To celebrate their upcoming Georgia O’Keeffe exhibit (running April 22-July 30), the AGO is offering some innovative workshops to highlight the artist’s work and investigate some of her techniques. From photography and printmaking (using black ink, sweetened condensed milk and dish soap!) to a “Bones & Stones” workshop that you can do with your kids, the latest slew of workshops at AGO are geared to look at Georgia O’Keeffe with new eyes. You can use her work as a launching point for your own inspired creations.

Photography Explorations: Life Photography Inspired by Alfred Stieglitz
OPTION #1: Monday, May 8 – June 12 (5 weeks – no classes on May 22). Time: 2 – 5 pm
OPTION #2: Wednesday, May 3 – May 31 (5 weeks). Time: 7 – 10 pm
Instructor: Brian Piitz
Learn the art of manipulating light in the composition of nudes by observing the works of Stieglitz, who embraced Georgia O’Keeffe as his muse and collaborator. This is a workshop for those interested in photographing the nude using studio light, working both collaboratively and independently in directing the model and adjusting lighting. The workshop will also explore photographic abstraction and other techniques used by Stieglitz. Students will be encouraged to come to class with references from which to shoot. This class is suitable for photographers with knowledge of basic photography skills. Students are required to bring their own cameras and tripods for each class.

Printmaking Explorations: Flowers
Friday, May 12 – June 9 (5 weeks). Time: 7 – 10 pm
Instructor: Brian Hoxha
Working in the intaglio printmaking technique known as Sugar Lift or Lift Ground, students will develop a series of etchings exploring compositions inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe’s work. Using a mixture of black ink, sweetened condensed milk and dish soap, students will have the opportunity to explore print mediums with a painterly approach, adding colour to the matrix using Chine-collé papers to produce striking and unique floral compositions. The class includes all required materials. Students may choose to purchase supplementary materials.

Watercolour Explorations: Flowers
Friday, May 12 – June 9 (5 weeks). Time: 7 – 10 pm
Instructor: Kelley Aitken
Expand your watercolour practice through creative techniques by observing unique floral arrangements inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe in this an intermediate-level course. Practice through experimentation with a variety of application techniques while discovering the unique properties of this medium. The course will include lots of hands-on experimentation through quick exercises and the development of several more resolved pieces. Materials for the first class are provided. Students will receive a list of required materials for the following classes.

Drawing Explorations: Flowers
Friday, May 12 – June 9 (5 weeks). Time: 7 – 10 pm
Instructor: Carol Matson
Artists have utilized plants, including flowers, in images from as early as the depiction of religious themes in medieval times, to the 17th century (when still life became a stand alone subject matter) and beyond to contemporary times. Be inspired by a wide range of flowers from botanical studies to the art of Georgia O’Keeffe and Andy Warhol. Materials for the first class are provided. Students will receive a list of required materials for the following classes.

Bones and Stones
(Grown-ups and kids – ages 3+ welcome)
Sunday, May 7 – May 14 (2 weeks). Time: 1 – 3 pm
Instructor: TBA
“When I found the beautiful white bones in the desert, I picked them up and took them home. I have used these things to say what is, to me, the wideness and wonder of the world as I live in it.” Georgia O’Keeffe. In this workshop, explore art making and sculpture using stones and bones as inspiration, visiting the exhibition of work by this amazing artist. This will give you a chance to check out the skeleton used for drawing classes.

Register here.