Ongoing classes & gatherings
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Bluegrass slow jam
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Senior Art Classes
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Qigong
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Toddler Time!
Upcoming classes and workshops
Van Gogh Landscapes with Natalie Boburka
We’re sorry to announce that this class has been cancelled.
Master the art of drawing without relying on traditional techniques. This engaging class focuses on using diverse lines and rich textures to craft landscapes that are almost tangible. Dive into the secrets behind Van Gogh's mesmerizing paintings and drawings, gaining insights that are particularly valuable for those who find conventional drawing challenging or want to explore new methods for adding depth and texture to their work.
Throughout the course, you'll explore various mark-making techniques, building your own repertoire of textures to create intuitive, layered drawings. This unique approach emphasizes creating texture and form with minimalistic drawing, while experimenting with different types of pencils and markers.
Hone your newfound skills with a variety of exercises before choosing a landscape photo for your final piece. Each student will cultivate their own distinctive style, culminating in a beautifully finished landscape drawing.
Join us in a fun, friendly and inspiring environment!
Notes: Materials provided
*Students BYOC* Bring Your Own Chair
Ages 14+
Mondays 3-5pm September 9, 16, 23, and 30th
Watercolor Flowers with Natalie Boburka
Boost your confidence and improve your powers of observation by drawing without looking at your paper! You’ll select and arrange flowers, then practice with loose color using wet on wet techniques with ‘blind’ contour line drawing to create a lyrical, whimsical painting.
Notes: All materials provided.
One glass of wine included with registration. Additional servings are available with a $5 donation per glass.
Ages 21+
The (Not So) Mysterious Pickle with Atina Foods
In an interactive and sensory rich demonstration, local fermenters and condiment makers, Atina Foods will bring ACC visitors through their process of lacto fermenting local vegetables, using just salt, no water or vinegar and trusting the process. They will introduce the way they use spices to further preserve the vegetables and the benefits of taste, from starting with the whole spice to toasting and grinding and finally adding to the fermenting vegetable, which visitors will take home to eat with a recipe card on how to make more!
Participants can bring one (well cleaned) 8oz mason jar for pickles to take home!
Ages 12+
"ATINA FOODS was into wellness before it was cool!" HVMAG 2020
"Sew What?!" with Marcus McGregor
Join Marcus McGregor for Sew What?!—an engaging four session quilting series where passion meets craftsmanship. In this hands-on class, Marcus will guide you through the fundamentals of sewing machine use and safety, along with tips, tricks and techniques for crafting your own log cabin quilt block! Perfect for beginners and those looking to refresh their sewing know-how!
Thursdays, October 3, 10, 17 & 24
See materials list below. Three (3) sewing machines will be available for class use. If you are able to bring your own portable machine, please plan to.
Ages 8+
Materials list:
You will need seven different fabrics, 1 yard each:
Solid color fabric (for center square)
Choose 3 different light-colored solid or print fabrics
Choose 3 different dark-colored solid or print fabrics
Thread
Scissors
Sewing machine if possible (limited machines will be available for class use)
Painting the Day with Jim Cramer
We regret to inform you the October session has been cancelled.
Join Jim Cramer ‘in the field’ and learn from his 40+ years of painting En Plein Air. Craft your observation skills onsite and learn to capture your day quickly in oils (preferred) or acrylics. Students are responsible for bringing their own materials (see materials list below) and dressing appropriately for the weather.
Arrive at the Cultural Center promptly at 8:30am to travel to painting destinations in and around Athens, such as Four Mile Point, River Road, Riverfront Park, and Olana, TBD.
Recommended intermediate skill level. Ages 18+
In case of inclement weather classes will be rescheduled.
Be sure to bring:
BE COMFORTABLE! COME DRESSED FOR THE WEATHER WITH A HAT, GOOD FOOTWEAR, LONG PANTS, AND BUG/SUN SPRAY.
French easel or pochade box (whatever you can move outdoors).
Palette.
Brushes: variety of sizes ranging from flats, brights, and rounds for preferred medium.
Paint: oil or acrylic with paint thinner for oils or water for acrylic in covered jar.
Recommended colors: replace cadmium colors for non-cadmium colors if desired.alizarin crimsoncadmium red lightcadmium yellow lemon and/or cadmium yellow lightcadmium yellow deep and/or cadmium orangeultramarine blue, cobalt blue and/or cerulean bluesap green or viridiantitanium white
Rags, paper towels.
Stretched canvas, canvas panel or primed wood panel: size is personal preference, though standard sizes are recommended: 11x14, 12x16, 14 x18, 16x20, 18x20.
A Guide to Eco-Friendly Landscapes with Kate Brittenham
Join Kate of Front Stoop Gardens for an eco-friendly gardening lecture!
Traditional gardens and home landscapes have often been valued primarily for their beauty and tranquility, rather than their potential as vital habitats. Yet, these spaces hold tremendous ecological promise—they can become thriving havens for wildlife in a world with ever-shrinking habitat. Unfortunately, many of the conventional practices we’ve adopted over time have rendered our landscapes ecologically barren and inhospitable. In this lecture, we’ll discuss these practices, and what we can do to create ecologically healthy and vibrant landscapes at home.
Kate Brittenham is an ecological landscape designer in Troy, NY. She is the principal designer and founder of Front Stoop Gardens, LLC. Kate holds a BA in Environmental Studies from Skidmore College and a Certificate in Landscape Design from the New York Botanical Garden. Her resume also includes a native plant horticulture internship with the Native Plant Trust (formerly New England Wild Flower Society) and the Horticulturist position at Manitoga, a historic home and garden in Garrison NY. Most recently, she is the co-author with Carolyn Summers of Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East, second edition.
Bring your questions!
Following the presentation Kate will open up the conversation for 30 minutes to answer your most burning gardening questions.
Embossing with Celia Buchanan
This workshop is designed to push the boundaries of traditional watercolor painting by incorporating the beautiful technique of embossing. Discover the captivating world of embossed watercolors, where texture and pattern bring further dimension to your painting! You will learn the fundamental principles of watercolor painting, including color blending, brush techniques, and composition. Don’t miss your chance to learn this unique artistic fusion!
A great skill for papercrafting and creating your own holiday greeting cards!
Notes: All materials included.
Oldstone Rubbing at Mt. Hope with Sara Pruiksma
Join artist Sara Pruiksma in the Village of Athens at historic Mt. Hope Cemetery for a hands-on, creative experience. Discover the fascinating art of stone rubbing as you capture intricate gravestone details, preserving pieces of history on paper while enjoying the outdoors. Come ready to explore, create, and connect with the past in a truly unique way!
No experience necessary, and all materials are provided. Feel free to bring a chair or kneeling pad for comfort, and be sure to dress for the weather.
All ages.
You Can Dance! with Marcus McGregor
Come experience the joy of movement! Bring your zest for life, find your rhythm and express your unique personality. Move with confidence in our body-positive, safe, welcoming space. Please wear comfortable shoes and loose-fitting clothing for easy movement.
This is an all ages, family-friendly event!
Multiple Tea Bag Painting with Ruby Silvious
Join internationally acclaimed artist Ruby Silvious for a fun workshop where you'll learn to create miniature paintings using watercolor and gouache on used tea bags! Her innovative approach has been featured in outlets like CNN Travel, Vogue Italia, and National Geographic Kids.
A workshop where you might just make a one-of-a-kind gift as we enter the holiday season!
Notes: All supplies included. Ages 9+
Painting on Leaves with Ruby Silvious
Learn how to paint on dried and pressed leaves using acrylic gouache and acrylic markers. Composition, color, and shapes will be considered to create beautiful patterns and designs.
Notes: All supplies included.
Ages 9+
Drawing Faces with Ira Marcks
Drawing Faces: Basics of Character Design
Ages 8+
Join award-winning cartoonist Ira Marcks for a hands-on cartooning workshop!
Discover the art of designing expressive cartoon characters with Ira Marcks, the acclaimed graphic novelist behind the creepy kid mysteries "SPIRIT WEEK" and the New York Times-recommended "SHARK SUMMER." In this engaging and interactive workshop, you'll learn the techniques Ira uses to bring his characters to life. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights from an expert and elevate your cartooning skills!
Ages 8-17: Free!
Ages 18+: $15
Registration is limited! Sign up to reserve your seat.
Hudson River School Inspired Watercolors with Wendy
Learn about the Hudson River School of Art with Wendy Doney. Use masterful paintings as reference and inspiration to paint your own 5 x 7 inch watercolor painting!
Watercolors & Wine with Natalie Boburka
Registration is closed, please stay tuned for our next offering. Thank you for your support!
Dive into the vibrant world of watercolors, whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills. This workshop introduces you to 12 unique watercolor techniques, employing unconventional materials to spark creativity and innovation. Inspired by Kandinsky, the artwork you create in this class will reflect your personal style and creative voice. Join us for a dynamic and enriching watercolor experience!
Throughout these workshops we’ll engage in group discussions to analyze Wassily Kandinsky paintings, to then utilize our observations of Kandinsky’s work as a foundation for your creations.
Collagraph Printmaking with Celia Buchanan
Collagraph printing is a fantastic and fun relief-style printing technique where you get to play with textures and forms. Instead of carving away like in lino or woodcut printing, you build up design by applying various materials—such as cardboard, paper, plastic, glue, string (and more) —onto a rigid base.
Once your collage is complete, ink is applied and pressed onto paper to reveal a one-of-a-kind artwork, that’s rich with layers and details, full of surprises, and entirely your own!
Watercolors with Wendy
Capture the Hudson river in watercolor with Wendy Doney, painting ‘en plein air’ at the Athens Riverfront Park. Each participant will leave with a 5 x 7 inch watercolor painting and a renewed sense of joy and confidence with painting!
Intaglio Printmaking with Celia Buchanan
SORRY FOLKS! THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
PLEASE SEE OUR ADDITIONAL CLASSES, INCLUDING OTHER WORKSHOPS WITH CELIA COMING SOON!
Enhance your artwork with subtle and bold forms, shading, and texture through dry point and abrasion techniques. This eco-friendly etching method uses plexiglass plates, eliminating the need for hazardous chemicals. In this workshop, we'll use water-mixable oil paint as ink, avoiding harsh solvents and creating a safer, more enjoyable creative process.
All materials included.
*Students BYOC* Bring Your Own Chair
Ages 15+
Trees with Ruby Silvious
Capture the essence of trees in gouache by painting onto reclaimed cardboard canvases in this unique intergenerational workshop. Celebrate the legacy of artist and long-time Athens Cultural Center member, Dot Chast, whose vibrant spirit, talent and kindness contributed to the ACC’s foundational success. Join us for a creative session and stay for a slice of cake to honor Dot’s 100th birthday.
Gel Mono-Plate Printing with Celia Buchanan
Learn to create one-of-a-kind monoprints using gel plates and acrylic paints. Spontaneity is the beauty of this medium. It’s a combination of printmaking, painting, and drawing media all rolled into one.
Painting the Day with Jim Cramer
Join Jim Cramer ‘in the field’ and learn from his 40+ years of painting En Plein Air. Craft your observation skills onsite and learn to capture your day quickly in oils (preferred) or acrylics.
Resonant Watercolor with Celia Buchanan
With Celia Buchanan leading the way, take your watercolors to another level using the gouache resist technique. Introduce bold marks and contrast using a resist technique combining watercolor, inks, pastels, and gouache for truly outstanding results.