Category: Art

Helpful Tools For Summer Camp Schedules

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date February 3, 2017

Filling your child’s summer with imaginative and educational summer programs is a rewarding task, but it can also be a bit hectic. Pouring over program information, family calendars – not to mention the financial budget – can get overwhelming. We have a few handy tools to help you navigate our many creative offerings.

FILTER BY AGE
Why sift through teen programs for your 10 year old? Cut to the chase, and use our “Summer Camps By Age” webpage. All you have to do is select the age your child will be when summer hits, and you will be guided to an age-specific selection of summer programs.
See Summer Camps by Age

FILTER BY CALENDAR WEEK
Why get excited about a program if it happens during a week you will be on vacation? If you know which weeks on the calendar you will be available, use our “Summer Arts Calendar 2017” to see which programs are available for specific weeks.
See Summer Arts Calendar 2017

FLIP THROUGH OUR CATALOG
Our colorful “Summer Arts at Mason” catalog is a great tool to visually take in all of our different programs, where you will find our five “categories” (Acting, Music, Film, Art and Photo) color-coded for your convenience. We have an animated digital version (be sure to have your audio on to hear the pages “flip”!) or you can request to have a hard copy mailed to you by emailing the Academy at [email protected] .
See Summer Arts Catalog 2017 Online

We hope that these tools and resources make your summer planning a little easier. We would love to have your family participate in these great arts-based learning experiences at George Mason University this summer!

SEE FULL SUMMER PROGRAM LIST

Art Community Outreach Music

Musical Instrument Sculpture Project

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date January 13, 2017

A handful of musical instruments that are donated through our Instruments in the Attic program are deemed un-repairable. However, they are finding a second life in a new Instrument Sculpture project at Mason’s School of Art.

The project started as a collaboration between Potomac Arts Academy staff and School of Art faculty, with important funding support and input from Mason’s Patriot Green Fund (part of the Office of Sustainability). Potomac was seeking ways that these un-playable instruments could still be “recycled”, and the School of Art had ideas about using the instruments not only as sculpture pieces, but also to make a statement about sustainability.

Patriot Green Fund logo

Art faculty member Edgar Endress brought in Jade Garrett from the MIX Lab to assist. Mason university students meet up at the MIX Lab for various creative/ collaborative projects. With the musical instruments, they began working on “Music Robots” through what they call “Hack-a-thons“. Experiments with music instruments, robotics and audio software ensued. Below is a video sample:

As the project continues, it has evolved into a prototype exploration for a larger Musical Sculpture Project that would be created to play as a “one-man-band” of sorts while also serving as a mobile art project that speaks symbolically and literally to sustainability and the importance of conserving our resources. Look for more information about that in the near future!

LEARN MORE ABOUT INSTRUMENTS IN THE ATTIC

Art Publicity

Oil Painting Instructor in the News

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date January 13, 2017

Oil Painting class instructor Nathan Loda is getting a lot of good buzz from a recent commissioned painting of George Washington, but not like you’ve ever seen him before! The hipster-style GW can be found at DC’s “Farmers & Distillers” restaurant. Nathan can be found at our painting classes on Saturdays starting in February.

Referring to the portrait, Erin Blakemore from Smithsonian.com writes “What if George Washington weren’t a false-teeth-wearing, presidential icon but rather an amiable bro who kept his sunglasses in the pocket of his vest? It’s a question you likely have not asked yourself before—but inside one Washington, D.C., restaurant, it’s one that’s answered nonetheless.”
READ FULL ARTICLE ON SMITHSONIAN.COM

“What would George Washington be like as a hot millennial with a man bun? Apparently, an internet sensation!” writes Jessica Sidman from the Washingtonian after receiving numerous responses from a posting of several humorous “pick-up line” versions of the portrait. (Parental discretion is advised.)
SEE FULL ARTICLE ON WASHINGTONIAN.COM

Fox News also posted a video about the portrait titled “‘Hot’ George Washington Rocks a Man Bun”.
SEE VIDEO ON FOXNEWS.COM

adult painting class

Nathan will once again be teaching two Oil Painting for Adults classes for Potomac Arts Academy on Saturdays starting February 18th. Join in and see what all the “buzz” is really about – excellent oil painting ideas and techniques!

LEARN MORE ABOUT OIL PAINTING CLASSES

Acting Art Events Music

Winter 2016 Recitals Dec 10 & 11

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date December 2, 2016

Our exciting Winter 2016 Student Recital & Showcase Weekend is coming up on Saturday, December 10th and Sunday, December 11th, which includes several music recitals, several theater performances, and one art show. Come enjoy a weekend of the arts in the de Laski Performing Arts Building on the Mason Fairfax Campus!

MUSIC RECITALS

Due to our large number of Music students, we break up performances into hour-long (approximately) Music Recitals that are presented throughout the weekend. All performances are FREE and open to the public.

[one_half]Saturday
10:00 AM
11:30 AM
1:00 PM
3:30 PM
[/one_half] [one_half]Sunday
12:00 Noon
1:30 PM
3:00 PM
4:30 PM
[one_half_last]

A light reception with follow each recital. Come and enjoy some great music!

PARKING: On Saturday and Sunday, you can park in Parking Lot K for free. It is about a 5-10 minute walk to the Performing Arts Building (note: NOT the Center for the Arts). You can also park in the Mason Pond Parking Deck for $8, right next to the Performing Arts Building.
DIRECTIONS TO CAMPUS

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR RECITALS

FOR OUR POTOMAC MUSIC STUDENTS:
READ OUR HELPFUL GUIDE TO A SUCCESSFUL RECITAL EXPERIENCE

Student Art Exhibit

ART SHOW

Our Visual Art students will present an Art Showcase from Saturday 10:00 AM to Sunday 3:30 PM in the de Laski Performing Arts Building lobby (next to the Music Recital performance space). On Sunday at 3:30 PM, we will hold a special Art Show reception. Come and take a look at the great art-making happening at the Academy. There is no admission fee for this showcase.

Theater Students acting on stage

THEATER SHOWCASES

Our Acting students who study with Acting For Young People will present several performances throughout the weekend. There may be a nominal ticket price depending on which show you choose to attend.

SEE ACTING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS

As we say, ENJOY THE SHOW!!

Art

Oil Painting Class for Adults this Spring

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date November 18, 2016

Pablo Picasso famously stated “Every child is an artist. The problem is to remain an artist once they grow up.” This quote is painted on the wall of one of Potomac’s classrooms. In this spirit, we offer oil painting classes for adults during our Fall and Spring sessions. We invite you to partake in the benefits of painting!

Art Teacher teaching adult painting class

In a 2013 blogpost, Costa Rican artist and educator Jeannina Blanco discussed 11 great benefits of painting in the following categories:

Communication
Therapy
Self-esteem
Mobility
Concentration and healing
Mental health
Brain activity
Emotional intelligence
Art appreciation
Culture
Fun

READ MS. BLANCO’S FULL ARTICLE

adult painting class

Starting in February 2017, a new session of oil painting classes taught by Mason School of Art alum Nathan Loda will begin. Intro to Oil Painting for beginners and Landscape Painting for those with some experience will be offered on Saturdays in the School of Art on the Mason Fairfax campus. Come and join us! You will appreciate the relaxing and supportive atmosphere that Mr. Loda brings to the classroom.

SEE ALL VISUAL ART CLASSES