Ignite Your Creative Spark: A USF Creative Arts Workshop Experience

Calling all aspiring artists, designers, gamers, musicians, and creators! Ready to take your passion to the next level? Join us Saturday, April 12 for a 3-hour arts workshop at the University of Saint Francis, designed specifically for high school students (grades 9-12) who are serious about their creative future and aspire to pursue creative studies beyond high school.

Exclusive Opportunity: This workshop is perfect for students considering or who have already applied to USF. Get a taste of college life, connect with faculty, and experience our vibrant arts community firsthand.

Bonus: From 4-5pm, Junior and Senior students can opt to showcase their creative talent. This is your chance to impress our faculty with your portfolio and/or audition and earn a scholarship to support your creative journey at USF. Awarded scholarships are renewable for eight semesters if the required grade point average is maintained, in addition to any academic scholarships or needs-based grants a student might also receive.

Immerse yourself in a dynamic learning environment led by USF's expert college professors, working in our state-of-the-art studios. Choose one of six exciting workshops to dive deep into!

• Printmaking: Make Your Own Sketchbook – Students will design their own sketchbook cover and print it using monoprint techniques. They will then bind a sketchbook using their monoprint design as the cover. Students should plan to bring sketches to work from. All other supplies will be provided. 
• Ceramics – Students will learn new hand-building/wheel-throwing techniques. Students will be able to complete one or more projects. Students should bring boxes to store their ceramic work. 
• Photography: Story Roulette – Transform written stories into compelling visual narratives! In this hands-on session, participants will learn the art of visual storytelling through photography and collage techniques. Students will work collaboratively with peers to create unique photo narratives, learn essential photo editing and composition skills, develop creative decision-making abilities, and receive constructive feedback in a supportive environment. Perfect for students interested in photography, creative writing, or visual arts. No prior photography experience needed - just bring your creativity! Students are encouraged to bring photographs of any size that can be cut up and shared in a communal collection with other students! All other materials are provided.
• Graphic Design: Poster Design – Students will digitally design a poster utilizing the basics of Adobe Photoshop. No prior computer experience is needed.
• Drawing – Whether students are interested in studio fine art, concept design for gaming, or comics and graphic novels, knowing how to draw is an essential skill for creative communication. Students will experience a fast-paced introduction to drawing at a professional level. Fundamental drawing techniques will be demonstrated and practiced. All materials are provided. (This course is ideal for students with limited or no experience drawing from direct observation) 
• Music Technology – Join us in our state-of-the-art recording studios! Students will learn studio production (songwriting/recording) or audio post-production (sound FX/dialogue) using Pro Tools and Logic Pro X. All students will get hands-on experience with our Neve 5088 recording console and Avid S6 digital console. Multiple studios, edit/mix suites, and a selcection of instruments will be availablie; participants are also welcome to bring their original ideas and instruments. 

Teacher Workshops: We haven't forgotten about our educators! Concurrent workshops are available for teachers in either Visual Art or Music Technology, providing you with new skills and resources to bring back to your classrooms. Earn 6 PGP Points!

• Visual Art: Encaustic Painting - From Fayum Funerary Portraits to Contemporary Mixed Media: Explore the fascinating world of encaustic painting! This workshop delves into the history and mystique of this unique medium. We'll survey the works of the most well-known encaustic artists, learn a simple recipe for creating your own encaustic medium, and experiment with both professional-grade and budget-friendly pigments. Participants will also discover how to incorporate diverse mixed media elements to create stunning wax-based artwork on canvas board panels.

• Music Technology: High school music educators are invited to explore the exciting possibilities of integrating music technology into their classrooms and curriculum. This interactive workshop, guided by participant questions and interests, offers a deep dive into various aspects of music technology education. Past topics have included digital audio workstations (DAWs), recording choirs and ensembles, project-based learning (PBL) techniques for music technology, and music apps for tablets. Participants will gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art recording studios, working alongside students. Write, record, and mix a song, or delve into audio post-production for film/TV/games, learning essential skills in Pro Tools and Logic Pro X on our Neve 5088 and Avid S6 consoles. Indiana Professional Growth Points and continuing education credit available.

SCHEDULE

• Check-In (Teachers/Students): 12:30-1 p.m.  
• Selected Workshop: 1-4 p.m.
• Talent Scholarship Reviews: 4-5 p.m.

LOCATION

• Visual Art Workshops: Rolland Art Center - USF Main Campus 1014 Leesburg Rd., Fort Wayne, IN
• Music Technology Workshop: Music Technology Center 431 W Berry St., Fort Wayne, IN

EARLY REGISTRATION IS ADVISED AS SPACE IS LIMITED - DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS MONDAY, APRIL 7