Description: Metamorphosize! Teens become artists
with this hands-on pastel painting workshop. This program has excited teens in many library programs — All professional grade pastels, paper and materials included! Clean. Free publicity materials!
Now offered with fabulous reference photos of insects from a personal trip to Montreal’s magical Insectarium. Greg’s positive, warm style brings out student talent and opens a new world of artistic experience, in the art of pastel.
“I consider the program one of the best I have been able to offer...” Susan Hansen, Y.A. Librarian...West Hartford, CT (booked twice)
250 similar programs run successfully!
The Art of Pastel Workshop (perfect for libraries, schools, senior centers and other venues)
Description:
Have you ever wanted to do a landscape, portrait or special project in pastel? Bring a simple photo or just come to participate in an art workshop, lecture and demonstration with award-winning pastel painter Gregory John Maichack, an MCC Gold Star Program Nominee. Participants will receive an engaging hands-on experience of basic pastel painting, as well as advanced techniques. All will understand how to easily start and complete a pastel painting. I will bring hundreds of pastels and individually demonstrate the essentials of painting with pastels. I will display my original pastel artwork to illustrate the talk. A demo of expressive pastel painting will detail achieving luminous color, volume, structuring an engaging composition, and tips on creating impact. All will receive help tailored to their projects, whether landscape, still-life or portraiture. Ongoing questions will be encouraged. Participants are encouraged to experiment with the artist's professional grade hard, soft and super soft pastels, professional pastel paper, etc. However, if you have your own pastels, please bring them. Created for adults and accommodating 14 years of age and above if accompanied by an adult.
Images of Venice Pastel Workshop (perfect for libraries, schools, senior centers and other venues)
Description:
Photographs from the artist’s trip to Venice will be distributed to work from, or bring your own photo and participate in a hands-on art workshop, lecture, and demonstration with award- winning pastel painter Gregory John Maichack.
Whistler’s pastels of Venice from the late 1800’s will be the focus of the “dry coloring method.” This simple method will provide an easy entry into the world of pastel painting. Layering will then be explored using the artist’s hard, semi-soft, and very soft pastels.
Participants will receive an engaging hands-on experience of basic pastel painting, as well as advanced techniques. All will use professional grade materials to understand how to easily start and complete a pastel painting. Maichack will bring 100s of pigment-rich pastels and individually demonstrate and guide attendees through the essentials of painting with pastels. I will display my original pastel artwork to illustrate the talk. A demo of expressive pastel painting will detail achieving luminous color, volume, structuring a flexible sketch, and tips on creating impact. All will receive help tailored to their projects, whether landscape, still-life, or portraiture. Ongoing questions will be encouraged. From absolute beginners to advanced.
Testimonials
"You are a great facilitator...You warmed the group up the first hour and lo and behold the process worked and pictures were produced. It felt good to turn out something in a medium I have not felt comfortable with." — Margot Mikita, A.P.R.M., Psychotherapist, West Hartford, CT
"I am pleased to write this letter...recently benefited from your talents and we have had excellent feedback regarding your unique workshop...Of note, a senior arrived today asking that we have you back on a weekly basis, as you have inspired her to discover hidden talents and she looks forward to using her skills of artistic expression...We look forward to working with you again in the future." — Judy Tanner, Programs Director, Woburn Council on Aging, Woburn, MA
"It was a real pleasure working with Mr. Maichack. He provided images and text for press releases and flyers, set up the workshop area...cleaned up afterwards (this is not always the case with people I've hired for programs!). More than that, he is professional, friendly and eloquent and I was immediately confident of his abilities." — Susan M. Hansen, Teen Services Librarian, West Hartford Public Library, West Hartford, CT
"I have heard from numerous people that your workshop was a HUGE success — many are hoping for a return visit from you in the future!" — Patty Ward, Clinton Cultural Council, Clinton, MA
"Greg's presentation was enthusiastic, intelligent and creative. He thoughtfully planned every aspect of his program. He received excellent evaluations from the attendees, who thoroughly enjoyed themselves...I would not hesitate to invite him to another workshop here at the Wellesley Free Library." — Elise Maclennan, Assistant Director Library Services, Wellesley Free Library, Wellesley, MA
"If our patrons could have had their wishes, the Art of Pastel workshop would be meeting every week! The room was full of questions, laughter and enthusiasm...Mr. Maichack was also easy to work with from the programming point of view. He sent artwork for our newsletter, arrived early (!) and had the set-up and clean-up down to a science." — Maggie Holmes, Director, Richards Library, North Attleborough, MA
"He's a talented teacher who clearly has a deep understanding and love of his subject...Finally, I see in the way his students relate to him that he is generous and has the ability to foster a community of artists in a very short period of time. I recommend him highly." — Robert J. Barba, Director, Community Services, Greenfield Community College, Greenfield, MA
"Unequivocally one of the library's most successful programs. All those in attendance asked us to have you give more workshops at the library." — Dina G. Malgeri, Director, Malden Public Library, Malden, MA
"I have heard many favorable comments...
'He did an excellent job, and if there was a category above excellent, I'd give it to him.'
'He was well organized, very knowledgeable and extremely helpful'.
'He gave a warm welcome from the start and had the unique talent of blending strangers from the start into a congenial group. We felt like family.'
'He made sure each person's needs were met.' " — Rose M. Smoolca, Chairperson, Dudley Cultural Council, Dudley, MA
"We were surprised and thrilled at the response...I asked participants to fill out a survey after your program to get some feedback. They all found the workshop very enjoyable and very informative and they all want more programs like yours." — Joan F. Noonan, Director, Auburn Public Library, Auburn, MA
Press Kit
Downloadable materials to help you promote Greg's workshop. These are PDF files that will open with Adobe Reader (Don't have Reader? Download it from the Adobe website here.)