DRAW WITH US: SEEING IS BELIEVING - A DRAWING CLASS FOR THE PONDERER

SEEING IS BELIEVING is a study course for the curious, the one who ponders, the person who wants to stretch their way into perceiving in an open observation based structure. Through observing deeply, we can learn to draw what we truly see. The class structure supports serious observation through drawing what is around us, beginning with curated still life setups using charcoal, rag drawing paper, soft lead pencils, and erasers. Discourse and tea will happen as well, as will discussion of the readings and experiences during the drawing process. The objective here is to slow down, truly see what is in front of us, both in drawing and in life.

The course is designed in a salon format with directed readings and discourse, modeled after the Black Mountain Instructor Hazel Archer, whose class "Perceptions" inspired many artists and thinkers in Santa Fe in the1980's and 1990's. In this current course, we add drawing from observing as a tool into perception. Olive Rush, in her 1947 speech at Earlham College’s Graduation, recommended the student-focused art program at Black Mountain College as a model for Earlham.

There are three independent salon sessions for this class: Jan 31, Feb 21, and March 7. Students can register for one, two or all three sessions. Each salon will be supplied with directed readings, sent before the class date — usually two per meeting. On March 7th at 4 PM there will be an exhibition of artists’ work from all three sessions, with a reception. Students from the earlier sessions are welcome to attend at 4 PM that day.

Cost is $90.00 per session with a $20.00 materials fee to be collected at the class. If you register for all three classes, the cost is $300.00 with no materials fee.

MATERIALS: Students will bring their own 11 x 14 sketchpad. Basic art supplies are included as needed for each salon's subject. Drawing boards, pencils, charcoal and erasers will be provided.

TEACHER: After graduate school, Shelley Horton Trippe moved to Paris to study video with Nam June Paik, and exhibited in the first International Women in the Arts exhibition at UNESCO. Then, in 1978, she settled in Northern New Mexico to continue her interdisciplinary practice. Horton-Trippe has exhibited in the Salon D'Autumn-Paris, The Edinburgh Festival, The Site Santa fe Biennial and many other national and international exhibitions. She has had residencies at John Ruskin's home, Brantwood Northern England, Residencies in Malta, France, Scotland and the Harwood Museum in Taos. She has been awarded 5 National Endowment for the Arts Grants, 4 New Mexico Arts grants, a NM Women's grant, 2 Witter Bynner Grants in Poetry, and a Gottlieb and Rauschenberg grant. She has also taught for over 40 years. She began the Children's Art Studio School in Santa Fe in 1981 and went on to teach at the College of Santa Fe, UNM and The Institute of American Indian Art. The art of Shelley Horton Trippe, whether it be paintings, drawings, prints or installation is most allied with the interdisciplinary workings of the Feminist movement of the 1970’s and her work is often reexamining history to expose it’s inconsistencies. Questioning the dominant motive is at the root of the inquiry and exploring the innate duality of existence: rich/poor, dark/light, Woman/Man remains at the core. Locally, her work can be seen in the New Mexico State Art Collection-State Capital Roundhouse, or through the galleries, LewAllen, G2 Gallery, and PHIL Space in Santa Fe.