Add/drop is over, and the prospect of Drawing I lowering your GPA scared you out of a studio art class, again. Arts knows how you feel, and we got your back with some top–notch creative outlets outside of Penn. Drop some summer–savings dollaz, grab a bus downtown and spare a few hours each week to take one of these workshops located within 15 minutes of campus. All materials are included, and final projects serve as fantastic gifts or dorm room decor. You can’t blame Penn InTouch for missing these deadlines — sign up now for six weeks of Arts–endorsed artistry.
1. Screen Printing When: Thursday 6:30–9:30 p.m., November 3 through December 15 Where: Fairmount Art Center, fairmount@phillyartcenter.com Tuition: $170 Open to aspiring Warhols of all levels, this course will guide students through the basics of the print press. After creating a number of stencil–based images, you’ll move on to stamping a variety of two dimensional surfaces. And the best part? In addition to the materials provided by the course, students are encouraged to bring in t–shirts to stamp their own designs on, the perfect remedy to that Urban Outfitters shopping addiction. 2. Clay Studio Sampler When: Wednesday 6:30–9:30 p.m., November 9 through December 14 Where: The Clay Studio, theclaystudio.org Tuition: $195 So the gym's got you down — we've all been there. Blow off Pottruck to work out your quads on the pottery wheel in this intro course at the Clay Studio. By December, you won't just have muscles but also four glazed products ranging from ceramic bowls and tiles to little sculptures of your own. What's creepier than giving your boyfriend a miniature bust of yourself? (The answer is… nothing.)
3. Contemporary Jewelry When: Monday 6:30–9:30 p.m., November 7 through December 12 Where: Fairmount Art Center, fairmount@phillyartcenter.com Tuition: $160 Feeling crafty? Craving excess jewelry? Ladies and the otherwise feminine, your prayers have been answered. This class will guide you through a number of jewelry making skills from beading design to intricate wire work. Incorporating pendants, earrings, rings and necklaces, don’t miss this chance to create your own personalized accessories. Bring your own materials if you feel like jazzin’ things up.
4. Glass Blowing When: Saturday 1:30–4:30 p.m., November 5 through December 17 Where: East Falls Glassworks, eastfallsglass.com Tuition: $470 If you’re nostalgic for the Renaissance festival, or just fighting to have the strongest lungs of all your friends, glass blowing might just be the perfect hobby. With no experience required, this class starts with the basic techniques and teaches you a new shape and skill each week. Hone your inner teacher’s–pet and the instructors might even let you shape a… tobacco pipe.
5. Photography I When: Wednesday 6–8 p.m., November 9 through December 14, but no class on 11/23 Where: Philadelphia Photo Arts, philaphotoarts.org Tuition: $300 Still trying to figure out that fancy pants camera of yours? Philly Photo Arts can guide you through the perils beyond automatic mode. Learn how to adjust everything from shutter speed and aperture to lenses and depth of field. Weekly assignments will get those creative juices flowing, allowing you to experiment with tonalities, lighting and color in your photographs. We’ll keep an eye out for that new Facebook album.
