Class Descriptions
Fashionistas, Needles & Thread
AGES 8 +
12:00 - 1:30 pm
Ms. Gail
ABOVE: OUR FUTURE FASHIONISTAS WITH THEIR COLLECTION BINDERS AND PRODUCTS. BELOW: SAMPLES OF VARIOUS FASHION COLLECTION PROJECTS.
We are so happy to offer your child an opportunity to step inside the ever changing world of fashion that is appropriate for their age level. It’s a great adventure to be creating designs for fabric, exploring the use of colors and accessories, and creating a collection of their own line of clothing. The intent of this class is to provide a new challenge with every project. Technology is changing at a fast pace requiring new creative skills. Our goal is to bring back ‘old school’ skills such as basting, hemming, sewing on buttons, or adding an appliqué to decorate a plain item. Our students will have a unique experience and opportunity to learn how to go from a sketch of an idea to an actual piece of clothing for a doll or stuffed animal designed and made by your child. They will learn how to sew! Yes, threading a needle, making a pattern and turning cloth to a wearable item of clothing!
This puppy was created in 2007 as a sample, she still here in the studio, she was sewn on a machine, but can also be assembled by hand stitching… ask to see her! Clothes can easily be designed, then a pattern made and sewn.
Students will have the choice of:
Bringing in their own stuffed animal (12-18” tall)
Creating a dog or teddy bear from a pattern
Opting out of sewing, focusing on drawing and designing exclusively
My fond memory of our sewing classes:
We started sewing classes in the early 2000’s and had 6-10 students sewing on machines, the others interested only in hand sewing. Those classes continued for years and became very useful when hurricane Katrina destroyed the lives of so many people in so many locations, leaving families only with the clothes on their backs. Radio 101.5 held huge donation drives to collect items, clothing and toys for kids. We wanted to help! In addition to our students, we also had invited anyone that wanted to use our machines, donate fabric or stuffing to use their skills and join in. We donated 92 stuffed animals, brought to the drive in Freehold Mall where Big Joe Henry asked me to read the poem that was included in the clear, extra large, plastic vegetable bags donated by Delicious Orchids. We were so proud of our staff, students and their families! It was a wonderful opportunity for all.
Twenty years later we still believe every child has the ability to design when given the chance. We have more assets such as digital drawings and video demonstrations; not quite the same as a human right there to answer question and demonstrate the variations. When the teacher is right there explaining the process and showing examples, kids often surprise themselves when they realize how much they really can do. Ms. Gail uses her experiences in the real world as an artist/designer. Her expertise has been in fashion illustration, gift and package design, baby & children’s products and apparel. She worked closely with the SESAME WORKSHOP team, MARTHA STEWART team, and developing gift sets for K MART,TARGET and JCPENNEY. More recently she helped create doll gift sets for MADAME ALEXANDER. Under the name DOLLIE & ME, Ms. Gail created all the artwork for matching sleepwear dolls and young girls. Ms. Gail believes there is nothing more beautiful and miraculous than helping children discover their own unique greatness. Sometimes it’s life-changing.
-Marlene Bohnyak
Imaginations N’ Creations
Ages 6+
Ms. Gail
Creative thinking helps artistic talent grow. The ability to come up with great ideas and designs gives every student many possible paths for their future. Nothing can replace imagination when it comes to expressing ideas. We show our young students how to express themselves and how to use the many mediums to get the best results. Learning how to form creative concepts is a very important skill that will be useful in many areas. Brainstorming as a class builds creative confidence and cannot be underestimated.
Many of our students in this ages are unsure of their own abilities and hesitate to ask questions. We love to remind them that questions are important because when they are answered, the whole class is learning and grateful. This helps to increase their self esteem and knowledge at the same time. All of our teachers are very kind and patient and truly enjoy sharing their expertise with students of all ages.
Portraits to Pikachu
Ages 10+
Ms. Marlene
Our most popular classes for teens & preteens, it is focused on realistic figure drawing as well as styles of manga, anime’ and other self-designed creatures. Lessons include enhancing skills in shading, proportion and perspective for architectural renderings, portraits, still life drawings and paintings. Learning and applying critical thinking, students will utilize various media: oil and chalk pastels, ink, watercolor and acrylic paints, charcoal, colored pencils and markers to achieve their unique artworks.
To add more creative opportunities and challenges of expression, we have included 3D projects using various clays, papier mache, with wood and or wire supports when needed. Sculpting and building increases greater understandings of space, balance and perspective. These projects provide a wonderful foundation for future college portfolios. We ae so proud of our students who were selected to enter their ‘dream school’ colleges. So many of them are still in touch, often surprising me with an unexpected visit to the studio! Please read their stories on the top navigation drop down “WHERE ARE THE NOW?” to see where they are today. I’m so proud of them!!!
Jump Right In
Ages 10+
Ms. Gail
Join us for an afternoon of pure creativity. Our studio offers a welcoming space where students can experiment with a wide array of artistic tools. We guide them through the techniques required for oil pastels. , chalk pastels, or acrylic paint, working on either 9x12” or 16x20” canvases or specialized paper.
We believe that art should be personal and relevant to the student. That is why we encourage painting subjects that truly resonate with them—from the natural beauty of animals and landscapes to the modern pop-culture icons found in video games and movies. When a student paints what they love, their passion shines through in the result.
