Emily Dykstra
Education Intern

On the first weekend in June, the David Owsley Museum of Art launched its first instructor-led, museum-sponsored drawing class. Artist-teacher Aaron Nicholson led a very successful class according to the students who ranged in age from 16 to retirees.

The main objective of the two hour class involved introducing new drawing techniques to improve individual style, as well as reducing the time one uses to create a drawing. Participants gathered in the museum where Nicholson began the class with the question, “What is art to you?” Various opinions were exchanged on each individual’s personal meaning of art, after which everyone proceeded on a brief tour of the collections within the museum.

The group stopped in the Owsley Asian Art gallery, where Nicholson demonstrated the drawing process that he recommended for participants to use. A concept most people overlook when drawing are the angles that one can hold a pencil. Nicholson brought attention to the fact that pencils can be held in a variety of ways. He recommended that instead of holding a pencil in the classic writing position, one should attempt to hold the pencil so that the side of the graphite lays on the paper instead of the tip being pressed down. After his demonstration, the students were encouraged to wander the museum drawing anything displayed in the galleries.

Nicholson roamed the galleries to give assistance and helpful pointers throughout the class. Common struggles within the group included the need for precision when drawing objects, accurately scaling proportions, and the time concentrating on each sketch. However, as time progressed students gradually became more comfortable when drawing.

At the end of the class, everyone gathered and performed a small critique which included the students talking about what they chose to sketch. There was an obvious improvement from the drawings conducted at the beginning of the class to the ones drawn after Nicholson’s guidance.

The David Owsley Museum of Art is hosting more programs taught by museum instructor Aaron Nicholson. The upcoming Summer Art Series classes are:

Exploring Painting Media- June 20, 2-4 pm

Introduction to Metal Casting- July 11, 12, 18 & 19, 1:30-4:30 pm

Mixed Media Approaches to Sculpting- August 8, 1:30-4:30 pm

Register online at tinyurl.com/oc2b6ov for a reasonable per class cost. Discounts for museum members and BSU students apply. Come visit and learn with us here at the David Owsley Museum of Art!