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Workshop dates: 9/8, 10/13 & 11/10

Who needs a second opinion? Artists: are you looking to get out of the studio, out of your head, to share your practice and get feedback from diverse perspectives? Join a healthy conversation with alumni from Otis College of Art & Design. Stop by to see others? work and share constructive feedback. Camera Obscura Open Art Crits are open to visual artists and serious art lovers who are looking for an enriching exchange of ideas. How it works: Two 45 minute spots are available for sign up ahead of time, plus each session includes one drop-in 15 minute spot. To sign up for the long spots, email Claudia at claudia.b@hotmail.co.uk. Bring an artwork you made and some specific questions to present to the group. The process: We will be engaging in an analysis of the artwork?s techniques and narratives, subjects and objects, symbols and concepts, and processes and execution while looking, asking, studying, reflecting, and sharing. We will value artwork through observation and acknowledgement of the work?s personal impact as well as the potential it carries in relation to contemporary realities. This will be in the form of an organic group discussion where every artwork is precious, every opinion valuable, and each voice heard and appreciated. All participants: be prepared to contribute by creating a supporting, caring, respectful, and safe environment where we explore our liveliness and creativity, being mindful of time constraints and each other. This class is presented in conjunction with Trade School (http://tradeschool.coop/losangeles) an alternative, self-organized school that runs on the gift economy. Classes are offered at various sites throughout Los Angeles and teachers work in exchange for receiving simple items on their wish list from participants. Camera Obscura Art Crit is led by Claudia Borgna, and she requests that participants bring one of these items in exchange for taking the class: a plant, preferably rescued bike-carryable; any garden produce that you might have; home/hand made soap; extra virgin olive oil; oregano essential oil.

A Literature graduate from Genoa University, Italy, Claudia received a BFA from the London Metropolitan University in Fine Art and an MFA in Public Practice from Otis College of Art and Design. Her work has been exhibiting nationally and internationally. She is a recipient of the Joan Mitchell, the Pollock Krasner Grant, the RBS Bursary Award and the Pritzker Foundation Endowed Fellowship Award and the winner of the ?Public Speaks? Broomhill National Sculpture Prize UK. She also was short-listed for the BBC2 documentary: ?School of Saatchi? and commended for the British Women Art Prize.

Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean offers arts, crafts and culture classes year-round. Polish your writing, take a better picture, learn how to make paper, knit, sew, and find a community of artists and movers!

Visit us at 1450 Ocean Ave at Broadway in Santa Monica & http://smgov.net/camera
Contact camera@smgov.net & 310-458-2239
Classes at http://ow.ly/IehoU
Free events at http://santamonicaculturalaffairs.eventbrite.com
Join our email list at http://smgov.net/artsignup
Tag us at #ArtSaMo

Train/Bus: Metro terminus at 4th St/Colorado, 4 blocks away. Upon exiting the station go west on Colorado to Ocean Ave, cross the street to the Pier and go north in the park just past Broadway. http://metro.net or http://bigbluebus.com.

Directions: The Camera Obscura Art Lab is at 1450 Ocean Ave on the west side of Ocean just north of Broadway.

By Metro - 4th St. Santa Monica Downtown stop, walk two blocks west to Ocean and 1.5 blocks north from the Pier entrance.

Parking is $6 or less for 3 hours in Parking Structure 6 (2nd between Broadway and Santa Monica), and $5 on weekends at the Civic Auditorium lot just down Main Street at 333 Civic Center Dr. Meters on Ocean Avenue; $2/hr maximum 3 hours. More info: smgov.net/parking.
Buses: visit bigbluebus.com or metro.net for more information.
Bike share lockup just south of us in the park; for personal bikes remember to bring a strong lock.

Registration: We encourage reserving online with a credit card. Some classes accept drop-ins. Bring cash to cover material fees, if applicable. Refunds/Transfers: Full refunds are given if class is cancelled before taking place - enroll online with confidence. For student withdrawals for any other reason, $15 processing fee for each multisession activity refunded; one-time classes & expended material fees are nonrefundable. Requests must be made in person, by mail, fax (310-899-0840), or email to communityclasses@smgov.net within 24 hours of first class meeting. All class dates, times, locations, and instructors are subject to change.

About: Visit the Camera Obscura Art Lab at 1450 Ocean to get a different perspective. The City of Santa Monica offers arts, crafts and culture classes for adults here year-round, and you can polish your writing, take a better photo, learn how to make paper, get your groove on and find a community of makers and movers. Weekly hangouts with artists through the ongoing Studio Residency program as well as workshops and one-off experiences bring insight into a variety of artistic work. This community practice space offers room for you to develop your own creativity and learn from others.