Class Content: Smartphones have become the camera of choice for most people. But, as smartphones have become more powerful photographic tools, they have also become more complex. We will get you through the complexity barrier.

In the 2 half-day sessions on “Smartphone Photography”, we will provide a comparison of Android and iPhone photography features, an explanation of the types and use of lenses available in smartphones, an explanation of the difference and significance of optical zoom vs digital zoom, how to effectively use different photographic settings (portrait, landscape, panorama, video, etc), image composition and photo editing tools.

You will learn professional techniques for taking significantly better portrait, landscape, travel, close-up and panoramic photos!

Supply List: Bring the cellphone you use for photography

Biography: Jack Retterer is a photographer, poet, digital artist and teacher in East Tennessee. He has over 50 years of photography and teaching experience.

Before moving to Tennessee, Jack taught photography at Benedictine University in Naperville, Illinois. He says his greatest learning experience came when he accepted the challenge to create and teach basic and advanced photography classes at Benedictine University.

Jack currently teaches “Fine Art Photography” at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. He is also active as a teacher and speaker for art and photography groups throughout Tennessee.

Instructor Website: https://www.jackrettererphotography.com/

Class Content: We will be knife painting with acrylic paints on a 11×14 canvas board. We will layer acrylic paint on our canvas by using pallet knives, dry the layers with hair dryers, and apply more layers of paint on top of the dried layers many times to achieve our pallet painted hollyhocks. I will guide you step by step to create a beautiful painting of hollyhocks. All materials provided! No experience necessary!

Wear clothing that you don’t mind getting paint on or bring an apron. Come to enjoy the process and have some fun!!!!

Supply List: All supplies provided!

Biography: Christian Freeman is an artist and Knoxville native with a BFA degree from the University of Tennessee. Having begun her career working with The Symphony Showcase Homes and Parade of Homes, she paints murals and custom finishes. She has completed countless residential and commercial projects, and has the ability to work on any scale, and within nearly any budget. Christian’s work is her passion, and she uses it to transform homes and businesses into aesthetically beautiful and better functioning spaces. One well known local mural she did was that of the lovely ladies in the windows at Patrick Sullivan’s, which were auctioned off several years back by Knox Heritage. Inspired by Toulouse Lautrec, she created the ladies of the night with fun line, lush color, and enticing energy. Christian is also an accomplished canvas painter and art instructor. Having taught privately, some of her students have gone on to win scholarships and show in galleries on their own. Christian has recently made Lenior City, Tennessee her home and is continuing to create, teach, and consult locally and beyond.

Instructor Website: Christian Freeman Creations on Facebook

Class Content: This class focuses on artistically painting wildflowers. Participants will explore different approaches to represent the beauty and delicacy of wildflowers. Using real flowers and multiple photos as primary references, the instructor will provide demonstrations of realistically, impressionistically and abstractly painted wildflowers. Loads of individual guidance and tips will be given as participants complete wildflower paintings of their own.

Supply List:

• Paint: Watercolor or acrylic – Bring your favorite colors for flowers.
• Ink: Bring ink pens or markers or a liner brush for fine lines
• Paper, panel or canvas: at least 2. Lil will use Arches 140 lb. watercolor paper.
• Brushes: 1- or 2-inch hake or mop brush for washes, #8 flat, #10 round and a fine liner brush.
• Palette or tray, pencil and notepad, water container, and paper towels or rags
• Bring any of your materials you enjoy using.
• Bring flowers and/or photo references if you have them…we can all share.

Biography: Lil Clinard has over 20 years’ experience painting with watermedia, primarily watercolor and acrylic. Her work focuses on landscapes and waterscapes, and she enjoys exploring a variety of techniques and materials. As an instructor she emphasizes experimentation and encourages artists to develop confidence and joy in their creative process. Her artwork has been exhibited in art shows and galleries and is included in both private and public collections.

Instructor Website: watercolorsbylil@charter.net

Class Content: A lively, one‑day acrylic workshop focused on playful color mixing and simple composition. Students will work from a shared set of vibrant colors and create their own three‑color palette (main, supporting, grounding). Through guided demos and hands‑on exercises, students will explore light, medium, and dark variations of color and complete a small, modern abstract painting. No experience needed.

Supply List:

• Acrylic paints (craft paints are fine to use for this class)
  • Teal, Coral, Yellow Ochre, Alizarin Crimson (or Rose), Sap Green, Titanium White
• Palette paper
• Brushes and tools of your choice
• 1 small Canvas if desired and acrylic paper or practice notebook or paper
• Water container + paper towels

Biography: Catron Wallace is an abstract artist from Nashville who works with modern color palettes and soft, expressive compositions. She brings a relaxed, encouraging approach to teaching and loves helping students discover new ways to play with color.

Instructor Website: https://www.catronwallace.art