April 18, 2023
By Meagan Friberg
The summer months are kicking off in a big way at Studios on the Park, with classes, camps, workshops and more for the young and young-at-heart in our community as the nonprofit art center staff, resident and guest artists, and volunteers continue their mission to “educate, excite, and inspire” the artist in all of us.
The Art After Dark Paso series takes place this month on June 4 from 6-9 p.m. at Studios. This is the opening reception for the Signature Exhibition in the Atrium Gallery. Enjoy premium wine tasting with Zenaida Cellars and a Songwriters At Play special musical showcase. Be sure to mark your calendar for this fun tradition of art, wine, and live music-filled evenings happening at the start of every month!
For the kids
Help inspire your child or maybe those grandkids visiting this summer by signing them up for the Studios Summer Camp series with Eve Chartrand and Anna Meyrick. Geared towards boys and girls in the 7-14 age range, with morning, afternoon, and full-day sessions available, camps include small-group instruction, high-quality art materials and, on Fridays, a mini art show.
Unique, educational, and fun, the summer art camps at Studios are the only ones in the local area taught by two professional artists. With 50 years of combined art experience, Chartland and Meyrick bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the campers. Meyrick also offers a class every Thursday from 4-5:30 p.m. at Studios and says, “I enjoy working with children, teaching them new skills, helping them problem solve as they create their own visions, find their own style, encouraging them to explore, learn, and make mistakes.”
In camp one, Ceramics, Paper Mache and Fiber Art, kids will create with clay, learn about glazes, and explore mask making with paper mache and more. They will learn about fiber art and dye clothes using dye techniques and hand painting dye, as well as learn and practice the art of silk painting. The second camp offering – Art Exploration – will have campers drawing, painting, and creating with various art supplies and making masterpieces with their instructors’ guidance. Camp three takes young artists Around the World as they explore diversity, cultures, art appreciation and the process of creating unique projects. Campers are encouraged to experiment with pencils, inks, colored pencils, watercolors and/or acrylics on canvas.
For the adult crowd
For the more experienced adult artists, renowned nocturnal artist Thomas Van Stein will offer his Urban Nocturne Plein Air Painting Workshop June 17-19. Two night sessions will take place outside, with a follow-up session to complete paintings in the Studios art classroom. Learn techniques and perspectives from Van Stein that will help make your paintings come alive.
Van Stein encourages those with painting experience to take this workshop and learn how to capture the illusion of light and dark contrast, a technique known as Chiaroscuro made famous by Rembrandt and other Old Masters. The canvases will be illuminated and participants will learn details from some of the gritty, interesting architecture in the downtown area.
“We will be outside, on the streets and near the railroad tracks, and taking advantage of the moonlight,” says Van Stein. “The workshop is great for those that have dabbled in plein air and want to learn more about this advanced level of painting. Using the skills that I teach, they will use certain palate configurations to make their paintings look more authentic; it’s all about authenticity.”
Keep up-to-date on additional camps, workshops, and classes offered during the summer and throughout the year when you check out www.studiosonthepark.org, the Studios on the Park Facebook page, call (805) 238-9800, or stop by 1130 Pine St.
***Sidebar***
Kids’ summer art camps at Studios
June 13-17 - Ceramics, Paper Mache and Fiber Art
June 20-24 - Art Exploration
June 27-July 1 - Around the World
Morning session, 9 a.m. – noon; $175 for 5 days
Afternoon session, 1 - 4 pm; $175 for 5 days
Full day session; $325 for 5 days
Call (805) 238-9800 or go to www.StudiosOnThePark.org to register & for more info, including additional camp options during the summer.
Urban Nocturne Plein Air Painting Workshop
With Thomas Van Stein
Workshop takes place on two night s& one day
Friday, June 17, 5-10 p.m.
Saturday, June 18, 5-10 p.m.
Sunday, June 19, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
$275 workshop fee plus $14 materials fee
Call (805) 238-9800 or go to www.StudiosOnThePark.org to register & for more info. For more info on Thomas Van Stein, go to www.thomasvanstein.net.
