Dates: June 3 – June 7th, 2024 + extended work time to finish the project up until June 14th. Extended hours to be determined in class
Times: Mon-Fri: 9am – 5pm with a lunch break
Location: A2AC (Ann Arbor Art Center), 117 W Liberty St, Studio 201
Class Price/Tuition: $395
Student Capacity: 8
Class Description
This 1-week intensive class is for artists and individuals interested in developing mural painting skills and gaining professional knowledge relevant to the trade. Students will start the class by working together on a series of fun, collaborative exercises to generate ideas for a mural proposal. They will end the class by learning how to translate and execute the final design onto an exterior wall in downtown Ann Arbor! The wall measures 40’ wide x 14’ tall. Interspersed between the making of the proposal and mural, the instructor and guest arts-related professionals will discuss the historical context of murals, wall preparation, artistry techniques, community engagement, client consultation, and legal and logistical protocols such as contracts, permits, and lifts. An optional A2AC Murals tour will provide students additional technical and experienced insight from the perspective of the Art in Public Program.
The objective of the final mural is for students to explore and develop their visual language within a collaborative, cohesive mural. The Ann Arbor Art Center will act as the client, giving students feedback and approval on their proposal. Students should aim to complete the mural within the class week but will be able to use extended hours in the following week if necessary. The mural will be displayed for an indefinite period of time (1-2 years) before the wall is used for other purposes, including continuing educational purposes or for a newly commissioned mural.
Application Requirements
Students must fill out a short application form and submit 5 images of their work. Please fill out the application on or before April 11th.
Eligibility:
Artists applying should have some level of experience with painting and be considered at an intermediate level for drawing, painting, and/or designing. Previous mural experience is not required.
Students will need to be open to working collaboratively with others and come to the class with an open mind.
Students must be 18 + years old
Students will be required to paint outside on a south-facing wall and should be able to work for an extended period of time outside, taking breaks when needed.
Students must be able to climb ladders and scaffolding, although limited exceptions may be arranged. The scaffolding will allow students to reach the height of the 14’ tall wall.
Deadlines:
Application Open: March 18th, 2024
Application Deadline: April 11th, 2024
Notification: April 18th, 2024
Register by: April 25th, 2024
The A2AC reserves the right to cancel this course due to insufficient enrollment. In the event that this were to occur, the A2AC would notify students of the cancellation no later than May 13th, and students would have the option to receive a full refund or credit to their account.
Class Dates: June 3 – June 7th, with possible additional hours from June 8th-14th to finish the project.
Materials
Please bring a sketchbook, pencils, and pens. A proper respirator for paint fumes may be required if students choose to work with spray paint.
Students should bring their lunch, snacks, and appropriate outdoor clothing and accessories. There are several options for purchasing food downtown within walking distance that offer quick service for the hour lunch break before class resumes.
Anthony Lee is a 1st generation Chinese-Vietnamese American Detroit-based muralist, illustrator, and curator from Troy and Sterling Heights, Michigan. Born and raised in Metro Detroit, his family were Vietnam war refugees with origins from Hong Kong. He grew up drawing at his family’s Chinese herbal pharmacy and has spent the last 11 years painting over 250+ murals in Michigan and abroad for a variety of local businesses, nonprofits, restaurants, schools, & corporations. His passion for painting at a large scale and bringing people together brings him great joy. He enjoys watching an empty environment activate or transform into a more memorable space for the community.
Anthony Lee has been featured in The New York Times and Detroit Free Press. He is also a College for Creative Studies Alumni, RedBull House of Art Alumni, Murals in the Market Festival Artist, and has been sponsored by many companies such as Fanduel, MotorCity Casino, DTE, Ford, Flagstar Bank & The Detroit Pistons.
FAQ
How will the extended class work time be decided? Are the extended hours the following week required?
Students should plan to reserve a few to several extra hours available between June 8th-June 14th to finish the mural. Extended hours to work on the mural are available in case it rains on one of the work days or the agreed-upon proposal calls for a longer working time than allotted in the class week. The dates and hours will be determined in class based on everyone’s availability. The design will be simplified if most students can not allocate additional hours to complete the mural.
Students will be asked on the application form if they have availability between June 8th-June 14th. Applying students may still be considered if they do not have availability the second week, but should understand that A2AC will not be able to guarantee they will have extended work-time opportunities beyond June 14th.
Tuition for this class is a flat rate and will not be prorated for students unable to attend any of the extended hours or who miss regular class days for any reason.
Why is the mural only intended to be displayed for 1-2 years?
The wall will be used for continuing education purposes and public art opportunities. The A2AC will document the process and finished mural. Those materials will be available for student use in their portfolios. Students are encouraged to take their own documentation as well. The mural will be painted directly onto an exterior wall, and there will be no way to recover any part of the physical mural.
Is being able to climb on scaffolding a requirement?
While we can accommodate the needs of some individuals unable to climb scaffolding, most students should be able to work comfortably on scaffolding.
What do I need to bring to class?
For personable materials, bring your lunch, snacks, water bottle, and appropriate clothing for painting a mural outside: Clothes to protect you from the sun, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a light jacket, closed-toed rubber-soled shoes, and clothes you do not mind getting paint on. If you forget to bring your lunch or need a snack or coffee, there are several restaurants and coffee shops within walking distance from the Art Center.
For class materials, bring a sketchbook, pens, pencils, and possibly a proper respirator in case the class decides to use spray paint. All other materials will be supplied.
What time is lunchtime and breaks? Do I need to bring lunch/snacks?
Yes. You will have an hour lunch period and breaks throughout the day as necessary. Please bring your own lunch and snacks.
When will I know if I am accepted and is there a waitlist?
Accepted and waitlisted students will know if they are accepted to the class or waitlisted by April 18th, 2024. Waitlisted students will be given a number on the waitlist and offered a spot as one becomes available up until the start of class.
If I am accepted, how do I register?
Once you are accepted to the class, you will have a week to register via a link we send to accepted students. Students accepted into the program must register by April 25th to reserve their space. After April 25th, the unclaimed space will be forfeited and offered to the next person on the waitlist.
What is your refund/cancellation and transfer policy?
Please note that this course is an initiative offered through the Art in Public Program. Due to the nature of this class, our refund/cancellation policy differs from A2AC’s normal educational programming policies. Accepted students must contact us by no later than May 11th to cancel their participation in the class. No refunds or transfers will be offered after that date unless A2AC cancels the class on May 13th due to low enrollment.
Do you offer class scholarships?
Urban Canvas is a newly developed pilot program offered through our Art in Public Department. Scholarship funding is not currently available for this specific program. As it continues to evolve, we hope to be able to provide assistance with tuition in the future!
POLICIES FOR URBAN CANVAS: MURAL PAINTING INTENSIVE
Please note: This course is an initiative run by the A2AC Art in Public Program. The policies slightly differ from our classes offered through the Education Department.
•For general questions about the classes. •For questions regarding registration, cancellation, or refunds. •If you have not received an e-mail communication from us April 18th confirming status and/or on May 13th confirming that that class is running.
For urgent questions outside of Art in Public hours & Education Hours, you may also contact the Front Desk during normal business hours. (734) 994-8004
LOCATION
117 W. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
PARKING
The most commonly used parking areas are shown in the image below. Parking options may vary due to construction or events that necessitate street closures. We recommend allowing yourself plenty of time to find parking before a class.
The residential area has signage that states one side of the street is available for parking for a few hours of the day on either M,W,F or T/TH. This means the opposite side of the street is available for parking all day long on those days.
*Please note: The Art Center does not validate parking for students.
COVID-19 POLICY FOR CLASSES
Please stay at home if you are feeling ill, have a fever, or have vomited within the last 24 hours.
The A2AC follows all CDC Guidelines as it pertains to COVID-19.
*Please note: masks will be required if the COVID-19 Hospital-Admissions Level is ever High/Orange in Washtenaw County.
The A2AC reserves the right to update our policies at any time during the term in response to changing circumstances.
REGISTRATION
Accepted students will be e-mailed a private online registration to use, or they may contact our Art in Public Program at 734-926-4122 | hkirkpatrick@annarborartcenter.org.
AGE REQUIREMENTS
The age requirement for this class is 18 + years old. The A2AC does not make exceptions to the minimum age requirements for any reason.
GIFT CERTIFICATES
To use a gift certificate, please contact our Art In Public Program.
Gift Certificates may not be used with our online registration system.
WAITLIST POLICY
Our waitlist is now automated.
You will automatically receive an e-mail if a seat opens in this class. You will then have 24 hours to accept the seat, before our automated waitlist offers it to the next participant on the waitlist and the opportunity closes. Payment will be due upon accepting the seat.
In the instance of a last-minute cancellation, the A2AC reserves the right to contact everyone on the waitlist via e-mail. In this case, the e-mail would instruct how to register for the open seat, and it would go to the first person who registers.
NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT
10% of tuition for classes and workshops is considered a non-refundable deposit.
REFUND POLICY FOR CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
CANCELLATIONS UP TO May 11th, 2024 A full refund will be issued minus the 10% non-refundable deposit. Students may login to their account to withdraw from a class any time up until May 11th. Or they may contact the Art In Public Program.
*This system is automated and will calculate exactly to May 11th 11:59 pm.
*If the “CANCEL” link in your account is not highlighted in blue, the refund window has closed.
*Refunds may take up to 30 days to process.
*We offer a 24-hour grace period. You will receive a full refund if you register for a class and withdraw within 24 hours. You may log in to your account to withdraw.
CANCELLATIONS AFTER MAY 11th AND BEFORE THE START OF THE CLASS OR WORKSHOP
No refunds will be issued for any reason, including illness.
CREDITS
If a class is canceled by the A2AC due to low enrollment or you cancel up to May 11th, you may have the tuition refunded to your credit card or you may request that it be credited to your A2AC account to use in the future. Credits expire after four years.
*Please contact our Art in Public Program to use a credit that was issued before October 27, 2023.
TRANSFERS
Students may contact the Art in Public Program to transfer into a different class if space is available on or before May 11th. No transfers will be issued after that.
E-MAILS & CLASS COMMUNICATION
You will receive an e-mail on May 13th confirming if the class is running. Approximately one week before the start of the class, you will receive another e-mail containing information about the upcoming class. If there is less than a week left and you have not received it, please contact the Art in Public Program so that we may ensure we have the correct e-mail on file. We also encourage students to check their spam filter or if you have a Gmail address, the “Promotions” folder.
CLASS SUPPLIES
Please bring a sketchbook, pencils, and pens. A proper respirator may be required if the students choose to work with spray paint.
Students should bring their lunch, snacks, and appropriate outdoor clothing and accessories. There are several options for purchasing food downtown within walking distance that offer quick service for the hour lunch break before class resumes.
All other course materials will be provided.
ARRIVAL TIME
Please do not arrive more than 10 minutes before class begins. This allows staff and instructors time to set up and prepare for a class before students arrive.
CLASS CANCELLATIONS
The A2AC reserves the right to cancel or postpone classes due to insufficient enrollment. If the Art Center cancels or significantly alters a class, a full refund will be issued or the student may request to be placed in an alternate class with space available by contacting the Art in Public Program.
INCLEMENT WEATHER CANCELLATIONS
If the A2AC cancels classes due to severe weather, we will notify you by email in addition to posting closings and cancellations on our website and Facebook pages no later than two hours before the scheduled class. *Be sure to check the spam filter or promotions folder in your e-mail account.
If you do not see an announcement on our website and social media pages, then all programs are running as scheduled. We will make every effort to offer make-up sessions if classes are canceled due to severe weather.
If it rains while the Urban Canvas: Mural Painting Intensive class is scheduled to paint outside, the instructor may be able to shuffle the lessons of that day around, depending on the weather details that day.
STUDENT ABSENCES
For the best experience, we encourage students to attend class on time and regularly. We do not provide make-up opportunities, pro-rate, or provide refunds for missed classes for any reason, including illness.
TEACHER ABSENCES
Where an instructor is absent due to illness or personal reasons, the A2AC reserves the right to find a substitute teacher or cancel a class and offer a makeup date, where possible. In the event of a cancellation, students will be contacted as soon as possible.
LIABILITY
The A2AC is not responsible for any injury, loss, or illness resulting from the use of A2AC’s services and premises. All students accept full responsibility for personal injury/or personal losses.
STUDENT PROPERTY
The Art Center is not responsible for artwork and other property left on the premises and has no liability if such property is lost, stolen, or damaged. Artwork or property left two weeks after the class or workshop ends will be discarded.
MEDIA POLICY
The A2AC reserves the right to use photos, videos, or other media taken during classes and programs for marketing or publicity purposes. Registration in a class gives the A2AC permission to use images without further consent or compensation.
ACCESSIBILITY
We are committed to offering accessible education programs by providing reasonable accommodations in a supportive environment that allows for the inclusion of people of all ages, abilities, and skill levels.
Our building is wheelchair accessible, and an elevator is available. Please enter through the front door of the A2AC at 117 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
If you believe that you or the person you would like to register will require accommodations to enable you/them to participate in our programs, please contact the Art in Public Program at hkirkpatrick@annarborartcenter.org before registering.
We strive to create a safe, relaxing, and fun environment for all of our students. If a student is displaying disruptive or unsafe behavior, is not following studio policies, or is disrespectful or threatening towards other students, the instructor, or A2AC staff, the student will be asked to correct their behavior. If the behavior was of an egregious nature requiring immediate action or the behavior continues after a request to correct it, the A2AC reserves the right to ask the student not to return. In this event, no refund will be offered.
The Urban Canvas: Mural Painting Intensive course is made possible by the generous support of the Lucie and Larry Nisson Art in Public Program.
