Session 1: June 25 to July 13, 2012

Art for the Undecided: Material Exploration

Ceramics: Taking It to the Street
Commonly when people think of street art, graffiti comes to mind. Consider ceramics instead. This class will take you on a journey with the traditional craft of ceramics and transform it into a publicly accessible, and even rogue, medium. You will learn to construct clay through hand building, working with molds, and building with slabs. You will finish your work by learning various methods of glazing, texturizing, and firing. Once you have learned the techniques, you will consider the meaning of “street art” and make work that is a site-specific installation for the general public to find, touch, and wonder at. Instructor: Sigrid Espelien is a current graduate student at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Ceramics. She studied at the Glass and Ceramics School in Bornholm, Denmark. She has taught classes in ceramics in both Denmark and England and has an extensive exhibition record of her artwork that spans four countries.

Comic Art
Comics combine the talents of a writer with the imagination of the artist. This class will focus on the power of comics as a storytelling medium. Technical demonstrations will be given, focusing on various handmade media commonly used in the production of comics, as well as perspective and anatomy. You will learn about the layout of the page, along with implied action and inking techniques. In this class, each student will produce at least three to four pages of a comic story, which will then be collected into an anthology with your classmates’ work. Instructor: Carson Grubaugh earned an MFA in Painting at Cranbrook Academy of Art and a BA in both Fine Art and Philosophy from the University of California at Berkeley. Carson was named the Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Emerging Artist of 2011, and his work has been exhibited in the United States and Germany.

Darkroom Photography
Although the role of the darkroom has changed, it remains the best way for students to learn photographic essentials, such as the use of the camera, light, composition, and tone. In this class, you will learn to operate a 35mm SLR camera, process black-and-white film, and make quality prints in the darkroom. In addition, you will learn about the history of narrative photography, create your own storyline starting with a storyboard, and set up your photoshoots using studio lighting and Cranbrook’s beautiful 330-acre campus. In just three weeks, you can have a portfolio of well-crafted prints that includes your own narrative sequence. We make 35mm cameras available for use, but recommend that students consider bringing their own cameras. Instructor: Will Connally earned an MFA in Photography at Cranbrook Academy of Art and a BFA in Photography from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he twice won the most outstanding photography student award. His artwork has appeared in six solo and group shows.

Fiber Arts: Where Fashion and Sculpture Meet
Wearable art is more than simple clothing—it is sculpture. In this class you will survey a variety of skills that will aid in the production and manipulation of fibers, including knitting, crocheting, embroidery, dyeing, and more. You will also learn how to make felt and embellish repurposed clothing. In the end, you will complete the class with new additions to your portfolio and your wardrobe. Instructor: Brittany Campbell is a graduate student at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Fiber. She earned a BFA in Fibers from the Cleveland Institute of Art where she also taught continuing education courses. She is currently a visiting instructor at College for Creative Studies, and her work has been presented in over a dozen galleries.

Portfolio Development (Recommended for advanced students)
A strong portfolio is one of the most important factors when applying for college art programs. This class will help you build a portfolio and apply to college in two ways: first, by developing new artwork, and second, by learning effective strategies for applying to college art programs. The studio portion will help you to develop a strong and coherent body of work through painting and other mediums with the goal of completing at least two finished, polished pieces. We will also work on strategies for assembling your portfolio, including artist statements and scholarship applications. In addition, guest lecturers from various college art programs will provide further insight into the college admissions process. Instructor: Anne Vieux is a current graduate student at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Painting. She earned an MA in Painting at Eastern Illinois University and a BFA in Painting and a BA in Art History at the Kansas City Art Institute. She has also studied art in Italy through the Maryland Institute College of Art. Her work has appeared in over a dozen gallery exhibitions.

Printmaking: Posters, T-Shirts and More
From a local band announcing a show to vast political revolutions, printmaking has enabled artists to reach out to a broad audience. Wearing your design on a t-shirt, creating a “zine” (a do-it-yourself magazine), and making reproducible posters gives this medium the unique ability to get a message out. In this class you will learn and utilize a variety of printing methods, including screen printing, stencil making, block printing, etching, and serigraphs. These processes will enable you to create your own set of reproducible posters, t-shirts, and zines. You will also learn to make your own paper and learn to print on unique surfaces such as wood andPlexiglas. With printmaking, you can change the world!  Instructor: Monica Gorski is a current graduate student at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Print Media. She earned a BFA in Graphic Design and Printmaking at Florida Atlantic University which included a year abroad in Italy. She has worked professionally as a graphic artist for a variety of firms in New York and Florida for the past four years.

Videography: From Claymation to Live Action
For the YouTube generation, video art is more relevant than ever before. Thanks to advances in technology, creating a quality video no longer requires a crew of workers or a big budget. In this class you will learn to shoot and edit your own videos in three methods: stop-motion animation and claymation, experimental video techniques, and sound editing. You will build a conceptual foundation by completing several short films and learn technical skills with studio lighting, the camera, and software. Video will be used as an artistic medium to create work that can be seen all over the globe. Instructor: Alexandra Tsocanos is a graduate student at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Photography. She earned a BA in Anthropology through the Visual Arts at New York University and continued her studies at schools in Spain and Greece. In the past five years she has worked for schools, galleries, a playhouse, and a media marketing company

Session 2: July 16 to August 3, 2012

Art for the Undecided: Getting Extreme
Let us introduce you to the world of studio art. If you have a passion for art yet are still unsure which style, techniques, forms, or materials that you prefer to work in, this class is for you. “Art for the Undecided” is offered in two sessions, with each session taught by a different instructor who brings unique expertise to each three-week course. During this second session, you will start with traditional forms of art including drawing, painting, and sculpture, and then move on to more extreme and unusual forms and media, including motorized sculptures and a wall-sized group animation project. Instructor: Carrie Fonder earned an MFA in Sculpture at Cranbrook Academy of Art. She received her BFA from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and has taught art in schools and workshops in Wisconsin for more than six years. She recently spent six months as a visiting artist in India on a Fulbright Scholarship.

Architecture: Structural Design Small and Large
Cranbrook has a rich history in modern architecture. The landmark campus features the work of world-renowned architects such as Eliel and Eero Saarinen, Albert Kahn, Rafael Moneo, Steven Holl, Tod Williams, and Billie Tsien. This course will provide a basic overview of architectural styles and theories to encourage students to think about the spaces that they inhabit on a day-to-day basis. Students will learn the techniques of architectural designing, drafting, and model making as they design their own buildings. There will be two primary projects, including designing a new wing for the Cranbrook Art Museum that will include art galleries, a retail shop, and a small cafe. As students design their own projects, they will be encouraged to think about the form of their buildings and the resulting interior space that is created by their design decisions. Instructor: Lauren Lynn is a current graduate student at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Architecture. She earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University and has interned at various architecture firms for the past six years, working on projects such as the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.

Contemporary Painting
Through most of art history, artists put paint on canvas in photo-realistic ways. In the contemporary art world, many painters are finding new ways of creating work, using new kinds of paint and canvas and leaving photo-realism to photographers. In this class, we will look at the possibilities that exist in painting. We will start with traditional painting techniques, then move to the use of spray paint, silk screening, thick acrylic glazing, and pouring to create something entirely new. You will even be challenged to slice apart your canvas to reveal new forms. This class will have you thinking about what a painting is in a completely new way. Instructor: Chris Ulrich earned an MFA in Painting from Cranbrook Academy of Art. He received a BFA at Colorado State University and a Post-Baccalaureate certificate from Tufts University. He work has been in more than two dozen exhibitions across the country.

Figure Drawing
An essential fundamental for any visual artist is knowing how to draw the human form. Working with live, non-nude professional models, this class will focus on representational figure drawing, using a range of dry and wet media, including charcoal, graphite, watercolor, and ink. You will learn to draw the proportion of a figure, create realistic figure studies with traditional rules of line and shading, capture gestures, understand anatomy, and experiment with non-standard materials by drawing from models in quick and long poses. Instructor: Carson Grubaugh earned an MFA in Painting at Cranbrook Academy of Art. He earned a BA in both Fine Art and Philosophy from the University of California at Berkeley. Carson was recently named the Mercedes Benz Financial Services Emerging Artist of 2011 and has since had his work exhibited in the United States and Germany

Jewelry Making: Working with Metals
From the elegant rings of a queen to the gaudy pendants of a rapper, jewelry communicates information about the wearer and can act as a powerful form of self expression. In this class you will begin with some basic metalsmithing techniques to become familiar with the material, then proceed to designing and fabricating more complex pieces. Techniques will include work with jeweler’s tools to saw, drill, pierce, file, stamp, and sand. You will also learn the use of the torch to anneal, solder, and create heat patinas. Forming techniques like dapping and sinking and cold connective devices including rivets and jump rings will complete your ability to make several examples of your own wearable art. Instructor: Amy Weiks earned an MFA in Metalsmithing at Cranbrook Academy of Art. She received a BFA at Western Michigan University and has also studied at Virginia Commonwealth University and Glasgow School of Art in Scotland. She has led multiple jewelry workshops and completed a year-long artist residency at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft before coming to Cranbrook.

Photography: In Studio and On Location
A wide range of skills are required of photographers today. Photographers must know about camera operation, lighting, software, file handling, and printing plus a host of other techniques. In this class you will learn these skills from an instructor who is both a commercial photographer and a fine artist. The class will offer instruction on how to use light both in the studio and on location. You will also learn how to work with a model, carry out a photo assignment, and make quality digital prints. You will also learn to work with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Bridge to create professional-quality images and composites with special effects. Instructor: Trisha Holt earned an MFA in Photography at Cranbrook Academy of Art. She earned a BFA in Photography from Arizona State University. Professionally she has worked in several photographic firms and currently freelances for such companies as Nordstrom.

Sculpture: Breaking the Mold (Recommended for students ages 13-14)
Discover why Sculpture is the hottest medium in contempoary art and why some of the most visible artists today are working as sculptors. Using a variety of materials, tools and techniques, we will explore classical methods of carving, molding and casting, and clay sculpture as well as more modern techniques of free-form building, assemblage, and material studies. Important topics, such as form, gravity, the illusion of weight, and scale, will motivate projects large and small. Designed especially for 13 and 14 year olds, this class will help build fine motor skills, spatial relationships, and confidence that every young artist needs. Instructor: Tom Friel earned an MFA in Sculpture at Cranbrook Academy of Art. He earned a BFA in Printmaking at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. For five years he was the assistant director at the Fairmont Art Center in Philadelphia, where he conducted courses for all ages.

Session 3: August 6 to August 24, 2012

Alt Art: The Magical Fleeting Moment
For many, the art world is considered an alternative to the norm. Alternative Art goes even farther, looking at unusual methods that are outside of what is considered normal art making practices. Specifically, this class will focus on performance, installation, and ephemeral art. Performance art looks at ways that action and motion can be used to create a visual experience. Installation art considers how space such as a hallway or gap between trees can be transformed into a place for art. Ephemeral art takes objects that do not last, such as plants, bubbles, and water, and works with their qualities before they disappear. Each project will be photographed and video recorded to make these temporary creations last forever. Instructor: Erin Shapiro is a current graduate student at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Sculpture. She received a BA in Sculpture from Hamilton College and a Post Baccalaureate Certificate from Maryland Institute College of Art. She has won six grants and awards for her artwork, which has appeared in over a dozen exhibitions.

Alternative Photography
The cost of being a photographer today can be expensive after spending more and more money on cameras, lenses, software, printers, and other gear. Fortunately there are alternatives, where great images can be created with a cheap toy camera, while other images can be made without a camera at all. This class is an exploration of unconventional methods to create photographs, starting with the creative use of toy cameras such as the Holga and Lomography. We will use photographic transfer techniques with instant film and inkjet prints to apply images to unordinary surfaces such as wood, stone, and everyday objects. We will also experiment in the traditional darkroom with photograms, solarizations, and cyanotypes. Make great images without breaking the bank! Instructor: Trisha Holt earned an MFA in Photography at Cranbrook Academy of Art. She earned a BFA in Photography from Arizona State University. Professionally she has worked in several photographic firms and currently freelances for such companies as Nordstrom.

Embroidery and the Narrative
Embroidery is an ancient art form that can be found in all cultures of the world, from oppressed people secretly communicating messages to the outside world to the most expensive boutiques in the most fashionable cities across the globe. Embroidery is not just thread sewn into patterns on fabric—it is a communication device that expresses personal histories and emotion. In this class you will learn six different stitching styles, working first on cloth and then expanding to stitch into a variety of other materials and textiles. You will connect with the rich history of embroidery by developing a personal narrative, learning how to tell your story with needle and thread. Instructor: Rebecca Davidson is a current graduate student at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Fiber. She earned a BFA in Fiber at Savannah College of Art and Design. Before coming to Cranbrook she was the display coordinator for Anthropologie’s highest volume stores in New York City and also designed interiors for G5 aircraft.

Fundamentals of Drawing (Recommended for students ages 13-14)
Drawing is a skill which anyone can learn. This course will cover the basic concepts which form the foundation of a strong drawing practice such as contour, shading, composition, and proportion. You will become familiar with basic drawing materials and techniques and improve your powers of observation by training your eye to recognize shape, value, and edge quality, three elements vital to representing most subjects. You will learn to break subjects down into simple manageable shapes and recognize relationships between them in order to accurately establish scale and tonality. The class will feature experiences working with live, non-nude models. Instructor: Anna Breininger is a current graduate student at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Painting. She earned a BFA in Painting at Arcadia University. Her artwork has appeared in over a dozen galleries around the United States and London.

Hi Tech Design: Designing and Making Functional Objects
Advances in technology have changed the way everyday objects are designed. More than computers and software, ways of cutting and building are now straight out of science fiction movies. In this class, you are going to look at hi tech design with laser cutting and 3D printing. You will learn how to construct designs for the laser cutter, cutting your designs into acrylic sheets, book covers and other materials. You will also observe how a 3D printer works, digitally designing a functional object and printing out a plastic prototype. This class will take you through the process of product design from drafting by hand to hi tech digital production. Instructor: Gabby Kupfer is a current graduate student at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Architecture. She earned a Bachelors of Architecture from California College of the Arts and was a teaching assistant at Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. She is also active in roller derby, where she has been a skater, designer, and organizer for various teams.

Metals and More
For students who are ready to learn more complex techniques of working with metal, this class will build on the basic skills. More advanced forms of metal fabrication will be introduced such as constructing hollow forms with sheet metal through forming, scoring and bending, building structure with wire, and incorporating movable mechanisms like tension-fit lids and hinges. Additionally you will have the opportunity to incorporate non-metal materials in the jewelry and sculptures you create in this class, such as (fake) jewels, cloth, and everyday objects. You will finish with multiple examples of your own metal-based art, both wearable and sculptural. Instructor: Amy Weiks is a current graduate student at Cranbrook Academy of Art in Metalsmithing. She received a BFA at Western Michigan University and has also studied at Virginia Commonwealth University and Glasgow School of Art in Scotland. She has led multiple jewelry workshops and completed a year-long artist residency at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft before coming to Cranbrook.

Painting: Exploring All Mediums
Applying paint to canvas unleashes a world of creativity. This class is designed to develop your painting skills, explore painting techniques, composition, color and a variety of painting styles. You will work with a variety of paints, mediums and solvents while learning about mixing color and brushwork. You will use oils, acrylics, watercolors, and mix in other media to create traditional and contemporary work. Experiment with painting in the style of great artists throughout history right up to the present day. This class is great for those who want to diversify college portfolios or want to get comfortable in art’s most regarded medium. Instructor: Chris Ulrich earned an MFA in Painting from Cranbrook Academy of Art. He received a BFA at Colorado State University and a Post-Baccalaureate certificate from Tufts University. He work has been in more than two dozen exhibitions across the country.