Barbara Smucker | Mixed Media Collage: Finding Joy in the Art Journey

Instructor: Barb Smucker

Workshop: Mixed Media Collage: Finding Joy in the Journey

Dates: September 18-21, 2026; Meet & Greet September 17

Days: 4

Hours: 9:30am-4:30pm

Level: All levels

Size: 12

Portfolio: No

Tuition: $1,150

Includes: Delicious lunches and beverages served in studio daily.

Discover the joy of working with mixed media collage and its ability to unlock your artistic confidence. We’ll start by creating colorful, unexpected, collage papers using a variety of prompts and techniques. Next, we’ll incorporate collage papers with mixed media layering techniques in a way that strengthens your ability to work intuitively, expressively, and abstractly. In the process, you’ll discover how collage can help with quick problem solving and open visual possibilities, as you move color and shapes around to enhance your work. 

Description

In this workshop, you will make a wide variety of collage papers paying close attention to color harmony, patterning, mark making, opacity and color value. To do this, you’ll use the Gelli Plate, acrylic paint scraping, brushwork, and a host of techniques to create papers with visual variety and harmony.

Then, through a series of prompts and exercises, you’ll layer collage papers with mark making, and acrylic paint to complete a series of small (8 x 8) improvisational pieces on paper. Finally, you’ll scale up to complete a larger (24 x 24inch) layered mixed media collage piece on canvas.

What to Expect

• A supportive, empowering learning community with an emphasis on generous sharing and encouragement.  

• A classroom with many mixed media supplies and tools to experiment with (teacher provided).

• Daily paint and collage prompts to encourage art exploration and playfulness.

• Collage and painting technique demos with Q&A.

• Daily time for private work and individual feedback.

• Discussion on artistic practices and inspirational artists and ideas. 

• Introduction to new ways of putting things together that will lead to “what if” thinking and the courage for you to try new things.

• Leave with several completed collage pieces.

• A discussion about framing and finishing techniques.

• Leave with new friendships, good memories, and renewed art mojo for your home practice!!

Designed For

This workshop is designed for the beginner to advanced artist and everything in between!  We will use the language of personal expression and art principles that are the framework of making art no matter where you are on this wonderful art journey.

Instructor Bio

Barb Smucker enjoys teaching art and making art in equal measure and brings more than 25 years of art making experience to the workshop environment.  She has been fortunate to teach countless classes in creativity, creative expression, collage, painting and mixed media techniques in many art centers, hospitals and schools throughout Ohio and beyond. Her work hangs in private and corporate collections, and she continues to make work almost daily in her home studio overlooking the woods.  

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