Introducing “Studio Time” Art Sessions
It’s always exciting to open another window on the artistic process. The new program series Studio Time offers adults the chance to take an art lesson from a contemporary artist whose work the museum has collected or displayed. The first three sessions—on May 11, June 8, and July 13—will be led by, respectively, Mary Borgman (charcoal on Mylar, her work Merwin (Merf) Shaw is above), Mequitta Ahuja (collage drawing), and Jennifer Levonian (animation).
Studio Time builds on the great momentum of our serial exhibitions “Portraiture Now” and “Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition,” which show the current state of the art of portraiture and offer visitors a special opportunity: the chance to discuss a successful artist’s inspiration, materials, and technique with her (or him).
NPG programs, including the popular Family Days, Be the Artist, and Gallery360, have made those discussions a regular occurrence—indeed, a point of emphasis. For example, after presenting a Gallery360 talk for us, artist John Kascht made a short film, Funny Bones, that reveals his process in rich and humorous detail. However, seeing so many unsupervised adults in the line for child-friendly art-making activities made it clear that the time had come for us to arrange a studio program of your own.
And so it begins this Saturday, when 20 visitors will have the museum—and Mary Borgman (right)—to themselves for a memorable art lesson. Whether you sign up to sharpen your own artistic vision, to experiment with unfamiliar materials, or just to have as much fun as the kids at our last Be the Artist program, carve out a little Studio Time for yourself this summer!
There is a $50 fee for registration and materials. The program is limited to 20 participants per session. E-mail studiotime@si.edu for registration and payment instructions. This program is intended for adults ages 18 and over.
Studio Time is sponsored in part by The Reed Foundation, Inc. Support also comes from the Reinsch Family Education Endowment.
