Art Workshops [2013]

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Aaaah, Summer: a time to sit on your haunches and watch the corn ripen….

Or not!  for those of you who like their summers packed, the DAC is pleased to bring you a slew of simple, low-impact but big-result workshops this summer, all led by artists. Unless otherwise indicated, workshop admission includes all materials. Advance registration is recommended.


Middle Eastern Percussion, 
w/Eric LaPerna
Saturday, June 29, 2-4pm, $10

This two-hour workshop will focus on beginner-level Arabic Percussion techniques and rhythms on either the Tabla (doumbek), Riqq (tambourine) or Duff (frame drum). Participants will learn all the basic strokes and several folk and dance rhythms of the Arab world. A limited amount of drums will be provided.  Suitable for ages 16+; 15 students max.

Eric LaPerna has studied the iqa’at (rhythmic modes) of Riqq, Tabla and Duff with master Palestinian drummer Michel Merhej Baklouk and Turkish, Armenian and Greek rhythmic systems with Alan Sharvarsh Bardezbanian. He is the Director of the Bowdoin College Middle Eastern Music Ensemble, and a member of the Applied Music Faculty at Bates College, as well as a founding memeber of Alhan Middle Eastern Music Ensemble and Okbari Middle Eastern Ensemble.


Simple Landscape Painting
, w/Deborah Randall
Saturday, July 6, 10am-2pm, $10

Join visiting artist Deborah Randall, exhibiting at the DAC through July, and explore a variety of landscape techniques using brush, palette knife, and mixing.  Following a painting demonstration, students will explore the grounds around the Denmark Arts Center and choose a view to paint.  Everyone will receive one-on-one instruction in this workshop geared to beginning or advanced painters.    Suitable for ages 16+; 12 students max.

Deborah Randall earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the California College of the Arts, and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Her work has been shown and collected by corporations, museums, and private clients, including the Portland Museum of Art, Colby College and Georgetown University.


Gelatin Plate Printmaking, 
w/Chris Beneman
Saturday, August 3, 10am-2pm,  $10

Come learn this unique technique of printmaking, which uses no toxic material and does not require use of a press. Instead, gelatin plate printmaking uses hardened slabs of unflavored gelatin printing plates. Water soluble inks are then rolled or painted directly onto the gelatin, while found items, stencils, rubber stamps etc, create the design. Printing the image is simple; gently press a dry piece of paper onto the gelatin plate using just your hands. The possibilities are endless and this method is perfect for experimentation and unusual effects!  Suitable for ages 12+, but younger kids should have an adult with them;  15 students max.

Chris Beneman lives in Scarborough and maintains a studio in Portland.  She is a graduate of Bates College and has studied printmaking and painting with Alice Spencer, John Ventimiglia, and April Vollmer among others.  She is a member of Peregrine Press, a fine arts printmaking cooperative in Portland and has work in many private and public collections, including the New York Public Library,  Portland Museum of Art and the Farnsworth Museum of Art.


Shadow Puppetry for Kids, 
w/ Ian Bannon
Sunday,  August 4, 2-4pm, $10

Join Figures of Speech master puppeteer Ian Bannon for an action-packed, two-hour workshop.  Ian will guide students through an exploration of shadow puppetry as they create a puppet of their own design and bring it to life for the class! This is a perfect companion to the matinee performance of Figures of Speech Theater’s  “Jester Kings of Java,” later the same day (Free admission for workshop attendees!). Suitable for ages 7+; 15 students max.

Ian Bannon has studied storytelling with Milbre Burch and Antonio Rocha, performing objects with Theodora Skipitares, improvisation with Keith Johnstone and collaborative theatre with Sojourn Theatre’s Michael Rohd. In addition to being a full-time educator with Figures-of-Speech, Ian is also a founding member of the new Celebration Barn Ensemble, based in South Paris.


Bump ‘n’ Grind the Babydolls Way! 
w/the Boston Babydolls
Saturday, Augsut 17, 1:30–3pm, $12

The expert teachers from New England’s premiere burlesque troupe will reveal all the burlesque basics to you in this 90-minute workshop! From bumps to grinds to shimmies to the techniques of the classic burlesque striptease, you’ll learn everything you need to know to take the stage yourself! Please bring a button-down shirt, and a skirt with zipper or snap closure (not an elastic waist skirt). You may also bring your own feather boa or elbow-length gloves, or we’ll have some for sale. There’s no nudity in the class. Sutiable for ages 18+; 20 students max.

The Boston Babydolls’ precision dance moves and vintage style have dazzled and delighted audiences from Sin City to The Big Easy!  They have been voted “Boston’s Best Burlesque” three years running, in multiple newspapers including the Boston Phoenix and the Weekly Dig.  Founded by Impresario Mr. Scratch, and his Prima Diva Mina Murray (The “Sassy Lassy with the Classy Chassis!”), the Babydolls also run the Boston Burlesque Academy in Boston.


Supercharge your Sketchbook
, w/Ted McGrath
Sunday, August 25th,  1-4pm, $10

Join visiting artist-in-residence Ted McGrath for a workshop on the art, practice, and business, of commercial illustration.  Learn about the process of a typical job, approaches for getting your work seen, design and presentation standards, and how to navigate the maze of agents, reps, and buyers.  Students will learn by doing, so  bring your sketchbook and some materials that interest you and we’ll work through a practice campaign.  Be prepared to get your hands dirty!

Ted McGrath is an award-winning New York based illustrator, who has sold his work to such A-list clients as MTV Networks, The New York Times, New York Magazine, TIME Magazine, WIRED, Glamour, Bloomberg Business Week, BUST Magazine, and more. He has also taught illustration and design at Pratt Institute and Maryland Institute College of Art.