Class Descriptions:
ART
Stay tuned for NEW Class Descriptions
"My son has LOVED the many art classes he has taken at Encore! I really love that we have so many pieces he has done hanging in our home!" --Amy V
BEGINNING DRAWING STUDIO
(Instr: Tamara Hallock) Discover the joy of drawing! This class is the perfect place to build a strong artistic foundation while exploring your imagination. You will learn the core techniques, including the elements of art and principles of design, how to draw in 3d, and how to use line, pattern, and shape to create expressive art. We will fill our sketchbooks with still life studies and imaginative projects like a winter village and an original one-page book. Get inspired by famous "masters" (like Chagall and Picasso) and learn fun techniques like structured doodling and guided drawing to bring animals, figures, and creative ideas to life. Come ready to explore, experiment, and draw the world around you! |
INTERMEDIATE DRAWING
(Instr: Tamara Hallock) Ready to elevate your skills and find your unique artistic voice? This course builds on foundational design concepts and essential technical skills like perspective and shading (value) to add depth to your work. We will explore advanced composition, from creating tessellations inspired by M. C. Escher to intricate mandalas. Projects include expressive portraits, imaginative creatures, and sequential art. You will practice key observation skills by drawing from life and quick figure drawing to capture movement. Develop your skills in a dedicated sketchbook, get inspired by masters, and create stunning pieces for your portfolio. |
ADVANCED DRAWING
(Instr: Tamara Hallock) Elevate your artistic practice with this intensive course designed for aspiring young artists ready to move beyond foundational skills. We will explore advanced concepts in composition, perspective, and form through in-depth study of figure drawing, portraiture, and still life. Students will experiment with diverse media, including charcoal, ink, and digital tools, focusing on developing a personal style and voice. Critical analysis and artistic critique will sharpen your eye and conceptual thinking. A dedicated sketchbook practice is central to the course, serving as a dynamic laboratory for daily observation, ideation, and rapid prototyping of complex ideas. |
DRAWING COMBO: PEN, PENCIL, PASTELS
(Instr: Sierra Smith) This class offers a sampling of several art mediums for young learners to grow and experiment uniquely through pen and ink, pencils, markers, illustration, and more. Students will learn color theory, drawing techniques, value, shading, and scale. |
DRAWING STUDIO: Imagination, Line, and Color
(Instr: Tamara Hallock) Discover the amazing world of drawing! This fun, 20-week, hands-on course introduces the Elements of Art (like line, shape, and color) and builds confidence through exciting activities. You will learn to use simple shapes to build pictures and explore basic concepts like warm/cool colors and positive/negative Space. Projects range from imaginative squiggle drawings and "feeling drawings" to master study pieces inspired by famous artists. We’ll practice making our drawings look 3D and experiment with combining media, such as drawing with paint washes and collage. This is the perfect class to learn, play, and bring your unique imagination to life! |
MULTI-MEDIA COLLAGE ADVENTURE
(Instr: Tamara Hallock) Discover your imagination and explore the incredible world of collage! In this dynamic one-hour class, we'll focus on the Elements of Art and Principles of Design and learn the best mixed-media techniques. We'll experiment with a huge variety of materials, including colorful recycled paper, paint chips, fabric, and natural/found objects for 3D texture. Explore fun concepts such as Color Schemes, Narrative or Storytelling, Visual texture, and creating a focal point. Get ready to create unique projects, including decorative boxes, notecards, and art journals. You'll explore Surrealism and learn to use your own hand-painted papers, plus master the expressive power of Tearing vs. Cutting and proper Adhesive Techniques. Come ready to cut, glue, and create a masterpiece! |
POTTERY WHEEL
(Instr. Sierra Smith) In the potters wheel class we will be using earthenware clay which is widely used in ceramics. We will go over the basics of hand building as well as throwing on the wheel. Students will begin with the fundamentals of learning to wedge (get air bubbles out), center, and raise walls of clay. This builds into being able to create plates, bowls, and mugs. We will be doing projects such as making mugs, bowls and plates. Students are expected to have made as least two projects by the end of the semester. |
HAND SCULPTING
(Instr: Rachel Kitzmiller, Sierra Smith) We will develop an understanding of the fundamentals of what clay can and cannot do in its various stages, while making sophisticated, functional pieces of art. We will learn how to build upon a frame and construct personalized sculpture(s). In addition to group instruction, each student will have enough one-on-one instruction with the teacher within classes to plan, form, and refine their own chosen design. We will prepare our projects for final firing and decorating. Students will also have the opportunity to learn to use underglaze on their pieces before the firing. |
CLAY ARTS SAMPLER: Polymer, Wheel, Hand Building
(Instr: Sierra Smith) Description coming soon! |
POLYMER CLAY
(Instr: Rachel Kitzmiller) Create your own beads and figurines while learning about color properties and clay techniques, including marbling, millefiori, and miniature sculpture. In this class, we will focus on using polymer clay. This clay is very easy to work with and comes is all sorts of fun colors. We will be doing many fun projects with this clay such as designing jewelry, animal figures , and even making and designing their own game pieces. |
CLAY COMBO
(Instr: Sierra Smith) Description coming soon! |
2D and 3D SAMPLER
(Instr: Sierra Smith) Description coming soon! |
Seed Bead Design and Jewelry Making:
(Instr: Sierra Smith) Description coming soon! |
Clothing Painting
(Instr: Brooke Lewis) Description coming soon! |
COSTUME DESIGN AND SEWING
(Instr: Kristin Jenkins) Description coming soon! |
SEWING AND FIBER ARTS
(Instr: Kristin Jenkins) Description coming soon! |
CROCHET AND KNITTING
(Instr. Sierra Smith) Create your own wearable, customizable, and adorable pieces of art! In this class, students will learn the foundations of stitching, following a pattern, and creating amazing finished products. Pick up a relaxing new hobby and make heartfelt gifts for your loved ones (or yourself)! No prior experience needed. |
PROP AND SET DESIGN
(Instr: Kristin Jenkins) Get a backstage look at theatrical design! Learn practical artistic techniques to create a world and the items within it. Unleash your creativity, and see your work featured onstage at the finale showcase! Art supplies will be provided. |
WATERCOLOR
(Instr: Tamara Hallock, Brooke Lewis) Unleash the flow of watercolor, moving beyond the basics to transform water and pigment into stunning, expressive art. You will master essential brush handling, color mixing, and color theory fundamentals. Learn advanced methods like wet-in-wet magic, layering and glazing, and specialized masking techniques for luminosity. Apply your technical skills to a wide range of subjects, from capturing clouds and sunset in a landscape to painting detailed portraits and roses. The course also explores creative and abstract concepts, including whimsical animal blobs and chagall-inspired peace windows. This class is the perfect blend of technical instruction and creative freedom, preparing you to achieve beautiful, intentional results and cultivate your unique artistic voice. |
Art Explorers: Mixed Media Drawing
(Instr: Sierra Smith) In this fun and encouraging class, young artists will learn the basics of drawing using pencils, colored pencils, pastels, and more. Students will practice important skills like shapes, shading, and color while also exploring their creativity through playful, mixed media projects. Each lesson is designed to help build confidence, develop fine motor skills, and inspire a love for making art. |
Mixed Media Painting Studio
(Instr: Brooke Lewis) In this creative class, students will build strong drawing skills while exploring a variety of materials like pencil, pen, colored pencil, and pastel. Each project blends technical instruction with playful creativity, encouraging young artists to layer, blend, and design their own mixed media artwork. A perfect balance of learning and imagination! |
PHOTOGRAPHY
(Instr: Katie Two Dogs) Description coming soon! |
Adult Ceramics-Foundational Skills & Creative Exploration
(Instr: Tamara Hallock Discover the ancient and rewarding craft of ceramics in a fun, supportive studio environment. Perfect for beginners, this course solidifies essential techniques in hand-building (including coiling and slab vases) and surface decoration. you will gain practical skills to create functional pieces like a cellphone holder and imaginative forms like little mushroom people. Core skills covered include texture rolls, sgraffito, and an introduction to glazing fundamentals, such as bubble blown glaze. This course provides a strong technical base while encouraging individual creative exploration. |
Crafting with Recycled and Nature Materials
(Instr: Tamara Hallock) Take your creative skills to the next level by building, designing, and transforming materials that others throw away. This dynamic studio class focuses on turning recycled and natural materials into functional, expressive art. We will explore complex projects like textured tin can characters, abstract relief sculptures and detailed quiltlike abstracts. You will learn specific technical skills such as Paper Mache, Natural Dyes, and Printmaking. Projects will range from creating decorative pieces like glass jar lanterns and egg carton animal wall hangings to unique objects like paper roll animals and valentines. Draw inspiration from environmental artists and street artists as you develop your skills in design, construction, and sustainable art-making. |
