Latrobe Art Center classes help youngsters unlock creativity

Latrobe Art Center will offer various fall art classes for young people, from first grade through high-school.

All class sizes at the center at 819 Ligonier St. are limited to no more than eight participants. Staff members will meet all required safety guidelines and all in-person students will need to wear masks and sign the center’s covid-19 waiver.

“We’ve had inquiries regarding both in-person and virtual classes, with the majority of those who have spoken to us more interested in in-person art lessons. They really are eager for that socialization aspect of our classes,” said Executive Director Lauren Buches.

“As long as our instructors are comfortable teaching in-person classes and are willing to follow our safety guidelines — wearing face masks and submitting to our health screening at the beginning of each class — and as long as the students and their parents or guardians follow those same guidelines, we will continue to offer these in-person learning opportunities,” she added.

Classes for children in grades 1-6, presented in conjunction with artist Jennifer Kemnitz and Latrobe-GLSD Parks and Recreation, include:

• Mixed Media Landscape, 6-7 p.m. Wednesday — Construct a layered outdoor scene, complete with seasonal touches, using mediums such as painting, stamping and collage.

• Notan Paper With Zentangle Doodles, 6-7 p.m. Oct. 7 — Using only black and white construction paper, cut multiple shapes out of a black square and glue them down in a positive/negative space pattern. Fill the newly created white spaces with little black lines and shapes in a Zentangle doodle.

• Cupcakes, Cupcakes, Cupcakes, 6-7 p.m. Nov. 7 — Inspired by artist Wayne Thiebaud, famous for his paintings of pastries and desserts on display in a bakery window, draw a big, wonderfully decorated cupcake using chalk pastels on black paper for a vibrant glow, then learn how to shadow the cupcake for a realistic look.

• Rainbow Trees, 6-7 p.m. Dec. 2 — Using painting and printmaking skills, along with bubble wrap and cotton swabs, create a field of trees in a rainbow of colors.

“These kids get the chance to be with others who love art like them, have a place to be creative, happy and feel good about what they can achieve,” Kemnitz said.

Fee per session is $15. Registration is required through Latrobe-GLSD Parks and Recreation at 724-537-4331 or latroberecreation.org.

Classes for older students with instructor Sharon Coons include:

• Art 101 for students in grades 6-9, 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 16-Oct. 21 — Introduction to two- and three-dimensional art projects focusing on basic drawing skills, geared for the more serious art student. Various art styles such as optical art, mobile creation and sculpture will be explored, along with artists such as Alexander Calder, M.C. Escher, Victor Vasarely and Bridget Riley.

Students will experiment with various media. Recommended for home-schoolers looking to fulfill an art requirement.

• Art 101 for students in grades 10-12, 6-8 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 17-Oct. 22 — Introduction to three basic mediums — drawing pencils, color pencils, and pastels — to develop technique-based drawing and art skills that will promote confidence and creativity with personal self-expression.

Fee for either Art 101 class is $75 for the series, or $15 per session. To register call Latrobe Art Center at 724-537-7011 or visit latrobeartcenter.org.

The center also is preparing a series of seasonal virtual painting classes for children and adults with basic to advanced skill sets.

“For those who are more concerned about being close to others right now, or who have a full schedule already, our virtual classes are great because anyone can take them at any time of the day or night. They will just need to contact us ahead of time to pick up their supplies,” Buches said.