Queering the Body: Figure Drawing Through a Queer Lens - Shading

TOTAL COST: $59
Course Fee: $50
Non-refundable Model Fee: $9

DATES: THURSDAY, MAY 29
TIME: 6:00PM – 8:00PM PST
LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced
AGE GROUP: Adult (ages 18+)
LOCATION: Building 306, Fort Worden, Port Townsend. 

DESCRIPTION
Join us for Queering the Body. A figure drawing class series for queer, gender non-conforming & trans folk, in which we will celebrate bodies of all sizes, genders, races, sexual orientation and disability. In this monthly class, we will learn the art of figure drawing from basic quick gestural study of the human form, to more advanced study of form, movement, texture, light and shadow. Each two hour class in the series will focus on a different skill level and/or technique, so choose your own adventure depending on what you want to learn and come to one or come to all!

Figure drawing is a practice historically rooted in the celebration of whiteness and “conventionally attractive” bodies. This class seeks to discard that harmful convention as over the 6 weeks course, we give our undivided attention, intention, artistry and craft to the practice of finding the immense beauty, magic, and value in bodies of all kinds.

Your teacher, Makenna O’Keeffe has been practicing, and loving figure drawing since she took her first class at age 14. They went on to take many more figure drawing classes, including anatomical drawing to learn structure and musculature, and how each part of the body builds upon itself to create form and movement. She  loves doing portraits of queer and gender diverse humans. Makenna is thrilled to have the opportunity to create a fun and queer centered space for learning figure drawing in 2025 at Northwind, and looks forward to meeting you all!

Note: Models for the class will be nude or partially clothed. Models will be welcomed to choose what they feel comfortable with, and whatever supports them celebrate their gender expression.

QTB Class Schedule:
Thurs, April 10th - QTB: Basics
For this first class we’ll be getting started on our Queering the Body journey by learning the basics! We’ll focus on learning how to capture the form through a series of quick and longer poses.
Thurs, May 29th - QTB: Shading
For the second class we’ll focus on learning how to capture light, shadow and texture.
Thurs, June 26th - QTB: Multiples
For the third class we’ll have not one but TWO models, and will focus on learning about the wild perspective shift that is “foreshortening!” Aka: how to capture elements of the body that are seemingly moving away from you, or towards you in space.

SUPPLY INFORMATION
The non-refundable model fee goes directly to the models.

All materials are student provided: (The school can loan some of the materials if the material list is a barrier.)

Materials needed:
- Big pads of newsprint
- Big drawing board w/ clip
- Charcoal & vine

Optional/Extra Materials:
- Colored pencil
- Butcher Paper
- White Gouache

COURSE DETAILS
After registration, course details are available via the Northwind Art School learning portal. Learn more

ABOUT MAKENNA
Makenna O’Keeffe (she/they) is a designer, artist, illustrator, ex-architect, and community arts organizer living, working and supporting community in the unceded Chimacum & S’Klallam Territories (Port Townsend), Washington and unceded Duwamish Territory (Seattle). Makenna is a white, cis, queer, anti-zionist jew, who loves to build community through art, creative expression, activism, and mutual aid.

Artist website: Makenna, @makenna.okeeffe

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DISCOUNTS
This course is eligible for a 10% member discount at the Supporter level and beyond. Get a membership today!

Don's Pharmacy and Art Toolkit in Port Townsend offer Northwind Art School students a 10% discount on art supplies.

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CANCELLATION POLICY
If Northwind Art has to cancel a course for any reason, all enrolled students will receive a 100% refund (including any materials fee).

Students who withdraw from a course at least seven days prior to its first meeting will receive a 90% refund (less any materials fee). 

Students withdrawing fewer than seven days from the first day of class are not eligible for a refund except in the case of illness or injury, in which case they are eligible to receive a 40% refund (less any materials fee).

Please note that 10% of every course’s registration fee is considered to be a non-refundable deposit in cases of withdrawal to cover administrative overhead. All refunds will be applied to the same credit card that was used for enrollment. No credits or transfers will be granted. 

Please email admin@northwindart.org if you wish to withdraw or for more information.