My favorite part of the New Year – other than days starting to get longer – is the amount of potential in a new set of twelve months. Some folks set physical health goals or deadlines for the next big transition in their life. For me, the New Year means three hundred and sixty-five opportunities to learn new skills, explore unfamiliar roads, and take on novel challenges. This year, one of my goals is to take a screen printing class at the ZACC – an art form that I have always admired by rarely tried. Though I might start with a classic like Patricia Thornton's screen printing course, I'm tempted to try one of our newer classes like our mono printing course, or 'Intaglio for the Rest of Us', an introduction to printing using etched metal or plastic plates taught by Zoe Erickson.
Printmaking isn't the only art genre where the ZACC is offering new classes to celebrate the New Year. In a ZACC first, we're hoping to generate enough interest to run our first 'Introduction to Acting' class for adults and teens under the instruction of Reggie Herbert, MFA. This class is designed for individuals of all skill levels and abilities, including those who may be hesitant about taking a more traditional acting class. We're also offering, for the first time, an 'Exploring Textures in Felt' class with Melissa Thompson. In Melissa's class, students will learn from one of the region's best felt-focused artists in their own exploration of feltmaking. We're also reviving one of our favorite adult and teen classes from last year, 'Making Zines'. This year, Tandy Kunkle will be teaching this six-week dive into the world of making your own DIY publications. With so many courses beginning this January, there's an option for anyone who wants to explore a new art form or build on a familiar one.
Can't choose which class you want to take? The ZACC's scholarship program can help make sure you can explore all the art forms that call to you. Annual scholarships of up to $400 per individual are available via the scholarship application on our website. In 2023, we're looking to expand our adult scholarship pool. That's right, we want you to take free or reduced cost classes at the ZACC! Every individual within a qualifying household is eligible, so you and other members of your family, young or old, can have their own scholarship account for classes at the ZACC.
If you're like me and love to learn, come to the ZACC this New Year to take a new class or revive an old interest. I hope we'll see you soon!
Happy New Year!
Joe
