"Bringing Art to the People and People to the Arts"

Blue Ridge Arts Center

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Upcoming Classes

Pre-registration is required three days before the start of the class, unless otherwise specified. You are not fully registered unless paid in full. Material fees are included in the price of the class unless otherwise specified.

Cancellations by the Art Center

Classes may be cancelled if enrollment does not meet minimums by the deadline date. Only those registered will be notified of cancellations. If Blue Ridge Art Center cancels a class, the student will have the option to transfer to another class or receive a 100% refund.

Cancellation by the Participant

We understand that life brings many surprises for us all and sometimes you will need to cancel your class reservation.

  • A refund is available if cancellation is made at least 3 days in advance.
  • No refunds will be made for “no shows” or if less than 3 days notice is provided.
  • Emergency cancellations will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Registration

Register online by clicking the links below. All registrations and payments must be made online in advance. Space will not be held for unpaid registrations.

UPCOMING CLASSES

Our community’s health and well-being is paramount to us. As we are learning to live with the new norms of COVID-19 precautions, we are slowly re-opening our galleries and studios to visitors. Everyone who enters BRAC, must wear a mask and maintain ample social distancing. To this end, we are limiting our class sizes to ensure all participants have a healthy workspace and are coordinating with our instructors to ensure minimal close quarters interactions. Thank you for your understanding and patience. Stay safe!

Fast and Loose with a Twist

Date: Wednesdays, June 16, 23 & 30 (10am-3pm)
Cost: $195 (BRAC Members: $180)
Instructor: Martha Driscoll

Painting Large and Loose is back with a twist. This is a three-session series. Week one, we will explore our subject (an image will be provided) by learning "to see" in a whole new way. We will create a couple of mini drawings to work from. Then, with a large brush and a small canvas, we will apply paint. On weeks two and three, we will transfer this knowledge onto a large canvas and paint large and loose. A materials list will be provided to participants.

REGISTER NOW! Limit 10 students

Gelli Plate and Monoprints

Date: Thursday, June 17 (10am-4pm)
Cost: $70 (BRAC Members: $60)
Instructor: Donna O'Hara

A fun and easy way to express yourself through printmaking. Come, play and explore two different printing processes.
1. Use a Gelli printing plate with a subtractive method of creating your prints and learn to pull and wipe the paint away to discover your your design.
2. Try experimenting with a monoprint using an additive method by brushing, stenciling and stamping your prints, manipulating the surface with color and texture to create your composition.
Learn how to use ghost prints to move to your next print. The possibilities are endless and you will be inspired by demonstrations of both methods and an opportunity to explore both processes. The printing paper is 9”x12” with the printed surface 8”x10”. You will make several prints using each method. Donna O’Hara will be guiding you through these processes. Donna is a retired art teacher and taught these methods to her students for 25 years.

All materials are provided, but since we will be using acrylics, artists should come prepared, wearing old clothes and or an apron or old shirt to cover. If you have special paper, a color acrylic you love, or a stencil you like, bring them along. Think of a theme and keep it in the back of your mind which may or may not influence your choices. Examples: butterflies, mushrooms, mountains, birds, really anything that interests you will give you a starting point.

REGISTER NOW! Limit 8 students

OPEN STUDIO: CLAY

Date: Tuesdays, June 8, 15, 22, 29 (6-9pm)
Cost: $35/day ($30/day for multiple days) - $10 non-member fee, if applicable.
Instructor: Wendy Converse

Have you taken some clay classes and now you are ready to branch out on a solo project? Would you like the chance to try some new techniques with a little guidance to help you along? Are you brand new to clay and just want to get your hands dirty? Open Studio is an intermediate level class designed to continue your journey in clay while expanding your skills and having fun making exactly what interests YOU. You can come for as many days as you'd like and even work on larger projects over multiple days. All tools will be provided. Cost includes a 25lb block of clay to use throughout the class (and after if there is any left over), as well as all firing fees. Wendy will be available to provide instruction, guidance or just good humor throughout the sessions. Don't miss this chance to have fun playing in the mud!

REGISTER NOW! Limit 6 students per session.

PET PORTRAITS IN OIL

Date: Friday, June 25 (1-4pm)
Cost: $55 ($50 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Karen Powell

Whether you are in love with your own precious pet or if you want to paint a majestic lion, or tiger, or bear, Oh My!--- you will not want to miss this opportunity to paint a back-lit, soft background, animal portrait. With Karen as your guide to composition, color, and design, you will go home with a dear-to-your-heart painting. Bring your own picture source and receive tips for how to paint it with accuracy, or paint from a photo provided by Karen.
Karen will send to you a limited supply list. This is a chance to learn to mix hues using primaries and black and white, so you need no large investment in supplies.

REGISTER NOW! Limit 8 students per session.

SUMMERTIME ENCAUSTIC WITH MULTIMEDIA

Date: Saturday, June 26 (10am-2pm)
Cost: $85 ($75 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Donna Persinger

Create a Summertime 3-D vintage style plaque utilizing encaustic techniques along with stencils, image transfers, Pan pastels, creative paperclay, pigment sticks and die-cuts. The possibilities are endless! Basic encaustic skills will be introduced and expanded. Choose from four styles of background panels. Donna is expert in this highly specialized art form. Her pieces regularly sell for far more than the cost of this class.
Plan to bring a lunch ---and just try to tamp down your enthusiasm!! If you have not experienced encaustics up close and personal, you have no idea how sumptuous the touch and feel is for this ancient art form.

REGISTER NOW! Limit 8 students per session.

TWILIGHT REFLECTIONS

Date: Wednesday, July 7 (11am-4pm)
Cost: $55 ($50 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Brenda McLean

To establish depth and shadow, we will build light and reflection in layers to create a luminous waterscape with sunset skies. You do not need any super skills to finish a painting that you can be proud of. But if you already love pastels, come and share your expertise or polish your skills.
Choose one of several sources, adding your personal style as you work. Did you think you had no personal style??? We all do! Discover yours.
Remember that you will want to be ready to enter a pastel painting in the September Member Show in order to be eligible to win the first annual Betsy Barker Pastel Award. All materials for this class are provided by donations in memory of Betsy.

REGISTER NOW! Limit 8 students per session.

PAINTING THE BOB ROSS WAY

Date: Wednesday, July 21 (1-4pm)
Cost: $55 ($50 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Michelle Fowler

Walk with Michelle step by step through the Bob Ross process and leave with a completed oil painting. It really is as easy and fun as it always seemed to be when you watched all those TV lessons! Michelle is a gifted instructor who will make you feel totally at ease. Her students all give her a big positive recommendation. You don't want to miss this!

REGISTER NOW! Limit 8 students per session.