fine arts center

fine arts center

Senior Action’s Fine Arts Center is a space for you to uncover, rediscover, or continue your creativity in community. It is a space in which you can share your story, dive into a new technique, and create original art. We believe creative expression is a vital need and a lifelong journey.

enrollment

Fine Arts Center Annual Enrollment Fee: $60  (Waived for Senior Action Members)

Annual Ensemble Performance Dues: $10/ensemble   (Waived for Senior Action Members)

 

See Spark Program Guide for prices, dates, and times for individual courses:

courses descriptions

Dance and Movement

The dance and movement program is designed to challenge preconceptions of movement and the body as we age.  Unlike dance in our youth which is very performance based, this creative form of expression takes on new meaning as we age and we dance for our own fulfillment and joy.

 

 

Alexander Technique: Posture, Balance, and Ease of Movement
Faculty: Naina Dewan, MFA
The Alexander Technique is a therapeutic and mindful neuromuscular technique that reduces tension and improves posture, balance, coordination, and ease of movement. No experience required. All levels welcome.

Bollywood Bling
Faculty: Sunitha Raj
Join Sunitha Raj, a real-life Bollywood movie star now living in the Upstate, in this fun and upbeat dance form which doubles as heart-healthy exercise. No experience required. All levels welcome.

Classical Ballet
Faculty: Josha Williams
Learn the fundamental technique & artistry of classical ballet: proper stretching, feet & arm positions, ballet barre basics, body positions, and center combinations. No experience required. All levels welcome.

Isadora Duncan Dance
Faculty: Elizabeth Wright, BFA
Join international dance artist and teacher Elizabeth Wright in Isadora Duncan technique, named after one of the greatest modern dance pioneers, which teaches expanded, fluid movement that comes from within. No experience required. All levels welcome.

Music

The music program provides and outlet for expressiong for both the beginner and the lifelong musician to continue in their individual perfection of their talents as well as in community with other musicians.  The program includes group courses, individual lessons, and performance ensembles.

 

 

Back to Brass
Faculty: Erin Thomas
The fundamentals of how to play and practice on a brass instrument. Students bring their own instrument.

Guitar
Faculty: Thom Hannon
The fundamentals of how to play and practice the guitar. Students bring their own instrument.

Introduction to Piano
Faculty: Matthew Lehman
Join Bob Jones University piano performance major Matthew Lehman in a fun four-week brief introduction to piano. No experience required.

Joy of Singing
Faculty: Erin Thomas
This class is the perfect entry to finding your voice in a stress-free way. Students will enjoy a variety of songs from different mediums: film, theatre, folk songs, and cultural classics. No experience needed. All levels welcome.

Learn to Read Music
Faculty: Erin Thomas
This class will cover the building blocks of music and how they are combined to create the music we know and love. Students will learn the names of notes, intervals, reading music on the staff, and basic harmonies. No experience required.

Voice  
Faculty: Craig Price, Ph.D.
This class will explore techniques such as breathing, articulation, phrasing, the aging voice, and other elements of healthy singing. Singers of all experience and levels are welcome. All that is required is a heart for singing and learning.

Woodwinds
Faculty: Erin Thomas
The fundamentals of how to play and practice on a woodwind instrument. Students bring their own instrument.

 

Individual Music Lessons 
30-minute individual music lessons available.
Inquire at the front desk for scheduling.

Faculty:
Cynthia Griffith – Piano
Craig Price, PhD – Voice
Erin Thomas – Voice, Beginning Piano, Brass and Woodwind Instruments

Cost: $30 per 30-minute lesson

 

Ensembles

Carolinians Senior Jazz Band
Conductor: Ron Hamilton, BM
By audition only.
Cost: $10/year; Members: Free

Happy Strummers (Intermediate Ukulele Ensemble)
Conductor: Laurie Gentry, MA
Pre-requisite: Ukulele II class
Fridays, 11:15 am
Cost: $10/year; Members: Free

Music Jam
Volunteer Leader: Bob Ripley
A music-based experience for all Creatives. Musicians of all levels, on a variety of instruments, including voice, contribute to song choices and make music together. Others are invited to listen while engaging in dance, sketching, and writing.
Wednesdays, 10 am-12 pm
Cost: $15/month; Members: Free

The Ukulators (Advanced Ukulele Ensemble)
Conductor: Linda McMakin
By audition only.
Fridays, 10 am
Cost: $10/year; Members: Free

Upstate Senior Band
Conductor: David Hamilton
Please inquire at front desk.
Tuesdays, 10 am-12 pm
Cost: $10/year; Members: Free

Visual Art

The visual art program offers many classes in a variety of mediums.  A great place to try a new art form that you have always wanted to learn.  Create art alongside experienced artists and beginners.  We even offer studio time outside class to continue working on your pieces.  The Fine Arts Center also includes gallery space and hosts special exhibits from community artists as well as students throughout the year.

 

 

 

Abstract Drawing
Faculty: Larry Halpern
Explore the realms of abstraction and expressionism. Learn how to see like an artist, about left brain/right brain dichotomies, how to find the artist within, and how to inspire your imagination. A combination of lecture, discussion, and creative exercises. No experience required. Materials provided.

Acrylic Painting
Faculty: Patricia Crandall, M.Ed.
This class will teach the basic techniques of blending, layering and shading. Students will learn about foreground, middle ground, and background as well as a variety of brush stroke procedures. No experience required. Materials provided.

Ceramics
Faculty: Jim Weber
This class will teach the basic techniques of hand-building and wheel-throwing. No experience required. Materials provided. Class limited to eight students.

Ceramics 
Faculty: Kate Krause
Join our newest faculty member Kate Krause to learn the basic techniques of hand-building and wheel-throwing. No experience required. Materials provided. Class limited to eight students.

Drawing I
Faculty: Ashley Brickner, BA
Learn Ashley’s 15 drawing epiphanies (how to hold a pencil, background & foreground, etc.), as well as the acronym W.A.L.T. (where, angle, length, texture/details) to learn how to begin and work through a drawing. No experience required except a willingness to try new things and a desire to draw. Materials provided.

Drawing II
Faculty: Ashley Brickner, BA
This class touches on lessons already practiced in Drawing I and will move into more complex projects like detailed face drawings of a variety of people, ages, and ethnicities. The goal for students is to acquire an understanding of how to draw faces. Materials provided. Pre-requisite: Drawing I.

Drawing III
Faculty: Ashley Brickner, BA
This class will further develop the skills learned in Drawing I & II and will practice compiling subjects and perfecting details. Materials provided. Pre-requisite: Drawing II.

Oil Painting I
Faculty: Roxana Sinex
This class introduces the fundamentals of oil painting.  Students will learn composition, placing an image on a canvas, values, edges, and paint application in grisaille and basic color utilizing individual still-life studies. No experience required. Materials provided.

Oil Painting II
Faculty: Roxana Sinex
Students will pick their own reference materials and be individually mentored through the journey of their painting at their own level and pace. In-depth instruction on color mixing, recommended materials, stretching a canvas, and framing a painting will also be included. Materials provided. Pre-requisite: Oil Painting I.

Pen & Ink
Faculty: Patricia Crandall, M.Ed.
This class will teach whimsical and standard mark-making techniques using only a black ink pen. Students will learn how to make flat objects appear 3-dimensional using lines and marks to create shading. No experience required. Materials provided.

Watercolor
Faculty: Gayle Miller
Explore the joy of watercolor painting from proper technique to design principles. Differentiated instruction for beginning to intermediate levels. Materials provided.