Holly Hughes

The second year of this three-year advanced mentorship program encourages each student to push their studio practice. Working at a rigorous pace, engaging in critical dialogue with the group and with the instructors in individual critique, artists refine and expand their investigations. Wide-ranging topics include concept and approach to contemporary art practice as well as technical and material explorations. Students are expected to work independently with the support of their class peers and instructors, raising the ambition of their own studio goals. Although primarily a painting workshop, participation by installation artists and other artists working across media is encouraged. The goal of the series is for students to gain community, develop insight into their work and, through discussion, challenge themselves to reflect on their artistic intentions.

Gel Plate monotype is a low-tech, inventive, and user-friendly printing method that offers kitchen-table convenience for making art at home as well as portability for travel. Students learn the basics of this fun, press-free approach, launching their work in this medium for fun and discovery of new directions. We make finished prints and experiment with imagery and motifs for other artistic practices like painting and ceramics, and learn an “invisible” collage technique to combine works on paper into larger format works. Simple tools like brayers, rubber tipped clay shapers, brushes, and cut paper allows for complex layered prints.