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UPCOMING EVENTS
Artists Council virtual events foster creativity
Suzanne Fromkin
Special to Palm Springs Desert Sun
Chris Cozen, Artists Council (AC) Director of Education and Professional Development, recently announced, “An exciting series of virtual classes and lectures taught by artists from throughout the U.S. are planned through June 2021 running the gamut from abstract art through printmaking, portrait drawing, acrylics, watercolor, collage, and mixed media. Virtual programming is open to the public without membership requirements until Covid is completely resolved.". All activities are listed at artistscouncil.com under Programs and on the Calendar; tickets may be purchased on the Eventbrite link.
January 7 starts with a zoom lecture “Overcome Your Creativity Obstacles: 3 Secrets Every Artist Should Know” taught by David Limrite and C. Jordan Blaquera. Serving as Art Director for the LA Herald Examiner Editorial Department, Limrite also taught drawing and painting at Art Center College of Design and Brentwood Art Center. Blaquera is a master-certified life coach, who helps artists uncover hidden obstacles such as perfectionism, procrastination, fear and self-doubt. The lecture will help unlock creativity and encourage motivation and innovation.
“Brights: Maximizing Paint to Obtain the Most Vivid Color in Abstract Paintings” zoom workshops with Julie Prichard begin January 11. A contemporary abstract colorist, author and well-known online instructor from San Diego, Prichard will guide students through two acrylic paintings, featuring a three-hour video of Julie painting with instruction, which students may paint along with or after watching the video. She will host another session to answer questions and offer feedback on paintings completed in class. Students will also be given access to her private Facebook group to receive continued feedback and support plus an extensive, downloadable illustrated class handout.
Coachella Valley artist and educator Pat Kodet will introduce digital (Apple IOS format) art-making to students in “Learn Procreate!” a 3-session class on January 20, 21 and 22. She will also teach “Advanced Procreate” February 3, 4, 5, 10 and 11. Handouts will be provided.
“Winter Migration: Watercolor Birding Class'' will be offered by painter Amy Shawley Paquette during the peak of the Winter Migration, January 26 and February 2, 9 and 16. A birder herself, Paquette will take students through the essentials of drawing and painting a series of Southwest birds: Anna's Hummingbird, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Kestrel and Black-necked Stilt. A new bird will be featured in each of the 4 sessions. A Working Artist for Golden Artist Colors, Inc. since 2008, Paquette has lectured on painting throughout the U.S. Ms. Paquette will also teach a second class: “Acrylic Texture Essentials: Molding Paste” April 21 through May 5.
Award-winning local artist Steve Ohlrich will teach a five-week zoom workshop “Portrait Drawing” from February 15 through March 15. Beginning through advanced students will learn how to create a realistic portrait drawing in vine charcoal, incorporating proportions, shapes, values and modeling forms.
“Mixed Media Collage and Pastel Workshop” will be taught via zoom by Micah Goguen, a Working Artist for Golden Artists Colors, Inc. on March 18 and 25. A resident of Georgia, Goguen has a Master’s in Art Therapy. The interactive workshop will explore the effects of using a palette knife by combining two media in a unique way to abstract the image and to enhance the collage elements.
A retired Professor of Art at Illinois Institute of Art and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, printmaker Irene Ryan Maloney will teach “Printmaking Without a Press” on March 16 through April 6. Ms. Ryan Maloney will be teaching several printmaking techniques which can be done without the need of specialized equipment. Ideal for all levels of experience.
“Wildflower Tangle – Weaving Negative and Positive with Acrylics” will explore active brushwork, one stroke painting, and layering of transparent and opaque colors, in lights and darks. The Artists Council is pleased to welcome back to the Coachella Valley, Award-winning Canadian artist Linda Kemp who will teach this 2-day intensive via zoom on May 14-15. Her paintings are in private, government and corporate collections around the world. Working in both acrylics and watercolors, she is particularly recognized for her innovative use of negative painting and has authored two best-selling books on the subject.
Artists Council members also may attend critique sessions and art book discussion groups as well as submit art to the online member gallery. The AC juried virtual exhibition and sale “Reflections 20/20”will be on view February 22 to April 2; cash prizes will be awarded. AC member entries are due by January 10 (see prospectus at artistscouncil.com). New AC members are welcome.
For further info on attending educational events or joining the Artists Council, please visit artistscouncil.com.
ARTISTS COUNCIL GOES VIRTUAL
Palm Desert, CA, October 7, 2020…..Before the "new normal" we were all able to enjoy each other's company, shop, dine, and visit museums and art galleries. Non-profits were able to host events and fundraisers. Now we are in the 'virtual world', but that is not stopping the Artists Council!
The Artists Council rolled out its new website, artistscouncil.com, at the end of September. The site is complete with the capabilities to host virtual workshops, classes, lectures and critiques that are designed to inform and inspire creativity. There is also a Member Gallery that promotes the sale of Artists Council members’ work. AC Board President David Hatcher said, “I am thrilled about our new website. It is extremely interactive and filled with member-friendly components that make living in the new ‘virtual’ world easier.”
An example of the Artists Council's virtual workshops is Moments of Mindfulness, weekly 45-minute sessions in October devoted to cultivating calmness and relaxation through art. AC offers additional virtual classes, workshops, paint and sips, Critique Group and Art Book discussions. Details can be found on the Artists Council website.
The site also showcases virtual exhibitions done in a 360 degree environment that feels like you are walking through a gallery. The inaugural virtual exhibition/sale, Illusions, debuted Monday, October 5, 2020. As a way of saying thank you, the Artists Council is showcasing the art of 10 super-volunteers who have been there every step of the way helping to grow the new non-profit.
The first Holiday Squares Exhibition and Sale supporting the Artists Council follows from November 9 to December 13. The virtual exhibition provides one-of-a-kind art for those looking for the most special gift for friends and family - even for themselves - this holiday season. The 8" x 8" original artworks have been created by artists throughout the Coachella Valley and are priced at $100 each.
In the planning stages now, the Artists Council’s major virtual exhibition and sale, Reflections 20/20, will be on view from February 22 to April 2, 2021.
The Artists Council, formerly part of Palm Springs Art Museum, is now in its second year as an independent organization recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit, promoting the art and artists of the Coachella Valley and beyond through its mission: “Elevating artists through exhibitions, professional development, and community engagement". With the current shelter-in-place restrictions, AC has a thriving and growing array of activities on Facebook and Zoom. With the support of members and the community, the Artists Council endeavors to create the most important arts organization in the Coachella Valley. To learn more about the Artists Council and to become a member go to artistscouncil.com.
Contact: Suzanne Fromkin (suzannefromkin@aol.com - 949-510-0736)