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Health & Fitness

Art Classes at The Gaithersburg Arts Barn with Artist Vian Borchert

Art classes by artist / art instructor Vian Borchert at The Gaithersburg Arts Barn in the beautiful neighborhood of Kentlands, Gaithersburg, MD.

For a community to thrive, it needs to have art and more specifically it needs to have strong art education. If we simply look around our globe and think about thriving and flourishing communities, societies in cities such as Paris, Rome, Berlin, New York, London, we notice that all these places have one major thing in common - they are all rich in their art and culture. These places are known for their art museums, notable art universities, and of course their famous artists.

In this regards, I consider myself fortunate enough to be working in a place that has all the qualities of a great community. Kentlands in the City of Gaithersburg, a beautiful neighborhood with a city feel has a lot to offer its citizens from art and entertainment to dining and shopping. One of its finest old buildings is The Arts Barn which is my work place, and a place I consider a hub for all things artistic in Maryland. The Arts Barn to be precise is the creative heart of Kentlands, Gaithersburg. Originally built in 1900, The Arts Barn was used as a stable for the Tschiffely Family's horses. Newly renovated, it now stands as a facility that includes four artists-in-resident studios, an art gallery, and a 99-seat theater for the performing arts. I've been working at the Arts Barn for over seven years teaching morning and evening art classes to adults in Drawing, Watercolor and Acrylic painting. As an art educator at The Arts Barn I feel very strongly in extending my knowledge and expertise in Fine arts to enrich and provide a nurturing environment conducive to the creative development of local visual budding artists. One of my aims as an artist and art instructor is to help my community become a better one through the arts and through my experience as an art teacher. A bit about myself, I grew up in an art environment where my mother is an artist and my father is an avid art collector. Growing up I attended many art exhibitions and art salon gatherings where artists, writers, art critiques, and poets all got together to discuss matters of the art. I displayed talent as a young child, and was encouraged by my environment to pursue the journey of an artist. I am a graduate of The Corcoran College of Art and Design, Washington, DC. Upon graduation, I worked in museums such as The National Gallery of Art, Washington DC and The Phillips Collection Museum, Washington DC. Working at these museums, I was fortunate to study closely the original artwork of master artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Vermeer and many others. In my Art classes, I work on expanding the knowledge and experience of my students not only through learning the techniques needed to become a skilled artist, but also through discussing aesthetics of art history.

Classes are offered for ages 14 – adults. The next semester starts the second week of January, and registration is currently open. I teach morning and evening classes in “Drawing”, “Watercolor”, and “Having Fun with Acrylics”. In these classes students learn to use the many mediums. I guide students of all levels step-by-step through the techniques and methods needed to create successful artwork. Demos are presented and highlights of art history discussed.

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*From end of May till July 2013, I will have an exhibition for my Acrylic students and me. All interested in participating in this exhibit, may enroll in the upcoming Acrylic sessions.

In these classes, art students discover talents and creative abilities within themselves they never knew they possessed. Some students have been taking classes for years that creating art has become an essential part of their lives. Art provides a healthy and creative outlet from the daily routine of work and day to day life. Moreover, creating artwork keeps the brain healthy and active, and keeps the soul happy and alive!

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Currently on display at the Arts Barn I have a number of my Acrylic Paintings at Studio 103 on permanent view. Also, the Watercolor exhibition for my students and me along with three talented local photographers is on view till January 21, 2013 at the Arts Barn Gallery.

To learn more about artist Vian Borchert's art classes visit:

www.vianborchert.com/classes

Facebook: Vian Borchert Fine Arts

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