Description
This hands-on class invites participants to learn and practice the techniques of visual journaling including creating backgrounds, combining and layering ephemera, transferring images, and engaging in expressive writing and drawing. A visual journal is simply a creative combination of diary, doodle pad, to-do list, sketchbook, and scrapbook. Visual journaling is a deeply personal and meaningful process that only requires a playful willingness to experiment with visual expression– in other words, you don’t have to have any arts training in order to do visual journaling. Similarly, visual journaling does not require expensive art supplies– one can create playful and meaningful pages using minimal supplies along with found objects and household materials. In this class, participants will expand their skill sets and discover their own unique styles as each session introduces new techniques, incorporates new materials, and builds on participants' expanding confidence, inspiration, and creative potential. Along with visual journaling techniques and strategies, participants will also be introduced to resources, inspiration, and other tips for developing their own visual journaling practice at home or in another setting.
Course Format
This face-to-face summer course is five two-hour long sessions over five weeks. The format enables participants to immerse themselves in learning and practicing the techniques of visual journaling as a weekly practice in balance with other opportunities during the busy summer months.
Supplies
Participants will need to purchase one blank visual journal with heavy duty pages 90 lb. paper or heavier. Recommendations include the Strathmore Mixed Media Visual Journal, Canson Mixed Media Journal, or Moleskine Watercolor Notebook. A blank journal may cost from $12.00 - $28.00 depending on the brand you select. Bring your journal to every class!
Outside of acquiring a journal, participants may already have the basic supplies they'll need, such as: a glue stick, scissors, a small paint brush, a permanent marker, some crayons, or a few acrylic craft paints. For those who don't have such supplies, selected basic supplies will be provided, along with some specialty material. A list of basic supplied is provided here. After registering for the course, please review the suggested supplies and purchase whichever supplies you don't already have. Please note that this list also includes journal suggestions, as well as optional art supplies you might like to try in your visual journal.
Location
RCOE (College of Education Building) room 301. Street parking is available after 5pm near the building and on King St, or the surface lot off of Howard St.
Notes
This class may be taken for one Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and is relevant for educators of all areas and backgrounds, particularly K-12 teachers seeking to integrate the arts, art educators, and guidance counselors.
Course schedule subject to change for in-person offerings.
***All in person course registration is limited to maintain proper social distancing. All participants will be required to follow Appalachian State's "Return to Campus" protocols. In the event that Appalachian State University classes move fully online, all in person Craft Enrichment courses will be cancelled and participants will be provided a prorated refund.
