September will be  filled with Saturdays of creativity for students and adults at the Albany Museum of Art.
 
Middle school students will get an opportunity to develop skills in animation, while adults will be able to learn the basics and more about oil painting, said Chloe Hinton, director of education and public programming for the AMA.
 
“We look for ways to inspire creativity for participants of all ages,” Hinton said. “While these two workshop series are for different age groups and mediums, they share one important characteristic—you don’t have to have experience in either one to participate and enjoy the experience.”
 
2D Animation for Middle Schoolers is 10:30 am to 12:30 pm on three Saturdays—Sept 8, 15 and 29. In that workshop, participants in grades 6-8 will learn traditional animation techniques that artists like Walt Disney employed to bring their characters to life on the screen.
 
“This fits perfectly in the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) curriculum,” Hinton noted. “The students will use modern technology to tap that creativity they have inside.”
 
Students in the workshop series (the class does not meet Saturday, Sept 22 because of AMA ChalkFest) will learn the process of storyboarding and will create a short video. Participants will need to bring a smartphone, tablet or laptop for the Sept 15 and 29 sessions.
 
The cost of the class is $120 for AMA members and $140 for future members. Online registration may be found at AlbanyMuseum.com/animation-for-middle-schoolers.
 
The workshop for adults—Getting Comfortable With Oil Painting—is a class that takes place over two Saturdays, Sept 8 and 15. Those sessions will go from 10 am until 2 pm with a lunch break.
 
“This class is being taught by Rhonda Brooks,” Hinton said, adding demonstrations will be included to help participants better understand the process. “It’s the perfect opportunity to get comfortable with oils, whether you have been using the medium for years or have never tried it.”
 
The class will cover how to begin with a charcoal sketch and tone the canvas. Composition and values will be discussed, as well as preparation of the palette and mixing and application of color. Participants also will learn about finishing stages, varnishing and presentation.
 
“It will offer an easy approach from start to finish,” Hinton said.
 
The cost of the oil painting class is $180 for AMA members and $210 for future members. Online registration may be found at AlbanyMuseum.com/oil-painting-workshop.