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This week we are so excited to have Clint Fulkerson join us at the Studios teaching the Metalsmithing Art Escape® weekend! Clint works in many media including drawing and sculpture in addition to teaching metalsmithing. His work is shown at Susan Maasch Fine Art gallery in Portland, Maine as well as in many recent exhibits. Clint also teaches the Metalsmithing Series at Artascope Studios on a regular basis. This Friday August 20th through Sunday August 22nd, learn metalsmithing in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Begin by learning how to handle the necessary tools and equipment. You will then set out on several projects, making pieces like rings and bracelets and perfecting skills in techniques like etching, embossing and soldering. This class is great for beginners or returning students.

At Artascope Studios there are many different formats of art classes that you can take to satisfy your creative needs. Art Escape® creative getaways are weekend-long classes in a special topic. They cover a unique variety of subjects from stained glass to metalsmithing, painting to collage.  All Art Escape® art classes are suitable for complete beginners as well as advanced artists. The classes are taught by professional artists who will guide you through this enriching experience; providing you with the right tools, materials and instruction so that you can step right into the art making process.

In September we are so excited to have Claudine Hellmuth coming back to Artascope to teach Beeswax Collage! She will show you how to create a collage entirely with beeswax – you don’t have to us other glues or adhesives! You’ll learn about beeswax transfers, stamping in wax, layering collage, glazing colors and other collage techniques too! The cool thing with this class is that “mistakes” can not really be made with beeswax. If you don’t like the placement of your papers you can remove them – even months later – and easily adjust your artwork! You’ll be amazed by how easy and fun beeswax collage can be!

Claudine Hellmuth is a nationally recognized collage artist, author and illustrator. Her artworks have been featured on The Martha Stewart Show, in Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion magazine, The New York Times, on HGTV’s “I Want That!” and on the DIY Network’s program, “Craft Lab.” In addition to creating her artwork full-time, Claudine teaches collage workshops in the US & Canada, and she has written 2 books about her techniques, “Collage Discovery Workshop” and “Collage Discovery Workshop: Beyond the Unexpected.” She has also produced three instructional DVD workshops.

Treat yourself to a weekend of creative indulgence in this stress free and relaxing environment in beautiful coastal Maine – check out the whole list of of Art Escape art classes!

Another very fun event at Artascope Studios is the Stella the Unicorn Painting Project! Come help decorate Stella, the paper mache unicorn. All you have to do is be at the Studios from 10 to 12 wearing paint clothes (we’re using house latex paint, which doesn’t was out of clothing well). Anyone can come, small children please come with an adult. We’ll take turns with Stella, five or so at a time, and those of us not with her can mix and choose colors an pick out fun papers, sequins, feathers and other fun decorations while we wait. Can’t wait to see you at Artascope on the last Sunday of August!

The last Wednesday of very month at Artascope Studios in South Portland, we gather for our monthly Artists and Entrepreneurs art talk. This group is a place to share the collective wisdom of Artists & Entrepreneurs everywhere who have developed successful techniques for handling the business side of art. We share information about marketing & promotion, social networking, online selling, representation, shows, wholesale vs. retail, accounting, bank financing, product development, branding, pricing, packaging and how to be successful.

This month on Wednesday June 30th Bethany Haeseler will lead a discussion on blogging.  Are you curious about it? Bethany will answer questions like “what should I write about?” and most importantly, “how do I get started?” Bethany is a professional webmaster and an accomplished artist, completing her MFA from Ohio State University in 2009. She has been blogging since 1998 and is a wealth of information. In this one-night workshop you will learn how to start your very own blog with WordPress. Bring your laptop, leave with a blog. Really. Join us at  Artascope Studios in South Portland, the talk starts at 7pm and will go until 8:30. There is no fee for this event.

We look forward to seeing you Wednesday evening! Come a bit early to meet other artists in your community. Bring business cards, any art projects to show off ( we LOVE show and tell!) and maybe some treats to share. And if you have a laptop bring it with you to get started on your blog right away (don’t forget your power cord)! If you don’t bring a laptop, that’s ok too, just bring yourself and any questions you have about blogging. See you there!

Join the Artists and Entrepreneurs Facebook group! RSVP to the event and post any questions you have right now so Bethany can get an idea of you want to learn on Wednesday.

This June we are so excited to have Donna Downey join us at the Studios teaching the Simply Irresistible Surfaces Art Escape® weekend!  At Artascope Studios there are many different formats of art classes that you can take to satisfy your creative needs. Art Escape® creative getaways are weekend-long classes in a special topic. They cover a unique variety of subjects from stained glass to metalsmithing, painting to collage.  All Art Escape® art classes are suitable for complete beginners as well as advanced artists. The classes are taught by professional artists who will guide you through this enriching experience; providing you with the right tools, materials and instruction so that you can step right into the art making process.

This June in Donna’s class you will take your artistic skills far beyond your imagination as you create a journal or scrapbook that will result in layers of dimension and interest. Working on canvas, you will learn the process of painting, stamping, resist techniques and embellishing with texture for your journal or card making. This is an exploration in melding the best of the techniques and applications of the paper world with the best of the fabric world!

Donna Downey is a bestselling author, instructor and all-around creative force in the crafting industry. From working as a popular columnist for Simple Scrapbooks magazine, to traveling the world inspiring women to push the boundaries of their own creativity, to developing her first fabric scrapbooking line with Prima, Donna is consistently on the leading edge of all things cool related to memory preservation art.

In September another fun artist is coming to teach with us; Claudine Hellmuth is coming to teach Beeswax Collage! She will show you how to create a collage entirely with beeswax – you don’t have to us other glues or adhesives! You’ll learn about beeswax transfers, stamping in wax, layering collage, glazing colors and other collage techniques too! The cool thing with this class is that “mistakes” can not really be made with beeswax. If you don’t like the placement of your papers you can remove them – even months later – and easily adjust your artwork! You’ll be amazed by how easy and fun beeswax collage can be!

Claudine Hellmuth is a nationally recognized collage artist, author and illustrator. Her artworks have been featured on The Martha Stewart Show, in Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion magazine, The New York Times, on HGTV’s “I Want That!” and on the DIY Network’s program, “Craft Lab.” In addition to creating her artwork full-time, Claudine teaches collage workshops in the US & Canada, and she has written 2 books about her techniques, “Collage Discovery Workshop” and “Collage Discovery Workshop: Beyond the Unexpected.” She has also produced three instructional DVD workshops.

Treat yourself to a weekend of creative indulgence in this stress free and relaxing environment in beautiful coastal Maine – check out the whole list of of Art Escape art classes!

This May we’ve added many exciting new classes that have just been put up on our calender! New Artist Series classes are lined up, and with the new drop-in option (just call ahead), it’s easier than ever to join! These multi-week in-depth classes are for you to indulge your inner artist. This format is perfect for absolute beginners looking for a challenge or for intermediate students looking to sharpen their skills. Each Artist Series meets once a week for three hours. The curriculum begins with weekly projects and gradually progresses to individual exploration. Artist Series classes cost $195 for a six consecutive classes or $40 per class. Material kits are available to get you started!

Beth Badger is back to teach Drawing on Sundays and Landscape Painting on Tuesdays. Beth makes drawing and painting for everyone. On sunny days go outside and draw from nature!  Join Ivy Jordan for Silk Painting on Saturdays and immerse yourself in the vibrant and tactile world of paint and fiber. Diane Brakeley is teaching a new class making Repurposed Jewelry on Mondays. You will create jewelry with non traditional materials and learn to repair favorite pieces so they can continue to be worn and loved. For more jewelry but with a different approach, Sherie Wolfe is teaching Beading Techniques on Fridays. Make beaded necklaces, earrings, bracelets and add an extra element of intrest to your work by learning how to use wireworking tools. Our popular Metalsmithing series with Clint Fulkerson is taking place on Wednesday evenings. Enjoy Clint’s enthusiasm and knowledge in this class where you will learn the tools and techniques for this medium without intimidation.

Art Night Out classes are in full swing on Monday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 9pm and we’re already getting excited about the two Art Escape weekends, Necktie Chair Weaving and Metalsmithing and Resin Enamel starting on Friday the 21st!

On Saturday the 8th we are gearing up for handmade Mother’s Day Gifts! Daddys bring kids to make extra special earrings and cards for extra special Moms. With our kits and teachers here on Saturday, handmade gifts for mom will be easy, fun and beautiful! For the complete listing of Studio Events, Art Night Out classes, Artist Series classes and Art Escape weekends, visit the Artascope Studios Calender!

Check out our April Art Night Out® schedule! We have been inspired by all of the new ideas Catherine brought back from her exciting trip to the Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) show this year.  At the CHA show artists from around the world gather to share ideas and inspiration. Artascope Studios founder Catherine Bickford went to the CHA and the Gem Show in Tucson, AZ and learned about new materials and techniques that now we get to incorporate into classes at Artascope this spring.

Art Night Out® classes are all about personalization and showing the world how exceptionally unique we are. This April you can learn how to use collage to make personally meaningful art in the Collage Resin Pendant class. Or create a story with a necklace that will be 100% yours as you learn wire working techniques and add charms, findings and beads. Personalize your cell phone or i-pod with the felted cover, or create your own rubber stamps and make everything from your grocery list to party invitations personalized with your own seal. Check out the whole list of Art Night Out® classes start to personalize your life!

Some of the the national artists that Catherine met at the CHA show are coming to Maine and you can take Art Escape® classes from them at Artascope this year. Donna Downey comes in June to teach “Simply Irresistible Surfaces”,  in September Claudine Hellmuth teaches “Beeswax Collage” and Catherine Matthews-Scanlon teaches “Sewn Paper Cards” in November. There are Art Escape® classes every month with great teachers, like Gina Lee Kim’s Watercolor Class in the Summer and Fall, and Bethany Haeseler teaching “Stained Glass with Fusing Techniques” this April. Visit the Art Escape® website to see all of the classes!

February means Cupid is busy shooting his arrows all around – but love clearly is not simply for couples. Friendships are full of love too! And can be as valuable and important. This February at Artascope, we have been assisting Cupid in the love of friends department; we know Cupid has a tall order this month, so we want to help.

Handmade items are treasured and the gift of time with loved ones is invaluable. To show our love for our creative community (all aspiring creators!), we are offering you a workshop special! Receive $10 off when you sign up with friends family or lovers! Come to the Studios and have fun making beautiful treasures and enjoy time with the people that truly matter. So bring a friend, or two, or three – and let us share the love! (Maximum of $10 off per person).

If you end up with a crew of friends, five or more, you can book a private party at the Studios! Whether it’s a birthday party, an important celebration, or just celebrating friendship -this month the planner or the guest of honor will be on us! (One per group).

Choose from any Art Night Out class on our schedule and give us a call so we can sign you up!

See you at the Studios!

We just recently had our friends from Creative Office Pavilion in our Studios for their annual Team Building Event!

This is the fourth time Creative Office Pavilion has held this event in the fun and creative setting of Artascope Studios. In the past, they have had fun making jewelry, working with fiber arts and this year learned to make stained glass ornaments with our very own Gayle Raposa! While they are here, they made two pieces: one for themselves and one for their annual fundraiser.

Come to these events and have fun with your friends, family and co coworkers in a party environment and  nurture their creative side leaving with something they made themselves!

We are available to host your next corporate or private parity in our studios. The events range in size from five up to 20+ people.

Examples of groups that have celebrated with us like Creative Office Pavilion include Dentist offices and even your local Hannaford team. We also can help you celebrate birthdays for you and your child as well as just a social gathering or new hangout for your monthly bookclub.

Click here to find out more about having Artascope host your next party!

We LOVE making Valentine’s Day Cards with you! It’s one of our favorite events of the year!

The paper collage materials! The glue! The glitter! The rubber stamping! And, of course, the LOVE!

This year, Valentine’s Card kits will be available starting February 1st! If you want to stay and create at the Studio, we invite you to come in! We’re open daily 10am to 6pm! Or, you can buy your kits and make your cards at home! Kits will come in 2 options: 3 cards for $5 or 8 cards for $10.

We will have our annual Valentine’s Day Event on Saturday February 13th from 2 to 6pm! You can come and assemble the Valentine’s card kit with us that afternoon! We will have yummy treats and several other ‘Shops on Cottage’ will be open to help you celebrate this LOVEABLE holiday!

If you’d like to reserve your card-making kit for the Valentine’s Event, please call us at the studio 207-799-5154 or email Suzanne at suzannek@artascope.com.

See You at the Studios!

Stay true to your creative resolutions for the new year! Artist Series for 2010 are almost here! We have lots of things you’ve been asking for! From drawing to more painting, metalsmithing, stained glass, mosaics, beading and resin & collage jewelry! And complete with a sale on ALL of our painting supplies! 30% off brushes, paints, papers, wooden panels and MORE! Session I we have TWO painting workshops!

We are excited to announce a new addition to our painting teachers team! Katherine Papadopolis will be joining us on Tuesday mornings from 10 to 1 and exploring the world of color in Color Painting! Liz Prescott returns for the 2010 session as well with her crowd favorite, an Artist Series class in Acrylic Painting on Friday Mornings from 11 to 2. Both workshops will use acrylics but giving students their own opportunities to explore their inner Artists! Check out some pictures from last sessions Painting classes:

NOW through the end of January….ALL PAINTINGS supplies will be on sale! 30% off of brushes, boards, paint and mediums! This sale is good only until the end of the month! Come on in and join the painting FUN!

To learn more about our Artist Series, visit out website!

Sunday November 29th, we hosted a DIY Gift Making Sunday Event!

If you love to give handmade gifts for the Holidays but are having a hard finding inspiration and time, these DIY Gift Making Sunday Open Housesare perfect for you!

From 2 to 5pm, we opened our doors and have 4 ready to go kits: earrings, necklaces, paper mosaics and fun card and stamp making! Kits ranged from $10 to $25 depending on your creative venture for the day! We also had several Artists on hand to help out!

There are TWO more Sundays before Christmas, join us for a relaxed afternoon creating! The Holiday Crafting Open Houses will be on Sundays from 2 to 5 on December 13th and 20th. The 13th will coincide with our Holiday Sale GRAND opening event.

While reservations are not required, you may call to reserve a spot and a project and we’ll have it waiting for you when you arrive!

A perfect event for the entire family! These little creations are perfect gifts for friends, moms, dads, teachers and even YOU!