WINTER Core Classes
Please scroll down this page to see the complete list of Core classes.

Jump to these classes:
WATERCOLOR BASICS
SCULPTURE IN METAL: BEGINNING
DRAWING BASICS: A FRIENDLY INTRODUCTION
BEGINNING WEAVING
KNITTING FOR BEGINNERS
SPINNING ON A DROP SPINDLE
BEGINNING DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Jump to faculty

ABOUT [CORE CLASSES]
A CORE CLASS is a basic, functional class designed and offered by the Art Center to assist beginning students with developing their skills and knowledge around the creative and artistic process of making art.

Students are encouraged to ask questions and to explore new ways of looking at and experiencing the process of art making. We view these classes as a fun, non-judgmental way for new students to introduce themselves to the Art Center, our studios, our faculty and our community of artists.

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WATERCOLOR BASICS
Instructor: Terry Genesen-Becker
Skill Level: B
[CORE CLASS]

This course provides the foundation for successful watercolor painting. All technical aspects are covered including pigment characteristics, brush handling, texturing, masking and paper stretching. Class exercises are designed to increase confidence, explore value, color mixing and composition. Imaginative assignments integrate content and technical skills. Supply list will be provided at first class.
Enrollment limited to 10; ages 16 and up

C420
Wednesdays, January 4 - February 22
(8 sessions) 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
$205 Members / $228 Non-members

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BEGINNING SCULPTURE IN METAL
Instructor: Carey Netherton
Skill Level: B, AB
[CORE CLASS]

The purpose of this class is to introduce students to basic welding and metalworking methods associated with the construction of sculptural objects. A large portion of the class will focus on oxyacetylene welding, cutting and brazing, but cold working methods, such as grinding and drilling, will also be demonstrated. Safety and proper tool usage will be emphasized.
Enrollment limited to 8; ages 16 and up

C807
Tuesdays, January 3 - February 21
(8 sessions) 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
$280 Members / $311 Non-members

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DRAWING BASICS: A FRIENDLY INTRODUCTION
Instructor: Shannon Ingham
Skill Level: B, AB
[CORE CLASS]

Many people incorrectly think they are not creative or can't draw, when in reality they simply have not been taught the fundamental steps. In this beginning class, you will be introduced to basic drawing techniques and materials that will help build your skill level and increase your confidence. This is a great class for students who are interested in any type of media to learn about the fundamentals of art. Material list available at the front desk.
Enrollment limited to 12; ages 16 and up

C422
Tuesdays, January 3- February 21
(8 sessions) 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
$205 Members / $228 Non-member

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BEGINNING WEAVING
Instructor: Traudi Bestler
Skill Level: B
[CORE CLASS]

This class introduces the pleasures of hand weaving. Using Art Center looms, students will learn all about setting up and weaving a small project. Things that new weavers can make include scarves, table linens, bags and other interesting objects. Brand new beginners and people who want to refresh their weaving skills are welcome in this group.
Enrollment limited to 6; ages 16 and up

C730
Mondays, January 2 - February 13
(7 sessions) 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
$180 Members / $200 Non-members
$11 New Student Materials Fee - Includes Sales Tax

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KNITTING FOR BEGINNERS
Instructor: Kim Christensen
Skill Level: B
[CORE CLASS]

Learn to orchestrate the hand-eye-brain connection that is knitting. These are easy skills to learn, and they get better with repetition. Come and enjoy learning along side others, even if you have never tried to knit before. Instructor will provide step by step guidance each week to guide development of your knitting skills.
Enrollment limited to 10; ages 16 and up

C702
Thursdays, January 5 - 26
(4 sessions) 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
$103 Members / $114 Non-members

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SPINNING ON A DROP SPINDLE
Instructor: Kim Christensen
Skill Level: B
[CORE CLASS]

Learn to create your own strong, beautiful handspun wool by spinning on a drop spindle. The instructor will provide demonstrations and step by step instruction to guide students through fiber characteristics, techniques for manipulation, and the dynamic nature of spun fiber. By the end of the class you will have experience spinning wool as well as a variety of unique fibers such as mohair, alpaca, merino, silk and angora used to create textured yarns. Tuition includes drop spindle and fiber.
Enrollment limited to 10; ages 16 and up

JANUARY
C755
Tuesdays, January 3 - 24
(4 sessions) 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
$139 Members / $154 Non-members

FEBRUARY
C756
Tuesdays, January 31 - February 21
(4 sessions) 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
$139 Members / $154 Non-members

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BEGINNING DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Instructor: Alan Shefland
Skill Level: B, AB
[CORE CLASS]

This class will take beginning photographers through the fundamentals of digital camera use. Learn basic operating procedures including manual settings, picture resolution, focus and zoom options. In easy, step-by-step directions, learn how to e-mail, print and file your digital images. By the end of the course, students will leave more excited than ever about photography and their own collection of images that illustrate their technical and creative growth.
Enrollment limited to 10; ages 16 and up

Tuesday Afternoon:
C661
Tuesdays, January 3 - February 21
(8 sessions) 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
$248 Members / $276 Non-members

Tuesday Evening:
C662
Tuesdays, January 3 - February 21
(8 sessions) 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
$248 Members / $276 Non-members

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FACULTY:

Traudi Bestler
Traudi trained at the Weavers Guild of Minnesota, the Weaving School and Sievers School of Fiber Arts. She has been a teacher of weaving, dyeing and fiber arts for 20 years In addition, she has been a workshop presenter at the annual Minnesota Weaving Federation and travels to schools around the country.

Kim Christensen
Kim is a knitter and a spinner. She has taught classes at various yarn stores in Minneapolis, and she's looking forward to teaching plant dyeing at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and spinning and knitting at the Art Center. Kim traveled with the Prairie Home Companion Show Cruise this past summer as a guest knitting instructor.

Terry Genesen Becker
B.F.A., University of Minnesota. Genesen Becker’s 30 years of teaching experience includes the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, the Minnesota Museum of Art School and the Grand Marais Art Colony. She has been awarded signature status in the Transparent Watercolor Society of America, and Watercolor USA’s Watercolor Honor Society and has been featured in WATERCOLOR magazine. Her watercolors are regularly shown in national juried exhibitions and museum collections including the Minnesota Museum of American Art, Springfield Art Museum, and the Muskegon Museum of Art.
www.terrygenesenbecker.com

Carey Netherton
M.F.A. in Sculpture, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale; B.A. in 3-D Studio Art and Philosophy, Eastern Illinois University. Carey worked for over four years as a fine art foundry technician and supervisor at the Johnson Atelier Technical Institute of Sculpture in Mercerville, New Jersey. His award-winning work has been widely exhibited, and is a part of many private collections. www.careynetherton.com

Alan Shefland
Alan began his artist's journey at a young age shooting and developing photos of his neighborhood and residents and selling a few to cover costs. He honed his visual skills becoming a Film Editor in Hollywood working on commercials, television and features. He has an extensive list of credits including many on award winning shows. After moving to Minnesota he became a student of photography at the Art Center where he has had several of his works displayed.

Shannon Ingham
B.F.A. Corcoran College of Art & Design, Washington, D.C., with awards and scholarships in drawing and painting. Study of art in the museum culture of Washington, D.C. was a great influence on Shannon’s decision to work as a full-time artist. Current work is to develop an expression of the experience of prairie and lakes of Midwest region, influenced by his immersion into the landscape while working on wind turbine projects. Experienced teaching students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.