Join the Burchfield Penney Art Center's International Center for Watercolor for the next workshop in its Summer Watercolor Salon series, Abstract Watercolor with DeEtta Silvestro, on Thursday, July 9, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the studio classroom.

Abstract your watercolor with a simple drawing, or layer the surface with a realistic subject. Experiment with sampling a variety of techniques incorporating design ideas to create an inspirational abstract painting. 

DeEtta Silvestro is a watercolorist whose paintings are exhibited internationally. She paints a variety of subjects and creates original artworks without using reference materials.

The International Center for Watercolor Thursday Salon is a hands-on watercolor program held in the Burchfield Penney's studio classroom. On Thursday evenings during the summer, bring your watercolor supplies, stop by Burchfield's Caf to purchase a refreshing drink, and join your friends in the studio classroom for painting and conversation with a featured watercolorist.

Drop-in workshops; no registration required.
$15 for members; $25 for not-yet members.

2015 Summer Salon Dates
June 11, 18, 25
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
August 6

For more information, please contact Kathy Gaye Shiroki, curator of museum learning and community engagement, 878-3549.

Join the Burchfield Penney Art Center's International Center for Watercolor for the next workshop in its Summer Watercolor Salon series, Water Reflection with Kathleen Giles, on Thursday, July 2, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Paint an object's reflection in water using color values and textural contrasts. The reflection will be remarkably realistic when the paint is applied using the wet-in-wet technique.

Kathleen Giles is an accomplished watercolor painter and teacher. She is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society and recently had a painting, Woman in the Yellow Shirt, featured on the cover of the December/January 2014–2015 issue of International Artist Magazine. Giles teaches classes at the Kenan Center in Lockport and workshops in the United States and Canada.

The International Center for Watercolor Thursday Salon is a hands-on watercolor program held in the Burchfield Penney's studio classroom. On Thursday evenings during the summer, bring your watercolor supplies, stop by Burchfield's Café to purchase a refreshing drink, and join your friends in the studio classroom for painting and conversation with a featured watercolorist. Create a vibrant watercolor landscape while concentrating on color and texture. By emphasizing a particular hue or grain, the painting defines itself as a vivid watercolor painting.

Drop-in workshops; no registration required.
$15 for members; $25 for not-yet members.

2015 Summer Salon Dates
June 11, 18, 25
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
August 6

For more information, please contact Kathy Gaye Shiroki, curator of museum learning and community engagement, 878-3549.

Join the Burchfield Penney Art Center's International Center for Watercolor for the next workshop in its Summer Watercolor Salon series, Sketch, Reflect, Paint with Jennifer Kursten, on Thursday, June 25, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Let your impressions guide you. Capture in watercolor what excites and moves you. Create a painting that captures your inspirations from your individual perspective.

Jennifer Kursten is a native of New England and earned a B.F.A. in visual design from the University of Massachusetts. To offset her life in computer graphics, she continued her drawing studies of the human form. Working in a semi-abstract style, Kursten emphasizes the unique compositions of figurative and landscape imagery, disclosing the inner voice and patterns of nature. Studying organic forms provides an element of surprise each time a scene is sketched. Extending the unexpected and providing subtle hints grants the viewer creativity in developing his or her own story. Kursten’s contemporary paintings have been exhibited in juried shows and are included in private collections. She continues to work and live in Western New York.

The International Center for Watercolor Thursday Salon is a hands-on watercolor program held in the studio classroom. On Thursday evenings during the summer, bring your watercolor supplies, stop by Burchfield's Café to purchase a refreshing drink, and join your friends in the studio classroom for painting and conversation with a featured watercolorist. Create a vibrant watercolor landscape while concentrating on color and texture. By emphasizing a particular hue or grain, the painting defines itself as a vivid watercolor painting.

Drop-in workshops; no registration required.
$15 for members; $25 for not-yet members.

2015 Summer Salon Dates
June 11, 18, 25
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
August 6

For more information, please contact Kathy Gaye Shiroki, curator of museum learning and community engagement, 878-3549.

Join the Burchfield Penney Art Center's International Center for Watercolor for the next workshop in its Summer Watercolor Salon series, Flat Patterns with Cathy Skerker, on Thursday, June 18, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

At what point does a pattern become a composition? Be inspired to transform flat-patterned elements into a modern landscape, still life, or abstract watercolor painting. Bring a favorite fruit, flower, fabric swatch, or photograph to use as subject matter or choose from selections provided by the artist.

Cathy Skerker is a board member and a signature member of the Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society. She recently served a five-year co-chairmanship as spring workshop coordinator for the NFWS. During that time, she had the opportunity to study with such watercolor masters as Mel Stabin, Stephen Quiller, Nicholas Simmons, Mark Mehaffey, and John Salminen. Skerker is also a member of the Western New York Artists Group and has shown her work in several of its recent exhibitions.

The International Center for Watercolor Thursday Salon is a hands-on watercolor program held in the studio classroom. On Thursday evenings during the summer, bring your watercolor supplies, stop by Burchfield's Caf to purchase a refreshing drink, and join your friends in the studio classroom for painting and conversation with a featured watercolorist. Create a vibrant watercolor landscape while concentrating on color and texture. By emphasizing a particular hue or grain, the painting defines itself as a vivid watercolor painting.

Drop-in workshops; no registration required.
$15 for members; $25 for not-yet members.

2015 Summer Salon Dates
June 11, 18, 25
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
August 6

For more information, please contact Kathy Gaye Shiroki, curator of museum learning and community engagement, 878-3549.

Join the Burchfield Penney Art Center's International Center for Watercolor for the first workshop in its Summer Watercolor Salon series, Landscape Painting with Janis Stanek, on Thursday, June 11, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Janis Stanek taught art in the West Seneca schools for 36 years, 25 at West Seneca East High School. She has always been interested in watercolor painting and has exhibited her paintings in outdoor art shows. Now retired, Stanek is glad to get back to doing more of her own artwork. She studied with Margaret Martin and painted in workshops with Mark Mehaffey, Anne Abgott, and John Salminen.

The International Center for Watercolor Thursday Salon is a hands-on watercolor program held in the studio classroom. On Thursday evenings during the summer, bring your watercolor supplies, stop by Burchfield's Caf to purchase a refreshing drink, and join your friends in the studio classroom for painting and conversation with a featured watercolorist. Create a vibrant watercolor landscape while concentrating on color and texture. By emphasizing a particular hue or grain, the painting defines itself as a vivid watercolor painting.

Drop-in workshops; no registration required.
$15 for members; $25 for not-yet members.

2015 Summer Salon Dates
June 11, 18, 25
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
August 6

For more information, please contact Kathy Gaye Shiroki, curator of museum learning and community engagement, 878-3549.

Painting Uncorked, a fun painting experience with step-by-step instruction from watercolorists Jody Ziehm and Beverly DiPalma, will be held Thursday, June 4, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Burchfield Penney Art Center. Participants will create their own watercolor, no experience necessary. Set in a casual atmosphere with wine and hors d'oeuvres, this workshop will provide a friendly approach to Ziehm and DiPalma's instruction. Participants will be inspired by Charles E. Burchfield’s Telegraph Music. Come alone or with a group of friends and family members.

All materials will be provided: paint, brushes, paper, and aprons. Wine and hors d'oeuvres are included. You will leave with your own original painting, matted and ready to frame.

$55 members / $65 not-yet members. Part of the International Center for Watercolor.

Jody Ziehm is a full-time award-winning watercolor artist, teaching watercolor classes at Partners in Art and at the Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village. She also hosts a watercolor show on Time Warner Cable and teaches workshops throughout Western New York and Canada, as well as at the Chautauqua Institution.

Beverly DiPalma has a degree in graphic design and has been an art director and creative director in advertising for over 30 years. She combines her passion for art and design into creative watercolor results.

To register for this workshop, please contact Kathy Gaye Shiroki, ext. 3549, or download the registration form (PDF) from the Burchfield's International Center for Watercolor website.

American Heart Association CPR/AED classes are offered at Weigel Health Center free of charge for faculty, staff, and students. Class participants will learn how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), use an automated external defibrillator (AED), and provide relief to a choking victim. Skills are taught for use with adults, children, and infants. The class is completed in three hours. Classes will be held in Weigel Health Center 203.

Classes are scheduled as follows:

Monday, June 22
1:30–4:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 9
1:30–4:30 p.m.

Friday, July 24
9:00 a.m.–noon

Thursday, August 6
1:30–4:30 p.m.

Reserve a spot in one of these classes or obtain additional information at lifesupport@buffalostate.edu.

If you would like to schedule a more convenient time for you and three others, please contact us to arrange a class that fits your schedule.

Weigel Health Center will offer ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to interested Buffalo State faculty and staff members this summer.

Know your blood pressure numbers. Almost 75 million people in the United States have high blood pressure, or hypertension, and 90 percent of adults ages 45–64 will develop hypertension. Nearly one in five has high blood pressure and is unaware. Hypertension increases the risk for heart disease, the No. 1 cause of death in the United States, and stroke, the third leading cause of death in the United States. Take an active role in your health and get your blood pressure checked regularly.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a technique used to estimate true blood pressure using a monitor that is worn for 24 hours. The monitor can be worn on a belt or in a pouch, but you will have a blood pressure cuff on your nondominant arm for a full 24 hours. The monitor is programmed to take readings every 20 minutes while you are awake and every 60 minutes while you are asleep. At the end of testing, the results are downloaded into a computer and printed for you. We will not be responsible for treatment or follow-through on your results but ask that you follow up with your personal doctor accordingly. In addition, we will not use the results of any tests performed for any purpose. The readings are highly accurate, within 5 mmHg of readings taken with a manual blood pressure cuff.

It is important to note that while you are wearing the cuff, your arm must remain relatively still while the cuff is inflating, and you are unable to shower with the monitor. You should not exercise while wearing the monitor. Please wear loose-fitting clothing the day of your appointment. The cuff will be placed on your nondominant arm.

If you are interested in ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, please call Julie Nichols, nurse practitioner in the Weigel Health Center, at 878-6711. We look forward to seeing you and answering any questions you may have.

The Fitness Center is once again offering a summer membership deal for any new member who is interested in getting into the gym in the hot summer months: three months for just $50. That's less than a dollar a day. Anyone interested is welcome to stop by the gym and sign up. Paperwork is available at the desk or on the Intercollegiate Athletics website.

The Fitness Center is conveniently located inside Houston Gym on the second floor. Have a great summer, and we will see you at the FC.

The following Blackboard training sessions and workshops will be held in June. Please register online. All sessions will be held in Bulger Communication Center 104.

Blackboard Learn 9.1: Introduction
This workshop is designed for instructors new to Blackboard Learn 9.1 or anyone who would like a refresher course. We will address the basics of navigation, course tools, and procedures necessary to create new content items. By the end of this workshop, learners will be able to navigate the new LMS, upload files, create content items, add text, add multimedia, and organize content in meaningful ways.

Thursday, June 4; 9:00–11:00 a.m.

Blackboard Learn 9.1: Assessments
This workshop focuses on the available assessment tools in the latest version of Blackboard Learn. By the end of this workshop, learners will be able to create, configure, and deploy individual and group assignments, auto-graded tests, discussions, and Turnitin Direct Assignments. Collecting student submissions to manage grades and feedback for each student and the use of rubrics to simplify the grading process will also be covered.

Tuesday, June 9; 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, June 23; 9:00–11:00 a.m.

Blackboard Learn 9.1: Grade Center

The Grade Center in Blackboard Learn is more than just a way to record students' grades. It is a dynamic and interactive tool, allowing you to collect student submissions, record data, calculate grades, and monitor student progress. 

This workshop focuses on the skills necessary to use the Grade Center to manage students' grades for assignments, tests, discussion posts, etc. You can also create grade columns for any activities or requirements you want to grade, such as special projects, participation, or attendance. The Grade Center can be individualized to fit your needs. 

Tuesday, June 16; 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, June 30; 9:00–11:00 a.m.