Painting and Color

Focusing on color theory and the materiality of paint, students will learn foundational painting concepts while also developing their personal voices. Our lessons offer open-ended frameworks for exploring imagery and process, working from life, photographs, historical artworks and imagination. Students will complete the class with a portfolio-ready artwork and an ability to talk about their ideas and influences. This course will use water-based media such as watercolor, gouache and acrylic.

Instructor: Rebecca Levinson

Printmaking

This class introduces students to the basic techniques of printmaking and explores a range of printmaking methods including rubber block, linocut, wood block and etching. The class often includes special workshops offered by master printmakers such as Roger Herman, Xavier Fumat and Fernando Sandoval (from Oaxaca, Mexico).  At the end of the semester, students are expected to have completed two editions of prints.

Instructor: Javier Carrillo

Drawing

This drawing course offers an introduction to drawing as a process. The course will focus on expanding one’s knowledge and skills of the possibilities inherent in the drawing medium, while exploring various techniques, materials and approaches necessary for practicing drawing from observation. Students explore drawing as a way to understand, express and discover form and content. 

Instructor: Dan McCleary / Luis Serrano

Photography

Class reviews the basic functions of SLR Camera. Students will explore their immediate context and take photos using different ISO setting, F-stops and shutter speeds. At the end of the course students will have a clear understanding of the camera's function.

Instructor: Leopoldo Peña

Photo: Shanine J. / Art Division Student

Fundamentals of Music Production

Students will learn how to navigate a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). The class will cover the basics of musical arrangement, rhythm, harmonies, sampling, audio processing, and mixing. Every week, students receive a prompt to create a beat using the techniques learned in class. By the end of the semester, every student will have completed at least one full length 3 mins track.

Instructor: Matías Anaya

Art History

Through weekly conversations on art history, this course develops critical thinking, observation skills and builds enthusiasm about history and art. Students learn to analyze works within their historical context, and understand the styles and relevance of art throughout history, as well as share their own artwork, style and creative process.

Instructor: Fabian Cereijido ​

Collaborative Painting

In this course students generate a series of collaborative"murals" on 8 foot by 36 inch muslin. The technique--chalk pastels on a wet canvas primed with paint and glue--is similar to fresco painting. In our initial meeting, we brainstorm themes and topics for the paintings. Students practice creating a work of art in an improvisational and active way, alternating activity with reflection, and belonging to a "community of learners" where we are encouraged to teach one another techniques and ideas. ​

Instructor: Fabian Cereijido ​

Gallery and Museum Studies

Current issues in the art world are discussed based on weekly readings of articles and interviews. Analysis of how art is displayed in public settings, who owns cultural property, and how the art market functions are examples of topics to be explored. Careers and activities within museums and galleries may be examined, as well as how to properly display works of art.

Instructor: Catherine Hess

Intro to Film Arts

This introductory workshop gives participants an opportunity to learn the basics of filmmaking through a focus on storytelling, camera production, editing and delivery of a 3- to 5-minute short film, and will culminate in a community screening hosted at Art Division’s community space in the Rampart District of Los Angeles.

Instructor: Joe Petricca

Landscape Painting

This is an outdoor painting course designed to broaden an understanding and appreciation of landscape through an investigation of space, light and atmosphere. Students hone observational drawing and painting skills as they respond to their perceptions of the historic urban center of MacArthur Park, applying a variety of conventional and experimental approaches to landscape painting with an emphasis on personal expression.

Instructor: Frank Ryan

Bookbinding

The course will offer an overview in a variety of book structures and binding techniques, culminating in students producing their own unique artist's books. In the course's final weeks, students will spend increasing time working on and work-shopping their final book projects, which will explore the book as an intersection of content and form. They will present their projects at the end of the semester..

Instructor: Joel Freeman

COLLEGE & CAREER COUNSELING with ELLIE HERMAN

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This individualized workshop helps students transition from two to four year colleges by assisting with goal-setting practices and the college application process, as well as career counseling with resume writing, professional etiquette, and paid work in the arts.

College and Career Counseling is available to enrolled students by appointment only.

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