WheatonArts :: Education :: Programs for Home Schoolers
Education
Educational experiences designed for home school groups offer hands-on classes in visual arts and culture and an assortment of engaging activities.
We provide intimate class settings where students explore a variety of mediums and aesthetic techniques. In order to ensure strong and stable creative growth, students are encouraged to reference the basic elements and principles of art when making aesthetic decisions, regardless of advancement level. All of our classes fulfill at least three of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards.
We are proud to offer classes taught by instructors who are both teaching and practicing artists. They offer well-rounded instruction by bring to the classroom a combination of real world experiences as artists and knowledge of the correct use of instructional strategies.
All classes take place on the 55-acre scenic grounds of WheatonArts. Included with every class is access to all facilities and experiences WheatonArts has to offer, including:
Home School Group Registration
Advanced registration of at least 2 weeks, is required for all classes.
To register, call 800-998-4552 or 856-825-6800, extension 106, or send an email to Pamela Weichmann, Program Manager at pweichmann@wheatonarts.org.
Classes are dependent upon the availability of the instructors. Refunds will be given up to one (1) week prior to the beginning of the class. After this time your class fee is non-refundable. WheatonArts reserves the right to cancel a class. If cancelation occurs, WheatonArts will refund all class fees.
Payment can be made with a credit card or a check payable to WheatonArts.
Group Fee: $30/student (groups 10 and above)
Group Minimum: 5 Students
Class Length: (6 hours total) 2, 3 hour session or 3, 2 hr sessions.
Home school group leaders (mothers/fathers) must be present during each class.
Please note that class groups must be organized by age groups: 5-7, 8-10, and 11-13.
A session length option will be suggested based on age level.
Classes must be scheduled at least 2 weeks prior to date of visit.
1. Collage: Nature Rubbings
Ages 5 – 13
Class Limit: 20
Instructor: Julie Tippie
(not available May 2012)
Discover the exciting textures found in nature and use them to create expressive art! Students will use leaves, sticks, pebbles and other natural materials to create texture rubbings using crayons. The rubbings along with some natural materials will then be transformed into a college, creating a mixed media work of art inspired by nature.
2. Ceramics: Clay Animals
Ages 5 - 13
Class Limit: 20
Instructor: Julie Tippie
(not available May 2012)
Explore the endless possibilities of clay! Students will learn how to use clay to create animal forms. Students will begin by sketching ideas for animals, real or imaginary! They will then learn how to translate their 2-dimensional sketches into 3-dimensional animal sculptures. While creating animal sculptures the student will learn the vocabulary of ceramic art as well as the special techniques and processes of this malleable medium. In the second session students will paint their fired clay using acrylic paints.
3. Sculpture: Found Object Art (Animals)
Ages 8-13
Class Limit: 20
Instructor: Julie Tippie
(not available May 2012)
In visual art, an artist may incorporate into an artwork objects, which have not been specifically designed for such a purpose. When found objects are used as part of a painting or sculpture, the resulting work is referred to as found object art. Students will create original artworks using found or recycled objects and materials. For example, they will use recycled food packages along with paper towel and toilet paper tubes to create an animal form.
4. Printmaking: Block Printing
Ages 10-13
Class Limit: 12
Instructor: Julie Tippie
(not available May 2012)
This class offers an introduction to the techniques used in creating relief prints. The demonstrated techniques focus on linoleum cuts in both single color and reduction printing methods. Students will use gouges to create blocks for printing and will learn the hand printing process using black and colored inks.
5. Sculpture: Papier-mâché Animals Inspired by Oaxacan Alebrijes
Ages 8 - 13
Class Limit: 20
Instructor: Julie Tippie
(not available May 2012)
Students will learn the history of Oaxacan Alebrijes, imaginative creatures traditionally carved in wood. They will then learn to sketch their own ideas for alebrijes and how to translate those sketched ideas into papier-mache sculptures.
6. Ceramics: Clay Tile Mosaics
Ages 11-13
Class Limit: 20
Instructor: Julie Tippie
(not available May 2012)
Create your own ceramic tile mosaic from clay! Students will learn to create a ceramic mosaic by starting with a sketched idea and translating it into a two dimensional work of art. They will learn the unique properties and techniques used to manipulate clay as they roll and imprint textures into clay slabs. After being fired in a kiln by the WheatonArts studio staff, the student will paint the tiles and learn how to adhere and grout them to a wooden board for display.
8. Fiber Arts: Felted Monsters
Ages 5-13
Class Limit:15
Three 2-hour sessions only.
Instructor: Alison Craft
Join us in this unique and exciting class where fiber artist Alison Craft will teach students the process of making and manipulating felt! Alison will guide students through the entire creative process of felting. Class will begin with brainstorming and sketching of creative ideas and designs. From there students will learn how to create felt and various manipulation techniques. To finish their designs, students will use a variety of embroidery flosses (and needles), buttons, ribbon, yarn, fabrics to decorate their monsters.
9. Fiber Arts: Accordion Sketchbook with Handmade Felt CoverAges 5-13
Class Limit:15
Three 2-hour sessions only.
Instructor: Alison Craft
A sketchbook is an artist’s visual notebook of ideas and inspirations, among other things. Each artist keeps and uses their sketchbooks in different ways. In this exciting class, artist Alison Craft will teach students how to create and use their own accordion-style sketchbook. They will focus on cover design and will use the process of felting to create a unique cover.
10. Fiber Arts: Ugly Dolls
Ages 5-13
Class Limit:15
Three 2-hour sessions only.
Instructor: Alison Craft
Discover how to design and create your own version of ugly doll! Each student will have the opportunity to make a series or family of ugly dolls. Fiber artist, Alison Craft will guide students through sketching their body designs and the basics of sewing while constructing their creature designs. To finish their designs, students will learn various decorative embroidery techniques.
