“Learning to Draw” and “Creating the Illusion”, part of the Arts Council of Greater Palatka’s Arts Underground summer arts program, begin June 10th from 10:30-Noon and 1PM to 2:30 PM, respectively, on Wednesdays in the Larimer Arts Center at 216 Reid Street, Palatka, FL. “Learning to Draw” is for ages 6-9 and “Creating the Illusion” is for youth age10 up to young teens. Mature 9 year olds may also be accepted. Both are instructed by Luke Taft.

Summer break is all about taking a little time out from the daily grind of classes and testing. Mr. Taft’s youth drawing workshops are a fun and productive way for youth to spend some of this time. Most kids like to doodle and draw, but with a little guidance from a trained professional they can begin to uncover their artistic talents and start producing truly splendid pieces of art. The exciting process of discovering techniques to accurately recreate 3-D images on canvas or paper will boost confidence and give the young artist a foot forward in critical thinking and general knowledge of how the world around them is perceived through the eyes.

            “Creating the Illusion”, for ages 10 and up, is on its second year and, after a successful first year, promises to inspire yet another group of young artists who will enrich our society with their individual visual expression. Kids in this age range are ready to move forward from the artistic employment of symbols. For example, rather than showing the sun as a spiky circle, they are now ready to create the illusion of a glowing sphere. While designed to accommodate those with or without experience, “Creating the Illusion” will explore advanced techniques of drawing and painting under the instruction of artist Luke Taft. Mr. Taft teaches not only how to use perspective, composition, and color theory, but also why these tools work to create the magical illusion of three-dimensions on a 2-D surface.

“Learning to Draw”, for ages 6-9, focusses on control. Children in this age range are still using symbols to express themselves when they draw. This is natural and they will likely slowly pull away from this in time. Much of the same materials and techniques are taught in this workshop as in “Creating the Illusion”. Students will learn a bit of color theory, and start to explore the realm of three dimensional illusion, but the emphasis will be on motor control. Children are taught techniques in blending, when not to blend, and how to move closer to drawing images more accurately. The outcome lowers the children’s occurrence of frustration when creating art, boosts confidence, and increases motor control as well as hand-eye coordination. Parents or guardians are welcome to stay and participate with their child.

The cost for either workshop is only $50 per month or $15 per week and all supplies will be provided. Students should be prepared to have fun, get their hands dirty, and awaken their minds to the mystery of perception- where reality and illusion overlap.

Instructor, Luke Taft, received his degree in fine art from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Also a musician, Taft is a portrait artist, painter, sculptor, and educator. Taft works very closely with The Arts Council of Greater Palatka and is Chairman of the Saturday Nite Live at the Larimer Concert Series, the Palatka Chalk Explosion and also serves on the Main Street Palatka board of directors. You may have seen his work hanging in galleries or on the streets of St. Johns Avenue in the form of large scale chalk paintings. Mr. Taft has taught many youth and adult art programs including the Arts Underground After School class, summer arts workshops for youth at the Larimer Arts Center and at the public library, adult portrait classes, and pastel classes. Taft also worked for the 21^st Century Enrichment Program in Putnam County Schools.

Mr. Taft’s teaching techniques allow youth to have fun while they learn. In the process of learning drawing techniques, students will learn skills in math, physics, and critical thinking. Students will increase their vocabulary and learn how words can have multiple meanings in relationship to different subjects. To register call Luke Taft at (386) 972-4003 or The Arts Council at (386) 328-8998. Space is limited so early registration is encouraged.