Evening & Weekend Community Programs
VCUQatar offers non-credit community classes to adults as part of our mission to provide educational, cultural and design opportunities to the various communities of Qatar. All classes are open to both women and men and are taught in the VCUQatar building located within the Education City Campus on Al Luqta Street. Funds raised by these classes are donated to the VCUQatar scholarship fund.
Children's classes
Saturday Morning Art Workshop (Ages 8-11)

Instructor: Hala Akkawi, Polie Campiteli
October 31 - November 28 2009, 9am - 1pm
Fee: 750 QR (for 5 Saturday morning sessions)
A fun Saturday morning art workshop for children aged 8-11 years old. There will be 5 sessions every Saturday morning from 9am - 1pm, during October 31 - November 28. The workshop will cover Color theory, Watercolors, Paper design and Print making. An exhibition of student work will follow the class.
Clay for You and Me (Ages 6-11 + Adult)
Instructor: Lauren O'Brien
October 17, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Fee: 150 QR (for child + adult)
This is a one day workshop for a child and special adult (parent, grandparent, uncle, etc.). The pair will enjoy working on a clay project together that will be fired and picked up at a later date. Basic materials included in class fee.
Please contact the Student Affairs office on 492 7520 for more details.
Adult Classes
Palestinian Embroidery
Instructor: Maha Kassab
Section 1: 8:00 - 10:00 am, Saturdays
Section 2: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm, Saturdays
October 10 - November 7, 2009
Fee: QR 500
This class will introduce Al Tatreez, the embroidery artwork of the Palestinians. It will include discussions of the social significance of the different designs as well as the basic construction of each design. Students should have a basic knowledge of cross stitching. Maha Kassab has a strong background in Palestinian embroidery with more than 15 years of experience.
Introduction to Adobe Flash CS3
Instructor: Mohammed Othman
Section 1: Saturdays, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Section 2: Saturdays, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
October 10 - November 7, 2009
Fee: QR 550
This course focuses on the animation and storytelling aspects of Flash, from animating objects to manipulating animation. Covering the core skills needed for starting an animation project, such as drawing, tweening and using the timeline as well as the common pitfalls that new users often experience, throughout training sessions, we try to simplify and streamline even the most complex concepts.
All key aspects of working with Flash CS3 would be covered thoroughly, to create professional animations, design simple websites, and incorporate audio and video into self-contained presentations. Also introduces the essentials of working with ActionScript 3.0.
Fashion Craft
Instructor: Shamim Vimanwala
Sundays and Tuesdays, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
October 11 - November 10, 2009
Fee: QR 1000
Participants will learn basic techniques of dyeing, printing and Indian embroidery. With the combination of dyeing and printing and embroidery, you can develop the skill to create something that will endure for a lifetime. Ms Vimanwala is a designer from India.
Silk Ribbon Embroidery and Crocheting
Instructor: Shamim Vimanwala
Wednesdays and Saturdays, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
October 7 - November 8, 2009
Fee: QR 1000
Participants will learn basic techniques of crocheting and embroidery with silk ribbons, and the application of such decorative techniques to clothing and home design. Ms. Vimanwala is a designer from India.
Survival Arabic
Instructor: Abeer Hammad
Level 1: Sundays and Tuesdays, 5:00 - 7:00 pm (FULLY BOOKED)
Level 2: Mondays and Wednesdays, 5:00 - 7:00 pm (OPEN)
October 4 - November 4, 2009
Fee: QR 750
This class will focus on basic conversational Arabic skills and will introduce the Arabic alphabet. Abeer Hammad has been teaching Arabic as a second language for over ten years.
Fundamentals of Design (Taught in Arabic)
Instructor: Joe Al Khatib
Sundays and Tuesdays, 8:00 - 10:00 pm
October 4 - 27, 2009
Fee: QR 1000
This class covers the basic principles and elements of design such as line, color and pattern. Mr. Al Khatib is a fashion designer from Lebanon who designs for regional celebrities.
Fundamentals of Design, Part 2 (Taught in Arabic)
Instructor: Joe Al Khatib
Sundays and Tuesdays, 8:00 - 10:00 pm
November 1 - 24, 2009
Fee: QR 1000
This class covers the more advanced principles and elements of design such as line, color and pattern. Students must have taken Fundamentals of Design, Level 1, to register. Mr. Al Khatib is a fashion designer from Lebanon who designs for regional celebrities.
Ceramic Murals (Relief)
Instructor: Zaineb Balasem Yasser
Saturdays and Wednesdays, 5:00 - 6:30 pm
October 7 - 31, 2009
Fee: QR 800
This class introduces the famous Arabic art of low relief decorative tiles. Zaineb Balasem Yasser is an Iraqi artist whose work is featured throughout the region. Basic materials included in class fee.
Clay Sculpture
Instructor: Zaineb Balasem Yasser
Mondays and Thursdays, 5:00 - 6:30 pm
October 5 - 29, 2009
Fee: QR 800
This class will introduce basic clay sculpting techniques to students. Zaineb Balasem Yasser is an Iraqi artist whose work is featured throughout the region. Basic materials included in class fee.
Please contact the Student Affairs office on 492 7520 for more details.
Introduction to Photography (FULLY BOOKED)
Instructor: Marwa Maziad
Mondays, 7:30 - 9:30 pm
October 5 - November 23, 2009
Fee: QR 500
This is an introductory course to the art and science of photography. Class will include theoretical and practical aspects of photography. Students will have an overview of the history of photography from its inception till our contemporary times. They will also gain hands-on practical experience with shooting, developing and printing their own films as well as digital images. Access to SLR film camera is required as well as digital camera.
Adobe Photoshop (FULLY BOOKED)
Instructor: Tarik Dibsi
Section 1: Fridays, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Section 2: Saturdays, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
October 9 - November 7, 2009
Fee: QR 500
This class introduces effective digital image manipulation techniques. Tarik Dibsi is a local graphic designer with years of experience.
Adobe InDesign (FULLY BOOKED)
Instructor: Tarik Dibsi
Saturdays, 12:00 - 2:00 pm
October 10 - November 7, 2009
Fee: QR 500
Adobe InDesign is a program that is essential for designing and publishing magazines, leaflets and newsletters. Tarik Dibsi is a local graphic designer with years of experience.
TRY IT! Potter's Wheel (FULLY BOOKED)
Instructor: Lauren O'Brien
Saturday, October 24, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Fee: QR 150
A creative way to spend the afternoon. Experiment and explore in one of these weekend sessions for adults who are curious about the potter's wheel. Participants will cover methods of centering clay and throwing bowl and cylinder forms. Invite your friends to join you - the perfect use of a weekend afternoon. Ages 16 and up. Basic materials included in class fee.
Adobe Illustrator (FULLY BOOKED)
Instructor: Tarik Dibsi
Fridays, 4:00 - 6:00 pm
October 9 - November 6, 2009
Fee: QR 500
This class introduces Adobe Illustrator as a tool for creating illustrations, drawings and figures. Tarik Dibsi is a local graphic designer with years of experience.
Basic Wheel: The Learning Curve (FULLY BOOKED)
Instructor: Lauren O'Brien
Saturdays, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
October 10 - November 28, 2009
Fee: QR 800
This eight-week class is for students who have never used a potter's wheel or for those who are continuing to build their basic skills. Participants will cover methods of centering clay and throwing bowl and cylinder forms such as mugs, vases and plates. Students will also learn how to finish their pots using slips and glazing techniques.
Hand-building & Sculpture Sampler (FULLY BOOKED)
Instructor: Lauren O'Brien
Sundays, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
October 4 - November 22, 2009
Fee: QR 800
Students will experiment with methods of creating art forms while learning basic skills in this eight-week exploration of ceramic sculpture covering, coil, soft lab, leather hard construction and simple mold making. Students will produce wall reliefs and abstract sculptural forms. Special attention will be paid to exploring how surface and form combine to create visual meaning. All experience levels are welcome.
Fast Sketching (FULLY BOOKED)
Instructor: Don Earley
Saturdays, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
October 10 - November 21, 2009
Fee: QR 750
Participants will learn the principles of fast sketching and have the opportunity to practice it under the guidance of renowned illustrator and VCUQatar faculty member Don Earley. Basic materials included in class fee.
Drawing Basics (FULLY BOOKED)
Instructor: Jennifer Mock
Wednesdays 4:00 - 5:30 pm and Saturdays 2:00 - 3:30 pm
October 21 - November 21, 2009
Fee: QR 750
This program will explore the fundamentals of many drawing applications for beginners. The course includes tutorials on color, perspective, shading techniques, interpreting light and shadow, structure, and composition. The primary focus will be on observational and realistic representation (not abstraction) while familiarizing and experimenting with different materials and subject matter.
Drawing Beyond Basics (FULLY BOOKED)
Instructor: Jennifer Mock
Tuesdays 5:00 - 6:30 pm and Saturdays 4:00 - 5:30 pm
October 20 - November 21, 2009
Fee: QR 750
If you are more experienced in drawing, have taken relevant courses before, OR are more serious about the discipline of drawing, this course is for you. Please submit a jpeg of one of your drawings to the instructor to qualify for this more advanced course (Drawing Basics is not a prerequisite). jenackley@gmail.com.
Watercolor Exploration (FULLY BOOKED)
Instructor: Marina M. Paul
Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
October 4 - October 15 (8 sessions)
Fee: QR 800
Participants will learn basic watercolor techniques and will have the opportunity to experiment with them. They will plan, design and create their own watercolor pictures. Marina M. Paul has a master's degree in fine arts and has been a specialist in watercolor for many years. Professional quality materials included in class fee.
AutoCAD 2009 Basics (FULLY BOOKED)
Instructor: Rodelio Pascual
Saturdays, 4:00 - 7:00 pm
October 10 - November 28, 2009
Fee: QR 800
This course provides an introduction to the popular AutoCAD drafting software. Students will cover the use of the different elements of the software and will complete a variety of drafting exercises over the span of the course. Mr. Pascual is a licensed architect with extensive experience in the Gulf.
3D Studio Max 2009 Essentials (FULLY BOOKED)
Instructor: Mohammed Othman
Section 1: Fridays, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Section 2: Fridays, 4:00 - 6:00 pm
October 9 - November 13, 2009
Fee: QR 750
As the most widely used 3D animation software in the world, 3ds Max is capable of creating stunning visual effects for a broad range of purposes. The course provides a thorough introduction to the principles of 3D modeling, materials, lights and cameras, animation techniques, rendering, special FX, and more. Lessons are reinforced with projects that apply each new technique to a real-world scenario.
Design Your Home (FULLY BOOKED)
Instructor: Manjulakshmi
Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
October 5 - November 25, 2009
Fee: QR 1000
This class introduces interior design essentials, including color, lighting, and schematic drawings. Manjulakshmi is a fashion and home furnishings designer working in Qatar.


