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We at Artascope Studios are pleased to share a new way to enjoy our Art Night Out® workshops. You may now attend our most popular classes at various locations throughout New England. Check out the line-up at Dabblers hobbies + café in Concord, Massachusetts. Dabblers’ is committed to providing local community with supplies, workshops and events that revolve around the world of hobbies. Here you will be able to get the full Art Night Out® experience with trained instructors leading workshops in Ice Resin Pendant, Crochet Wire Jewelry, Vintaj Natural Brass Jewelry, and Art Journal Book.

Art Night Out® workshops are designed to nurture creativity and help you complete an inspiring project in just one night. We make it easy by providing the right tools, materials and instruction so you can step right into the art-making process and just express yourself. No prior experience is necessary and all materials are included in the cost. What a great way to spend a few hours! Here’s what a few of our recent attendees had to say:

“I had a blast at Art Night Out®. It was a very relaxed environment. It was a great reprieve from my stressful week.”  Cathy Mati

“This is the third class I’ve taken, and I’ve enjoyed every one.”  Heather Monsen

“Thanks for providing a wonderful, creative outlet.”  Melanie Carroll

To register for these classes, contact Dabblers at 978-254-5798, or e-mail them at info@DabblersConcord.com

Artascope Studios can help you jump start your weekend with a creative burst. Jazz up your typical Friday night out with friends and family by signing up for Creative Open Studio, and take home a piece of art or jewelry you’ll truly love.

Creative Open Studio nights focus on a theme of jewelry making, painting, or collage making with the choice of two different projects. Open Studio is every Friday from 5-7pm, and materials are included. Bring your own snacks and drinks, and relax for two hours while revealing your inner creativity.

If jewelry makes you happy, you may choose to forge, texturize and wire wrap metal, or else work with ice resin to create a beautiful pendant. At the painting open studio, participants may choose either a landscape or still life to practice their technique. During collage night, you will enjoy designing your very own art journal or photo book by customizing the “look” with paint, decorative paper and embellishments.

As a special treat for first time attendees, we are offering the opportunity to bring a friend for free. Please register via our online schedule. Pre-registration required.

At Artascope Studios we offer a six-week Artist Series format that is the perfect combination of  inspiration and technique. These in-depth classes allow you to indulge your inner artist without committing to several months of class time. We welcome absolute beginners and intermediate students. This January we’re excited to announce the addition of a Fused Glass class to our Artist Series. With the drop-in option (just call ahead), it’s easier than ever to join! 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!

Lizzie Ruskin is teaching Metalsmithing for Beginners on Tuesday mornings.  Lizzie has the patience and a sense of humor to make any class fun! Also on Tuesday mornings, Sukie Curtis shows students how to follow their intuition with Expressions in Oil. Sukie has a laid back style that will help you find your true artistic voice. Tuesday evenings will see Clint Fulkerson sharing his love for Metalsmithing. His great sense of design is sure to inspire, as he guides both beginners and intermediate students. Cynthia Legere does double duty this session, teaching both Precious Metal Clay (Wednesday mornings), and Fused Glass (Friday mornings).  With PMC, the possibilities are endless–sculpting and rolling the clay to any shape you desire. Once fired in the kiln, the resulting metal is sure to wow your friends.  In Cynthia’s Fused Glass class, you will immerse yourself in the creation of beautiful glass pieces you can hang in your window, or wear as jewelry! Finally, Christy Devault is continuing her popular Landscape Painting class on Thursday afternoons. Christy will take you step-by-step through the process of creating landscapes from photography.

Visit the Artascope Website or give us a call for more information-207-799-5154.

The holidays are approaching! Do you really want to trek around to all those stores this year? Wouldn’t you rather be nice and cozy at home, with a blanket and a hot drink? Why stress out at the mall, dealing with the crowds, when you can visit Artascope Studios in South Portland on Wednesdays and Sundays (now through December 14th) to learn how to make personalized, hand-made gifts for your friends and family. Forget Made in China—how about Made with Love, by You!

Learn how to make amazing gifts using these techniques: pouring ICE Resin® into decorated silver bezels; crafting simple beaded earrings; crocheting wire necklaces and bracelets; embossing designs on metal; drilling sea glass; making your own holiday cards or pretty gift tags; or displaying a favorite photo with image transfer.

Demos are held from 1-2 p.m. All materials are available for purchase at Artascope Studios, open daily 10-6 p.m. Ask about our Art Night Out evening classes! Gift certificates are also available. Visit us on FaceBook to view the individual dates in the Events section.

I was asked to write a guest blog. I had become a fan of Art Night Out’s Facebook page some time back. When a post was made about an art class that was coming up, it jogged my memory that Artascope existed. I took another look at the website, remembered why I had “liked” the page, and sent off an e-mail to Catherine to tell her how much I liked the Art Night Out idea. I asked if she planned to expand to an area closer to where I lived, as I would love to be a part of her company.

She responded immediately, saying, “Yes! I could actually use a teacher. Are you interested?” Now, I had never considered myself to be a candidate for teaching, but with my art background, and the fact that I had made jewelry in the past, I thought, “Why not!” I had signed up with a direct selling company the year before, and the skills and self-confidence I had been learning as a result has prepared me to mentor and guide others in learning a new skill.

I attended two of the Art Night Out classes in preparation to become a teacher. I loved it–absolutely loved it. I had forgotten how much fun it was to sit down and create. What makes it even more enjoyable is the camaraderie among the other participants. We chatted, and admired each others’ creations. We relaxed, and enjoyed snacks and drinks provided by the studio. And at the end of the class, we all had two finished pieces to take home.

I really like the social aspect of the Art Night Out concept. It is a chance for a group to meet up for a night away from the demands of daily life, to explore their creative side, and to connect with others, whether with an old friend, or a soon-to-be friend.

I highly recommend you take the time to attend some of these classes. They have such a variety from which to choose–I know I can’t wait to learn even more from Artascope Studios. Never stop learning–you never know what new doors it will open for you!

After a few team teach sessions with Catherine Bickford, I will begin teaching the classes at the Old Orchard Beach/Saco Adult and Community Education program, and will soon be offering classes on my own in Limerick, Cornish, Waterboro and surrounding towns in York County. Contact me at (207) 247-4794 to book your very own Art Night Out and enjoy creative fun in a party atmosphere with your friends.

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!

Lizzie Ruskin is teaching Beginner Crochet on Mondays.  Lizzie has the patience and a sense of humor to make any class fun! We are so excited to have Clint Fulkerson back to teach metalsmithing on Tuesday evening. Clint took a short break as he jumped into parenthood with the birth of his daughter. Congratulations Clint and welcome back. On Tuesday mornings our own Gayle Raposa is teaching metalmithing for the beginner. Gayle’s methodical style of teaching is great for the newbie! On Wednesday Diane Brakeley is continuing her popular Resin Workshop. Diane has extensive experience with resin and will get all of your creative juices flowing!  Diana Ellis is bringing her expertise in watercolors on Wednesday evenings-her style will get you in the mood to bring your paints and palette to the garden this summer! Christi Devault is continuing her ever so popular landscape painting class on Thursday afternoons. Christie has quite a following and the studio is full of laughter when her group is here.

Visit the Artascope Website or give us a call for more information-207-799-5154

Art Night Out™ Party Kits and Workshop Kits debut at CHA Winter 2011 in Los Angeles, California. These creative party kits are based on the successful Art Night Out™ program developed at Artascope Studios in South Portland, Maine over the past decade. Each kit provides a complete experience for a party of friends at home or a complete workshop in a box for in-store events. Featured in the Innovations Showcase at CHA, Art Night Out™ products will be available in March from Artascope. FMI contact catherine@artnightout.com

Thursday December third starts another session of our landscape painting class with Christy DeVault.  Christy is an experienced fine art painter who also has the gift to be able to teach others.  Her patient demeanor and sense of humor allows her to help even the artistically challenged. I can tell you from experience that this class is one that will provide not only a great learning experience but it will also be so much fun. There are a few painters who come back week after week and let me tell you they know how to paint and have a great time.  Not only are they experienced painters but they are wonderful cheerleaders for us newbies! You can find more information and sign up here !

November 12th, 13th and 14th!

There is still time to register for our Vintage Holiday Frenzy! Make time for yourself before the holiday stress arrives. Not only will you learn new techniques but you will leave with lots of new holiday decor  and great new friends and memories! For more information and to sign up, use this link!

A weekend with Claudine Hellmuth proved to be everything we anticipated and more! It is always satisfying to learn new techniques but even more so when you have eighteen women and one beautiful bulldog filled with creative energy! The energy was lifted to another level because Claudine was in the house!!    For those of you who are wondering-Claudine was like having your friendly neighbor or best girlfriend over for lunch. Her down to earth demeanor, great sense of humor and passion for teaching others made us all feel fearless and inspired. Claudine repeatedly reminded us that learning the techniques is all about the process, not your final result.  Believe me, I took that advice to heart!!  I painted, applied beeswax, applied paper and fabric and then started over again. I truly enjoyed watching the other women dive in and create something that they loved. Many had family pictures that are now presented and archived in a beautiful way. Others created artwork for their grandaughters bedroom and some even incorporated a dead bee into their art. As the weekend was coming to an end I heard women say things like “thank you so much, my eyes are open again.”  Sometimes it takes a weekend of play, friendship, support and kindred spirits to remind us that we are creative beings and we deserve to treat ourselves ! Thank you Claudine for being a friend and an inspiration to so many-we are already looking forward to next year! For those of you who would like to read what Claudine had to say about her Artascope experience hop on over to Claudine’s Blog!  You can read more about our fabulous weekend, view our photo albums and see what else is happening at Artascope on our facebook page! and on our website!