Arlington Community Education

The post-editing process can help an image stand out, resulting in a photograph you really love. Adobe Photoshop is the premier editing software used by industry professionals and you can use it, too. By learning the basic tools of cropping, exposure, color correction, spot and object removal, and more, gain proficiency in identifying what makes a strong photograph and learn how to achieve it with Photoshop editing software.

Make stronger, more engaging portraits and develop a thoughtful, intentional approach to your photographic practice. Learn about the use of light, composition, pose, and gesture and discuss different ways of approaching portrait-making depending on your interests and intentions. We will talk about the relationship between subject and photographer, how to find people to photograph, and how to use portraiture for storytelling. Weekly assignments and critiques will help you step out of your comfort zone, experiment, and develop a productive and collaborative process for your portrait projects. Please note: You are expected to be familiar with your chosen camera’s basic functions.

IMPORTANT: Due to exceptionally high demand for this class, we ask that you DO NOT register if you have already taken this class two or more times. This will allow new students to experience the class. Thank you for your understanding. Pottery is one of the oldest expressions of human inventiveness and creativity, dating from before the Neolithic period and discovered in various locations around the globe. Explore the potentials of clay by creating both functional vessels and sculptural forms in this class for beginners. Learn basic handbuilding, wheel throwing, and surface decorating techniques. All work will be glazed and fired, resulting in vibrant, durable, waterproof, and food-safe pieces of art.

Preserve flowers in a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry, just in time for Mother’s Day. Learn how to work with resin and plant materials to create a unique pair of earrings and a necklace. Choose from various jewelry styles and florals that you will preserve in resin. You will arrange the flowers into two beautiful jewelry designs to take home at the end of the class. All materials will be provided, but feel free to bring any flowers that are meaningful to you.

Familiar with your sewing machine’s basic functions but nervous about tackling a project on your own? Get step-by-step assistance making a simple piece of clothing. Project possibilities include pajama bottoms, a skirt, top, or dress. Get a better understanding of the sewing process. Discover what can be added to a simple project to transform it into a standout piece. We will cover button holes, zippers, pockets, fitting, and types of hemming and finishes, plus see how a serger can add to your sewing experience. Please note: Bring your sewing machine in good working order, along with your machine’s instruction manual, if you have it.

Creatively repair your damaged clothes with hand stitching techniques. First learn how to repair holes, tears, and stains in clothing made of woven fabrics using fabric patches and simple hand embroidery stitches. Then we will concentrate on darning, a fabric mending technique for woven or knit fabrics that involves reinforcing or re-weaving a portion by hand. Learn about tools and materials for visible mending and make a sampler of both techniques that you can refer back to later. No hand sewing or mending experience required. The class materials list can be found here. (Please do not purchase materials until we confirm that the class has met the minimum enrollment.)

Watercolor paintings, among the most beautiful and subtly colorful works of art, are both satisfying and challenging to create. Watercolor pencils provide a unique and versatile way to generate more vivid, saturated color alongside the medium’s traditional luminosity. We’ll work with these water-soluble pencils to create beautiful paintings, combining the best features of water media with the texture of colored pencils. All levels welcome. The class materials list can be found here.

Discover the beauty and versatility of watercolors in this engaging class focused on traditional and experimental painting techniques. With a combination of approaches using traditional watercolor paints, opaque watercolors (gouache), and watercolor pencils, we will aim to make this art form more accessible, despite the common fear often associated with watercolors. Some previous experience in painting is preferred. The class materials list can be found here.