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Introduction to Etching

Sunday, July 13 from 10:00 AM 1:00 PM

Age

18+

Class Details

Schedule

Sundays, July 13 & 20
10 AM – 1 PM

Instructor

Dennis Ahearn

Location

276 East Napa Street
Sonoma, CA 95476

Ages

Adults

Skill Levels

Not sure which level is right for you? Click here.

Registration Cost

$165 registration fee
$45 materials fee

$210 total registration fee

About the class

Join us in this popular two-session workshop! Learn the basics of etching using a copper plate. This 500-year-old printmaking process was used by masters such as Rembrandt, Dürer, Chagall, and Goya. These two-consecutive weekend workshops will focus on using copper to create intaglio prints. During the first meeting you will learn how to prepare the plate, design your image, and use an etching needle to draw into your copper. Between sessions, the instructor will immerse your plate into the etchant solution. At the second meeting you will learn how to ink your plate, soak the paper, and train to use the printing press. You will complete the class with the familiarity of working on copper and creating your own one-color, hand-pulled intaglio prints. You will also own your etched copper plate and gain the experience to continue working independently during sessions of Printmaking Open Studio. You will learn about paper, tools, and inks used in this process. No prior printmaking experience is required. All levels are welcome, and prior etching students are welcome to attend for a refresher course. Supplies are provided through the materials fee, but you are welcome to bring small sketches or photos as inspiration.

Please note: This class requires some hand dexterity to maneuver the etching tools. Participants should feel comfortable using tools with sharp edges.

About the instructor

Dennis Ahearn

Instructor / Artist

Dennis Ahearn is a multidisciplinary artist and printmaker. He received his BFA in Studio Art Ceramics from the University of Central Florida in 2004 and his MFA in Printmaking from Tyler School of Art at Temple University in 2007. During his time at Tyler, he spent one year at their campus in Rome, Italy. From 2007-2019 he was a full-time Lecturer at the University of Central Florida where he taught all levels of printmaking, drawing, and design. Dennis uses painting, drawing, and printmaking to combine art with text and creates deeply personal images. He lives and works in Santa Rosa, California with his wife and two young children.

www.dennisahearn.com

Class FAQ

All Memberships(Excluding the $50/year tier) receive 10% off any purchase above $40. You should have received your discount code in your membership confirmation email.

If you have any questions regarding the use of your code, you can contact Sean Baskin at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org or call the office at (707)938-4626.

Not a member? View more information about our monthly and yearly plans here.

The Sonoma Community Center is committed to creating an accessible learning environment. If you require any special considerations(medical, physical, learning) please share them with Sean Baskin, Program Associate, by emailing him at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org so that he can forward them to the relevant Program Director and Instructor.

  • All Levels
  • Welcomes participants from beginning through advanced. Instructor provides a balanced and flexible curriculum suitable for participants with any level of experience.
  • Beginning
  • Participant has little to no experience with this medium and needs or expects guidance at every step during the class. Participant wants to learn about materials, techniques, and vocabulary of the medium.
  • Intermediate
  • Participant is comfortable with the medium and expects both guidance and time to work alone with the medium.
  • Advanced
  • Participant is very confident with all aspects of the medium. Participant is self-motivated; ready to experiment and develop their artistic voice.

We ask that you notify us at least 10 business days in advance of a class if you need to cancel your registration. You may cancel by phone or email and we will gladly offer you a refund or credit toward a future class. If you cancel with less than 10 business days notice, we will not be able to provide a full refund. A flat cancellation fee of $15 will be charged to cover the transaction fee.

Sometimes, the Sonoma Community Center has to cancel a class due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or health emergency. If this happens and we do not offer a reschedule date, you will be refunded 100% of your registration fee (minus the payment processing and services fee), or credit towards a future class. If we are able to offer a reschedule date but you are unable to make the new date, we will gladly offer credit towards a future class.

All credits must be used within 1 year.

Late additions to any program, class, or workshop that has already begun will be allowed on a per-case basis depending upon the Program Director & instructors approval. Late additions will have to pay the full registration cost of the class, along with any materials fees, and will not be prorated for the time missed. You may reach out to the program directors directly, or the Program Associate Sean Baskin at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org to request a late addition.

We are always looking for new instructors. You can find more information about the process here, or fill out the form directly here.

You can view our full class policies and guidelines here.

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