 Many people would like to learn more about art, but not as just one “ism” after another. They want to know how to analyze and appreciate art for themselves. Find out what the essence of creativity is. Grasp what it means to “see like an artist”. My seminar, The Six-Hour Art Major, contains all the basic subjects of the average art school curriculum—compressed. Among the topics discussed:
Anyone taking The Six-Hour Art Major will discover the answers to all these questions, and many, many more. Are there left-brain and right-brain thinking people? What do art and yoga have in common? The seminar features over 150 works spanning the entire history of art, and participants have the opportunity to tackle hands-on drawing exercises as well. Offered either in its entirety or in two three-hour sessions, this informative and engaging course fits into the busiest of schedules. Please see below for further information. You can contact me with any inquiries regarding The Six-Hour Art Major, at 917.566.8390, or gene@genewisniewski.com.
THE SIX-HOUR ART MAJOR A CONCENTRATED SEMINAR IN VISUAL ART
While you won’t walk away with an actual diploma, this engaging yet highly informative seminar DOES offer mini-versions of the essential courses included in the typical art major. Besides Art History and Art Appreciation, there are hands-on drawing exercises that demonstrate the procedures and techniques behind making a piece of art, and a general discussion on developing creativity. NO PREVIOUS ART EDUCATION/TRAINING REQUIRED.
THE SIX-HOUR ART MAJOR IS FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO: O ACQUIRE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF ART O BECOME MORE CREATIVE—ON THE JOB, OR FOR THEIR OWN ENJOYMENT o LEARN WHAT GOES INTO BECOMING AN ARTIST
The seminar is designed for a general audience, but also for those looking to be more creative in the workplace. Even those with a solid foundation in art will have opportunities to expand on their existing knowledge.
Instructor Gene Wisniewski received his art education at the New York Academy of Art, The National Academy of Design, The New School, and L’Ecole Albert Defois in Vihiers, France. He has exhibited in galleries nationwide, including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. He has twelve years’ experience teaching and lecturing on visual art, and is the author of The Art Collection, a collection of writings on the art world. ***
Overview: The Six-Hour Art Major is part lecture, part demonstration, and part discussion group, dealing with the topic of visual art and its creation. It is composed of modular sections, each offering an encapsulation of some aspect of the classic art school education; i.e., art history, art appreciation, developing creativity, etc. The subjects presented are often addressed from an unusual perspective. For example, the Renaissance is considered in terms of the guild system under which the artists worked and the impact of the invention of oil paints. Participants take an active role by 1) being encouraged to ask questions, offer information and opinions, and, diverge, within limits, from the program’s established framework; 2) performing simple drawing exercises that nevertheless give important insights into the creative process; and 3) applying what they have learned to analyzing a single piece at length. They are given a comprehensive outline of the material in advance, including a list of all the works viewed, to minimize the necessity of taking notes. Although the tone is conversational and relaxed, The Six-Hour Art Major is anything but “education lite”. The main thrust is showing those who take part how to intelligently approach a piece of art and form their own conclusions, as well as putting them in touch with their individual creative potential.
Learning Objectives:
• To explain “right-brain” and “left-brain” thinking, and their part in both routine activities and the formulation of ideas • To supply the tools necessary for understanding great works of art • To enlighten participants on the traits and working habits of creative professionals • To explain art’s various functions in the present day and throughout history • To demonstrate how art communicates ideas and emotion within the limits of a (usually) purely visual experience • To stimulate creativity • To point out the personal benefits to be derived from studying art
Topics Covered:
• Personal/Class Introduction • Alpha is for Artist—The Alpha brain wave state as it pertains to creativity • All I Really Need To Know I Learned In My Studio—an introduction to the fundamentals of drawing and their real-world applications • Left-brain/Right-Brain Thinking—Which Side Are You On?—the distinct functions of the brain’s two hemispheres with regard to creative and non-creative activities • This Is a Pipe, This Is Might Be a Pipe, This Is Not a Pipe—an explanation of the differences between representational, abstract and nonrepresentational art, with exercises that demonstrate the different thought processes behind the execution of each style • It’s a Window to the Soul, But Does It Do Windows?—the less evident benefits of studying art • A Crash Course in Creativity—the nature and components of creativity, the personality traits and working habits of creative individuals, and their sources for inspiration • Making a Statement Without Any Words— the specific means by which art communicates • All Artists Like Green: Starving vs. Non-Starving Artists—basic facts about a career in the arts • The Many Personalities of Art—art’s numerous functions in society • The History of Western Art in Under Twenty Minutes • What to Look For When You Look at Art—how to analyze a piece of art • Listening to Art, Even When It Isn’t Speaking to You—developing an appreciation for work whose meaning is not readily apparent
Overall Results:
• Generally greater comprehension of how to relate to art • Cultivation of more inventive thinking; scientific findings have shown that making and looking at art not only allows, but brings about, a physical shift to the creative mental state • Increased capacity for dealing with complexity and ambiguity • Expanded “big picture” thinking • More confidence relying on instinct as well as intellect • Openness to receiving, and ability to generate, more informed ideas, solutions, and viewpoints • Improved powers of observation • Discovering art as a source of inspiration • Enhanced verbal communications skills • Mental well-being • Personal enrichment
For further information, or to arrange a booking, contact Gene Wisniewski at 917.566.8390, or genewisniewski@verizon.net UPCOMING/NEW YORK CITY: NEW YORK, NY: *** LOCATION: THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER, 334 AMSTERDAM AVENUE, NYC
COST: $70 MEMBERS/$85 NONMEMBERS
ONLINE REGISTRATION: WWW.JCCMANHATTAN.ORG
BY PHONE: 646.505.5708 DATES: MARCH 22 AND 29, 2012 6:30-9:30 PM *** LOCATION: 92ND STREET Y TRIBECA, 200 HUDSON STREET, NYC
COST: $135
ONLINE REGISTRATION: Www.92y.org/Tribeca/Class/The-Six-Hour-Art-Major.aspx
BY PHONE: 212.343.3969 DATES: MARCH 20 AND 27, 2012 11 AM-2 PM *** LOCATION: HUNTER COLLEGE, 71 EAST 94TH STREET
COST: $150
ONLINE REGISTRATION: TBA
BY PHONE: 212.650.3850 DATES: MARCH 21 AND 28, 2012 6:00-9:00 PM *** BRONX, NY: *** LOCATION: RIVERDALE YM-YWHA, 5625 ARLINGTON Avenue, Bronx, New York (ABBREVIATED VERSION)
COST: FREE TO THOSE OVER 60
ONLINE REGISTRATION: NONE
BY PHONE: 718.548.8200 DATES: APRIL 27, 2012 10:30-11:30 AM *** QUEENS, NY: *** LOCATION: QUEENS COLLEGE, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Kiely Hall 111, Flushing (AS "THE SEVEN-WEEK ART MAJOR")
COST: $150/$265 MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES 3 CLASSES AND ADMISSION TO QC FILM FESTIVAL
ONLINE REGISTRATION: TBA
BY PHONE: 718.997.5700 *** WESTCHESTER, NY: *** LOCATION: STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, PURCHASE, ADDRESS TBA
COST: TBA
ONLINE REGISTRATION: TBA
BY PHONE: 914.251.6508
STAY TUNED: SYMPOSIA BOOKS, HOBOKEN, NJ SPRING 2012 UNION COLLEGE, CRANFORD, NJ SUMMER 2012 SOHO HOUSE, NEW YORK, NY |