Fort Lewis College’s Continuing Education program has numerous classes that wouldn’t be classified as intellectual pursuits.
Among offerings starting soon are four that fall into the artistic creativity category. They would be:
Guitar: Learn to Play in a Day
In a single five-hour session, Marlene Hutchinson teaches basic guitar skills such as strumming and picking, tuning, open chords, simple music theory and playing familiar songs.
Students must have their own acoustic guitar.
Participants won’t be ready to go on tour at the end of the day, but they will have a foundation for further study.
The FLC workshop is the equivalent of six weekly private sessions.
Hutchinson, who lives in Orange County, California, has 35 years experience with guitar, piano, clarinet, vocals and dance.
Latin Dance Basics
Leslie Carlson, who trained at Arthur Murray International in New Orleans, has taught social dancing for 25 years.
Carlson prides herself on proficiency in dances ranging from ballroom to bar room.
The six classes at FLC are designed to give a foundation in samba, rumba and merengue and “dance etiquette” to lend confidence in a social setting.
Experienced dancers can brush up on steps that can be converted to all types of music, traditional and modern.
Students will practice leading or following a variety of partners.
Taking Pictures to Making Pictures
In eight sessions, Harry Liles will teach the basics of concept, composition and design by creating an image of how the viewer will respond to the image.
Students also will learn the importance of color, tone, harmony and positive/negative space.
Liles lives in Durango, but for 30 years had a studio in Hollywood. He has taught at the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California. He has traveled extensively and done location and studio work.
Drawing for the Artistically Wounded (Or Broken-’arted)
Brenda Macon’s four-class course offers her belief that art is part of asking meaningful questions about life and what makes us human.
She creates a nonjudgmental learning environment for people who feel stumped, find themselves in stick-figure mode or who just need a change of perspective.
The class also can benefit those who have had a negative experience and would like a fresh start with serious support.
Macon has a degree in classical studies and a Master of Fine Arts. She currently teaches art at Mountain Middle School.
Registration for any Continuing Education class may be done at 247-7385 or by visiting www.fortlewis.edu/continuing-education.
daler@durangoherald.com
