Staging the Sublime: Composition, Storytelling, and Intentional Image-Making
Thursdays, August 27, September 3, 10, and 17, 1:30–4 p.m.
Location: High Museum of Art, Red Workshop, Greene Family Education Center
Registration Required
Not a member? Join today!
The registration fee includes all materials, weekly access to world-class art on view in the museum’s galleries and special exhibitions, hours of expert instruction, and additional access to a Friday afternoon open studio during the run of the class.
Not-Yet-Members
$275
The registration fee includes all materials, weekly access to world-class art on view in the museum’s galleries and special exhibitions, hours of expert instruction, and additional access to a Friday afternoon open studio during the run of the class.
Inspired by Amy Sherald’s thoughtful approach to image-making, this course explores how artists use composition, staging, objects, and space to construct meaningful visual narratives. Through photography, collage, and mixed-media studies, participants will develop a staged composition over four weeks, learning how intentional choices can transform ordinary subjects into powerful works of art. This course emphasizes process, experimentation, and creative decision-making, making it ideal for beginners and experienced artists looking to see and compose images in new ways.
- Week 1: Learn the foundations of strong composition by exploring focal point, balance, cropping, scale, and negative space. Through photography and thumbnail sketching, participants will experiment with arranging everyday objects to discover how small changes can dramatically alter an image.
- Week 2: Create a portrait without a person by thoughtfully arranging objects that suggest a character, relationship, or narrative. Through staging and photography participants will explore how symbolism, color, and composition can communicate meaning and invite interpretation.
- Week 3: Translate your staged composition into a finished drawing, gel print, or mixed-media artwork. Explore techniques for simplifying forms, establishing value and color relationships, and strengthening visual hierarchy while refining your composition through observation.
- Week 4: Complete and enhance your artwork by evaluating composition, contrast, and visual storytelling. Through critique and revision, participants will make intentional adjustments that strengthen the overall impact of their final piece.
This is an introductory-level Studio Class; it is designed to accommodate all levels of skill and talent. If you have never taken an art making class before, this is a great place to start. You will learn new skills that you can use in your artistic practice.
Please note that in the event of a session being canceled, September 24 is reserved as a makeup date.
About Studio Classes
Expand your art-making skills through guided, step-by-step instruction with expert instructor. Over multiple weeks, you will learn alongside other creative adults and delve deeply into the artistic process, explore new techniques, and build your practice.
The registration fee includes all materials, weekly access to world-class art in the museum’s galleries, hours of expert instruction, and access to a Friday afternoon Open Studio during the run of the class.
About your Instructor
Jaffia Royes (she/her) is a multidisciplinary visual artist and educator with more than 17 years of experience in arts education (and more than two decades of studio practice). Originally based in New York and now working in Georgia, Jaffia’s art has been exhibited nationally. Art instruction remains a vital extension of her studio practice, and she works with learners of all ages and experience levels, providing instruction that spans drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Balancing technical rigor with creative exploration, Jaffia supports learners in developing both their skills and authentic visual voices. Through artist-led creative experiences, she encourages adults to engage with artmaking as an ongoing practice of discovery. Royes holds a bachelor’s degree in studio art with a concentration in painting from Florida State University, and she maintains an active practice across multiple disciplines while specializing in oil painting.
