Classes & Workshops

Think of this as a workshop that lasts all year - meeting once every six weeks (approximately). It's really one workshop made up of 9 one-day-long Saturday classes. By design, it is intended that students commit to 8 or 9 of the dates and pay in advance. The idea 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. 2010 will be the fourth year that this Independent Study group will meet and all the participants feel that it has enhanced their artistic growth and development - plus, it is really fun - that is why we are doing it again!

Most of the group are working in an acrylic/collage/mixed media combination method. Some are mostly painting - in acrylic. All types of media are welcome, but, please note, I have little expertise in oil or watercolor - but can help any and all with such things as composition, color, perspective, creating space, etc.

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 from the group and the instructor. After a lunch break, the afternoon is a hands-on work time, 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 turn out to 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.

Tuition:
Participants who commit to 8 or 9 dates, and pay in advance: $120 per Saturday
Participants who choose not to commit, but who prefer to come on a drop-in basis: $135 per Saturday

Total payment in advance is preferred, but dividing the tuition into two payments, for example, one by Dec.1 and one by June 1, is fine, too.

If you need a different arrangement, let me know. These are tough times for everyone and I can be flexible.

This workshop is full, but, since April is some time from now, there will mostly likely be a space or two that opens up. Contact Debi Pendell if you would like to be put on a waiting list.

Every year students come from all over - Connecticut, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts - sometimes even from London - to immerse themselves in art making for an entire week. Some students stay at local hotels, motels, and inns - a special discounted rate has been arranged with The Porches Inn (http://www.porches.com/). Some stay dorm/camping-style in various lofts in the Eclipse Mill. Local students may also commute from home. Class is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday thru Friday, and students can return after dinner to work on their own in the studio until 9 p.m., if they wish. Wednesday afternoon is reserved for museum visits as a group. Some evening events are planned, like visiting the studios of local artists.

This year's main focus will be on composition. Each student will design their own project. Students are invited to bring in works in progress or to begin new works or both. Every student will be required to create, with the help of the instructor, a "contract" stating how many works they will complete, what size, the support, the media, and any specific parameters as to color, content, abstraction or representation, use of texture, line, shape, volume, value, space, etc. Critiques and work time will alternate as needed, and the critiques will focus on composition. The instructor will provide information on basic theory and how to use the above mentioned artistic elements to create successful compositions.

Students will determine which art materials they need and will be responsible for bringing them.

Lodgings can be arranged with the instructor.

Students provide the food and beverages and prepare the meals. Some grocery shop at home and bring it up to North Adams, others wait till they arrive in North Adams and do their grocery shopping at a local store. People bring a variety of snacks to share with everyone. Coffee and tea can be prepared by students any time during the day in Loft 205 (as well as in your own lodgings).

Breakfast is on-your-own at your lodgings. Lunch is the main meal of the day and is prepared by the students, usually in teams of two, and is eaten as a group in Loft 205. Dinner is variable and relaxed - sometimes just sandwiches, salads, cheese & bread & wine, soup - grabbed from the refrigerator or prepared individually and eaten while socializing, or off alone for a bit of solitude. If anyone wants a bigger evening meal, something more formal and substantial, they can cook it in Loft 205 or in the loft they are staying in - alone or with any others who care to join in. But the evening meal is not strictly structured like the lunch meal is.

On Friday evening we go out to a local restaurant for a dinner to celebrate the completion of the Retreat. Spouses/Partners are invited to join in.

Please plan to arrive early in the day on Sunday, April 25. This gives an opportunity for everyone to settle in to their lodgings, shop if they need to, meet each other and visit, etc. We begin class promptly at 9 a.m. on Monday, so your personal work area needs to be set up on Sunday. It is best to plan to leave on Saturday morning (May 1). Those who have stayed in lofts will need time to clean before they leave.

$500 for the week-long workshop
(does not include materials, lodging, or food)

To register:
Email: debipendell@msn.com

or call:
413-346-3362 (cell)

Once registered, please send a check by March 31, 2010 to:
Debi Pendell
243 Union Street, Suite 205
North Adams MA 01247