Welcome to Summer Arts Studio, UW–Madison’s Art and Dance Intensives. With expanded offerings in visual arts courses, as well as our first African Diaspora Dance Institute, this weeklong, immersive experience has something for everyone, at every experience level.
Art and Dance Department faculty and internationally renowned teaching artists will engage and inspire you through focused technique instruction and skill-building.
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Course Details
The summer 2020 in-person experience has been canceled due to COVID-19 in accordance with UW–Madison policy.
Making art is more important now than ever. We’re offering bite-sized online workshops this summer in painting and Hip Hop Dance. Learn More Now.
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"After a long Academic year of serving students in my classroom, the Summer Arts Studio experience energized me to produce great art. I was able to find my artist voice and be among other artists and educators in a fun and relaxed atmosphere."
Leslie Dickerson
Workshops
African Diaspora Dance
This course, allows participants to learn skills, make art, and build community by dancing into deeper mind, body, and spiritual understandings of ancient and contemporary forms with African roots.
Painting
Investigate approaches to painting, color experimentation, composition, and materials through a variety of techniques focusing on the elasticity and possibilities of pigment.
Digital Fabrication
Bring what you see on the screen to life, and learn to make it real with digital tools. This workshop features CAD (Computer Aided Design) software, 3D printing, and laser cutter constructions.
Printmaking
This print workshop covers the major methods of serigraphy (also called screen print). Additive and subtractive methods of construction will be introduced along with traditional and alternative methods of printing with water-based ink. Students will create editions with analog hand-drawn, digital, stencil, and photo-emulsion methods.
Glass
We will explore the viscous and elastic qualities of hot glass in solid, blown, and cast form. In the cold shop, we will work with light and texture through surface manipulation.
Woodworking
In this course, students will be introduced to both the material and techniques to safely transform rough boards into a bandsaw box on a stand and stool.
Participant Testimonials
“As I reflect back on my time there, I have decided to change my curriculum for the upcoming term. I was inspired by Sylvie’s approach to teaching, her methods of relaying the importance of safety, and her creativity.”
-Benjamin Grignon
“Emily Arthur is an exceptional printmaking teacher. She helps and encourages in a professional and pleasant way. She passed on a great deal of technical knowledge.”
– Leslie Dickerson
“This was a fantastic week. It was like taking a vacation from being an IT guy; not just a change in pace but change in who I am.”
–Jess Born
Lodging
Cutoff Date: Please reserve your room by Friday, May 8th, 2020 to secure the discounted room rate. After this date, any remaining rooms will be released and the hotel cannot guarantee the discounted rate.
Website: Summer Arts Studio Room Block
Reservations Line: Call 800-922-5512 and ask for the Summer Arts Studio Room Block rate.
Group Code: SUMMERARTS20
Rates: $131 per night for a single person or $151 for two people. Parking is $18 per vehicle per night.
Cutoff Date: Please reserve your room by Monday, May 25th, 2020 to secure the discounted room rate. After this date, any remaining rooms will be released and the hotel cannot guarantee the discounted rate.
Website: Union South Hotel for Summer Arts Studio
Reservations Line: 608-263-2600
Group Code:200621SUMM
Rates: $127 per night.
Cutoff Date: Please reserve your room by Friday, May 22th, 2020 to secure the discounted room rate. After this date, any remaining rooms will be released and the hotel cannot guarantee the discounted rate.
Website: Graduate Madison for Summer Arts Studio
Reservations Line: 608-257-4391
Workshop Schedules
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Visual Arts Workshop Schedule
| Monday June 22 | Tuesday June 23 | Wednesday June 24 | Thursday June 25 | Friday June 26 | Saturday June 27 | |
| Welcome Breakfast 9-10:30 a.m. |
Instruction 9 a.m.-12 p.m. |
Instruction 9 a.m.-12 p.m. |
Instruction 9 a.m.-12 p.m. |
Instruction 9 a.m.-12 p.m. |
Exhibition De-Install 9-10:15 a.m. |
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| Instruction 10:45 a.m.-12 p.m. |
Final Studio Day & Pack Up 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. |
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| Lunch 12:15-1 p.m. |
Lunch 12-1 p.m. |
Lunch 12-1 p.m. |
Lunch 12-1 p.m. |
Lunch 12-1 p.m. |
Lunch 12-1 p.m. |
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| Instruction 1:15-4:45 p.m. |
Instruction 1:15-4:45 p.m. |
Instruction 1:15-4:45 p.m. |
Instruction 1:15-4:45 p.m. |
Instruction 1:15-4:45 p.m. |
Final Studio Day & Pack Up 1:15-5:45 p.m. |
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| Break 4:45-6 p.m. |
Break 4:45-6 p.m. |
Break 4:45-6 p.m. |
Break 4:45-6 p.m. |
Exhibition Install 3-5 p.m. |
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| Artist Talks 5-7 p.m. |
Break 5:45-7 p.m. |
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| Open Studio 6-10 p.m. |
Open Studio 6-10 p.m. |
Open Studio 6-10 p.m. |
Open Studio 6-10 p.m. |
Dance Show 6-7 p.m. |
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| Reception 7:15-9 p.m. |
Dinner Reception 7-9 p.m. |
African Dance Institute Schedule
| Monday June 22 | Tuesday June 23 | Wednesday June 23 | Thursday June 23 | Friday June 23 | Saturday June 23 | |
| Welcome Breakfast 9-10:30 a.m. |
Afro-Brazilian 9-10:30 a.m. |
Hip-Hop Dance 9-10:30 a.m. |
Afro-Brazilian 9-10:30 a.m. |
African Dance 9-10:30 a.m. |
TBD | |
| African Dance 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. |
Hip-Hop Dance 10:50 a.m.-12:20 p.m. |
Afro-Brazilian 10:50 a.m.-12:20 p.m. |
Hip-Hop Dance 10:50 a.m.-12:20 p.m. |
Hip-Hop Dance 10:50 a.m.-12:20 p.m. |
TBD | |
| Lunch 12:30-1:30 p.m. |
Lunch 12:20-1:20 p.m. |
Lunch 12:20-1:20 p.m. |
Lunch 12:20-1:20 p.m. |
Lunch 12:20-1:20 p.m. |
TBD | |
| Afro-Brazilian 1:30-3 p.m. |
African Dance 1:20-2:50 p.m. |
African Dance 1:20-2:50 p.m. |
African Dance 1:20-2:50 p.m. |
Afro-Brazilian 1:20-2:50 p.m. |
TBD | |
| Hip-Hop Dance 3:15-4:45 p.m. |
Drumming 3:10-4:15 p.m. |
Yoga 3:15 -4:15 p.m. |
Drumming 3:10-4:15 p.m. |
Drumming 3:10-4:45 p.m. |
TBD | |
| Yoga 5-6 p.m. |
Pilates 4:30-5:45 p.m. |
Art Talk 5-7 p.m. |
Pilates 4:30-5:45 p.m. |
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| Dance Show 6-7 p.m. |
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| Art Exhibit 7:15-9 p.m. |
Dinner Reception 7-9 p.m. |
Art Faculty
Meg Mitchell
Credentials: MFA
Position title: Associate Chair and Associate Professor of Digital Media
African Diaspora Dance Faculty
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who Can Attend
Who can attend the Summer Arts Studio?
Anyone 18 years of age or older is eligible to participate.
I’m not a U.S. Citizen. Can I still attend?
Yes. We welcome international participants. If you have specific questions about visa requirements for your country, please contact us.
Tuition
How much does the Summer Arts Studio cost?
Early bird pricing available now until April 1st.
Visual Arts Workshops: $1900 ($2000 after April 1st)
African Diaspora Dance: $750 ($800 after April 1st)
The price difference between Visual Arts and African Diaspora Dance is due to the fact that there no daily Open Studio evening/night hours, nor art materials for Dance.
Payment
When do I need to submit payment?
Upon registration, you will be asked to pay a nonrefundable deposit of $500. The balance is due on June 8th, 2020.
How do I pay?
You may pay your non-refundable deposit and tuition balance at our online registration site. We prefer online payment, but you may also pay by check (payable to “UW-Madison PLACE” and mailed to PLACE Summer Arts Studio, 225 N. Mills Street, Madison, WI 53706.
Can I cancel my enrollment?
If you cancel your enrollment you will forfeit your initial deposit. There are no refunds of tuition and no refunds in the event of early departure.
About the Art Workshops
How is the Summer Arts Studio structured?
Enjoy daily workshops from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; further explore and develop your craft during open studio hours (7-10 p.m.); join fellow attendees at evening art talks and cultural events to connect and refresh; and explore the vibrant city of Madison on your own during down time.
Is course credit available for participation in the Summer Arts Studio?
No, academic credit is not available.
Who is Summer Arts Studio for?
It is designed for a range of participants, from experienced and professional artists hoping to expand their range and knowledge of technique to those new to their selected medium seeking an initial opportunity to receive formal instruction and feedback.
About the Dance Workshops
How is the Summer Arts Studio structured?
Enjoy daily classes in all three disciplines along with Drumming for dancers, pilates and yoga from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. While West African, Afro-Brazilian and Hip Hop dance classes, will take place every day, Drumming for Dancers, pilates and yoga will take place on a rotating basis throughout the week. There will be two classes in the morning from 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and 10:50 a.m.-12:20 p.m. followed by an hour for lunch, and then class from 1:20 p.m.-2:50 p.m., and then two more classes (pilates, yoga and/or drumming depending on the day) ending between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Join fellow attendees at evening art talks and the faculty dance performance to connect and refresh; and explore the vibrant city of Madison on your own during down time.
Will I need a yoga mat?
Yes, please bring your own yoga mat OR purchase a Summer Arts Studio yoga mat when you register.
Is course credit available for participation in the Summer Arts Studio?
No, academic credit is not available.
Who is Summer Arts Studio for?
It is designed for a range of participants, from experienced and professional dancers hoping to expand their range and knowledge of technique to beginners seeking an initial opportunity to receive formal instruction and feedback.
Social Life
What is the social and cultural life of the program like?
There is a strong social dimension to the workshop experience at Summer Arts Studio both in and out of class. Participants will regularly share work-in-progress; work together as makers in a learning community; and build together outside of class during art talks, the dance faculty performance, recreational activities, and evening social events.
What is the week’s social and cultural life like outside of the workshop classroom?
Classes end by 5:30 p.m. each day, leaving ample time for continued work in the studios by visual arts students, as well as evening events and communing. In the evenings, participants can walk down State Street, gather at cafes, hike the nearby trails, attend an art talk, or take a quick nap.
How are participants supported throughout the week?
As a participant of the Summer Arts Studio, you are part of a community where everyone – participants, instructors, university employees, and community members – is treated with common decency, tolerance, respect, and consideration. Anyone whose behavior does not align with this shared value will be asked to leave the program.
Getting to Summer Arts Studio
Madison
Being in the heart of the city, there are many accommodation choices from luxury to budget-minded. This year we have partnered with three area hotels to provide discounted rates to Summer Arts Studio participants: The Edgewater, The Graduate and Union South.
Traveling by Car
Madison is located in south-central Wisconsin and is accessible via several major highways. Madison is:
78 miles or a 1 ½-hour drive from Milwaukee, via Interstate 94
147 miles or a 2 ½-hour drive from Chicago, via Interstate 90
269 miles or a 4 ½-hour drive from Minneapolis/St. Paul, via Interstate 94
93 miles or a 2-hour drive from Dubuque, via US 151
Please allow 20-30 minutes to reach campus, find parking, and travel to your destination.
Traveling by Bus
Long distance intercity bus services providing scheduled service to Madison include Badger Coach, Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Megabus, and Van Galder bus lines. There are daily connections to the Milwaukee and Chicago airports and Amtrak in Chicago. Many buses stop at Memorial Union.
Traveling by Plane
Dane County Regional Airport (MSN), on Madison’s northeast side, provides regional and national air service to and from Madison. Taxi and city bus service is available from the airport.
When should I arrive?
Summer Arts Studio will have a welcome breakfast on Monday, June 22nd from 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Please plan to arrive on campus between 8:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. If you are flying, keep in mind that the Madison airport is about a 15-minute drive from campus. Arrivals by plane should be scheduled no later than Sunday night, June 21st when possible.
When should I depart?
The last workshop occurs on Saturday morning, followed by clean-up (for visual arts) and closing dinner party for all participants Saturday evening. If you are departing from the Madison airport, please schedule your flight by noon on Sunday, June 27, 2020 if staying in one of our partner hotels.
Accessibility
We can make arrangements to accommodate your accessibility needs. To make a confidential request call us at (608) 263-5140 or email conferences@education.wisc.edu
Contact
If you have questions about the Summer Arts Studio, please email the Director of Arts Yorel Lashley at lashley@wisc.edu.