by Madison V. Fisler
Feb. 17, 2014. After all this frigid winter weather, maybe you are looking for a great way to stretch your creative muscles and get back into the artistic swing of things.
The Blue Ridge ArtSpace, of the Watauga Arts Council has just the solution for you. For months, the Watauga Arts Council has been hard at work preparing to begin their Arts and Crafts workshops for this year and they are elated to be able to launch their first batch.
Check out all of the options that the Blue Ridge ArtSpace and the Watauga Arts Council has to offer and get your creative juices flowing!
Make Your Own Beanie (Or Toboggan)
In just three sessions, you can make one or maybe even two beanies in this fabulous workshop. Learn from Arvil Sale how to knit beanies on round looms, and at the end of the sesions you will have great new garments that you can wear, sell or give away to loved ones. The fee is $25 plus $5 in materials payable to the instructor and is for ages 12 through adult. This workshop will be held Feb. 20, 27 and March 6 from 6-7 p.m.
Mountain Whimsy-Style Woodcarving
Create a wood spirit and an owl while learning basic woodcarving techniques from an expert. Arvil Sale is an experienced wood carver and has taught this heritage art form many times. This workshop is a three-session workshop with all tools and materials provided. The fee for this workshop is $60 and is geared for ages 14 to adult. This workshop will be held Feb. 20, 27 and March 6 from 7-9 p.m.
Make a Free-Form Garlic Basket
By learning how to make this free-form garlic basket, you’ll learn the basics in the art of basket weaving. Pat Moritz is a master basket maker and a delightful instructor who will lead the way through this time-honored craft. The workshop is just one session and all materials are included in the registration price. The fee is $45 and is geared for adults. This workshop will be held Wednesday, Feb. 19 from 1-5 p.m.
Drawing Classes
Ongoing drawing classes explore basic drawing techniques using a wide variety of tools. If the work of Katherine Marx’s former students is anything to go by, you’re going to be amazed at what these young students can do. These classes are paid for on a monthly basis in advance and can be continued for as long as you like. Sessions are $16 each and are for ages 8-14. The drawing classes are ongoing and are held Thursdays from 5-6:30 beginning March 6.
Making Digital Images from Paintings
We all know how difficult it can be to get a good quality digital image of your work and how important it can be for record-keeping, exhibition entries, notecards, websites, brochures and more. JoAnn Pippin will make the process so much simpler for you and will give you tricks and tips along with good, basic information in this three hour workshop. The fee for this workshop is $40 and is for adults. This workshop will be held Thursday, March 6 from 1-4 p.m.
Knitting for Beginners
Imagine starting your day knowing little or nothing about how to knit and then wearing your own knitted headband the next. Donna Leavitt will teach you the basics of knitting, several techniques and will provide information about tools and fibers in this three hour session. The fee for this workshop is $50 plus $15 in materials to be paid to the instruction. Adults and mature children are welcome. This workshop will be held Wednesday, March 26 from 1-4 p.m.
Creative Journal Making
Journals are a very popular item, but they’re even more special when you’ve added your own very special personal and creative touches to them. In one three-hour session with Lexie Danner, you can turn a plain journal into a beautiful creation using collage and other two-dimensional materials which will be provided. Then you’ll very likely want to sign up for Lexie’s next session on exploring different journal entry styles. Fee is $20 and is for girls ages 13-17. This workshop will be held Saturday, April 5 from 1-5 p.m.
Introduction to East Asian Brush Painting
This popular workshop will be offered in six sessions at two different times on the same days. Morning sessions will be from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and evening sessions will be from 6-8:30 p.m. so everyone can participate. Dawn Wicklow will be sharing the age-old brush strokes of the Chinese Masters as well as mounting techniques for handmade cards and completed paintings. Quality materials provided will include Chinese brushes, ink stones, ink sticks, rice paper and more. The fee is $180 plus a $40 materials fee payable to the instructor. This workshop is geared for adults. This workshop will be held May 14, 21 and 28 and June 4, 11 and 18.
With so many classes, the hard part will be choosing one or a few to take. And registering for all of these classes and workshops is a snap!
“There are three ways to register,” said Cherry Johnson of the Watauga Arts Council.
“You can register online for a class, register by phone or print out a registration form and register in person.”
Registration forms can be found here.
Even with all of these various workshops, the Watauga Arts Council is still hard at work to bring new workshops to the public. Potential instructors can find information on the Watauga Arts Council Website.
Be sure to stop into the Blue Ridge ArtSpace to take a class or two, view their fabulous monthly gallery exhibits and look around the gift shop.
The Watauga Arts Council is located at 377 Shadowline Drive in Boone. To contact the council, call 828-264-1789 or visit their website here.
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