Oil painting with Debra Thompson
Learn advanced oil painting techniques from Debra Thompson. Debra has both a teaching degree and a degree in art from the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Art.
Making Fantastic Paper Mache Animals with Linda Alexander-Radak
6-13
14 - adult
Each student will make their own unique animal/creature.
Week One :
Students will design on paper thier own fantastic fantasy animal/creature. This design will enable us to build the correct armature for their animal/creature.
Week Two:
Building the inner workings - we will use paper and tape, wire and aluminum foil to create the armature that will support the completed work.
Week Three:
Creating the animal/creature with paper mache.
Week Four:
Painting and finishing
Advanced oil painting for adults with Debra Thompson
Learn advanced oil painting techniques from Debra Thompson. Debra has both a teaching degree and a degree in art from the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Art. Her paintings take on a breathtaking lifelike quality, and she will share her techniques with you. This class is not intended for younger audiences but, younger students may apply after providing a small portfolio for review to see if they will be able to benefit from the advanced techniques taught in this class.
Acting with Samantha Freitag
Eight Weeks
Ages 5 - 12
An acting course that teaches how to create personalities for a character as well as perform. Students will learn theater basics. Fun games will help develop character and improve one’s acting skill. At the end of the eight week coarse, students will put on mini-plays for the parents.
Week One
A. Vocabulary - 15 min.
1. Space
2. Projection
3. Blocking
4. Stage direction
5. Actor’s View
6. House View
7. Articulation
B. Articulation Assessment - 15 min
1. Each person reads a passage
2. Improvement suggestions
C. Introduction To play - 10 min
1. Each mini group is assigned a play.
D. Improv - 20 min
1. Introduction to improv
2. “Who, What, Where”
A. Three students go into the space and pick 3 cards. A “who”, “what”, and “where” card. These describe who they are, what they are doing, and where they are. Once the audience thinks they knows a category they raise their hand to tell either who the group on stage is, where they are, or what they are doing.
Week Two
A. Split the actors into groups. - 15 min.
1. Hand out scripts and assign roles.
2. Quick run-through within group and discussion
B. Each actor will right a one paragraph bio on who they think their character is. - 30 min.
1. Come up with a voice and walk for their character.
2. Share with the class
3. Improvement suggestions
C. Improv -15min.
A. “Entrances and Exits” in character.
1. Two people are on stage and create a scene, a third person enters when given an opportunity, and one of the original two exits. This continues until every actor has been on stage.
Week Three
A. Teach Actor’s warm-up. - 20 min.
B. Mini-plays. - 20 min.
1. Recite lines in group. ( ½ of lines memorized.)
2. Recite lines in group in character.
C. Action planning. - 20 min.
D. Plan out actions of the group while they recite their lines.
Cultural Creations with todd v:
Let your child experience art from other cultures why learning to express themselves through abstract theory and hands on creations
Week 1
Colorful Paper Masks
Week 2
Didgeridoos
Week 3
Abstract Chinese windsock
Week 4
Sand Painting
Juggling school 101 - with todd v:
Your child can learn to juggle, in fact, so can you! Its a great way to occupy the mind and the body, and its very rewarding to learn. This class works best with kids over the age of 10 as it requires a little bit of physical control and self awareness. (Younger kids are of course invited to attend, but the results may vary.) 2 hours each session. This class works best, if the kids practice the skills learned at home between classes.
Week 1
Learning the basics with scarves. We will discuss the basic 3 ball cascade pattern, and demonstrate how easy it really can be by using nylon scarves. The scarves float very slowly through the air allowing children to realize that they have time to react, and respond to the gently falling scarves.
Week 2
As we move into week two we move on to a simple 1 and 2 ball toss to learn the basic patterns of the cascade. This step is very easy, and important to understanding the physics of juggling. Much time will be focused on making simple consistent transitions
Week 3
The big Kahuna! We make our first attempt at 3 ball juggling. Make sure the kids have sneakers and comfortable clothes on, as they will be chasing the balls around for the entire class.
Week 4
We work on making the 3 ball cascade more fluid, and consistent, and discuss the incorporation of tricks and adding other objects to the mix.
Making art and saving the world - Recycled Art! with todd v:
4 Weeks of art using recycled materials
Drawing Cartoons with todd v:
4 weeks of classes teaching kids the ideas of character creation and development. Learn the basics of drawing comical people, animals and things! Start off copying todd's designs and by the end the kids will be able to create their very own cartoon characters.
Script Writing Workshop with Eric Vaughan
From concept to final draft, this 10 week rigorous course in professional screenwriting will provide already motivated students a glimpse of the creative process from a professional perspective. The class will guide students from a head full of ideas to a fully realized feature length script. Be prepared, much reading and writing will be required in this college level workshop experience.
Single Camera Production with Chris Green
After completion of the course, you will be able to single-handedly plan, shoot, edit and upload a well-produced, three to five minute short story to a social network website such as YouTube, MySpace or Current
Everything in the kitchen with Bernadette Glorioso
Using ingredients in your kitchen to create your own paint! Environmentally safe.
Parent and Kids Drawing together with todd v
Learn with your child the basics of drawing and illustration
Oil Painting 1 with Bernadette Glorioso
Students will discover the amazing array of color and movement that makes up painting. Learn techniques through traditional grid work and methods used by the masters. Students will end with 3 complete paintings.
Sculpture with Found Objects with Abby Hassay - description coming soon!
Watercolor with Lynda Rimke
Six-week session
Explore the many possibilities and surprises of watercolor, using painting techniques from Nita Engle and others. Beginning painters are welcome, as well as the more experienced who would like to try something new. Bring your own brushes, watercolor paints and paper. When: Tuesdays 7- 9:00 pm Ages: teen - adult Where: City|ART gallery, 2091 Front Street Mall, Cuyahoga Falls Fee: $60 Register: at City|ART gallery or contact Lynda Rimke at 330-620-7063
Art and Yoga with Ali Everhard and Carrie Burchett
9am - 11am for preschool classes
after school classes for 6-11 year olds
Week one: Line & Shape - Happy Accidents
Art class objective- Children will learn colors & color mixing. They will also use their imagination to find shapes within blocks of color they have painted.
Art class introduction - talk about the primary colors and how they can mix to make the secondary colors.
Art project description - We will have the kids paint blocks of color over lapping to make new colors. Once the paintings are dry (after yoga lesson) we have the kids use the markers and draw animals that they see in the shapes that they have made.
Yoga class objective - To teach children basic yoga postures that imitate objects in life.
Yoga introduction - We will encourage children to fully inhabit yoga poses using sounds, movement and their imaginations.
Yoga class description - To teach simple yoga postures through imitation and games.
Week two: Color & Mood
Art class objective - Students will gain understanding of how color can impact the mood of their paintings. They will also be introduced to line, texture, & shape and how those elements express certain moods and emotions.
Art project introduction - We will begin class by discussing our different emotions and moods. We will also talk about the different colors and they each make us feel. The children start by making lines that represent different moods (example: jagged lines for angry). We'll also be listening to music to emphasis moods.
Art project description - The children will pick a mood. They will then take pencil & paint to represent the mood that they chose.
Yoga class objective - To teach breath awareness and show how basic yoga breathing can enhance your mood.
Yoga introduction - With children lying on their backs, we'll place a small pillow on their stomachs allowing children to familiarize
themselves with their "invisible friend, " the breath.
Yoga class description: Children will do simple yoga postures, animal poses, and games while using the breath as their anchor.
Week three: Space
Art Class Objective- Children will learn the importance of positive and negative space.
Art class introduction - We will show the kids an object and discuss the object as positive space and it's negative space (the space surrounding it) We then explain the importance of reusing and recycling, and how it can be turned into art.
Art project description - The children go through the recycling bin picking out objects they will use to make a sculpture. While building the sculpture they be encouraged to keep in mind the sculptures negative spaces.
Yoga Class Objective- Teaching the concept of their body as positive space, they are the sculpture! - While integrating the the previous weeks breath awareness with the movement.
Yoga Introduction- Simple two-step postures that focus on an inhale to posture one, and exhale to posture two and identifying their own negative space.
Yoga class description- Take children through a full class emphasizing the above concepts, playing games, and deep relaxation.
Week four: Shadow and Light
Art Class Objective- Teaching children how light creates shadows.
Art class introduction- Teachers will use flashlights in slightly darkened room to demonstrate shadows.
Art project description- We will have the children draw shapes on the light colored paper. Then they will connect the black and colored paper together and cut out the shapes. They will then have identical shapes in color and black paper. They will glue the black and colored paper on the white sheet using the black version as the shape's shadow.
Yoga Class Objective- To teach children about mantras and chanting.
Yoga Class Introduction- Chanting(vibrating) the sound of om.
Yoga Class Description- We will go through a series of yoga postures, games and chanting followed by deep relaxation.
Week five: Sunset Pictures
Art Class Objective- To encourage the children to observe the sunsets more closely and be aware of colors and shadows during those moments.
Art class introduction- we will begin by showing the children different images of sunsets, having them pay close attention to the
light and shadows.
Art project description- Take the large white paper and have the children paint red, orange, and yellow horizontal strips. We will then have the children draw and cut out a house and a tree out of the black paper and glue them onto the painted paper.
Yoga Class Objective- To teach children about the "light" inside of them, or their calm, inner space.
Yoga Class Introduction- Who are yogis? People who remove darkness and give light. We all have this ability to connect with our inner light and help others do the same.
Yoga Class Description- As we move through the poses we
Week six: Exploring Patterns
Art Class Objective- To teach children how to make and identify patterns.
Art class introduction- By showing examples of pattern we will have a discussion on how to identify and make patterns.
Art project description - Lay out a long sheet of craft paper or tear a paper bag and lay it flat on the ground or a long table. The paper can be cut into a long rectangular shape. The kids will draw a fish shape on a scrap piece of cardboard. Once the fish shape is drawn, kids can cut it out of the cardboard. This will be a template.
The kids can then go to their sheet of craft paper and place the fish template down and trace it as many times as it will fit on the paper, making a pattern. To finish off, the kids can color the fish and the environment around the fish using sponges dipped in paint,
paintbrushes dipped in paint or markers.
Yoga Class Objective- To introduce children to the concept of prana the vital life energy in all living things, and pranayama- breath
control exercise for enhanced energy.
Yoga Class Introduction- Explanation of pranayama.
Yoga Class Description- To teach various pranayama exercises as patterns of breath. Alternate Nostril Breathing and the Skull Shining Breath.
Week seven: Symmetry
Art Class Objective- To show children the difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical.
Art class introduction- We will discuss and show examples of symmetrical and asymmetrical art. We will also use a mirror to test
which objects are symmetric.
Art project description - We will have the children take a piece of paper and fold it in half. The kids will then drip or squeeze the paint onto one half of the paper. They will then fold the paper, smashing the paint to the opposite side of the paper, making a symmetrical painting.
Yoga Class Objective- To help students gain an understanding of symmetry through partner work.
Yoga Class Introduction- Sometimes working with a partner can help us gain a deeper stretch and better understanding of a pose.
Yoga Class Description- Everyone gets a partner and we will execute a series of asanas with the help of our partners, stopping to examine the symmetry we've created in different poses.
Week eight: Balance
Art Class Objective- to teach the children the importance of balance in art.
Art class introduction- We will remind the children of symmetry and asymmetry, and introduce radial design showing the children the examples.
Art project description - We will teach the children how to make radial designs. Once they have the designs transfered four times they will color their designs with colored pencils.
Yoga Class Objective- To help children gain an understanding of how concentration and focus are essential for balancing the body.
Yoga Class Introduction- We'll do a very basic and familiar balance pose- Vrkasana, the tree- and we'll take away sight and see if we are able to stand in the tree. Then we'll take away concentration by distracting the students, illustrating that focus and concentration are essential for balance.
Yoga Class Description- We'll take students through a series of poses with emphasis on balance and trying some fun, new balancing poses.
Week nine: Natural Ways
Art Class Objective- To show children that you can find art tools anywhere even in nature.
Art class introduction- We will discuss with the children all the different types of tools we have to make art. We will then ask them what we would do if we didn't have those tools. We will take the children outside and have them gather anything that they think they can use to paint with.
Art project description - The children will then come inside and paint with the objects that they have found.
Yoga Class Objective- Yoga class in nature
Yoga Class Introduction- Noticing the sensory stimulation around you.
Yoga Class Description- We'll go through a relaxed and vigorous yoga practice with deep awareness of the stimulation all around us from nature. Conclude with deep relaxation.
Week ten: Pass the Paint
Art Class Objective- To see that objects don't have a set color, our imagination is limitless, as well as, learning cooperative art.
Art class introduction- We will have a discussion about abstract art and show them examples. We will explain to them that objects do not have to be colored any certain color. Water does not have to be blur, and grass does not have to be green.
Art project description - As a group we will have the children make a list of all the parts of an elephant and give two adjectives to describe each part: a long, skinny trunk; four short legs; big, floppy ears; etc.
Next each child will go to his/her place in the painting circle or line and pick up one pot of paint. Now, using the list of descriptions have the kids paint one part of the elephant at a time (you read each description.) After painting one part of the elephant we will say "pass the paint" and the kids will pass his paint pot to the person next to him. We will say the next part of the elephant to paint, they paint that part and then we will say, "pass the paint." Continue until each part of the elephant is painted. When the painting is complete the elephant might have a pink trunk, four blue legs, green ears, etc.
Yoga Class Objective- To solidify the principles of good yoga practice using made up postures.
Yoga Class Introduction- Any movement can be yoga if you are regulating(connecting to) your breath, have good bodily alignment, holding and coming out of the pose with ease.
Yoga Class Description- We will do a series of made- up poses and the children will make up their own as well. Deep Relaxation.
Week eleven: Paper Ring Art
Art Class Objective- Express creativity and build motor skills.
Art class introduction- We will remind the children of the class about pattern, and show them examples of paper art. We will also give a demonstration of how to roll and fold the paper strips into different shapes.
Art project description - We will have the children roll or fold the paper strips making different shapes and objects. The children will glue the shapes they've made onto their 4x4 piece of construction paper making patterns.
Yoga Class Objective- Children will gain an understanding of positive thinking and thought patterns.
Yoga Class Introduction- We will discuss thoughts, our habitual thought patterns and how positive thinking can help us achieve our goals.
Yoga Class Description- As we move through a series of yoga postures each will be paired with a positive affirmation. Students will say the affirmation out loud as a group as we do each posture building a joyful atmosphere.
Week twelve: Animal Parade
Art Class Objective- Teaching the children to use their imagination to make animal costumes out of recycled items.
Art class introduction- The kids will each pick out an animal name out of a hat. We will then have a discussion about each animal picked by the children.
Art project description - The kids will use the recycle bin to find items to create their animal costumes.
Yoga Class Objective- To instill in children that yoga is meant to be playful and fun.
Yoga Class Introduction- Review our favorite animal postures.
Yoga Class Description- We will put on a show allowing each child a chance to perform each animal asana, and especially their costume
chosen animal.
Our activity ideas for the preschool classes:
-paper butterfly puppets
- ice cube paintings
- coffee can drums
- coffee filter fridge magnets
- home-made play dough
- coloring water
- paper bag puppets or sock puppets
- plastic cutlery windchimes
- animal parade (with pre-made costumes)
- hand print paintings
- bottle of treasure
Our instructors:
Ali Everhard graduated from Columbia College in Chicago with a degree in Fine Arts Photography in 2003. While in Chicago she worked at the Chicago Children's Museum where she gained her appreciation and
experience teaching children the arts.
She has produced several photo documentaries such as; ...And So They Have Downs, a book about two young girls with Down Syndrome & their struggle to be accepted in society and Jeri's Grill, a documentary on an American diner and the workers. The love for documentary photography & her experience in it, lead her into photographing weddings. Ali has displayed her fine arts photography in Chicago & Akron area galleries. Along with her photography Ali is also currently working on illustrating a children's book called The Giant's Pocket.
Carrie Burchett
Carrie has been certified and teaching yoga since 2004 and practicing since 2001. She has led yoga seminars and lectures at the John S. Knight Center and Cuyahoga Falls Library. Carrie believes that yoga helps us live with focused intention and find the clarity of our heart's desire.
Samantha Freitag attends Firestone High School for the Visual and Performing Arts as a sophomore. formerly she attended Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts. She has taken four years of acting classes once a day. Part of the National Art Honors Society Samantha loves to write songs, and poems as well as draw, paint, and work with other mediums.
Linda Alexander-Radak
Bio coming soon!
todd v
Quickly becoming one of Akron's most recognizable artists you can see many examples of todd's work in the area. Last summer todd worked with the city of Akron and 9 apprentices from the Akron Public School system, to create the new Northside sign on the corner of Main and Howard streets. Additionally he runs the Red Light Galleries in Akron, and the newly opened City Art Gallery in Cuyahoga Falls. Additionally you can watch todd on his weekly internet show The Artists Reality, where he helps to showcase all the cultural activities in the area, and bring attention to our many local artists.
Debra Thompson
Bio coming soon!
Eric Vaughan
Eric, a graduate of the University of Southern California, studied film production and creative writing under Book of the Year nominee T.C. Boyle. He has worked as a free-lance film professional doing all manners of work from production coordinating for feature films such as, “The Grinch,” to acting in such television series as Touched by an Angel, and eventually to directing and producing episodic television and film. Eric’s radio and television productions have garnered such recognition as multiple Addy awards as well as an Award of Excellence from the Accolade Television Awards.
Eric has recently moved to Akron Ohio and is producing the independent feature IVAN’S JOURNEY here in North-east Ohio. Eric is developing several scripts for production based in Akron.
Lynda Rimke
In the first grade, I not only colored the apple in front of me, but its mottled waxy skin, simply because it was lovely.
I embraced and developed my art through high school, and majored in Studio Art with a minor in Music at Kent State University. I quickly developed a love of drawing and painting the human figure and intimate landscapes in oils, and gloried in achieving a likeness of form and expression of spirit. I stayed true to representational art in an abstract world, honoring my delight in the apple of my childhood.
After KSU, I worked in the medical illustration department at NEOUCOM (Northeast Ohio Universities College of Medicine in Rootstown.) I later joined the desktop publishing revolution as a freelance graphic designer and web site developer. I currently use all Adobe products in their Creative Suite.
As the digital design world grows more and more complicated, I long for the simplicity of paper and canvas. I paint at every opportunity, and wish to share the joy of painting with others who long for the same.