Discover the Best Sculpture Classes in Los Angeles
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork, and includes a huge variety of different sizes and styles. Many sculptors work with traditional materials like clay and wood, however, some experiment with less conventional items such as “found” objects and recycled materials. While some sculpture is created to look realistic, other artists use more abstract styles. In recent years, sculptors have also begun to add other types of media–such as light or video projection–to their work, creating a multi-sensory viewing experience. Sculpture is a form of artistic expression that dates back thousands of years, to ancient times, when people carved small figures out of bone or stone.
Why You Should Learn Sculpture in Los Angeles
Many people find sculpture to be personally fulfilling because of the high level of creativity involved. Sculpture is different from many other types of art–such as painting or drawing–because viewers can interact with it, and also because it can be seen in many different ways, depending on one’s perspective. Sculptors also have the freedom to utilize a vast number of different materials in their work, and can manipulate and combine those materials in an endless number of ways.
In addition to serving as a creative outlet, sculpting classes can also have a number of practical applications. Sculptors gain a deeper understanding of proportions, volume, and anatomy, and they learn how to visualize three-dimensional forms. They also develop problem-solving skills, patience, and hand-eye coordination. All of these skills can be useful in creative careers such as design, architecture, engineering, and visual and fine arts.
In-Person Sculpture Classes in Los Angeles
There are many in-person sculpture classes in the Los Angeles area. For instance, Los Angeles City College runs a five-session course called Ceramics: Clay Sculpting. Classes are on Saturday mornings, and total tuition is $195. Participants use hand building and clay decorating techniques to create a number of different ceramic pieces. They need to bring a basic pottery tool kit to class, which can be purchased for about $10 from Amazon and includes a sponge, metal scraper, wire clay cutter, ribbon tool, aluminum needle, loop tool, potter's rib, and modeling tool. Los Angeles City College is located less than five miles from downtown Los Angeles. One of its goals is to empower students from diverse communities.
Valley Art Workshop offers Fantasy Sculpture, which is $450, and has four class sessions. This class is focused on taking students from figure drawing to conceptual sculpture. All participants leave with a finished sculpture. They need to bring wire, epoxy, a wood base, basic sculpture tools, and a package of clay.Valley Art Workshop is located in the San Fernando Valley, which is about 15 miles from the coast, and about 25 miles from downtown Los Angeles. The Workshop is an art education and performance venue, and has been operating since 2009.
The Art Studio, founded in 1994 by local artists, offers a Weekly Sculpting class that runs on Saturdays. One four-hour class is $85, and a block of four classes–which the school recommends–is $320. The class is appropriate for all skill levels, with students receiving instruction that matches their experience. They work with either water-based or oil-based clay. The school supplies the clay, in addition to wire, wood board, and sculpting tools. Students need to bring a sketchbook, and pens and pencils. The Art Studio is in Westminster, which is about 30 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.
Virtual Sculpture Classes
Online sculpture classes allow students to learn without leaving their homes. All that is needed to take a virtual class is a computer and an internet connection. This class format has become popular in recent years because it allows a lot of flexibility, and gives students access to a greater number of class options. However, virtual sculpting classes can be more challenging in some cases, since it can be more difficult to learn certain techniques by watching them on a screen. In addition, students in virtual classes generally need to provide all of their own tools and materials, while these are often provided by the studio with an in-person class.
Despite these challenges, students will still find a number of virtual sculpture classes. For instance, the nonprofit Evanston Art Center, which runs out of Evanston, Illinois, offers Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose, Making Sculpture. This class is focused on helping students push past the boundaries set by the use of traditional sculpting materials, and learn to utilize a variety of repurposed materials instead. Students need to have fishing line and kitchen shears for the first session of class. Tuition is $375.
Students interested in a virtual sculpture class will also find a course called Portrait Sculpture, which runs through the Grand Central Atelier school in Queens, New York. In this virtual class, instructors cover a variety of skills related to sculpting a portrait from a live model, including using measurements, sculpting specific features, adding expression, and infusing life. Students also learn how to maintain clay at home. Tuition for this class is $495.
Students can also learn other art skills virtually. For example, the New York Sewing Center offers a virtual class called Sewing 101, which has four sessions, and costs $450. Instructors teach students a range of sewing skills including reading a commercial pattern, choosing the right fabric, understanding sewing terminology, and using seam finishes and different stitches. Students work on a pair of drawstring pants or a skirt, and a drawstring pouch.
Private Group Sculpture Classes in Los Angeles
CourseHorse offers a number of different sculpture classes for private groups. A group sculpture class can be a great option for team-building, or it can just be a fun way to get together as a group. Most group classes include all needed supplies, making planning easy. In addition, no registration is required, and there are no booking fees. A class confirmation is sent out within 24 hours of booking.
Virtual Clay Hand Building is one popular group sculpture class. It costs $75 per person, and can accommodate up to 500 people. Instructors in this class cover a number of different pottery techniques, and then students work on either a candle holder or a planter. No prior experience is needed, and all materials are provided. In addition, participants work with air-dry clay, which does not need to be dried in a kiln.
The Polymer Clay Jewelry is another group class where participants sculpt with clay. In this class, participants create their own custom jewelry, which can be as simple, or complex, as they want. Clay, sculpting tools, and accessories are all provided ahead of time. This class can accommodate up to 500 people, and costs $85 per person.
Group classes that are booked through CourseHorse have a flexible change policy. This means that changes can be made to the total group size up to 72 hours before the event, as long as the minimum group size has been met. To receive more information about private group sculpture classes, or to book a class, contact CourseHorse.
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