Medieval Camp
Instructors: David Garden and his band of merry Nimbus Artistss
Visit a land of Catapults, Castles, and Queens, Knights and Nottingham. Dwell in the past with Nimbus for a medieval history art adventure. Students will explore the past through construction, design and challenges of the middle ages. Come break down the castle doors with a giant melon-launching catapult. Learn the symbolism and designs found in tapestries, shields, labyrinths, medieval wax seals, and coats of arms. Join us to discover what legends are made of in this bow and arrow slinging, myths of the mighty, and the arts of kingdoms past. $295
CA-6 Ages 6-12 | Mon-Fri, July 5-9, 9:30am-3:30pm Be sure to pack a hardy lunch fit for your young Kings and Queens
Plein Air Painting Class
Instructors: Inspired Nimbus Impressionists
What could better than meandering along streams and wandering the pastoral fields of Napa Valley to paint and sketch! "Plein Air," literally translated, from the French term meaning "in the open air"... was coined in the late 1800s when the Impressionists ventured out of their studios into nature to investigate and capture the effects of sunlight and different times of days on a subject. In this outdoorsy camp we will travel afield (literally jump in cars and travel by foot) to let nature guide us through the same journeys that inspired the likes of Monet, Pissaro and Renoir! $145
CA-7 Ages 7 and up | Mon-Fri, July 12-16, 9:30am-12pm Be sure to send your impressionist with comfortable shoes, sunscreen and hats
Master Artist Camp
Instructors: Melissa and Mercedes Baker and David Kelley
So much magic was created last year, so we are bringing this one back with even more master art. Young artists meet the heavy hitters in a spirited, inquiring approach to artistic invention. Students will of course produce their own masterpieces, sculpting, sketching, and painting while discovering the connection between style, creativity and history. We will inspire our artists by looking at the art styles of the world's greatest artists, and explore a piece of each art movement. Expect everything from the watery pastel images of Monet to the abstract portraits of Picasso. Be prepared! You may see the family cat as cubist feline. $145
CA-8 Ages 6-12 | Mon-Fri, July 12-16, 1:00am-3:30pm
Cloud Camp II celebrating 5 years!
Instructors: David Garden, Nancy Willis, Melissa and Mercedes Baker, Sarah Hall, Anne Pentland, Rob Keller and other cumulus crafters and sculptors
Soar once again with us to explore the wonder of clouds in our namesake sculpture, art and science camp. We will study everything fine art on land and aloft. This camp will rise into the stratosphere to find inspiration for sketching, painting, and sculpting table top inspirations and "cumulate" in the challenge of creating three-dimensional cloud sculptures of up to four feet in diameter! Planning and construction techniques will be driven by our student's own vision and directed by the encouraging guidance of engaging and trained cloud artisans. Don't miss out, this Nimbus phenomenon occurs only every 5 years! $295
CA-9 Ages 7-13 | Mon-Fri, July 19-23, 9:30am-3:30pm
Farm Fresh
Instructors: Sarah Hall, Rob Keller, David Garden, Anne Pentland and other artsy ranch hands!
Culinary arts and garden science on the farm! Dig in and belly up for a tasty exploration of food and farm. We will cook up some real fun in the art of garden and culinary delights. Between canning, culinary safety, crafting, planting and painting we will explore the nature and flavors of the summer's bounty. Study the science of bees, and the perfection of pies during this wholesome education in agriculture. Subjects in organic gardening and biodynamic farming will be discussed, and we will share the importance (and deliciousness) of eating locally grown food.. Many surprise guests will be sprinkled throughout the week, as well as armloads of tasty treats for your kitchen. $245
CA-10 Ages 6-13 | Mon-Fri, Aug 2-6, 9:30am-2:30pm
Camp Gaudi
Instructors:Rob Keller, David Garden, Lauren Hale, Ann Pentland, Melissa and Mercedes Baker and other Nimbus artists and architects
Antoni Gaudi's architecture and design is the inspiration for this, our final camp of the summer. Throughout his lifetime Gaudi's study and love for nature's angles and curves proved an ingenious source for his structural designs. Gaudi meets Goldsworthy in this process-oriented camp. We'll use collected materials to recreate the poetic forms of La Segrada Familia and mimic the colorful geometric shapes and patterns in the mosaic walls of Park Guell. Students will plan, measure, draw, sculpt and mosaic their way to exploring nature's forms. Our budding designers will have a chance to view images of Guadi's many amazing buildings and architectural feats, and then attempt their own!. $295
CA-11 Ages 7-13 | Mon-Fri, Aug 9-13, 9:30am-3:30pm
Youngest Artist Partner Series
Our goals for the young artists series is MESSY MUCKING ABOUT IN ART. Toddlers and their adult studio partners (you) can do some free-form, heavyweight, mixed-media, no-holds-barred creations in 2D and 3D, using paint, ceramics, collage, construction, found objects and, sure, even feathers. A wonderful opportunity to work with your little guys, empower their creative energy and applaud their budding, un-bent sense of style and color. Celebrate instinctual art with them.
Enjoy and Create!
Mini Masters
Instructor: Sarah Hall
Art History: Study a favorite artist each day and create art related to their styles, mediums, and art movements. Using mixed media, make Matisse inspired collages using bright colors and shapes. Build clay and stone sculptures shaped by Henry Moore's visions. Study Matisse and Picasso to inspire your own little cubist kitty masterpiece. $35
YA-1 Ages toddler 2-6 | Tues and Thurs, June 15 and 17, 9:30-11:00am (Children ages 3 and younger must be accompanied by an adult)
Mini Cloud Camp
Instructor: Sarah Hall
Fluff and fun for our youngest cloud crafters. In this mixed media study of clouds. Whimsical paintings and pastels, miniature cloud dioramas, and tiny floating fancies will make dreamy room decor for your lofty Nimbus art collection. Lie back and watch forms come to life in paints and puff balls during this Nimbus namesake class. $45
YA-2 Ages toddler 2-6 | Mon, Wed and Fri, July 12, 14 and 16, 9:30-11:00am (Children ages 3 and younger must be accompanied by an adult)
A Season of Reading, Poetry and Art
Instructor: Sarah Hall
Well loved children's books will be chosen to inspire loads of fun art activities. Using crayon and pen we'll draw cartoons of loving Peanuts characters by Charles Schulz, as well as collage and style printmaking and decorative papers to create a scene inspired by Eric Carle's "A House for Hermit Crab." "Stella Luna" and "Why do Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears" will be more creative inspiration for this mixed bag of arts and crafts for your young book lovers! $35
YA-3 Ages toddler 2-6 | Tues and Thurs, Aug 3 and 5, 9:30-11:00am(Children ages 3 and younger must be accompanied by an adult)
Mixed Media
Sculpture for the masses! Jump right into these new and unique sculpture classes for both novice and experienced sculptors alike.
Sculpt Your Head in Stone
Instructor: David Kelley
Once a week for six sessions you will learn to make a bust of your own likeness. We'll build an armature, sculpt your head/bust in oil-based clay, and make a plaster mold of your form. Using your unique mold we will reassemble the pieces and pour concrete, gypsum, or plaster into that. Once the stone has set - Voila, a masterpiece! $175
MM-1 Teen/Adult | Wednesdays, July 7-Aug 11, 6:30-9:00pm
Sculpture Studio 101
Instructor: David Kelley
In this explorative sculpture class you will have the opportunity to experience several sculptural mediums. Such as; clay, oil clay, wax, paper, cloth, techniques in assemblage. This workshop style class is catered to each student's personal interests and goals. You will also be able to experience sculpting from a live model, focus on different sculptural methods, and learn to translate from sight to hand. Get a great survey of sculptural history and techniques in this new mixed media course.$175
MM-2 Teen/Adult | Thursdays,
July 22-Aug 26, 6:30-9:00pm
Mosaic Workshop for Teens
Instructor: Anne Pentland
Bring your friends for a super cool evening of mosaic art. Create your own wall hanging while learning basic mosaic art and design techniques. You will use lots of colored ceramic and glass tile, river stones, and some of your own precious objects to incorporate into your own awesome wall mosaic! Come back the next evening for grouting, and you're all set! Tunes and yummy snacks provided. $65
MM-3 Ages 13-19 | Sat July 24, 6-9:00pm mosaic work; Sun July 25, 6:00-7:00pm grouting
Nimbus Ceramics
Open Studio - OK, if you all have not done this. . . JUST DO IT!
Instructor:Will Callnan III and other Nimbus Artists
An ongoing workshop and learning space for all you ceramacists. Just sign in and get your hands in the mud. Consult our dynamite experts, express what you've learned, try new skills, and expand your clay life. Not enrolled? No sweat, you can learn more about our program by playing in clay for a day. $35 drop-in
CL-00 Ages 12-Adult | every Sunday 11am-2:00pm, ongoing series
(No Open Studio July 4, 11 and August 22)
Foundations In Clay: Beginning hand building and wheel throwing
Instructor: Will Callnan III
In this class students will be introduced to the joy of working with clay, beginning with hand construction and attachment techniques. Then, get your artistic juices flowing as we master the basics of throwing, creating both sculptural and functional forms: bowls, cylinders, vases, bottles and other goodies! This is an inspiring and versatile medium and a great class for those with little or no wheel experience.
CL-1 Ages 11-100 | Weds, 4:00-6:00pm, six week series $75/3 class pass $135/6 class pass, (June 30-Aug 4 only)
CL-2 Teen/Adult | Weds, 6:30- 9:30pm, ongoing series $30/class pass $120/5 class pass
For the Birds - Family fun ceramic birdbaths
Instructor:Anne Pentland
Come make bold, beautiful bird baths for your garden! Birds will flock to these fanciful garden sculptures built from stoneware clay. Using coil and slab construction techniques you can design a one of a kind birdbath to place in your favorite garden spot. Finish these beautiful tiny tubs with colorful glazes for your feathered friends to enjoy. A great family activity! $65
CL-3 All ages | Saturdays, August 14 10:30-1:00pm sculpting, August 28, 10:30-12:00pm glazing (Children ages 7 and younger must be accompanied by an adult)
Painting and Drawing
Drawing Club is here to stay due to popular and enthusiastic demand!
Instructors: Anne Pentland, Nick Cann and other Nimbus Artists
For the LOVE OF DRAWING! Our enthusiastic clan of club members will love our plans for spring as we continue to explore imaginative ideas and technique building skills. Grab a pencil and join our cherished instructors for a bit of drawing while making friends and expanding your mind's eye, and hand! This is an art "basic" but always a very exciting and surprising class. Anne will kick off the session with all kinds of natural wonders for inspiration. We cannot wait to see all of our familiar club members. Be sure to bring your friends for more drawing fun this season. $10/class or $40/5 class pass
PD-1 Ages 6 and up | Wednesdays, June ongoing, 4:00-5:00pm
Figure Drawing Open Studio continues this summer; a must for beginners AND seasoned artists!
Instructors: Melissa Baker and Mercedes Baker and David Kelley
THE HUMAN FORM is the most basic and beautiful of subjects for artists of every skill level, trained or beginner. These classes offer drawing in a wide variety of media, individual attention and critique as well as group appreciation and comment. These studio sessions will be serious but delightful evenings of figure studies and still life settings built around professional live models. Please bring your own materials or call for a suggested list. $8 drop-in ongoing series
PD-2 Adult | Tues, 7:00- 9:00pm
Paint Works - Open studio style - let's get painting!
Instructors: Melissa and Mercedes Baker, David Kelley,Nancy Willis, Anne Pentland and Other Guest Artists
Creativity goes beyond technique, skill, and inspiration. It is life expressing itself through our own unique experience. In these open studio classes you will learn to work fluidly with materials, how to capture the feeling of light, color, atmosphere, shape and imagery, and other basic skills to express your own vision. Why Paint? Painting is a powerful tool that can awaken passion, wonder, and joy. Our Paint Works classes welcome everyone: adults and children, those who have never even picked up a brush, and those who have painted for years.
PD-3 Ages 8 and up | Weds, June 23-Aug 11, 4:00-5:30pm.
$50 Minimum 3 class pass OR $90 six class series
Weekend Painting Workshop with Nancy Willis and Helen Wilson
Instructors: Nancy Willis and Helen Wilson
This painting workshop is geared for working artists or beginning painters who want to immerse themselves in a day or weekend of painting. Combining good food, drink, and discourse as a healthy part of engaged art making, instructors Nancy Willis and Helen Wilson will lead you through a painting obstacle course. From beginning a painting conceptually to finding solutions to painting problems, this workshop will help prepare artists for the unexpected. For a beginner, that can mean picking up a brush and facing a blank canvas. For artists with some experience, it can mean breaking patterns hat lead to unfavorable results. In this workshop we will nurture and indulge your creative spirit while stimulating your painting methods and artistic thought.
Friday's kickoff introduction, will be an appetizer of what is to come including an art historical slide show and an in-class project. Saturday the painting gymnastics begin bright and early bringing the fundamentals into sharp focus. Sunday we move into deeper levels of understanding about how to bring content and meaning into one's painting. The weekend culminates with a critique and much deserved glass of wine.
$375 Full course price includes: Instruction, Friday night wine and hors d'oeurves, breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday and most painting supplies.
OR register for either Saturday or Sunday only$225 (includes Friday night introduction class)
PD-4 Ages Adult | July 9 thru 11, Fri 5:30-8:30pm, Sat 9:30am-4:00pm, Sun 9:30am-4:00pm
Oil Painting and Artist Studio Tour
Instructor: Dinah Cross James
A time to play and experience the art of oil painting! Accomplished artist and instructor, Dinah Cross, will share with you her techniques and practical knowledge of the 3 elements in compositions: light, color, and space. Working on heavy paper prepared with a ground base of gesso, students will learn special techniques using wood burning tools and oil paint to create line and unique individual interpretations. Dinah will show you how to create space with over lapping forms using basic drawing concepts used in her courses at Mills College, and share books from her studies of light and color which are good tools for creating your own ideas and solutions. Students will have a choice of working in realism or abstraction. Our first session will take place at Dinah's studio in Napa. Dinah most recently used this technique to express her feelings about the volcanic eruption in Iceland last month. - To view some of her wonderful work visit her web: www.dinahcrossjames.com.
$150 Perfect for all levels of experience!
PD-5 Teen/Adult | Tuesdays, July 6-27, and Sat, July 31, 1:00-4:00pm
Printmaking
Printmaking Studio
Instructor: Anne Garden
Come join us for a day of monotype printmaking. Learn various printmaking techniques while creating an image by painting, rolling, and stamping your designs on plates with ink to run through our beautiful Conrad Press. Apply stencil overlays, brush away ink and embellish with pastel - It will all happen using oil based inks leaving you with super saturated prints. Abstract or realist, it is all possible in printmaking. All levels of experience welcome! $85
PM-1 Teen/Adult | Sat, July 10, 9:00am-3:00pm Please bring a sack lunch to enjoy
Linocut Printmaking
Instructor: Anne Garden
Carve a space for yourself and join us for a study in linoleum block printmaking. Block printing sprang from China in the T'ang Dynasty about 1,000 years ago and has been an art explored in every culture. Some of the greatest and most valuable images in the history of world art stem from printmaking. In this class, you will learn cutting tool techniques, experiment with design carving in a large format linoleum blocks and print them using our beautiful Conrad press. These exciting linocuts can be used again and again to produce printed works on a variety of materials following the world masters from Picasso to Posada. $85
PM-2 Teen/Adult | Sat, July 24, 9:00am-3:00pm Please bring a sack lunch to enjoy
Solarplate Printmaking
Instructor: Anne Pentand
Discover this wonderful process for creative expression in printmaking. Both working and novice printmakers alike will be fascinated by this alternative method for traditional intaglio or relief printing. Make an original drawing or image, photograph or design, and turn it into a hand made print on our fabulous Conrad Press. Using only sunlight, water, and of course, your own artistry. Change these special printmaking plates using the process invented by master printmaker Dan Welden. This process involves many steps, but once you have created a solar plate, you can make many beautiful prints! $50
PM-3 Teen/Adult | Sat, Aug 21, 12-3:00pm
Textile Arts
We're very excited to welcome the newest member of our crafty crew, Jaime Jones. You might know Jaime for her children's clothing company, DamestarBaby. She'll be lending her sewing talents to our team, taking you and your children on many fabric arts adventures. Stay tuned for lots of fabric fun.
Recycled Rag Rugs
Instructor: Jaime Jones
Who said art was just for displaying on walls? Bring your creativity down to earth with this fun-for-everyone workshop. Design your own one-of-a-kind shag rug using recycled t-shirts. We'll have lots of colors on hand for you to choose from, but you're welcome to bring your own retired shirts to add to the fun. With lots of snipping and some very simple stitching, you'll go home with an original, washable, sustainable piece of home decor that will brighten up any room.
$55
TA-1 TAges 8 and up | Tues-Thurs, July 13-15, 1:00-3:00pm
The Art of Embroidery
Instructor:Jaime Jones
Turn a special drawing into a sweet piece of folk art. You'll spend time with Nimbus drawing instructors scheming and putting your ideas on paper. Then Jaime will help you stitch the drawing onto fabric, transforming your art into a ready-to-hang heirloom. A perfect gift for family or friend!
$45
TA-2 Ages 7 and up | Mon-Thurs, Aug 2-5, 3:30-4:45pm
Photography
Digital Photography for Kids
Instructor: John Smith
This fun Digital Photography class will teach students how to use a digital camera, general composition, and why subject placement can make or break a photo. In this course we will also explore and experiment with: landscape and portraits, image editing, general photography lingo, history, art/abstract photography, and most important: have fun learning how to create meaningful digital images. Our photographers will also get to use a tripod and a professional DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera supplied by the instructor. Feel free to bring your own cameras too! Students need to provide their own USB jump drive memory stick.
PHO-1 Ages 10-15 | Mon-Thurs, June 28- July 1, 10:00am-12:00
$85
OR
PHO-2 Ages 10-15 | Mon-Fri, Aug 2-6, 10:00am-12:00
$95
Beekeeping
The Nimbuzzzzzzzzzzzz - Nimbus brew - honey bear
Instructors: Rob Keller and Jason Grace
This class will be the perfect opportunity for both new or established beekeepers, and gardeners! We will prepare you for acquiring bees while learning about bee friendly plants needed to keep your garden and apiary buzzing all year long. Join us as we give you hands on experience in developing an amazing on-site bee garden. Students will learn to assemble their own hive, and learn what is involved in successfully managing a bee colony at home. Included in this dynamic class outline: discussions on bee biology, honeybee pests and diseases, beekeeping equipment, swarm prevention and control. Through open-hive inspections students will become comfortable handling bees. Our instructor will examine the vital role bees play in our environment. Class includes tasty local honey treats. $100 includes tasting, making and taking beer home.
BEE-1 Ages Adult | Sat, July 17, 10am to 2pm. Bring a sack lunch to enjoy with the brew
Summer Hive Check-up
Instructors: Rob Keller
Wondering how your hives are doing? Want to see how other beekeepers in the valley are keeping their bees? Nimbus is scheduling apiary visits to Napa's top beekeepers. Don't wait until it's too late - have a hive check-up before fall, and learn from each other! This course will cover a fall hive inspection with a written record and photos of each student's apiary. We will cover wintering preparations and building stronger colonies going into winter and other suggestions. A great class for new and experienced beekeepers!
$85
BEE-2 Teen/Adult | Weds, July 14, 21, 28 and August 4, 6:30-8:30pm
OR
BEE-3 Teen/Adult | Tues, Sept 28 and Oct 5, 12 and 19, 6:30-8:30pm
A BEE Primer for Kids
Instructor: Rob Keller
We are very excited to finally offer this special beekeeping experience for kids at our Nimbus Arts ranch site on College Avenue. Students will actually don real beekeeping gear and get into an actual beehive for study and exploration. We will spend time with bee-sciencing activities and discover the wonders of bees in the world's largest Mobile Bee Observatory (and classroom) now stationed permanently on our site! We will learn more about elements in pollinator gardens, and create our own honeybee attractant seed packets. Every class will include a little bit-o-honey tasting and sweet treats.
$50
BEE-4 Ages 8 and up | Sat, July 31 and August 7, 9:30-11:30am
of our fragrant spring rains, thoughts about Antonio Gaudi, architect, observer of nature, savant, and artist lured me into all kinds of luxurious, heady ideas for our summer camps and classes. As it turns out, Gaudi is a favorite for many of us at Nimbus Arts. This does not surprise me since his work and life's passion embody so much of what we hope to express through our mission and classes at Nimbus. Gaudi's architecture resembles something you might see in a dream, which teases and inspires the imagination, full to the brim with replicas of nature's forms, religious symbolism, and animated organic structures. One observer called it "anthropomorphizing nature". I LOVE THAT! Interestingly, Gaudi's name came up several times during our planning and dreamscaping NIMBASH 2010. So it is only fitting that we should find him a springboard to this season's ideas as well.
