Collage Club at Cultivate: Uniting Art and Community in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, MI – Cultivate, a well-known arts organization in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has introduced an innovative program called the...
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Adult Art Program
Unlock your inner artist with Cultivate's Adult Continuing Education Program, where studio-based, foundational art practices meet modern innovation. Whether you're just starting your artistic journey or looking to refine your craft, our program has something for everyone.
Our two distinct series cater to your specific needs: the "Start from Scratch" series lays a solid foundation for new or returning artists, while our "Artisan Mastery Series" elevates the skills of artists from intermediate to professional levels.
Grounded in hands-on studio practices, both series cultivate not just skills but a creative community that inspires and supports you at every turn. Learn from experienced instructors in a setting that nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration. This isn't just a course; it's an investment in your creative potential. Elevate your art. Elevate your life. Choose Cultivate and watch your artistic capabilities soar.
Starting from Scratch
Introductory Program
Starting From Scratch is our introductory series, specially curated for individuals who are either completely new to the world of art or are returning after a long hiatus.
This program provides a safe, nurturing space to explore basic art principles and techniques, laying the foundation for your artistic journey.
With easy-to-follow lessons and supportive instructors, the Starting from Scratch series is the perfect start to reignite your creative spark.
Artisan Mastery Program
The Artisan Mastery Series is an inclusive program designed to serve artists across a range of experiences—from those with some foundational skills to professional artists looking to refine their techniques or learn new ones.
This series offers a dynamic curriculum that scales in complexity, allowing you to advance at your own pace.
Whether you're an emerging artist aiming to deepen your understanding of various mediums, or a professional keen on pushing your creative boundaries, the Artisan Mastery Series provides a stimulating environment for skill enhancement and artistic growth.
Spring 2024 Semester
Classes are in different colors to denote location
Kendall College of Art and Design - gray
Cultivate - white
Comic Writing for Adults
Artisan Mastery Series
In this dynamic course designed for adult learners, delve into the art of comic writing and learn the essential techniques to create captivating narratives and develop memorable characters. Explore the principles of storytelling, dialogue, pacing, and visual storytelling specific to the medium of comics. Through a combination of interactive exercises, group discussions, and expert guidance, students will gain the skills and knowledge to craft their own compelling comic scripts that resonate with readers.
Course Dates: Thursdays in May
Course Starts: May 1, 2024
Course Ends: May 22, 2024
Time: 6:30pm-9:30pm
Location: Kendall College of Art and Design, 17 Pearl St
Surface Design - Batik and Stamping
Artisan Mastery Series
Explore the vibrant world of Batik and Stamping, where ancient wax resist techniques and intricate designs converge to create stunning textiles in this immersive adult continuing education course. Delve into the mesmerizing art forms of Batik and Stamping, exploring their rich traditions and contemporary applications. From the intricate patterns of hand-drawn Batik to the precision of stamped designs, you will learn to create one-of-a-kind textiles that reflect your unique artistic vision.
Course Dates: Thursdays in May
Course Starts: May 2, 2024
Course Ends: May 23, 2024
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Cultivate, 620 Wealthy St SE
Painting for Personal Expression
Starting from Scratch Series
Painting for Personal Expression aims to guide adult learners in exploring painting as a form of personal and emotional expression. Whether you are completely new to painting or are a professional artist seeking to find or further define your style, this course offers an engaging, hands-on learning experience. You'll explore a variety of painting techniques and materials while focusing on self-expression and honing in on your personal style.
Course Dates: Saturdays in May
Course Starts: May 4, 2024
Course Ends: May 25, 2024
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm
Location: Kendall College of Art and Design, 17 Pearl St
Acrylic Essentials: Color Theory and Brushwork
Starting from Scratch Series
Dive into the vibrant world of acrylic painting in this transformative course designed for adult learners. Acrylic Essentials: Color Theory and Brushwork offers a comprehensive exploration into the fundamental techniques and creative potentials of acrylic paints. From the basics of color theory to the intricacies of brushwork, this course is tailored to inspire and elevate your painting practice. Through expert instruction, hands-on projects, and stimulating discussions, participants will unlock new avenues of expression, mastering the art of conveying their unique vision on canvas.
Course Dates: Wednesdays in June
Course Starts: June 12, 2024
Course Ends: June 26, 2024
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Location: Kendall College of Art and Design, 17 Pearl St
Sketchbook Explorations: Inspiring Your Artistic Practice
Part one of our Summer Creativity Course series.
Sketchbook Explorations: Inspiring Your Artistic Practice is a course thoughtfully designed to merge the exploratory spirit of Julia Cameron's creativity-enhancing practices with rigorous artistic exploration. This program aims to foster new ideas, nurture personal growth, and encourage innovative thinking through a variety of guided sketchbook exercises. Participants will delve into activities that are introspective, observational, and interactive, pushing the boundaries of traditional sketchbook use. The course is structured to provoke thought, invite curiosity, and challenge participants to view their surroundings and internal landscapes through an artistic lens.
Course Dates: Thursdays in June
Course Starts: June 13, 2024
Course Ends: June 27, 2024
Time: 6:00-9:00pm
Location: Cultivate, 620 Wealthy St SE
Urban Sketching: On-the-Spot Drawing
Urban Sketching: On-the-Spot Drawing is an engaging course aimed at adult learners who wish to explore the dynamic world of urban sketching. This course offers participants the unique opportunity to capture the energy and essence of urban landscapes directly from life. Focusing on techniques for quick sketching, accurate observation, and effective use of color and line, students will learn to document the world around them in their sketchbooks, transforming everyday scenes into compelling artworks.
Course Dates: Saturdays in June
Course Starts: June 15, 2024
Course Ends: June 29, 2024
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Location: KCAD, 17 Pearl St
Acrylic Essentials: Techniques and Practices
Acrylic Painting Mastery: Exploring Techniques and Expression is designed to immerse adult learners in the vibrant and versatile world of acrylic painting. This course spans the essentials of acrylic mediums, from foundational color theory and the diversity of brushwork to the realms of texture, composition, and personal artistic voice. Whether you're a novice eager to dip your brush into the acrylic palette for the first time or an experienced artist looking to deepen your practice, this course offers a rich exploration of acrylic painting's technical and creative potentials.
Course Dates: Wednesdays in July
Course Starts: July 10, 2024
Course Ends: July 24, 2024
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Location: KCAD, 17 Pearl St
Muse Hunting: Idea-Making and Designing your Art Canon
Part two of our Summer Creativity Course series.
Muse Hunting: Idea-Making and Designing Your Art Canon is an immersive course designed for adults seeking to broaden their artistic influences and create a personalized canon of inspirations. This program encourages participants to embark on a journey of discovery, exploring a diverse range of artists, movements, and mediums to ignite their creativity and refine their artistic voice. Through guided research, thematic exploration, and creative exercises, participants will identify and analyze works that resonate with their personal aesthetic and conceptual interests, culminating in the development of a rich, individualized art canon.
Course Dates: Thursdays in July
Course Starts: July 11, 2024
Course Ends: July 25, 2024
Time: 6:00-9:00pm
Location: Cultivate, 620 Wealthy St SE
Note: Students do not have to take the other classes of this Creativity Course series to enroll, though it is encouraged for maximum support!
Pastel Techniques: Vibrant Landscapes
Pastel Techniques: Vibrant Landscapes is a course designed for adult learners interested in exploring the unique qualities of pastels to create striking landscape art. This course covers a range of techniques from basic to advanced, focusing on the use of color, texture, and layering to capture the beauty of natural landscapes. Students will learn how to effectively use soft and oil pastels to bring their outdoor scenes to life with vibrancy and depth.
Course Dates: Saturdays in July
Course Starts: July 13, 2024
Course Ends: July 27, 2024
Time: 6:30-8:30
Location: KCAD, 17 Pearl St
Still Life Drawing: Composition and Light
Still Life Drawing: Composition and Light is crafted for adult learners aiming to develop or enhance their drawing skills through the focused study of still life. This course emphasizes the importance of composition and the manipulation of light and shadow to create depth, volume, and interest in still life drawings. Students will explore a variety of drawing mediums and techniques, with an emphasis on observing and capturing the intricate details and textures of objects.
Course Dates: Saturdays in August
Course Starts: August 3, 2024
Course Ends: August 31, 2024
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Location: KCAD, 17 Pearl St
Note: this is a 3-week course, and we do not have class August 10.
Dynamic Landscapes: Capturing Nature with Acrylics
Dynamic Landscapes: Capturing Nature with Acrylics is designed for adult learners interested in exploring the natural world through the vibrant and versatile medium of acrylic paint. This course focuses on teaching students how to capture the essence of various landscapes, from serene countrysides to dramatic seascapes, using acrylics. Emphasis will be placed on color blending, layering techniques, and creating textures that bring landscape paintings to life.
Course Dates: Wednesdays in August
Course Starts: August 7, 2024
Course Ends: August 28, 2024
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Location: KCAD, 17 Pearl St
Note: this is a 3-week course, and we do not have class August 14.
Idea Lab: Conceptual Play and Practice
Part three of our Summer Creativity Course series.
Idea Lab: Conceptual Play and Practice is an immersive course designed to serve as a laboratory of creativity for adults interested in merging the process of artistic creation with conceptual development. This course is dedicated to fostering a dynamic environment where idea generation and experimental practices take center stage, encouraging participants to explore and push the boundaries of their chosen mediums. Through a series of workshops, collaborative projects, and individual explorations, participants will learn to navigate the space between thought and expression, making this course ideal for anyone looking to refresh their artistic practice with new concepts and techniques.
Course Dates: Thursdays in August
Course Starts: August 15, 2024
Course Ends: August 29, 2024
Time: 6:00-9:00pm
Location: Cultivate, 620 Wealthy St
Note: Students do not have to take the other classes of this Creativity Course series to enroll, though it is encouraged for maximum support!
"These classes are so inspiring! When I feel like I need more structure or a push creatively, I sign up for a new class with Cultivate. It helps me with my whole art practice and pushes me to think in new ways."
- Adult student
"I love these courses and have been signing up for all of them. I find that it's "me time" in my week -and it's so relaxing to sit down with the group and make art together."
-Adult student
Art Classes at East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation
We are proud to share fine art classes at East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation.
Sharing our courses for ages three to adult, we offer easy going introductions to art for preschoolers, lower elementary, upper elementary, teenagers, and adults, including month-long courses, spring and summer camp opportunities, and more.
Registration for the East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department classes is done so through their website. If you would like to see, or register for our courses there, please follow the link below. If you have questions in the registration process, please email education@cultivategrandrapids.org
Cultivate Conversations:
Art and Education Discourse
Read the Cultivate Arts Publication
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