Friday 15th August 2014
One of the staples of night school and weekend classes, art classes for adults can be incredibly rewarding experiences that open up new bodies of technique, new connections, and new realms of creative possibility. They can, on the other hand, also be boring, pointless, and depressing - it all depends on how you go into the experience, who the instructor is, and how you interact with your classmates. Many of us artistic types are fairly introverted, and rarely ready to show off our first attempts at new styles or techniques to total strangers - but at the same time, showing total strangers as opposed to friends and family can be liberating. After all, if you choose, you never have to see any of those classmates again. It really does depend on what you put into the situation.
In order to make sure you don't waste your time (and maybe your money, depending on where the class is and what supplies you might need), take a bit of time to explore the program before you sign up. Naturally, looking at the instructor is essential. See if it's possible to speak with them before class, to get a sense of their teaching style, personality, and general skillset. Do they specialize in a medium you've always wanted to try? Don't just sign up after meeting the instructor, though. See if there are examples of the work the past students have created - if they were able to create something they were pleased with, they would no doubt take it home when the class ended, but the teacher would likely want to keep photographs or copies of digital files in order to showcase the works their students have completed under their tutelage.
If you go into the class with an open mind, ready to experiment and to learn, then you're going to have a much more rewarding experience than you would if you go in afraid of what might happen. Take it as an opportunity for growth, not an opportunity to show off how much you already know. Experiment with media that you otherwise wouldn't get a chance to use. Talk to people with an artistic inclination you otherwise wouldn't meet. Broaden your horizons, and you never know what could come of it. Maybe the person at the next easel over is starting up a gallery!
Posted on August 15th 2014 on 10:06pm