Senior Studio Course Catalog

Artists teach Senior Studio workshops in museums, libraries, and other senior communities.  Courses are scheduled upon the mutual agreement of the location and the instructor. Program length and number of participants varies. Most courses are free for seniors. Basic course descriptions are below, but most courses can be modified to meet your community's needs. Contact Mia Henley for more information or to schedule a Senior Studio course!

Abstract Acrylic Painting

Instructor: Judith Weintraub

This 6-week painting course offers students an opportunity for fun, outside-the-box creativity while painting with color, play and movement. Maximum 10.

Acting & Improv

Instructor:  Princeton James Productions 

Activate your improv and acting skills.  This 6 to 8 session class offers students a chance to share their stories through acting and improv, discovering new skills and creating their own short production.  Maximum 20.

Art & Wellness:  Mindfulness and Meditation

Instructor:  Paige Sheinberg, in partnership with Memphis Brooks Museum

This four-part series focuses on well-being, meditation and art; self-compassion and loving kindness; positive emotions and gratitude, and self-care and strengths. In each session, participants view and work with art pieces from the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art's collection or visiting exhibitions. The course offers basic mindfulness and meditation techniques and helps identify personal benefits related to a meditation and mindfulness practice. Students create a series of mandalas that explore a theme, emotion, and/or experience. 12 maximum.

Beginner Ballet 

Instructor:  Collage Dance Collective Dance Instructors

This Intro to Ballet for Seniors series is taught by Collage Dance, a Memphis ballet company. It provides absolute beginners with an introduction to the basics of classical ballet in a welcoming, non-competitive environment. The course promotes mind and body wellness and aims to increase muscle strength, joint support and mobility. It also increases cognitive functions such as coordination and concentration. Dancers are encouraged to participate in all six weeks of the course (1 hour/week) to benefit from the full course curriculum.  Classes at Collage Dance Collective, 505 Tillman St., or at your location.  20 participants maximum. 

Beginner Tap

Instructor: Collage Dance Collective Dance Instructors

In this high-energy weekly tap program, students learn the fundamentals of rhythm tap, tap terminology and short combinations to prepare them for intermediate and advanced study. The program will focus on strengthening each student’s musicality, rhythm, timing, speed and coordination. Students learn how to hear and interpret music in a more advanced way through combinations that employ syncopation and dynamics. Students also learn the history of tap, one of the oldest American forms of dance that dates back to the mid-1800s and has significant roots in the African American experience. Students supply their own tap shoes.

Calligraphy

Instructor:  Maggie Naylor

In this 4 week calligraphy course led by local calligrapher, Maggie Naylor, students will learn a style of writing called Copperplate. Students will use a sharp pointed nib instead of the flat nib used in most calligraphic writing.  Maggie teaches students about the tools and materials needed, preparations-how to hold your pen and how to sit, sizing and angles of the script, writing rules and basic strokes, and a few extra tips and additional resources.  4 sessions, 1.5 hours per session.  Maximum 12 students.  

Collage & Memories

Instructor:  Cindi Ledger

Students use basic art supplies to create a memory collage from pictures and pieces of paper saved from special events.  Students learn basic skills involving pleasing compositions, collage layering for artistic depth, use of texture and color for interest, and greater creative expression. 4 to 6 weeks, up to 10 participants.  

Colorcopia

Instructor:  Shawna White, in partnership with The Dixon Museum & Gardens 

Choose from a range of varying class themes--there is always something new to try! Students work with dynamic art instructor Shawna White to create their own masterwork from either supplies that are provided or from basic materials available at home. Up to 12 participants. 

Creative Journaling: Keeping an Artist’s Sketchbook

Instructor: Jimpsie Ayres

During this 6-week course, students develop an artist’s sketchbook, learning techniques including photo manipulation and alteration, collage, calligraphy, printmaking and image transference. Maximum 10.

Creative Writing & Storytelling

Instructor: Elaine Blanchard

Learn to tell a good story with renowned storyteller Elaine Blanchard. In this 6 week course (meeting 2 hours per week), participants learn various components of storytelling. Maximum 12.

Creative Movement

Instructor:  Kristen Lucas 

Engage your mind, body and spirit in a truly fun experience.  Students will learn a variety of dance styles and dance fundamentals, creating opportunities for skill mastery and creative self-expression.  Up to 20 participants.

Music in America

Instructor: Christian Stanfield

Learn about the development of American musical genres and be able to recognize their characteristics by ear. This 4-6 week course explores music from 1900 to 1960, including Ragtime, the Blues, Jazz, Big Band, Swing, Country, Rock & Roll, Soul, and others. Courses in other topics also available, including courses focused on African-American music, Jewish Music, and more.  Up to 20 students.

Dulcimer Instruction

Instructor: Lee Cagle

In this 6-hour course, taught over 4 weeks (1.5 hour sessions), students learn basic dulcimer playing skills from acclaimed dulcimer artist Lee Cagle. Advanced beginner courses also available.  Maximum number of students varies. Instruments provided.

Jewelry Making

Instructor: Debbie Lovett

In this 6-hour course, taught over 4 weeks (1.5 hour sessions), students learn basic jewelry making skills using simple and found materials.  Enjoy the instructor's collection, or bring your own items to work with.  Artist Debbie Lovett leads these creative classes.  Maximum number of students 12.  Basic supplies provided.

Painting:  Abstract Art, Landscape, and Drawing Techniques 

Instructor: Sarah Nowlin

Participants in Abstract Art classes experience the joy of creating art in the style of artists such as Van Gogh, Miro, Matisse, Kandinsky, Monet and others. Students study abstract artists' unique styles, then use their observations as a jumping point from which to create their own piece. Many students find abstract art classes a delightful break from realism and trying to make a piece look exactly as we see it. The Women in Abstract Art course focuses on female artists who created fresh approaches to abstract art. 

Landscape Painting and Drawing Techniques courses encourage students to observe their surroundings more intentionally. Noticing over arching shapes, blocks of color and the variations of hue (pigment of color) and value (light and dark) are all important when drawing or painting landscape, still life or portraits. Students develop drawing and landscape skills through samples, discussions and exercises on perspective, underpainting, over painting, types and techniques of brushes and more. 

All classes are interactive. Sarah creates art herself while students are invited into the process. Most classes enjoy music that accompanies students' creative process. Students use water based paints including acrylic, watercolor, gouache and sometimes other mediums. Class meeting times range from 4 to 8 weeeks, with sesssions of 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the community's goals. Maximum 12 students. Supplies provided.

Mosaics

Instructor:  Kristi Duckworth

Students learn basic skills needed to work with the art of mosaics from local mosaic artist Kristi Duckworth, including drawing and coloring a mosaic piece pattern, cutting the piece out of clay, glaze, adhering mosaic pieces, and grouting. Up to 8 people. 

Pottery Painting

Instructor: Adam Loeffel

In this 6-week course, participants paint ceramic pieces, exploring aspects of the pottery making process including color theory and principles of design; application processes; and how paints and glazes work together to create different effects, patterns and colors. Maximum 30.

Pottery Making

Instructor: Debbie Lovett

In both of the courses offered by Debbie, taught over 6 weeks (1.5 hour sessions), students practice basic clay skills or create a clay wind chime. In the basic clay class, students learn to roll out clay and form it into fun but functional shapes, creating 2 to 4 finished pieces (pieces are fired off-site and returned to the site for glazing). In the wind chime class, students create, glaze, and assemble a wind chime from pottery and wire. Maximum number of students 8.  Supplies and tools provided.

Printmaking 

Instructor:  Maritza Davilla-Irizarry

Various printmaking courses are available, as described below. Most printmaking courses meet for 2 hours/week for 4 weeks, but different arrangements are possible. Supplies provided.  Up to 12 students. 

Drawing through print: Introduction to Monotype Explore the use of printmaking as an open and immediate medium—an extension of the artists’ own hand. Create unique pieces that bridge the gap between print, drawing, painting and reductive processes.

Relief printmaking: Linocut, or linoleum printing Explore relief printmaking (carving into a surface) using linoleum to create dynamic water-soluble relief print. Learn how to prepare a block, draw, carve, and print.

Relief printmaking woodcut: Explore relief printmaking (carving into a surface) using wood to create dynamic images. Learn how to prepare a block, draw, carve, and print.

Dry point: Explore “intaglio” printmaking and get a sense of this historical technique. Learn to make marks to develop an image using sources or sketches that create printable images, producing a small edition or series of prints.

Single page books: Learn to create a book using a single piece of various-sized paper and origami-like folds. Begin with unique drawings/coloring, add your own text, and fold.

Color mixing into painting:  Uncover the mystery of color mixing while making a series of three small paintings on various surfaces. 

Scrimshaw

Instructor:  Rich Williams

Learn the basic steps of Scrimshaw, often known as the "Art of the Whalers". Students will learn the history, basic cutting, inking, and shading techniques and will apply them to increasingly more complex and demanding projects on different materials as the class progresses. Drawing skills are not a pre-requisite; however, patience is a plus. All in-class work will be under the guidance of the instructor with some projects provided for students to work on between classes.  All material used complies with all state and federal laws. Limited to 10 students. 

Songwriting-Blues from the Heart and Soul

Instructor:  Kenneth Jackson

In this 6-week course, award winning R & B musician and acclaimed instructor Kenneth Jackson teaches students the art of writing the blues. Working first as a group and then individually, students learn the history and cultural impact of the blues, common blues song structure, how to write their own blues song, and how to accompany themselves on homemade instruments.  Up to 15. 

Spanish 

Instructor: Brigitte Ebel

Brigitte Ebel is an experienced Spanish teacher and enthusiastic educator who makes Spanish lessons fun.  Lessons focus on conversation, role plays, music, and cultural information. Brigitte also offers cultural insights from her extensive travels.  Field trips to restaurants are also possible. Handouts are provided. Up to 10.  Classes occur one time each week and may be 1 or 1.5 hours.  8 week sessions.

Stories Project:  Theatre Memphis  

Instructor:  Theatre Memphis Staff

Watercolor Painting 

Instructor: Susan Maakestad

Join artist and instructor Susan Maakestad to learn the basics of the medium of watercolor. Meeting weekly for 4 weeks (2 hours/session), students learn watercolor’s history and basic methods of applying watercolor to paper, making their own piece. Supplies provided. Class limited to 12 students.