Multidisciplinary artist and professional art instruction
Kristen makes and teaches art in a broad range of media. She’s a licensed Art educator and masters of Art education candidate at St. Michael’s college. As a teaching artist, Kristen splits her time between her home studio and the classroom. She teaches at Burlington City Arts and Davis Studio, and is also a teaching artist for the Vermont Arts Council, and a VAC grant recipient.
Kristen’s work focuses on mixed media painting, artist books, printmaking, and small scale assemblage. She exhibits her work locally and regionally in both group and solo shows, and has been selected for several juried exhibits. Her work is also held in private collections. She has completed artist residencies at the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, Vermont, and the Rensing Center in South Carolina. For more information and to purchase visit www.kristenmwatson.com/shop
Darkroom photo is having a revival (though for most of us it was always cool). Come learn the "old school" way to make photos. Only 6 slots so sign up soon.
(ages 12-16)
5 day camp
Dates: July 13-17
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: 916 Shelburne Road
In this innovative camp you will explore the street art and graffiti art movements and gain inspiration to develop your own unique style by creating several works of original art. Learn about contemporary street artists such as Shepard Fairey, Banksy, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose work has moved off the streets and into fine galleries. Try out and combine various materials and techniques such as spray painting, stenciling, stickers, marker pens, fine brush detailing and much more. Experiment with lettering styles and create your street art name. Work on both small and large-scale pieces.
5 day camp
Dates: August 19 - August 23
Time: 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Location: 916 Shelburne Road
**Reception: Friday, August 23 at 2:30 pm
In this fun, hands-on digital photography course, we’ll be traveling to various urban, park, and local farm locations to practice using the features on our cameras to take artistic photographs. We'll also spend time at the studio learning to transfer, organize, and edit photographs to create beautiful pictures, digital collages, and other fun projects using Photoshop or other web-based editing software. Our budding photographers will hang their art works for a final gallery reception. Note: Students will need to bring their own digital cameras to class, specifically a digital SLR or any model that can be set to manual mode (M). We’d also encourage those who are able, to bring a laptop (PC or Mac preferred) and learn the basics of photo editing. Please feel free to email us with questions
We have aftercare available for this camp! Reserve it now!
(ages 12-16)
5 day camp
Dates: August 12 - August 16
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: 916 Shelburne Road
**Reception: Friday, August 16 at 3:15 pm
In this digital photography course, we’ll be off scouting to various locations with our cameras in manual mode. Become a pro with all those buttons on your camera, as you learn how to make expressive, artistic photographs. You’ll learn the fundamentals of lighting and exposure, practicing techniques that will help you harness your artistic vision. Go on guided photo shoots, and discuss themes and techniques for making professional-looking work. The results will be your own fantastic, digital portfolio - worthy of your walls and ours - at our final gallery reception.
Note: Students will need to bring their own digital cameras to class, specifically a digital SLR or any model that can be set to manual mode (M). We’d also encourage those who are able, to bring a laptop and learn the basics of photo editing.
We have aftercare available for this camp! Reserve it now!
DIGITAL PHOTO WEEK 7, ages 9-11
August 5-9, 2019
8-11 a.m.
Location: BCA Studios, 405 Pine Street, Burlington, VT
$180 / $162 BCA members
Learn the basics of digital photography! In this camp, students will go on guided photo shoots in the South End of Burlington and will be instructed in our Digital Lab, learning camera controls, image editing software and color printing techniques to make prints, small books/zines and more!
*PAIR this with Drawing & Painting or Screen Print for a full-day experience.
DIGITAL PHOTO WEEK 4, ages 9-11
July 15-19, 2019
8-11 a.m.
Location: BCA Studios, 405 Pine Street, Burlington, VT
$180 / $162 BCA members
Learn the basics of digital photography! In this camp, students will go on guided photo shoots in the South End of Burlington and will be instructed in our Digital Lab, learning camera controls, image editing software and color printing techniques to make prints, small books/zines and more!
*PAIR this with Drawing & Painting or Screen Print for a full-day experience.
DIGITAL PHOTO WEEK 2, ages 12-14
June 24-28, 2019
8-11 a.m.
Location: BCA Studios, 405 Pine Street, Burlington, VT
$180 / $162 BCA members
Learn the basics of digital photography! In this camp, students will go on guided photo shoots in the South End of Burlington and will be instructed in our Digital Lab, learning camera controls, image editing software and color printing techniques to make prints, small books/zines and more!
Explore a variety of acrylic-based techniques with an emphasis on experimentation, joy, and finding what works for you as an artist. This exciting class is all about painting what inspires you in a uniquely personal and deeply expressive way! We'll be covering various elements of abstract art making and how they relate. Topics covered include color, mark and shape making, composition, mixed media, using acrylic mediums to add dimension and depth, and more. We'll also touch on developing studio habits to aid in productivity, objective editing and analysis, and maintaining a positive work space and internal voice. We will learn about some abstract painters to help understand some of the concepts behind non-representational painting (painting without recognizable imagery). Materials and supplies included. All experience levels are welcome!
Spring 2019
Date: Thursdays ** Please note these dates are not consecutive**
*March 28, (off April 4), April 11, 18 (off 25 and May 2) May 9, 16, (off 23), 30
Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location: 916 Shelburne Road
Learn more and Register here.
5 day camp
Dates: August 19 - August 23
Time: 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
Location: 916 Shelburne Road
**Reception: Friday, August 23 at 2:30 pm
In this fun, hands-on digital photography course, we’ll be traveling to various urban, park, and local farm locations to practice using the features on our cameras to take artistic photographs. We'll also spend time at the studio learning to transfer, organize, and edit photographs to create beautiful pictures, digital collages, and other fun projects using Photoshop or other web-based editing software. Our budding photographers will hang their art works for a final gallery reception. Note: Students will need to bring their own digital cameras to class, specifically a digital SLR or any model that can be set to manual mode (M). We’d also encourage those who are able, to bring a laptop (PC or Mac preferred) and learn the basics of photo editing. Please feel free to email us with questions
We have aftercare available for this camp! Reserve it now!
Create mini-movies where your imagination and stories come alive! Using Legos, modeling clay, toys and other objects, partners will storyboard, build, paint and sculpt their scenes, characters, and props, and then shoot a movie using iPads. We'll use iMovie to add special effects, sounds, and music. Students will go home with a USB or link to their final movie and we'll premiere our movies with family and friends (and popcorn!) at a screening on the last day of camp.
(ages 8-12)
5 day camp
Dates: Aug 13-17
Time: 8:30am-2:30pm
Location: 916 Shelburne Road
In this innovative camp, you will explore the street art and graffiti art movements, and gain inspiration to develop your own unique style by creating several works of original art. Learn about contemporary street artists such as Shepard Fairey, Banksy, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose work has moved off the streets and into fine galleries. Try out and combine various materials and techniques such as spray painting, stenciling, stickers, marker pens, fine brush detailing and much more. Experiment with lettering styles and create your street art name. Work on both small- and large-scale pieces.
(ages 13-17)
5 day camp
Dates: July 9-13
Time: 8:30am-2:30pm
Location: 916 Shelburne Road
Use your imagination to create mini-movies where your stories and ideas come alive! Incorporating modeling clay, toys and other objects, partners will storyboard, build, paint and sculpt their scenes, characters, and props, and then shoot a movie using iPads. We'll use iMovie to add special effects, sounds, and music. White board and stop-motion illustration animation will also be options for those who are serious about drawing. Your movie could be a mini biopic, drama, tragedy, comedy, sci-fi or documentary. Students will go home with a USB or link to their final movie and we'll premiere our movies with family and friends (and popcorn!) at a screening on the last day of camp.
(ages 8-12)
5 day camp
Dates: July2-6 (except Wednesday July 4)
Time: 8:30am-2:30pm
Location: 916 Shelburne Road
Create mini-movies where your imagination and stories come alive! Using Legos, modeling clay, toys and other objects, partners will storyboard, build, paint and sculpt their scenes, characters, and props, and then shoot a movie using iPads. We'll use iMovie to add special effects, sounds, and music. Students will go home with a USB or link to their final movie and we'll premiere our movies with family and friends (and popcorn!) at a screening on the last day of camp.
(ages 8-12)
5 day camp
Dates: June 18-22
Time: 8:30am-2:30pm
Location: 916 Shelburne Road
Date: Thursday and Friday, April 26-27
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
In this two day crash course we'll go over many of the features and operations on your DSLR camera. We'll go on a guided photo shoot and you’ll learn the fundamentals of composition, explore lighting and exposure, and practice techniques that will help you feel more comfortable with your camera and harness your artistic vision. Note: Students will need to bring their own digital cameras to class, specifically a digital SLR or any model that can be set to manual mode (M). Please feel free to email us with questions.
Click here to sign up.
Date: Monday and Tuesday, April 23-24
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Grades 6-9
In this 2 day camp learn to use your smartphone (iPhone or Android) or iPad to take incredible, artistic photos that go beyond snapshots. Leave behind the bulky photo gear and learn to use what's already right in your pocket to express your creative side. You’ll learn the fundamentals of lighting and exposure, and practice techniques that will help you harness your artistic vision.
We'll work with our photos using the smartphone editor as several applications including Enlight, Snapseed, Pixelmator, Photoshop, Adobe Fix, VSCO and more. We'll go on guided photo shoots, and discuss themes and techniques for making professional-looking work. The results will be your own fantastic, digital portfolio.
Note: Please download applications you choose (some are free and some paid) to your phone before camp. iPads are also welcome. Be sure that your devices have all updates installed.
Less than 10 slots available. Don't miss out, sign up today.
Thursday, June 15, 2017, 6:00-8:00pm at New City Galerie
Ever wonder how some artists get those amazing textures and patterns on their paintings? Join local artist and teacher, Kristen M. Watson for an evening of fun as we explore intuitive acrylic painting using non-traditional tools-literally everything but the brush!
After some basic painting instruction we’ll move into working with brayers, bubble wrap, forks, spray bottles, plastic doo-hickeys, our fingers, and a trove of household and found objects (feel free to bring some of your own!) to spray, smear, scrape, stamp, and roll your own expressive design. You’ll leave with your very own original artwork and lots of ideas to inspire you in your home or studio. And don’t worry; there will be paintbrushes too.
Your registration fee includes all supplies. Only 12 slots available so sign up soon! J Fee: $40
Parking: Bank Street Garage (First 2 Hours FREE) or on street meters.
This activity is part of Vermont Arts 2017, a project of the Vermont Arts Council. #VTArts2017
About Kristen
Kristen is a professional artist and licensed teacher. She makes and teaches art in a broad range of media. Currently she teaches at Burlington City Arts and Davis Studio, and is also a teaching artist for the Vermont Arts Council and a VAC grant recipient.
Kristen’s work focuses on mixed media intuitive painting and installation. She exhibits her work locally and regionally in both group and solo shows, and has been selected for several juried exhibits. Her work is also held in private collections. She is currently an artist in residence at New City Galerie and has completed artist residencies at the Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, Vermont, and the Rensing Center, South Carolina. www.kristenmwatson.com
Only 6 slots for this camp, don't miss out.
Less than 10 slots available for this camp, sign up soon.
Are you a "jack of all trades" when it comes to art? If you like to paint, draw, collage, print, sew, and build, then join our bookmakers’ laboratory! First, we’ll explore and experiment with a variety of fun art techniques on paper. We'll also play with printing techniques to create your own amazing textures and beautiful one-of-a kind prints. Then, we’ll assemble our painted papers and prints into books. You'll learn saddle binding, Japanese stab binding, concertina and perfect binding, tunnel books and more. Take home several unique, expressive, and functional books that are artworks on their own, and can be used for journaling, writing stories, scrap-booking, or whatever you can dream up! If time permits, you can start filling a book with poems, original stories and illustrations, or your own art. This exciting week will be a variety-lover's dream, and a book lover’s paradise.
(ages 7-12)
5 day camp
Dates: July 18 - July 22
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: 916 Shelburne Road
Less than ten slots available, sign up soon.
Register now. Only 6 slots available, this camp will fill!
Register now, these camps always fill. Look forward to seeing you this summer!
Date: Mon & Tues - Feb. 29th & Mar. 1st
(Note: must attend both days to fully complete projects)
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: 4 Howard Street, Studio Two
Instructor: Kristen Watson
If you like to paint, draw, collage, print, sew and build then join our bookmakers’ laboratory. We’ll explore and experiment with a variety of fun art techniques on paper. We’ll then use our art papers to assemble our sketchbooks while learning a number of bookbinding styles in the process. You’ll gain skills you will use again and again. At the end of the two days you will take home several expressive, functional & fantastic books including a mini tunnel book. Your books can be left as artworks on their own, or can be used for journaling, writing stories, scrap-booking, or whatever you can dream up.
We have aftercare available for this camp!
