By Mary Drastal & Daniel Fishback, HAC Education Committee
The Art Education Committee of Heartland Art Club has worked to bring lifelong learning opportunities to the Midwest. Focusing on promoting representational artwork, our art education programming offers the opportunity for artists to study under a variety of artists and settings.
Prior to the pandemic, Heartland offered in-person opportunities through weekend workshops, Tuesday morning classes, and Business Saturday presentations. But, as COVID-19 spread throughout the world, workshops and classes were cancelled and rescheduled. And cancelled and rescheduled again. It has been an extremely challenging year for artists, our families, community, and nation. Many business enterprises have had to reinvent themselves to survive.
Adapting Our Programs
Workshop with Lon Brauer
Heartland now offers Zoom workshops, in-person classes with safety in mind, and even pre-recorded video tutorials. Zoom workshops are limited to 8 participants, allowing time for instruction and critiques by the presenting artist.
Our galleries at 101A W. Argonne in Kirkwood, MO are configured to allow for social distancing. While the pandemic is still underway, classes and workshops are limited to 8 participants plus the instructor and facilitator, for a total of 10 people. Students work in pairs 8 feet apart in satellite galleries. Instructors demonstrate in the main gallery with a live video on a large screen TV. For demos, students sit 6 feet apart to comfortably watch the demo. We have had positive feedback on this demo setup, because people can relax and easily see the demo instead of crowding around the presenter.
Additional safety precautions include taking temperatures and wearing masks. Discussions are still lively, and Instructors offer critiques individually and with the group. With small class sizes, it has been a wonderful opportunity for students to receive more individualized attention from instructors.
A Wonderful Lineup for 2021
Please visit the Workshops & Classes page to see the learning opportunities we are offering this year! If you are a member of Heartland Art Club, you receive a 10% discount on all class and workshops.
We are here to serve you, so if you have suggestions for workshops or artists you would like to learn from, please let us know! We look forward to your feedback on how we can better serve your artistic needs.