Reflections is an art-making workshop series designed to serve adults 55 and older.  

In this new workshop series, participants will learn about the many facets of portraiture, and their contrast between internal and external representations of the self, while touring artworks from MCASD's collection and new special exhibition, For Dear Life: Art, Medicine, and Disability.

Every exploration of artwork – whether figurative or abstract, metaphorical or literal, or humorous or severe – examines the compositional and storytelling qualities of portraits and their power to communicate a message. Each workshop will include an investigation of contemporary artmaking techniques and materials, including acrylic paint, colored pencil, and assemblage.

No prior art experience is required. Transportation will be provided if required. Registration gives participants access to the full series (eight days).

Session 1 I August 23 & August 30: Create a non-traditional self-portrait

For this project, the figure’s back will be facing the viewer, relying on a silhouette and its surroundings rather than a face. We will draw inspiration from Tidawhitney Lek’s The Intersection (2023), which offers an intersection of two worlds, Cambodia and California; Shizu Saldamando’s Joe at the Venice Room (2020); and John Valadez’s Car Show (2001), which highlights the relatable qualities of everyday people.

Session 2 I September 13 and September 20: Create a portrait in the style of an album cover

Explore alter egos! Consider the presentation of self through Mario Ayala’s Rancho Cucamonga (2022) and its trompe-l'oeil realism and Gillian Wearing’s Wallpaper (2015), where she transforms herself into multiple personas.

Session 3 I September 27 and October 4: Create a transformative portrait of a friend or family member

In this session, enter an uncanny world in La Marcha de las Langostas (1998) by Daniela Gallois and her whimsical, dreamlike creatures. Additionally, we will examine two of Joey Terrill’s works – Jeff, Victor, Luiz and George (1992–1993), which highlights a hyper-realistic portrayal of his friends, and Still Life with Zerit (2000), which uses autobiographical objects to share aspects of his identity.

Session 4 I October 11 and October 25: Representations of the human form stylized in different ways

We will take inspiration from Beverly Buchanan’s Medicine Woman (1993) and analyze the many pieces that create the whole in her assemblage artwork. We will also take inspiration from Lynn Hershman Leeson’s X-Ray Woman in Bathing Cap (1996), a simultaneous portrayal of the internal and external female form.