Meraki is a word that modern Greeks often use to describe doing something with soul, creativity, or love -- when you put "something of yourself" into what you're doing, whatever it may be. This is the name of Dara Carleton’s Wildlife Photography Exhibit and defines how she interacts with our local wildlife. With a focus on bald eagles and other raptors, Dara Carleton has a deep connection to the creatures she photographs near her home in southern Vermont. These photographs are an artistic reflection of her time immersed in nature and will hopefully serve as an inspiration for you to explore your local surroundings. Based in Brookline, Vermont, most of Ms. Carleton's photographs are taken within a 1-hour drive of her cabin in the woods. Dara has a degree in art, has exhibited locally for several years, received several awards for her photos and has volunteered for both NH and VT Audubon. The artist reception will take place on Friday, July 8th from 5-7pm. Ms. Carleton will also be giving an artist talk, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Bald Eagles, on Wednesday, July 20th at 4:30 pm at the Winhall Community Arts Center at 3 River Road in Winhall. Dara currently offers local birding outings and gives bald eagle lectures upon request. Gifts and keepsakes are available for purchase on her website.
INSTRUCTORS: MARISA PAGLICCIA AND ALEXANDRA LANGSTAFF TUESDAY, JULY 5 – FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022 9 A.M. – 12 P.M. SVAC Member: $112; Non-Member: $140 Ages: 3 – 5 Come get messy and move your body with Marisa at the Southern Vermont Art Center. Using a sensory-based approach, Marisa will offer enrichment activities to promote children’s interests, imagination, and sense of community. Children can expect to engage in “messy play” with different mediums, such as shaving cream, paint, slim, and cloud dough. We also will be creating art and craft projects and taking part in movement activities, such as yoga, obstacle courses, and Hullabaloo with special guest Alexandra Langstaff. For more information, including a confidential scholarship application, please contact Erin Kaufman at ekaufman@svac.org or 802-367-1306.
INSTRUCTOR: LYNNE DEBEER TUESDAY, JULY 5 – FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022 9 A.M. – 3 P.M. SVAC Member: $175; Non-Member: $220 Ages: 6 – 10 Come get inspired by exploring art in the SVAC galleries and beyond, from the past and present. Activities will take shape based on campers’ interests and may include drawing, painting, building sculptures, designing furniture, printmaking, building outdoor installations, creating graphic stories and more. For more information, including a confidential scholarship application, please contact Erin Kaufman at ekaufman@svac.org or 802-367-1306.
INSTRUCTOR: NED READE WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 – FRIDAY, JULY 8, 2022 9:30 A.M. – 4 P.M. SVAC Member: $310 / Non-member: $385 Watercolor is known as an especially spontaneous and carefree medium that brings pleasure to viewers and painters alike. Working outside we feel as though we are trying “catch” the light which is the goal! Ned Reade will show you a step by step process that will help ensure success without losing freedom. (On location he first looks for a scene that “speaks” to him and explains what he wants to convey. He starts with a value sketch, moves though loose washes to finding forms, and finishes with accents that pull the painting together. He has given watercolor workshops on Martha’s Vineyard Island for over 25 years and is excited to exchange harbors, buoys and boats for the mountains, fields, and farms of Vermont!) He paints directly using clean washes and strong compositions to achieve his painting objectives. Each day starts with a demonstration and ends with a group critique at the end of the afternoon. The workshop is open to painters from beginners to seasoned artists. Some familiarity with working outside on location is helpful but not required.
INSTRUCTOR: JULIE MERWIN WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 – WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2022 (SIX SESSIONS) 3:30 – 5 P.M. SVAC Member: $160 / Non-member: $195 Ages 12+ This class is open to children age 12+ and adults. We will meet six times, once a week for 1 1/2 hours each session to draw the most beautiful animals on earth! Are you in heaven yet? I am…this is a class I’ve always wanted to hold. We’ll visit the Dorset Equine Rescue and other local barns, find a spot to draw, meet an incredible creature or two and settle down with simple materials. Each week we’ll practice the techniques of shading, line, three-dimensional form and adding distinct character, and we will go over just enough anatomy study of “difficult areas” like joints, legs, hooves etc. to get the results we want. This is a loose and enjoyable opportunity for practice, not a formal one. There are no expectations to create one “labored-over,” finished drawing. Instead, we’ll produce tons of sketches (animals move, remember?). We’ll focus on quick hand-eye coordination, using mainly contour drawing, improving our artistic skills in the most delightful way! All my sincerest thanks to the stable and horse owners willing to put up with us! Materials provided will include charcoal, pencil and pad, and as we progress in later classes perhaps we’ll choose a drawing to enhance with pastels. Bring a hat, sunblock, something to drink and something to sit on that does not impede your arm movement – like a camp stool.