logo via Truro Center for the Arts at Castle HillRecommended New England course in the creative arts

Last week I thought I smelled fall in the air. Then summer came bounding back, but I can still sense fall beckoning. I was one of those kids who looked forward to the start of school every fall, the new notebooks and pens, the hint of possibilities. 

Today, the prospect of a fall continuing education class in the arts has a similar effect on me. Can’t wait to stock up at the art supply store.

Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill
Thanks to a prompt from a guest post on the KHS Facebook Page, I visited the Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill online and found a number of intriguing fall workshops to consider. According to their website “…Castle Hill holds exhibitions, lectures, forums, concerts and other similar activities in order to promote social interaction among artists, craftsmen, laymen, and the community at large.” Plus they do so in a wonderful Outer Cape setting.

I have long wanted to experiment with encaustic. I worked with wax as a RISD architectural student and found it captivating. Something about its translucence, ability to change its state, and, of course, its three dimensionality appeals me. If only I could find a way to beam myself (via a change of state) to Truro for three consecutive Thursdays this fall. Here’s hoping they offer a weekend workshop in the future.

Encaustic Workshop
Instructor: Cherie Mittenthal
Thursdays: October 21, 28, Nov. 4, 11, 1:00 – 4 pm
$225

“This course is designed to help participants learn about the various ways to work with hot wax. The basics of traditional encaustic painting will be presented, including an introduction to equipment and materials, and a thorough discussion of health and safety issues.”

Class and schedule are subject to change, so check program websites for updates.

Take a look at my continuing education posts from previous seasons to get a sense of the many quality programs operating in the region. Enroll in a workshop, demonstration, or presentation on a lark, and get your creative juices flowing.

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Recommended maritime event and presentation

I’m expanding my seasonal recommendation of tempting, regional, adult-education workshops, demonstrations, and presentations to include maritime as well as home, garden, and art opportunities. Take a look at my posts from previous seasons to get a sense of the many quality programs operating in the region. Enroll in a workshop, demonstration, or presentation on a lark, and get your creative juices flowing.

Lowell’s Boat Shop

“Established in 1793 and cited as the birthplace of the fishing dory, Lowell's Boat Shop [located in Amesbury, Mass.] is a non-profit working museum and National Landmark that is dedicated to preserving and perpetuating the art and craft of wooden boat building,” according to their website.

Boats and Bagels
Instructor: Graham McKay
Saturday, June 5, 2010, 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
$45.00 (10% discount for members) ($25.00 non-refundable deposit required)

“A Morning at Lowell's Boat Shop.  Come Row! Join boatbuilder and maritime historian Graham McKay for a morning at Lowell's Boat Shop.  The morning begins with bagels and coffee. This is followed by a presentation of historic photographs of Point Shore, demonstrating a rich history of schooners and boat shops on the Merrimack River.  Participants will be given an opportunity to row one of our renowned Lowell dories or skiff, with rowing instruction provided for the inexperienced. More competent rowers can join us for a rowing tour of Point Shore.”

(Events and schedules are subject to change so check program websites for updates.)

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Recommended multidisciplinary course and event

Expect this seminar and evening event in Cambridge, Mass. to inspire the creative process by fostering connections between disciplines.

Lesley Seminars

(Class and schedule are subject to change so check program websites for updates.)

Word and Image: Making Art in Two Languages

Instructors: Karen Davis and Cassandra Goldwater

Thursdays, September 10 – December 17, 1:00 pm – 3:50 pm

$530 (non-credit)

“Do you want to create in words and images? This class will help you develop your ideas by guiding you from planning to project completion. We will consider the work of contemporary word and image artists using a range of media, including painting, photo-based art, sculpture, and electronic, as well as a range of platforms including exhibition, the web/multi-media, books and assemblages. In-class exercises and weekly assignments will help you develop your own word and image associations, while broadening your experience with a variety of artistic approaches. The class will culminate in a presentation of projects.”

An Evening in Word and Image

Thursday, November 12, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

University Hall, 2nd floor, Amphitheater, Room 2-150

Free and open to the public and the Lesley community.

“Information about guest artists will be available at www.lesley.edu/ce/ls.
This unique series, sponsored by the Center for Photographic Exhibitions, New England School of Photography, and the Lesley Seminars, pairs outstanding visual artists and writers in a format that deepens our understanding of each artist's work, and creates an interplay between the artists themselves – their images and their words.”

by Katie Hutchison for House Enthusiast

Recommended New England gardening course

Every season I check out adult-education home/garden/art opportunites from around the region and find tempting offerings to consider. In the past, I’ve used each of these continuing-ed web posts to promote a variety of classes available through several venues. I’ve since found that highlighting one offering per season better focuses the spotlight. Take a look at my posts from previous seasons to get a sense of the many quality programs operating in the region. Enroll in a workshop on a lark, and get your creative juices flowing.

The Eco-Elegant Garden: The Art of Function and Design with Priscilla Randall

Instructor: Priscilla Randall

July 13, 15, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

July 17, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

"Summertime and the living is easy—except for gardeners! This course will focus on a new approach to garden design based on gentle observation and ecologically-nuanced practices. Eco-elegant gardeners garden less and observe the natural world more—from frogs jumpin' to the growth of selected native plants (sometimes known as weeds!).

Garden and landscape design is both an art and a métier, coupling all the elements and passions of art with the challenges of hard work. The workshop will begin with an introduction to designing in the outside world; in the afternoon we’ll move to your, or PAAM's, yard. With tape measures, trowels, transits, and compass, we will work in teams to map selected open spaces as we notice such site factors as wind, soil, slope and drainage, actual number of sunlight hours per day, and, of course, the neighbors.

Recommended New England course about alternative photography

Pinhole photo I took with a Goya cracker tin in Marian Roth's workshop via the PAAM

Lately, I’ve developed a taste for back-to-basics photography. I’ve been experimenting with a toy camera and pinhole photography. I had hoped to find a bunch or New England workshops on the topic to suggest for the fall. Thus far I’ve only found one, which I’ve listed below. It looks intriguing. You might consider perusing The Book of Alternative Photographic Processes by Christopher James too.

New England School of Photography

I’ve taken and enjoyed many workshops here. Whether you’re a budding photographer or a practicing professional, there’s something for everyone at NESOP.

(Class and schedule are subject to change so check program website for updates.)

Alternative Process

Instructor: Ron Cowie

Mondays, Sept. 15-Dec. 8, 6:00-9:00pm

$365 before Sept. 12/$400 after Sept. 12

“This class studies and practices 19th century photo processes. We will explore salt printing, cyanotype, platinum printing, pinhole photography and more. These processes require a deeper level of connection with materials and are a jumping-off point to a world of greater creativity. Class time will be divided into demonstration, lecture, class critique and guest speakers. In short, this class hopes to create a safe space where you can take a chance, play and fall back in love with photography. Students are expected to bring negatives and purchase their own materials for each process they wish to explore beyond the demonstration.”

by Katie Hutchison for the House Enthusiast