A Note About My 2023 Teaching Schedule
Below I’ve provided all the information (and hopefully motivation) you’ll need to sign up for one (or both) of my upcoming Live Online Fabric Collage classes. Before that, though, I have another announcement to make.
Recently some have been asking when I will release my teaching schedule for the upcoming year. Back in January of this year I announced that I wouldn’t be traveling to teach in 2023. That’s still my intention: I will not be doing any in-person teaching next year.
A lifetime ago, it seems—before the pandemic—I had pretty much decided I was going to take a sabbatical in 2022. No teaching. I was going to just concentrate on making the quilts I’ve had in mind to create, then come back fresh and reenergized for 2023.
Well, we all know what happened in 2020. My plans of course suffered the same fate as many others’. Instead of scheduling a sabbatical, we (Tom and I) had to refocus and concentrate on developing an online presence for a new way of teaching.
The pandemic turned out to be both opportunity (staying at home) and motivation (all 2020 in-person classes cancelled) to concentrate on the development of how to teach fabric collage online. We had been thinking of this for some time. We just weren’t sure how to go about it.
The two new live online classes below are the direct result of having the time and motive to figure out how to teach a 5-day online fabric collage class. The first of these week-long offerings was rolled out in March 2021, and following online classes have been an important part of my teaching schedule ever since.
Does this mean I will be doing no teaching at all in 2023?
Not at all. Since Tom and I have figured out new ways of teaching online, Live Online Classes will be scheduled as time and demand permits, the first in the year’s line-up will actually happen this November 2022 (jumping the gun for the new year by two months!). The overall focus of my 2023 sabbatical year has now evolved into the goal of being able to stay home and work—but not only on my art but also on helping others create their own art—from my studio, online—no traveling involved for anyone.
Does this mean I will return to teaching in-person in 2024?
Yes, but in a limited way. I will be teaching fewer venues, sometimes alternating years at particular locations, and continuing Live Online Fabric Collage classes as well. 2024 has not been scheduled yet, I’m giving myself a break from that as well.
So, the bottom line is, for those of you who have been waiting to take an in-person class with me, you may want to give online options another look. We’ve put a lot of work into their planning and set-up, with six full weeks of online classes now under our belt.
If you have reliable internet and basic computer skills, these live online classes can be every bit as successful as in-person classes. Tom and I wouldn’t be doing them if they weren’t.
Live Online Class Info, Dates, and Registration Links
A note that early access to these classes has already been given to Patreon subscribers, to those who requested to be added to an “Expression of Interest” list for online classes specifically (contact [email protected]), and to previous online class students.
Openings remaining for each class are noted next to class dates below. After registration for a class reaches 12 students, we suggest you contact Tom ([email protected]) to be placed on a waitlist. Cancellations happen.
Five-Day Live Online Fabric Collage Class
Price: $995 per student
Required Class Fee: $169 for the Fabric Collage Master Class—an online resource “manual” to refer to before, during, and after class—yours for life
($199 regular price; contact tom@tomallenbooks for coupon code for discount. This fee is waived if you already own the Master Class)
Hardware and Software Requirements
Computer, tablet, or other larger-screen device; reliable internet; ability to photograph and send images of collage in progress (a cellphone is recommended); Zoom meeting software (free to download)
Maximum Number of students: 12
Subject Matter: Animals only
(permission for portraits granted on case-by-case basis)
If you don’t need any further convincing, here are the dates and links for registration.
Please contact contact Tom ([email protected]) for any questions.
November 7-11, 2022
This class is now full, please contact Tom ([email protected]) to add your name to waiting list if you are interested.
January 30-February 3, 2023
This class is now full, please contact Tom ([email protected]) to add your name to waiting list if you are interested.
If you need further convincing, read on…
Two Upcoming Live Online Fabric Collage Classes: What Will They Be Like?
While a live online class will never be exactly the same as an in-person class, we emulate the experience as closely as possible, with the extra benefit of annotated photos. Just as with in-person classes, there are morning whole-group meetings (via Zoom) to answer questions. Then I meet with students individually throughout the day, using Zoom features to show a recent image of their work and annotate right on the image. Students can either take screen shots of this annotation or record a video of our conversation to their computer.
Student Rain Klepper gives her take on how the live online class works:
Susan is an excellent and generous instructor, making all aspects of the collage process accessible regardless of where the student is on their art journey. The critiques are insightful and precise, with Susan making use of drawing technology to interact directly with my images of my piece by annotation. It was terrific to have these drawings as I continued to work. Every step of the way I have felt supported and inspired, in an elegantly simple and straightforward way. I feel seen at a level that is rare in a class, and I am grateful for the brilliance and kindness given throughout the class.
Zoom break-out rooms of four or so students recreate the experience of working side-by-side with your classmates. Evening events include a meet-and-greet and a show-and-share.
Being able to see and hear your fellow students, to share photos of your work, even to raise a glass in an after-hours meet-up help to foster a feeling of camaraderie.
Here’s a comment on the breakout rooms from student Sylvie Aguilar:
I really like the breakout rooms. Since this is online, one could think you are alone for most of the day. The breakout rooms make you feel part of a group. It also gives you the opportunity to ask questions or input from your classmates before it’s your turn to see Susan again. Even though most of the time we are quiet, just seeing others work as hard as you on their project is motivation. It keeps you going.
The Live Online Class Schedule
One Week Before Class
Pre-class coaching sessions (included with class) are scheduled for the week prior to ensure that each student is prepared with subject matter, drawn and enlarged design, initial fabric selection and other supplies. We also make sure everyone has practice with the online format, and is ready to begin the class on day one. For an example of what a coaching session is like, please visit this link.
From student Grace Crocker:
The pre-class coaching with Susan was a real bonus. I felt ready to begin, and I did start working on my project immediately afterwards. You don’t get this with an in-person class.
Evening Before Class Starts
I’ll host a meeting to introduce myself and the other students. We’ll also talk about what we plan to do in class. Wine is optional.
Daily Class Schedule
• The live online class runs for five days as an in-person class would, with roughly the same daily 6 hours plus lunch schedule—exact time of day takes into account students’ time zones. Often a day will run 11am-6pm Eastern Time to accommodate West Coast attendees with an 8am-3pm Pacific Time schedule.
• Prior to start of each class day: a pre-recorded presentation introduces the next step(s) in the process. Students will come to class having already watched the presentation.
Here’s a sample of the pre-recorded videos you’ll be reviewing before class each day:
• Work day begins with a live Q&A with the full class where I’ll further discusses that day’s topic and do a quick check-in with each student to set their plans for the day.
• Students are then sent to a Zoom breakout room with 3-4 students. With remaining morning time, I’ll meet with students individually.
• Students email photos of the progress on their project which I’ll share on the screen as I get to each break-out room. This way I can view and discuss each project, making annotations to the photos which students can then refer to when they return to work. Basically, shortened coaching sessions throughout the day.
• Lunch (hour-long break in teaching). Students may continue to work and/or socialize.
• Afternoon: I’ll continue to meet with individual students. By end of day, I’ll have suggested “homework” for the next day, and we all get together in the full classroom setting to share what was accomplished by each person.
Grace Crocker began working on her dog Sam’s nose prior to Day One of class, so that on the first morning we could go right to his nose and check for any needed adjustments—annotated screenshot below.
From student Grace Crocker:
I am a retired Human Resources manager and was responsible for developing training material. I know good instruction. Your online class was definitely a “ten out of ten!” It was obvious that you spent many hours developing the format. The “Steps” were well organized, the written material was clear and concise, and the [pre-recorded] videos were perfect
End of Class Week
We host an evening meeting on last day of class with all students to share and review their work.
Hope you can join us for one of these or another 2023 Live Online Fabric Collage Class!
Special Announcement that has nothing to do with Online Classes
“Tickled Pink” has flown to London!
Appearing soon at the Fashion and Textile Museum in the invitational exhibit “Kaffe Fassett: The Power of Pattern”
September 23, 2022 until March 12, 2023
Tickets for the London exhibition of Kaffe Fassett’s “The Power of Pattern” are on sale now. My rhinoceros quilt “Tickled Pink” includes several Kaffe prints, and he (“Albie” the pink rhino) is excited to strut his stuff in other parts of the world. After London, Albie will travel with “The Power of Pattern” exhibit to shows in Scotland and Sweden—more info on that later. I hope there are those of you out there that can say hi to him in the next couple years!
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