Let’s face it: No matter how many Painting with a Twist parties you attend, your chances of becoming the next Salvador Dalí or Pablo Picasso are slim. But for those who can at least stay within the lines, and who demonstrate a real artistic inclination before the wine kicks in, ArtCenter/South Florida offers opportunities to further foster your skills.
Since 1984, the multipurpose Miami Beach space has acted as a cultural hub and learning center focusing on contemporary art. In the ’90s, ArtCenter strengthened its community ties by introducing its now-signature community classes to engage local aspiring artists. “If you are making art, you’re one step closer to understanding the artistic process,” says Natalia Zuluaga, ArtCenter’s artistic director. “It goes right in line with our idea of understanding contemporary art.” And so ArtCenter’s curriculum, which comprises more than 20 different classes, was designed not only to educate but also to bring awareness to the art world as a whole.
Students choose from structured six-week workshops or drop-in classes, with an average of 10 to 12 participants, on topics like painting and photography. Both multiweek and short-term courses are led by professional artists, some in residency at ArtCenter, and often feature options in both English and Spanish. But the longer sessions allow for more personal attention from instructors, says Zuluaga: “You really get to see people’s skills develop over time.”
At an affordable $12, the figure-drawing classes are the cheapest and most popular option on the roster; in them, skilled artists and amateurs are invited to show up and sketch the subtle curves of a nude model. Pencils and pads are provided, and an instructor is present to offer advice on techniques like shading, but the two-hour session is mostly self-taught. This method, though educational, represents another way that Art/Center adheres to its mission of encouraging experimentation, says Zulaga: “It’s a way of thinking of the organization as a porous and open door for a lot of different members of the community to come in during the week.
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