ACSA’s Art Short Courses Are A Lesson in Mindfulness
Craving creativity and connection, rather than doomscrolling? These short courses will help you put down the phone and pick up the paintbrush.
Whilst the online world is overwhelmingly noisy and geared towards a digital-first existence, artists are increasingly returning to traditional mediums to reconnect with their creativity. And it’s not just practicing artists that are finding solace in making something tangible – there’s a new wave of adults nurturing their inner artist by honing their creative potential in an art course.
If the thought of joining an art course as an adult fills you with nerves, perish the thought. The Adelaide Central School of Art offers short courses and intensive units that welcome anyone, from absolute beginners with no drawing experience, to intermediate and advanced level artists. These courses foster the development of new skills, the opportunity to try new artistic mediums and connect with like-minded folk.
Whilst many short course students join a program to learn a new skill or technique, they often leave with so much more. ACSA sees students joining of all ages, artistic pursuits and backgrounds, and finds that students often return to complete another course – or even repeat one over again – gaining a new perspective each time.
ACSA’s imminent Winter School program includes a variety of one to three-day intensives – perfect to try out a new course. There are limited places left in botanical drawing, drawing in ink, and drawing hands and eyes.
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It’s not just artistic skills that you’ll further develop during your studies. Beginning to focus your attention on granular details is something that many students find eye-opening, allowing them to gain a new perspective that transcends to everyday life.
“Short courses for beginners, such as Drawing Fundamentals, concentrate on learning to draw from observation, covering elements such as proportion, line, and tone. Introduction to Oil Painting teaches about the medium’s inherent qualities, colour mixing, and painting directly from life”, shares Suzanne Close, the Public Programs Coordinator. “Developing the ability to see is a fundamental skill, and students frequently remark that their perception and interaction with the world shift when they start studying art.”
Joining a 6-week short course also brings along with it a commitment and a time investment in yourself. By deciding to step away from your digital devices, challenge your mindset and abilities, all whilst pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone, has benefits that reach far beyond your chosen canvas.
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An ACSA Alum, visual artist and educator Mel Brown has taught numerous short courses, and the outcomes are very similar. She describes students as feeling “empowered by their learning, with a more refined observational lens and new sense of possibility”.
Beyond the accomplishment of the course completion (and the visual reward of your final artwork!), Mel’s goal for her students is to enhance their life experience and equip them with more awareness, resilience, patience, confidence, and a connection to a new community.
Many ACSA short course students go on to create their own social groups, painting together on weekends or even hosting their own exhibitions. Many return to further pursue their studies, with Bachelor of Visual Arts graduates succeeding in working as practicing artists, or landing careers in the visual arts sector.
And all of this could be achieved by simply setting down your phone… after you book yourself in for a short course, that is.
Discover more about the Adelaide Central School of Art’s short programs here, with last-minute bookings available for Winter School intensives as well as enrolments for Term 3 short courses.
Winter School runs from 29 June to 11 July, and includes 1 to 3-day intensives.
Term 3 Short Courses begin on 20 July and finish on 29 August 2026.
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