SMAC student contemplates her piece

By Kristen M. Foley

It’s a common holiday phenomenon: first there are the long lines, then the hastily ripped open packages, and finally the gadget/toy overload and burnout. Some savvy shoppers have opted out of such exhausting holiday trends and are instead buying experiential gifts, such as art classes.

At CCAD the Saturday Morning Art Classes (SMAC) program explores every genre of art a kid could possibly fathom. Imagine giving kids the opportunity to participate in classes that include animation, drawing, digital art, ceramics, comic book drawing, printmaking, photography, and more. The classes are also broken down by grades; therefore, students learn with others in the same age group.

SMAC student looks over her work

“This is a gift that could effectively change the path of or broaden a child’s horizons,” said Cat Sheridan, director of continuing & professional studies. “To give education is more than a simple, one shot-deal; it’s something that will stay with the student for life. It’s a great thing to give.”

Children as young as first grade can experiment with pencils, crayons, pens, paint, clay, and a variety of other materials. They have the opportunity to be part of something outside their normal learning community and are able to express themselves in creative ways.

“We have many families who have been part of the program for years and years. This is their child’s artistic outlet,” adds Sheridan. “They may get to do art in their grade schools or high schools and come to CCAD to have the unique opportunity to be around other kids who are there because they love art. They want to grow their passion and their abilities.”

Sheridan is no stranger to this concept. She is not only a graduate and now employee of CCAD, but she also participated in Saturday Morning Art Classes—starting when she was in the first grade. There are many other students who, just like her, started out in these classes and decided not only to pursue a fine arts degree, but to continue on at CCAD.

SMAC students work on their drawing skills

“As a non-degree student in these programs you still get to be part of the CCAD family,” said Sheridan. “Sometimes it ushers them into the degree program and sometimes softly into a life of art in other ways.”

Adults aren’t left out of the educational gift opportunities either. Adult programs are offered at a variety of times and days of the week and include ceramics, fashion design, Photoshop, jewelry, website design, painting, welding, and more.

CCAD’s Continuing & Professional Studies office offers gift certificates, which can be purchased by contacting the office at 614.222.3248. But with the college’s winter break fast approaching, Dec. 20 is the last chance to order a gift certificate before the new year.

To view a complete list of workshops offered to children and adults, click here. To learn more about CCAD’s Continuing & Professional Studies programs, click here.

The nation's longest-running film festival is held Nov. 18-Nov. 21 at CCAD.

Columbus International Film and Video Festival, the nation’s longest-running film festival, kicks off its 2010 festival November 18 in the Canzani Center auditorium at CCAD.

Running through November 21, the festival features award winning student films from around the world, Academy Award nominated film Which Way Home, and Saturday morning cartoons from around the world. Students in CCAD’s Saturday Morning Art Classes will be attending the Saturday Morning Cartoons event for free.

The festival’s stay at CCAD wraps-up Saturday, November 20 with Movies + Mead Animation 4 Adults, an evening of animation, experimental films, and an awards ceremony for more than 20 visiting filmmakers from around the world.

Founded in 1950, the Film Council of Greater Columbus hosts the film festival each year in downtown Columbus. For a complete listing of films, show times, and prices, visit www.chrisawards.org.

Green vase by Molly J. Burke

The old adage  “if you want a job done, ask a busy person” describes the students and alumni who make CCAD’s annual art sales successful events.

Consider students Chavilah Bennett, Michiella Sturiano, Dion Utt, and alumna Molly J. Burke.

Between the four, they work 10 part-time jobs and one full-time position. In their spare time they create art for CCAD’s Art Sale, held this year on Dec. 4 in the Loann Crane Center for Design.

Burke, a Graduate Admissions officer and adjunct instructor at CCAD, offers blown glass sculptures, vases, and ornaments, which she specifically makes for the art sale.

Sturiano is making glass, cut paper, and relief prints. Although she has helped coordinate past sales, 2010 is the first year she’s selling her nature-related and abstract art.

An Ad & Graphic Design junior, Sturiano is weighing input from experienced participants. She’s been advised to not underestimate the value (selling price) of her art and to “reasonably bargain” if a customer loves a piece but can’t afford it.

“This shows you’re passionate about your work and not just out to make a quick buck,” Sturiano said. She’s selling not only for profit but also to network and to be active within the CCAD community.

Portrait by Chavilah Bennett, class of 2012

Bennett, a junior majoring in Ad & Graphic Design, and Utt, a Fine Arts major, are sharing their sales space. Bennett already knows of people coming to the art sale specifically to buy her small 3D fish necklaces and keychains. The third grade teaching assistant in the Saturday Morning Art Classes (SMAC) program also is advertising examples of her portrait work and hopes to obtain a commission.

Utt, also a SMAC teaching assistant, is making metal and wood earrings and small sculptures for his first sale.

As a first-time participant Bennett is fulfilling a promise she made to herself as a freshman. She spent the past two years observing the holiday and spring sales, taking notes, and asking questions.

Bennett describes the sales as festive and fun. “It’s incredibly rewarding to sell something that I’ve made. I currently view graphic design as my future career, and my drawing, 3D, and illustrative skills as my hobby. I don’t have the stress of being forced to rely on selling my drawings and 3D art, so the CCAD art sale is fun for me,” she said.

A veteran participant, Burke (Fine Arts, ’06) reflects on how she has grown professionally as an artist. “I know what to prep for the sale and how long it takes to set up. I remember scrambling at times as a student but now it’s only a little added stress. I have yet to come up with the perfect way to display the ornaments so I may break down and build something this year. I have to admit it’s hard to find the time for that when sometimes its hard to even have time to make the artwork.”

The artists aren’t immune to some shopping of their own. At past sales, favorite buys have included jewelry, scarves, vases, a stuffed animal, and purses. And if funds are tight a plethora of wanted items can still be found.

Burke confesses to some occasional end-of-the-day exchanges. “Sometimes I will trade with people at the end of the sale. It’s a lot of fun that way. I usually trade for something smaller in size. I have this thing about not wanting to carry out more weight than I came with,” she said.

Dante's Inferno Cafe by Kyle Boganwright

Kyle Boganwright, a sophomore majoring in Illustration, has a solo show titled Mirrors at Fresh A.I.R. Gallery to showcase his work in mixed media, pen and ink, and sculpture. The opening reception is 5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 22 and the show continues through Nov. 19.

Boganwright won a gold medal, which represents most outstanding works in the nation, in art portfolio in the 2009 National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition. His previous studies at CCAD include the Saturday Morning Art Classes program and Art Explorer Post 407 with Ron Tardino, professor, Illustration.

Located at 131 N. High St. in downtown Columbus, the gallery exhibits the works of individuals affected by mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders to educate the community and to break down the stigma of mental illness and substance abuse by bringing focus to the artistic vision. For more information, directions and gallery hours go to http://www.southeastinc.com/fresh_air.php

Check out Boganwright’s work on flickr.

To learn more about Art Explorer Post 407 go to its website and for details about Scholastics competitions go to http://www.artandwriting.org.

For additional local coverage of the exhibition go to www.thelantern.com and to www.dispatch.com.