Access At CVUHS

In this introduction to watercolor painting, this is a 10 session (20 hours) will promise to give you the skills required to enjoy watercolor as your new loved hobby! Learn the foundations of this versatile and creative medium: Design layouts, color palettes, composition, texture, and light will all be covered. Ginny Joyner, a professional watercolor illustrator, leads everyone through exercises designed to explore the many techniques associated with watercolor. No previous art experience required. Open to all ages and levels! Quality materials are important in watercolor and are included in the fee, valued at $50. Kits will be available the first day of class. This class will meet inside CVU. "It was a wonderful class and I very much enjoyed it! Ginny has a wonderful approach to teaching that kept the mood light and fun. Can’t wait to take her next class!" Watercolor- Pears by Ginny Joyner

Have you always wanted to try your hand at the pottery wheel? Come get your hands dirty with us in this 12-week, beginner and judgement-free class. Jessica LaBonte, owner of Cedar Tree Pottery, will teach you the techniques on how to make the two basic forms- the bowl and the cylinder, and then try our hand at basic glazing and decorating techniques. Students will each receive one 25lb bag of white low fire clay, access to all stocked glazes, tools to use during class, and weekly instruction. All materials and firing costs are included in the fee. Only 10 spots available! Wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to get messy!

This class is for people who have had any type of previous experience on the pottery wheel and would like to learn more. Jessica LaBonte, owner of Cedar Tree Pottery, will start by reviewing the cylinder and bowl form, then we will refine our techniques by paying attention to weight, functionality, and consistency. More advanced forms will be covered upon student request. Students will each receive one 25lb bag of low fire white clay, access to stocked glazes, use of tools during class, and weekly instruction during this 12-session ceramics course. BONUS: Access to "Open Studio" will be on Monday evenings 5-8pm (Feb 12-May 6) and is on a first come basis. Note: NO open studio on Feb 26, April 8, and April 22 All materials and firing costs are included in the fee. Only 10 spots available! Wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to get messy!

Calling all oil painting enthusiasts! This class is a wonderful opportunity for those artists with experience in oil painting who would like to advance their skills as well as enjoy the weekly camaraderie of fellow artists with a keen interest in oil painting. Led by artist, Emily Moore, this 8-week course will elevate your painting skills and color knowledge. The beginning of the first three classes, I will start with a brief presentation of the following topics: Week 1: Color (we will never stop talking about color!) Week 2: Contrast of temperature, value, & size. Week 3: Mark-making & Edges. Weeks 4- 8: As you paint, Emily will walk through the class answering questions and/or giving advice. The last 40 minutes of class we will be a group discussion and observation about each individual piece. “What is working ? What is not working?” Students, please bring your own painting materials together with photos, objects, or ideas of what you want to explore in paint. A comprehensive suggested materials list will be provided at the time of registration. Table top easels are available for use during class. (Note: Only odorless solvents are allowed in the CVU building such as Terpenoid or Gamsol) Recommended age: 18+ This class will take place inside CVU. Please check in at the front entrance of CVU on your first day of class.

Got a digital camera and need a refresher on how to optimize photos using the different functions? In this 4-session course, we will review digital camera functions and how to use them, visual-design and framing considerations, as well as explore some Adobe Photoshop editing skills to bring your photos to life. We will take our camera outside, weather permitting, for a technical and visual exploration around the CVU campus. During registration you will have the opportunity to tell us what you are interested in specifically learning so the instructor can tailor the class to your level and interests. Emphasis will be on each individual student's interests. For novice through intermediate-level photographers. This class will meet at CVU in the Photography Classroom Lab. Each student will have use of a computer loaded with Adobe Photoshop software.

Terri will guide students through her artistic way of creating compositions through collage. She’ll share how to turn this art into greeting cards for any occasion, though it can be a wonderful framed art piece. Follow your inspiration! This is an art class. If you’d like, bring your pencils or pastels. Ages 15 and older; younger students may attend with a caregiver who is also registered. This class will meet inside CVU.

Adirondack chairs are the perfect Vermont styled chair for your porch, fire pit or lawn. There are many different styles of Adirondack chairs, but in this course you will be making an (unfinished) modern and simplified version that will become your favorite summer seat! You may choose to leave your chair unfinished or you can paint, stain, or seal the wood at home. Methods and recommended products will be discussed. During this one day workshop, students will cut all the necessary wood components, assemble and sand their chair. Chairs are constructed from 2X4 and 2x10 boards and held together with construction grade screws. These chairs are heavy and durable! (If a student is not comfortable or not permitted to use the saw, I can pre-cut all their components with advanced notice). Minimum age for this class is 16+. Please bring PPE equipment such as safety goggles and gloves. Dust masks are optional. Bring a measuring tape and wear closed toed shoes, hat and tie hair back.

Grab a friend, tap into your inner Monet! Using acrylic paints, create a waterlily scene on an 11x14 canvas while enjoying pop/seltzer during this fun and relaxing Paint and Pop event at CVU! Acrylic painting techniques will be covered as well as a bit of color theory while sipping on your favorite beverage and making some new friends. All materials are included in the fee. Seltzer and soda will be available, or bring your own non-alcoholic beverage of choice. No previous painting or art experience necessary. All levels welcomed! Minimum age: 12+

Learn how to make your own mala bead necklace with gemstones, lava, rudraksha and wooden beads. Mala bead necklaces have 108 beads and a tassel and are used to count mantras when meditating. When not being used as a tool, these necklaces symbolize our intent and presence through the power of their gemstones. These are beautiful creations, and perfect to wear all year around, or give as a very special gift. Laura Neal of Malas & Mandalas will teach you about the different properties of gemstones as well as discuss mantras to use with your Mala necklace. All quality materials such as beads, gemstones, strands, etc. are included in the fee. This class will meet inside CVU. Beads, Malas and Students! "Laura was a great instructor! She included numerous “value-adds” to the class. Lots of follow-up, handouts, etc. Excellent class!" "What a fun class! Laura was engaging, informative and helpful. I love my mala bead necklace!"

Join us for a delightful hands-on experience as we delve into the enchanting world of charcuterie board-making. In this hands-on class, you will learn the art of creating visually stunning charcuterie boards that will impress your guests on any occasion. During the workshop, students will choose from a wide variety of new and repurposed fine woods to create a visually stunning piece that can last a lifetime. Prepared woods may include Maple, Ash, Purple Heart, Walnut, Birch, Australian Eucalyptus, Brazilian Cherry, Oak, Coconut Wood, Ipe, and others. All materials are included in the fee for this course. Week 1: Students will decide on the design they wish to use and choose their woods. Since the wood will be of various thicknesses, students will need to plane them to an equal thickness and then glue and clamp the wood to form the board. Tools used: mitre saw, table saw, planer, and clamps. Week 2: For this class, the students will take their glued-up boards and sand or plane them to get a uniform smooth surface. They will then draw and cut their handle design on the board. Tools used: planer, sander, band saw, scroll saw. Week 3: Once cut all sharp edges need to be sanded and rounded. Boards will then be thoroughly cleaned and coated with food-grade oils to penetrate and seal the boards. Extra oil will be given to each student. Tools used: Sander. Note: The electric tool usage can create a bottleneck so please be patient and use this time to learn and help others during class time. Please bring PPE equipment such as safety goggles and gloves. Dust masks are optional. Bring a measuring tape and wear closed toed shoes, hat and tie hair back. This class will meet inside CVU.

You may think that drawing people is the most difficult of any type of drawing but… it isn’t. Drawing faces is not as hard as you think! There are many proportions that almost every face adheres to and it’s just a matter of learning how to measure and apply them within the structure of each individual face. For example, did you know that everyone’s eyes are more or less one eye width apart? And when a face is in profile, the ear is much farther back on the head than you think! Using photographs in this fun and engaging class, students will learn to truly see and believe their eyes and experience the satisfaction of catching a likeness of a person. Students will have the opportunity to draw a portrait of someone of their own choosing. All supplies will be provided. All levels of drawing ability are welcome. This class will take place inside CVU.

Come learn the basics of pen turning with professional wood turner Andrew Duling. Pen turning is an excellent introduction to lathe work. It’s a quick, fulfilling, and inexpensive way to go from wood to finished product. Bring home a pen you can cherish for years or give as a gift. Each student will complete turning of one pen, with the option of turning an additional pen as time allows. Open to all ages 16+, students 12-16 welcome with an adult chaperone. All experience levels welcome! No prior woodworking experience required. All materials and use of equipment included in the fee. Bring safety eye goggles and wear closed toed shoes. No loose clothing! Wear your hair tied back or wear a hat.