Workshops

Level: All levels, Adults and Teens
Limit: 8 students
Instructor: Theresa Groff, TAO
Date: Sunday, April 1, 2023
Time: 10am – 4pm
Location: Chester Springs Studio, Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $100 Members, $120 Non-members
Materials Fee: $15 (payable to instructor on day of workshop)
Includes: All supplies for workshop

This class can be taken as a continuation from previous Alcohol Ink workshops or independent from previous workshops. We’ll go over the basics of alcohol inks in the first half of the workshop. You will receive a detailed supply list and learn recommended supplies, techniques, safety concerns and how to finish your work for presentation. For the second half of the workshop, we will focus on using alcohol inks on tiles and substrates other than paper or canvas.

Learn how to:

• Blending, layering, and fading techniques
• Creating shapes with alcohol ink
• Manipulating inks
• How to erase or lift inks
• Ink techniques used on 3D materials

All supplies will be provided, with a supply fee paid directly to the instructor. We do ask you bring your own hairdryer. If you do not own one, we will have limited hairdryers to use.

This workshop is geared towards the beginner with no artistic background through to the experienced alcohol ink artist seeking new techniques and artistic development. All level welcomed…the only requirement is a spirit of adventure! For former students, material and techniques will be new and different.

About Theresa Groff, TAO

Theresa Groff, also known as TAO, is an intuitive alcohol ink artist, heavily influenced by the renaissance of Chester County. She states, “My art is a conversation with higher self. I love the medium of alcohol inks because there is no control; you let go and succumb to the flow. If a mistake happens, that mistake was put there to learn and grow. I know a painting is done when my intuition indicates there is nothing more I can learn from this ‘conversation’.”

Growing up in the Brandywine Valley, Theresa Groff (TAO) was initially drawn to plein air and painting using acrylics and oils in the Brandywine Tradition. She took classes with Karl J. Kuerner through the Brandywine River Museum—painting at the renowned Kuerner Farm. After a few years of plein air classes, TAO pursued private study with Mr. Kuerner. Under his tutelage she developed the confidence to try new mediums and subjects. It was only after discovering alcohol inks that TAO hit her stride and developed her own voice.

Always happy to share her joy of alcohol inks, TAO now teaches and thoroughly enjoys when students are amazed at the work they create.

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Level: Beginners, Adults and Teens
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Kathy Hughes
Date: Saturday, April 8, 2023
Time: 10am – 12:30pm
Location: Chester Springs Studio, Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $60 Members, $75 Non-members
Materials Fee: $10 (payable to instructor on day of workshop)
Includes: All supplies for workshop

Calligraphy Workshop: Uncial is an introduction to calligraphy using calligraphy felt-tip markers. This workshop will focus on the beautiful Uncial alphabet used heavily by scribes in European manuscripts from the fourth to the eighth centuries. That being the case, many people guess it’s a modern design and it is frequently used today for calligraphic art. The Uncial alphabet is all majuscules—meaning the script is entirely in capital letters.

All supplies are provided by the instructor (pay $10 materials fee to instructor at the workshop). Beginners and people who are new to this alphabet are welcome. Many students find the act of calligraphy relaxing and meditative.

In this workshop you will:

• Review the entire Uncial Alphabet
• Learn about materials and tools used in calligraphy
• View instructor demonstrations
• Learn how to hold your pen and paper
• Receive instruction sheet for the alphabet

About Kathy Hughes

Kathy Hughes has taught calligraphy at art centers, organizations and colleges, offering classes for both adults and children. She has worked as a calligrapher and artist for over 25 years. She received a BA from Boston College, and studied calligraphy and fine art at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

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Level: All levels, Adults and Teens
Limit: 8 students
Instructor: Theresa Groff, TAO
Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023
Time: 10am – 4pm
Location: Chester Springs Studio, Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $100 Members, $120 Non-members
Materials Fee: $10 (payable to instructor on day of workshop)
Includes: All supplies for workshop

Are you a complete novice when it comes to art but have heard how much fun alcohol inks can be? Or maybe you are an experienced artist wanting to try something new? Alcohol inks are fun, spontaneous and a wonderful medium to use as a foundation for mixed media. In this workshop we’ll go over the basics of alcohol inks and then dive deep into using pens, acrylic and oil paint to layer over the foundational painting.

This class can be taken as a continuation from previous Alcohol Ink workshops or independent from previous workshops. We’ll go over the basics of alcohol inks in the first half of the workshop. You will receive a detailed supply list and learn recommended supplies, techniques, safety concerns and how to finish your work for presentation. For the second half of the workshop, the focus will be on layering and creating mixed media paintings. Theresa works with each student at their individual level. New and additional material will be covered for students who have attended previous classes.

All alcohol ink supplies will be provided, with a fee paid to the instructor. We request you bring your medium of choice for layering if you have them.

About Theresa Groff, TAO

Theresa Groff, also known as TAO, is an intuitive alcohol ink artist, heavily influenced by the renaissance of Chester County. She states, “My art is a conversation with higher self. I love the medium of alcohol inks because there is no control; you let go and succumb to the flow. If a mistake happens, that mistake was put there to learn and grow. I know a painting is done when my intuition indicates there is nothing more I can learn from this ‘conversation’.”

Growing up in the Brandywine Valley, Theresa Groff (TAO) was initially drawn to plein air and painting using acrylics and oils in the Brandywine Tradition. She took classes with Karl J. Kuerner through the Brandywine River Museum—painting at the renowned Kuerner Farm. After a few years of plein air classes, TAO pursued private study with Mr. Kuerner. Under his tutelage she developed the confidence to try new mediums and subjects. It was only after discovering alcohol inks that TAO hit her stride and developed her own voice.

Always happy to share her joy of alcohol inks, TAO now teaches and thoroughly enjoys when students are amazed at the work they create.

Register Now

Level: All levels, Adults and Teens
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Jean-Marie Baldwin
Date 1: Sunday, May 7, 2023
Date 2: Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023
Time: 11am - 3pm
Location: Chester Springs Studio, Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $95 Members, $115 Non-members
Materials Fee: $40 (payable to instructor on day of workshop)
Includes: Two silk hand-hemmed scarves, Shibori dyes, all needed materials and equipment

Learn the ancient art of Shibori, a traditional Japanese resist-dyeing technique dating back longer than any other fabric dyeing method. The word Shibori comes from the Japanese root “shiboru,” meaning “to wring, squeeze, press.” In Shibori, fabric patterns are made by binding, stitching, folding, twisting, compressing, dyeing, and then releasing the binding pressure to reveal the design. The original Shibori techniques were ancestral, handed down exclusively within Japanese artisan families.

The Shibori workshop is led by expert textile instructor Jean Marie Baldwin. With over thirty-five years of teaching experience in the textile arts, Jean Marie shares a wealth of tips and insights for beginners and experienced artists alike. The workshop is packed with both traditional and inventive Shibori techniques, clear step-by-step dyeing instructions, and the hands-on experience of creating your own unique designs. You will be provided with all the supplies and information a Shibori beginner will need to get started, as well as innovative techniques that inspire experienced textile artists to take their designs to a new level. Experience the magic of Shibori when creating your own one-of-a-kind design. Apply all you have learned to the high-quality hand-hemmed silk scarves provided with this workshop. When the cloth is unbound after dyeing, the design that emerges is the result of the folded and bound three-dimensional shape. When your wearable work of art is complete, take the final step in learning how to sign your name on the fine silk fabric.

Learn About:

Shibori

• What is Shibori? A brief history.
• Learn about silk fabric and the quality of its fibers.
• Review materials and equipment used in creating Shibori.

Shibori Techniques and Demonstrations

• Kanoko Shibori: Learn the ancient technique of folding and binding to achieve the desired pattern—one method with many variations.
• Arashi Shibori also known as pole-wrapping shibori. “Arashi” is the Japanese word for rain storm. The pleated cloth is wrapped and bound, resulting in diagonal patterns which suggest the driving rain of a heavy storm.
• Shibori Dyeing
• Color theory as applied to dyeing
• Double dipping
• Variations of colors, tones and visual textures
• Catalytic reaction in fabric dying

Create Your One-of-a-Kind Design

• All materials and supplies included in fee.
• Use Shibori folding and dyeing methods to create beautiful patterns and your own unique design. Different techniques can be combined to achieve more elaborate results.
• Learn how to sign your original silk Shibori creation.
• You will come out of the workshop with two one-of-a-kind hand-dyed Shibori scarves of your individual design.

About Jean Marie Baldwin

Jean Marie Baldwin has been teaching textile arts for over 35 years, giving demonstrations and lectures at art centers and studios along the East Coast. She has owned an Art-to-Wear business and sold wholesale to over 25 high-end retailers. Throughout her career Jean Marie has created over 2,000 scarves using the Shibori as well as other textile methods. Her classes have included textile techniques and design in Shibori, Batik, fabric painting, textile dye, resist and print methods.

Jean Marie attended the Art Institute of Philadelphia on full scholarship and is a Founding Member on the Board of Directors for Phoenix Village Art Center.

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Level: Beginners, Adults and Teens
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Kathy Hughes
Date: Saturday, May 13, 2023
Time: 10am – 12:30pm
Location: Chester Springs Studio, Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $60 Members, $75 Non-members
Materials Fee: $10 (payable to instructor on day of workshop)
Includes: All supplies for workshop

Learn to create the letterforms of the Carolingian alphabet using calligraphy felt-tip markers in this workshop with Kathy Hughes. The subject of this workshop is the Carolingian alphabet, a very legible script that is characterized by broad and round letterforms, with little compression of letters or words. The Carolingian alphabet was developed during the reign of Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, as a way of implementing an easy-to-read form of writing in his newly consolidated empire. The script has influenced type fonts we use today such as Times New Roman.

In this workshop, students will practice the Carolingian’s lower case, and review the upper case alphabet. They will receive instruction sheets for the complete alphabet, and can continue practicing the upper case alphabet after the workshop.

This workshop is for teens and adults who would like to learn about calligraphy. Beginners are welcome. All supplies are provided by the instructor (pay $10 materials fee to instructor at the workshop).

In this workshop you will:

• Review the entire Carolingian Alphabet
• Practice the lower case Carolingian Alphabet
• Learn about materials and tools used in calligraphy
• View instructor demonstrations
• Learn how to hold your pen and paper
• Receive instruction sheets for the alphabet (upper and lower case)

About Kathy Hughes

Kathy Hughes has taught calligraphy at art centers, organizations and colleges, offering classes for both adults and children. She has worked as a calligrapher and artist for over 25 years. She received a BA from Boston College, and studied calligraphy and fine art at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

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Level: All levels, Adults
Limit: 15 students
Instructor: Dan Graziano
Date: May 20 & 21, 2023
Time: 9am – 4pm
Location: Chester Springs Studio, Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $240 Members, $260 Non-members

This two-day studio workshop will focus on painting “alla prima” (all at once) as well as developing greater skills of observation, simplification and quickly painting “wet on wet” to create strong “painterly” paintings. The workshop will also discuss techniques to quickly transfer the important elements of a reference photo to the canvas, creating an artistic painting rather than simply rendering a photograph. The first morning of the workshop begins with a discussion of oil painting basics (from materials to paint handling) and will also address the fundamentals of color, value, edges, perspective and other “practical” elements related to successful painting. Participants will then work on a series of timed painting exercises incorporating the techniques discussed and developing their skills of observation, simplification and quickly working in an “alla prima” manner. Each day of the workshop will include a short painting demo by Dan with explanation of his process along the way with plenty of one-on-one individual instruction throughout the day. This workshop is designed for beginning to advanced painters in both oil and acrylic mediums. Participants are encouraged to bring photos to paint from or may choose from photos brought by the instructor.

CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED SO REGISTER SOON. Participants supply their own art supplies and equipment (easels are provided). Link to Material List is below.

About Dan Graziano

Dan Graziano is an award winning, nationally exhibited artist whose paintings capture the hidden beauty found in the unexpected places and fleeting moments of everyday life. Incorporating dramatic light, shadow, color and perspective, his compositions feature a diversity of subjects—from a simple still life to rugged coastlines, active urban life, lively cafes and bars, small rural towns and forgotten roadside relics. His work has been featured in numerous publications and is in the collections of private and corporate collectors throughout the world.

His artistic vision began taking shape in the 60's, during America's explosive political, cultural and artistic awakening. His first formal training focused on advertising and illustration, but a career opportunity in architecture and urban planning altered his original direction.

When he returned to painting, he was drawn to the rich complexity of the urban landscape—inspired by Edward Hopper and other urbanist painters. As an accomplished blues guitarist (his other great passion), he found the city streets, time worn buildings and multiple layers of decay and repair a visual parallel to the spirit and culture of the music.

“In my paintings, I try to capture the hidden beauty found in the unexpected places and fleeting moments of everyday life. I continue to be intrigued by the urban landscapes of inner cities—their active streets, time worn buildings and multiple layers of decay, renewal and adaptation—that proudly display the effects of age and use, which I see as testaments to strength, character and authenticity in contrast with modern society’s demand for newness, imitation, disposability and easy duplication. My work is influenced by the American realists such as Sargent, Hopper and the three generations of Wyeths along with California painters Wayne Thiebaud and Richard Diebenkorn.”

Material List (pdf)

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Level: Beginners, Adults and Teens
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Kathy Hughes
Date: Saturday, June 10, 2023
Time: 10am – 12:30pm
Location: Chester Springs Studio, Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $60 Members, $75 Non-members
Materials Fee: $10 (payable to instructor on day of workshop)
Includes: All supplies for workshop

Calligraphy Workshop: Italic is an introduction to calligraphy using calligraphy felt-tip markers. This workshop will focus on the Italic alphabet, a semi-cursive style of calligraphy that was developed during the Renaissance in Italy. Today, it is one of the most popular letterforms used by Western calligraphers.

During the workshop, students will practice Italic’s lower case, and review the upper case alphabet. They will receive instruction sheets for the complete alphabet and can continue practicing the upper case alphabet after the workshop. Many students find the act of calligraphy relaxing and meditative.

All supplies are provided by the instructor (pay $10 materials fee to instructor at the workshop). Adults and teens who are new to this script and beginners are welcome.

In this workshop you will:

• Review the entire Italic Alphabet
• Practice the lower case Italic Alphabet
• Learn about materials and tools used in calligraphy
• View instructor demonstrations
• Learn how to hold your pen and paper
• Receive instruction sheets for the alphabet (upper and lower case)

About Kathy Hughes

Kathy Hughes has taught calligraphy at art centers, organizations and colleges, offering classes for both adults and children. She has worked as a calligrapher and artist for over 25 years. She received a BA from Boston College, and studied calligraphy and fine art at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

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Students: Adults / Teens
Level: All levels
Limit: 10 students
Instructor: Louise Dusinberre
Date: TBD
Location: Chester Springs Studio, Fine Art Studio
Tuition: $90 Members, $110 Non-members

Join Louise Dusinberre for a morning of pastel painting in Historic Yellow Springs. Find inspiration among the gardens and beautiful historic buildings on the property. Learn the tools of editing your subject matter when painting “en plein air” (outside). Explore how to use atmospheric perspective to create depth in your paintings. Hone your skills when drawing architecture and using one- and two-point perspective.

In this three-hour workshop Louise shares new techniques in pastel painting where you use sanded papers and rubbing alcohol to build an underpainting before creating your chalk pastel drawing on the surface. These techniques allow you to work with pastels in a painterly style—perfect for building the contrast of soft and hard edges in landscape and architecture compositions. If you prefer to work inside, you may work from a photo in our air conditioned studio.

Easels and drawing boards will be provided. Student grade pastels and paper will be available as well. Feel free to bring your own materials if you prefer. Also bring water and a snack or lunch and picnic on the grounds thereafter. All levels welcome.

About Louise Dusinberre

Award-winning artist Louise Dusinberre works in the medium of pastel. She currently works as an artist and instructor, teaching art for over twelve years, including classes in drawing, pastel, printmaking and collage. Louise is a graduate of Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, with a BA in Graphic Design. Her former career was in the fashion and textile design industry, where she was the Senior Designer for NYC clothing company, Putumayo. Louise exhibits her artwork at galleries throughout the Delaware Valley area and is represented by Bishop’s Stock Gallery in Snow Hill, Maryland.

To Be Announced