Monday, January 12, 2009

A New Year and A New Change

Hello to everyone out there. By now, I am all hoping you have gotten my letter we sent out last week. Incase you didn't or you want to read it again, I am posting it here. It was a hard decision to make, but we are living in confidence that we have made a good decision. Hoping you are enjoying the start of 2009 and look forward to seeing you all soon.

January 1, 2009


Dear Parents.

I hope you and your family have enjoyed the holidays and that you have a wonderful new year. The new year is always a good time to look ahead and make plans for the months to come. Over the past several weeks I have been doing just that, and my family and I have some monumental events taking place this coming year.

As most of you know, on March 1st our second baby boy is due. We are all very excited and can’t wait to welcome this little guy to the world.

I believe that part of my calling in life is teaching art to children. It has brought me immeasurable amounts of joy and fulfillment over the past 5 years as I have had the opportunity to instruct your kids at Blue Apple Studios. However, I realize that my work at Blue Apple Studios is only one part of the picture. I also believe in my family, and my role in raising my children. It is with this in mind that Blue Apple Studios will be making a transition that will involve several steps:

1. On March 1st Blue Apple Studios will be vacating cottage #15 in the Redwood Village (current classes will be taught as planned through the month of February).
2. I will continue to teach art classes from my home studio in Santa Cruz beginning in mid April ‘09. These classes will be smaller (1-5 students), more intensive, and will follow an 8-week curriculum.
3. The summer workshop program will continue as usual. However, since summer workshops have historically been very full, we expect this summer to fill up quickly since class sizes will be smaller.
4. Private lessons will also be offered on an individual basis.


We have loved every minute of being in the Redwood Village and teaching your children. I am so thankful for this time in my life. So many of you have not just been good clients with promising and gifted young artists—you have also become great friends. I hope that Blue Apple Studios has been a positive influence and a creative space for your student. Thank you for letting us be a part of their lives. It has truly been an honor. And while we are happy for the direction our family is going it is not without sadness that we are leaving.

Hoping you have a great 2009.


Sincerely,
Jeremiah & Cayce Ellison
W: 662-8877
C: 588-5412

And here is the Spring 2009 Schedule:

Blue Apple Studios
Spring 2009 Class Schedule
831.588.5412

After School Scheduled Classes:

April 21st-June 9th:Tuesdays 3.30-5pm: Mixed Media Intensive Class
-Pencil drawing
-Pen and Ink
-watercolor/gouache
-Painting at least 2 Canvases (pallet knife on one)
-Ceramics
$175.00 for 8 week course (all material fees included in price)

April 23rd-June11th: Thursdays 3.30-5pm: Intermediate Mixed Media
-Pencil/pen & ink drawing
-perspective drawing
-canvas painting
-ceramics
-collage
-clay/collage mixed media on canvas project
-watercolor intensive: techniques in washes, color mixing, lifting, masking and more will be covered
$180.00 for 8 week course (all material fees included in price)

Morning Pre K/Beginning Classes: (age 4 and up)

April 21st-June 9th: Tuesdays 9am-10am
-watercolor
-oil pastel
-tempera paint
-color mixing
-canvas
subjects will include: still life, animals, flowers, undersea, vehicles and more
$140.00 for 8 week course (all material fees included in price)

Morning Pre K/ Beginning Classes:
April 22nd-June 10th: Wednesdays 9am-10am
Same as Above
$140.00 for 8 week course (all material fees included in price)

In addition, I will be available to teach other days/times of the week for private and/or small classes. If you do not see a time that works for you, please call to see if we can arrange a different time. It is often the case that if you choose to do private lessons, it works just as well to do every other week (2 days per month) instead of weekly.

Private (one-on-one instruction) lesson fees: $50.00 per hour (does not include supply fee if working in large canvas, clay or mosaics)
Small Class (if you would like to get a specific small group together) fee: $50.00 for first child, $15.00 per child after that. Up to 5 kids.

All classes will require a $20.00 deposit to reserve a space for your child. The balance of the course will need to be paid in full on the first day of the class.

2 comments:

melanie said...

Cayce,

Sounds like a great transition for you guys. I saw the trailer for this film and think that you would totally love it: http://whodoesshethinksheis.net/

Hope it's an encouragement for you,
mel

Scarlett Fiona Reed said...

Hi, I just wanted to say that I thought that was one of the most heartfelt letters I've ever read and just - well said.