These FREE classes were made possible, in part, due to generous grants from:

Class Schedule:

GRADES 6-9
Let’s Make Comics! 9am-12pm
Digital Photography 12pm-3pm

Instructor: Carlos Cruz
Grades 9-12

9am-12pm

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IN THE MEANTIME CHECK OUT IMAGES FROM WARREN ART ACADEMY 2020

Welcome to an immersive five-day workshop for varying levels of experience in the photographic arts. In this course you will learn the basics of capturing light by controlling exposure, shutter speed and aperture using a DSLR camera. The goal of this informative class is to build your artistic expression and storytelling through color, composition, and light. Each day we will be challenged to bring depth to our subject matter, telling visual stories through the techniques learned in class while being inspired by some of the photographic greats as well as each other. We will explore different genres from portraiture and street photography to still life and product flat lays. We will end our days with a collaborative critique and discussion. Constructive class feedback will empower students to speak about their art, their creative process and to create stronger, more impactful imagery.

Our final class and formal critique will result in selecting the students strongest works for a public gallery.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Nicole Mandel is a professional photographer who is inspired by the human experience and the effects that creative expression has on the psyche. She considers herself a storyteller and has made works photographically depicting her own as well as the stories of others as cathartic release. She is a Free-spirited Jill of many trades, working in multiple artistic mediums and feels the need to work with her hands, create and travel to be truly fulfilled. Nicole earned her BFA from the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University. She works as a commercial photographer, but her passion lies in portraiture and exploring one’s environment and life lived. Nicole is an avid film and music lover so if you don’t want to get sucked into a never-ending discussion of symbolism, color, and visual storytelling in film, nor a conversation about why her musical faves are the bee’s knees don’t bring up either topic. Nicole resides in Barrington with her daughter, fiancé, and puppy Venkman. “Who you gonna call” (points if you get the reference).

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In this comics class we will play drawing games, design original cartoon characters, make collaborative comics, and create the weirdest stories ever told! 

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Your comics guide, MJ Robinson, is a multidisciplinary artist in the school of everyday weirdness (ew school). Their stories open portals into real and imagined worlds for kids of all ages. Lately, MJ is inspired by nature, local histories and futures, folklore, and ghost stories. In their work as an educator and community organizer, MJ encourages playful creative visioning in movements for social justice in Providence, RI and beyond. Follow their adventures at mj-robinson.com.

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Bring your energy, imagination, and passion as we embark on a filmmaking journey! Students will utilize cameras, microphones, lights, editing software and more as they work to create a short film, collaboratively. Students will learn about digital storytelling and then create their own stories that unfold in front of the lens and ultimately entertain the audiences. It is always a pleasure and delight to see what our students can create with a camera, some lights, and a ton of creativity!

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Carlos A. Cruz is a secondary art teacher who teaches film and computer science at Beacon Charter High School for the Arts in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. With a background in animation, video editing, and photography, he focuses on creating learning experiences for all his students, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds. He believes that art can help break barriers, create opportunities, and build confidence in students.  Carlos earned his bachelor’s degree at RISD in Film, Animation, and Video in 2003 and his master’s degree in art education at Rhode Island College in 2018.

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This course provides hands-on experience in relief printmaking and basic monotype techniques for beginning and intermediate printmaking students. It introduces the history of printmaking and covers materials and techniques to create, modify, and present original prints. Students will carve and print their own blocks, learn how to register multilayer prints, and how to modify prints with different inking and texture effects for printing on paper and fabric. Multiple printing methods will be covered. We will also explore the history and cultural implications of printmaking and learn how to get involved in printmaking communities of Rhode Island. Students will complete an edition of their own relief prints to share with the class, and participate in a collaborative monoprint. Materials are included but students may wish to purchase their own paper and inks for additional prints. 

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Erin Lobb Mason is a Rhode Island artist and occupational therapist from Kentucky with a special interest in printmaking. She has taught group therapeutic art practice in various healthcare settings including The Brook Hospital in Kentucky, Englishton Park in Indiana, and Mt Sinai Continuing Day Treatment Program in New York City, and uses art in individual treatment plans in her work as an occupational therapist.  Erin specializes in relief and monotype printmaking processes, and embraces the potential for printmaking to build community and connect us to the broader world.  When not making prints or working as an occupational therapist, Erin is a musician and draws inspiration from Appalachian music and culture for her prints.  She is an active member of Full Bucket Studios, AS220, and The Collaborative.

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All images and content are the property of The Collaborative or participating artists unless otherwise noted and as such are copyright protected. 
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