Get creative at Studios on the Park

By Meagan Friberg

The artists and staff with Studios on the Park have plenty of classes, workshops, and events to help people of all ages and inclinations explore, wake up, and express their creative side.

“We have many new exciting offerings,” said Studios Executive Director Sasha Irving, “and several of our favorite instructors are back with an awesome lineup of classes. Get ready for mixed media, ceramics, painting, and more at Studios! Our diverse programming includes plenty for younger artists as well.”

Mindful Art Session: Visual Art Journaling
Eve Provost Chartrand
March 2, 16, 30
6-8 p.m.
Art journaling is a powerful tool for self-discovery and cultivating your creativity. Mixed media artist Eve Provost Chartrand offers these art sessions that are geared towards providing emotional relief from stress and anxiety, while exploring the psychological benefits of mindful art. She will explore the personal value of journaling, as well as methods for generating thought and techniques for building color, texture, and content. Participants will work with a prompt for journaling, and new techniques for building backgrounds, building layers of imagery and signification, or adding text. No experience necessary; all materials, except for sketchbook, are included in the $25 per session fee.

Ceramics Class
Anna Meyrick
March 6, 13, 20
4:30-6:30 p.m.
Adults are invited to come and explore with clay in this dynamic ceramics class with Anna Meyrick – no experience necessary! The open studio format allows students to take full advantage of the artistic possibilities of the hand-building and slab methods. Come with project ideas in mind or experiment to create vases, vessels, flowers, creatures or something new.
The $125 fee includes materials and firing.

Ink + Drink
Kirstin Kallal
March 10 (second Friday of each month)
5-9 p.m.
Shake off the stress of your workweek and join printmaker Kirstin Kallal for a fun night with friends! Ink + Drink nights provide a great introduction to printmaking where participants will get an overview of the materials and processes used in printmaking, without an overwhelming time commitment. Artist and Facilitator Kirstin Kallal provides all of the materials and ink and you bring the drink! Using simple printmaking techniques, she guides participants through easy projects, including her pre-carved stamps to create keepsake gift tags and cards. “Stop in when you can between 5 and 9, bring your friends and a bottle of wine, and stay for a glass or two,” says Kirstin. “Start your weekend making your own cards with the stamps and ink I provide, and then go to dinner or look at more art. This is casual, fun and simple! This is low-key, non-intimidating, approachable art-making…and it’s a good time. We talk, we laugh, we drink, we make. For the March Ink & Drink, participants can stamp wine and beer-themed greeting cards and gift tags.” Price varies by item.

Open Studio/Art Critique
Jessamyn Lynn
March 4 (first Saturday of each month)
2-4 p.m.
Join Jessamyn Lynn and bring a piece of art that you would like to talk about/need support with and/or a piece to work on. “We offer a space for people of all backgrounds and ages and walks of life to come and create their own space and get the support and community they want and need to form a stronger practice,” says Jessamyn. “I encourage everyone to come to an open studio/art critique to see what YOU have to offer…if you’ve been looking for a place to connect or express yourself and would like to do so with other like-minded people.” Please RSVP. Suggested donation, $10-25; no one turned away for lack of funds.

Please register or RSVP for all sessions and classes. To find more information on these classes and other happenings at Studios on the Park during March and throughout the year, call (805) 238-9800, stop by 1130 Pine St. or go to www.StudiosOnThePark.org for registration, costs, and more.