Programs for Adults
(16+ years)

At A Glance

Summer 2021

​Pop-Up Basics: The Movable Book
Elissa Campbell
Sat., July 10
10AM-4PM

​The Block Printed Journal
Elissa Campbell
Mon/Tues:  July 12 & 13
5-8PM

Introduction to Acrylics
Robert W. Brunelle, Jr.
Fri:  July 16, 9:30AM-4PM &
Sat: July 17, 10AM-3:30PM​

​Nature Journal
Susan Sawyer
4 Thurs:  July 29; Aug. 5; 12 & 19
5-7PM

Introduction to Drawing
Robert W. Brunelle Jr.
Friday, July 30
9:30AM – 4PM

Make Sculptural Clay Whistles
Robert W. Brunelle, Jr.
Sat., July 31
1-3:30PM 

Photography with Cell Phones
(ages 14 to adult)
Orah Moore
Friday, August 6
10AM-4PM

Japanese Bookbinding
Elissa Campbell
Sat., August 7
9AM-3PM

Class Information

We are pleased to offer a small group of classes and workshops for adults this summer season, starting in July.  We look forward to seeing you at SPA!
 
Students and instructors are expected to wear face masks or coverings, wash up, and stay home if feeling under the weather.  Please call us at 479-7069 to discuss any questions or concerns that you may have.
 
We look forward to inspiring your creativity!

 
Pop-Up Basics: The Movable Book
Elissa Campbell
Sat., July 10
10AM-4PM
 
Creating pop-up paper tricks - or paper engineering - offers a set of skills that may be used for artist books and cards.  Using cut paper and folds, you'll learn the basics of pop-up construction, including box supports, props, and platforms. Come and see the magic behind the motion!
 
In this workshop, each participant will leave class with a set of pop-up cards to keep as a reference for each mechanism. You will receive a detailed handout and resource list for all materials we use. No previous experience is required – this is a great class for a beginner. You'll feel more comfortable in the workshop if you have experience using an X-Acto knife.
 
All materials are included in the materials fee, but feel free to bring materials for use in creating your cards. Several ideas are:

• Collage materials (paper)
• Photographs
• Rubber stamps and pads
• Markers, pens, colored pencils, etc.
• Decorative scissors/punches

 
Supplies: Bone folder, ruler, X-Acto knife, cutting mat, scissors, pencil.  Note: Bring the supplies if you have them – don’t feel obligated to buy anything. I'll have extras available.
 
Members $50/Non-Members $60

Elissa Campbell has been making books for the past 26 years and sells her work professionally under the business name of Blue Roof Designs. She is a big believer in the power of using books for self-expression. Elissa is currently chair of the Book Arts Guild of Vermont, is on the board of the Vermont Crafts Council, and is on the Vermont Arts Council's Teaching Artist Roster.  
 
 
The Block Printed Journal
Elissa Campbell
Mon/Tues:  July 12 & 13
5-8PM
 
Block printing is an ancient method of printmaking that can be used to create beautiful, decorated papers.  Not only is it fun, but it's something you can easily do at home. In this two-day class, you'll experiment with printing and use one of your own papers to cover a handmade journal.
 
On the first day, you'll learn how to design and carve rubber stamps that will be used to create your own decorated papers. You'll focus on basic shapes that can be used for layering and repeating to create rich and complex patterns.
 
On the second day, you'll select one of your papers for the cover - you can save your unused papers for other projects. You'll make a book using a binding that allows the book to remain flat when opened, making it perfect for use as a sketchbook or journal.
 
You'll receive a detailed handout and resource list for all materials we use. No previous experience is required – this is a great class for a beginner.
 
Supplies: Bone folder, awl, needle, ruler, X-Acto knife, cutting mat, scissors, pencil, linoleum carving tools.
 
Note: Bring the supplies if you have them – don’t feel obligated to buy anything. I'll have extras available.
 
Members $55/Non-Members $65

Elissa Campbell has been making books for the past 26 years and sells her work professionally under the business name of Blue Roof Designs. She is a big believer in the power of using books for self-expression. Elissa is currently chair of the Book Arts Guild of Vermont, is on the board of the Vermont Crafts Council, and is on the Vermont Arts Council's Teaching Artist Roster.  
 
 
Introduction to Acrylics
Robert W. Brunelle, Jr.
Fri:  July 16, 9:30AM-4PM &
Sat: July 17, 10AM-3:30PM (½ hr. breaks for lunch)
 
Learn about the advantages of using acrylic paints in your creative repertoire.  (Robert used oils for years and never looked back after he started using acrylics.)  During this 2-day class students will learn all they need to know about working with acrylic paints to capture the brilliant colors and rich textures of the fall season.  The class is open to students at all skill levels.
 
Among the topics covered will be; color mixing, adding additives to make the paints thicker or thinner, slowing drying time, using acrylics as washes, sculpting with acrylics, brushstrokes for creating various effects, using fast drying time to your advantage, and how to control blending colors.   We will also talk about composing your picture, stretching canvases, transferring drawings to canvas, various surfaces to paint on, as well as some useful hints on drawing, shading and shadows, and creating the illusion of depth on a flat surface.
 
A materials list will be provided to students prior to the class.  (NOTE:  SPA has a good supply of acrylic paints that you are welcome to use – let us know if you are interested in this.)  Bring 1-3 seasonal photographs from which you would enjoy working.  If you have any questions, feel free to email Robert Waldo Brunelle, Jr., at brunelles3@aol.com.  Visit his website at www.mrbrunelle.com to see examples of his acrylic paintings.

Members $90/Non-Members $100
 
Robert Waldo Brunelle is a painter, book illustrator, retired art teacher and political cartoonist.   He taught cartooning and computer animation techniques at the Browns River Middle School for 31 years and has taught cartooning workshops for adults at the Fletcher Farm School for Arts and Crafts.  In 2007 he was one of the Vermont cartoonists featured in the "Drawn Here" series produced by WCAX Channel 3 T.V.  His political cartoon strip "Mr. Brunelle Explains It All" appears monthly in the humor magazine "Funny Times", and weekly on the website of the humor magazine "Humor Times", at [www.humortimes.com].  To see more of Mr. Brunelle's art and cartoons, visit his website at [www.mrbrunelle.com], or email him at [brunelles3@aol.com]


Nature Journal
Susan Sawyer
4 Thurs:  July 29; Aug. 5; 12 & 19
5-7PM
(NOTE:  This class has been postponed due to a health issue of the instructor; please let us know if you would like to be a part of a future class like this one.)
This class is for anyone who would like to record the natural life around us.  In this class, we’ll draw and paint both in and outdoors, using pencil and watercolor, and pen, making pages that tell a story.  Our subject matter will include leaves, flowers, trees, ferns, and probably some bugs, bones, and other objects; when we go outdoors, we’ll focus on the plant life that manages to survive in a town environment.  Emphasis on drawing strategies, handling of media, and composition, and some natural history.
 
Members $90/Non-Members $100
 
Susan Sawyer is an artist-naturalist from South Woodbury with many years of experience teaching, mostly adults in college and non-formal settings. After starting life as a printmaker and decades of making art quilts, her current practice consists of drawing, painting, and biological illustration, in graphite, ink, watercolor, and silverpoint. She believes in an experimental and experiential approach to all kinds of education, as well as careful observation of worlds without and within.
 
 
Introduction to Drawing
Robert W. Brunelle Jr.
Friday, July 30
9:30AM – 4PM (½ hr break for lunch)
In this one-day class students will learn: How to use 1-point and 2-point perspective techniques to create the illusion of depth on a flat surface, how to use shadows and shading to create dimensional effects and textured surfaces, how to compose a drawing to maximize viewer interest, how to create movement in a drawing, how to correctly draw the human face and figure, and how to exaggerate those faces and figures to create caricatures or cartoons.  A materials list will be provided to students prior to the class.  If you have any questions, feel free to email Robert Waldo Brunelle Jr at brunelles3@aol.com.  Comprehensive handout provided; this will be sent to you via email in advance of the class.
 
Members $50/Non-Members $60

Robert Waldo Brunelle is a painter, book illustrator, retired art teacher and political cartoonist.   He taught cartooning and computer animation techniques at the Browns River Middle School for 31 years and has taught cartooning workshops for adults at the Fletcher Farm School for Arts and Crafts.  In 2007 he was one of the Vermont cartoonists featured in the "Drawn Here" series produced by WCAX Channel 3 T.V.  His political cartoon strip "Mr. Brunelle Explains It All" appears monthly in the humor magazine "Funny Times", and weekly on the website of the humor magazine "Humor Times", at [www.humortimes.com].  To see more of Mr. Brunelle's art and cartoons, visit his website at [www.mrbrunelle.com], or email him at [brunelles3@aol.com]


Make Sculptural Clay Whistles
Robert W. Brunelle, Jr.
Sat., July 31
1-3:30PM 

Participants will learn how to make single or multi-tone, sculptural whistles out of clay.  The whistles can be made into a wide variety of whimsical shapes, such as animals, monsters, people, aliens, cartoon characters, etc.  The whistles can be made into two tone or ocarinas by adding more holes.  We will be using air dry clay, so students can bring them home the same day.  Once the clay is dry, students will have the option of painting their whistles at home.  There should be time for students to make 2-4 whistles in this workshop, depending on how elaborate.  (Materials are included in the class fee.)
 
Members $45/Non-Members $55
 
Robert Waldo Brunelle is a painter, book illustrator, retired art teacher and political cartoonist.   He taught cartooning and computer animation techniques at the Browns River Middle School for 31 years and has taught cartooning workshops for adults at the Fletcher Farm School for Arts and Crafts.  In 2007 he was one of the Vermont cartoonists featured in the "Drawn Here" series produced by WCAX Channel 3 T.V.  He creates a weekly cartoon for Seven Days, Vermont’s art news source.  His political cartoon strip "Mr. Brunelle Explains It All" appears monthly in the humor magazine "Funny Times", and weekly on the website of the humor magazine "Humor Times", at [www.humortimes.com].  To see more of Mr. Brunelle's art and cartoons, visit his website at [www.mrbrunelle.com], or email him at [brunelles3@aol.com]
 
 
Photography with Cell Phones
(ages 14 to adult)
Orah Moore
Friday, August 6
10AM-4PM
 
This class will cover basic photo composition and light awareness.  Instructor Orah Moore views cell phone photography as very fun, freeing and spontaneous.  We may not all have the same features on our cell phones, but most participants will have a regular option and a close-up feature.  In addition, most will be able to turn the image into black and white.
 
First, we will go over straight photography vs. manipulating photo imagery.  Orah will have a few assignments and even a photo treasure hunt to be completed before the end of the class.  Her hope is that participants will create a personal gallery presentation by the end of the class.
 
What to bring:

• A cell phone fully charged that has photo capability, a charger for later in the day, a laptop and cables for downloading cell phone photos to your laptop.  (Don’t have a laptop?  You can share with me or others who do.)  Bring a thumb drive.  Be familiar with the workings of your phone camera before the class.

 

• Bring a lunch so we can be in the field!  We will take a break both morning and PM sessions to return to SPA for restroom and downloading.

 
If you have a favorite editing ap, Orah would like to know it ahead.  (Please send information in an email to SPA in advance.)   Orah will compile a list to share with everyone in the workshop.
 
Members $50/Non-Members $60


Orah Moore, life-long art and commercial photographer, MA, Cal State Fullerton, CA, owner of Orah Moore Photography since 1977, Haymaker Press, since 1987, publishing her work as cards and books.  Studied with Ansel Adams and Ruth Bernhard.  Producing and showing in galleries over 40 years.  www.orahmooreartist.com
 

Japanese Bookbinding
Elissa Campbell
Sat., August 7
9AM-3PM
 
Would you like to take a trip to Asia without getting on a plane? In this workshop, you'll try your hand at Watoji or Japanese bookbinding.
 
You'll start off by learning the Yamato Toji, a binding which uses strips of paper instead of sewing thread. Next, four more traditional binding styles will be explored - Yotsume Toji (Four-hole Binding), Koki Toji/Kangxi (Noble Binding), Asa-No-Ha Toji (Hemp Leaf Binding) and Kikko Toji (Tortoise Shell Binding). Time permitting, you'll also create an account book known as Daifuku Chō.
 
In this workshop, each participant will leave class with 5-6 books and a basic knowledge of bookbinding technique. You will receive a detailed handout and resource list for all materials we use.
 
No previous experience required – this is a great class for a beginner.
 
Supplies (Bring them if you have them – don’t feel obligated buy anything): Bone folder, scissors, X-Acto Knife, ruler, awl, cutting mat, needle
 
Members $50/Non-Members $60

Elissa Campbell has been making books for the past 26 years and sells her work professionally under the business name of Blue Roof Designs. She is a big believer in the power of using books for self-expression. Elissa is currently chair of the Book Arts Guild of Vermont, is on the board of the Vermont Crafts Council, and is on the Vermont Arts Council's Teaching Artist Roster.  
 
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SPA REFUND POLICY:

• Cancellations at least 9 days before first class:  Refund for full paid amount minus $10 registration fee OR 100% credit towards a future class.
• Cancellations that occur within 8 days before the first class:  50% refund minus $10 registration fee OR 50% credit towards a future class.
• Cancellations after the first class, but before second class:  50% refund of remaining class tuition OR 75% credit towards future class.
• Full refund if SPA cancels.  Credits towards future classes must be used within 12 months of date of cancellation. 

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REGISTER ONLINE:

Send us an email with the participant's name, address and phone number.
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