Gallery hosts drawing, painting & bookbinding classes

(CNS): The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands is offering three new art courses for adults taught by professional artists designed to improve drawing and painting skills, and the chane to learn a unique craft form. The drawing and painting courses taught by Gabrielle Wheaton and John Broad last seven weeks while the bookbinding with Marcie Wood is a one day long workshop. Fees range from CI$50 to $255. The courses are open to beginners as well as competent artists and there are also two scholarships available for local teenagers.

Drawing with Gabrielle Wheaton is a seven-week programme beginning 6 September 2014. The course runs every Saturday morning from 10:45 AM until 1:15 PM. Course fees are CI $255.00, with a 10% discount for NGCI Members. Course fees help support the National Gallery as well as cover the costs of the instructors.  It is designed to teach those who want to learn the basic, classical drawing skills from the ground up. Students will learn foundation drawing skills, from sharpening a pencil to making a form appear 3-dimensional.

The aim is to teach students to see (by teaching how to measure proportions using the “Sight-Size” method) the use of negative shapes for correction and for refining a sketch, and the use of light and dark shapes to bring form to the work. Students who have completed the first Drawing Course with Gabrielle will be given more advanced work to complete, while any new beginners will receive instruction suitable for their level.

For four years Gabrielle Wheaton attended one of the most select art schools in the world, the Academy of Realist Art in Toronto, Canada, graduating with a Diploma in Classical Realist Art in 2009. During her vacations from school Gabrielle conducted numerous art workshops through the National Gallery. She has been an artist in her own right for many years, exhibiting at Cayfest, through the Visual Arts Society and for the McCoy Prize in 2004.

In addition to her experience in fine art, Gabrielle is also involved with the Cayman Drama Society.

The seven-week painting course developed by local artist John Broad aims to improve painting skills. The course, limited to 15 students, runs every Saturday afternoon from 1:30 PM until 3:00 PM and has a course fee of CI $147.00, with a 10% discount for NGCI Members. Course fees help support the National Gallery as well as cover the costs of the instructors. 

This programme, suitable for beginners or intermediate painters, will focus on making pictorial composition simple to understand, remember and apply. The classes will assist students in developing their own creative and perceptive skills and students can work in any medium they are comfortable with, e.g. watercolour, acrylic or oil. Areas will include: design dynamics, creating interest in your paintings, total value and contrast, colour, pleasing the eye, and achieving dynamic balance. Skills will be practiced in landscapes, still life and portraits.

John Broad, attended Edinburgh College of Art studying for his degree in Painting and Drawing, and gained his teaching qualification from The University of London.  Since then he has travelled the world and held many successful exhibitions. In 2004 he created the Wall of History alongside the Courthouse in George Town, which was presented to Prince Andrew during a royal visit.  In 2008 he exhibited in the London Underground and on the Pillars of Berlin.

Recently, John created a three-part mural at Fort George that highlights Cayman’s vivid and often turbulent past. John brought a part of the Islands’ history to life with his colourful work, enriching the National Trust site with new vitality and informing visitors with details of the territory’s history. John Broad is also well known for having mastered the technique of speed painting, with which he has helped raise large sums for various local fundraising events.  John has taught art at many schools, and was also invited by UCCI to design an art class syllabus and to teach a class on watercolour.

The Art of Book Binding with Marcie Wood is a one-day workshop exploring the art of book binding, with students being able to create their own diary, scrapbook or nature journal. The workshop is limited to 15 students and will be held 12 September from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM. The course fee is $50.00, with a 10% discount for NGCI Members and includes light refreshments and materials.

The instructor will deliver a concise overview of the history of bookbinding, followed by step-by-step instructions on the hardcover and sewn text block methods of book binding.  A brief demonstration and self-guided material on the t-fold, pamphlet, concertina, Japanese stab-stich and perfect-binding techniques of booking will also be provided.
Marcie Wood, is a fourth-year Illustration major at the University of Gloucestershire where she took part in many volunteer opportunities within the university and her programme.

During her studies she has been exposed to numerous art-making processes including book binding.

The National Gallery offers two teen scholarships for each of the continuing education courses on offer. Scholarships are on a first come, first served basis, and applicants that meet the application criteria (merit and need – based) have a greater chance of success. 

Registration for all courses at the National Gallery can be done by phone:(345) 945 8111 or email: education@nationalgallery.org.ky. For more information www.nationalgallery.org.ky