Supported by the Friends of the Monmouth County Library

Presented by Teaching Artist Jenny Santa Maria

Unearth a Story: An Adult Studio Series Inspired by Prehistory: Pastels: Bone & Shell Studies

Registration is limited. Please Register for either the AM or PM session. If signed up for both and spaces fill, you may be asked to drop a session.
All materials will be provided.   

In this pastel workshop, participants will create a close-up study of bones and shells; natural forms shaped by time and environment. We will explore light, shadow, and surface detail, learning how to render smooth curves, porous textures, subtle ridges, and weathered edges. This session invites participants to look closely, and see what is revealed when we take the time to look. No prerequisite skills required- all are welcome.

Participants are encouraged to wear clothing appropriate for hands-on art-making.

Demonstration includes: demonstration on how to begin observational drawing, techniques with pastels, blending, and picking up areas with wet qtips.

About the presenter: Jenny Santa Maria is a multifaceted talent as a teaching artist, art coach, and exhibiting artist from Farmingdale, NJ. Her work has garnered recognition in various esteemed publications, including Jersey Shore Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. Throughout her extensive career, Jenny has touched the lives of a wide-ranging audience, both within traditional classroom settings and beyond. After a decade of teaching, she drew on her experience in special education to become an art coach, empowering individuals who struggle with perfectionism, self-doubt, and anxiety to see their creative potential. Her dedication to creative empowerment has led her to work in diverse environments, from retreat centers and libraries to art museums and galleries nationwide.