ART & MYTH IN THE MIDDLE AGES

This project explores Medieval themes from around the world. From alchemy & medicine, mythology & lore, to theatre & art— this project delves into many exciting and strange cultural aspects from the Middle Ages.

The themes chosen for this project are meant to inspire your imagination, creativity, and humor while delving into history and legends across the globe.

ART & NATURE

“I have nature and art and poetry, and if that's not enough, what is enough?”

- Vincent Van Gogh

Art and Nature will take us on a deep dive into our connection with Nature and how it affects us as humans and artists. Each week there will be a mini adventure through your surrounding world with unique prompts specific to the season in Nature.

Artists will submit artwork, written pieces, photographs, and/or performances pieces based on the weekly prompts for completion of hours. A willingness to adventure outside the comfort of one's home regardless of the weather is a requirement of this virtual lab.

THE ART OF CREATIVE JOURNALING

Regardless of the type of artist you are, maintaining your creativity can sometimes prove to be a real challenge. A journal is an excellent tool you can use to keep your creativity alive.

Learn and understand the art of creative journaling - using visuals, colors, images, patterns, words, and writing prompts in order to create an outlet for your creative thoughts and ideas. The journal can help you practice and refine your skills, can function as a sketchbook, notebook, scrapbook or day planner. It’s ideal for brainstorming ideas. It can also help silence your inner critic. There are no rules or limits. There’s no wrong thing to write, plan or draw. It’s a safe space where your creativity can flow without being judged. And, it can also be used as a healthy, expressive outlet.

EXPLORING FILM MUSIC

“Film music should have the same relationship to the film drama that somebody's piano playing in my living room has on the book I am reading.”

- Igor Stravinsky

Have you ever gotten goosebumps from the music in your favorite movie or show?

Have you ever been “jump scared” by a loud sound effect? Have you ever wondered what goes into making music for the big screen? These are just some of the questions that come up when we explore film music.

In this virtual lab, students will analyze film music/sound effects. Each module will include a film/television excerpt and an analysis of the sonic elements. Students will demonstrate their learning and use critical thinking skills by completing various assignments in the lab.

HISTORY, BUT MAKE IT FASHION

Take a time machine back to explore fashion from the streets of the Renaissance to the grungy 1990s!

Whether you’re an artist who wants to practice drawing clothes from another era, or a costume designer who wants to research the period of a play, or an actor who wants to know what type of clothes you would've worn in Shakespeare’s day, this class has a little bit of information for everyone.

Each week will cover a different time period, followed by an activity incorporating fashion from that period. Spend one week designing a fall collection fit for Fashion Week in the 1960s, experiment with what your favorite modern tv characters would look like during the Renaissance, or sketch a gown and wig to rival that of Marie Antoinette’s - whatever your skills are, wherever your talents lie, use them to show off fashions of the past.

MINDFULNESS ARTMAKING

This project explores the art of meditation, noticing, and mindfulness. Utilizing Buddhist texts such as “Our Appointment With Life” by Thich Nhat Hanh and “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind” by Shunryu Suzuki, this project is designed to help you explore your own mindfulness practice, learn to ground yourself in the present, and expand your self-awareness through artmaking.

SOUNDSCAPES: ADVENTURES IN AMBIENT SOUND

While our visual perception is relatively “straightforward”, our experience of audio is much more immersive; sound surrounds us like an ocean. In this lab, students will practice active listening, recording techniques, and appreciation of the soundscapes that surround us everyday. Each week, the lab will cover a new topic in recording arts and audio production, while also adding new and interesting recordings to an ever-growing “audio journal”.

20 MINUTES OR LESS: THE ART OF THE SHORT FILM

An adage in the film industry says: “Movies are short-stories, TV shows are books.” What, then, are short films? From music videos to mini-docs, arthouse flics to advertisements, most of the media we consume has a runtime of under 20 minutes, and often much less. Each week, students will watch and respond to one piece of short-form media, with varying topics and types each week. Responses can take the form of written reviews or short-films.