Charles White Masterclass - Drawing Social Consciousness

A Two Week intensive for high school students

Dates and Times: July 6th - 17th from 3-6PM
Location: The Jessye Norman School of the Arts, 739 Greene Street
Fees: $100 for the entire two week session
Students: High School Students between grade 9 and 12

About the Class:

This two-week master class introduces high school art students (9th-12th) to the technical mastery and social vision of Charles White (1918-1979), one of America’s draftsmen and a pivotal figure in 20th century social realism. Through intensive study of charcoal and Wolff Carbon Pencil techniques, students will develop advanced drawing skills while exploring art’s power to affirm human dignity and address social consciousness.

In this class, students will work under the direction of Ray Sturkey, students will:

• Master professional level charcoal and carbon techniques

• Study Charles White’s approach to monumentalizing every day people and celebrating community strength

• Master value and gesture control, drawing, and portraiture

• Create a significant finished portrait honoring someone from the students own community

• Develop critical thinking skills connecting artistic technique to social purpose

• Build portfolio quality work demonstrating advanced drawing proficiency

The class will culminate in a gallery show at the Ann and Ellis Johnson Gallery of Art.

About the Instructor:

Ray Sturkey brings extensive experience as a Yearbook Adviser and Advanced Graphic Design teacher at Davidson Fine Arts School, with proven curriculum development skills that balance technical mastery and creative freedom. His background includes training teachers in Art Infusion methodologies, and his professional ceramic and visual arts practice through Dynamic Depictions, LLC demonstrates a sustained commitment to both teaching and personal artistic excellence.