FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lori Brooks | 405 951 0000 | lbrooks@okcontemp.org
Media kit: bit.ly/OC_StudioSchool_launch
Ten-week classes and quick workshops offer residents of OKC and beyond a chance to connect and grow skills
Baked your fill of sourdough or binged enough Netflix? Studio School’s virtual courses encourage adults and teens to get digitally creative and socially connected this fall.
From ceramics and painting to animation and digital audio, Oklahoma Contemporary has a 10-week class for every interest. To accommodate social distancing guidelines, we’re livestreaming courses to students across the metro, state and country. Class sizes are limited to allow students to get to know one another and to receive personalized teaching from experienced instructors. Some classes require students to be near Oklahoma City to drop off and pick up projects. Others can be enjoyed anywhere with a Zoom-compatible device.
“We've worked with our instructors and consulted with other museums and studios across the country to identify the types of classes and livestream technology that work best with students,” says Adrienne Lalli Hills, associate director of Studio School. “As a result, we have decided to beam all courses live to you so that you can personally connect with your instructor and your classmates. Class recordings will be shared with students in case they miss a course or wish to revisit a presentation or tutorial. In this way, you'll have quality, interactive instruction from the safety of your own home during the pandemic.”
Jaime Thompson, director of education and public programs, says the need to keep visitors, students and staff safe during the public health crisis informed the decision to shift to digital. “Studio School Online will allow us to bring the creativity of our studios and local artist instructors into your home. We hope our series of engaging programs for adults and camps for children will provide a creative break and inspire you to explore your inner artist.”
Unlike browsing YouTube tutorials or auditing an impersonal open course, Studio School’s small classes emphasize individualized instruction in a fun atmosphere:
- 20 contact hours with experienced Studio School instructors, including small-group feedback and coaching opportunities
- Special discounted tuition as we launch online offerings this fall (members receive a 10 percent discount on top of this already-discounted price)
- Learners from all locations are invited to register for virtual courses (some exceptions apply)
- Best of all, students will be learning from, working with and supporting local artists!
“A class that I am particularly excited about is Visible Mending, which I'll be taking with family across the United States,” Lalli Hills says. “This course will provide instruction on embroidery techniques and the art of Japanese sashiko, or decorative mending. I'm excited to learn a handy new skill and share a new experience with family members in other states.”
Studio School Online offers multiple ways in addition to long-form classes to capture those experiences.
A new Friday Night Series for adults 21 and older features fun, hands-on activities that require little to no arts know-how and encourages work with a happy-hour beverage by your side.
Single- and multi-session workshops focus on a range of topics and disciplines, kicking off with Ceramic Steinmaking this week!
Registration for 10-week classes ends Sept. 20. Friday Night Series and workshops are offered on a rolling basis. A full list of classes and workshops can be found at okcontemp.org/StudioSchool.
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A media kit featuring photos and this release can be found at bit.ly/OC_StudioSchool_launch. Interviews with Oklahoma Contemporary staff or Studio School instructors can be organized through Lori Brooks (lbrooks@okcontemp.org). Past press releases and information are archived at oklahomacontemporary.org/media.
About Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center
Oklahoma Contemporary is an inclusive center for the arts where people of all ages and backgrounds can experience art, encounter new ideas and ignite their creative potential. Through visual art exhibitions, performances, public programs, community-building initiatives, outdoor installations and special events, we create opportunities for everyone to come together in celebration of contemporary culture and artistic expression. With year-round classes and camps across multiple disciplines, the arts center's education programs encourage youth and adults to express their ideas across a variety of media and learn new skills. Exhibitions are always free. You are always welcome here.
The arts center’s scheduled opening of a new, 4.6-acre campus in downtown Oklahoma City in March 2020 was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Oklahoma Contemporary recently began offering limited access to the public, and all-ages virtual and digital programming is available on the New Light blog. More digital and on-site offerings will be rolled out this fall.
Oklahoma Contemporary is a regional 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by Christian Keesee and Kirkpatrick Foundation Director Marilyn Myers.
