Berkeley Parents Network: Art Classes for Adults

Berkeley Parents Network

Art Classes for Adults

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Classes & Lessons > Art Classes > Adults

Collage

June 2003

Due to some stressful events in my life, and to a \223messy play\224 art class I\222ve been attending with my two-year-old son, I\222ve suddenly found myself really wanting to be able to use paint and collage techniques as a mode of expression. The problem is \255 I haven't a clue how to do this! I\222ve always considered myself a total non-artist. I don't want to take water-color or oil-painting classes to learn how to paint landscapes or still lifes (I'm much more fond of abstract stuff and mixed media); what I do want to learn is the properties of various paints and papers, as well as something about color and form (e.g. how to \223balance\224 an abstract painting or collage). I\222ve seen the posts on the web site, and most seem to relate to basic watercolor or oil painting or drawing, which is not what I want. Can anyone recommend a place where I could take classes, or an art teacher I might talk to, who would give individual or group lessons to adults? Karen

Recommendations received:

Art Gym (2)

Richmond Art Center

Studio One

Other Recommendations

Another place to check out is Kala in North Berkeley. They offer collage classes, paper making classes, printmaking classes. They have a website too, Kala.org. If you have never made a print before, I highly recommend it. It's soooo much fun. Start out with mono printing, and go anywhere from there!! Papermaking is a very viseral experience. You really get your hands into it (literally). You can add leaves, flowers, etc. to make texture and abstract composition.

I've taken two one-day workshops in collage, and really enjoyed and learned from them both. One was with Ann Baldwin, who leads workshops througout the Bay Area. Her website is: www.annbaldwin.com The other was in San Francisco with a newer artist, Aondrea Maynard. Her email is: aondream at yahoo.com These workshops inspired me to buy materials and make several collages. It's been a great creative outlet. Enjoy!! Debbie Hope this helps! beth

Painting and Drawing

Sept 1999

I would like to take up painting, and am looking for any recommendations of good classes for a beginner. I'd prefer to stay in the Oakland/Berkeley area, but would consider something farther afield. I have virtually no experience with painting and feel like I need a comprehensive introduction to it. I'm also really interested in mural painting, though I think that may be a more advanced discipline. Anyway, I'd love to hear what others have done. Diana

Recommendations received:

Studio One

Other recommendations:

I have had very good experiences at Vista College, which is part of the Peralta Community College District. I have taken beginning and intermediate drawing, beginning painting (with acrylic paint), and am currently taking life drawing.

They have a website (http://www.peralta.cc.ca.us/) and offer a class schedule there or at their main campus on Milvia Street at Addison in downtown Berkeley. Many of the Vista art classes are held on the U.C. campus, with some during the day and others in the evening. The cost is negligible for California residents; I think $5 a unit plus materials. Other Peralta locations include Laney College and Merritt College in Oakland. At least one of them offers painting with oils. Though, I've never taken classes at either of those sites.

Classes have already started for this semester (late August). You might see if you can add? Or consider them for the future.
Good luck! Robert

I have had some wonderful painting classes through the local Peralta Colleges. Vista, in particular, has good introductory art classes. The classes are often held on the Cal campus or elsewhere in Berk. or Oakland. These classes are very inexpensive, and the teachers have been great. Laney has a good art dept., but the students there tend to be more college-age and, perhaps, already more experienced. At Vista, many of the students are adults who already have degrees and just want to learn, rather than get class credit. Linda

9/99
I would like to whole-heartedly recommend a painter who teaches out of her studio in Emeryville. She's exhibited internationally and has taught for years. She's funny and full of enthusiam for painting and would be a delight to study with. Here's a little blurb I asked her to send me to post here. Her e-mail address is lulu AT lmi.net.

PAINTING AND DRAWING CLASSES with M. Louise Stanley "How anxious is your muse?" Do you have a distant memory of art classes you loved years ago but don't know how to get back there on your own? We will experiment with three water based media: watercolor, gouache(opaque watercolor) and acrylic. Beginners are encouraged to try watercolor as its a good stepping stone to other media. Gouache is a good transition from transparent watercolor to more viscous mediums such as acrylic and oil. Classes are ongoing / entry at any time. You may pay for one introductory class ($35.) before committing to a session of 6 ($210.)or 8 ($280.)classes. Classes are small, 3-5 students / emphasis will be based on individual needs. Louise's studio is a 3-ring circus full of props,knick knack's, and reference materials, a conducive atmosphere for the production of masterpieces. Classes:Sat. 10am - 1pm; Wed. 7 - 10pm. Call Louise at (510)658-8468 for more information.

I am responding to the request for private art lessons in the areas listed below. Drawing is one of my specialities. I am a professional artist who currently teaches Life Drawing and Figure Painting at the Richmond Art Center, and Life Painting at Studio One Art Center. You can check out my website at www.aivideo.com for more information about myself and about my Life Drawing Video Workshop Course and Painting the Figure in Watercolor videos. If interested, you can peruse some of my paintings currently on exhibit at the Hollis Street Project, 5900 Hollis Street, 8am-6pm Mon-Friday, until March 1st, and at the Richmond Art Center Tues-Fri 10am-4:30pm and Sat 12noon-4:30pm until March 17. You may call the Richmond Art Center Ed Office 620-6772, or Studio One at 597-5027 for references or other referrals. My rates for teaching private art lessons to adults and older teens are $50hr for the 1st hour, and $45hr for two or more hours. Please feel free to call me regarding private lessons ( or classes available) at 526-4604. My home and studio are in the Richmond Annex (near El Cerrito). Sincerely, Ruth Block

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