Young Artists Getting Started: Visual Art & Design

Bring your creative skills and get ready to discover your inner artistic voice! Young artists are challenged to play with a wide variety of media while learning basic theory on shape, color, and design thinking. This class is great for those wishing to provide young artists with a gently structured creative environment where art and learning intersect.

Availability:

• Week 3, 9:00am-12:00pm

Botanical Art

Nature provides a rich array of artistic inspiration and materials. Investigate the lines, shapes, patterns and textures of plants and their compositional possibilities. Botanicals provide the material for a range of processes including photograms, printmaking, rubbings, collage, and digital scans. Combine multiple techniques to capture the natural beauty of plants and create original artwork from the world around you.

Availability:

• Week 3, 9:00am-12:00pm

Creepy-Crawly Insect Art

Iridescent wings and crunchy carapaces have excited artists and scientists throughout history.  Inspired by the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, this class explores the forms of insects and how they can inspire our artwork. Studying silk, wax, and dyes made from insects, students will pursue projects based on their study of the creepy crawlies around them!

Availability:

• Week 2, 1:30-4:30pm
• Week 3, 1:30-4:30pm

Expressive Drawing

Take drawing techniques to the next level by creating personal narrative works. Delve into a study of the variety of materials that can be used to express yourself with drawing. You’ll explore charcoal, conte, ink, and toned papers while practicing silhouette and shapes. Learning when and how to combine drawing techniques and materials for your own desired effect will help reveal your aesthetic voice.

Availability:

• Week 4; 1:30-4:30pm

(Re) Imagination Station

This course will challenge students to innovate using common everyday items such as drinking straws, cardboard, and recyclable materials.  Students will brainstorm, sketch, prototype, test, and reflect, revise and construct original designs in this innovative workshop. Inventors will study industrial and product design to make their own toys, vehicles, and more!

Availability:

• Week 5; 9:00am-12:00pm

Paper Toys

Toys are even more fun when you make them yourself. Construct your own devices of curiosity, early cinematic toys which use spinning to show the illusion of movement. Practice folding, assembling and decorating a variety of projects from origami to paper airplanes and various models to capture the wonder of amusement. Paper manipulation skills and historical significance of toys are emphasized in this workshop.

Availability:

• Week 2, 9:00am-12:00pm
• Week 4, 9:00am-12:00pm
• Week 5, 1:30-4:30pm

Primary Printmaking

Printmaking processes have been around for thousands of years and are still used in contemporary art practices today. Create your own tools for printing with a variety of materials such as linoleum and foam, and then use them to produce original works of art! Pattern, shape, line, composition and repetition are all explored in these centuries-old techniques.

Availability:

• Week 2, 9:00am-12:00pm
• Week 4, 9:00am-12:00pm

Character Design

Learn the basics of character design in this exciting class! Artists will consider shape, expression, and even species while creating characters inspired by the world around them. Study movies, television, and video games to learn how the professionals create memorable characters we know and love.

Availability:

• Week 2, 1:30-4:30pm

Drawing & Color Theory

Hone your technique in this expressive art form through figure studies, life drawing, illustration, and other approaches. This course allows artists to explore color theory as a narrative practice as well as an expressive choice. Young artists will explore materials such as pastels, acrylic paint, and papercraft.

Availability:

• Week 2, 9:00am-12:00pm

Exploring Masks

Whether designed for protection, disguise, performance, or entertainment, masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonial and practical purposes. Explore the history and uses of masks throughout the ages. Use a variety of materials and techniques to create your own masks for costume or decoration.

Availability:

• Week 2, 1:30-4:30pm

Expressive Drawing

Take drawing techniques to the next level by creating personal narrative works. Delve into a study of the variety of materials that can be used to express yourself with drawing. You’ll explore charcoal, conte, ink, and toned papers while practicing silhouette and shapes. Learning when and how to combine drawing techniques and materials for your own desired effect will help reveal your aesthetic voice.

Availability:

• Week 3, 9:00am-12:00pm
• Week 4, 9:00am-12:00pm

Flipbook Animation

Long before films were animated with computers, illustrators used flipbooks to provide the illusion of continuous motion. Make your drawings come to life by experimenting with this early form of animation. Standard animation elements such as character development, story boarding, and concept will all be used to organize and plan your unique narrative work. Flipbooks are versatile, easy to create, and a great way to explore animation techniques.

Availability:

• Week 3, 9:00am-12:00pm

Foundations of Painting

Foundations of painting expands students’ understanding of color and technique through a variety of paint materials. Traditional painting techniques as well as experimentation are used to guide students toward greater confidence in their medium and in their ability to create unique, expressive works.\

Availability:

• Week 2, 1:30-4:30pm

Illustrated Comics

Learn how to design imaginative characters for children's books, comic books, and animation through a variety of fun drawing projects and exercises. Students will explore everything from costumed gesture drawing to designing and constructing three-dimensional characters from Sculpey clay. This workshop will cover the necessary skills to bring doodles of superheroes or fantasy characters to life.

Availability:

• Week 4, 9:00am-12:00pm

Puppetry

Puppetry is an ancient art form, thought to have originated about 4,000 years ago. Puppets have been used since the earliest times to animate and communicate the ideas and needs of human societies. Learn more about the history of puppets as you create your own characters out of a variety of materials.

Availability:

• Week 2, 9:00am-12:00pm

Prototype Hype

Designers are always coming up with new ways, or improving old ways, of doing things. Investigate contemporary innovations in design, learn about how interior architecture and product design works, and create your own prototypes to bring your wildest ideas to life! Students will take home research, concept design, and a final design prototype at the end of this course, and learn how systems and machines like laser cutters and 3D printers unite engineering and art.

Availability:

• Week 4, 1:30-4:30pm

2D Animation

Traditional animation meets technology with the use of digital animating tools. Learn to animate objects and characters using basic walk and morph cycles. Fundamentals of animation including character design, timing, and movement will be introduced along with skill-building exercises for drawing and animating the human body. Mastering 2D animation basics lays a foundation for continued work in creating the illusion of movement.

Availability:

• Week 2, 9:00am-12:00pm
• Week 3, 1:30-4:30pm
• Week 4, 9:00am-12:00pm
• Week 4, 1:30-4:30pm
• Week 5, 9:00am-12:00pm

3D Illustration

This class encourages students to think three-dimensionally: from creature concepts to world building, students will learn to sculpt, mold, and create with air-dry clay, papier-mâché, and other hands-on media. Unlimited imagination and attention to details within a chosen style will be addressed in this fun and messy class!

Availability:

• Week 4, 9:00am-12:00pm

Character Design

Learn the basics of character design in this exciting class! Artists will consider shape, expression, and even species while creating characters inspired by the world around them. Study movies, television, and video games to learn how the professionals create memorable characters we know and love.

Availability:

• Week 2, 1:30-4:30pm
• Week 3, 9:00am-12:00pm

Creative Writing

Students often have the opportunity to experience expository writing in the classroom but have little time to develop imaginative writing. Promoting self-expression, exploring various writing styles, and creating variety in diction, sentence structure, and format, students will develop a creative outlet through writing experiences in fiction and/or nonfiction.

Availability:

• Week 3, 1:30-4:30pm

Drawing & Color Theory

Hone your technique in this expressive art form through figure studies, life drawing, illustration, and other approaches. This course allows artists to explore color theory as a narrative practice as well as an expressive choice. Young artists will explore materials such as pastels, acrylic paint, and papercraft.

Availability:

• Week 2, 1:30-4:30pm

Design Your Mind

Even the most complex systems are usually made up of simple machines. Devise and execute creative contraptions in the spirit of Rube Goldberg, famed illustrator of complicated machines that perform basic tasks. Using a predefined challenge, collaborate with others to plan, test, and revise your ideas through trial and error. Coaxing common devices to accomplish a goal is great practice for solving authentic problems through ingenuity, persistence, and critical thinking.

Availability:

• Week 3, 9:00am-12:00pm
• Week 4, 9:00am-12:00pm

Digital Comics

Computer technology merges traditional comics illustration with the digital world. Learn to illustrate using industry standard tools and software for a contemporary twist to this popular platform. Storytelling and character design will be emphasized while reviewing the history of digital comics. Utilizing digital tools allows faster changes to panels and a format that makes it easy to share finished work.

Availability:

• Week 2, 1:30-4:30pm
• Week 3, 1:30-4:30pm
• Week 4, 1:30-4:30pm
• Week 5, 1:30-4:30pm

Expressive Drawing

Take drawing techniques to the next level by creating personal narrative works. Delve into a study of the variety of materials that can be used to express yourself with drawing. You’ll explore charcoal, conte, ink, and toned papers while practicing silhouette and shapes. Learning when and how to combine drawing techniques and materials for your own desired effect will help reveal your aesthetic voice.

Availability:

• Week 4, 1:30-4:30pm

Fashion Accessories

Nothing completes a look like the right fashion accessories. Design and construct several one-of-a-kind accessories to enhance your wardrobe or someone else’s. Color trends, form, pattern, and surface design will be explored in selecting projects such as scarves, hats, belts, and bags. Exercise your unique design aesthetic while creating wearable art.

Availability:

• Week 2, 1:30-4:30pm
• Week 3, 9:00am-12:00pm
• Week 4, 9:00am-12:00pm

Fashion (Re)style

It’s time to give clothing an upgrade. Design and construct totally new, one-of-a-kind garments and accessories from existing clothing. Using the latest fashion trends as inspiration, projects will include altering basic T-shirts and thrift store finds with surface design, construction techniques, and embellishments. You’ll develop skills in this workshop that will allow you to give your own wardrobe a makeover.

Availability:

• Week 2, 9:00am-12:00pm

Foundations of Painting

Foundations of painting expands students’ understanding of color and technique through a variety of paint materials. Traditional painting techniques as well as experimentation are used to guide students toward greater confidence in their medium and in their ability to create unique, expressive works.

Availability:

• Week 5, 1:30-4:30pm

Textile Design & Block Print

Be inspired by the beautiful textiles of India and traditional hand block printing used to create these distinctive patterns. We will explore the technique of block-printing onto fabric, drawing inspiration from a variety of sourced images from India’s culture, architecture, and textiles. Students will learn the steps of designing a fabric pattern using provided reference materials, and design a motif to use as a repeat to create a range of pattern designs.

Availability:

• Week 3, 1:30-4:30pm

2D Animation

Traditional animation meets technology with the use of digital animating tools. Learn to animate objects and characters using basic walk and morph cycles. Fundamentals of animation including character design, timing, and movement will be introduced along with skill-building exercises for drawing and animating the human body. Mastering 2D animation basics lays a foundation for continued work in creating the illusion of movement.

Availability:

• Week 3, 9:00am-12:00pm

3D Animation

Focusing on the 3D animation production pipeline, this class introduces students to all major areas of 3D animation production. Topics covered include edge loop modeling, organic modeling, texturing, file management, rigging, lighting, and rendering. Get a firm foundation on the fundamentals of 3D animation and story-centered asset production.

Availability:

• Registration is Closed

Art & Storytelling

Participants will explore visual storytelling through narrative art, visual poetry, and solo and group story creation. Using drawing and painting as well as some basic bookmaking, participants will create both quick and multi-session projects. Participants will experiment with logical and illogical/surreal art and practice skills like asking questions, imagining narratives, critical thinking, collaboration, and creative problem-solving.

Availability:

• Week 2, 1:30-4:30pm
• Week 3, 1:30-4:30pm

Ceramics

This course provides a foundational exploration of design and structure, wheel throwing techniques, hand building, and sculpture. Artists will experience exercises designed to encourage creativity and craftsmanship while developing a repertoire of methods for working with clay.

Availability:

• Week 2, 1:30-4:30pm
• Week 4, 1:30-4:30pm

Comic Book Development

Learn how to design imaginative characters for children's books, comic books, and animation through a variety of fun drawing projects and exercises. Students will explore everything from costumed gesture drawing to designing and constructing three-dimensional characters from sculpey. This workshop will cover the necessary skills to bring doodles of super heroes or fantasy characters to life.

Availability:

• Week 5, 9:00am-12:00pm

Digital Portfolio for Artists & Designers

Today’s artists use digital portfolios to share their work with the world. Learn to create a professional web presence using industry-standard software. Design skills such as type, graphics, and color theory will be explored while editing and preparing images for use online. Creativity and personalization are emphasized to achieve a unique representation of your artistic voice.

Availability:

• Week 3, 1:30-4:30pm

Fashion (Re)style

It’s time to give clothing an upgrade. Design and construct totally new, one-of-a-kind garments and accessories from existing clothing. Using the latest fashion trends as inspiration, projects will include altering basic T-shirts and thrift store finds with surface design, construction techniques, and embellishments. You’ll develop skills in this workshop that will allow you to give your own wardrobe a makeover.

Availability:

• Week 3, 1:30-4:30pm
• Week 4, 1:30-4:30pm

Figure Drawing

This foundational course offers the opportunity to learn how short-term speed drawings and sustained life drawing studies can develop your skills as an artist. Explore different artistic media and objects while gaining confidence in anatomy, expression, and gesture with life models and challenges that strengthen artists at all levels.

Availability:

• Week 4, 9:00am-12:00pm

Foundations of Painting

Foundations of painting expands students’ understanding of color and technique through a variety of paint materials. Traditional painting techniques as well as experimentation are used to guide students toward greater confidence in their medium and in their ability to create unique, expressive works.

Availability:

• Week 2, 9:00am-12:00pm
• Week 4, 9:00am-12:00pm

Illustration

Develop your own illustration style while exploring the various media--both 2D and digital--that illustration can offer. Learn how to prepare work for print and digital publications while balancing creativity and technical skill in software such as Adobe Illustrator.

Availability:

• Week 3, 9:00am-12:00pm

Intro to Game Art & Development

This course provides a project-oriented introduction to game development and design, including concept development, elements of game, flowcharts, level design, and character/environment design. Students will be introduced to working with game engines and 3D programs, learn basic programming, and keep documentation through game docs. Polygon count, optimization, prototyping, and testing will be stressed, with students learning the full game pipeline to develop a playable level.

Availability:

• Week 5, 1:30-4:30pm

• Saturday Morning Art Classes run concurrently with college semesters, with one 10-week session in the fall and spring of each academic year. Creative Summer Workshops begin in the second week of June of each year and conclude in early July. 
• Each Saturday Morning Art Class and Creative Summer Workshops session will focus on the same subject for the duration of your registration.

• Registration for Saturday Morning Art Classes begins one month before registration closes. Registration for Saturday Morning Art Classes closes two weeks before the start of each session. Registration for Creative Summer Workshops begins in late March, with registration closing two weeks prior to each session.
• Due to the logistics of staffing, supply ordering, and class rosters, we are unable to accept new registrants past a program’s enrollment deadline. 

• The grade recommendations listed with each course are present to help enrollees make the best decisions regarding the needs of their young artists and are not mandatory. Please note that we do not allow students younger than 10 in our digital classrooms.

• Refunds are granted according to the following policy: I understand that I may request to withdraw my student(s) from a course up to two weeks prior to the start of a class by emailing [email protected] for a refund of 100% minus a $25 administrative fee per course. There are no refunds thereafter. Nonattendance does not constitute a withdrawal. 
• Please note that classes may be canceled due to low enrollment. There is no administrative fee or other penalty applied to registrants who need to withdraw and receive a refund due to COVID-19 or other illness.

Alumni and Veterans both receive a 10% discount and the codes can be obtained by contacting our department directly at [email protected].

• Programs within Youth & Community Learning at CCAD are enrichment-oriented classes designed to build skills and confidence in a supportive environment. Currently we do not offer certificates of completion for any Youth & Community Learning Programs. If you would like a letter of recommendation after completing a course, please contact your instructor. 

• Our classes are designed to accommodate learners of all skill levels and prior experience. If you or your young artist would like increased rigor and independence while utilizing our professional studio spaces, please discuss these needs with your instructor. 

• The tuition fees for all Youth & Community Learning programs are inclusive of material fees. You do not need to bring any additional materials to class, unless you have your own supplies you would prefer to work with.
• Students will often have the opportunity to take work home with them, either physically or by uploading their digital work to a USB drive or digital storage drive. For Saturday Morning Art Classes, students will take their work home with them after they visit the Saturday Morning Art Classes Exhibition.

• You will be notified of your scholarship status at least one week before the start of the program session.
• We have two options for scholarship applicants looking for a seat in our programs. You can either register and pay for the class, and you will be offered a refund if awarded a scholarship, or you can enter a wait list for the class you are interested in. However, if that class fills, your scholarship amount will be applied to a class with seats available. 
• Each scholarship offer is contingent upon the class and program specified in your award email. Scholarships cannot be applied to other classes and sessions outside the specified program detailed in your scholarship offer.

• As a growing campus with frequent updates to our lab spaces, we often change where classes are held and where students should park. You will receive an email within two weeks of the start of your program with a campus map, pickup and dropoff instructions, and your classroom location.