Unleash Your Inner Picasso at UK Fine Arts Institute
Hear what UK Fine Arts Institute students have to say about their ceramics and painting classes.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 8, 2016) — Do you have an inner Picasso begging to unleash his talents? The University of Kentucky's Fine Arts Institute is the answer for individuals wanting to test their abilities in numerous artistic ways. With classes in ceramics, drawing, painting, jewelry making, printmaking, photography and fiber arts, the community can learn the basics or advance their skills on the way to becoming the next Georgia O'Keefe, Andy Warhol, Robert Mapplethorpe or Arturo Alonzo Sandoval.
Not ready for the gallery circuit yet? That's okay. Art classes can be a great way to meet others in the community and even relax while using another part of your brain outside of a hectic work or class schedule.
"This is kind of what I do to keep myself sane during medical school. I come play with a little bit of mud," said Megan Riley, a medical student from Morehead, Kentucky, who took advanced ceramics. "I really, really enjoy my time here. There's a lot of different people with a lot of different levels of experience and I feel like I learn so much from everyone else. And it's really cool to see the art everyone else can make and see myself make art."
Don Glover, a repeat participant in the institute's ceramics courses, also enjoys working with the different levels of artists. "What's my favorite thing about this class? I would say probably the people and the environment and the fact that all levels of ability are welcome. There are people that have been clay buffs like me for a long time, and there are people that are brand-spanking-new and everyone gets to work together."
UK Fine Arts Institute is set to start their second session of art classes this summer on July 11. All classes are being offered as noncredit art courses. The classes range from painting to jewelry making and are offered at a beginners' level to more advanced levels. Class fees range from $5 to $190 per session.
In the second summer session most of the classes are offered once a week in the evenings. For those that are too busy during the week there are some Saturday classes and one-day workshops being offered as well.
The classes and workshops will be held in the new UK Arts and Visual Studies Building adding to the excitement. "It's really just a great environment and the new facility is awesome. It’s just fun. That's the bottom line," Glover said.
Summer session 2 will run from July 11-Aug. 19. Registration for summer session 2 is now open and includes the following classes:
Ceramics
- "Beginning Ceramics" with Jill Coldiron, 6-9 p.m. Thursdays, beginning July 7, and
- "Taking Ceramics to the Next Level" with Coldiron, 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays, beginning July 5.
Drawing
- "Explorations in Drawing" with Christine Kuhn, 6-9 p.m. Mondays, beginning July 11;
- Open drawing sessions with Anthony Roccanova, 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays through Aug. 13; and
- “Foundational Portrait Drawing” with Thomas Baker, 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning July 13.
Jewelry Making
- “Connections: An Exploration of Jewelry Design for Beginners” with Dwayne Cobb, 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays, beginning July 12.
Painting
- "Learn to Paint, Yes You Can!" with Kuhn, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays, beginning July 12, and
- "Layering it On: Mixed Media Painting Techniques" with Kuhn, 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning July 13.
Printmaking
- “Printmaking Using Alternative Silkscreen Techniques” with Sarah Brown, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, beginning July 16, and
- "Printmaking Using Contemporary Woodcut Practices" with Brown, 1-4 p.m. Saturdays, beginning July 16.
In addition to the weekly classes, the following one-day workshops will also be offered during summer session 2:
Fiber Arts
- "Felting on the FeltLOOM Felting Machine" with Laverne Zabielski, 1-3 p.m., July 16, July 30 or Aug. 13
Photography
- "One Day Digital Photography Workshop for Beginners" with Lennon Michalski, Aug. 13.
For more information on any of these classes or workshops or their instructors, including cost and specific class times, visit the institute online at http://finearts.uky.edu/savs/fai or visit the institute's Facebook page here.
The Fine Arts Institute, an outreach program of the School of Art and Visual Studies at the UK College of Fine Arts, offers all the resources and classrooms that the school has to offer through these noncredit art classes. All courses and workshops are open to the public.
Registration for UK Fine Arts Institute courses is available online at http://finearts.uky.edu/savs/fai/registration, by calling the institute at 859-257-8151, or by emailing Jane Andrus at jane.andrus@uky.edu.
UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue
MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu