Harn Museum studio classes begin July 6

June 30, 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Harn Museum of Art will continue its summer series of studio classes with three new classes beginning July 6.

Adults will learn the ancient art form of batik with Harn Director of Education Bonnie Bernau during Introduction to Batik. The three-session class will be held July 6 through July 20 on Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. Participants will receive an introduction to the process of batik, a decorative fabric art form found in several regions of Africa, India and southeast Asia. The traditional art form is characterized by colorful designs and beautiful effects created with a cold-water dye and wax-resist method. Participants will explore original designs on muslin then produce one 35-by-35-inch silk scarf. All materials are included. Cost is $65 and $58 for members.

Children ages 7 and up can beat the summer heat inside the Harn Museum from July 6 through July 27 experiencing exciting contemporary and traditional art forms during two four-session classes.

Artist Sherrie Pettigrew will teach Chinese Brushstrokes for Children on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Children will learn the ancient art of Chinese brush techniques and paint koi, bamboo, etc. Participants will produce beautiful, quality finished products, including a scroll, a standing table screen, and much more. Materials provided by the artist. Cost is $125 and $115 for member’s children.

Artist Jane Gravois will lead the class Discover and Create with the Visual Language of Art on Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Children will discover the contemporary American art in American Matrix: Contemporary Directions for the Harn Museum Collection, Part II and then create two and three-dimensional works inspired by the art. Projects will include creating a mobile with wire and glass, an urban landscape with pastel, an abstract painting with watercolor, and the design of a gigantic 3-D cereal package or soda can using mixed media. Materials provided by the artist. Cost is $60.

All classes are held in the classrooms of the Mary Ann Harn Cofrin Pavilion at the Harn Museum of Art. Contact the education dept. at 352.392.9826 x112 or pnewman@ufl.edu for more information. To register, send your check for fees along with your name, address, phone number and e-mail address to: Harn Museum of Art, Attn. Mary Yawn, PO Box 112700, Gainesville, FL 32611. Make checks payable to the University of Florida.