New Art Classes Coming to WAC!
Boone, NC — Watauga Arts Council has added quite a few classes to their roster from now until June. From a Mother’s Day themed stained glass workshop to a wide range of fiber classes and more, we’ve got something for everyone! Keep reading to find the right class for you!
2-day Workshop: Mountain Dulcimer for Beginners
Adults only | Feb 28th & Mar 14 | 10:30-12:30 pm | $56
Mary Greene, an experienced teacher and award-winning player of the instrument, is offering a two-part class for beginner mountain dulcimer. No experience is needed, but you must bring your own dulcimer instrument. Students will learn the anatomy of the dulcimer, to tune the instrument, to play simple melodies, add rhythmic strumming in 4/4 and 3/4, and will learn to play simple Appalachian favorites. After finishing the classes, students will have enough basic skills to play tunes with the monthly Mountain Dulcimer Gathering that meets at the Arts Council every 2nd Saturday from 11 am - 1 pm.
Slow Stitch Surface Design - Intuitive Fiber Arts
Adults only | March Thursdays | 12:30-2:30 pm | $117
Guilt-free stitching, no rules, just your imagination! Set aside your worries, relax, and take up a needle and thread in this surface design class with instructor Pamela Torres! This class will aid in your ability to sew with intuition rather than rigidity. Students will use a variety of fabrics, buttons, memorabilia, stamps, and other fibers to create designs that appeal to their personal taste and intuition.
Glass on Glass Mosaics
Adults only | Mar 7 & 12 | Variable Times | $50+
Students will create a small (5” x 5”), framed, mosaic piece using colorful glass tesserae adhered to a piece of clear glass. No experience in glass or mosaic required! Students can explore the “crazy paving” technique with a simple design or just have fun letting the creative instincts flow for an abstract look, with the support from instructor Cindy Michaud.
Mixed Media: The Art of Observation
Youth, ages 10-13 | Mar 18th - May 13th | 3:30-5pm | $5
Through nature walks and guided observation, students will create unique mixed media artworks by observing and reflecting on their surroundings. This 8-week class encourages self-expression and mindfulness for kids of any skill level.
Intro to Fiber Workshop Series
Teens & Adults | Every 4th Saturday between Mar-Aug | 10-1 pm | $30/ea
The Blue Ridge Fiber Guild is teaching a 6-part workshop to teach beginner students all about various fiber crafts! All materials will be provided for each class. Find and read more about each workshop offering below!
Easy Cardboard Loom Weaving: March 22 - Students will learn weaving tapestry-style on a take-home cardboard loom
Go For A Spin: April 26 - Participants will prepare a washed wool fleece for spinning and will then practice spinning with a drop spindle and different spinning wheels.
Wet Felted Birdhouse: May 24 - Participants will make a wet-felted pod or birdhouse using wool fibers plus embellishments (yarns, silks and fabric scraps).
Coiled Basket Making: June 28 - Participants will create a small traditional coiled basket with raffia. Kits will be provided.
Beginner Knitting: July 26 - Students will be introduced to cast on, knit, purl, bind off, and fixing mistakes. We will be using wooden needles and cotton yarn, which will be provided. Students will keep their needles.
Natural Dyes: August 23 - After an introduction to dye plants and weld in particular, students will dye mini-skeins of wool to obtain different colors and values.
Oil Painting in Layers
Adults only | April Thursdays | 6-8pm | $112+
Over four sessions, students will learn the importance of layering when working with oil paints. Guided by instructor Nicholas Thorp
Adults only | April 9 | 9:30-12:30 | $50+
Students will create an 8” circular design on a wooden base suitable for hanging with instructor Cindy Michaud. Each student will make their own unique design to their liking.
Needle Felting
Teens, ages 14-18 | April Wednesdays | 5:30-7:30 | $60+
Learn to needle felt an animal in this teens-only class with instructor Sofia Salcedo! Students will be taught methods and techniques to use for the future, and will go home with a cute needle felted animal figurine at the end of the four weeks.
Mother’s Day Stained Glass Workshop
Adults only | April 12-13 | Variable Times | $112+
Join instructor Gina Williams of GALA CRAFTS in a beginner stained glass class! In this workshop, she will teach everything you need to know to create a stained glass tulip panel, just in time for Mother's Day. Over the two days, students will learn the basics of Tiffany technique to create their very own stained glass piece.
Learn How to Crochet: Spa Day!
Adults only | May Thursdays | 5:30-7 pm | $84+
Join instructor Meredith Ross as she teaches students the basics of crochet stitching through making washcloths and face rounds! In this themed class, students will learn a variety of stitches, including single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet. Students will also learn techniques such as foundation chain, magic ring, and how to increase.
Design & Paint a Barn Quilt
Adults & Teens | June 21-22 | Variable Times | $135
Students will draw and paint a barn quilt (using a sponge dabbing technique that provides smooth and brilliant results) on a light and durable 2x2 foot aluminum composite board
For more details and to register for any of these exciting classes, visit the Watauga Arts Council website at www.watauga-arts.org/classes. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today! Please notify admin@watauga-arts.org if you have any questions.
