Students of all skill levels can explore their creative interests and sharpen their artistic skills in non-credit art master classes and workshops offered by the Ringling College Continuing Studies’ Studio + Digital Arts program during its fall semester, September 28–November 20.
Classes are offered in book arts, ceramics, design, filmmaking, drawing, writing, painting, and photography. Classes will be held both on the Ringling College Museum Campus (1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota) and online.
“Whether you enjoy dabbling in new techniques or you’re honing skills for professional advancement, there are a variety of courses to help you reach your goals,” says Diane Zorn, Continuing Studies education program coordinator. “These classes are ideal for aspiring artists just beginning their creative journeys, as well as for practiced artists seeking inspiration and camaraderie.”
Zorn notes that students can explore traditional art techniques, refresh existing skills, and master new methods in digital and traditional media. “Now more than ever, it’s important for people to find community and connect with others,” says Zorn.
Highlights of the semester include:
Art Journaling and Book Forms This is an introductory course that focuses on written and visual development and creativity, as well as folded and sewn bookmaking. Visual styles and narratives will be explored, and the incorporation of everyday cultural material directly into the composition will also be encouraged. This class welcomes all skill levels.
Hand Building In this class, students new to working with clay will learn the basics of hand building. Beginning with pinch pots and coil pots and moving into soft and hard slab construction, students will learn clay construction skills and techniques. Completed pieces will be bisque-fired, glazed, and finish-fired. All skill levels are welcome. Students with experience will have individual instruction in more advanced hand-building techniques as needed.
Introduction to Mac This course was developed for three general audiences: those completely new to computers, Windows/PC users, and seasoned Mac users who want to learn a few new tricks. In this session, you will become all too familiar with the Mac OS desktop, Finder window, and System Preferences panel.
The Big Draw: Make Your Mark This class will prompt aspiring and experienced artists to push their understanding and use of line, mark-making, materials, and expression. Using graphite, ink, markers, watercolor, charcoal, colored pencils, and oil pastels, this investigation will inspire students to consider meaning through both new and familiar methods, develop a concept through metamorphosis or sequence, or explore movement and gesture through process. All drawing experience levels welcome.
Guerrilla Filmmaking Learn the skills needed to make a video on the spot, while using surroundings to help capture a vision. From using a piece of cardboard and tin foil as a reflector to adjusting a phone to act as a microphone, the objective of this weeklong journey is to teach students how to make videos, short films, documentaries, and video diaries, using only the equipment at hand. This style of independent filmmaking allows the director to work with small crews and sometimes no crew at all, putting the power in the hands of the filmmaker. This class is for students who like filming on the spot, stretching their experimental style, and learning how to make props from scratch. Join us to learn a fun and spontaneous approach to filmmaking. Basic computer skills required.
Developing Your Artistic Vision Through Photography Meeting on location weekly, students will explore and photograph Sarasota’s neighborhoods, the growing downtown, and the city’s parks and preserves. Through this process, students develop their creative ideas through the lens of photography. Each student will select and discuss a photographer who made a contribution to the field and inspired their work. All experience levels and any cameras are welcome.
For more information and to register, visit www.ringling.edu/SDA or call 941-309-5111.
