“Youthful Minds, Big Ideas” is the January exhibit at DCA. This show features the work of youth from the E.L Haynes Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., guest curated by Deborah Johnson. Featured are dozens of agamograph works - an art form that uses optical illusion to create artwork that changes when you look at it from different angles. Depending on the position of the viewer, a single work shapeshifts between several compositions, producing holograms.

These young artists will be traveling from Washington to DCA for the Second Saturday reception. The public is invited to attend and bring the kids to see the exhibit and enjoy the live music and refreshments. Mikayla Lizzy will be performing live from 5–7 p.m. The exhibit runs through Jan. 30, and includes fiber art selections from Deborah Johnson’s fiber artist group.

Here are some of the January instructional arts offerings:
Saturday, Jan. 13, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: Abby Ober will offer a one-day workshop “Abstracted Landscapes in Acrylic or Oil,” which will explore ways to abstract a landscape from the student’s own image. Working from a limited palette in oil or acrylic, students will work through simplifying their scene beginning with a value sketch to aid in creating a final painting on canvas. Oil or acrylic experience recommended.

Thursdays, Jan. 18 to Feb. 22, 5-8 p.m.: For those interested in ceramics, “Next Step Wheel” is a continuation of the Intro to Wheel Throwing class and is for anyone wanting to advance their skills in ceramics. Basic experience on the wheel is required. Hand building and slab work will also be taught in this class. Students will have access to Open Studio to practice and work on pieces outside of scheduled class time.

“Drawing for Beginners with Naomi Clark-Turner” will begin Wednesday, Jan. 24, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and run four weeks. This class is for the beginner or artist that wants to learn about the basics of drawing that underpins artwork. The class will include learning essential skills – line, value, perspective, etc. and will transition participants from being able to create simple line drawings to producing more complex and realistic 3D artwork. The class will cover the use of graphite pencils, ink pen and charcoal as well as other mediums of interest.

For registration and/or more information on other activities and events at DCA, stop by 321 High Street, call 410-228-7782 or visit online at www.dorchesterarts.org. Programs at DCA are supported by the Maryland State Arts Council. Find us on Facebook!