During the afternoon session the work is transformed by altering the drawings, using media such as plaster, wax, latex, and found objects, for an outcome that is both experimental and sculptural.

By simplifying or exaggerating facial and/or other physical features, participants learn how to invest a character or object with a distinctive, striking personality, while creating a strong, potentially comic or grotesque, drawing that can communicate a particular emotion. The incorporation of hand-lettering provides the opportunity for deeper levels of context and storytelling in the final drawing.

In the afternoon session participants experiment with composition, content, color, and scale, while learning the technical aspects of using acrylic paint.

The focus on this studio is developing the ability to see and then translate visual experience, through investigations of both traditional and nontraditional approaches to various subjects, including nature, architecture, abstraction, and the figure.

Students flex their creative muscles, learning how to design memorable iconic characters, cinematic composition, and advanced comic storytelling techniques

Working with drawing, collage, textile design, and basic draping techniques, students investigate how to express color, pattern and movement through fashion.

Students also learn about fashion trends and how fashion designers get inspiration for their designs.

With family pets, our connection can be deep and emotionally rewarding. This studio focuses on drawing animals, working from images, imagination, and life. Participants create a large drawing of their favorite animal based on a smaller picture, using the grid system employed by artists for centuries; delve into their imaginations; and draw from animal taxidermy models -- as well as live animals that provide the challenge of capturing something that may not sit still!

Rebecca received her BA in Sculpture from Florida International University. She continued her education in Tucson where she received her MFA from the University of Arizona, and also taught beginning drawing and sculpture. She currently teaches middle school in Lafayette.

You can see Alex's projects here

They graduated from California College of the Arts with an MFA in Comics in 2017. They’ve done work for the New Yorker, Everyday Feminism and Silver Sprocket, and have comics in the Advanced Death Saves and Votes 4 Women anthologies. They are the sole creator of Stick World, and their anti-anxiety pocketbook You Will Be Okay was published through Silver Sprocket in 2019. They are ½ of the comics podcast ‘Pop! Whiz! Bang!’, and they’ve spent the last five years teaching comics to kids across the East Bay. 

Currently they are creating Littlest Dungeon Guard comic strips for Sunday HaHa while working on their first full length graphic novel. 

You can keep up to date on upcoming projects by following Meggie on instagram or patreon. 

Jenell exclaims, “I was elated to have been placed on the Hollister Girls Denim and Twill team. This opportunity has taught me the value of teamwork, flexibility, leadership, communication and most importantly, understanding the customer and always putting her in the front of mind when designing so we give her what she wants while challenging her to try new things.”

Jenell is passionate about giving back and has remained an intricate part of FADA in various capacities since she graduated. She has served on the FADA advisory board since 2013, she avails herself to informational interviews, provides mentorship for portfolio development, and as a Work Based Learning curriculum collaborator provides industry relevant content that reflects the workplace or real work to provide students with the knowledge and skills that will help them connect school experiences to real-life work activities and future career opportunities.

Now back in her hometown, Jenell is working on her brand “BLk”. A drop based system of releasing clothes and her sultry silhouettes set BLk apart in this market of designers. Using her corporate and life experiences with her natural system of dressing, she’s working on establishing her name and brand at pop up shops, events and all social media platforms!

Participants then embark on designing their own floor plan of an imagined cafe/gallery, retail, or play space in Downtown Oakland. Students create a materials, fabric, furniture, color board to accompany their floor plan. They also do a little bit of role playing to see what it is like to be a client or to work for a client.

Matt's professional experience includes work as a Project Architect for IwamotoScott in San Francisco, where he led some of the firm's most detailed work. Previously, Matt worked as a Project Manager and Designer for P-A-T-T-E-R-N-S in Los Angeles, and as a designer for Riken Yamamoto in Japan.

Matt holds a Master of Architecture II from UCLA, where he received an academic fellowship, as well as a Bachelor of Architecture from Cal Poly, where he was awarded the Don Tanklage Scholarship for design excellence.

Students explore the art of illustration working with both dry and wet media to convey their ideas. Discussions of different illustrators and techniques will further their understanding of the different paths an illustrator can take.

Upon completion of his MFA he moved to Brooklyn, New York where he maintained a studio, taught art and exhibited his artwork. In his relatively young career he has exhibited in numerous places, including New York, London, Berlin, Chicago and at the Museu de Arte de Brasilia. In the Bay Area Erik’s work has been exhibited at Blankspace Gallery, Johansson Projects, The Headlands Center for the Arts, Root Division, Southern Exposure, WE Artspace and most recently at Kala Art Institute. Additionally Erik has lectured at universities, given artist talks, garnered residencies and awards.

For over nine years Erik has taught students of all ages, a variety of media from drawing to sculpture. He has taught at many different types of spaces & programs including teaching Color Theory as an adjunct lecturer at University of Wisconsin Madison.

In the afternoon session participants experiment with composition, content, color, and scale, while learning the technical aspects of using acrylic paint.

The focus on this studio is developing the ability to see and then translate visual experience, through investigations of both traditional and nontraditional approaches to various subjects, including nature, architecture, abstraction, and the figure.