Local Art Classes Release Your Creativity

olympia art classes
Capener, who shows his work at Childhood’s End Gallery, won 1st place for this oil painting at the 2014 State Fair. Photo courtesy: Cal Capener
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By Lindsey Surrell

sunset airWhile many New Year’s Resolutions revolve around what to lose (weight, bad habits, smoking) choosing a resolution about what to gain can also be very rewarding. Want to increase your skills, friends, and artwork to hang around your house? Then, an art class sounds like a perfect fit for you. The following list is a jumping point for your creativity to take off, and luckily for us, it’s all within our neighborhood.

 

Art Classes starting in January:

olympia art classes
Capener, who shows his work at Childhood’s End Gallery, won 1st place for this oil painting at the 2014 State Fair. Photo courtesy: Cal Capener

Artist Cal Capener teaches an all-level oil painting class. Classes, typically with six to seven students, review color mixing, brushwork, knife work, and composition with Cal, who has been teaching art for 25 years.

Monthly classes start Saturday, January 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Diane Fairbanks studio.

Tuition: $60 per class.

Email or call Cal to register at 360-491-0704. A list of supplies will be provided when registering.

 

Artist Ann Breckon teaches an all-level watercolor class. The 2015 class series will go back to the basics and Ann, with over 15 years of experience, will demonstrate all the techniques that students need to know to complete a successful watercolor painting. In addition, the theme for this year is the State of Washington and January will focus on the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.

Classes are held on certain Mondays from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church. The January schedule includes classes on January 12 and 26. Subsequent dates are listed on her website.

Tuition: $35 per class.

Visit Ann Breckon’s website or email Roxana Caples to register for classes. List of supplies will be provided when registering.

 

carriage house
The scenic view outside The Carriage House provides inspiration to budding and experienced artists.

Artist Amy Fisher teaches advanced beginner/ intermediate watercolor classes. Amy, with 45 years of watercolor and art experience, focuses her classes on composition, color theory, and paint application techniques. Amy starts her classes with a group instruction demonstration and continues with individual instruction while students are painting. The theme for January is snow. In the summer, the 13-person class paints outdoors.

Weekly classes are held on Fridays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Olympia Center, Room 204.

Tuition: $120 for 4 classes (1 month).

Visit Amy Fisher’s website to register and learn more. List of supplies will be provided when registering.

 

South Puget Sound Community College provides an ample number of art class options, including welding, ceramics and drawing. Highlighted below is a newly offered watercolor class.

Paul Randall teaches the class “Intermediate Watercolor Painting.” In this class, people and perspectives are the focus, and students are encouraged to grow in their art skills by choosing (and getting assigned) more challenging subjects to paint.

Ten weekly classes are held on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Mottman Campus in Olympia from January 13 to March 17.

Tuition: $99 for series (10 classes).

Register for classes online at SPSCC’s website or by calling 360-596-5750.

 

olympia art classes
Laurie Thomas’ encaustic painting is shown here. Encaustic painting uses wax based paint that is heated and dried and reheated to create different effects. Photo courtesy Laurie Thomas.

The City of Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation released their winter/spring schedule and it is packed with exciting and educating classes. Of the many art classes available, highlighted below are two of the courses to choose from, both taking place on Saturday, January 17.

Ellen Miffitt’s class, “Watercolor Textures and Techniques,” explores 15 to 20 different types of techniques to use when creating your next watercolor masterpiece. This one-day class takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Olympia Center. Supplies are not provided but a list of what to bring will be shared upon registration. Tuition: $46 for one class.

Tony Lirette is teaching “Bob Ross Joy of Painting.” This art style uses a wet-on-wet technique for oil painting. The supplies are provided for this class and you will come home with a landscape masterpiece. This class is offered four times, including January 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Olympia Center. Tuition: $69 for one class.

Register for classes online at the City of Olympia website, in person at the Olympia Center, or by calling 360-753-8380.

 

The following art classes might not start in January, but the artists and locations are worth a look:

  • Berta Klooz teaches drawing, watercolor, pastel, and mixed media classes at the Carriage House Art.
  • Diana Fairbanks teaches multi-media classes at the Diana Fairbanks studio in Olympia.
  • Kathy Gore-Fuss leads painting classes at the her studio in Olympia.
  • Laurie Thomas is offering a new class on encaustic painting this spring. Email her for information.
  • Olyphant is a great local store to purchase your art supplies and this new location might also host art classes in the future.
  • Other local artists use the Art Trails of Southwest Washington to post their class schedules. Follow the Art Trails’ Facebook page for updates.
  • Does sewing, quilting, and woodworking sound more appealing to you? Check out this past Thurston Talk article that highlights other local crafty businesses.

 

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