Upcoming Classes
Pre-registration is required at least three days before the start of the class, unless otherwise specified. You are not fully registered until paid in full. Space will not be held for unpaid registrations. Material fees are included in the class price unless otherwise specified.
Technique And Critique
Date: Tuesday, August 6
Time: 1:00 – 3:00pm
Cost: $40 ($30 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Chris Cartledge
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome
We will briefly discuss the composition of a Masters’ artwork explaining the composition and design principles, elements and color strategy used at the start of each class. Afterwards, the space will be an open studio and participants will be encouraged to bring in finished or unfinished works for critique and technique advice from a professional artist. Chris has a strong background in visual design as well as experience in drawing, pen and ink, watercolor, acrylics and oils.
This class is designed to benefit beginner level artists through advanced level artists. We will focus on improving your knowledge of the art process and your art through practice and instruction.
Classes will take place on the first Tuesday of each month from April thru December. While you are not required to attend every month, the sessions will build upon each other with each session including follow up, reinforcement and new material. Masters’ works will be discussed, and handouts will be provided. Plan to bring your own art and ideas for critique and constructive discussion. Participants should bring the materials needed to work on their personal projects.
Dates for the full class series: April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5, December 3. You will need to sign-up for each session individually.
Chris started painting while a student at Clemson University in the late 80s studying under Professor Ireland Regnier, where he further developed his deep love for the arts and painting. Recently, one of his paintings won honorable mention and was featured in “The Best of Acrylic Artist Magazine and American Artist”. Currently, Chris is on the board of the Blue Ridge Arts Council in Seneca, SC, where he teaches drawing, painting (oil, acrylic, and watercolor), sculpture, and art theory. He creates from his home studio overlooking Lake Keowee.
REGISTER NOW. Maximum Participants: 13.
Open Clay Studio
Date: Tuesdays, August 6, 13, 20, 27
Time: 5:30 – 8:30pm
Cost: $30 ($25 BRAC Members) per session
Instructor: Wendy Converse
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome
Get your hands dirty and create some exciting new clay artwork. Join us for an evening or two. There are no special projects planned for these open studio sessions, but Wendy and others in attendance are always happy to help you navigate the best building methods to achieve your clay goals. Some clay experience is helpful, but everyone is welcome. Sign-up for as many days as you’d like, or pay as you go.
Wendy has been working in clay for nearly 20 years, starting first on the potter’s wheel and later moving into hand building. Her work stretches the limits of what we think clay should do.
REGISTER NOW. Maximum Participants: 12.
Getting Started with Watercolor
Date: August 14 & 21
Time: 2-4pm
Cost: $60 ($50 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Liz Purcell
Skill Level: Beginner
Join award winning watercolor artist Liz Purcell as she introduces you to watercolors. In this class students will learn about basic watercolor techniques and materials. There will be an emphasis on practicing various washes and creating simple landscapes. This is a two-day workshop, allowing time for work to dry and for practicing techniques.
REGISTER NOW. Maximum Participants: 8.
5-Day Open Studio
Date: Monday-Friday, August 26-30
Doors Open: 9:00am – 8:00pm Each Day
Cost: $100 BRAC Members Only
No Instructor
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome
In an Open Studio you bring all of your supplies and we will provide you with a table and easel (if you need one). All mediums are welcome. You can create all day, everyday for an entire week alongside your fellow artists. There is no instructor, but there are daily opportunities to learn from critique-inspired peer support any time you feel the need. Typically, the group does a critique session at lunchtime, for those interested in participating. Come and go as you like, but leave your supplies all set up for the next day! Must be a BRAC member to participate.
REGISTER NOW. Maximum Participants: 8.
5-Day Open Studio
Date: Monday-Friday, September 2-6
Doors Open: 9:00am – 8:00pm Each Day
Cost: $100 BRAC Members Only
No Instructor
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome
In an Open Studio you bring all of your supplies and we will provide you with a table and easel (if you need one). All mediums are welcome. You can create all day, everyday for an entire week alongside your fellow artists. There is no instructor, but there are daily opportunities to learn from critique-inspired peer support any time you feel the need. Typically, the group does a critique session at lunchtime, for those interested in participating. Come and go as you like, but leave your supplies all set up for the next day! Must be a BRAC member to participate.
REGISTER NOW. Maximum Participants: 8.
Technique And Critique
Date: Tuesday, September 3
Time: 1:00 – 3:00pm
Cost: $40 ($30 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Chris Cartledge
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome
We will briefly discuss the composition of a Masters’ artwork explaining the composition and design principles, elements and color strategy used at the start of each class. Afterwards, the space will be an open studio and participants will be encouraged to bring in finished or unfinished works for critique and technique advice from a professional artist. Chris has a strong background in visual design as well as experience in drawing, pen and ink, watercolor, acrylics and oils.
This class is designed to benefit beginner level artists through advanced level artists. We will focus on improving your knowledge of the art process and your art through practice and instruction.
Classes will take place on the first Tuesday of each month from April thru December. While you are not required to attend every month, the sessions will build upon each other with each session including follow up, reinforcement and new material. Masters’ works will be discussed, and handouts will be provided. Plan to bring your own art and ideas for critique and constructive discussion. Participants should bring the materials needed to work on their personal projects.
Dates for the full class series: April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5, December 3. You will need to sign-up for each session individually.
Chris started painting while a student at Clemson University in the late 80s studying under Professor Ireland Regnier, where he further developed his deep love for the arts and painting. Recently, one of his paintings won honorable mention and was featured in “The Best of Acrylic Artist Magazine and American Artist”. Currently, Chris is on the board of the Blue Ridge Arts Council in Seneca, SC, where he teaches drawing, painting (oil, acrylic, and watercolor), sculpture, and art theory. He creates from his home studio overlooking Lake Keowee.
REGISTER NOW. Maximum Participants: 13.
Using Procreate and the iPad as part of your Art Process
Date: Wednesday, September 4, 11, 18
Time: 1-3pm
Cost: $90 ($80 BRAC Members)
Materials Fee: $50 (payable online in advance)
Instructor: Chris Cartledge
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome
The digital painting program Procreate and the Apple iPad can be used for fast iterations in the compositional thumbnail process. This will allow you to eliminate hours in the concept phase of your design process. You can also edit your current works or reference photos changing colors, sizes of objects and locations on the picture plane in a matter of minutes. This is an invaluable tool saving time and money on wasted supplies.
We will cover the basic tools and operations of the program. We will learn to set up presets and save your favorite tools for quick access. I will share my files, presets and explain my process before I ever put brush to canvas. I will also cover fixing existing paintings where “something seems off”. Lastly, we will discuss compositional and color DESIGN within Procreate.
Participants will need to bring an Apple iPad with an iPencil and have the Procreate app installed onto their device to each class. Procreate can be found in the App Store. Materials fee covers instructor handouts and extensive digital files (does not include the cost of Procreate).
Chris started painting while a student at Clemson University in the late 80’s studying under Professor Ireland Regnier, where he further developed his deep love for the arts and painting. Recently, one of his paintings won honorable mention and was featured in “The Best of Acrylic Artist Magazine and American Artist”. Currently, Chris is on the board of the Blue Ridge Arts Council in Seneca, SC, where he teaches drawing, painting (oil, acrylic, and watercolor), sculpture, and art theory. He creates from his home studio overlooking Lake Keowee.
REGISTER NOW. Maximum Participants: 7.
Off Loom Weaving
Date: Wednesday, September 25
Time: 1-4pm
Cost: $50 ($40 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Lois Fitzgerald
Skill Level: Beginner Level
Using a picture frame as a “loom”, participants will create a weaving using yarns & natural materials.
Instructor will provide yarns, branches and some “naturals.” Participants will provide 8×10” or 11×14” picture frame, a pair of scissors, warping material (cotton string, jute or hemp twine and naturals such as sea shells, sea glass, pine needles, feathers, twigs, etc. to incorporate into the weaving. You’ll be thrilled with the results you’ll achieve in this fun class!
Lois has always enjoyed needlework and crafting, and she collects interesting natural objects while on her walks. Her novel approach to weaving with these ‘found objects’ has opened her eyes to new possibilities in everything she sees. In this class, you’ll appreciate her vision and have fun creating your own masterpiece. A collection of Lois’ weavings were on display in a fiber arts show at BRAC last year, and she has been recognized with local awards.
REGISTER NOW. Maximum Participants: 8.
Watercolor Batik Painting
Date: Saturday, September 28
Time: 10am-3pm
Cost: $80 ($70 BRAC Members), plus $15 material fee
Instructor: Loretta Addison
Skill Level: Intermediate (experience with watercolors)
Learn the fine art of watercolor batik from Loretta Addison, the artist who painted the beautiful geese in our recent juried show. In this watercolor batik workshop, you will learn to tear the rice paper to get the deckled edges, use wax as a resist for your white space or preserve a color already applied. You will build up your painting using wax until it is completely covered, then remove the wax and attach the rice paper to an acid free surface ready to mat and frame.
Instructor will provide some materials (rice paper, micron pen, wax, pot to heat wax). Students will bring other supplies in the supply list and lunch.
Loretta has been drawing and painting for many years. She has experimented with oils, acrylics, encaustic, alcohol ink, and finally settled on watercolor as her favorite medium. She works on watercolor paper, yupo, and various rice papers. She is a member of The Currahee Artist Guild and the Georgia Watercolor Society, and her work can be seen in shows locally, and online at https://www.curraheeartistguild.com.
REGISTER NOW. Maximum Participants: 12.
Technique And Critique
Date: Tuesday, October 1
Time: 1:00 – 3:00pm
Cost: $40 ($30 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Chris Cartledge
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome
We will briefly discuss the composition of a Masters’ artwork explaining the composition and design principles, elements and color strategy used at the start of each class. Afterwards, the space will be an open studio and participants will be encouraged to bring in finished or unfinished works for critique and technique advice from a professional artist. Chris has a strong background in visual design as well as experience in drawing, pen and ink, watercolor, acrylics and oils.
This class is designed to benefit beginner level artists through advanced level artists. We will focus on improving your knowledge of the art process and your art through practice and instruction.
Classes will take place on the first Tuesday of each month from April thru December. While you are not required to attend every month, the sessions will build upon each other with each session including follow up, reinforcement and new material. Masters’ works will be discussed, and handouts will be provided. Plan to bring your own art and ideas for critique and constructive discussion. Participants should bring the materials needed to work on their personal projects.
Dates for the full class series: April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5, December 3. You will need to sign-up for each session individually.
Chris started painting while a student at Clemson University in the late 80s studying under Professor Ireland Regnier, where he further developed his deep love for the arts and painting. Recently, one of his paintings won honorable mention and was featured in “The Best of Acrylic Artist Magazine and American Artist”. Currently, Chris is on the board of the Blue Ridge Arts Council in Seneca, SC, where he teaches drawing, painting (oil, acrylic, and watercolor), sculpture, and art theory. He creates from his home studio overlooking Lake Keowee.
REGISTER NOW. Maximum Participants: 13.
Stained Paper Watermedia Collage
Date: Friday-Saturday, October 25-26
Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm Each Day
Cost: $200 ($190 BRAC Members)
Materials Fee: $17
Instructor: Jane Todd Butcher
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome
This two-day workshop will introduce watermedia artists of all levels to working with inks or acrylics along with collage to complete beautiful and colorful works of art. Participants will dye and stain art tissue or rice papers and then incorporate them into their artwork. They may choose to develop their work into mixed media paintings or collage their papers onto three-dimensional objects, or combine collage with writing or other art forms. The focus is on experimentation, color and design. This workshop exposes students to new ways of thinking and expands artistic possibilities.
Students should bring lunch (we have a kitchen with fridge).
Materials: Most collage materials will be provided, including: rice papers and art tissue, boards and panels for mounting upon, acrylic medium and glue, brushes for glue, inks and very fluid acrylics, pipettes, gloves, plastic covered support boards for dyeing, sprayers, and a lot of miscellaneous tools. Artists who wish to paint onto their collages bring their own paints and brushes. A list of other optional materials can be downloaded. Students should also bring a pair of scissors and a hairdryer.
For more information about Jane, please visit her website at www.janetoddbutcher.com. Previous teaching venues include: Greenville County Museum School, Greenville SC; North Augusta Arts Council, North Augusta GA; Furman University Continuing Education, Greenville SC; Transylvania Arts Council, Brevard NC; Conestee Falls Art League, Brevard NC; and Blue Ridge Arts Center, Seneca, SC.
REGISTER NOW. Minimum Participants: 5. Maximum Participants: 12.
Technique And Critique
Date: Tuesday, November 5
Time: 1:00 – 3:00pm
Cost: $40 ($30 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Chris Cartledge
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome
We will briefly discuss the composition of a Masters’ artwork explaining the composition and design principles, elements and color strategy used at the start of each class. Afterwards, the space will be an open studio and participants will be encouraged to bring in finished or unfinished works for critique and technique advice from a professional artist. Chris has a strong background in visual design as well as experience in drawing, pen and ink, watercolor, acrylics and oils.
This class is designed to benefit beginner level artists through advanced level artists. We will focus on improving your knowledge of the art process and your art through practice and instruction.
Classes will take place on the first Tuesday of each month from April thru December. While you are not required to attend every month, the sessions will build upon each other with each session including follow up, reinforcement and new material. Masters’ works will be discussed, and handouts will be provided. Plan to bring your own art and ideas for critique and constructive discussion. Participants should bring the materials needed to work on their personal projects.
Dates for the full class series: April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5, December 3. You will need to sign-up for each session individually.
Chris started painting while a student at Clemson University in the late 80s studying under Professor Ireland Regnier, where he further developed his deep love for the arts and painting. Recently, one of his paintings won honorable mention and was featured in “The Best of Acrylic Artist Magazine and American Artist”. Currently, Chris is on the board of the Blue Ridge Arts Council in Seneca, SC, where he teaches drawing, painting (oil, acrylic, and watercolor), sculpture, and art theory. He creates from his home studio overlooking Lake Keowee.
REGISTER NOW. Maximum Participants: 13.
Alcohol Inks
Date: Saturday, November 9
Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Cost: $80 ($70 BRAC Members), plus $15 material fee
Instructor: Loretta Addison
Skill Level: Beginner
Have you always wanted to learn how to use alcohol inks? Join Loretta as she teaches you how to get the most beautiful paintings using this colorful medium, and learn how to manipulate the paint to make it flow. In class you’ll learn new techniques in 3 projects: a lovely design on a bowl using saran wrap, a landscape design on white tile using handmade stencil or machine made, and a transparent cone flower on black paper. Loretta will also demonstrate additional projects that you can try on your own later. The workshop will include ways to seal the projects using spray sealant or resin. All materials provided.
Loretta has been drawing and painting for many years. She has experimented with oils, acrylics, encaustic, alcohol ink, and finally settled on watercolor as her favorite medium. She works on watercolor paper, yupo, and various rice papers. She is a member of The Currahee Artist Guild and the Georgia Watercolor Society, and her work can be seen in shows locally, and online at https://www.curraheeartistguild.com.
REGISTER NOW. Maximum Participants: 12.
Technique And Critique
Date: Tuesday, December 3
Time: 1:00 – 3:00pm
Cost: $40 ($30 BRAC Members)
Instructor: Chris Cartledge
Skill Level: All Levels Welcome
We will briefly discuss the composition of a Masters’ artwork explaining the composition and design principles, elements and color strategy used at the start of each class. Afterwards, the space will be an open studio and participants will be encouraged to bring in finished or unfinished works for critique and technique advice from a professional artist. Chris has a strong background in visual design as well as experience in drawing, pen and ink, watercolor, acrylics and oils.
This class is designed to benefit beginner level artists through advanced level artists. We will focus on improving your knowledge of the art process and your art through practice and instruction.
Classes will take place on the first Tuesday of each month from April thru December. While you are not required to attend every month, the sessions will build upon each other with each session including follow up, reinforcement and new material. Masters’ works will be discussed, and handouts will be provided. Plan to bring your own art and ideas for critique and constructive discussion. Participants should bring the materials needed to work on their personal projects.
Dates for the full class series: April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5, December 3. You will need to sign-up for each session individually.
Chris started painting while a student at Clemson University in the late 80s studying under Professor Ireland Regnier, where he further developed his deep love for the arts and painting. Recently, one of his paintings won honorable mention and was featured in “The Best of Acrylic Artist Magazine and American Artist”. Currently, Chris is on the board of the Blue Ridge Arts Council in Seneca, SC, where he teaches drawing, painting (oil, acrylic, and watercolor), sculpture, and art theory. He creates from his home studio overlooking Lake Keowee.
REGISTER NOW. Maximum Participants: 13.
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.
Our community’s health and well-being is paramount to us and we encourage you to do everything in your power to keep yourself and others safe. If you are not feeling well, please do not attend class. Masks are not required, but they are available and welcome if you choose to wear one. We are also limiting our class sizes to ensure there is ample room for social distancing. Thank you for your understanding.