Fine Arts Center

Beading Basics
2021-09-20 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver) | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Learn the techniques the professionals use to design, create, and finish earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Create unique pieces to enhance your wardrobe, give as gifts, or create jewelry to sell. You will also learn techniques to repair vintage favorites to be worn again or revamp them into something new. Supply List online. Ages 16–Adult
Instructor: Ona-Marie Engle
Level 0 – This class is for the true beginner with no prior experience in the medium.

Guadalupe in the Guestroom
2021-09-30 19:30 - 21:00, 2021-10-03 14:00 - 16:00, 2021-10-06 19:00 - 21:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Guadalupe in the Guest Room chronicles a funny and heartfelt story of shared grief and love between two people separated by a language barrier, ultimately proving that understanding doesn’t always require speaking the same language.
Guadalupe is living in the guest room of her son-in-law, Steve, while she works to translate from English to Spanish the children’s books her deceased daughter has written. Overcome with grief and separated by a language barrier, the unlikely housemates struggle to communicate. As Guadalupe and Steve begin watching a television show together, they bond in unexpected ways, leading them to learn that understanding doesn’t always require speaking the same language. Guadalupe in the Guest Room is a funny and heartfelt celebration of new beginnings, breaking barriers, and the healing power of telenovelas.

Ronny Quevedo: at the line
2021-10-01 10:00 - 2021-12-05 16:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Working across printmaking, drawing, sculpture, and installation, Ronny Quevedo uses schematics—from dressmakers’ pattern sheets to architectural plans to geographical maps—in order to explore the formation of individual identity that is shaped by a fractured past. References to zoot suits are brought into conversation with Quechua culture, while Mesoamerican ballcourts are placed next to diagrams of soccer stadiums. Intentionally conflating time, space and languages, the artist maps relations between distinct histories, narratives, and visual forms.

First Friday & Arts Month kick-off
2021-10-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Fine Arts Center, 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Join us for October First Friday at the FAC! We’re celebrating the kickoff to #ArtsOctober with a new exhibition and theater production. Enjoy a cocktail in the courtyard 5-7:30 p.m.
Ronny Quevedo: at the line exhibition opening
Named a must-see show by the Denver Post, don’t miss our opening celebration and meet the artist with brief remarks in the exhibition at 6 p.m.
First Friday Reservation
Guadalupe in the Guest Room on stage at 7:30 p.m.
Guadalupe in the Guest Room is a funny and heartfelt celebration of new beginnings, breaking barriers, and a realization that understanding doesn’t always require speaking the same language.
TICKETS
Ladyfingers at the FAC shop opening
Morgan Calderini and Arley Torsone of Ladyfingers Letterpress are bringing a new retail experience to the FAC! Ladyfingers Letterpress is known and loved for the hand-made, locally-sourced, and inclusive goods at their downtown flagship location (which isn’t going away). Get ready for a beautiful mashup of this ethos paired with a selection of items designed to expand and enrich your FAC experience. The new shop opens Oct. 1. Kickoff your #ArtsOctober with a First Friday visit!

IMPORTANT COVID-19 guidelines and policies

Arts Month
Every October, arts & culture take center stage across the Pikes Peak region, as our community celebrates Arts Month!
Orchestrated annually by the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region, Arts Month elevates the visibility of arts & culture by showcasing local talent and creating new avenues for arts engagement and cultural enrichment. Visit ArtsOctober.com for local events & inspiration.

Painting the Seasons: Autumn
2021-10-02 10:00 - 13:00 | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Paint the vibrant, warm colors of autumn. Nature is a gold mine of inspiration—what better way to explore its countless variations than painting the seasons. Autumn colors provide rich inspiration for the landscape painter and this workshop will give you an opportunity to discover how to use opaque and transparent colors to express the glow of autumn leaves as wells as the nuances of foreground greens. Supply list online. Adult
Instructor: Linda Sagastume
Level I – This class is for those with some familiarity with the medium. This could include informal use of medium outside of the classroom.

Virtual: Fundamentals of Digital Photography
2021-10-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Learn the basic functions of your camera and how classic compositional rules apply to photography. Discover how to bring together the elements of manual mode to create intriguing images using shutter speed, aperture, and which ISO to use in different lighting situations. Also covered will be classic compositional approaches and
how to use them to express your creative vision. An introduction to digital processing will round out the course. Supply list online. Ages 16–Adult
Instructor: Michelle Mondragon
Level I – This class is for those with some familiarity with the medium. This could include informal use of medium outside of the classroom.

Finding your Voice! Self Expression for Teens
2021-09-26 16:00 - 18:00 | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
This workshop uses several creative activities to unlock your expressive voice through your art! Zine making and blackout poetry are just two ways we will dive into finding your own unique narrative and learning how to assert power through your creative endeavors. In addition, you will be provided with links to virtual content to explore on your own time outside of class if you so choose. These examples include political contemporary artists using zine making as a tool for artivism, examples of online black-out poetry, and resources to learn more about black-out poetry on YouTube. Supplies will be provided. Ages 12-16.
Instructor: Jasmine Dillavou

Unique Platters & Pitchers
2021-10-15 10:00 - 13:00 | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Create a pitcher and platter set that expresses your personal uniqueness! Learn basic slab construction techniques to hand build plant or animal themed platters using templates, texturing tools and textured leaf molds. Then move on to the more complex process of building a pitcher using textured slabs and flat pattern templates. Under glazing, staining, and overglazing will be taught to suit this project. Supply list online. 16–Adult
Instructor: Rui Haagen
Level 0 – This class is for the true beginner with no prior experience in the medium.

20 Prompts for Two Paintings: Learning to Create Free of Fear
2021-10-19 10:00 - 13:00 | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Many of us let fear or a need for perfection halt our artistic endeavors. This fast-paced mixed media workshop will interrupt the tendency to overthink and will allow artists to break free of their inner critic. The curriculum includes various techniques such as stencil, collage, image transfer, and drawn line. Using timed prompts, we will alternate between two paintings and learn tricks that allow artists to use both skill and spontaneity. Supply list online. Ages 16–Adult
Instructor: Laura Raborn
Level I – This class is for those with some familiarity with the medium. This could include informal use of medium outside of the classroom.

Words Matter When Language Becomes Art
2021-10-20 10:00 - 16:00 | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Study a variety of ways to include language in visual art in this thought-provoking class. The words can be a background, create a subtle message, be a graphic element or pattern, or become the central element of the artwork. We will look at contemporary artists who use language in their work. We will explore Christopher Wool, Barbara Kruger, and Jenny Holzer as well as looking back at how the Dadaists used language in their powerful collages. By discussing contemporary and historical use of words as art, students will not only learn how—but also why—to use text in their art making. Supply list online. Ages 16–Adult
Instructor: Laura Raborn
Level II – This class is for those who have taken at least one class in the medium. Student should be comfortable with the basics of how to use and manipulate the medium.

Off-Loom Bead Weaving: The Artful Netted Amulet Bag Necklace
2021-10-21 18:00 - 20:30 | Bemis School of Art, 818 Pelham Pl, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
In the past, amulet bags have been used to hold meaningful items such as amulet stones, crystals, and healing herbs. In modern times, amulet necklaces are fun, and can still be used to hold small, meaningful items. Challenge your inner creativity and learn how to stitch a beaded bag necklace using the tubular netted stitch, and seed beads. Learn to problem solve: if there is a mistake in color or technique, do you leave it, or take out? Is there another creative solution? Additional beading stitches will be introduced to embellish these tiny works of art! Supply list online. Ages 16–Adult
Instructor: Zandra Zieman-Foster
Level 0 – This class is for the true beginner with no prior experience in the medium.
