Providing Opportunities to Experience the Arts
The more that is shared about any area of the arts, the more beautiful our world becomes. We are so fortunate that professionals, artists, actors, teachers and so many others want to share their knowledge through our community outreach programs or their own offerings. You can find classes, workshops, camps and so many other activities at both Bankhead and Bothwell.
Camps
Camps
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Jun19
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Apr5
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Apr3
Workshops
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Mar25
Camp Instructors
Thomasin has been teaching and creating art at The Bothwell Arts Center for over 11 years from preschool to adult. Her philosophy is that students develop their creativity by exploration and experimentation, while learning essential techniques of drawing, painting, sculpting and other methods of making art. Critical and creative thinking about the students’ own work is encouraged in her classes. Thomasin has an MAFA from University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.
Jen Huber, local Artist and educator, leads captivating classes combining two- and three-dimensional projects that explore the visual arts, techniques and problem solving. Students learn drawing, color theory, composition, painting, as well as perspective, proportions, and a touch of physics. With a vast array of materials on hand, Jen Huber guides the students to design, draft, construct, and finish dioramas, miniature scene sets, found object sculptures, and more. Emphasis is on individuality and creativity.
Kimber is a longtime art camp instructor at the Bothwell. She creates engaging and creative projects that help build students’ skills in drawing and painting. Kimber is an expert instructor for age- appropriate art skill building that inspires students’ creative processes and self-expression through learning the skills, genres and fundamentals of Art.
Sue has a background in Fine Art and attended the California College of the Arts. She studied drawing and watercolor under professional portrait artist, Peter Egeli. Sue has taught children’s Art Classes in the local elementary schools for many years and greatly enjoys encouraging children to stretch their imaginations and create art from their hearts. Sue has a large repertoire of art projects that build the kids’ skills and techniques to create finished projects that are beautiful and creative.
Wei-Ting is from Taiwan and has taught East Asian brush painting, watercolor, sketch, design, calligraphy, and Performance Art at a junior high school in Taiwan for over 15 years. She has a master’s degree in Fine Art from the National Taiwan Normal University. She enjoys teaching and especially likes to inspire her students to paint the beauty of nature. Her own art has been strongly affected by the local culture and nature in California since moving here in 2017.
Classes
Art in Action: A Creative Approach to Art History
AGE5-10 and 11-18
An Art Class Series with THOMASIN DEWHURST
This course, for students ages 5 to 18, introduces some of the major periods in ART HISTORY, and a variety of ideas and practices in Western and Non-Western arts and architecture. Students develop an understanding of art history through analyzing works of art and placing them in historical context. Students also explore how different cultures, theories, materials, processes, techniques and audience make an impact on the growth of art-historical movements. Each month, several week’s classes will be virtual and, depending on COVID safety protocols, one week will culminate with an in-person, hands-on, fun and interesting art project at the Bothwell Arts Center.
OVERVIEW
Taught by professional artist and art educator, Thomasin Dewhurst (M.A.F.A.), the nine-month course will cover a new topic every three or four weeks. With each new topic, there will be one art history lesson, followed by two to three lab-style classes where students create their own art based on the particular art history topic.
The course will be held online, with possible in-person field trips (dependent on health and safety protocols). Classes will be divided by age as necessary. COVID safety protocols will be strictly enforced. Class size limited to 11 students. This class is on-going with a break in the summer. Contact Thomasin for schedule and prices. thomasin_d@hotmail.com
Scholarships available (sponsored by the Wente Foundation for Arts Education)
All levels of participants are welcome and encouraged! Whatever your art goals are, professional artist Barbara Stanton can guide you along the path of creativity. Barbara is an accomplished, award-winning artist and has been teaching engaging, and inspiring art classes at the Bothwell Arts Center.
Friday evening class (12 & up) flexible hours from 6:00 – 9:00. $120. per month.
(sorry no refunds if you don’t show)
Pay with cash, personal checks or PayPal.
The classes are small and intimate. Beginners welcome! You will get individual instruction in either drawing or painting in a variety of mediums, depending on your current skill level or interests. The class is geared towards each student and their goals. You tell me what you really want to learn. If you haven’t drawn much before, I always recommend some drawing lessons, before painting. Some students have already drawn a lot and want to get to the next level and that’s great too. Some students have begun painting already but are having trouble. Color mixing can sometimes be a challenge! Want to try out different mediums but don’t want to invest a lot in case you hate them? Not a problem! Most materials are included! Barbara has pen & ink, scratchboard, block-printing, drypoint etching, colored pencils, pastels, watercolors, fabric paint, acrylics and oils.
MASKS ARE REQUIRED WHILE INDOORS.
Do your best to keep socially distant while indoors.
Join us for these fun and educational art classes. Your child will start out learning basic drawing skills and be introduced to drawing from life. He/she will also experiment with pastels, watercolor, oil painting, color pencil pen & ink, scratchboard, etc. The longer they stay in the class the more they will get to try different mediums.
Limited Space. Sign up today!
The class meets every Friday afternoon from 3:30 pm until 5:00 pm.
$90.00 per month. Classes are open to children ages 8 and older.
Pay with cash, personal checks, or PayPal.
Class size is kept small (around eight students) so Barbara can give each child the attention they may need with their projects.
MASKS ARE REQUIRED WHILE INDOORS.
Do your best to keep socially distant while indoors.
Contact Barbara Stanton to sign up or for more info (925) 373-9638. or e-mail: microangelo@earthlink.net.
After School Art Class
by Jen Huber
Is your student doodling in margins? Begging for paint supplies? Sign them up with me! The Bothwell Art Center has art supplies, materials, and the space to make a mess (students learn to clean up as well). While they are drawing, building, painting their creation, students will learn how other artists before them tackled tricky issues: M. C. Escher messing with perspective, Faith Ringgold exploring color, and Georgia O’Keefe using her own photos. Older students will be given freedom to pursue their own art but with guidance and encouragement. This program celebrates the uniqueness and creativity in each student.
Ages 8 and up.
Thursdays, 3:00 to 5:30.
Starting February 2023
$30 per class.
Sign up here or pay me with Venmo in person
The Sketchbook Class
Taught by Jen Huber
New to Art? Back after a long hiatus? Afraid to start something new? This is the perfect class to dip a toe in the world of Visual Arts. Each student will receive a high-quality sketchbook and learn through guided classes how to draw and fill the pages. The class will cover line drawing, shading, composition, perspective, color, and much more. Students will discover how to capture life in the moment or illustrate dreams using a variety of materials such as pencils, pens, color pencils, and watercolor. This is a skill you can perfect on trips, while sitting around waiting, and even while watching TV.
For Teens and Adults.
Thursdays, 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Starting February 2023
$20 per class.
Sign up here or pay me with Venmo in person.
Workshops
AGE18+
Wednesdays 7-10pm
$30 Per Session or four sessions for $100
For Ages 18+
Bothwell Arts Center – West Room
2466 8th Street, Livermore
Contact Ghada to register: jamalghada@gmail.com
Figure Drawing classes with instruction for all levels. Classes will cover gesture, proportion, structure, form, line drawings, pose analysis through weight distribution and directional lines. Materials used will be pencils, charcoal, and ink. Instructor and professional artist Ghada Jamal will lead you through the challenge and joys of drawing the human figure. Tables, chairs, drawing boards, and table easels are provided. Bring your own standing easel, and drawing/painting materials. Only odorless turpentine, please. Soft music is played and refreshments are provided.
About Ghada
Born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1955, Ghada Jamal started painting in the early 80s and continued her studies at Beirut University College (LAU) Later, she immigrated to the United States of America to pursue graduate studies. In 1990, she earned Master degree in Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting from CSULB and lived in California till her return to Lebanon in 2002.
Over the years, Ghada has exhibited in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. She had eight solo shows in Beirut, Lebanon; at Agial Gallery, The French Cultural Center, and Piece Unique. She also participated in several group shows like; CONTEMPORARY ART, at City Center Dome and THE ROAD TO PEACE at Beirut art Center. Her work is in many permanent collections, including the National Museum of Women in the Arts, in Washington, DC. Currently, Ghada Jamal teaches drawing and painting at the American University of Beirut and Notre Dame University, Louize. She continues to paint and exhibit in Lebanon and abroad.
AGE18+
Wednesdays 7-10 pm
$30 Per Session or four sessions for $100
Bothwell Arts Center – West Room
2466 8th Street, Livermore
Contact Ghada to register: jamalghada@gmail.com
Evening Figure Drawing workshop comes at last to the Bothwell! This is great experience for all levels of artists. Just starting off? There is no better way to learn to draw the human figure than practice, practice, practice. Experienced artist? Hone your skills with this professional-level figure drawing workshop. Friendly and welcoming, the Figure Drawing Workshops are legendary at the Bothwell for an artist-friendly atmosphere. Figure drawing workshop open to all artists over 18. Under 18 with parental permission in writing. We get our models through the Bay Area Models Guild: http://www.bayareamodelsguild.org/ Models pose mostly nude, but sometimes with costumes or props.
We start off with gestures, then two 10 min. poses, then 20 min. poses unless we love it and we have the model do it again. We do gestures and then one long pose on the last Thursday of the month. No instructor. Tables, chairs, drawing boards, and table easels are provided. Bring your own standing easel and drawing/painting materials. Only odorless turpentine, please. Soft music played. Refreshments are served.
AGE18+
Fridays 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
$20 Per Session
Bothwell Arts Center – West Room
2466 8th Street, Livermore
Contact Barbara Stanton at 925.373.9638 or Cell: 925.518.9273 with questions.
The Figure Drawing workshops at the Bothwell are welcoming and supportive for all skill levels of artists. The weekly Figure Drawing sessions have no instructor, but beginners are welcome to join us and hone those art skills. Drop-in sessions.
The Tri Valley’s longest-running Figure Drawing workshop is welcoming and supportive for all skill levels of artists. The weekly Figure Drawing sessions have no instructor, but beginners are welcome to join us and hone those art skills. Drop-in sessions.
Open to all artists over 18. Under 18 with parental permission in writing.
We get our models through the Bay Area Models Guild: Models pose mostly nude, but sometimes with costumes or props. We average about 4 females to 1 male. All different body types and ages.
In the Figure Drawing workshops, we start off with gestures, then two 10 min. poses, then 20 min. poses unless we love it and we have the model do it again. We do gestures and then one long pose on the last Fri. of the month. No instructor. Tables, chairs, drawing boards, and table easels are provided. Bring your own standing easel and drawing/painting materials. Only odorless turpenoid, please. Soft music played. Refreshments are served.
Livermore Valley Arts Comedy Workshop
Explore different facets of comedy, including; standup, improv, and writing. Learning by doing is the best way to figure out comedy.
Ages 16 and over
Cost: $120
Dates: 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3
Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
The Comedy Workshop is taught by comedian Brian Maggi. Brian performs around the Bay Area, including Cobbs, The Punchline, and the Bankhead Theater. He has opened for Laurie Kilmartin and Kira Soltanovich. He also wrote sketch comedy for Second City and co-created the underground humor magazine “In Formation.” He is a published author and keynote speaker on innovation and creativity.
This workshop will:
● Provide you with a chance to explore the performing arts through the lens of comedy.
● Give you a creative outlet.
● Enable you to recognize and tap into your innate abilities to be funny.
● Provide hands-on experience to write, re-write, and test out ideas.
● Create connections through collaboration and interchange of ideas.
Audience
It doesn’t matter whether you or anyone else thinks you’re funny, there’s humor in everything. Let us help you find it in everyday situations and express it. This workshop is for anyone who’s ever been curious about dipping their toe into comedy.
● No prerequisites; just bring something to write with (preferably a pen and a dedicated notebook).
● You will not be required to perform but will be asked to share what you write.
Workshop Outline
Week 1 Introduction
● Just write 5-8 minutes.
● General principles of comedy, such as truth and pain
● Forms and functions of comedy
● Assignment
Week 2 Standup Comedy
● Just write 5-8 minutes
● Assignment review
● Standup Comedy concepts and techniques
● Assign homework; come up with 3 disparate ideas and try to find a to tie them all
together into a coherent thread.
Week 3 Sketch
● Just write 5-8 minutes
● Assignment review
● Sketch Comedy concepts and techniques
● Assign homework: pick a character and scenario and write a logline.
Week 4 Storytelling
● Just write 5-8 minutes
● Assignment review
● Storytelling concepts and techniques
● Assign homework: write a short ~500 word story
Week 5 Putting it all together
● Assignment review
● Break out groups (2-3 people) to work on your final assignment
● Ask Me Anything
Week 6 Finals
● Participants can deliver their final assignment as a performance. They can perform it themselves or let someone else in the workshop.
