Community and Artist Workshops

Pottery class at Mattoon High School a success

The fifth Mattoon Arts Council pottery class was offered in February, said the instructor, Janahn Kolden, art teacher at Mattoon High School. Participants learned to throw clay on the pottery wheel and to glaze their individual pottery pieces. Check out the photos at the right to see how much fun the class had!

'Learn to Draw Faces!' Workshop offered March 11

This class is full! Kari Rajkumar, an award-winning fine artist from Paris, is scheduled to teach a “Learn to Draw Faces!” Workshop at the historic Mattoon Train Depot, 1718 Broadway Ave.

Rajkumar, who is primarily self-taught, is known for her highly detailed portraits in graphite, pastel and oils. Her work has received top honors in numerous regional, national and international competitions and has also appeared in such notable publications as the Artist’s Magazine, Southwest Art Magazine and the Pastel Journal.

The upcoming workshop will focus on the basic steps for accurately drawing the head and all the features, along with tips for realistic shading – a perfect starter or refresher course! The workshop will be held from 2-5 p.m. on March 11.

This workshop is open to those ages 12 and up. For more information and specifics, visit the News Page at www.karirajkumar.com. Space is limited, so call early to reserve a seat, 217-264-0866. Registration deadline is Feb. 18.

Tango Table Runner Workshop held

Mattoon Arts Council's Tango Table Runner Workshop with DeAnn Cash, instructor was held Saturday, February 18, in the Lone Elm Room of the Mattoon Train Depot.

Using the book "The Trendy Table," by Heather Peterson of Anka's Treasures, participants made the Tango table runner, plus a bonus table runner, Slice, that uses the leftovers from the Tango runner.

Pastel Portrait Workshop held three days in September 2016
Artist Kari Rajkumar held a Pastel Portrait Workshop in the Lone Elm Room Sept. 16-18. The three-day workshop was sponsored by the Mattoon Arts Council.

For more information about upcoming classes, visit Kari's News Page at www.karirajkumar.com.

Beginner's Basic Sewing Class held July 16, 2016

A Beginner's Basic Sewing Class was held July 16 in the Lone Elm Room of the Mattoon depot. The class was sponsored by the Mattoon Arts Council.

Instructor Jan Little taught participants sewing terminology, facts about sewing machines, threading a needle and a machine, sewing seams and hems, and more. Participants took home a basic sewing kit and a completed potholder or small pillow top.

Figure drawing workshop held June 2016
Kari Rajkumar, an award-winning fine artist from Paris, taught a Figure Drawing Workshop, where students learned how to accurately portray the basic proportions of the entire human figure. Included were how gravity lines and action lines can add life and movement to their sketches, a closer look at the larger muscle masses, key skeletal-structure elements, and tips for drawing clothing wrinkles. The workshop was sponsored by the Mattoon Arts Council.
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Rajkumar, who is primarily self-taught, is especially known for her highly detailed portraits in graphite, pastel, and oils. Her work has received top honors in numerous regional, national, and international competitions and has also appeared in such notable publications as the Artist’s Magazine, Southwest Art Magazine, and the Pastel Journal. For more information, visit Kari's News Page at www.karirajkumar.com.

Second Pastel Workshop held in April 2016

Artist Kari Rajkumar held her popular Pastel Workshop in the Lone Elm Room April 22-23. The workshop was sponsored by the Mattoon Arts Council.

Ukulele workshop presented by Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra

A master class with members of the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra was held at 6 p.m. March 1 in the Lone Elm Room of the depot. More than 40 members of the community participated. To view a video of the group's performance of "Lean on Me," click here.

The workshop was sponsored by the Mattoon Arts Council, EIU Doudna Fine Arts Center and Sound Source Music. The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra is an ensemble of ukulele players based in Wellington, New Zealand. The band is composed entirely of ukuleles and a double bass.

Pottery workshop held at Mattoon High School in February 2016

Mattoon Arts Council's second pottery workshop is being held this month at Mattoon High School, under the direction of MHS art teacher Janahn Kolden and her student assistants. Nine participants are meeting twice a week to create their own handmade pieces.

Scrap quilting workshop offered on Feb. 20, 2016 in Lone Elm Room

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“Scrap Quilting, Strip by Strip” was offered on Feb. 20 in the Lone Elm Room of the train depot. The quilting class was a fun way to use a jelly roll or lots of strips from a quilter’s stash. It was a study in contrasts, as participants will select low-contrast fabrics for a tranquil quilt or high-contrast fabrics for a bold look. Lori’s Pins ‘n Needles in Paris was a co-sponsor for the workshop.

Pastel Workshop with Kari Rajkumar held in November 2015

Kari Rajkumar taught a pastels class in the Lone Elm Room. Students used several images as their inspiration.

Original Drawings to Art Quilts workshop a success!

Taught by Jamie Willis, participants used an original drawing to create a one-of-a-kind quilted piece of art. The class was held in the Lone Elm Room at the Mattoon train depot on September 25 and 26, 2015.

Pottery class was a success!

The Mattoon Arts Council sponsored a six-session pottery class at Mattoon High School from Feb. 3-19, 2015. The pottery wheel class was led by MHS art teacher Janahn Kolden. Participants learned how to throw clay on the pottery wheel and glazed their individual pottery pieces.
Gee’s Bend Quilters II 

 Historic Mattoon Train Depot
1718 Broadway Avenue -  Mattoon, IL  61938
“I’ve been in museums since 1968, and I’ve never seen a phenomenon like this.”

Dr. Peter Marzio, Director, Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts

Gee's Bend quilters visit Mattoon! 

During a private event Monday night, March 17, 2014, at the K.C. Summers dealership, these five wonderful ladies from Gee's Bend, Ala., entertained with stories and song.