Tuesdays, February 23 – March 8 / 5:30 – 8:30 pm

Come join us for three weeks of mixed media play and get a taste for all that encaustic (hot wax) has to offer. This class will include a brief overview of the basic encaustic skills and then dive deeper into exploring the best ways to marry various mediums with wax. We will be playing with inks, charcoal, watercolor, mica powders, oils, and collage. Week one will focus on surfaces and backgrounds. We will make some of our own custom surfaces to work on and explore different ways of adding transparent colors and pattern. Week two will focus on collage and transfer techniques with clear wax to add images to the mix. Week three will focus on techniques that add details to our work, like stitching, incising, and mica powders. Students may complete a piece each week focusing on different techniques or continue working on pieces throughout the three weeks. 

Instructor: Jessica Weems
Ages: Adult (15+) / All levels

SUPPLY LIST: 

Any mixed media supplies you already own and love (stamps, inks, paints, pens, but no acrylic can be used with wax).

Images/Papers/Text/Maps
To collage this can be anything on medium-weight to tissue-weight paper, even napkins! A class selection will also be made available to play and experiment with.

Photocopied Images/Text/Papers
To transfer these must be toner-based PHOTOCOPIES from a copy shop (Staples, Kinkos, etc.) of any images/text/maps/illustration. Laser prints should also work. Ink-based images WILL NOT TRANSFER! Must be toner! Transferring will FLIP/MIRROR the images so get them mirror-flipped when photocopying to fix this.

Any scraping/carving tools you already own (many will be provided if you do not have any)

Sunday, January 31 / 10 am – 4 pm

No medium is more versatile or addictive than encaustic. Hot wax plays nicely with a range of other mediums to provide stunning outcomes. This class will include a brief overview of the basic encaustic skills and then dive deeper into exploring the best ways to marry various mediums with wax. Come and learn how other medium can combine with wax underneath, in the middle of, and on top of encaustic. Students will complete 2-3 small panels. 

Instructor: Jessica Weems 
Ages: 15 and Up / All Levels 

Required Supplies: 
Any scraping/carving tools you already own (share supply will be provided) 
Any objects to embed, such as bones, rocks, gears, pottery pieces, nails, etc.

Tuesday, January 26 / 6 – 9 pm

Create a variety of image transfers in this class where various methods will be taught. Using black and white as well as color photocopies, create image transfers on to paper, canvas, wood, and more using gel transfer and packing tape transfer methods.

Supply List:

• black and white toner-based photocopies and color photocopies* (must be toner ink, these cannot be printed on inkjet prints- they will not work) 
• sketchbook, moleskin journal or other blank journal (any size – accordion books work great for this if you can fine them!)
• magazines with images you like (fashion, home decor, art are all great for this) 
• small wood panels, raw canvas or other objects you might want to print on/decorate (wood/canvas/paper all work well). There will be a small selection of objects will be provided to choose from as well.

Instructor: Lisa Kurt
Ages: Adult (15+) / All Levels

Saturday, March 5 / 9 am – 12 pm
and Sunday, March 6 / 9 am -3 pm

Make this handmade box for your most treasured mementos. Over the three sessions of class, students will be introduced to every aspect of hand boxmaking, including cutting and preparation of bookcloth, decorative paper and board; gluing and assembly; and techniques for scaling this structure and others to perfectly enclose a particular book or keepsake. Students will also be able to personalize their boxes. 

Supply List:

• Ruler
• X-acto knife
• Bone folder
• 1″ glue brush
• A clean cotton rag
• Any decorative paper or collage elements you would like to incorporate into your box

Instructor: Katherine Case 
Ages: 15+ / All levels 

Saturday, February 6 / 10 am – 4 pm

Great collage combines elements of both structure and free association. Using Katherine’s legendary paper collection and a collaging technique guaranteed to produce fabulous compositions, we will create an edition of collaborative handmade books. In this fun class, you’ll learn ways to both “banish your inner editor” releasing creative play, and then to reign it in, creating a balanced composition.

Supply List:

• Pencil
• Ruler
• X-acto knife
• 1″ glue brush 
• Scissors
• Bone Folder
• Glue Stick
• A selection of images, paper scraps, ephemera and other collage elements to incorporate into your compositions

Instructor: Katherine Case
Ages: Adult (15+) / All Levels

Saturday, December 5 / 10 am – 4 pm

Encaustic is a wildly different way to paint. Tins of hot colored wax are heated on a griddle and cool as you paint. The durability of the medium allows you to stencil and build texture as you paint and scrape back down through your layers. This class will focus on using stencils and accretion to build texture in your painting and then scraping to add lines and structure to the piece. Students will complete 3-4 small pieces, abstract or representational. If you are interested in encaustic this is a great introduction. Materials included with registration. Please bring any scraping tools you already own (there will be a shared supply available for class use).

Instructor: Jessica Weems
Ages: 15 and Up / All Levels

Thursday, November 12 / 6 – 9 pm

Create a variety of image transfers in this class where various methods will be taught. Using black and white as well as color photocopies, create image transfers on to paper, canvas, wood, and more using gel transfer and packing tape transfer methods.

Instructor: Lisa Kurt
Ages: 15 and up / All levels

Supply List:

• Black and white toner-based photocopies and color photocopies* (must be toner ink, these cannot be printed on inkjet prints- they will not work)
• Sketchbook, moleskin journal or other blank journal (any size – accordion books work great for this if you can fine them!)
• Magazines with images you like (fashion, home decor, art are all great for this)
• Small wood panels, raw canvas or other objects you might want to print on/decorate (wood/canvas/paper all work well). NOTE: There will be a small selection of these type of items that will be provided to choose from as well.

Sunday, September 27 / 10 am – 4 pm

Carve your own map of anywhere. Real or imagined, near or far. Hot wax allows you to build up mountain ranges, carve out rivers and valleys, and then etch in smaller details like roads and paths. Experience the full sensual and textural nature of encaustic in this fun and exciting class. Students will complete one 9×12” piece. Stencils and masks of Lake Tahoe will be available for those who want to complete a map of the Tahoe area.

Instructor: Jessica Weems
Ages: 15 and Up / All Levels

Required Supplies:
A map of somewhere you love; an actual map or a printout from Google Maps works (preferable to bring both map and satellite views) 
Any scraping/carving tools you already own (share supply will be provided)

Wednesday, October 7 / 6 – 9 pm

Tahoe inspires many and this is your night to let that inspiration come through. You will create a mixed media background, stencil on Lake Tahoe and then let your creativity fill in the rest! A variety of techniques will be demonstrated and available. Stitch, ink, stamp, paint, smear, collage, embroider, write, or type out a beautiful tribute to our beloved lake.

Instructor: Jessica Weems
Ages: 15 and Up / All Levels

Required Supplies: Objects found at Lake Tahoe that you want to stitch on (a small rock, a twig, whatever; totally optional)

Saturday, August 15 / 10 am – 4 pm

No medium is more versatile or addictive than encaustic. Hot wax plays nicely with a range of other mediums to provide stunning outcomes. This class will include a brief overview of the basic encaustic skills and then dive deeper into exploring the best ways to marry various mediums with wax. Come and learn how other medium can combine with wax underneath, in the middle of, and on top of encaustic. Students will complete 2-3 small panels.

Instructor: Jessica Weems
Ages: 15 and Up / All Levels

Required Supplies:
Any scraping/carving tools you already own (share supply will be provided) 
Any objects to embed, such as bones, rocks, gears, pottery pieces, nails, etc.