Continuing Education + Community Outreach

About Face: Portraits

Course No. CEPT 100 00
Cost $325 Register Now
Sessions 8
Location Cleveland Institute of Art
Instructor Melissa Harris
Dates June 15-August 3 (Saturdays) – 6-9pm
Location: Cleveland Institute of Art

This course is an exploration in the history and art of portraiture. Learn to open your eye and steady your hand! In this course focus on rendering skills, while also exploring creative ways to interpret personality and expression. From realistic model drawing/painting to more abstracted methods of representation, this course is great for both practice and trying new things. All levels from beginners to portraitists are welcome!

About the instructor:

Melissa Harris has taught for CIA’s Continuing Education program for 6 years now. Graduating from Cleveland State University with a BA in Studio Arts, Melissa continues to stay active in the Cleveland art scene. She has shown her work in galleries throughout the Cleveland area, including Doubting Thomas, Serefino, Walleye, and the gallery at Cleveland State. Her work has also hung at many establishments throughout the area including La Cav du Vin in Coventry and the Lyndhurst Courthouse. She continues to work out of her home studio where she also provides private lessons.

Abstract + Experimental Drawing

Course No. CEDR 315 00
Cost $325 Register Now
Sessions 8
Location Cleveland Institute of Art
Dates June 10 - July 29 (Mondays) – 6-9pm
Location: Cleveland Institute of Art

Get inspired and draw like you've always wanted. This class will encourage you to see the world and your work with new eyes. Students will work with a variety of drawing tools such as pencils, conte crayons, markers, felt tip pens, pastels, and willow charcoal to learn key techniques and concepts that will develop your appreciation and skills in non-representational drawing. The course will pull inspiration from an eclectic array of sources, including modern artists (Klee, Miro, and Kandinsky), YouTube videos, and avant garde film.

About the instructor:

David Verba is a 1980 graduate of CIA with a BFA in Drawing and an MFA in Painting from Kent State University. Before returning to Cleveland Verba previously worked at North Seattle College in their Continuing Education program. Classes taught by David include Drawing: Outdoor Landscapes, Modern Art History, and Experimental Self Expression in Acrylic Painting.

Advanced Cartooning

Course No. YAIL 400
Cost $365 Register Now
Sessions 10
Grades 8-12
Instructor Josh Usmani
Dates June 10 - June 21 (Monday-Friday) – 9:30am-12:30pm

Grades 8-12. Do you know a kid who loves comics and cartoons? In this course, we’ll examine the more technical side of cartooning – both visually and conceptually. We will explore the history of cartooning – with emphasis on Cleveland’s role in the legacy. Students will learn professional standards and practices. We will work individually and collaborate in groups. This advanced cartooning class is meant for any kids who take comics seriously.

About the instructor:

Josh Usmani graduated with a BA in Painting from Cleveland State University in 2013. Before graduation, his work had already been featured in over 100 local and regional exhibitions. He is the Visual Arts Editor at Cleveland Scene Magazine, as well as co-director of Popeye Gallery at Survival Kit at 78th Street Studios. He also teaches cartooning classes for an after-school program at Campus International School. His artwork is represented by Tregoning & Company in Cleveland. View his work at joshusmani.com.

Basics in Fiber Art

Course No. CEFM 135 00
Cost $345 Register Now
Sessions 8
Location Cleveland Institute of Art
Dates June 13 - August 8 (no class July 4) (Thursdays) – 6-9pm
Location: Cleveland Institute of Art

This class will focus on passing down the long-loved craft of using yarn in different fiber art techniques. Students will learn basics in knitting, crochet, macramé, and weaving. We will start the session off by learning the simple stitches of knitting and purling in the form of a scarf. A variety of patterns based on desired difficulty level will be provided for each student. In the next project, students will learn the advantages of using crochet for more sculptural pieces and the foundations of creating a hat. In later projects, we will work on the art of knotting in macramé and the simple structure of weaving.

About the instructor:

Carmen Romine graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2010 with a BFA in Fiber and Material Studies. Her work focuses on sustainability and is inspired by memories of the surrounding rural landscape of where she grew up. Carmen has exhibited work in several galleries throughout northeast Ohio and has been featured in the arts section of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. She's taught a variety of different art forms and enjoys passing down her knowledge and love of art.

Beginning Painting

Course No. CEPT 110 00
Cost $325 Register Now
Sessions 8
Location Cleveland Institute of Art
Instructor Susan Danko
Dates June 11 - July 30 (Tuesdays) – 6:30 - 9:30pm
Location: Cleveland Institute of Art

In this introductory painting course students will learn the fundamental techniques and processes of painting with acrylic paint. Class projects will target basic painting principles and guide students to develop a better understanding of tools and materials, acrylic paint and mediums, basic color theory, and two-dimensional design concepts. Discussions, demonstrations, and handouts will provide students with valuable resources to facilitate good painting practices and artistic growth.

About the instructor:

Susan Danko received a BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 1998 and has a successful career as a fine art painter. She is a 2013 Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award recipient. Her work is included in prominent art collections including the Cleveland Clinic, the Ohio Arts Council, and First Energy Corporation. Susan is represented by Bonfoey Gallery in Cleveland. Examples of her work may be viewed on her website: susandanko.com.

Cartooning 101

Course No. YAIL 100 00
Cost $255 Register Now
Sessions 10
Grades 5-8
Location Cleveland Institute of Art
Instructor Josh Usmani
Dates June 10 - June 21 (Monday-Friday) – 1-4pm
Location: Cleveland Institute of Art

YAIL 100 Cartooning 101 is now full and closed for enrollment.

Grades 5-8. Cartooning 101 is a studio course for young, aspiring cartoonists, designed to introduce and develop a diverse set of skills around this eclectic medium. Students will work individually and collaboratively to develop their own characters and stories. We will explore a variety of media – including colored pencil, watercolor, markers, pen and ink and scratchboard. While the class is primarily a studio course, lectures will introduce students to the nature and history of cartooning – with a specific focus on Cleveland’s influential cartooning professionals.

About the instructor:

Josh Usmani graduated with a BA in Painting from Cleveland State University in 2013. Before graduation, his work had already been featured in over 100 local and regional exhibitions. He is the Visual Arts Editor at Cleveland Scene Magazine, as well as co-director of Popeye Gallery at Survival Kit at 78th Street Studios. He also teaches cartooning classes for an after-school program at Campus International School. His artwork is represented by Tregoning & Company in Cleveland. View his work at http://joshusmani.com.

Comix and Zines

Course No. YAIL 325
Cost $365 Register Now
Sessions 10
Grades 9-12
Location Cleveland Institute of Art
Dates June 10 - June 21 (Monday-Friday) – 9:30am-12:30pm
Location: Cleveland Institute of Art

Grades 9-12. This course will teach young artists about the world of independent publishing. Using traditional "tried and true" hands-on techniques as well as digital processes, students will create a complete zine or mini-comic from start to finish. They will hone their ability to develop ideas, design layouts, explore typography and collage techniques, in addition to experimenting with comic book stylings and techniques. This course will be a welcome introduction to the diverse and empowering world of self-publishing.

About the instructor:

Nathan Ward is a cartoonist and illustrator from Cleveland, OH. He has had comics published in The Plain Dealer, Scene Magazine, Maximum Rocknroll, Happiness Comix, and many others. An active musician locally and nationally, his work has been featured on countless flyers and record covers. In 2016, Nathan received a Creative Workforce Fellowship and self-published the first issue of his anthology series, Warpwish Comix. He graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2014.

Comix and Zines

Course No. YAIL 325
Cost $365 Register Now
Sessions 10
Grades 9-12
Location Cleveland Institute of Art
Dates June 10 - June 21 (Monday-Friday) – 9:30am-12:30pm
Location: Cleveland Institute of Art

Grades 9-12. This course will teach young artists about the world of independent publishing. Using traditional "tried and true" hands-on techniques as well as digital processes, students will create a complete zine or mini-comic from start to finish. They will hone their ability to develop ideas, design layouts, explore typography and collage techniques, in addition to experimenting with comic book stylings and techniques. This course will be a welcome introduction to the diverse and empowering world of self-publishing.

About the instructor:

Nathan Ward is a cartoonist and illustrator from Cleveland, OH. He has had comics published in The Plain Dealer, Scene Magazine, Maximum Rocknroll, Happiness Comix, and many others. An active musician locally and nationally, his work has been featured on countless flyers and record covers. In 2016, Nathan received a Creative Workforce Fellowship and self-published the first issue of his anthology series, Warpwish Comix. He graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2014.