Curriculum
Spring Program 2012
New England’s Classical Atelier Program
Directed and instructed by Sandra Wakeen
The Atelier program at Wethersfield Academy for the Arts provides the serious artist-in-training an opportunity to be coached and mentored by a distinguished faculty member. Atelier students work side-by-side with their instructors in the beautiful north light studio. Students are provided with individual space within the studio to complete projects independently or with the guidance of their instructor . It is advisable to meet with an Atelier instructor before the beginning of each session. For more information, please contact the Academy at 860-436-9857, or call Sandra Wakeen at 860-763-4565.
Atelier Course Painting and Drawing - Beginner through Advanced
Instructor: Sandra Wakeen www.sandrawakeenfineart.com
Thursdays - 10:00 am to 3:00 pm; 6-week session
Session 1: March 15 - April 19
Session 2: May 17 - June 21
Fee: $390 (non-members) / $360 (members)
Model fees extra
Private instruction is available with Atelier Instructors upon request.
Sandra Wakeen’s Atelier course is a contemporary guide to drawing and painting as taught by the Old Masters and today’s most respected artists. The key word is “fundamentals”. You have to know know the rules before you can break them. Students follow the same disciplines that produced such outstanding artists of the past as Rembrandt, Rubens, Michelangelo, Raphael, Velasquez, Ingres, Sargent and the great illustrators, Howard Pyle, N.C. Wyeth and Maxfield Parish. The great artists of the past all followed a similar discipline, but they all painted differently.
The day of instruction at the Atelier consists of morning discussion and demonstrations. The afternoon is a mentored studio session structured for working on cast, master copies, still life projects. Each session includes individual, group and peer critiques, discussions, and demonstrations. The student will learn how to use different materials, including varied pencils, papers, paints and mediums. All that is necessary for this course is a strong desire for learning. Studio time will be allotted for all Atelier students to work on their own paintings. Participants will also be exposed to what is needed to create successful paintings as they observe the progression of Sandra’s own work in the Atelier.
Atelier Course – Young Masters (Ages 9 and up)
Instructor: Sandra Wakeen www.sandrawakeenfineart.com
Thursdays – 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm; 6-week session
Session: May 17 - June 21
Fee: $250 (non-members) / $225 (non-members)
Guided by the belief that artists are made, not born, Wethersfield Academy for the Arts is pleased to announce this new program. The Young Masters’ Program is designed for the serious young artist and is committed to providing an unmatched foundation in drawing and painting. This training will inspire and fuel enthusiasm for drawing and painting. Young artists will discover new concepts and master basic skills while gaining confidence, pride and self-discipline.
Portfolio Development is Available for High School Students.
Open Studio - Figure and Portrait Sessions
Tuesdays – 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
NEW Tuesdays - 6 pm to 9 pm
(drop-in, ongoing)
Fee: $10 per session
info@wethersfieldarts.org for more information
These monitored, non-instructional sessions give artists the opportunity to draw or paint the portrait or figure from a live model. The North light studio will be available as well as our larger class room. Each session starts out with several short poses and leads up to a
three-hour pose. The model will be in the same pose for three weeks. Open to artists of all levels using the medium of their choice.
Studio Arts Program
Indoor/Outdoor Landscape
Instructor: Jack Broderick www.jackbroderick.com
Tuesdays – 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm; 6-week Sessions
Session: May 1 - June 6
Fee: $330 (non-members) / $30 (members)
This course is an introduction to plein air painting. We will paint in and around Wethersfield. In the event of rain we will work in the studio to review some of the key concepts in Carlson’s Guide to Landscape Painting. All levels of painters are welcome.
Painting with Bob Noreika
Instructor: Bob Noreika
Wednesdays – 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm; 8-week session
Session: April 25 - June 13
Fee: $280 (non-members) / $250 (members)
From Figurative Sketches to Complete Paintings – Watch Your Work Come to Life!
How many professional artists, as well as students, thought about painting in a public, retail environment where there is much to capture,
but were hesitant to do so? With my adventurous approach we will work as
a group in various retail venues and businesses
(i.e. bakery, shopping mall, pizza restaurant) and make
sketches of what we see among the hustle and bustle of daily public
outings. In a following class we will take our sketches from the three hours of observation and transform them into a finished painting, working in the medium of choice.
Be prepared for a unique and exploratory experience! Sign up today!
A Traditional Approach to Life Drawing
Instructor: Andrea Fenn
Wednesdays – 10:00 am to 1:00 pm; 6-week sessions
Session 1: April 4 - May 9
Session 2: May 16 - June 20
Course Fee: $280 (members) / $310 (non-members)
The ability to produce accurate figure drawings ultimately allows the artist to successfully pursue other artistic media. This course is designed to make the student more comfortable with drawing the figure from life through the repetition of essential principles of composition and value. This class will focus on creating a strong sense of three-dimensional forms by looking closely at proportions, edges, and light effects. We will make practical use of anatomy, focusing on major anatomical landmarks. An unclothed model will be presented in a variety of lighting effects.
Youth Program - Drawing and Painting - Ages 6 and Up
Instructor: Nick Frasco
Saturdays – 10:00 to 11:30 pm; 6-week sessions ongoing
Fee: $210 (non-member) / $195 (member)
This course will teach the basic fundamentals of drawing, composition and painting, how to mix and apply paint, and use of a variety of art materials. Students may bring a project of their own to work on. The ultimate goal of the Youth Program is for the student to enjoy a rewarding experience and to create a work of art that is satisfying.
Workshops – Coming in 2012!
Wethersfield Academy for the Arts continually adds new courses to its curriculum.
Please check back with us!