The Bower Center for the Arts

Create Memories with Ceramic Masks with Mary Tousman

Bower — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:26:29 +0000

In this class, students will learn to create a personalized mask based on basic principles of art and the life experiences within each of us. You will be able to have a one of a kind wall piece that can become a treasured heirloom for many years to come. Mary will also share ideas of the art masks that she has created and exhibited as well as the history and use of masks through time.

After making a slab that can be shaped over a hump mold, the mask will be fired, glazed a8nd then personal items will be added to create a student’s own art treasure.

$200.00 plus supplies

Dates for the class 5 Saturday sessions of 2 1/2 hours from 10 am – 12:30 pm.

9 / 10, 9 / 17, 9 / 24, 10/ 1 and 10/8

Registration and fees must be to the Bower Center by August 27th in order for supplies to be purchased.

For ten years Mary Tousman has been creating ceramic masks that tell stories and make statements about life. The masks with their lifelike expressions are Mary’s handiwork, as well as painting, writing and other artist avenues. Mary is exhibiting two of her more than 40 masks in the Abstraction exhibit at the Bower Center at the present time. Other exhibit venues include Cottage Curio, Art on a Mission, WVTF Public Radio

Encaustic Wax Painting Workshop Friday/Sat. Sept 9th & 10th

Bower — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 20:41:18 +0000

What an opportunity to join Donna in this exciting workshop where you will learn how to use molten beeswax and colored pigments to create both abstract and realistic painting. You will learn not only techniques for including encaustic art with collage, transfers and mixed media, but you will learn about the medium itself. You will be able to leave with 2 or 3 completed paintings and ideas or many more.

The workshop at the Bower Center is slated for September 9th and 10th from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. As usual you may brown bag or eat at one our local Bedford restaurants.

Cost $160.00 plus $35.00 supplies

Donna Nevers is a native of Waynesboro, Virginia and since 1995 has been a full time resident of Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. Donna is a working archaeologist who has traveled and studied art for over 30 years.
Some of her favorite subjects incorporate archaeology and art in mixed media. Her works reflect her passion for her native Virginia landscape and the countries she has visited. She prefers heavy texture and uses palette knife impasto or energetic brushwork to relay her messages to the viewer. Her fresh and lush color palette along with diverse textures emits emotion and an imagination that provides a challenge to the viewer to decide for themselves the meaning held within each painting.
Nevers has studied with many teaching professionals. Her works are in both private and corporate collections, and she exhibits frequently, receiving numerous awards. Nevers has just completed an intensive three year study of the art of Encaustic Wax painting and developed a workshop to share this interesting medium.

For more information you may contact Donna at drn2838@yahoo.com

Watercolor Classes with Revelle Hamilton Fall 2011

Bower — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 15:31:16 +0000

Watercolor: Techniques and Design

Beginning and Intermediate

Beginners will learn important watercolor techniques. Intermediates will fine-tune their skills by learning more about design, composition, and color mixing. You will be asked to bring photographs of any subject and supplies to the first class.

Prerequisite: Drawing ability

$150 plus supplies

A list of suggested supplies and other considerations is available upon registration

1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

8 sessions Tuesdays

September 20, 27, October 4, 11, 16, 25, November 1 and 9.

Drawing with Revelle Hamilton Fall 2011

Bower — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 14:51:03 +0000

Try drawing for the first time to to improve your drawing skills with numerous exercises that include an explanation of left brain/right brain functions, warm up “doodle” drawings, edges and contours, negative space and compositions, sighting, gauging angles, proposition and drawing portraits from photographs.

8 1 1/2 hour sessions

Tuesday Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1 and 8

$125. plus supplies

Bring 8 12 x 11 or 9×12 drawing or computer paper andd 4B pencil and eraser to class.

Enjoy leqarning from Revelle Hamilton, a talented artist who started out as a fashion designer in New York then moved to Virginia and made the change to visual arts.

Classes are held in a relaxed and congenial atmosphere among other artists with varying levels of experience and ability.

Paddy Dougherty / Keyboard Classes

Bower — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 21:56:41 +0000

Paddy’s Magnet’s & Marbles…the Key to Playing Pop Piano in a week!

A unique approach to understanding the basics of piano using the techniques professionals use.

Learn how to

~read a lead sheet

~understand and form chords

~enjoy the satisfaction of playing the songs you want to play

Students 7-97 years old

10AM-12PM Monday-Friday

July 18-22 August 8 -11, August 15,-19 & August 22-26

You may take one week or more than one.

$75.00 per week

Keyboards available for 6 students

Paddy Dougherty, a professional musician, writer and performer has been a music educator for over twenty years. When not performing, she promotes the efforts of children’s original compositions through the national organization Kid Pan Alley.

Mosaics Techniques by Dotti Stone Fall 2011

Bower — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:07:06 +0000

Mosaic Techniques

Not sure what you would like to make . . . a mosaic panel for your wall? A kitchen backsplash? A walkway of fun stepping stones for your garden? Wearable art? Complex or simple designs? Learn about a variety of techniques, tools, materials and considerations for different mosaic projects. There will be small sample projects to do in each class to introduce students to different techniques. Those who want to start a personal mosaic project aside from the in-class projects are welcome to start one and receive assistance during the course of the class.

8-2½ hr sessions

$185 $160 tuition – pay to Bower upon registration

$ 25 supply fee – pay to instructor at first class

Class code: MT-1 Thurs: 6PM-8:30 Sept 22, 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, 10

Email Dotti at dottistone@yahoo.com for class outline.

Dotti’s website is www.smlmosaics.com

pdf class form Bowerclass registration form-rev 09-2010

Dotti Stone, is an artist-in-residence at Bower Center for the Arts in Bedford VA where she maintains a studio (Smith Mountain Lake Mosaics) and teaches adult and youth classes. Dotti relocated to Southwestern Virginia in 2007 after many years as a professional photographer in the Wash DC area and as owner/designer at Great Falls Stained Glass creating commissioned glass work and teaching classes.

The beautiful materials: glass, marble, ceramic porcelain tile, stone and the possibilities and the permanence they offer have made mosaics a contemporary art form which is found not just in decorative functional accessories, but is widespread in public art projects and a major voice in fine art today.

The timeless beauty and versatility of ancient mosaics and the ease with which it integrates into modern society is what attracted Dotti to this medium.

Sally Carter Viola Lessons

Bower — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:20:45 +0000

If viola is your thing, Sally Carter, master musician, is your ticket to great lessons. Contact the Center for more information. 540-586-4235 Continue reading →

Gary Mellas Guitar Lessons

Bower — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:18:51 +0000

Gary Mellas will be returning to the Bower Center to teach guitar in the fall. Call the Center for more information. Continue reading →

Dell Siler’s Caricatures

Bower — Mon, 23 May 2011 22:28:11 +0000

Dell Siler of Roanoke, Virginia is an award winning artist who’s fine art has been displayed in galleries along the east coast. His works are displayed in the permanent collections of several prominent families in Virginia. His commercial work has been published nationally by clients which include National Business College, Carilion, and Advance Auto Parts divisions in North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Dell was Roanoker Magazine’s caricaturist for 20 years. He was the tee-shirt artist for Commonwealth Games for 7 years and for Virginia Amateur Sports during the early 21st century.

In the years since earning a Master’s Degree from Radford University in Virginia, Dell has honed his skills in numerous mediums including pen and ink, colored pencil, and charcoal, although his real love is watercolor. His paintings have been juried into exhibitions of the Virgina Watercolor Society, Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, Southern Watercolor Society and Society of Experimental Artists.

Dell pours all of his energy into every illustration, caricature, and fine art. His creativity, wit and raw talent have earned him the admiration of his peers, as well as many repeat projects from his commercial clients. He currently produces free lance caricatures.

Dell Siler

1878 Bridle Lane, SW

Roanoke, VA 24018

540-774-2573

Bryan Skinnel’s Work as Part of the Caricature Exhibit

Bower — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 04:00:00 +0000

Bryan grew up in Bedford County and still calls Bedford his home today. He is a proud alumni of Staunton River High School and later went on to attend and graduate from the University of Kentucky. From there he joined the Air Force serving for 5 years, completing his tour of duty with an honorable discharge.

Like many artists, Bryan is self-taught and has worked off and on through the years honing his skills. Wanting to differentiate himself from the usual paintings and drawings that most artists preoccupy themselves with, he decided to specialize in creating cartoons instead. Having never shown his work before, this is his first exhibit.