Workshops 2008

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Download a pdf copy of the registration form.  (You will need Adobe Reader® to read the form. This may be downloaded at no charge from Adobe.)

For more information call the Becket Arts Center at (413)623-6635 (after June 21) or e-mail us at office@becketartscenter.org.

Most workshops require no previous experience and are limited to ten students. Teens 14 and older may register as adults, except for the Stained Glass workshop.

An * indicates that this workshop is a series which implies workshops can be taken together or individually.

All workshops are held at the Becket Arts Center unless otherwise indicated.


Cost of Workshops unless otherwise noted:
Half-day workshops (10am - 1pm ) or (1:15pm - 4:15pm ) $30; non-members $35.
Full-day workshops (10am - 4pm ) $40; non-members $45.
Series and material fees are found with workshop descriptions.
Some tuition assistance is available primarily for full-time Hilltown residents.


Refunds/Cancellations:
Students who cancel registration two weeks in advance of the first class will receive a full refund. Students who cancel 7 to 13 days before the first class will receive a 50% tuition credit. There are no refunds or credits for cancellations made 6 days or less before a course begins. If you are unable to attend, you may contact the office for a letter enabling you to claim your tuition as a tax-deductible gift.

Confirmation of Registration: Please send a self addressed stamped envelope to the Becket Arts Center when you are registering and paying by mail.


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Confirmation of Registration
Please send a self addressed stamped envelope to the Becket Arts Center when you are registering and paying by mail.




Drawing


*Life Drawing
Tuesdays, May 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 1 • 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Fee per class: $10; Non-members $12
Series of 6: $50; non -members: $57

Materials: Bring large drawing pad, soft pencils

Learn and practice basic life drawing. With ourselves as models (clothed) we will do quick and long poses with occasional props. We'll start with soft pencil and move to other drawing tools. We'll also do portraits and still-life.

Alice Briggs is a professional illustrator and owner/artist of Alice Briggs Illustration greeting cards.


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Drawing Indoors, Sketching Outdoors
Thursday, August 14 • 10am - 4pm

Full day workshop fee: $40 per class; Non-Members $45 per class
Material Fee: $6

Bring a lunch

Materials to bring: an experimental attitude, and any materials you enjoy, or materials with which you would like instruction. All materials will be provided.

Students will use assorted drawing materials working on a variety of subject matter indoors. If weather permits, the afternoon session participants will sketch  out of doors.

Judith Koppel has taught art from the kindergarten level through college classes. She exhibits drawings and paintings in Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.


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Painting


Exploring Watercolor
Thursdays, July 10, 17, 24, 31 • 1:15pm - 4:15pm

Half day workshop fee: $30 per class; Non-Members $35 per class

Material fee: A suggested materials list is on file at the Becket Arts Center. Some paint, brushes, paper and support boards will be available for a small charge

Having fun, while exploring the endless possibilities of watercolor, will be the agenda for this class. Each week a different approach to creating a watercolor will enable students to experiment, learn new skills and get help with problems they may have experienced while working with this medium.

Karin Cook is a professional artist and teacher. More information about her can be found at
www.hidden-hills.com/karincook.


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Watercolor Weekend with Elizabeth Apgar-Smith
Saturday & Sunday, August 23 & 24 • 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Weekend Fee $95, Non-members $110

In this two-day workshop, Betsy will demonstrate how she uses watercolor as a sketch medium to gather information in the field and then how to pull those reference sketches together to build a larger watercolor composition. Students will be shown different sketching techniques as well as how to simplify their reference material to create strong, dramatic paintings. Betsy will give group demonstrations as well as individual instruction on technique and color theory. This workshop is for all levels of watercolor experience.

Elizabeth Apgar-Smith teaches and paints in watercolor, pastel and oil. She has won numerous regional and national awards in all three media and has been featured in both American Artist and The Artists' Magazine. For the past four years she has been working on a traveling exhibition of oil paintings entitled Faithful Labors, a tribute to small family farms, which was at the Bennington Center for the Arts in 2005. You can see more of her work in Capture the Character of Your Hometown in Watercolor by Frank Loudin, (a book she worked on for North Light), at the Apgar-Smith Gallery in Schoharie, NY and at www.apgarsmith.com.


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Sculpture


*Sculpting the Figure in Clay
Series 1: Sundays, June 8, 15, 22, 29 • 1-4pm
Series II: Sundays, July 13, 20, 27 & August 3 • 1-4pm

Fee per series: $60.00; Non-members, $75.00.
Series Material Fee: $15

Designed for beginners as well as more advanced students. We will start with clay to fashion heads that can be fired locally for a small additional fee. Next, we will build armatures and full figures in plasticine clay or self-hardening water putty that can be painted. The instructor will provide reference books and all materials.

Michel Paul Richard holds degrees from New York University and the University of Chicago. He has taught sculpture classes in Florida and Massachusetts, and his work is in several private collections.


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Mixed Media

*Art Projects
Tuesdays, August 19, 26, September 2, 9, 16, 23 • 6:30pm - 8pm

Fee per class: $10; non-members: $12
Series of 6: $50; Non-members: $57

Materials fee per class $2; for series: $5

Materials: cardboard, glue, papier-mache, cloth, wood,whatever is appropriate you can bring to add to what is provided.

There will be 3 projects: self-portrait, animal and dream house. Choose 1, 2 or all 3.

1. Self-portrait: The idea of you. Create a 3-D essence using letters, drawings, bits of this and that.
2. Animal: Papier-mache over a simple armature. No realism necessary.
3. Dream House: Start with a 6"x6" carboard cube and work from there.

Alice Briggs is a professional illustrator and owner/artist of Alice Briggs Illustration Greeting Cards.


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Paper Arts  

Painted Paper Collage
Thursday, August 7 • 10am - 4pm

Full day workshop fee: $40 per class; Non-Members $45 per class
Material Fee: $10

Participants may bring in personal memorabilia, old photos, letters, etc.

Bring lunch

With acrylic paint a variety of colored and textured papers will be prepared. Sections cut and torn will be combined to create a collaged landscape or still life

Lorraine Klagsbrun is an artist and art instructor living in New York City and Becket. Her collages, woodcut prints and paintings have been widely exhibited throughout New York and Massachusetts.

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Photography


*Intro to Digital SLR
Tuesdays July 22, 29 • 6-9pm

Half day workshop fee: $30 per class; Non-Members $35 per class
Series of 2: $55; Non-members $65

Bring your SLR type camera, related accessories, appropriate manuals, and something to write with.

Intended for those who want to move beyond the 'auto' setting and take control of the digital photography process. This workshop will be focused on SLR-style digital cameras , but most of the information will also apply to advanced point and shoot cameras (those that offer direct control of the shutter speed and aperture). Sessions will focus on learning about the essential technology and building a knowledge base necessary to more effectively create the images you want to make. Topics will include in-depth discussions on digital technology and image capture, a survey of basic and advanced settings, workflow, and creativity. Class format will include time to address specific concerns.

Jason Houston is a documentary photographer based in Great Barrington, MA . His work on social and environmental issues has been widely published in print and online around the world. He is currently involved in a long-term project documenting a grassroots conservation movement taking place throughout the developing tropics including locations in Latin America , Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific. He is represented locally by Ferrin Gallery. His website is www.jasonhouston.com.

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Crafts

*Appliqué
Wednesday, June 4, 11, 18, 25 • 7pm - 9pm

Fee per class: $10; Non-members: $12
Series of 4: $32; Non-members: $40

Material fee for fabric and appliqué $10

Appliqué is the art of hand sewing a design of one or more pieces of fabric to a background fabric. You will learn the technique of needle turn appliqué, making good point & corners. With the finished product you will be able to make a wall hanging or pillow of your choice.

Gail Ellis is a professional machine and hand quilter.


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*Knitting For Beginners And Advanced Beginners
Thursday, July 24 and 31 • 10am-1pm

Half day workshop fee: $30; Non-members $35 per class
Both classes: $50; Non-members: $60

Practice materials will be provided for use during class; however you may bring your own needles, yarn and patterns.

Come learn how to knit a scarf, a vest or a sweater. I will teach how to knit, purl, cast on, bind off, create a swatch and read a pattern. We will even learn how to pick up stitches.

Ruth Glazerman , a retired teacher of high school students with leaning disabilities has been knitting for many years. She looks forward to sharing this wonderful hobby with others.


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Embellishing Your Clothes
Tuesday, August 5 • 10am - 4pm

Full day workshop fee: $40 per class; Non-Members $45 per class

Material Fee: $10

Bring a lunch

Bring scissors, favorite fabric patches and a shirt, pants, jacket, etc.

Decorate a garment with simple hand or machine appliqué and embroidery techniques. The instructor will provide thread, yarns, needles, some fabrics, and ribbons.  Sewing machines are welcome, but not necessary.

Barbara Barron studied fiber and ecclesiastical embroidery at Oxford University and the Royal School of Needlework in London, England. Certified teacher of Embroiderers Guild of America. Operated Barbara Barron Design, a fiber arts gallery in Huntington , N.Y. for over 25 years. She has created sanctuary fiber art for over 40 synagogues throughout the United States.


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*Stained Glass
Mondays, August 4, 11, 18 • 10am-4pm

Full day workshop fee $40; Non-members: $45
Material fee $35
Series of 3, $110; Non-members: $125

Limit: 6

Bring lunch

The class is open to all levels.  The first class is a beginning class - review of the basics of stained glass.  During this class, beginning students will complete a sun-catcher and more advanced students will be able to work on a project of their choice with help/ supervision as desired.  Each class will integrate copper foil technique with design basics, formal considerations, and color theory.  Students may choose two or three classes.  Beginners must take the first class. 

Rebecca Marcus has received local and national awards in stained glass.

Kathleen Kilborne lives in West Stockbridge where she practices as a psychotherapist. She brings her life long passion for art to bear on her work in stained and in fused glass. Her work has been shown in galleries in Connecticut and Massachusetts.


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Weave a Fruit Basket
Tuesday, August 12 • 10am-4pm

Full Day Workshop fee $40: Non-Members: $45
Materials fee $30

Limit: 12

Bring lunch

Students will learn to weave a double 8 round base using rattan splint.  Plain weave, tapering stakes, rimming and lashing will all be taught.  Handle carving will be discussed.  This workshop is appropriate for beginners as well as those that have woven before.  The fruit basket is about 10" in diameter and 4" high to hold the abundant Berkshire fruit bounty of summer.

Wendy Jensen is a professional basket maker and teacher whose baskets have been included in Early American Life Magazine's Directory of 200 Top Traditional Crafts for five years. Wendy also exhibits her work at juried craft fairs in New York and New England.


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Jewelry

Tin Cup Necklace
Saturday, July 12 • 1:15pm - 4:15pm

Half day workshop fee: $30; Non-members $35

Special Note; Nancy will be supplying the tools, beads and silk thread, If you have a favorite color please email her at nancy@nancybronstein.com and she will try to bring beads in that shade.

Learn how to make a beautiful Lariat style necklace with beads and silk thread. The silk is knotted at intervals so that the beads look like they are floating. This necklace became popular after Rene Russo wore one in the film "Tin Cup"

Nancy Bronstein has been attending and teaching beaded jewelry workshops for years. She also makes her own lamp work glass beads and fine silver components in her studio in Great Barrington. For more information visit www.nancybronstein.com.


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Making Your Own Charm
Saturday, August 2 • 1:15pm - 4:15pm

Half day workshop fee: $30; Non-members $35

Material fee: $30-$40 we will be working with silver metal clay $30-$40. Sterling silver bracelets suitable for charms will be available for purchase as well.

Bring materials: Any decorative object that could be used as a mold, such as antique buttons or pins.

Make your own silver charms or pendants from precious metal clay. Metal clay consists of silver or gold in an organic binder. You shape the clay and we will fire it in a kiln, the binder burns off and 99% pure silver or gold remains.
Questions: nancy@nancybronstein.com

Nancy Bronstein has been attending and teaching beaded jewelry workshops for years. She also makes her own lamp work glass beads and fine silver components in her studio in Great Barrington. For more information visit www.nancybronstein.com.


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Astronomy


A Tour Of The Night Sky
Thursday, August 6 • 8pm - 10pm
Raindate: Thursday, August 7 • 8-10pm

Children 10 -14 with supervision welcome free.

Half day workshop fee: $30; Non-members $35

Material Fee: $2

Join us outdoors under the evening sky for a conducted tour using the naked eye, binoculars, and a few small telescopes. Learn how to identify some of the brighter objects and patterns in our summer heavens. Learn the science and the myths behind these celestial objects. We will each make a simple device which helps locate objects for any time of the year. Dress for a cool evening; bring a flashlight (which we will adapt for night seeing) and binoculars if you have.

Michael Hamburg is a docent at the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History, New York City. Author of Astronomy Made Simple (Doubleday 1993). He has taught astronomy at Satellite Academy High School. Built and operates private observatory in Middlefield, Ma.


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Bridge

Introduction To Bridge
Monday, July 7 • 10am-12:30pm

Minimum 4
Workshop Fee $30; Non -members: $35

This is a workshop for those with little or no experience with bridge who wish to enter the novice group.

For class placement questions contact instructors at ebsb63@aol.com .

Elaine and Shelly Berger are both Gold Life Masters with extensive experience in tournament play and teaching.


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*Novice Bridge
Mondays, July 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11, 18 • 10am-noon

Minimum 8, Maximum 16
Series of 6 classes: $75, Non-members $90
Individual class: $15; Non-Members: $18

Material fee: $3 for one or more classes.

For those with a fundamental knowledge of basics. Emphasis will be on refining bidding skills and on play of the hand.

For class placement questions contact instructors at ebsb63@aol.com

Elaine and Shelly Berger are both Gold Life Masters with extensive experience in tournament play and teaching.


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*Intermediate Bridge
Tuesday, July 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5,12 • 10am-noon

Minimum 8, Maximum 16
Series of 6 classes: $75, Non-members $90
Individual class: $15; Non-Members: $18

Material Fee: $3 for one or more classes.

Learn some New Tricks! For those who have some experience with bridge and are ready to advance. Emphasis will be on partnership communication and on play of the hand. For class placement questions contact instructors ebsb63@aol.com

Elaine and Shelly Berger are both Gold Life Masters with extensive experience in tournament play and teaching.


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Body Fitness



*Yoga with Sara
Mondays, May 26, June 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 • 6:30pm - 8pm
Fridays, May 23, 30, June 6, 13, 20, 27 • 7pm - 8:30pm

Fee per class: $8; Non-members: $10
Series of 12 $75; Non-members: $100 or
Monday or Friday Series of 6 $40; Non-Members: $55

We will work on body alignment and body awareness, gaining flexibility in the spine, hips, and shoulders, being continually aware of our breath. The class will build to an aerobic level as well as some weight bearing work, ending with a deep relaxation.

Sara Ross has completed an Anusara Yoga teacher training with Todd Norian and has studied with many teachers in Massachusetts, NY, Mexico, Arizona and St. Lucia. She brings the best of differing styles to her classes.


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*Yoga with Laura
Fridays, July 18, 25, August 1, 8, 15, 22• 9:45am - 11:00am

Fee per class, $8; Non-members $11
Series of 6: $43; Non-members: $ 61

Bring a yoga mat and cushion.

This Kripalu yoga class consists of breath exercises, gentle warm ups and held postures to increase strength, balance, and flexibility in the body, while calming the mind and nurturing the soul.

Laura Lin is a certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher, trained in Kripalu Massage, and a Thai bodywork practitioner. She is also a dance and creative movement educator with a B.A. in Dance. Contact: lauramlin@hotmail.com


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*Yoga with Reda
Tuesdays, July 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12 • 9am - 10:15am
Thursdays, July 17, 24, 31, August 7, 14• 9am - 10:15am

Fee per class, $8; Non-members $11
Series of 5: $35; Non-members $50

Dress in loose comfortable clothing. Bring Yoga mat and one or two small pillows to sit on-if you have them.

Class is open to beginners and also those who have had some training. We will modify poses to suit the various levels of participants. We will be doing a gentle form of yoga flow emphasizing the coordination of breath and movement. The asanas serve to improve circulation, strength and flexibility, and to enhance mental and physical relaxation.

Reda Vilner is a certified yoga therapist. She has studied and taught various yoga techniques: Integral Hatha Yoga, Tri-Yoga, Kripalu Yoga and Ashtanga, as well as modern an ballet dance. She blends these to present an energizing graceful posture flow.


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*Dynatronics
Mondays, July 14, 21, 28 • 10am - 11:15am
Saturdays, July 26, August 9 • 10am - 11:15am

Fee per class, $8; Non-members $11
Series of 5: $35; Non-members $50

Wear clothes that allow you to move but are not baggy

Health care =Self Care. Learning skills to help you understand and manage the stresses of daily living. Discover the causes of your aches and pains and learn the tools to release the trigger points and muscle imbalances that we live with daily. We will be using balls and foam rollers.

Sean Gallagher , PT was a modern dancer for over 10 years and has been a physical therapist working with performing artists for over 20 years. He is a Feldenkrais practitioner and has been teaching Authentic Pilates for the past 15 years in New York City and for the past 9 years at Jacob's Pillow. You can see the rest of his training in various traditional and alternative therapies at www.papt.biz

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