Morning Session 

Feminism, Gender, & Writing the Body: In this course we will work towards recognizing learned biases and tropes surrounding gender and our roles in society that are commonly found in literature. We will analyze writings from French feminists such as Héléne Cixous, stories by American writer Kit Reed, and reflect upon what types of literature are assigned and traditionally valued by academic institutions. You will use this knowledge to express your own gender experience in your own body through flash fiction or short story format.

Movie in A Week! Over the course of one week, students will make a short film. We will study film, break down what goes into making a film, and then make a film. All in one week. All are welcome.

Reading and Writing Horror: Coming soon.

Advanced Flash Fiction: The Hermit Crab: A hermit crab lives inside a shell, then moves to another as it grows. In flash fiction, a hermit crab is a narrative that lives inside another form, borrowing the shape for its story. In this advanced flash fiction course, we will read and write weird little stories in the shape of crossword puzzles, recipes, and Choose Your Own Adventures. We will scout the world for shapes, then make a home inside our strange new stories.

Photography and Expository Writing: Students will learn and experiment with a number of the "Rules of Photography," critique existing photographs, and use their work as inspiration for expository pieces in paragraph and short essay form. Students will come away from class with at least two polished writing pieces and accompanying "inspiration photographs."

Thrilling and Terrifying! Reading Your Writing for an Audience: Many writers yearn to share their writing with an audience. Reading your work aloud is so exciting – and so scary! This mini-workshop has two steps: First, you’ll write from a prompt to create a memoir story, then use that material to practice techniques for effective oral communication. In a supportive and positive environment, you’ll get individual coaching to help you feel more confident and comfortable reading your work for an audience.

Center Yourself for School & Wellness: The past several years have been quite turbulent (to say the least) in so many aspects of our lives. As we struggle through all the challenges we are faced with, the need to focus on wellness is perhaps greater than ever. This class offers the tools we can use to keep ourselves calm, grounded and creative, including mindfulness, journaling, community, physical activity, and communing with nature.

Drawing From Life: In this class you'll develop essential drawing skills using charcoal and ink.  We will delve into the fundamentals of how to start and practice drawing the things we see in front of us. Each day a new set of objects or things will be at the center of the room that we will attempt to draw from. This class will focus on our vision and observation becoming more coordinated with our hands, and will allow students to get comfortable setting up a drawing board and practicing drawing with a group that ranges in skill level. Through a combination of quick creative warm-up activities and longer drawing exercises, you'll learn to draw with more confidence and greater spontaneity. Beginners welcome.

En Plein Air: En Plein Air is a French expression meaning “in the open air”, and refers to the act of painting outdoors with the artist's subject in full view. Students will get the chance to experiment with the historical practice using drawing mediums such as pastel, charcoal, and gouache. Every day, weather permitting, will consist of making art outside, drawing what we see. Subjects such as composition, color, and historical landscape artwork will be discussed during the time spent making and creating. Students will end the class with a small but mighty portfolio of Providence landscape drawings.

How to Draw Real & Imaginary Landscapes: Learn how to observe the world around you through drawing and then use that knowledge to create fictional landscapes and cityscapes, scenes, backgrounds, and settings for your artwork. In this hands-on art class, you'll learn about the history of landscape art and the ideas and techniques behind it ranging from renaissance paintings to modern scifi concept art, as well as how artists use visual and conceptual world building to make the places they draw or paint feel believably full of interesting personality and characterful detail. We'll use a variety of drawing materials including pencils and ink, charcoal, and watercolor, with the option to bring your own digital tools. Sketchbook required.

Planters and Pots: In this class you will learn the foundational techniques of hand-building with clay to make planters that stand on a sill, suspend from a ceiling, and hang from a wall. All experience levels are welcome.