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Abstract Collage Minis – Create a Series
In this workshop, French-American collage artist Catherine Cruz guides you in creating a cohesive series of abstract collages on four wood panels, exploring color, line, shape, design principles, and paper-mounting techniques.
About the Class
In this workshop, French-American collage artist Catherine Cruz will teach you how to create a dynamic series of abstract collages using elements such as color, line and shape. You will work on four small wood panels to compose a cohesive series. Working on several panels at once offers several advantages, including greater creative momentum, the ability to build a strong thematic connection between pieces, and a way to maintain creative flow. This technique allows for a deeper exploration of an idea or theme than is possible with a single piece.
We will start with short composition exercises to discuss design principles and abstraction. Then Catherine will demonstrate her method for mounting papers on the panels. You will have ample time to select papers and create your designs.
We will take a short break for lunch between 12:30 and 1:00 pm so please bring your lunch and a beverage.
What you’ll learn from this workshop:
- Reliable method for layering collage papers
- Creative ways to explore abstraction
- Techniques for creating a cohesive series
- Strategies for refining your composition
IMPORTANT: Each participant must purchase and bring four 6”x6” cradled wood panels to the workshop. Instructions for where to purchase your panels and how to prepare them will be provided upon registration.
Instructor will provide: a wide assortment of painted and printed collage papers, brushes, acrylic medium, scissors, rulers.
About your Instructor
Catherine Cruz
Catherine Cruz is a French-American artist whose work is informed by textures and patterns created by the passing of time and the effects of the natural elements on the built environment. She holds a Bachelor of Science in interior design and she has worked in the field of architectural design and green building certification for over 25 years. Since 2019, Catherine has taught collage and mixed media workshops in the Bay Area and in France and this is her fifth year in Sonoma County. Her studio is located in Sebastopol and she participates in Art Trails Open Studios.
You may contact Catherine at [email protected]. Check out her other classes at www.beyouartstudio.com/workshops
www.beyouartstudio.com
@beyou.art.studio
Membership has its benefits
All Silver Memberships and above receive 10% off the registration cost for any class purchase over $40.
Materials fees are not discounted.
Become a member today and find community, connection, and creativity.
Class FAQ
We ask that you notify us at least 10 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 days’ notice, we will not be able to provide refunds, due to our contractual obligations and material purchases for each class.
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.
You can view our full class policies and guidelines 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 [email protected] so that he can forward them to the relevant Program Director and Instructor.
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 [email protected] to request a late addition.
We are always looking for new instructors. You can fill out the form directly here.
Abstract Collage Minis – Create a Series
In this workshop, French-American collage artist Catherine Cruz guides you in creating a cohesive series of abstract collages on four wood panels, exploring color, line, shape, design principles, and paper-mounting techniques.
Schedule
Sunday, April 19, 2026
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
This Session
Sunday, April 19, 2026 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Location
Experience Level
All-Levels, Beginning, Intermediate and AdvancedAge(s)
16, 17 and 18-overRegistration Cost:
$115
Materials Fee:
$10
Total Registration Cost:
$125
