Please click here for all the fine art class times and location

ART F045
July 10–12

Love birch bark woven baskets and want to spend a weekend in July with a couple of fellows who have
discovered their artistic bent? Join former Fairbanksan John Zasada and birch bark enthusiast Charlie Mayo for a three-day workshop in Scandinavian style birch-bark basket weaving. You will harvest the bark the first day, then spend the remaining time learning Scandinavian style birch-bark weaving. This creates “double woven” baskets from birch bark that is cut into strips and split into thin layers to create a weaving material that resembles leather.

Bring scissors, knife and spring-type clothespins to class. 

Instructional fee: $120.

Profile: John Zasada, retired forester/silviculturist with the U.S. Forest Service, has long been a student of northern forest ecology, biology and management and finds this new aspect of the forests one he loves to share. Charlie Mayo, a retired physician, is an instructor at and founding member of the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, MN. He has worked with birch bark for 40 years and studied with Scandinavian masters of birch bark craft.

ART F044
July 17–19

Boxes—are they functional containers or holders of treasures? In this workshop the box itself is the treasure. Workshop participants will construct hinge-lidded boxes, cover them with Japanese handmade paper and embellish them with decorative details both inside and out. Discussions and demonstrations will cover construction materials, measuring, gluing, and attaching ornaments.

Bring your own collection of small treasures (such as stones, twigs, buttons, ribbons, seeds, etc.) to personalize your box.

Materials fee: $25. Instructional fee: $100.

Profile: Margo Klass, 2008 recipient of a Rasmuson grant, is a mixed media artist whose work includes box constructions, artist books, and treasure boxes.

COUN F695P
June 25–28
1 credit

Life threatening illness is often isolating both for the patient and family and friends. Through hands-on activities this course will explore the use of visual arts, music, poetry and stories to guide youth and adults through the grieving process. If you have experienced the loss of a family member this course might help you find your way through the territory of grief.

Profile: Nancy Iverson, MD is a pediatrician dedicated to guiding parents and children with life-threatening illnesses. She is a pediatric consultant for Comfort for Kids, an in-home pediatric hospice and palliative care service. A member of the Society for the Arts in Healthcare and the National Association of Poetry Therapy, she integrates expressive arts practices in her work with families, staff and students.

ART F041
June 6–7

Take a weekend and explore paper decorating! This class will acquaint the beginner with traditional basics of making paste and marbled papers while allowing the more experienced practitioner to try out some new tricks. You’ll be working with various water-based paints, lots of combing and texturing tools, and a variety of papers. Decorative papers can be used in handmade books, for card-making, in mixed media art, or as wrapping paper. All experience levels are welcome.

Materials fee: $40. Instructional fee: $60.

Profile: Heather Kasvinsky is a studio artist who specializes in printmaking, book arts, letterpress and papermaking.

JRN F040
June 20–21

Want to create impressive portraits of your family and friends? This two-day workshop may be your ticket to success with portrait photography. Through lectures, demonstrations, projected images and original prints, Barry McWayne will explore with you the basics of digital cameras and computer imaging software, photo composition, studio lighting, on and off camera flash, and the use of natural and artificial light.

Instructional fee: $100.

Profile: Award winning professional photographer Barry McWayne has more time now to take photos with his recent retirement from his 30-year career as curator of the Museum of the North’s Fine Arts Collections.
 

ART F233/333/433/633
July 9–12
1 credit

This field painting class, offered at all skill levels, will provide students with an opportunity to learn and practice artistic principles in a dramatic and inspiring setting without having to spend much time in transit. Students will work at their skill level and have the opportunity to work in their own interest areas.

Profile: David Mollett, Assistant Professor in the UAF Art Department, is a long-time landscape painter.

ARTF043
June 12–14, and June 19–21

Looking for an artistic challenge and a unique way to present your treasures from a trip or adventure? The Specimen Book workshop may be the answer. The specimen book is a 3D structure that opens to reveal a miniature gallery of treasures such as shells, stone, leaves or dried flowers. Previous book arts experience is helpful but not required.

Materials fee: $35. Instructional fee: $135.

Profile: Margo Klass has made and exhibited artist books for many years. She is especially interested in architectural structures that become sculptural forms when fully opened.