visual art

Welcome to Community School of the Arts' visual arts classes for the
Spring 2010 semester. We invite you to explore our art offerings, including:

*   the Preschool Arts Lab, offering literature-based art activities for young children;
*   introductory art exploration classes for children, now expanded to eight weeks;
*   children's drawing and painting classes, also now offering an eight-week session;
*   specialty classes like the Comic Book Drawing course for preteens and teens; and
*   private art lessons for children, youth and adults, focusing on what interests you most.

PRESCHOOL ARTS LAB (ages 3 to 5)

The School’s renowned Preschool Arts Lab opened to the public in February 2009 and
immediately sold out all available classes.  Children attending these one-hour classes enjoy
hearing a different children’s book each month, followed by hands-on, age-appropriate art
activities that bring the book alive. Painting, collage, printmaking and weaving stimulate
creative thinking and self expression. Give your child the gift of a monthly art lab this spring.

FEE:         $35 for four hour-long classes. Tuition includes all materials.

WHERE:   The Preschool Arts Lab, second floor, Spirit Square, Uptown Charlotte.
                    Children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.

WHEN:    10:45 AM to 11:45 AM
                  Sessions are available on two different days of the week, with identical curricula:
                        Session 1:    Thursdays:   Feb. 4, Mar. 4, April 1, May 6.
                                                        or
                         Session 2:    Fridays:       Feb. 19, Mar. 19, April 23, May 21.

                          Pro-rated rates are available.

                          Call the Registrar, Shalonda Davis, for more details: 704.887.0291


ART EXPLORATION 1 (ages 4 to 8)

An introductory course for young students, this class offers children the
opportunity to study drawing, painting, collage, sculpture and mixed media. Children
will learn the fundamental elements of art, including line, shape, color and pattern, while
giving students confidence, basic skills and inspiration to continue with future art studies.

FEE:         $140 for eight hour-long classes, including all materials.

WHERE:   Spirit Square in Uptown Charlotte, taught by Steven Ray,
                or the 521 Recreation Center, taught by Shelley Reed-Wallace.

WHEN:     An 8-week session.
                        Spirit Square:              Wednesdays 4:00-5:00PM
                                                         February 24 through April 21

                        521 Rec Center:          Thursdays 4:00-5:00PM
                                                         February 25 through April 22


ART EXPLORATION II (ages 5 to 8)
This course is a continuation of Art Exploration I and expands on the fundamentals
explored in that course. Students will continue to study a wide variety of media and learn
more advanced techniques in drawing, painting, collage, sculpture and mixed media.
Students also will learn skills in the use of composition and color theory, and they will begin
to explore art history and the elements of design, deepening their appreciation for the visual arts.

FEE:         $140 for eight hour-long classes, including all materials.

WHERE:    Spirit Square in Uptown Charlotte

WHEN:      An 8-week session.  Wednesdays from 5:30PM to 6:30PM.
                 February 24 through April 21.



FUNDAMENTALS OF DRAWING I  (ages 7 to 10)

The perfect course for students wishing to learn strong fundamental drawing
techniques. Students will use a wide range of materials and will learn how
to show space, texture, form and proportion. This class also teaches
introductory elements of art history to expand students' understanding of the
visual arts.

FEE:         $140 for eight hour-long classes, including all materials.

WHERE:   Spirit Square in Uptown Charlotte, taught by Steven Ray
                or the 521 Recreation Center, taught by Shelley Reed-Wallace.


WHEN:     An 8-week session.
                     Spirit Square:              Thursdays 4:00-5:00PM
                                                      February 25 through April 22

                     521 Rec Center:    Thursdays 5:00-6:00PM
                                                      February 25 through April 22

FUNDAMENTALS OF DRAWING II (ages 8 to 12)

Students will build upon the skills learned in Fundamentals of Drawing I and
deepen their understanding of composition, perspective, proportion and space.
This course also will concentrate on advanced drawing skills for the more
experienced young artist. Students will be introduced to a wide variety of
drawing materials and will learn to use them effectively. This course also covers
the foundations of design and additional elements of art history, giving students
insight into their study of the visual arts.

FEE:         $140 for eight hour-long classes, including all materials.

WHERE:   Spirit Square in Uptown Charlotte

WHEN:     An 8-week session.   Thursdays from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
                February 25 through April 22.

COMIC BOOK DRAWING CLASS (ages 10 to 15)

This course explores the expansive and exciting world of comic book
stories and drawing styles. Students will create original characters and story lines
and will learn the techniques and materials used to create professional comic art.
This course teaches layout, penciling, lettering and inking in a supportive class setting.
While learning the essential elements of comic book creation and design, students
also will explore the diverse styles of traditional and contemporary comics. Taught
by Steven Ray.

FEE:          $145 for eight hour-long classes, including all materials.

WHERE:    Spirit Square art studio, Uptown Charlotte

WHEN:     An 8-week session.  Mondays from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
                February 22 through April 19

                SESSION IS FULL!

BEGINNING PAINTING CLASS (adults)

This hands-on introductory class is the perfect program for adults who want to get started
painting, covering various types of paint, a wide range of painting techniques, and art history.
Students will learn the painting process from sketch to completed work, and although they
will begin the class painting from life, they also will be encouraged to bring their own ideas
into the classroom to inspire their paintings. Classes will feature group discussions, painting,
lectures and individual feedback and coaching by instructor Steven Ray.

FEE:           $145 for eight hour-long classes, including all materials

WHERE:     Spirit Square art studio, Uptown Charlotte

WHEN:       An 8-week session.  Mondays from 6:30PM to 7:30 PM
                  February 22 through April 19.



PRIVATE ART LESSONS (all ages)

Community School of the Arts is pleased to offer private art lessons with Steven Ray,
a respected painter, illustrator and muralist. A series of sixteen one-hour lessons is individually
crafted to each student’s interests and goals. Lessons take place in the third floor art studio
at Spirit Square in Uptown Charlotte.

Students interested in strengthening their skills can receive instruction in drawing, painting,
comic book creation, watercolor, portraiture and a variety of other specialized techniques.
Mr. Ray welcomes all students, from beginners to advanced visual artists, but has limited
availability, so register soon!

FEE: $560 ($35 per hour-long lesson), including materials

WHERE: Spirit Square, Uptown Charlotte

WHEN: 16-week session, between January 25 and June 7
Mondays and Tuesdays, flexible times.

                       To schedule your lesson day and time, please contact the School's Registrar
                              at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 704.887.0291.

345 N. College Street, Suite 413
Charlotte, NC 28202
Phone: 704.377.4187 -- Fax: 704.377.1132

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