October 16th, 2012 
(Photo Credit: Sarah McLaughlin)
Working from home can be isolating, which is just one of several reasons why this fall I decided to enroll in a course through the Fleisher Art Memorial’s adult workshops program. With a selection of almost 50 different classes offering instruction in everything from digital photography to woodcut printing, Fleisher’s comprehensive range of options is certainly impressive and inspiring to someone looking to delve into a new hobby or rekindle one’s love of the arts. Adult workshops are conveniently scheduled both during the day and at night to easily adapt to different schedules. I chose to take a morning painting class, Painting Fundamentals with Emily Brett Lukens, which meets for 12 three-hour long sessions, one each week.
(Photo Credit: Sarah McLaughlin)
Through weekly painting sessions, individual help and group critiques, I’ve been able to hone the skills that I began developing in high school and produce some decent work. Taking an adult art class is a terrific way to decompress during a stressful week, or to meet new friends. I find painting helps me work out my issues with wanting to be overly controlled in my writing; it frees up my mind and helps me take risks in an area where I feel I have less to lose. If I mess up a painting, it’s no big deal, and that’s kind of wonderful. The class is open to students with a range of talent, which means that there is a lot of room to learn from one’s peers.
In addition to adult workshops, the Fleisher Art Memorial has tons to offer anyone interested in the arts. Founded by Samuel S. Fleisher in 1898 in the form of a Graphic Sketch Club open to people of all ages and economic backgrounds, Fleischer has since made its mission one of encouraging tolerance and community building through the arts. Scholarships and help with workshop tuition are made widely available to those who cannot afford to pay the full cost, which is fantastic given just how expensive art supplies can be.
(Photo Credit: Fleisher.org)
Every Wednesday after school, Fleisher welcomes children and teenagers ranging from 5-18 years old to stop by and participate in workshops, or meet professional artists in the Teen Lounge, developed to encourage teenagers interested in pursuing the arts. Free on-site classes are also offered every Saturday in a range of mediums to children ages 5-18. If your school or social service program is interested in working with Fleisher, they sponsor a program called Community Partnership with the Arts (CPA), which focuses on community outreach art programs that range from community service projects to working with kids in public schools. It’s a great way to bring arts into communities that may not have the best access to supplies. With such a range of offerings and programs, Fleisher continues its strong commitment to art as a medium for community building, outreach and expression.
For more information call 215-922-3456 or send a letter of interest to info@fleisher.org.
WHERE:
Fleisher Art Memorial
719 Catherine Street
Philadelphia, PA
Ph. 215-922-3456
HOURS:
Adult Workshops are offered Monday – Friday. To see the schedule of upcoming courses for the winter session, please visit the Fleisher website.
Free courses for children go on every Saturday. The schedule is also available on Fleisher’s website.
COST:
Find tuition for workshops and open studios here.
Find information on tuition free courses for children here.
Find information on tuition free courses for adults here.
Thank you for this wonderful write up Sarah!