This course is designed to make appreciating art an automatized skill—something that feels as natural as reading a novel. You'll learn the various Touching The Art techniques, get to practice them on great works of art, and, to solidify your understanding, you'll prepare your own art presentation.

Your registration includes:

• eight, live, seminar-style classes (max 10 students)
• one-hour tutorial session
• feedback on homework
• access to class recordings
• copy of Touching The Art
• certificate of course completion

Meeting times will be coordinated with the group to find the best fit for everyone. If you’d like to join, just send me a message letting me know you’re interested. The class is limited to 10 students—spots are limited, so don’t wait too long to reach out!

Every week you will add new art appreciation tools while enjoying amazing artworks. Precise schedule TBD.

• There will be weekly homework assignments and two student presentations.
• The course culminates in each student delivering a final presentation where they'll apply everything they've learned.
• Homework assignments are given in-depth feedback.
• There is also one private tutorial session for each student.
• The 75-minute classes are live on zoom and highly interactive.
• Recordings of each class will be available

‍Class #1: “Reading” an Artwork
‍We will learn and practice a variety of techniques for “Reading” an artwork. You'll learn to immerse yourself into the world of the story and to heighten the drama of the scene. Homework: Art Reading #1

‍Class #2: Identifying the Theme
‍We’ll define what a theme in an artwork is compared to a theme in literature. You’ll learn and practice a step-by-step process for grasping the theme of a narrative artwork with clarity.Homework: Art Reading #2

‍Oct. 30th - Class #3: Making Connections and EmpathizingYou'll learn to use the theme of an artwork to personally connect to its meaning. We'll see how "empathizing" with the main character in a scene is the key to unlocking the deeper, emotional meaning. Then, we’ll practice connecting with a variety of different artworks.Homework: Identifying Themes and Making Connections

‍Class #4: Great Artists
​We’ll wrap up our discussion of making connections to the theme of an artwork. And we'll look at some of the best “storytellers” in art history including Michelangelo, John W. Waterhouse, Norman Rockwell, and others.Homework: "Short Presentation" - a five-minute “reading” an artwork of your choice.

‍Class #5: Short Presentations + Portraits, Landscapes, and Still Life
‍Students will deliver their short presentations. Then, we’ll look at the other genres of visual art. We’ll discuss how to find the story in a still life, what the theme of a portrait is, and how to immerse ourselves in a landscape.

‍Class #6: Final Presentation Prep + General Discussion
‍We’ll go over the content and format of the final presentations. Then we'll have a Q&A over a variety of possible topics including modern art, movies, art education, etc.Private Tutorials by AppointmentEach student will have a one-hour private tutorial to help prepare a final presentation. In the final presentation (8-minutes long) each student will read an artwork of their choice, identify a theme, and describe a personal connection.

‍Class #7: Final Presentations + Music in Art
‍We’ll have a first batch of presentations followed by a short discussion on how music enhances one's immersion in the visual arts.

‍Class #8: Final presentations + Course Wrap-up
‍We’ll have our second batch of presentations and sum up what you’ve accomplished in the course.