Saratoga Arts - Arts Center | Arts Council

SPRING SEASON	SUMMER SEASON	FALL SEASON	WINTER SEASON
April - June	June - August	September - December	January - March
schedule available in February	schedule available in March	schedule available in July	schedule available in November

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Ongoing
 
OPEN STUDIO - FIGURE DRAWING

The Open Studio sessions offered by Saratoga Arts are a great practice for any artist interested in working from a live model, without the formality of a class.  Open Studio sessions are informal group meetings where artists can talk about their work, share ideas and discuss a variety of methods and mediums.  There is no teacher or moderator for these sessions.  Sessions are recommended for ages 15 and up.  Participants can work in the medium of their choice.  Please bring your own supplies.  Pre-registration is encouraged for the Open Studio sessions, but not required.  



Drop in rates for Open Studio:

$12 for members / $14 for non-members

Did you know the Open Studio has a website? http://www.lifestudio.org/clubs/saratogaImages. 


Mondays: 6:30pm - 9:30pm
every Monday except National Holidays 

 

OPEN STUDIO - ALL MEDIUMS

Join fellow artists on Thursday afternoons for three hours of creating art in a social, group setting.  There is no instructor for this Open Studio program, rather it is designed as to offer artists a space to work and time to share ideas and inspire each other.  Participants can work in the medium of their choice.  Please bring your own supplies.  Facilitator - Terri Messinger.  Pre-registration is encouraged for Saratoga Arts Open Studio sessions, but not required. 

Drop in rates for Open Studio:
$10 for members / $12 for non-members. 

Thursdays: 1:00pm - 4:00pm through March 28, then begining again on April 11

 

March
 

WEAVING


with Nancy Sharples

For both the beginner and the experienced weaver, this class focuses on the diversity of weaving techniques.  Working on a 4-harness floor or table loom, projects might include a wall hanging, scarf, table runner, or small rug.  Please bring a good pair of scissors.  A materials fee of about $15.00 (depending on project) will be due at first class.  Class size is limited to 11. 

Saratoga Arts’ Weaving Studio is open to all registered weaving students. Weaving Studio hours are: M-F, 9am - 4:30pm and Saturdays 11am - 4:30pm.

Mondays: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
March 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
$85 for members / $95 for non-members
 
April
 
THE TIMELESS BEAUTY OF THE PAINTED GARDEN -
A 2-day workshop with 
Robert Carsten, PSA-M, IAPS-MC, CPS

This two-day workshop will artistically explore the timeless beauty of floral gardens. From ancient Chinese floral vases to frescoes on the walls of  Pompeii, the garden has inspired artists throughout the ages. Whether your work is representational, impressionistic or abstract in style, this workshop is designed to inform and inspire vibrant and exciting pastel paintings. Underpainting methods, pastel overlaying techniques, composition, color and more will be discussed and demonstrated by this very popular instructor, who will also conduct a tour of his work in the exhibition gallery. Demonstration, techniques, critique and lots of painting time. All levels welcome, materials list provided. 

To learn more about Robert Carsten and his work visit - www.robertcarsten.com/ - An enthusiastic promoter of the pastel medium, Robert K. Carsten is a master pastelist in the Pastel Society of America and a master circle pastelist (2011) in the International Assoc. of Pastel Societies (IAPS).  He is an elected member of the Board of Governors of the Pastel Society of America and is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America, the Connecticut Pastel Society, and an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Southwest Florida Pastel Society. He is a  contributing writer for Pastel Journal and the Artist’s Magazine.

Saturday & Sunday: 10am - 4:30pm
April 13 & April 14, 2013
$200 for members / $220 for non-members

 

SCHOOL BREAK CAMP - APRIL BREAK

When regional schools are on break, Saratoga Arts offers full-week programs in both theater and visual arts for children ages 5-14.  Our visual arts campers will learn about famous art and artists while creating their own masterpieces inspired by them; our theater campers will learn the basics of theater like character development and set design and will conclude their program with a performance in our Dee Sarno Theater. Saratoga Arts’ faculty know and understand how children learn about and create art and work with students to ensure they are reaching their full artistic potential.

Saratoga Arts offers three different programs during April Break:

Monday - Friday: April 1 - April 5

April Break (ages 5-7)
Our 1/2 day visual arts camp for the little ones.  The program runs Monday - Friday, 9am - 12pm.  $130 for members / $140 for non-members

April Break (ages 8-14)
Our full day visual arts camp.  The program runs Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm.  $205 for members / $220 for non-members

Get Into the Act! (ages 6-14)
Full day theater arts camp.  The program runs Monday - Friday, 9am - 3pm & concludes with the performance of a short play in our Dee Sarno Theater.  $200 for members / $210 for non-members
 

Open Studio Sessions for April - June

OPEN STUDIO - FIGURE DRAWING

The Open Studio sessions offered by Saratoga Arts are a great practice for any artist interested in working from a live model, without the formality of a class.  Open Studio sessions are informal group meetings where artists can talk about their work, share ideas and discuss a variety of methods and mediums.  There is no teacher or moderator for these sessions.  Sessions are recommended for ages 15 and up.  Participants can work in the medium of their choice.  Please bring your own supplies.  Pre-registration is encouraged for the Open Studio sessions, but not required.

Did you know the Open Studio has a website?  http://www.lifestudio.org/clubs/saratogaImages. 



Session I - Mondays: 6:30pm - 9:30pm
April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20
$60 for members / $70 for non-members



Session II - Mondays: 6:30pm - 9:30pm
June 3, 10, 17, 24
$40 for members / $60 for non-members


Drop in rates for Open Studio:
 $12 for members / $14 for non-members.

 

OPEN STUDIO - ALL MEDIUMS

Join fellow artists on Thursday afternoons for three hours of creating art in a social, group setting.  There is no instructor for this Open Studio program, rather it is designed as to offer artists a space to work and time to share ideas and inspire each other.  Participants can work in the medium of their choice.  Please bring your own supplies.  Facilitator - Terri Messinger.

Pre-registration is encouraged for Saratoga Arts Open Studio sessions, but not required.



Thursdays: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
April 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9

$45 for members / $55 for non-members



Drop in rates for Open Studio: 
$10 for members / $12 for non-members.

 

Drawing Classes

DRAWING I
with James D’Andrea
This 4-week class will introduce students to the basic fundamentals of drawing.  The Drawing I class can be beneficial for artists who work in any medium and will help beginner level painters and sculptors refine and better their work.  Classes include lecture and demo segments with plenty of one-on-one attention. This class is perfect for students of all levels!

Thursdays: 10am - 12pm
April 25, May 2, 9, 16
$60 for members / $70 for non-members

 

DRAWING II
with James D’Andrea
Drawing II builds on the techniques and lessons of Basic Drawing I and is designed to help students develop ideas and define their personal creativity while building on the drawing skills you already have.  Advanced fundamentals of drawing will also be discussed.  Drawing I is not a requirement to participate in this class.  Students will spend each session working on a drawing of their own with teacher assistance.  Please bring lots of photographs or objects for reference.

Thursdays: 10am - 12pm
June 6, 13, 20, 27
$60 for members / $70 for non-members

 

SKETCHING YOUR HOMETOWN
with Carolyn Justice
In this class, students will tour different areas of Saratoga Springs and record quick impressions of beautiful spring flora, indoor and outdoor architecture, street scenes and gardens.  Sketching provides a wonderful way to keep records of travel or ideas for future paintings.  Please bring a small sketchbook, fine tip marker and folding chair.  A travel watercolor set is optional.  First class will meet at The Arts Center.  Students will receive a schedule of meeting places at the first class.

Mondays: 1pm - 3pm
May 6, 13, 20, June 3

$60 for members / $70 for non-members

 

FUNDAMENTALS OF DRAWING
with James D’Andrea
This course focuses on the development of observational skills and drawing techniques, employing a range of drawing media including charcoal, graphite and ink.  Students in this course will develop both technical abilities and creative responses to material and subject matter. Students will become familiar with various ways that the elements and principles of design and composition improve their creative work and critical judgement.  Space, perspective, volume, light and shadow, foreshortening, and proportion will all be discussed.  This class is designed for all levels and artists who work in other mediums and would like to strengthen their drawing skills are welcome.  Students should bring a 9” x 12” drawing pad, vine charcoal, drawing pencils, and erasers to the first class.

Wednesdays: 7pm - 9pm
May 1, 8, 15, 29, June 5
$70 for members / $80 for non-members

 

WORKSHOP IN PERSPECTIVE


with James D’Andrea
Students will learn the fundamentals behind using perspective to build powerful illusions of space.  This workshop will include discussions in one and two point perspectives and the use of measuring points and plan views.  Please bring a 18” x  24” drawing pad, drawing pencils, a straight edge, and erasers.



Saturday, May 4, 2013: 10am - 4pm

$50 for members / $60 for non-members

 

DRAWING PEOPLE
with Tom O’Brien

In drawing people, as in any realistic drawing, whether full figure, still life or landscape; observation is your most important tool. Seeing correct shapes, comparing the size of these shapes to one another and understanding how light reveals form will help you draw a perceptive interpretation of your model.  This workshop is great for beginners, but also a wonderful experience for intermediate-advanced students who would like to improve upon their skills.  Registration cost includes model fee. Please bring vine or willow charcoal (thin sticks), a kneaded eraser and a pad of newsprint or drawing paper 11” X 14” or larger.  Helpful extras are paper stumps for blending and a clipboard a bit larger than the paper for firm support.



Saturday, May 18, 2013: 10am - 4pm

$70 for members / $80 for non-members

 

Pastel Classes

PASTEL FOR BEGINNERS
with Carolyn Justice
This class will introduce participants to the basic concepts of pastel.  Pastel offers a wide range of artistic possibilities and may be used on a wide variety of papers and working surfaces.  Emphasis will be on experimenting with a variety of papers, use of color and becoming comfortable with the medium.   Supplies: Please bring non-oil pastels, a kneaded eraser, masking tape and several sheets of paper to each class.  Class size is limited to 14 students.  Pastel I is recommended for students who are new to the medium, but is open to all pastel students.



Mondays, 10am - 12pM

April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20
$80 for members / $90 for non-members

 

INTERMEDIATE - ADVANCED PASTEL
with Carolyn Justice
This course is a continuation of Pastel for Beginners. Students will learn to interpret more complex subjects, explore contemporary directions in drawing, and continue to develop a mastery of technique. There is also more emphasis on originality and the development of a personal style.  Students will further develop their skills and abilities, and be encouraged to find increasingly creative solutions for a wide range of different types of projects.  Supplies: Please bring non-oil pastels, a kneaded eraser, masking tape and several sheets of paper to each class.  Class size is limited to 14 students.

Tuesdays: 10am - 12pm
April 9, 16, 23, 30 May 7, 14, 21, 28

$110 for members / $120 for non-members

 

PET PORTRAITS WORKSHOP


with Corey Pitkin
Celebrate our furry friends with pet portraits!  Students will learn about the shape and structure of common house pets, choosing the right pose, composing your image, techniques for drawing fur, how to draw eyes that exude life, and much more!  The workshop is structured to include lecture, demonstration, and lots of one-on-one attention for students!  Please bring several photographs of your favorite pet (dogs, cats and birds)!  Students should bring assorted pastels, multiple sheets of colored, textured paper, a kneaded eraser, several sticks of charcoal, and masking tape.  This workshop is open to all levels, from first-timers to advanced students

Saturday, June 15, 2013: 10am - 4pm

$70 for members / $80 for non-members

 

THE TIMELESS BEAUTY OF THE PAINTED GARDEN
A 2-Day workshop with 
Robert Carsten, PSA-M, IAPS-MC, CPS
This two-day workshop will artistically explore the timeless beauty of floral gardens. From ancient Chinese floral vases to frescoes on the walls of  Pompeii, the garden has inspired artists throughout the ages. Whether your work is representational, impressionistic or abstract in style, this workshop is designed to inform and inspire vibrant and exciting pastel paintings. Underpainting methods, pastel overlaying techniques, composition, color and more will be discussed and demonstrated by this very popular instructor, who will also conduct a tour of his work in the exhibition gallery. Demonstration, techniques, critique and lots of painting time. All levels welcome, materials list provided.  To learn more about Robert Carsten and his work visit -  www.robertcarsten.com/



ONLY 6 SPOTS LEFT!


Saturday & Sunday: 10am - 4:30pm

April 13 & April 14, 2013

$200 for members / $220 for non-members

 

Painting Classes
 

WATERCOLOR BOOTCAMP

with Susan Wiley
Saratoga Arts’ Watercolor Bootcamp is for new watercolorists or artists who have been away from the medium or need a more solid footing before tackling watercolors on their own.  The three day bootcamp is designed to teach students the basic watercolor techniques, angle brush handling, color mixing and application - basically all of the skills an artist needs to execute a watercolor still life.  The bootcamp runs Thursday - Friday, gives the weekend for painting and resumes on Monday.  Class size is limited to 12.  A complete supply list can be found at our website - www.saratoga-arts.org

Thursday, Friday & Monday
10am - 3pm
April 18, 19 & 22
$150 for members / $160 for non-members

 

THE STILL LIFE IN 
WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP

with Susan Wiley

This workshop is for students who are somewhat familiar with watercolor (or need a little refresher) and would like a solid foundation of skills upon which to build.  Using a still life as reference this workshop, and taught through demonstration and one-on-one instruction, students will learn about color mixing, watercolor painting techniques and how to balance a painting.  A supply list can be found on our website - www.saratoga-arts.org/education.  Workshop size is limited to 12 students.



Thursday, April 25: 10am - 4pm

$60 for members / $70 for non-members

 

PAINTING THE LANDSCAPE IN WATERCOLOR


with Tom O’Brien

This landscape painting class is designed for artists of all levels and art-making experience.  Through demonstration and one-on-one instruction students will learn and understand the basic elements of design and composition inherent in a variety of different landscapes.  Students will also learn the basic rules for color mixing, different methods and techniques for applying watercolor and preparing the paper.  Class size is limited to 12 students.   Please visit our website for a complete supply list and bring lots of photographs for reference.  This class is open to all levels, from first-timers to advanced students



Fridays: 10am - 12pm

April 26, May 3, 10, 17, 24

$85 for members / $95 for non-members

 

ALLA PRIMA PORTRAITS


with Corey Pitkin

Explore the painterly side of portraiture! Alla prima (Italian for “at first attempt”) is a method of oil painting where the artist keeps the brushstrokes lively and completes the painting before the paint has a chance to dry. This one day workshop will start with a quick demo and then set the students loose to create their own masterpiece with the assistance of the instructor. Students must have a basic understanding of working with oil paints.  Supplies: oil paints - at least a red, a blue, a yellow and a white, a 11x14 or larger canvas or panel , a mix of brushes (the larger the better), odorless mineral spirits or other oil painting medium (no turpentine please), a palette, and palette knife.


Saturday, June 8, 2013: 10am - 4pm

$70 for members / $80 for non-members

 

WATERCOLOR WORKSHOPS 
WITH TOM RYAN

BEGINNERS LEVEL 

If you have ever wanted to experience the fun of watercolor but haven’t had the confidence to start, this workshop is for you.  It is designed for beginners or those who have been away from painting far too long.  Several topics will be covered including color, value, techniques, composition and color mixing.  This class is recommended for students ages 16 and up.  



Saturday, June 1, 2013: 10am - 4pm
$70 for members / $80 for non-members

 

INTERMEDIATE - ADVANCED LEVEL


CREATE VIBRANT, CLEAN AND COLORFUL WATERCOLORS!
Learn the techniques and approaches to create vibrant, clean and colorful watercolors. Learn also how to avoid the dreaded "muddy" ones. You will create your own watercolor of a subject of your choice. Bring in photos, sketches, an unsuccessful painting, or other reference material.  There will be instruction with teaching demos, a landscape demo, plenty of student painting time, and individual help.  


Saturday, May 11, 2013: 10am - 4pm
$70 for members / $80 for non-members



Both of the above workshops are limited to 12 students and recommended for students ages 16 and up.  Supply lists for both can be found at our website - www.saratoga-arts.org - listed under Watercolor I and Watercolor II.  To see more of Tom’s work, visit tomryanwatercolors.artspan.com.

 

Silversmithing, Photography & Writing

 

SILVERSMITHING
with Matt Balint

Silversmithing offers an opportunity to learn the basic techniques of silversmithing and allows participants the opportunity to create a piece of functional or non-functional art, jewelry or sculpture in sterling or fine silver. This class also provides an introduction to a number of techniques and approaches to two and three-dimensional design and establishes a foundation for the fabrication of jewelry with a primary focus on lamination (soldering), piercing, bezal making, and stone setting. All of the necessary tools will be provided. Class size is limited to 10, so register early. There will be $30 materials fee due the first class.



Mondays: 7pm - 9pm

April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20

$70 for members / $80 for non-members

 

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
with Joseph Marcuccio
Having trouble understanding digital camera menus, terminology and controls?  This course is designed to help you understand your digital camera and will prepare you to be a better digital photographer.  Students will learn how digital cameras function, understand the transition and similarities from traditional 35mm cameras to digital cameras, learn how to use camera menus, learn to shop for upgrades that meet your needs, and discover how to take great photos in many types of settings and various lighting situations.  This course is designed for basic - intermediate 35mm and digital SLR users.  Please bring your digital camera, manual, a clean digital camera card and questions you have to the first session.



Tuesdays: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
May 7, 14, 21
$70 for members / $80 for non-members

 

THE WRITER'S TOOLBOX
with Thomas Dimopoulos
This class is designed for the everyday writer; from bloggers and memoirists, to storytellers and those who prefer non-fiction.  Through demonstration and one-on-one instruction, students will learn the importance of detail, seeing it, transforming it and weaving it into your writing, will learn about methods for gathering facts and mining new ideas, interview tips and the benefits of sharing your work in a social media context.  Students will be encouraged to view everyday life through a creative eye and use those observations to enhance their work.  Students should bring writing paper, pens and/or pencils.  Laptops or tablets may also be used.  Students are also encouraged to bring a hard copy printout of something they are currently working on to the first class. 

Tuesdays: 6pm - 8pm
April 30, May 7, 14, 21
$60 for members / $70 for non-members

Thomas Dimopoulos writes hard news, arts and music features for publication and is an award-winning staff journalist and columnist for The Post-Star and The Saratogian. As a freelance writer, Thomas, has contributed articles which were published in Saratoga Living, the Times Union, Metroland, Nippertown, Saratoga Wire, Hill Country Observer, and SUNY Empire State College magazine, as well as nationally-distributed pop culture publications such as Lollipop Magazine and Flipside.