W. Bonifas Arts Center: discovery series

Summertime

It's Summertime and our classes have turned summery, too. Classes in Silk Fusion and Art Quilt 101 take place in July; that information is below. We have information about Art in the Park and our Young Artists' Market under Youth Series Classes. Check them out, too.

You'll notice that below our summer classes is a list of past offerings. Our next slate of classes is just about completed, and we'll have it on the website in August, so check back.

Thanks for stopping by! If the class you'd love isn't on our list, please suggest it to us. The Arts Center loves to present great classes of all kinds.

Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Our registration deadlines are usually the week before the class is scheduled (except when special materials must be ordered.) This is the date by which we must have a minimum number of students in order for the class to run. After that point, students are accepted until the class is filled.

SO COME IN!
While you may be able to "walk in" to a class, it is always best to call first, to make sure materials are available for you. Some classes encourage walk-ins; this is noted in the class descriptions.

Fiber Arts Workshops

Art Quilts 101: Creating Strong Compositions
With Kathie Briggs
Saturday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

You'll learn how to create art using traditional quilting materials and techniques. Experiment, discuss, observe, and complete up to three small original compositions.

Student fee: $55 for Bonifas members; $65 for non-members

Silk Fusion Workshop: Making Silk Paper
With Kathryn Norton
Saturday, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

As in the process of paper making, silk fusion is the process of sandwiching layers of silk fibers together with the aid of a fiber medium.

You'll experiment with a variety of surface treatments, including stamping, painting, paint sticks, and embellishing with thread.

Student fee: $55 for Bonifas members; $65 for non-members.

Past Classes

Cancelled
Introduction to Folk Dancing
Sue Robishaw

Heidi spots advanced student Mark at a class in the Gallery.
Yoga
Heidi Londo
6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

Remember that moon? from Melisse Carr's journal, on display at the Arts Center. The creative juxtaposition of art and field notes results in beauty and utility. Melisse Carr journal, on display at the Arts Center.

Journaling and Sketchbooks for Artists
Melisse Carr
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, January 26

Silver frames sparkle on your wrist in just one evening!
Girls' Night Out!
Beginner Beading I: The Silver Frame Bracelet
Sandy Wilson
Tuesday, January 29; 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Clay Residency
April South-Olson
1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, February 5 through March 11
Many shapes, many uses, lots of fun! Cancelled
Clay: Glazed Tiles and Pendants
Vicki Shirley
7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, February 5

This simple bracelet is like a breath of spring!

Girls' Night Out!

Beginner Beading: Citrine Bracelet

Sandy Wilson

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 12

CANCELLED

Girls' Night Out!

Intermediate Beading: Cabochon Pendant

Diana Bezotte

Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 22

CANCELLED

Rustic Style Birdhouse

Bruce and Carol Irving

6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays March 25 and April 8

CANCELLED
Girls' Night Out!
Creative Recycling II: Desk Organizer

Rose Peltier

7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 26

The Power of Pastels

Thomas Cappuccio

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 29

Fearless Painting!
April South-Olson

7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, April 10 and 17

Intermediate Watercolor

Suzanne Fraker

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 12

Fabric Collage

Carol February

7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays April 15 and 22

Oriole Feeder

Mike Berg

1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 19

Speaking Frankly About Frank Lloyd Wright

Joann Leffel

7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 29

Creative Recycling III: Magic Marble Kaleidoscope
Rose Peltier
7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 30

CANCELLED

Sand Casting: Birdbath

Jayann Erkkila

10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3

Artist Workshops

Artists who need slides or digital images for Northern Exposure XV or other exhibits may take advantage of a professional slide shoot with Woerpel Images hosted by the Bonifas Arts Center on September 3. All artwork must be received at the Center by September 3, and must be clearly identified. All glass and Plexiglas must be removed.

Artists need not be present during the shoot. Please pick up artwork by September 6, or make shipping arrangements by September 6 by calling the Bonifas at (906) 786-3833.
Fees:

Bonifas members: $12 per artwork, 3 for $30, 6 for $55 or $25 per 3-D work (includes 3 views)

Non-members: $15 per artwork, 3 for $36, 6 for $68, or $30 per 3-D work (includes 3 views)

Artist Level Printmaking for Painters with Michael Volker

Friday, November 7; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Join visiting artist Mike Volker as he demonstrates his approach to creating original painterly monotypes in the form popularized by Edgar Degas. Beautiful monotypes created in oil and overlaid with pastel demonstrate the immediacy and freshness typically seen in Degas' work.

Traditional painting and printmaking instruments such as brushes, daubers, and cotton rags are used as well as nontraditional homemade tools, as Volker shares his techniques for combining some of the strongest characteristics of both oil and watercolor media. Workshop participants are encouraged to experiment with drawing materials such as pastels in order to further enhance their images. Volker will also discuss water-based inks as an
alternative to oils.

Students will create several small prints during the workshop. The monotype is equally effective for representational genre such as portraiture, landscape, and still life, or more experimental abstract images.

Members $45, Non-members $55; materials included (students are encouraged to
supplement with their favorites)

Artist Biography
Michigan artist Michael Volker, one of the featured artists in the Interpretive Landscapes Exhibit at the Arts Center in January, 2008, returns to the Bonifas Gallery as juror and awards judge for Northern Exposure XV. Volker earned his B.F.A. and M.F.A. in painting and printmaking at Central Michigan University, where he also studied art history and contemporary theory.

During this period Volker became interested in the relationship between the natural environment and human culture. "As a landscape artist I am the benefactor of a rich and defining tradition in American Art. My goal is to create a visual space that is reflective and consciousness-raising, as well as entertaining," Volker says. Volker has exhibited extensively in galleries, museums, and juried exhibitions, where he has garnered awards for printmaking, including monotype and painting. In 2000 the artist was awarded a self-directed residency by the Ora Lerman Charitable Trust. He spent 3 years under exclusive contract to Bensen Galleries, LTD, where a limited edition print of his work was published. He is also included in "Journal of the Print World. His work is in the permanent collection of Alma College and Saginaw Valley University, as well as many private collections throughout the U.S. Some of Volker's works are now traveling with the 27th Annual Alma College Statewide Print Competition.

Volker has conducted workshops and lectured at various art institutions throughout the state. Between 2001 and 2006, he taught at Alma College as a Visiting Instructor in Art and Design. Volker now teaches at Central Michigan University as Assistant Professor in painting and drawing, while maintaining a studio at his home in Bay City, MI, where he lives with his wife, Sarah.

Art in the Park

Avast me hearties! It’s time for treasure, and “X Marks the Spot”!
Elementary students throughout Delta County are invited to join Captain April South-Olson and her crew of salty dogs to create art that will decorate your room in pirate fashion.
Four projects in seven area parks enable you to raise your pirate flag, make shipwreck prints, and create a treasure tile and treasure box. Cost is just $5 per session or all four for $16.

Projects

Week 1: Treasure Tile
Paint a ceramic tile to hang in your pirate cave.

Week 2: Pirate Flag
Every Pirate needs a signature flag. You’ll create yours, and then show it off.

Week 3: Treasure Box
Everyone needs a place to keep their gold!

Week 4: Shipwreck Prints
Use ink and a simple print-making process to create shipwreck designs.

SCHEDULE for ART IN THE PARK 2008

Monday
7/7, 14, 21, 28
10 – 11:30 a.m. Ludington Park, Escanaba
12:30 – 2 p.m. Van Cleve Park, Gladstone
Tuesday
7/1, 8, 15, 22
10 – 11:30 a.m. VanCleve Park, Gladstone
12:30 – 2 p.m.Ludington Park, Escanaba
Wednesday
7/2, 9, 16, 23
10 – 11:30 a.m. Rapid River
12:30 – 2 p.m. Willow Grove, Escanaba
Thursday
7/3, 10, 17, 24
10 – 11:30 a.m. Bark River
12:30 – 2 p.m.Hannahville
Friday
7/11, 18, 25, 8/1
10 – 11:30 a.m. Preschool at the Center

PLEASE make arrangements ahead of time if you plan to attend so we’ll have enough supplies for everyone.

Art in the Park is sponsored in part by Gladstone Kiwanis and the Escanaba Chapter of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs

Young Artists' Market

Tie dye - great stuff!
Come down to beautiful Ludington Park and enjoy a day in the Arts! Through the Arts Center, student artists have the opportunity to sell with the adult artists featured at the Waterfront Art Festival in Ludington Park on Saturday, August 2.

The Young Artists’ Market located at the Bonifas tent each year gives artists through age 18 visibility and a place to sell their wares. Bring original artwork to the Bonifas by July 29 and for just $5 reserve a 4’ space. Items made from kits are not admissible; samples must be approved by Bonifas staff.
Big Sis, Little Sis - everyone can enjoy Waterfront
Setup is from 8 to 9 a.m. on August 2, and the sale runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Artists will want to make signs for their space to tell people the artists’ name, the business name, and what’s for sale. We’ll provide a card table and two chairs.
See you there!