Lauren Tripp and Mary Whalen / Jewelry Studio & Photo Studio Fri 11/13 10am-3pm / One Day $110 / Members: $90
Starting with a photograph, we’ll scan, size, print, encase in a miniature copper shadowbox. Making a keepsake of a loved one to wear or give as a gift.
Dan Selvidge / Photo Studio Sat 1/23 1-4pm / 1-Day $70 / Members: $50
A one-day hands-on workshop for artists who need better images of their work.
Learn how to make clean, accurate photographs of paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, and other artwork using simple, affordable equipment. We’ll cover lighting, camera and smartphone setup, controlling glare and reflections, color accuracy, basic editing, and preparing files for juried exhibitions, grants, websites, and portfolios.
No photography experience is required. Students are encouraged to bring one or two pieces of artwork to photograph during the workshop.
Kris Walker / Computer Lab Wed 1/20-2/10 6-8:30pm / 4 weeks Prerequisite: A DSLR camera with manual controls $145 / Members: $125
Break free from literal representation and discover the expressive potential of form, color, texture, and movement. The class will study prominent abstract artists, delve into a variety of genres and techniques along with weekly projects and class critiques/discussions.
Mary Jo Asmus / Lighting Studio Mon 3/1-3/22 1-3pm / 4 weeks Prerequisite: Camera that is capable of manual exposure and a tripod is helpful $120 / Members: $100
The Dutch Master painters of a foregone era created beautiful moody pictures using composition and light which we’ll use as inspiration for our image making, learning how to adjust lighting and camera settings for best results. Students will bring personal subject matter and objects to class and will design compositions that visually communicate personal meaning. Each week, students will have the option to review and discuss the images they’ve created. This class supports photographers but is also an ideal class for painters looking to create reference images for their works.
The encaustic medium will be used in combination with photographs, photo transfers, and collage techniques. Learn various techniques for adding color. Through the layering of color with pigment sticks and the encaustic medium, you will create transparency and depth to your imagery. Equipment, paint, medium, panels and brushes will be supplied with additional panels available for purchase.
Laurie Pruitt / Studio 6 Sat 2/13-3/20 1-4pm / 6 weeks Prerequisite: Introduction to Encaustics or previous experience $260 / Members: $240
Using mixed media, photographs, decorative papers, collage, and encaustic we will transform a wooden block/multi sided object and a cigar box into a personal treasure box. The possibilities are endless. You’ll have a functional work of art made from recycled materials. Blocks and boxes will be provided, or you may bring your own.
Hand color a black and white photograph! You have the option to selectively color or color the entire image. We will start with a digital inkjet black and white photograph and prepare it so that it can be hand colored with various mediums, oil, color pencil pastels.
An email will be sent to participants for submitting images to be digitally printed for the class.
Kris Walker / Computer Lab Mon 1/11-3/1 6-8pm / 8 weeks Prerequisite: Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom Classic software installed on your laptop. $210 / Members: $190
This class sets the foundation for using both Lightroom and Photoshop as companion programs to unlock the full potential of your digital photography. Learn the basics for each app and how to use them together before moving on to higher levels of skill.
Kris Walker / Computer Lab Wed 2/17 6-8:30pm / 1-Day Prerequisite: Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom Classic software installed on your laptop. $70 / Members: $50
Learn how to transform your digital photographs into compelling black and white images using Lightroom and Photoshop. This hands-on workshop focuses on the techniques that make black and white photography effective, including controlling contrast and tone, creating rich tonal range, and using digital dodging and burning to shape an image. You’ll also learn practical editing tips and approaches for developing a more efficient black and white workflow. Whether you’re new to digital black and white or looking to improve your existing skills, this workshop will give you techniques you can immediately apply to your own photographs.
Dan Selvidge / Darkroom and Computer lab Thu 2/4-2/25 6:30-9pm / 4 weeks $165 / Members: $145
Discover the fundamentals of color film processing and scanning in this hands-on course. Learn how to develop your own color negatives and prepare them for both digital and print formats. You'll gain practical experience using our fully equipped darkroom, mastering the key steps of processing color film—where temperature control is critical for achieving high-quality results. In addition to film development, we’ll cover scanning techniques that ensure your images are optimized for web sharing or professional-grade printing. Whether you're a beginner looking to dive into color film or an experienced photographer wanting to refine your skills, this course provides all the guidance and tools you need to bring your film photography to life.
Laurie Pruitt and Mary Whalen / Darkroom & Print Studio Sun 2/7-3/14 12:30-4pm / 6 weeks Prerequisite: Alternative Processes or Photoshop experience $315 / Members: $295
Using a polymer-coated plate and a digital positive, you’ll create an intaglio-etched plate for high-quality images approaching those produced using traditional copperplate gravure. This process produces a beautiful photographic gradation of tones.
Mary Jo Asmus / Photo Studio Wed 2/3-2/24 1-3pm / 4 weeks $120 / Members: $100
Using the camera phone as your photographic tool, students will learn to effectively capture and edit with various apps. We will explore the creative possibilities of the iPhone as a camera! Please bring your iPhone fully charged to the first class.
Amelia Falk / Multi-Purpose Classroom (A) Tue 1/5-2/9 6:30-9pm / 6 weeks Prerequisite: A camera capable of manual exposure $200 / Members: $180
Taking your camera out of auto can be intimidating but full freedom from that mode is achievable. This technical course takes you through your camera's manual and teaches you the fundamentals of how ISO, shutter speed, and F-stop work together for understandable, predictable, and repeatable results. Participants need to provide their own cameras that have user controls for shutter speed and lens opening. Please bring your owner’s manual to the first class.
Amelia Falk / Multi-Purpose Classroom (B) Tue 2/16-3/23 6:30-9pm / 6 weeks Prerequisite: A camera capable of manual exposure $200 / Members: $180
Taking your camera out of auto can be intimidating but full freedom from that mode is achievable. This technical course takes you through your camera's manual and teaches you the fundamentals of how ISO, shutter speed, and F-stop work together for understandable, predictable, and repeatable results. Participants need to provide their own cameras that have user controls for shutter speed and lens opening. Please bring your owner’s manual to the first class.
Develop your black and white film and print! Through demonstrations and supervised printing sessions, participants will learn film and print development, how to control print contrast, and special darkroom techniques. This class is a perfect opportunity to print your special black and white negatives from the family archives. Students must provide their own film and paper for the class. Darkroom chemicals and equipment are provided.
Develop your black and white film and print! Through demonstrations and supervised printing sessions, participants will learn film and print development, how to control print contrast, and special darkroom techniques. This class is a perfect opportunity to print your special black and white negatives from the family archives. Students must provide their own film and paper for the class. Darkroom chemicals and equipment are provided.
TBA & Mary Jo Asmus / River Street Flowerland Sat 2/27 1-4pm / 1-Day $70 / Members: $50
Spend a winter afternoon in the warm atmosphere of a greenhouse bursting with inspiring vegetation, flowering and potted plants, greens, ornamental garden sculptures, and the general ongoing and curious growth in one of Kalamazoo’s outstanding greenhouses. You’ll find inspiration for drawing, painting and/or photographing at River Street Flowerland! Individual instruction will be provided. Bring materials of your choice to work with.
Laurie Pruitt and Mary Whalen / Computer Lab Fri 3/12-3/19 10am–4pm *lunch 12-1pm / 2-Days Prerequisite: A basic knowledge of Photoshop or Lightroom is helpful $155 / Members: $135
Select, edit, print, and bind your photos into a handmade book. You’ll have the opportunity to look at and handle a selection of artist-made books to inspire your own bookmaking. The first day will be devoted to the editing, sequencing, and printing of images. The following session will be committed to folding, stitching, and binding into a
hardcover book. Instructors will email instructions for images to be used.
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