Have you ever taken an art class at home? As social distancing and virtual learning have became more mainstream, Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art is hosting several online art classes, including water, coloring, fundamentals of drawing, and a coil building class.
William Harning, director of education, said they wanted to find different ways to keep the community involved in art: "This was a way for us to reach the community here in Great Falls. A lot of museums and art education programs throughout the county have been trying to find a way to reach people that wanted to continue on education through the arts. For us here, we saw an adventure for the community to be able to continue that education with online means, with effortless foundation methods of working with materials and ceramics, watercolors, and drawings."
Among the offerings:
COIL BUILDING CLASS (ONLINE COURSE)
In this 4 week class students will learn the wonderful technique of coil building to create works of art using one of the oldest methods in clay. Students will meet for an hour each week through Zoom to discuss the project, technique, ask questions and watch a demonstration from the instructor. These interactions will be recorded and kept for students to go back and review during the week through Google Drive. Works that will be created in this class can be brought to The Square to be fired and then glazed. Students can also purchase clay from The Square Gift Shop as well. This method of making is considerably less messy than wheel throwing and uses a minimum amount of water and easy clean up.
When: Weekly, starting June 1st, 2020; Cost: $50
Teacher-Student Virtual Meet Ups: Weekly, starting June 6th, 2020
FUNDAMENTALS OF DRAWING (ONLINE COURSE)
Students will learn the basics of drawing with this 4-week online course. Using Zoom and Google Drive students will be able to watch videos of the instructor Ashleigh McCann and partake for a weekly meet up once a week to discuss your development and ask questions. Students will learn how to build confidence when starting to sketch by learning shadowing techniques, marking-making skills, balance, composition and design. This class will be offered to ages 10-Adults. Family’s welcome!
When: Weekly, starting June 1st, 2020; Cost: $50
Teacher-Student Virtual Meet Ups: Weekly, starting June 6th, 2020
For more details and to register, click here to visit the website .
Paris Gibson Square plans to reopen to the public on Tuesday, May 26, and provides the following information:
- Monday- Friday 10:00am-12:00pm: Hours of operation for the vulnerable population only.
- Monday- Friday 12:00-5:00pm: Open to the general public.
- Tuesday extended hours are canceled until further notice.
- Saturday 12:00-5:00pm
Rules of Engagement:
- If you do not feel well or have COVID-19 symptoms STAY HOME.
- If you have a fever, STAY HOME and seek advice from a medical professional.
- No more than 10 visitors in the Museum galleries one time.
- When you arrive to and exit from the Museum use the hand-sanitizer at the Museum entrances.
- You must sign-in when visiting the museum. The sign-in station is located on floor 1 outside the gifts shop, We are recording dates, names, addresses and phone numbers to track individuals that visit the museum in case of a Covid-19 case is reported by a patron or Museum staff member.
- The Square highly suggests that you wear a face mask while visiting the Museum. This is to keep you and our staff safe. Your chance of contracting COVID-19 lessens when wearing a mask in public.
- Unless you are apart of a visiting family, please always keep 6 feet apart of each other while in the Museum.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, after using the restroom.
- Do not touch your face.
- Sneeze or cough in your hands or elbow.
- Do not touch any of the artwork.
- Only 2 patrons in the gift shop at one time.
- Do not handle gift shop items, The Gift Shop Manager will handle the items for you.
- If you would like a free docent tour, we offer them by appointment only. The size can be no more than 6 people. Call the Square at 406-727-8255 to schedule an appointment.
- The Square is not taking facility rentals, at this time.
