At ToDoInThisTown, we are big fans of the Arts. All the Arts. Just like in sports, we’d rather play than watch. The LUX Center For The Arts gives us an excellent opportunity to get involved (read: get dirty). The LUX is a door to the world of the Visual Arts for everyone in Lincoln. One of these doorways is their myriad of classes. The LUX offers classes for people of all abilities and ages. We are delighted to highlight a few of their offerings.
Let’s start with the kids. Besides birthday parties and private lessons, the LUX offers children ages 5-9 classes in Clay, Drawing, Sculpting/Painting, Knitting, and Mask making. Middle School Tweeners can learn Wheel based pottery, Drawing, Beaded Jewelry and Acrylic painting. They bump it up notch for High Schoolers with Jewelry making that includes bead work, metal-smithing and, well, using some serious equipment to make some really cool stuff. The pottery offering explores several creative wheel and finishing techniques. The Print/Paint Combo class looks to be an explosion of creativity. For those looking forward to Spring-break, The LUX offers creative camps for kids ages 5-13.
Week-long Creativity Camps Ages 5-9 – Elementary Youth Camp
Week-long Creativity Camp Ages 10-13 – Middle School Youth Camp
The LUX offers a variety of Adult classes ranging from beginner to those who are looking to develop their technical skills. Of course, this is all done with an emphasis on fun. The class offerings fall (roughly) into these categories: Ceramics, Printmaking (is this really called Printmaking, it seems more fun than that?), Painting & Drawing, Fibers and Metals.
Now to our favorite group classes. FAMILY CLASSES. Obviously, we love to spend time together as a family. There are Couples Classes, Girls’ Night Out classes and (here it is) Family Art Afternoons. We had the opportunity to attend a recent Family Art Afternoon Printmaking class. We learned and practiced a number of skills: how to design a pattern (teamwork), create a template (patience), choose colors (negotiation), and finish a project (celebration). Take a look at our family’s finished product.
Here are some classes with openings where you can ‘get dirty’.
Painting and Drawing
Print/Paint Combo Ages 13-18 – Projects will explore ways to combine printmaking and painting techniques on wood, canvas and paper.
Exploring Chalk Pastels – Learn how to work with this versatile medium on paper with instruction in application, blending, using fixatives, and color development.
Pottery
Pottery on the Potter’s Wheel – Learn the basics of working on the potter’s wheel. Practice centering, opening, pulling and trimming. Beginning to Intermediate.
Wheel-Thrown Pottery Ages 13-18 – Students will gain experience and make cups and bowls on the wheel. New techniques will be demonstrated each week including glazing and finishing methods.
Knitting
Learn to Knit – Learn to knit, purl, cast-on and cast0ff to make funky functional scarves, hats and gloves. Work from patterns or your imagination to create beautiful and warm creations.
Metalwork
Brooches and Pendants – Saw. Shape. Solder. Techniques covered will include bezel setting, prong construction, bail variations and soldering pin findings.
