Spring 2011 Art Classes at LAAA/Gallery 825

We are excited to announce LAAA's 2011 Spring Schedule of Art Classes!

Instructor: Quinton Bemiller

Art Here and Now: The Los Angeles Gallery Scene

At the first meeting, artists will participate in a professional development workshop designed to set goals, highlight exhibition opportunities and examine the gallery scene throughout Los Angeles (including Culver City, Bergamot Station and more).  Artist résumés/curriculum vitae, portfolios and artist statements will be addressed. Subsequent meetings will consist of visits to diverse Los Angeles area galleries, non-profits and alternative spaces.  Class discussions and conversations with gallery owners, directors and artists will be included.  The purpose of the course is to provide artists with a better understanding of the gallery scene in Los Angeles, to promote networking and to increase artistic professionalism. Quinton Bemiller is an Adjunct Instructor at Chaffey College where he teaches Gallery/Museum Field Study, Contemporary Art History and 2-D Design courses.  He is a Teaching Artist at the Armory Center for the Arts and also conducts private classes and art tours in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.

If possible, artists are encouraged to bring a sample portfolio (digital or print), artist statement and résumé/curriculum vitae to the first class.

Car-pooling to galleries can be arranged.  All classes take place on Saturdays, 2-5 p.m.  The first meeting will be at Gallery 825/Los Angeles Art Association.  (Full schedule will be provided upon registration.)

When:             Six Saturdays: 6/11, 6/18, 6/25, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23

Time:               2-5pm
Where:            Varies
Cost:                $125.00 LAAA Members / $150.00 Non-members

  (Materials not included)

Instructor: Libby Gerber 

The World is Your Art Gallery: How to Make Art in the Public Sphere 

This course is structured by pairing an artistic technique with a strategy to place work in the public. For artists and non-artists alike, this course demonstrates ways in which art can exist in the public realm and types of art that best lend themselves to public venues. This course includes the following: Scatter Art Through Simple Casting, Site Specificity and Choosing the Right Materials, Mail Art, The Widest Audience: Art on the Web, and Community-Based Mural Painting.

NOTE: Will require 1 hour a week of independent work outside of class time. 

When:             Six Tuesdays:  5/10, 5/17, 5/24, 5/31, 6/7, 6/14

Time:               6-9pm
Where:            Gallery 825 (825 N. La Cienega, LA 90069)
Cost:                $125.00 LAAA Members / $150.00 Non-members

  (Materials not included)

Instructor:  Ginger Van Hook

Advanced Critical Photography Course

This is an advanced course which will critically explore expressive and meaningful photographic compositions. Individuality is encouraged as well as experimentation with processes. Students are encouraged to work independently or in teams with a 35 mm single lens reflex camera and/or the 4x5 format camera outside of class. This is an advanced class, so it is assumed that basic film processing, printing, and camera controls are familiar. Students will take photographs, look at them, discuss them, and learn from them and explore archival papers.  Students will learn to write their own biographies and artist statements, polishing them for professional gallery presentations. Additionally students will learn critical thinking, speaking and writing skills to demonstrate and speak intelligently about their artwork in photography to an audience of peers and professional colleagues.

When:       Six Mondays:  5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 6/6, 6/13, 6/20

Time:         6-9pm
Where:      Gallery 825 (825 N. La Cienega, LA 90069)
Cost:          $125.00 LAAA Members / $150.00 Non-members

   (Materials not included)

Instructor:  D. Jean Hester

Experimental Drawing:  Discover (or Rediscover) the Fun of Mark-Making

This course focuses on the joy and fun of mark-making, rather than the attempt to make our drawings look "real".  Intended for any creative person, regardless of experience or skill at drawing, the class approaches drawing from many angles.  We cut straight to mark-making, using various fun (you might even say odd) experimental approaches.  No anxiety, no tedious techniques that can't be mastered.   Discover (or rediscover!) drawing as a creative and expressive activity.   We'll explore fresh approaches, designed to get us out of our comfort zone, embracing a spirit of play and happy accidents.  No drawing a still life of a pile of fruit in this class - though we may explore how to draw with fruit!

When:       Six Thursdays:  5/12, 5/19, 5/26, 6/2, 6/9, 6/16

Time:         6-9pm
Where:      Gallery 825 (825 N. La Cienega, LA 90069)
Cost:          $125.00 LAAA Members / $150.00 Non-members

   (Materials not included)

Instructor:  Susan Arena

Basic Drawing

This drawing class involves teaching drawing as a way of seeing.  Students will use the observed world ("drawing from life") as a way to gain tools that can then be used for personal expression. Topics will include: contour drawing, figure/ground, positive/negative space, tone/value and mass/volume.  Students will experiment with different kinds of mark-making and study old and modern master drawings.

When:       Six Wednesdays:  5/11, 5/25, 6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22

Time:         6-9pm
Where:      Gallery 825 (825 N. La Cienega, LA 90069)
Cost:          $125.00 LAAA Members / $150.00 Non-members

   (Materials not included) 

Please note that space is limited.  Sign up by contacting:

Email: nancy@laaa.org

Phone: 310.652.8272