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Continuing Arts Education

Norwich Free Academy is committed to life-long arts education and appreciation.

Programs offer opportunities to students beginning at an early age and continue through high school and adulthood.  The Visual & Performing Arts Department introduces children and adults to various genre of artistic expression. Mixed media, painting, design, printmaking, watercolor, observational drawing, clay, jewelry, and metalworking are some of the many elements of visual arts classes.  Performing Arts junior theater classes explore the basics of theater and stage performance, and adult education classes explore various visual and material arts.

Classes meet throughout the school year on weekends and in evening sessions. Student classes culminate with exhibitions of artwork and performance.
 

For more information, contact Alysha Carmody, Department Head, Visual & Performing Arts, 860-425-5740.

Student Programs

Fall 2019 - Student Art

2019-20 Saturday Morning Art - Grades 1-8

Saturday Morning Art offers children in grades 1 – 8, the opportunity to experience the arts, have fun creating while challenging their imaginations and meeting new friends. Students have the choice of 2 different classes offered and can take both throughout the school year!

AGE: Children in grades 1- 8
FEE: Session 1 - $150.00
Session 2 - $150.00
Session 1 & 2 - $250.00

(Fees include the cost of supplies)
**If needed payment plans are available.

PLACE: Norwich Free Academy - BRADLAW BUILDING & SLATER AUDITORIUM

Session 1: September 7, 14, 21, 28 October 5, 12, 19 November 2, 9, 16

  • 1A: 8:45 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
  • 1B: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Session 2: December 7, 14, January 4, 11, 18, 25 February 1, 8, 22, 29

  • 2A: 8:45 a.m.- 10:15 a.m.
  • 2B: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

*Possible Make Up Dates: Session 1 - Nov. 23, Session 2 - March 7,14

(**Students in the Visual Arts will select work for the exhibition on the last day of class.)

Class Options

VISUAL ARTS: Students will take classes taught by experienced artists where they will explore a variety of media and techniques, including but not limited to drawing, painting, photography, pottery, and more. This is for those who would like to try out a little bit of everything. Projects will vary from year to year.

Exhibition - March 22 - April 3, 2020 - Opening Reception - 1-3 p.m., March 22, 2020

*Please mark your calendars: Parents must collect artwork in the exhibition, 9 – 11 a.m., April 25, 2020, in the Bradlaw Building, room 8012. If you’d like to pick up your child’s work earlier than the pick-up date, do so by appointment. After a one week grace period, the remaining artwork will be disposed.

JUNIOR THEATRE: In this project-based workshop, young actors will explore the basics of what it takes to do theatre. Through theatre games, improvisations, open scenes and other fun activities students will begin to develop the skills of close observation, ensemble-building, self-confidence, concentration and creativity essential to producing a play, a musical, or any piece of meaningful theatre. At the end of classes, students will show their skills in a performance.

Junior Theatre will be broken up into 2 age group offerings

  • Time Slot A (8:45 – 10:15 a.m.) grades 3–5
  • Time Slot B (10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) grades 6–8

A student performance at the end of the program will be held in Slater Auditorium during the last class of the 2nd session.

Please complete the registration and medical forms, and remit payment (checks payable to NFA).

Please return by mail to:

NFA Arts Office
Attn.: Alysha Carmody
305 Broadway
Norwich, CT 06360

2019-20 Teen Portfolio Development - Grades 9-12

Saturday Morning Teen Portfolio Development offers current NFA and non-NFA students, grades 9 – 12 with the passion and drive to study art at the collegiate level, opportunities to build their portfolios in an intensive 3-hour workshop. Experienced artists will direct and support students as they strengthen and further develop their technical abilities and creative voices.  Students will experiment with a variety of materials and tools, in both 2-D and 3-D mediums.  Students will complete assignments both in and outside of class. At the end of the 2nd session, students will participate in an Exhibition featuring their best work chosen by the teachers.

AGE:   Teens, grades 9–12
FEE:    Session 1 - $300.00
            Session 2 - $300.00                            
            Session 1 & 2 - $500.00
(Fees include the cost of supplies)      
**Payment plans are available.
 
PLACE: BRADLAW BUILDING, Norwich Free Academy
 
DATES:  Session 1:  September 7, 14, 21, 28, October 5, 12, 19, November 2, 9, 16
               TIME: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
 
               Session 2:  December 7, 14, January 4, 11, 18, 25, February 1, 8, 22, 29
               TIME: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
 
Make Up Dates for Class Cancellations: 
Session 1 – November 23
Session 2 – March 7, 14
 
EXHIBITION:  March 22  – April 3, 2020
 
Opening Reception: 1– 3 p.m., March 22, 2020
 
Artwork in the exhibition will be collected, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Saturday, April 25 in Bradlaw, room 8012.  If you’d like to pick up your work earlier than the pick-up date, appointments can be made.  After a one-week grace period, the remaining artwork will be disposed.
 
NOTES TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS
 
We strongly recommend advanced registration for Saturday Morning Teen Portfolio Development class to secure a  place in class and to ensure that the class will run. Enrollment is limited and accepted on a first-paid basis. Registrations will not be processed without a payment or payment plan in place. Please complete the enclosed registration and medical form. All students are required to have both forms on file.
 
NFA Public Relations/Student Names and Photos - Norwich Free Academy often uses images/photos of students on our website, social media, promotional materials, and advertisements. If you do not want your child’s name and/or picture to appear in any promotional materials, in print or digital form, please contact Visual & Performing Arts Department Head, Alysha Carmody, in writing on or before September 7, 2019.
 
We will make every effort to cancel classes because of weather before the scheduled class by email and/or phone notice and by post on the NFA website (www.nfaschool.org).  Please be sure we have your most updated contact information including that of all relevant family member.  Please be sure to notify us if your information changes during the program.
 
Please complete the registration and medical forms, and remit payment (checks payable to NFA).
 
If you have any questions, please contact:
 
Alysha Carmody,
Head of Department
Visual & Performing Arts
860-425-5740

Adult Programs

Fall 2019 - Adult Art

Pottery

Instructor:  Alyssa Pendleton
Location: Bradlaw Building - Room #8002 (pottery studio)
Wednesday Evenings: 5:30 – 8:30pm
10 classes – September 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13
Please note - work pick up will be Wednesday November 20. Art pick-up, Wed., Nov. 20.
 
This course is for all ability levels.  Beginning students will be taught how to wedge, throw pottery, trim, and glaze.  Students will learn through visual demonstration, hands on assistance, and individual practice time.  Experience students will refine techniques and may use the time as an open studio. 
 
Fee: $250.00   Supplies are included
 

Please complete the registration form, and remit payment (checks payable to NFA).

Please return by mail to:

NFA Arts Office
Attn.: Alysha Carmody
305 Broadway
Norwich, CT 06360