time informational materials will be provided to complete their weaving at home.

Timeline:

Class 1: Class introduction. Frame Loom discussion. Visit to Thread Studio.

Class 2: Build frame looms.

Class 3: Plain weave with various types and sizes of yarn.

Class 4: Introduction to mixed media materials and ideas on how to incorporate them into a weaving. Class 5: Work day – complete weavings.

Class 6: Take weavings off the loom, learn how to finish the ends of the weaving, and share work if time allows.

Class Make-up Day Policy:

If a class or workshop needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather or teacher illness, a “make-up” day will be scheduled on a FRIDAY or SATURDAY as the educator’s schedule allows.

Materials:

Students will purchase their own materials and should expect to spend $20-60. A materials list will be sent to student prior to the class start date.

Educator:

Mak Tucker is an artist living in Denver, CO. With an interest in texture, presence, bodies, blood, goop, grime and beauty, Mak uses fibers techniques and materials as a base to create two dimensional and three dimensional mixed media artwork. Mak graduated from Colorado State University in 2021 with a Bachelor's degree in Art History and Art with a concentration in Fibers. Mak currently works as a Creative Engagement Associate at the Denver Art Museum and hopes to help make engaging with and creating art more accessible to all.

Class Description:

Flow State is a 6-week abstract painting class that explores the connections between intuitive painting, mindfulness meditation, and community. Participants will learn how to combine abstract painting and drawing skills with mindfulness meditation techniques. Each class will present different ways this hybrid practice can be used to hold space for our Selves and each other. Participants will work individually and as a group using acrylic paint, pastels, paper and canvas. This class will connect to abstract works in the Denver Art Museum collection, including pieces by artists like Mark Bradford, Elaine de Kooning, Joan Mitchell, Sam Gilliam, Shinique Smith, and Sonia Gechtoff.

What to Expect:

Students will be led into the galleries at the beginning of each workshop to observe and discuss one work. The selected work will serve as an introduction to and inspiration for the exercises that will be practiced that day, which will include: guided meditations, gestural painting prompts, and group reflections. While each week will be a different experience, students can expect:

1) to be guided through various meditations as a group with visualization and mindfulness based techniques;

2) to practice guided, individual meditative painting/drawing exercises on paper,

3) to create a large-scale, group painting on canvas,

4) to reflect on the day’s work in a group discussion at the end of each workshop.

Participants will walk away with a series of personal abstract paintings on paper, a set of creative meditations to use in everyday life, and the opportunity to co-create a large scale group painting with others. The large group painting will require participants to work on the same surface at the same time in some instances.

No prior painting or drawing skills are required. No experience with meditation or mindfulness required. This class is open to all skill levels.

Timeline:

Class 1 - Artist introduction and Meditation Intro

Class 2 - Intuitive Drawing Intro, Individual practice and getting to know your materials

Class 3 - Intuitive Drawing, Individual practice continued

Class 4 - Individual Practice continued, Begin Group Painting

Class 5 - Continue Group Painting

Class 6 - Final Group Painting

Class Make-up Day Policy:

If a class or workshop needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather or teacher illness, a “make-up” day will be scheduled on a FRIDAY or SATURDAY as the educator’s schedule allows.

Materials:

Students will purchase their own materials and should expect to spend $20-60. A materials list will be emailed to students prior to the first day of class.

Educator:

Visual artist, Sarah Darlene, explores the functionality of abstraction through a feminine, queer, and contemporary perspective. Her work investigates the intersections of painting, social practice, and meditation and their collective ability to promote self-reflection, cathartic healing, and true social change. Palmeri holds a BFA in Painting and Drawing from Louisiana State University, and an Executive Certificate of Nonprofit Management from the University of Notre Dame. She has been a member of Strangers Art Collective since 2015 and is a former Artist in Residence at RedLine Contemporary Art Center in Denver. Her work has been exhibited throughout the United States and Iceland.

www.sarahdarlene.com

Class Description:

Flow State is a 6-week abstract painting class that explores the connections between intuitive painting, mindfulness meditation, and community. Participants will learn how to combine abstract painting and drawing skills with mindfulness meditation techniques. Each class will present different ways this hybrid practice can be used to hold space for our Selves and each other. Participants will work individually and as a group using acrylic paint, pastels, paper and canvas. This class will connect to abstract works in the Denver Art Museum collection, including pieces by artists like Mark Bradford, Elaine de Kooning, Joan Mitchell, Sam Gilliam, Shinique Smith, and Sonia Gechtoff.

What to Expect:

Students will be led into the galleries at the beginning of each workshop to observe and discuss one work. The selected work will serve as an introduction to and inspiration for the exercises that will be practiced that day, which will include: guided meditations, gestural painting prompts, and group reflections. While each week will be a different experience, students can expect:

1) to be guided through various meditations as a group with visualization and mindfulness based techniques;

2) to practice guided, individual meditative painting/drawing exercises on paper,

3) to create a large-scale, group painting on canvas,

4) to reflect on the day’s work in a group discussion at the end of each workshop.

Participants will walk away with a series of personal abstract paintings on paper, a set of creative meditations to use in everyday life, and the opportunity to co-create a large scale group painting with others. The large group painting will require participants to work on the same surface at the same time in some instances.

No prior painting or drawing skills are required. No experience with meditation or mindfulness required. This class is open to all skill levels.

Timeline:

Class 1 - Artist introduction and Meditation Intro

Class 2 - Intuitive Drawing Intro, Individual practice and getting to know your materials

Class 3 - Intuitive Drawing, Individual practice continued

Class 4 - Individual Practice continued, Begin Group Painting

Class 5 - Continue Group Painting

Class 6 - Final Group Painting

Class Make-up Day Policy:

If a class or workshop needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather or teacher illness, a “make-up” day will be scheduled on a FRIDAY or SATURDAY as the educator’s schedule allows.

Materials:

Students will purchase their own materials and should expect to spend $20-60. A materials list will be emailed to students prior to the first day of class.

Educator:

Visual artist, Sarah Darlene, explores the functionality of abstraction through a feminine, queer, and contemporary perspective. Her work investigates the intersections of painting, social practice, and meditation and their collective ability to promote self-reflection, cathartic healing, and true social change. Palmeri holds a BFA in Painting and Drawing from Louisiana State University, and an Executive Certificate of Nonprofit Management from the University of Notre Dame. She has been a member of Strangers Art Collective since 2015 and is a former Artist in Residence at RedLine Contemporary Art Center in Denver. Her work has been exhibited throughout the United States and Iceland.

www.sarahdarlene.com