- ARROWMONT · SCHOOL OF ARTS & CRAFTS · 556 Parkway · Gatlinburg, TN 37738
- PHONE: 865.436.5860 · FAX: 865.430.4101
- SITE BY: Robin Easter Design
Community Classes
Arrowmont’s Community Classes are an opportunity for the residents of our local community to take advantage of Arrowmont’s quality art instruction and professionally equipped studio facilities. Classes are fun and relaxed, and are a great way to meet new friends in a creative learning environment. Whether you want to enhance your child’s art experiences, start a new hobby for your own enjoyment, or are looking to grow as an already established artist, community classes are certain to light that creative spark! Classes are taught by Arrowmont’s Artists-in-Residence, local and regional artists and offer a wide selection of media for all ages and ability levels.
Adult Classes are offered in a variety of media and are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 - 9:00 pm. Registered students also have access to their class studio on Tuesday and Thursdays from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm and Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. At least two students must be working in the studio at the same time. Adult classes are for students 16 years old or older. 2012 classes will be held from January 17 - February 23.
Children and Young Adult Classes will meet for five consecutive Saturdays from 9:00 am to Noon. Each class is designed for a specific grade level group which is indicated in the class description. The class fee covers the cost of all instruction and materials. All children’s classes are $100 and will be held January 14 - February 11, 2012.
Most classes welcome students at all levels, but a few require previous experience or skills. That information is included in the class description. Those with more experience are welcome to join any class with the understanding that they will participate in class projects and use the materials and equipment being provided within the format of the class.
All classes will require special materials, most of which are available in Arrowmont’s Artist Outfitters Store. A materials list will be provided to all students with their registration confirmation. Students are responsible for the cost of all personal materials for the class. Some shared materials will be provided and the cost is included in the class fee following each class description.
A limited number of scholarships based on financial need are available for adult and children’s classes. If you are interested, please submit a letter explaining why you are requesting a scholarship with your registration. Please see the registration form for more information.
To download a 2012 Registration Form for Adult Classes, please click here.
To download a 2012 Registration Form for Children and Young Adult Classes, please click here.
Registration is first come, first served and opens on Monday, October 10 at 9 am.
2012 Adult Community Classes - January 17 - February 23, 2012
From Driftwood to Greenwood with Erik Arensbak
Explore what kind of vessel lies inside. We will learn about the many aspect of bowl turning including safety, drying, twice turned, and finishes. Look forward to having some fun! All levels of turners welcome. $220
Painting with Lynn Bland
This highly energized, stress free painting class emphasized creative methods of working with water media. No drawing skills or previous painting experience required. Demonstration topics will include composition and design, collage, adding texture, and types of brushes and supports. This class will be a lot of fun and is suitable for all levels and for both representational and abstract imagery. $190
Strong Form, Rich Surface with Chandra DeBuse
Learn to create functional forms using the potter's wheel and through basic handbuilding methods. We will pay particular attention to line quality and volume as we strive to create confident pots both on and off the wheel. Explore a variety of techniques designed to enhance your forms through rich, layered surfaces in an electric kiln. Get ready to dress up your pots with terra sigillata, underglazes, slips, washes, resists and glaze as you experiment and play with surface design. Beginners are welcome, as are moderately experienced students who want to expand upon their basic throwing and handbuilding skills and enliven their surfaces through electric kiln firing. $220
The Figure and Face: From Drawing to Printmaking with Dustin Farnsworth
Our greatest means of expression are our bodies and faces; each tells a unique story. We will spend the first six classes drawing from live models and developing an understanding of the figure and portrait. Using a variety of drawing media including charcoal, conte crayon, and graphite, students will practice composition, correct proportions, sighting and rendering. In week seven, using those drawings as a roadmap, we will move into the printmaking studio to experiment with the figure and portrait in monoprints - unique one-of-a-kind print created by drawing or painting on a Plexiglas or metal surface, then placing a sheet of paper over this to create and lift off the final original print. Using a variety of techniques, we will transpose earlier drawings into unique single edition prints. This section of the class will be much more free form as we interpret and experiment in a different medium. Please note: The class will not meet on February 21 & 23, however class time will be made up during earlier January and February class sessions. Prior experience is not necessary. $190
Introduction to Photography with Jill Green
Learn basic techniques to acquire the skill to take your vision and turn it into a successful photograph. Whether you are using a film or digital camera, composition, exposure, and understanding light remains the same. Become more comfortable with your camera by understanding how it sees your world. For those who prefer to shoot black and white film, processing and printing techniques will be covered. Depending upon class response, we may schedule shooting trips to allow time in the field. This is a basic level class, but camera knowledge and darkroom experience will be helpful. $190
Portraiture: The Human Bust in Clay with Phil Haralam
This class with focus on the techniques and process of sculpting portrait busts in terracotta. You will learn several systematic approaches to handbuilding that will propel even the most novice to success. We will cover a practical overview of human anatomy to aid in realistic and abstracted portraits. Our busts will be finished with a variety of ceramic and non-ceramics processes including underglazes, stains, and wax. This class is packed with informative handouts, technical demos, and fun for all experience levels. $220
Soldering Hollow Constructed Jewelry with Lisa Johnson
Transform silhouettes and drawings into jewelry! We will learn all about butt joints, scoring and bending, inlay, and other soldering techniques to create hollow formed jewelry. The required skill set for this class includes filing as well as use of a hand saw and table drill press. $220
Chair Making: Appalachian Style with Randy Ogle
Explore the heritage of chair making of the Appalachian Mountains as you successfully build a "barrel back" sitting chair that is sure to last for generations. Learn the process step-by-step and some of the many tricks handed down from the instructor's grandfather and father. With maple as the choice wood, learn such procedures as milling the wood, layout, lathe work, steam bending, assemblage, and finishing. If time permits, build a second chair or footstool. Open to all levels. $220
Fabrics to Dye For! with Pat K. Thomas
Every week a new technique! Begin with the basics of dyeing natural fabrics for a base color and manipulate with additional processes for dramatic color and pattern. Next, discover stencils, stamps and screens. Oh my! Then create distinctive fabrics by subtractive discharge and resist methods. Combine and layer surface design techniques to fashion unique, one-of-a-kind fabrics for accessories, quilting, mixed-media. Come with an open mind to explore! $190
2012 Children and Young Adult Classes: January 14 - February 11, 2012
Basics of Woodturning with Erik Arensbak
Explore woodturning and its characteristics as you learn the unique properties of patterns, colors, and decay in your forms. A practical, fun, and stimulating class designed for all skill levels that encourages thinking out of the box. Grades 5-12, $100
Rags and Rugs with Frances Fox
Learn to weave on a 4 harness floor loom while making a rug for your room. Using store bought yarn or cut up your favorite old jeans and/or t-shirts to make a special one-of-a-kind rug or wall hanging. Grades 4 and Up, $100
Monotype/Printmaking Extravaganza! with Dustin Farnsworth
Get ready for a creativity explosion in this introductory class to monotype printmaking. If you love drawing, you will love the abundant possibilities that this class will present. Each Saturday students will be given hands-on demos of different monotype processes and will be encouraged to create unique prints based on their own interests and ideas focusing on favorite subjects. Students will make plenty of studies and samples of different techniques as well as combining them to invent new ones. Finished pieces will be abundant. Unlock your creative potentials in this class! Grades 4-12 $100
Let’s Create Some Photographs with Jill Greene
Explore two of the most exciting ways of making photographs. Learn how to create prints in the darkroom using a negative! First, we will get comfortable in the darkroom by making black and white photograms from everyday objects. We will also make a camera using containers provided, consisting of coffee cans and cardboard boxes of various sizes. After exposing images with our homemade cameras, we will contact our negatives onto paper in the darkroom Both of these processes offer unique one of a kind prints. Grades 7-12 $100
Introduction to Wheel Throwing with Chandra DeBuse and Phil Haralam
Explore the wonders of clay and traditional vessel forms through this hands-on studio course. Learn the basics of throwing on a potter’s wheel as you create custom bowls and cups. This class is designed for the absolute novice, with no prior experience in clay needed. Grades 3-12, $100
Wearable Art with Lisa Johnson
This class will explore creative wearable art forms through applying a range of techniques used in metalsmithing and jewelry. Discover ways to change the surface of metal by hammering, using the rolling mill, etching, and stampimg. In addition to surface treatment we will practice forming and joining using links, folding methods, cold connections, and light hammering. By the end of the class everyone will have made a discovery in defining what wearable art is to them and as a result take home meaningful one-of-a-kind pieces. Grades 6-12 $100
Art Explorer’s Expedition with Bev Jones
How to make a zero backwards, doing art in a wonderful new way! Painting, collage, green art, and sculpture. Our expedition through the art world will explore artists and encourage students to take a fresh look at "old" art. Our adventure will take us from fine art masters to children’s book illustrators. The use of pastels, charcoal and recycled art are just a few of the new art mediums with which we will experiment. Each week we will create supercalifragilisticexpialidocious art!Grades K-4 $100
Creative Painting in Oils & Acrylics with Ed Lockett
This exciting class will explore both oil painting and acrylic painting on canvas panels. Each student will be able to develop his or her own painting style and will also be encouraged to focus on his/her own favorite subject area. Most students will complete two paintings during each Saturday session. Students will be challenged to develop their own individual potential in both oil and acrylic mediums.Grades 5-12 $100
Mosaic Furniture with Virginia McKinney
With some colorful ceramic mosaic pieces, a little glue and grout, and in just a few Saturdays you can turn that old end table or small chest of drawers into a family heirloom! Dig through your attic or basement, and find that small, no longer used piece of furniture and we will transform it into a beautiful piece of artwork. We will be making and glazing our own mosaic bits and then applying them in decorative patterns onto our new treasures! Grades 4-12 $100
Handbuilding: Create and Express with Clays with Anne Smith
During our time together, we will think with our hands! A variety of clays will be squeezed, pinched and poked into works of art. While exploring the utilitarian use of ceramic clay, a drinking cup and plate can be made. Using creative energy, exploration, and imagination we will create decorative items such as sculpture, tiles, figurines, masks and more; all inspired by a variety of themes. You will learn clay terms and techniques. Give yourself a hand - and sign up! Grades 1-4 $100
About Our Instructors
Erik Arensbak has been a full time craftsman all his life. Growing up with a culturally artistic family of Danish origin, he developed a love for natural wood forms. Erik operates his own business and wood studio at home. Erik has taken class and taught at Arrowmont for many years. His work is seen in local galleries.
Lynn Corsi Bland, born in Daytona Beach, Florida, is an artist who works in a variety of media. She received a Constructive Design degree from Florida State University. Her work is a combination of paint and wax with found objects to create unique compositions and has been featured in numerous shows and group exhibitions including the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts Biennial juried exhibition, The National Collage Society Annual Exhibitions, Hudson, OH; Jack Art Gallery Juried Encaustic Show, Atlanta, GA, The National Collage Society Postcard Show, New York, NY; The 2011 Sketchbook Project, Brooklyn, NY; Mason Maurer Fine Art, Atlanta, GA. Her work has received awards and been show cased in numerous magazine publications such as Material Visions and Signatures. Lynn lives and works in Gatlinburg where the Great Smoky Mountains fives her an abundance of inspiration to draw from.
Chandra DeBuse studied ceramics at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Penland School of Crafts, and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts before receiving her MFA in ceramics from the University of Florida in 2010. Chandra recently completed an artist residency at the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach, FL where she taught adult and children's clay classes. She is currently an artist in residence at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN. Chandra exhibits her work nationally. Her pottery and drawings can be seen at www.chandradebuse.com.
Dustin Farnsworth is a current resident artist at Arrowmont School of Craft. He received his BFA in Woodworking/Functional Art and Printmaking from Kendall College of Art and Design. His works have been shown nationally and internationally as well as being published in Woodwork magazine and the book 500 Cabinets.
Jill Greene is a commercial studio photographer living in Sevierville, TN. Her love of photographing the natural world takes her outdoors as much as possible! She studied photography at Nashville State Technical Institute. Her work has been widely published throughout the Southeast.
Phil Haralam received his BFA in Ceramics from Guilford College in 2002 and completed an MFA in Ceramics at Indiana University this past spring. In the six years between these degree programs, Phil helped to establish a community clay center in his hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, while making a living as a studio potter, a ceramics instructor, and a freelance photographer. Phil has taught courses in Ceramics and 3D Design at Indiana University and Guilford College and has instructed several workshops in ceramic and photographic techniques. In addition to his studio work, Phil has been involved with numerous arts organizations, serving for four years as the Co-Director of Strictly Functional Pottery National and for one year as organizing director of the Fuller Projects, an experimental exhibition and installation space at Indiana University. His own work has been exhibited in galleries across the Midwest and East Coast, most recently at the Philadelphia Clay Studio. His work can be viewed on his website, www.philharalam.com.
Lisa Johnson started her career in fine arts at Miami University under Distinguished Professor Susan Ewing, Head of Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design. After receiving her BFA in 2004, she continued her education at Indiana University studying with Professor Randy Long and Dr. Nicole Jacquard of the Metals Department and received her MFA in 2009. Recently awarded artists-in-residence positions include; Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts, Kiln God in 09' and Haystack Mountain School of Craft as a TA for Kiff Slemmons in 10'. After concluding her position as adjunct assistant professor in the fall of 2010 for Indiana University's Metals Dept., Lisa has been invited to conduct workshops and lectures for Murray State University and East Carolina University's Metals Symposium in 2011. Lisa's current works are featured in Lark Books Plastic Jewelry '09 and Decorative Resurgence, Lark Books Silver Jewelry '10, and Humor in Craft by Brigitte Martin that is expected to come out soon. Lisa is looking forward to pushing the boundaries of her studio practice and meeting artists that share the same enthusiasm for creating and working together at Arrowmont this year. Her work may be viewed at her website, www.lisamjohnsonart.com.
Randy Ogle is a native of Gatlinburg and a third generation woodworker receiving training from his father and grandfather. He is owner of the Chair Shop in the Arts & Crafts Community of Gatlinburg, and a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild.
Art has been an avocation for Pat K. Thomas since the fourth grade. When she settled in Tennessee twenty years later, art became her vocation. Pat blends her traditional yet somewhat obscure media into contemporary works. Watercolor marbling, handmade paper and hand-lettered calligraphy provide constant artistic challenge.
Jennifer Wells is currently an Artist-in-Residence at Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts. She holds a BFA in Craft and Material Studies with an emphasis in Metal Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and an MFA from East Carolina University.
Open Monday - Saturday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm