Classes & Workshops

These Independent Study Workshops are structured differently than the same workshops held in North Adams. The main goal is the same: to support each artist's quest to give priority to their art making and to encourage steady and regular time in the studio throughout an entire year. Attending artists work on their own individual projects. The difference is that there is no hands-on work time. About three quarters of the day is devoted to an instructor-guided group critique, broken up by 15 minute breaks and a half hour lunch break (exact timing is dependent on the number of participants). From one to two hours at the end of the workshop are devoted to either an art-related discussion or a demonstration/activity. Many participants commit to attending all or almost all sessions throughout the year as a support for their art making away from the workshops, but others are welcome to attend on an occasional basis. Try one workshop and see how it fits your needs.

The main goal of these Independent Study Workshops is to support each artist's quest to give priority to their art making and to encourage steady and regular time in the studio throughout an entire year. Attending artists work on their own individual projects. The workshop morning is devoted to a group critique, guided by the instructor. Participants bring in completed works and/or works in progress for feedback. After a lunch break, the afternoon is a hands-on work time of about 3 hours, with each person working on their own self-directed projects. The instructor is available at this time for advice and assistance, and impromptu lessons are often triggered and can include the whole group (or whoever is interested). This is also a time when participants learn from each other. The last half hour of the day, we do a quick look around to see what everyone has accomplished during work time. Many participants commit to attending all or almost all sessions throughout the year as a support for their art making away from the workshops, but others are welcome to attend on an occasional basis. If you are interested but unsure, come to just one workshop and try it out.

The focus of this workshop will be on ideas and experiments pertaining to how to keep creating artwork while one travels. Prior to the actual trip we will determine what to bring, carry-on and/or checked baggage, what can be bought at art supply stores in Nice, and how to carry small supplies while touring Nice. Also prior to the workshop, each participant must plan a large project that all of these small works will become a part of upon returning home, and the large project must be approved by the instructor. Students are encouraged to be inventive! This pre-planning will allow everyone to know which supports (i.e. canvas, paper, board, etc.) they want to work on and what size. How many supports will be determined by the instructor, matching the number of experiments the group will be guided to do.

During the workshop time in Nice, the instructor will guide several experiments each day while the group sees the sights, visits museums, checks out the beach, stops at cafes and restaurants, and ... this is still in the planning stages. All works created will be small, for ease of carrying around Nice and bringing back home. The instructor will assign specific guidelines and goals to these experiments - they will not be simply to "sit down and make something." These guidelines and goals will be presented at the time of the experiment, the element of surprise being part of the program.

Several students have already signed up for this trip and some of them are bringing their spouses/partners. About 14, including the instructor and her husband, have rented a large villa, and the villa is full, unless someone needs to drop out - a possibility because October is still several months away. Others have chosen to find their own accommodations in hotels. Some art activities and social activities may take place at the villa, but the details have not been planned as yet. Please inquire if you would like more information on lodgings. Everyone will provide their own food and the group will be sampling Nice's various eateries during our many outings. This, too, is still being planned. This workshop is a work in progress!