Foundation drawing, 8 week term
Line, proportion, value and perspective, from a blank page to a finished still life.
Valley Street mill studio
Learn to draw properly, one skill at a time
Eight week terms with a maximum of twelve easels, taught by working artists. Beginners welcome and genuinely expected.
12students per class
8 wksper term
4kilns on site
2016studio opened
Classes
Terms, workshops and open studio time
Term classes meet weekly. Materials are included unless noted.
Oil painting, 8 week term
Color mixing, alla prima and layered technique, canvas and paint included.
Wheel throwing, 8 week term
Centering through trimming and glazing, includes 25 pounds of clay and firings.
Weekend workshop
One day intensives on watercolor, figure drawing or hand building.
Teen studio, ages 13 to 17
Six week mixed media term after school, portfolio friendly for art school applicants.
Open studio membership
Unsupervised access to benches, wheels and shelving for current and past students.
The studio
A working mill floor, not a rec room
Bellwether occupies 3,400 square feet on the fourth floor of a Valley Street mill, with north light, eight wheels and four kilns. Everyone who teaches here shows their own work. We keep classes at twelve so an instructor can actually stand at your shoulder and correct what you are doing.
•Instructors are practicing exhibiting artists
•Easels, boards and most materials included in term fees
•Kiln firing included for ceramics students
Reviews
What students say
“I signed up at 52 believing I could not draw. Eight weeks later I have a still life on my wall that I made.”
Denise A., Foundation drawing
“The wheel class moves at a real pace. By week four I was pulling cylinders that did not collapse.”
Owen T., Wheel throwing
“My son's portfolio for RISD pre college came almost entirely out of the teen studio.”
Farrah J., Parent, Cranston
FAQ
Before you enroll
I have never drawn before. Is foundation drawing really for me?
Yes, that is exactly who it is built for. The first two weeks assume no experience at all. Drawing is a trained skill rather than a talent, and most students surprise themselves by week three.
What do I need to bring?
For drawing and painting terms, nothing. Paper, boards, charcoal, canvas and paint are included. Ceramics students get 25 pounds of clay and firings included, with extra clay available at cost.
Can I make up a missed class?
We hold one make up slot per term, usually a Sunday afternoon. If you miss more than that you are welcome to use open studio time to catch up, and instructors will leave notes on what the class covered.
How does kiln firing work for ceramics?
We bisque and glaze fire weekly. Pieces made in weeks one through six are fired within the term. Anything thrown in the last two weeks is ready for pickup roughly two weeks after the term ends.
Contact
Terms start in September, January and April
Classes cap at twelve and the popular ones fill early. Email or call to hold a seat, or drop by during open studio hours.
Phone(401) 555-0128
Address155 Valley St, Studio 4B, Providence, RI 02909, Providence, Rhode Island
HoursTue to Fri 10am to 9pm, Sat and Sun 10am to 6pm
AreaProvidence, Pawtucket, Cranston, East Providence, Warwick