Workshops
Saturday, March 31, 2012 ~ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Repossessing the Planet - Mixed Media Painting
Brian Hebert

• A structured painting project using magazines and newspapers on canvas along with acrylic paint to create a piece of art.  We will conceptualize the project theme and visualize our own interpretation of healing the planet.  A quick discussion on recycling and collage artists like Romare Bearden will begin the workshop, along with an example of the instructor's work, “Keyboards Don't Slay Lions on the Serengeti” acrylic and collage on wood, 4ft X 4ft.  We will discuss concepts and sketch our ideas.  We will act as the example and incorporate our sketches into our pieces.  The object is to start with a blank sheet of paper and end with a complete piece.
• Brian Hebert has held the position of Arts Program Specialist/Visual Arts at the Southwest Art Center since 2001 and was the catalyst for establishing the visual arts program.  Mr. Hebert has taught visual arts classes for ages 5 to adult for over 10 years in various media from drawing, painting and ceramic sculpture.  As an Artist and Curator, he has conceptualized and organized various projects merging visual arts with dance, music, and theater resulting in project; Bridging the Gap, The Antidote, and Camouflage, to name a few.  Brian Hebert is currently the Visual Arts Instructor for the Teen Arts Academy, Experiment with Art Media and Drawing and Painting Workshop.  Brian exhibits his work throughout the country.

Methods of Botanical Illustration
Linda Fraser

• We will focus on how to do an accurate illustration of a plant's structure, habitat, pollinators, etc, that is also aesthetically pleasing and interesting.  Linda will share her personal methods and tips.  White paper, a mechanical pencil with an eraser, and colored pencils will be provided.  Bring your own plant sample or use some that will be provided.  You may also bring your own art supplies if you wish. 
• Linda Fraser is a botanical artist who specializes in native plants of the southeastern United States. When she moved to Georgia she began collecting specimens of plants on her property for a herbarium. She soon realized the best way for her to study the plants and learn to recognize them was to draw them. In her words, “I hope my illustrations of southeastern native plants will promote appreciation of their excellent qualities, sometimes taken for granted."

Papermaking:  A Gateway To Myriad Subjects
Katy DeMent

• Learn to use papermaking to expand you lessons in fine arts, the environment, language arts, science, math, history, and social studies.  Learn to build your own equipment for use in the classroom, create pulp, manage large quantities of wet paper/pulp, and practice follow-up possibilities, including story-telling, creative writing, bookbinding, printmaking, nature study/botany, history, and environmental issues.
• Katy DeMent has been making her living as a full-time papermaker and teacher for over 20 years. She teaches papermaking in all grade levels throughout the Southeast. DeMent's work is found in galleries and museums worldwide and has been featured on HGTV’s “Crafters Coast to Coast”. Her work history includes instructor positions at the Woodruff Arts Center, Georgia Council for the Arts, Young Audiences of Atlanta, The High Museum of Art, and several Atlanta area school district programs.

Project WET Facilitator Refresher Course
GA Project WET

• Are you a Project WET Educator or Facilitator? Have you attended a 2.0 re-certification workshop? Join Georgia Project WET for this re-certification workshop and receive the Project WET 2.0 Guide and materials for two activities.  All WET facilitators must attend one of these re-certification workshops by September in order to maintain Project WET Facilitator status.  This workshop is designed for anyone who has previously attended a Project WET workshop and would like to receive the newly published Project WET 2.0 Guide.
  

Field Trips
Saturday, March 31, 2012 ~ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cochran Mill Nature Center

Join us for a field trip to Cochran Mill Nature Center in Palmetto, Georgia.  CMNC boasts a large collection of reptiles, birds of prey, and flying mammals – bats!  In honor of 2012’s Year of the Bat, Vicky Beckham Smith will give a brief presentation followed by an introduction to live Egyptian Fruit Bats.  Bat related arts and crafts, books & resources will also be on display.  Finish out your visit with a half-mile hike to one of Palmetto’s unique granite rock outcroppings, visit with resident wildlife, and an animal encounter.  

Truly Living Well Farm

Join us for an exciting tour of of one of Truly Living Well's (TLW) urban farms that contributes to producing over 20,000 pounds of food annually within the City of Atlanta!  Learn about the TLW programs and sustainable urban agriculture. 

TLW Center for Natural Urban Agriculture is a 501(c)3 that works to engage the community in developing local food systems through education and food production. Our unique farm campus is located in the heart of down town Atlanta. Through classes, internships, markets and summer camp we raise awareness about the value of local food systems.  These methods allow us to engage in community development by providing healthy natural food and increasing horticultural literacy in all the areas we farm. 

Boat Rock Preserve

Join climbers from the Southeastern Climbers Coalition for a tour of this amazing area populated with rocks the size of, you guessed it, boats.  See demonstrations by seasoned climbers as they defy gravity ascending the boulders.  The more adventurous will be given the opportunity to try climbing under the guidance of expert climbers. 

Boat Rock is a small urban boulderfield located just a few minutes from the SW Arts Center.  Boat Rock has a long history of climbing and held one of the first bouldering competitions in the U.S. back in 1985.  Within the past few years, the urban sprawl of Atlanta began to consume the once isolated bouldering area.  Much of the "Back Side" has been recently subdivided into residential subdivision while the area around the lake is slated for high density commercial use. The SCC has continued to work with the developer to save the area around the lake and make it a park for the public. The local climbing community galvanized when the opportunity to purchase a forested tract along Boat Rock Road came up for sale. The newly purchased 7.8-acre tract is now open to the public and located on 1220 Boat Rock Road.

Service Project
Saturday, March 31, 2012 ~ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Join together to give back to the Southwest Arts Center.  Help us to say thank you to the Southwest Arts Center for donating the conference space and hosting us at their facility.  More details coming soon..