Winter Trimester

APPLIED ARTS

Artists hone their foundation by employing the technical skills of a particular art or field of endeavor. These courses are Prime specific, unless otherwise designated as open to students from all primes. Students should focus their Applied Arts choices in their prime arts area, but may explore outside of their prime in some cases. Commitment to Applied Arts courses includes process journaling and/or portfolio building.

PROJECTS

Artists engage in projects that emphasize the creative process through opportunities designed to expand their creative lens through collaboration, community engagement, and multiple performance and presentation avenues. These courses are open to students from all primes. Enrollment and eligibility requirements vary among project offerings. Projects are designed to encourage students from all prime arts areas to collaborate. Project enrollment requires participation in the Winter Works.

APPLIED ARTS

Courses offered on Mondays & Wednesdays are listed before those offered on Tuesdays & Thursdays.

Ceramics: Hand-Building Games

Teaching Artist: Barbara Bustard

Mondays & Wednesdays

All primes welcome, visual art experience recommended.

Unlock your creativity and discover the playful side of ceramics in our "Hand-Building Games" course! This dynamic class is designed for all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned artists, focusing on the joy of creating unique ceramic pieces using hand-building techniques.

Throughout the course, participants will engage in a variety of hands-on activities and playful challenges that encourage experimentation with form, texture, and functionality. Explore methods such as pinch pots, slab construction, and coil building while creating whimsical, game-inspired objects, from playful figurines to interactive tabletop games.

Each session will combine guided instruction with collaborative projects and friendly competitions, fostering a supportive environment where you can share ideas and inspire one another. By the end of the course, you'll not only have a collection of imaginative ceramic pieces but also the skills and confidence to continue your journey in ceramics.

Join us for a fun-filled exploration of creativity, community, and craftsmanship!

Pastel Illustration: Telling Stories Through Color

Teaching Artist: Robert Schumacher

Mondays & Wednesdays

All primes welcome, visual art experience recommended.

Embark on a vibrant artistic journey in our "Pastel Illustration: Telling Stories Through Color" class! This immersive course invites you to explore the captivating medium of pastels, where you’ll learn to harness bright colors, shading techniques, and texture to bring your illustrations to life.

Throughout the course, we’ll delve into the fundamentals of design layout, exploring how to effectively communicate ideas and emotions through imagery. You’ll discover the meanings behind various icons and shapes, and how different color combinations can evoke specific feelings, allowing you to tell compelling stories through a single image.

This class is perfect for eager artists to understand the nuances of creating complete works of art. As we progress, you’ll develop a deeper appreciation for how diverse interpretations can arise from a single piece, enhancing your artistic voice and perspective.

In addition to mastering shading, light, and color with pastels, you’ll gain valuable skills that will serve as a strong foundation for future explorations in acrylic and oil painting.

Join us in this inspiring and supportive environment, where you’ll unlock your creativity and gain the confidence to express your unique artistic vision through the enchanting world of pastels!

Printmaking

Teaching Artist: Atalante Shay

Mondays & Wednesdays

All primes welcome, visual art experience recommended.

Dive into the vibrant world of printmaking in our "Introduction to Printmaking" course! Designed for artists of all levels, this class offers a hands-on exploration of various printmaking techniques.

Printmaking is an art form consisting of images usually printed on paper but sometimes on fabric, parchment, plastic, or wood.

Over the duration of the course, you'll learn the fundamentals of each method while developing your own unique style. Through step-by-step demonstrations and engaging projects, you'll discover how to create intricate designs, experiment with color, and understand the processes behind producing high-quality prints.

Participants will receive guidance as you work on both individual and collaborative projects. Unleash your artistic potential and connect with fellow creatives! Regardless of your skill level, you will create ten distinct printmaking designs, two of which will be turned into collage pieces.

Join us for an inspiring journey into the realm of printmaking.

Stamina-Centric

Teaching Artist: Rachel Cagle

Mondays & Wednesdays

All primes welcome. Dance, Theater, and Vocal backgrounds recommended.

Get ready to elevate your stamina with our invigorating "Stamina-Centric" class. This unique class combines the heart-pumping energy of dance-based cardio exercises with a delightful sing-along option, designed to enhance both your physical and vocal stamina.

In this dynamic environment, you’ll engage in high-energy routines that blend various dance styles, ensuring a fun and exhilarating workout for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just starting out, all disciplines and skill levels are warmly welcomed to join in the movement, expression, and joy of dance.

As you sweat and sing your way through each session, you’ll not only boost your endurance and coordination but also discover the liberating power of music and movement. Expect to groove to infectious rhythms, connect with fellow participants, and leave each class feeling empowered and uplifted.

Join us for this one-of-a-kind experience where you can move, sing, dance, and build your stamina in a supportive and vibrant community.

Let’s move and sing our way to stamina together!

Face Jugs: Crafting Character in Ceramics

Teaching Artist: Barbara Bustard

Tuesdays & Thursdays

All primes welcome, visual art experience recommended.

Discover the art of storytelling through clay in our "Face Jugs: Crafting Character in Ceramics" class! This hands-on course invites you to create unique face jugs—intricate ceramic pieces that blend functionality with expressive artistry.

Throughout the sessions, you’ll learn essential hand-building techniques, including coiling, pinching, and sculpting, as you bring your imaginative characters to life. We’ll explore the history and significance of face jugs, delving into their cultural roots and the various styles that have emerged over time.

Participants will experiment with form, texture, and glazing to enhance the personalities of their creations, using vibrant colors and patterns to convey emotions and stories. You'll also receive guidance on adding personalized details, ensuring each piece reflects your individual artistic vision.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced potter, this class offers a supportive environment where creativity flourishes. By the end of the course, you'll leave with a one-of-a-kind face jug that showcase your skills and storytelling prowess.

Join us for this exciting exploration of ceramics, where you’ll not only craft functional art but also express your creativity through character-driven pieces that spark conversation and admiration!

Introduction to Music Composition

Teaching Artist: Athena Hiotis

Tuesdays & Thursdays

All primes welcome, music experience recommended.

Dive into the art of music composition in this dynamic and hands-on course designed for aspiring composers of all levels. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, students will explore the fundamental elements of music, including melody, harmony, rhythm, and texture.

Students will engage in a variety of exercises that foster creativity, including writing for different instruments, exploring various musical styles, and developing personal voice.

By the end of the course, students will complete several original compositions, culminating in a portfolio that showcases their unique style and growth as musicians. Join us to unlock your potential and express your musical ideas!

Pilates for Artists

Teaching Artist: Rachel Cagle

Tuesdays & Thursdays

All primes welcome.

Unlock your creative potential with our "Pilates for Artists" class, specially designed for individuals in all artistic disciplines! This invigorating course blends mindful movement with core strengthening exercises to enhance your physical well-being, boost your energy, and inspire your creative flow.

In each session, you’ll engage in a series of Pilates exercises that focus on alignment, flexibility, and core stability, helping to alleviate tension and improve posture—essential for artists who spend long hours in their craft. As you strengthen your body, you’ll also cultivate mindfulness, learning to connect your breath with movement, which can enhance focus and concentration in your artistic practice.

This class is inclusive and welcoming, catering to all levels, from beginners to seasoned practitioners. Through a combination of mat work and dynamic movements, you’ll build strength, increase stamina, and enhance your overall body awareness.

Join us for this unique opportunity to harmonize your physical health with your artistic endeavors. Experience how improved body mechanics and increased energy can lead to greater creativity and expression in your art. Elevate your practice and discover the powerful connection between body and creativity!

Enrollment priority will go to those who have not previously been enrolled in this course.

Winter Writing Collection

Facing the Blank Page Workshops

Teaching Artists: Maggie Heemstra & Lynn Schwartz

Tuesdays & Thursdays

All primes welcome.

This "Facing the Blank Page" Workshop is divided into three units. Students are expected to remain enrolled for the full collection. At the conclusion of each collection, final work is turned in and presented. In order to earn credit for each unit, that work must be handed in and presented.

Units of study:

Facing Your Creative Block and Silencing Your Inner Critic
Exploring Nature to Kickstart Your Writing
Micro-Memoir

Click the button below for more information about the units of study.

Workshop Descriptions

PROJECTS

Projects offered on Mondays & Wednesdays are listed before those offered on Tuesdays & Thursdays.

Required participation in the WINTER WORKS February 26 & 27.

Creative Collage Techniques: Exploring Mixed Media

Teaching Artist: Selin Balci

Mondays & Wednesdays

All primes welcome, visual art experience recommended.

This dynamic and experimental class invites students to explore the limitless possibilities of collage by combining various artistic techniques. Through step-by-step guidance and demonstrations, students will learn foundational skills in:

Paper Marbling: Creating beautiful, fluid patterns on paper using inks and water will serve as vibrant backgrounds or accents in their collages.

Silkscreen Printing: Understanding the basics of screen printing to transfer bold designs, patterns, and imagery onto their surfaces.

Gel Printing: Experiment with gel plates to create intricate textures and layers of color, adding depth and complexity to their compositions.

Image Transfer: Discovering how to transfer photos and found imagery onto different materials, merging photography with traditional art forms.

Painting: Incorporating techniques like washes, impasto, and fine detail to enhance their collages with expressive color and brushwork.

Students will also explore additional mixed-media techniques, such as creating textures, stencils, and found objects, encouraging them to think creatively about layering and composition.

Each student will be free to develop their artistic style by combining and contrasting techniques, focusing on building cohesive, imaginative works of art. The course will culminate in a final project where students will integrate these techniques into a large-scale, multi-layered collage that reflects their narrative or chosen theme.

Through group critiques and one-on-one feedback, students will refine their work and learn to communicate their ideas effectively through their art. This course emphasizes experimentation, creativity, and self-expression and is perfect for beginners and those looking to expand their artistic repertoire.

The final presentation will be part of the Winter Works.

MUSE: Apex Arts Literary Magazine

Teaching Artist: Lynn Schwartz

Mondays & Wednesdays

All primes welcome.

A team of student editors will create and design a printed literary magazine that will represent the diverse work of the Apex Arts’ community. We will publish a rich variety of short fiction, poetry, art, photography, mixed-genre works, book reviews, personal essays, profiles, artist statements, creative process journeys, song lyrics, musical scores, and more. Participants will devise an identity for this sixth issue of the publication (theme, style, and format), select and edit content, design the layout, and organize a launch party. All Apex Arts’ primes are welcome.

Note: Two meetings will be offered before the winter trimester begins to identify a theme for the issue and to create a flyer inviting submissions from the Apex+ community. We want to have these elements in place before the project begins. The meeting dates are scheduled for Monday, November 18, and Wednesday, November 20, during Apex+ hours (you will receive additional hours for attending).

Leadership Positions: Those students interested in a leadership role (magazine editor, design team leader, content team leader) please email your interest to laschwartz@aacps.org

Charcoal Portraiture: Mastering the Art of Expression

Teaching Artist: Robert Schumacher

Tuesdays & Thursdays

All primes welcome, visual art experience recommended.

Dive into the expressive world of charcoal portraiture in this hands-on class designed for artists of all skill levels. This course focuses on the unique qualities of charcoal as a medium, exploring its versatility and richness in capturing the subtleties of human emotion and form.

Students will learn fundamental techniques for working with charcoal, including:

Fundamentals of Facial Anatomy: Understand the structure and proportions of the face to create accurate and lifelike portraits.

Light and Shadow: Explore how to use contrast effectively to add depth and dimension, bringing your portraits to life.

Mark Making and Texture: Discover various charcoal techniques, from soft smudges to sharp lines, to create texture and expressiveness in your work.

Developing a Personal Style: Experiment with different approaches and styles, allowing you to find your unique artistic voice.

Through guided exercises, constructive critiques, and group discussions, you will enhance your observational skills and gain confidence in your artistic abilities.

Shadow Theater

Teaching Artist: Emily Karol

Tuesdays & Thursdays

All primes welcome. Actors, dancers, visual artists, and design & production students recommended.

Step into the enchanting world of shadow theater in this innovative project that blends storytelling, visual art, and performance. Students will explore the unique medium of shadow puppetry, learning to create captivating narratives through the interplay of light and shadow.

Storytelling through shadows has been around for hundreds of years. The stories can delve into the mysterious and mythical or whimsical and silly. The simplicity of the artform leads to endless possibilities.

This project will be a discovery and devising of storytelling through shadows, puppetry, and lighting. The direction of the final presentation will be developed by the members of the ensemble. The ensemble is opening to any prime, looking specifically for actors, dancers, visual artists, and design & production.

If you have an imagination and like exploring new outlets of art, this is the project for you!

NEW DIRECTED ENSEMBLES

Both are offered on Mondays & Wednesdays.

Required participation in the end of trimester presentations.

No audition required, however, those who are interested in Electro Rock must be able to commit to both Winter and Spring Trimesters. Those interested in Instrumental Chamber Music may choose one or both trimesters.

ELECTRO ROCK ORCHESTRA

Director: Athena Hiotis

Mondays and Wednesdays

Winter and Spring Trimesters

Must commit to both trimesters. No audition required.

Vocal or Instrumental Music experience required.

Have you ever wanted to play string or woodwind instruments in a rock band? Or turn your violin into a synth? Are you a guitarist that's interested in playing with orchestral musicians? Come join us in Electro Rock Orchestra!

Electro Rock Orchestra is a chance to make music without the limitation of a traditional rock band or traditional orchestra. By introducing pedals, synths, and instrumentals not typically found in a band, we can create music that is unique and borrows from different styles. We take songs from all genres and make it our own.

This ensemble will perform at the Winter Works and Spring Showcase.

At the end of Spring Trimester, Electro Rock Orchestra be joined by a signed, touring indie rock band to put on a dynamic show that will be filmed professionally.

INSTRUMENTAL CHAMBER MUSIC

Director: Dr. Kari Shea

Mondays and Wednesdays

Winter and Spring Trimesters

May choose one or both trimesters. No audition required.

Instrumental Music experience required.

Instrumental Chamber Music is a course designed to empower students with efficient and effective techniques for practicing and preparing chamber music.

With one person on a part, students will learn leadership and collaboration skills.

Students will select a desired genre of music and performance goals and work to realize their potential through various strategies and tools to maximize their musical progress on a selected piece with a small group of musicians.

This ensemble will perform at the Winter Works and Spring Showcase.

POP ROCK VOCAL PERFORMANCE

Teaching Artists: Jamie Levine & Emily Zinski

Mondays & Wednesdays

Winter Trimester only. No audition required.

Vocal Music experience required.

Do you want to learn how to own the stage and bring an audience to its feet? Are you a classical singer who wants to apply your skills to a new style? Or do you want to slay at karaoke night?

In this course, vocal artists will learn how to perform Pop/Rock repertoire with style, technique, and ownership. Students will perform solos and sing back up harmonies for their peers, developing essential skills in ear training and ensemble building. Classical singers will develop new skills, and adapt their technique to different genres. Versatility is vital if you hope to become a professional singer! All students will develop an understanding of the Pop/Rock genre, and learn to take the stage with confidence. This course will culminate in a Pop Rock Vocal Concert.

PLEASE NOTE: You will be required to sing repertoire selected for you by the project mentors, in front of your peers during each class.

This project will perform at the Winter Works and will include extended rehearsals leading up to the performances. Dates and times for extended rehearsals will be communicated in advance.

PROJECTS CONTINUING FROM FALL TRIMESTER

These projects are continuations from the Fall Trimester and are not taking on new students at this time.

Required participation in the end of trimester presentations.

Theatrical Makeup: Part 2

Teaching Artists: Johnny Weissgerber

Mondays & Wednesdays

This is a 2 trimester project.

This is part two of a two trimester course. Students must have successfully completed Part 1 to enroll in Part 2.

For the Winter Trimester, students will decide on a theme for the final presentation as a group and designs will be created in relation to that theme. Students will have the option to replicate an existing character or person OR create their own character! The winter portion of the project will include more advanced sfx techniques as they pertain to the students’ designs. Students are expected to create designs, supply checklists, test examples and be able to present this work in a final presentation for an audience.

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