FAQ’s For Young Artist Studio Series

What is the curriculum for this workshop series?

Our teaching artists have a wealth of knowledge in their medium, whether it’s in printmaking, drawing & painting, or ceramics. Their goal is to teach students the fundamental skills needed so that they can branch out on their own and create artwork that is unique and interesting to them! To achieve this, our curriculum will be flexible to allow students to follow their interests and to accommodate different skill levels.

In printmaking, students will learn about different methods of creating prints, from monotypes to linocut. They’ll explore the tools, inks, and other materials used to create these images. From there, students can pick their favorite method of printmaking to create a portfolio of prints!

In drawing & painting, students will explore the fundamentals of drawing including line, shape, shading, and perspective using a variety of materials, including pencils, charcoal, watercolor, and acrylic paints. Once they have a grasp of the fundamentals, they’ll be able to pick their own medium and subject matter to create their works!

In ceramic sculpture, students will learn the basics of hand-building; including which types of clay and tools to use, how to use underglaze and glazes, and about the firing process. Students will be able to create sculptures that allow them to express themselves and their interests!

Who are the teaching artists?

We are excited to have some incredibly talented artists teaching this workshop series! Listed below are our Teaching Artists and their Artist Statements.

Ceramics: Taylor Lee (they/them)

Taylor is a queer artist, curator, and self-described “garbage person” who loves to mix kitsch and creepiness for comically grotesque results. Their personal story of experiencing the demolition of their childhood home is rooted deeply in the work via Southern gothic undertones. The performance of the self is also a core theme of Taylor’s overall work, and they often experiment in new media and performance art on Instagram - a performance that gets more complicated as the artwork obtains press and Taylor obtains new “personality disorder” diagnoses. Taylor’s projects range across many media and often culminate in autobiographical installations (both online and offline) that are interactive in nature as collaborative relational aesthetics.

Taylor recently exhibited a body of work entitled YARD SALE at SPRING/BREAK Art Show LA. This solo exhibition was curated by Janet Loren Hill and Jonell Logan, who won the first ever Single/Palm Award for “Best Curation.” The exhibition was also featured in Hyperallergic and Artnet. A visitor of the installation said “it looks like a redneck Pee Wee Herman lives here,” and honestly that’s the goal.

Taylor has exhibited at galleries across the United States, most notably Hashimoto Contemporary, Collar Works, Standard Space, Redux Contemporary, McColl Center, and has an exhibition coming up at Wassaic Project. Their works have appeared in The New York Times, Vogue, Oprah Daily, Boston Art Review, and The Jealous Curator among others. Taylor once shipped a painting to a collector’s office, which happened to be at MoMA, so if asked Taylor will tell you that their work has been in the Museum of Modern Art because technically that is true, even if it was only in a staff member’s office in the back for like, a day.

Printmaking: Nichole Pequeño (she/her)

Nichole Pequeño is a printmaker and photographer. She is originally from Chicago, and studied printmaking and wearable arts in college. While working in the graphic design field for 10 years she became self-taught in photography. Now she enjoys teaching printmaking to showcase its accessibility and its many possibilities. She also has a studio at Railwalk Studios and Gallery in Salisbury, NC. Nichole utilizes vintage and modern techniques in her printmaking and takes her photos with the intent of them becoming a print. She focuses on documentary photography to tell a story with her art. Her artistic style is indigenous futurism with a nostalgic feel that comes from her Latina/indigenous culture.

Drawing & Painting: Eva Crawford (she/her)

Eva Crawford is a professional artist mostly focusing on individual personalities with their subtle nuances as she paints, draws, or collages beautiful vessels of the human soul.

Her interactions with former high school students and her own 5 children, which include a son from Uganda, transformed her art to be about humans and their stories. Eva’s desire is to give visual voice to fellow humans and to foster ultimate healing by investigating the unity of the human experience. Her at times intricately slow artworks reflect the necessary time required to know another human and to gain understanding.

Eva Crawford has been a featured artist in ArtFields and Artpop. She has received grants from the Arts and Science Council and has been highlighted in several Charlotte publications. Crawford lives and works in Charlotte, NC.

Who is this class for? Can a beginner take this class?

All skill levels are welcome in our Young Artist Studio Series! Part of McColl Center’s mission is to spark creative experiences, and for many artists that begin in childhood. Our teaching artists will meet your students where they are, from exploring the very basics with beginners to helping more experienced students to learn a new practice or master a particular skill.

What does my child need to bring? What are the requirements for registration?

We ask that our young artists wear clothes that can get messy, a water bottle, and closed toe shoes. We also require all participants to fill out an intake form, which includes emergency contact information, approved adults for pick-up, a liability waiver, and a code of conduct to sign. This form is sent out with your receipt once you register and must be completed before drop-off on the first class.

What is the refund policy?

Refunds will not be given for missed classes, or for registrations canceled less than 48 hours before the start of the first session. For a full refund, email bdouglass@mccollcenter.org no less than a week before the first day of class.