Spring into Action and Register for Classes, Workshops and Cool Camps at the BBAC

April is on its way. Classes, camps and workshops sure to zap the blustery blues are springing up at the BBAC. The current exhibits, energizing and inspiring, run through May 2. “Our spring classes are designed to stimulate creativity and awaken the artist in all of us,” said Annie VanGelderen, President & CEO of the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. “And our Gallery Shop, during Michigan Glass Month, has an abundance of new and unique glass items to brighten any room in your home as we all anticipate and welcome a much needed spring.” Registration is open not only for spring classes but also for summer art camps, grades Pre/K-high school.

Michigan Fine Arts Competition (MFAC) deadline for entries is Friday, April 11

Looking ahead—the 32nd annual Michigan Fine Arts Competition takes center stage Friday, May 16 through Friday, July 11, with work by artists from Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin. At stake is $5,000 in cash awards. The entry deadline is Friday, April 11, artists must be 18 and older, and all entries are online. For the prospectus, visit BBArtCenter.org.

Adult Classes to Consider:

April is Glass Month:

Introduction to Fused Glass – Learn How to do it!

BBAC, April, Classes, Fused GlassLearn the basics of glass fusing and slumping. Students will be educated regarding safety, glass behavior at different temperatures, cutting glass, design and pattern considerations, kiln firing techniques, and problem diagnosis and solving. Participants will complete six fused glass projects using slumping, draping, texture fusing, circle cutting, use of frit and stringer. Tuesdays, April 22- June 10, 6:30-9:30 pm, 8 weeks, $190 Members, $230 Guests, Instructor: Pam Signorelli

The Art of the Moving Image with Artist/Producer Victor Pytko

Movie making is thrilling. Students will participate in an actual movie project from

Victor Pytko

Victor Pytko

concept to premiere while learning the basics of filmmaking. Students will take on one or more roles behind and/or in front of the lens through scripting, casting, filming and editing. Award-winning filmmaker Victor Pytko will guide students during pre-production (2 weeks), production (3 weeks), and post-production (2 weeks), a “wrap party” and screening. Theater or arts experience is helpful but not required. Instructor will have necessary gear but compatible gear is encouraged. Enrollment is limited to 10 students. (Teens ages 16-17 are welcome to take this class and need consent from parent/guardian.) All Levels Welcome, Wednesdays, April 23 – June 18, 7:00 pm-10:00 pm, 9 sessions, $213 Members, $253 Guests, $10 Materials Fee

Spring into Action: Spring Break @ the BBAC

LIMITED OPENINGS STILL AVAILABLE for fun camps and workshops for elementary through high school students. Half and full day programs during the week of April 7 – 11. On April 9 & 10, parents can take a Morning Art Break with their toddler ages 2 – 4. All-day art camp will keep children grade 1-5 busy and happy all week. The older kids (grades 6-12) will love half-day workshops in jewelry/metals, ceramics and drawing.  (The session for Pre/K is full.)  For more information, visit BBArtCenter.org or contact the BBAC, 248.644.0866.

DROP-IN WORKSHOPS:

2nd Sunday @ the Center: Sunday, April 13, 1-4 p.m.

Studio 1 Drop-In Workshop – $5 per person includes all materials

PROJECT: Lines are Everywhere!

Inspired by the current BBAC exhibition, Field Work by Larry Cressman, the workshop will explore lines using natural elements for the painting medium and art-making tools.  No paintbrushes allowed! All ages will have lots of fun working with raw materials, including mud, sand, sticks and natural pigments to create a textured surface painting.

Participants must arrive by 3:15 p.m.  No advance registration required. An adult must accompany children under 12.

Ceramic Studio – $20 per person includes all materials

PROJECT: Ceramic Flower Frogs

Make a set of flower frogs for your spring and summer flower arrangements using hand-building techniques. These flower frogs will sit at the bottom of a bowl or a vase or become a low-level vase to hold flower arrangements firmly in place. All pieces will be kiln fired and ready for Mother’s Day.

Space is limited to 10 people per session. Session 1 starts at 1:00 p.m. and session 2 at 2:30 p.m. Check in at the LaBan Commons Gallery prior to attending the workshop. An adult must accompany children under 12.

2nd Sundays @ the Center are supported in part by PNC Foundation and happen every second Sunday, September through June.

Join us for 2nd Sunday in May @ Art Birmingham in the BBAC Youth Art Activities Tent. Make a “Water Bottle Lantern” for mom, grandma, aunt or any special someone in your life. This project is free and designed for ages 12 and under only.  An adult must accompany all participants.

Seniors @ the Center: Tuesday, April 15, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Studio 1 Drop-In Workshop  $10 per person includes all materials

Join us once a month for drop-in workshops featuring art projects that entertain and educate. Projects will be completed in 45 minutes.

PROJECT: Bird Nester
Make a multimedia bird nester starting with a basic miniature wood birdhouse and embellishing it with embossed metal and mosaics. No experience necessary. Participants must arrive by 11:15 to complete a project.

BBAC Seniors @ the Center happens every second Tuesday, September through June. Advance registration for groups over four people – please call the BBAC, 248-644-0866, at least three days prior to the workshop date.

MEET ME @ THE BBAC:

Aging in inevitable but loss of creativity is not. The BBAC is proudly launching its latest access program, Meet Me @ the BBAC. This unique opportunity provides an expressive outlet and dialogue forum for individuals living with early and mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease, along with their caregivers. This interactive program combines art looking and art making. It’s based on the highly successful Meet Me at MoMA program, developed in 2006 by the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. For more information: BBArtCenter.org.

Save the Dates: May 10 & 11, 2014: Mother’s Day Weekend- Art Birmingham, the BBAC’s 33rd annual fine art fair in downtown Birmingham.

About the BBAC

The Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center has been providing “art for all” since 1957 and is a regional non-profit art center committed to promoting visual arts experiences. Each year more than 500 classes are offered for all skill levels and ages preschool to senior citizens. Throughout the year, nearly 5,000 individuals are served by classes, workshops, art camps, outreach programs, special events and exhibitions that are free and open to the public (with an additional 75,000 impacted by Art Birmingham, the BBAC’s annual fine art fair).  The BBAC also supports hundreds of artists each year, with opportunities to teach, exhibit, and sell their work. The BBAC is a 25,000-square foot facility, with nine classroom studios, four exhibition galleries, and retail Gallery Shop. The BBAC and Gallery Shop are open Mon.-Thurs., 9am-6pm; Fri.-Sat., 9am-5pm.

The BBAC is supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, visit the BBAC at BBArtCenter.org, phone 248-644-0866 or visit our Facebook page. The BBAC is located at 1516 S. Cranbrook Rd., Birmingham MI 48009 between 14 and 15 Mile Rds.

 

About Sarah Hovis

Freelance wordsmith, arts appreciator, grammar geek, sports spectator, stationery snob, and world traveler, Sarah charts her own course as the owner of saliho creative. She uses her creative mind and engaging dialogue to fearlessly bring the written word to life in print and online… all while keeping a watchful eye out for the next literary adventure. You can reach her at sarah@rochestermedia.com.

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