Wednesday, October 9, 2019, 4-6pm

Did you know that seaweed isn’t actually a plant, but a type of algae? These photosynthetic marine species share many of the characteristics of land plants, though, and we will use conventions of botanical illustration to carefully observe, draw and paint some local specimens. After practicing careful noticing in the Farnsworth Museum galleries, participants will be able to experiment with various watercolor techniques and substrates to create their own botanical(-ish) illustration. As we work, we will also discuss the natural history, anatomy, and uses of seaweed, which is an increasingly important segment of Maine’s economy. Participants are invited to try some edible seaweed as they work, and may take home handouts on seaweed identification and anatomy as well as botanical illustration.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 4-6pm

Investigate the art of encaustic painting while exploring the crow as subject! In this hands-on workshop using pigmented wax and a heated palette we will drip, pour, drag, layer, and explore this molten beeswax paint. The Farnsworth museum’s exhibition of Andrew Wyeth’s Witches, Ghosts and Mischief will serve as creative inspiration as we consider mood, composition, palette, and other artistic choices. In the studio, we will draw crows together and create stencils from them to create painterly works in this luscious ancient medium. A brief history of encaustic painting and adaptations to the classroom will be discussed.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019, 4-6pm

Snow date: Thursday, December 19, 2019

In this workshop, educators will examine a collection of Farnsworth seascapes to consider how “water” is represented within these compositions. How does the artist express movement and draw us into the work of art? Careful observations in the galleries will guide participants in the studio as they experiment with a variety of tools and techniques to create texture, distance, atmosphere and emotive marks using India ink.  Educators will create their own seascape and learn how to integrate this lesson into their classroom curriculum.

Wednesday, January 22, 2020, 4-6pm

Snow date: Wednesday, January 29, 2020

This workshop will introduce teachers to methods and varying practices of community and public artists. We will look to Marguerite Zorach’s Land and Development of New England to notice in the gallery and discuss WPA projects and the importance that murals hold in a community. Learn ways to develop themes and concepts for collaborative murals and discuss ways to engage in broader discussions of community representation. We will look at a variety of local and national community arts projects and create a collaborative mural panel of our own to practice ways to encourage participation for all-ages and levels.

Wednesday, February 12, 2020, 4-6pm

Snow date: Wednesday, February 26

Mark making is the result or record of the body’s movement with materials in hand. With a focus on being present-minded, participants will develop an awareness of their body in space and explore their personal kinesthetic language through simple yoga, breathing, and meditation exercises that will inform their visual language of painting, drawing, and mark making. In the Farnsworth galleries, we will consider gestural works of art, and the use of space within a curated environment. Then, in a fun and supportive setting, participants will be introduced to a variety of physical and visual possibilities sure to inspire and invigorate a creative learning environment. No yoga, or art experience necessary, just a willingness to stretch the body, mind, and spirit.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020, 4-6pm

Snow date: Wednesday, March 25

Basketry is a global art form. The production of vessels for both functional and decorative use is a practice that exists throughout history, in cultural traditions all over the world. In this workshop, we will learn about local and global basketry practices, and view examples of woven artworks in the Farnsworth galleries.  We will address how basketry techniques are being used today to create contemporary works of art and how changes in our environment are affecting this rich art form. Participants will learn the basics of coiled basketry and will leave with a started project and the materials to complete their first vessel.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020, 4-6pm

Get the springtime energy flowing and create one-of-a-kind spring greetings.  In the Farnsworth galleries, we will consider the medium of collage and the idea of “curating” a composition.  Back in the studio, we will learn about the colorful world of ephemera and mail art. Participants will view examples of Rizzio’s own mailings, and be given example projects to create.  Spend an evening learning collage techniques to make the most unique cards. April mail art showers bring May time creative flowers!   

Wednesday, September 19, 2018 4-6 pm

Study pollinators found in your school gardens with arts educator and scientific illustrator, Karen Talbot.  Practicing careful noticing in the galleries, educators will fine tune their observations through drawing activities and consider the environmental contributions of local pollinators. Together we will collaborate on arts-integrated lessons connecting school gardens, curricular standards, and art.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018, 4-6pm

Investigate the art of encaustic painting in this very hands-on workshop using pigmented wax, and a heated palette! Let's drip, pour, drag, layer, and heat this molten beeswax paint! Explore a rich variety of painterly marks and employ your flat collections of drawings, collected papers, pictures and incorporate found objects into the wax. Classroom modifications will be discussed and together we will collaborate on an arts-integrated lesson connecting this beautiful medium with sustainability, science and even the Ancient Egyptians. Class time will be divided between demonstrations, individual work time, and discussion about historical and contemporary practices. We will also touch on proper studio ventilation, wax safety, and how to “finish” artworks in terms of framing and care.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 4-6pm

Crazy quilts were a Victorian textile art phenomenon that encouraged playful engagement with materials and visual spontaneity. Come notice, document, and discuss the many compositional aspects of the Crazy Quilt, part of the Farnsworth’s permanent collection. We will make note of various mark-making techniques, dynamic compositional and material elements, and color and pattern combinations. In the studio, educators will be encouraged to play and compose three-dimensional “quilt blocks” using a variety of materials. Participants will practice collaborating with peer teachers to compose an ever-evolving interactive sculptural piece inspired by the quilt.

Wednesday, December 19, 2018, 4-6pm

Practice dynamic exercises in character study, creative storytelling, and movement in this workshop with David Troup, accomplished actor and Everyman Repertory Theatre’s Production Stage Manager. For inspiration, we will look at the expressions in Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals/ Zodiac Heads: Gold (on display at the Farnsworth through December 30, 2018). Delve into performing arts strategies, discover your inner thespian, and with museum educator, Andrea Curtis, consider how character study can connect to studies of theatre, literature, animals, creative writing, and beyond!

Wednesday, January 16, 2019, 4-6pm

Snow date: January 23, 2019

Cozy in and join artist Anneli Skaar in exploring works in the Farnsworth Collection to discover the use of color to describe “white” snowy and icy landscapes. Studio practice will include color mixing and color theory, observing shadows in winter that capture not only the character of snow and ice but also clue us into brushwork, and blending skills which can illustrate refracting light with simple techniques. Collaborate with museum educator, Andrea Curtis, to connect this work in your classroom.

Wednesday, February 13, 2019, 4-6pm

Snow date: February 27, 2019

Create one-of-a-kind valentines with artist Margaret Rizzio and learn about the surprising world of ephemera and mail art. She will show examples of her own personal mailings, including handmade postcards, envelopes, and even a piece of toast! Spend an evening learning unique collage and assemblage art projects to bring back to the classroom.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 4-6pm

Snow date: March 27, 2019

Artist Greta Van Campen will join us in the galleries for a study of lines and shapes within American art. Following our careful noticing, we will loosen up a bit and explore various techniques of creating texture, form, and movement with India ink in the studio as participants practice self-portraits. We will review best practices and share tips for using the unique material – one simple material, endless possibilities!

Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 4-6pm

Create a unique booklet that contains both painting and prose. Taking inspiration from both figurative and abstract paintings in the Farnsworth galleries, we will make small paintings that incorporate a solid composition, value structure, and color sensibility. After assessing the completed paintings, participants will use a technique of “free association” to find words and phrases that come to mind, using one of their paintings as inspiration. Using collage, we will arrange the text in a way that describes the mood or sense of place created by the painting, and combine the text and image into a small book format.