fall 2009 Education programs

Painting for Young Artists (ages 7-12)
Learn fun and creative painting techniques with Stratford artist Wendy O’Brien. This six week class will explore abstract landscapes, painted habitats, relief sculptures and more.  Using drawing and collage techniques the young artist will render their works of art with tempera, acrylics, watercolours and markers.
Six Weeks, Mondays 4:30-6 pm, Oct 19-Nov 23
$85 Gallery Members, $95 non-members

Drawing and Printmaking (ages 7-12)
Explore the principals of line drawing, value, shape, and pattern and create new projects with printmaking. This creative class explores many print making techniques including stencils, collograph and soft lino prints. Students will create a book cover, note cards and much more.
Six Weeks, Thursdays 4:30-6 pm, Oct 12-Nov 26
$85 Gallery Members, $95 non-members

Animal Art Workshop (ages 7-12)
Exhibiting artist Mary Anne Barkhouse explores animal imagery in Boreal Baroque. Linking to this theme this class explores animal drawing from domestic to wild animals.  Participants will incorporate abstract and fun ideas to create animals linked with the manmade world. Bring your imagination.
Saturday 1-4 pm, Nov 7
$50 Gallery Members, $55 non-members

Air Drying Clay Workshop (ages 7-12)
Mold, Roll, Cut, Press It: A Clay Experience
Whether it is the monster under your bed, your idea of a super-hero or an abstract 3D sculpture; learn to build an armature, a supporting structure for a clay figure. The participants will use their imagination to create a detailed sculpture using sculpting tools, found objects and of course their fingers to create.
Saturday 1-4 pm, Nov 28
$50 Gallery Members, $55 non-members
 

Classes for Adults and Teens

Beginner Photography with Terry Manzo
Photography for Digital Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras. Get comfortable with your camera and learn how to take great photographs with local photographer Terry Manzo This hands on class will teach you how to understand and manipulate your camera while introducing composition and what to look for when creating a great photo. Participants will spend time outdoors taking pictures.
Six Sessions, Tuesdays, 7-9:30 pm, Sept 15-Oct 13,
Includes one Saturday session
$100 Gallery Member, $115 Non-member

Oil Painting with Local Artist Michael Karn
Michael Karn, resident Stratford artist, will once again be leading this academic oil painting class.  When we visit an art museum, most of the paintings on view that were painted before the twentieth century, and many of those painted later, were created using 'the academic technique'. In this method of painting, paint is applied in a series of layers, in a specific order, to create the luminous effects that we now associate with the Old Masters. After falling out of favour in the latter half of the twentieth century, the academic or layered method of painting is experiencing a revival because of the wide range of expressive possibilities that it opens up for the creative artist.

Michael Karn, Still Life with Pears, 2008
In this course you will work from a copy of a still-life by an old master to, step by step, learn the secrets of traditional oil painting.  The concepts covered in the course will be: creating a construct, organizing light and shadow patterns, dead colouring, big form modeling, first painting, and second painting. This class is ideal for beginner and returning participants.

Eight Sessions, Mondays, 7-10 pm, Oct 19 – Dec 7,
$165 Gallery Member, $185 Non-member
Participants will be required to purchase or bring their own materials.

Watercolour Painting with Teddy Payne

Teddy Payne, 2008

Local artist Teddy Payne leads this water colour class.  Introductory exercises in colour, brush techniques, paper preparation, washes and image development. .  A great way to spend an afternoon.
Saturday October 24, 1-4 pm
$50 Gallery Member, $ 55 Non-member

Portrait Painting from Photographs with Leslie Watts

Leslie Watts, Emily, 2008.

Local artist Leslie Watts leads this two part high realism portraiture class based on the steps she uses when creating a portrait from a photograph. The first Saturday will cover a discussion on technical and compositional portraits, taking or using your existing photograph, enhancing, printing, tracing and fixing the drawing, how to block it in to be ready to paint on the second Saturday.  Participants will leave the class with a well started painted portrait and the tools to complete it outside of class.  Please bring a digital 8x10 black and white portrait photograph printed in draft quality on printer paper to class.  This will be the image that you work from.
Two Saturdays 1-4 pm, Nov 14 & 21
$85 Gallery Member, $ 90 Non-member

Precious Metal Clay Full Day Workshop
Create your own heirloom quality pure silver pendant in this exciting course. Metal clay consists of very small particles of silver mixed with an organic binder and water. It can be shaped cut stamped and molded just like any other soft clay, but after drying, the clay is fired in a kiln, or with a handheld gas torch and the binder burns away resulting in .999 pure silver (fine silver). The Silver is made from Earth friendly 100% recycled silver - and the materials used as binders in the Silver Clay are non-toxic. This results in silver that is not only green, but it is also more pure than the sterling silver which is mixed with other metal, (usually copper which some people react to) and tarnishes more readily.

Participants will learn to layer, make impressions, create molds and use various techniques to shape and texture the clay. They will also learn drying and finishing technique, firing process and patination. In just a few hours, participants will have created an original finished work of Art to wear home. Please bring your favorite rubber stamps and polymer clay tools and cutters, writing materials and your creativity!
Saturday December 5, 10-3 pm
$80 Gallery Members or $ 85 Non-members
$30 material cost

Program Registration

All Gallery Stratford workshops, courses and group visits require advance registration, unless otherwise noted. Admission to lectures is available upon arrival, and entry is on a first-come, first-served basis.

In the event of course or workshop cancellation, registrants will be notified prior to the course start date and a full refund will be given. Participant cancellations are not refundable within two business days of the course start date.

Phone: call 519.271.5271 to register with Visa or Mastercard
Have your credit card number and expiry date ready.

In Person : drop by the gallery and register for your favourite class with debit, credit card, cheque or cash.