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Collage Your Story
Express your story through collage with Catherine Cruz. Learn layering, composition, and techniques to create a unique artwork.
program overview
Join French-American collage artist Catherine Cruz for a special, personalized workshop designed just for you! The word collage comes from the French verb coller, meaning “to glue,” and is all about merging various materials to tell a visual story. Much like our lives, which are shaped by countless moments and experiences, collage pieces bring together fragments that reveal hidden connections and untold narratives. In this class, you’ll reflect on what matters most to you and how that can be expressed through art. Catherine will help you release the need for perfection and trust your creative instincts. By the end of the workshop, you’ll not only have a finished artwork but also a deeper connection to your creative potential and a renewed love for the art of collage.
Some of the images featured on this page show artwork created by students who have participated in Catherine’s previous workshops.
What You’ll learn
- Creative ways to incorporate your personal story in your art
- Methods for sourcing interesting collage papers
- Techniques for crafting textured, multi-layered collages
- Strategies for refining your composition
Requirements
Please bring your own papers to personalize your artwork like ephemera that represents your life or a certain period of time, copies of photos, old letters, book pages, papers from memorable experiences or travels, or documents that hold meaning. If you’re not comfortable using these documents, you should make laser color copies of them. You will not be able to use anything printed on glossy paper or photo paper so it is best to make laser copies of your photographs. Inkjet prints do not work with this process.
Participants must purchase and bring the following items – Instructor will not provide panels for this class:
- One 12”x12” cradled wood panel, either ¾” thick or 1 ½” thick – panel can be purchased locally at RileyStreet Art Supply or online at Blick.com – Do not use a canvas.
- Apron or painting shirt
- Nitrile gloves if you have sensitive skin
- Brown bag lunch and beverage
- Any collage papers you would like to use – see below
instructor Overview
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.
Membership helps support our programs, events, and financial aid programs.
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.
Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Experience Level
All-Levels, Beginning, Intermediate and AdvancedAge(s)
16, 17 and 18-overRegistration Cost:
$115
Materials Fee:
$10
Total Registration Cost:
$125
