Project Based Learning Electives provided by the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy
​Drawing with Niki McNeil                                Spring 2020

Teacher: Niki McNeil
ph: 269-876-6518
email: nikimcneil@comcast.net​
Grades 1-12

Registration with teacher required. Please contact the teacher with class location questions.

Classes begin the week of Jan. 27, 2020
​
Art Journaling
Mondays-Stevensville Martins 1:30-2:30 PM Art Journaling
OR
Wednesdays-South Haven First Baptist Church - Noon-1 PM Art Journaling/Zentangle Combo Class
OR
Mondays-Stevensville Martins 4:00-5:15 PM- Art Journaling/Zentangle Combo Class
OR
Wednesdays-Coloma Library 4-5:15 PM- Art Journaling/Zentangle Combo Class​

Supply List: A Sketchbook, markers, pens, and pencils. An email with supply recommendations will go out prior to class but will use a variety of materials.
 
​What is Art Journaling?
“On the surface, an art journal is simply a bound journal filled with color, art, or imagery with words. But when you start asking journal artists what art journaling is to them… you’ll get a variety of answers. Some may tell you it’s a place to work out their ideas, or to practice and document their growth as an artist. While others may explain that it’s a safe container for their feelings, or a retreat to escape from stress, or a place to explore their inner landscape. It can be a place to practice following your intuition, to expand your comfort zone with the unknown, to play with new art supplies, a place to heal, to reduce stress, to learn more about who you really are… What it comes down to… is that art journaling is really only defined by what YOU say it is.” Kristal Norton
Kristal said it well, in this class I will help each student make their journal one of their favorite possessions. Artistic students will build confidence in their journaling ability and strong writers will find freedom in being artistic. Each week students will find they are learning more about who they are as a person and who they want to be in the future. The important thing to remember in this class is there is no wrong answers, it’s about personal growth and happiness. No two journals will look the same, every age can benefit from this process.
Syllabus
​

Zentangle Inspired Pattern Drawing

Wednesdays-South Haven First Baptist Church -Noon-1 PM Art Journaling Zentangle Combo Class
OR
Mondays-Stevensville Martins 4:00-5:15 PM- Art Journaling/Zentangle Combo Class
OR
Wednesdays-Coloma Library 3-4:15 PM - Art Journaling/Zentangle Combo Class

Description: This class is inspired by the Zentangle way of drawing. We will learn 2-3 new patterns each week and work towards mixing them together in bigger creations. We will work with illustration pens, learning how the different nib sizes effect each pattern and when to use a thicker or thinner pen. Students will learn a better understanding of balance, symmetry, and weight in art.

Needed Materials:  4 Pack of varied Illustration Pens,  Sketchbook. Optional but recommended a pack of 3x5 graph-ruled index cards
Syllabus

Create Your Own Art Journaling/Zentangle Class
Grades 1+
​Choose a time that works for your friends and family
Location: Berrien/Van Buren/Cass County
3 student minimum

Options include:
 
Twice per month for 8 sessions total. These would be 2 hour workshops and project based with a new project each month or larger projects broken up.
OR
Weekly for 1.25 hours

Do you want your kids to experience the arts but struggling to fit it into your schedule? With as few as 3 students I will come to your area (or home) and teach at a prearranged time that works for everyone. Gather your friends/family and create your own art class. We will follow the syllabus of the Art Journaling or Zentangle class or we can do a combination of the two.

*Please note: it is important to make as informed a decision as possible when choosing your student's Community Resource classes. Most locations will allow a student to drop a class after one meeting, at no charge if it wasn't a good fit for the student, but not all. Some classes plan ahead based on the number that have signed up and have purchased materials, hired teachers, etc. and there might be a fee for class time or materials given to the student if the student drops after one or two meetings. The school cannot pay for classes that students do not complete, so choose wisely; if you do not take the class off of your student's schedule by the deadline, you may be asked to pay for the class time incurred prior to dropping the class. 
​Teacher of Record:  Lisa Van Plew-Cid