Master the art of capturing ethereal fog with precise brushwork and water control in our immersive landscape watercolor painting workshop! Join us as we paint a tranquil dawn scene with mist gently rising from a serene lake. Begin by honing your skills in monochrome, focusing on brushwork and water control to create soft, dreamy edges. Then, delve into a world of color as you translate the same scene into a vibrant masterpiece. Gain hands-on experience in reserving light areas and mastering water control to infuse your artwork with the captivating allure of soft foggy edges.

5-day workshop at Willow Pond SLO, California - with instructors Lisa Pressman and Susan Stover.
September 9-13, 2024
$1484 includes lunch daily.

This 5-Day retreat led by 2 inimitable instructors in a gorgeous retreat on the Central Coast in California, will immerse you in an exploration of art as artifact. Art has always been a means by which people leave behind traces of their existence. Whether it's a cave painting from thousands of years ago or a modern masterpiece, art serves as an artifact that represents a specific time, place, and culture. In this workshop, you will do the same by employing visual elements, photographs, or mementos that hold personal meaning or memory for you. There will be daily presentations, demonstrations, dedicated work time, and one one-on-one, guidance. Discussions will include record-keeping, storytelling, and creating a narrative in one's work. This is an exciting opportunity to propel your work into a new direction or to deepen your inquiry into your art practice.

Some of the topics explored in the workshop:
Systems of organization, such as record-keeping, mapping or counting
Surfaces and textures that are worn and suggest a sense of age
Dualities or juxtapositions of ancient vs. contemporary
Conveying history or a sense of time in your work
Pentimento, leaving visible traces of your process
Personal or collective histories
Cultural artifacts - real or imagined

By examining the materials, techniques, and the concept of art as artifact within our artwork, we can gain valuable insights into our artistic development. Analyzing our artwork can also help us identify patterns or changes in our creative journey, allowing us to track our growth and evolution over time. This class is open to artists at any level and the focus is on finding each individual’s unique voice.

Your instructors are Lisa Pressman and Susan Stover. Lisa Pressman is a highly respected art educator with a vigorous teaching program. Susan Stover received an MFA from the California College of Art in Oakland, California, and a BFA from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

For more information don't hesitate to get in touch with [email protected] or go to www.willowpondslo.com

Welcome to the 2024 Summer Workshops

This year, we have lined up 65 extraordinary workshops in visual arts and creative writing over the course of nine weeks. We’ve brought together an outstanding group of instructors that includes many esteemed faculty members, along with many faces who are new to FAWC. We are confident that this dynamic combination of new and familiar faces will help create an inspiring atmosphere at FAWC that will invite students to take creative leaps.

Register for a Workshop

Here are some of this summer’s highlights that we are most excited about:

A new tiered tuition system. In a continuation of our effort to make the Summer Workshops more welcoming and accessible to artists and writers who have been historically underserved by FAWC, we are introducing a tiered tuition system that will make workshops more affordable for those who need it. There is also a special discounted rate for teachers and students. Click here to learn more about it.
Online Catalog Only. This year, we will only offer an online catalog, supplemented by timely promotional announcements. We believe this is a more environmentally sustainable approach aligned with our values and furthers our commitment to mindfully steward our natural resources.
New and familiar faces. Many of you will notice that a few beloved, long-time instructors aren’t teaching this year. Don’t worry—they’ll be back! Our faculty recruitment strategy stresses having a fresh mix of faculty every year. Periodically, we will give all instructors a break for a year or two. This will allow us to invite new faculty consistently every year and keep our catalog vibrant and interesting for our students.
Queer Week is back! Andrea Lawlor is our returning curator for Queer Week II, and they have recruited an amazing group of instructors, including printmaker Miriam Klein Stahl, painter Ilana Savdie, writer and performer Celeste Lescene (along with his colleagues at Future Perfect Project), poet Cameron Awkward-Rich, writer Melissa Febos, and writer Carmen Maria Machado.
Commitment to DEIA. Check out the DEIA Resources link to learn more about everything we are doing to center our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. You’ll also find a variety of articles, videos, and websites where you can learn more about DEIA issues.
Scholarships. We are continuing our commitment to making the Summer Workshops more welcoming and inclusive by offering robust scholarship opportunities. Last year, 20% of our students attended a workshop without having to pay tuition, thanks to the generosity of our community. We aim to match or exceed that this summer. Click here to learn more about our scholarship program and apply for a scholarship. Please click here if you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to our Access Fund to support our scholarship program.
Our Partners. We are grateful to our many partners that help make the Summer Workshops so transformative for everyone who attends: the generous foundations and individuals that support the program; the academic institutions, nonprofits, and businesses who partner with us to provide scholarships; the hotels, inns, and B&Bs who make housing affordable for students; and the local businesses that donate goods and services.

4-day workshop with Alyssa Monks
October 11-14, 2024
Applications close on August 11, 2024, or when the maximum number of 12 attendees is reached.
$1,447.00 includes lunch daily
Willow Pond SLO. Central Coast. California.

This workshop is designed to guide the students toward creating a painting from a photo reference, using both indirect and direct traditional painting techniques. It aims to instruct painters on how to use the photograph to create a painting that surpasses the look of the photograph, not simply imitates a photograph. The workshop will explain how to create a useful photo reference, covering topics such as ideal lighting, camera settings, lenses, Photoshop, and printing. We will explore ways of seeing the picture objectively, how to imply detail without overstating, and what level of finish works best for the particular painting or style. The painting will develop through indirect layers of opaque and transparent painting to achieve the delicate nuances of flesh and other surfaces. Methods of Glazing and Scumbling will be discussed. The final result can be a painting that captures the essence of your subject (and your connection with that subject) and contains the intimacy of the human touch that transcends a smooth photo-realistic image.
About Alyssa Monks
Born in 1977 in New Jersey, Alyssa began oil painting as a child. She studied at The New School in New York and earned her B.A. from Boston College in 1999. During this time she studied painting at Lorenzo de’ Medici in Florence. She went on to earn her M.F.A. from the New York Academy of Art in 2001. She completed an artist in residency at Fullerton College in 2006 and has lectured and taught at universities and institutions worldwide. She continues to offer workshops and mentorships and lectures regularly. Alyssa has been awarded the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant for Painting three times and serves on the New York Academy of Art’s Board of Trustees. She is represented by Forum Gallery in New York City. Alyssa currently lives and paints in Brooklyn, New York.
To register or find out more go to https://www.willowpondslo.com/artist-workshops-san-luis-obispo

THE EXPRESSIVE FIGURE
4 - Day workshop with David Limrite

October 24 - 27, 2024
Applications close September 24, 2024 or as soon as we have 12 attendees
$1015 includes lunch daily
Willow Pond SLO - Central Coast, California

The figure has long held a fascination as a subject matter worthy of depiction for generations of artist. The figure has the ability to inspire within us a very basic awe and wonder. The figure is full of possibilities for artists. This class is about Experimentation and Innovation.
In this workshop, students will be challenged to look for what could be, instead of seeing what is. We will embark on a journey filled with exploration and discovery as we search for the magical balance between the two. The search will continue in order to find the right line, tone, smudge, color, texture and shape, resulting in a collection of marks that reveal and celebrate the process. Our working surfaces will be considered arenas of struggle where desire, chance, skill, ideas, media and surface will all be engaged in this process.

About David Limrite
David Limrite was born in Salinas, California. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from San Diego State University. Yet, feeling as though had not placed enough emphasis on the techniques of drawing, he entered Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Through his studies there, he acquired and developed the essence of his figurative work.
Limrite’s current work continues an investigation of the struggle for understanding and ultimate acceptance of complex emotional issues. Using primarily graphite, charcoal, acrylic and collage, his work combines virtuoso drawing with cathartic expressionism. Limrite uses emotional content to give his figures power and intensity, underscoring their emotion through passionate handling of materials which animates the figures and suggests energy between the forms.
To register or find out more go to https://www.willowpondslo.com/artist-workshops-san-luis-obispo

Designed by artists, for artists, the Online Drawing Development Year is an innovative new course that has been devised to allow arts graduates and those with a developing studio practice, to benefit from live online drawing tuition and a structured critical dialogue with tutors, mentors, and peers over the course of three terms.

Created in response to the success of our new online public courses and the increasing demand for an online course taught at postgraduate level, this programme will provide students with structure, sustained critical engagement and the development of drawing skills, all in dialogue with their existing artistic practice. This is a flexible, part-time course and students will be able to curate their own programme of courses each term, allowing for a balance between work, studio time and other commitments. Delivered online, the course also suits those who live outside of London and abroad or have specific access needs.

Places are offered through an application process. Applicants will usually have completed a BA degree in a creative subject, but this is not essential; demonstration of a strong studio practice, and a commitment to drawing and study at postgraduate level, will also be taken into account.

To apply for this course applicants need to fill in the online application form which includes writing a 500 word statement telling us about your current practice, and why you think the Online Drawing Development Year is right for you; and upload a digital portfolio of 20 images, 10 of which must be drawings:

10 Drawings - in dry media, ink or watercolour
10 Additional Works - these can be in any media you choose
Images should be saved as JPEGs or PNG files, no larger than 200dpi and maximum 4MB per image. Please ensure images are of good quality. Works should be created within the last three years.

Animators may submit short video files or a combination of video and 2-D images of work within their Additional Works. Please limit each video file to 2 minutes / 8MB.

Please label each image in the following way:

TitleOfWork_Dimensions_Medium.jpeg
i.e. Untitled_25x25_CharcoalOnPaper.jpeg

Dimensions should be calculated in centimetres. Please keep medium list short - main material and surface.

The application deadline is Wednesday 25th September 2024 (12pm, midday).

Once the application deadline has passed, a panel of practising artists will make a selection based on your application statement and digital portfolio. There is no interview or sketchbook element to the application process. Successful applicants will be offered a place on the course within one month of the deadline.

We strive to bring you the highest quality day workshops and regular art classes on offer in the region. Every year we devise a large programme of day workshops with top quality visiting tutors, sharing new techniques, inspirational themes and a creativity that helps to make Pegasus a really exciting artists hub. Whether you are a hobby artist, a total beginner or a professional wanting to refresh your skills, there is plenty on offer.

During term time, our team of experienced tutors teach morning and afternoon classes throughout the year in a variety of mediums. Read on to find out more about watercolour classes with Richard Callingham, Mixed Media with Sue Rae, Max Hale's new courses that change medium each term to take you on a learning journey,drawing and painting with Paul Fowler's Life Drawing and Drawing Skills classes, Alison Vickery's mixed media and exploratory courses and oil painting every Friday with Rob Collins RCA. When term begins, the buzz in the Attic Studio is fantastic. It's a great sociable and learning environment.

Join our artist community, learn new skills, garner advice and support and of course, stock up on the finest quality art materials. We look forward to welcoming you to Pegasus Art.

Join us for an immersive and practical short course designed to equip you with the essential skills and strategies for selling art effectively. The Visual Arts Association (VAA) proudly presents the Art Sales Academy, a four-week programme that will empower you with the knowledge and tactics used by leading galleries and experts in the art sales industry.

Stephanie Dieckvoss
Stephanie has over 15 years experience of working in commercial art galleries and art fairs, and a wealth of experience in cultural management in the public and private sector. She managed the Anish Kapoor Exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery and raised over £2 million for the expansion of the Serpentine Gallery by organising their charity auction in partnership with Sotheby’s. She was Fair Manager for Frieze Art Fair from its launch until 2006, Co-Director of Art HK: Hong Kong International Art Fair from 2007-2009 and Fair Director of Art 13-Art15 from 2012 – 2014. She now consults independently and writes for the German Financial Newspaper The Handelsblatt as well as the Neue Züricher Zeitung as their London art market correspondent. Stephanie also directed the MA Art Market & Appraisal at Kingston School of Art, London, UK, until 2021.

Karen van Hoey Smith
Artist Mentor

Karen is an Artist Manager, Fine Art Auctioneer and Consultant Expert with a Degree in Fine Art Evaluation, previously working as a Gallery Manager for Blue Dot Art & Whitewall Galleries – in addition to this was she was also a partner of White Rose Publishing. With a successful history working as an Art Broker, having sold pieces for the likes of Banksy, Karen found that she was representing and helping Artists on a regular basis achieve more sales and reaching their goals. Now she has joined forces with The VAA as our Artists Mentor.

Louise Minnaar
Based in South Africa; Louise followed her passion for art early on, attending Art School for 4 years and going on to achieve a degree in education. Louise brings over 8 years’ experience in the art industry, from art auctions all over the world to working with one of the largest publishers in the UK with Whitewall Galleries. Louise has helped clients from all walks of life get happily involved in collecting artwork, from not only the likes of Picasso and Miro, but also exciting up-and-comers at all stages in their art careers.

As an artist, understanding the art of selling without “selling” is crucial in today’s competitive art market. In this Art Sales Academy the VAA will share the entire selling process, from introductions, creating compelling dialogue, to closing a sale and beyond.

In these four weekly sessions, commencing on September 17th, 24th, October 1st and 8th - you’ll embark on a transformative journey to enhance your sales proficiency and develop lasting relationships with collectors and buyers.

Session 1: The Foundation of Art Sales
– Understanding buyer behavior and motivations in the art market
– Crafting an effective and captivating elevator pitch
– Articulating your artistic vision and speaking confidently about your artwork
-How to make introductions and open conversations.

Session 2: Closing Sales Techniques and Pricing Your Artwork
– Mastering the art of negotiating and closing sales successfully
– Pricing strategies for artwork and communicating value to potential buyers
– Converting art inquiries into loyal clients and collectors

Session 3: Building Long Term Relationships
– Establishing meaningful and lasting relationships with potential buyers and patrons.
– Identifying prospective clients and nurturing client relationships
– Understanding the value of client retention and loyalty in the art market

Session 4: Art Sales Strategies and Beyond
– Unveiling powerful strategies for selling art with impact
– Exploring the transition from casual buyers to dedicated art collectors
– Gaining a greater understanding of the art market and how to navigate it successfully

Common Mistakes and Selling Authentically:
– Identifying and avoiding common pitfalls in the art sales process
– Embracing the art of selling without compromising authenticity
– Learning from the tactics used by leading galleries to enhance your selling approach

Artworkshops Australia was founded in Bangalow NSW 15 years ago and has staged more than 250 workshops and trips around Australia. Our professional teaching artists are proficient at teaching all levels across most mediums.

Two day weekend workshops are held in our Byron Hinterland studio on private property and provide for an in depth focus across a variety of visual arts disciplines and mediums. Extended 4 day workshops and trips are conducted at various locations within Australia and usually en plein air.

Instruction in Still life, Figurative, Landscape and Abstraction are conducted by acclaimed and inspirational teachers with vast teaching experience and highly regarded in the Australian art world.

Immersing yourself in the adventure of painting with other artists is central to advancing your practice and creating interesting art.

Please reach out to workshop teachers directly for more details about the workshop.