The senses are what connect us to the world and to the present moment, the only place where life is truly available. Through simple activities in drawing and painting we will give our minds a break, explore the wealth of sensation available to our vision, and exercise our creativity to make images that are parallel — not exact — to what we see. Activities will include still life, portraiture, masterwork studies, gestural drawing and cover different media such as graphite, ink, pastels, and watercolor.

Nick Cruz Velleman is an American artist of Peruvian/Filipino descent born and raised in Washington, D.C. While living there he taught in the studio art department at Georgetown Day School, worked as a manager and director for the 9:30 Club, and performed locally and regionally as a musician with various groups. He has also spent much of his life in Aix-en-Provence, France, where he studied painting and drawing on-and-off since 2009, and earned his M.F.A. degree from the Marchutz School of Fine Arts in 2020.

Nick aspires to a career of teaching art, creativity, and the mental health benefits that come with it…while traveling the world and painting, of course. See more on his website: sightandin.site. See Nick’s TEDxGeorgetown talk here

Please be aware of proximity to others and do not join our in-person events if you are ill.

By registering for any in-person and on-line activities you waive any liability as follows–

In consideration of my voluntary participation in this Fitness/Wellness Class (“The Program”), I hereby agree to release, hold harmless, and indemnify Iona Senior Services, and its employees, agents, and representatives (collectively “Iona”) from any and all actions, claims, and demands, for myself, my heirs, and/or my personal representatives, now and forever, as a result of injury, damage, or loss of property arising out of my participation in the Program. This release shall include any claims, demands, injuries, damages, or actions arising out of or connected with my use of Iona’s services and facilities, both on and off Iona’s premises, and from all acts of ordinary negligence on the part of Iona.

I recognize that the Program may include travel by public or private transit, private touring companies, walking, and other moderate physical activity. By agreeing to participate in the Program, I assert that I have willingly and knowingly accepted the risks inherent in such travel and activities, including bodily injury and property damage. I also assert that I have no physical condition, ailment, or limitation that would prevent me from participating in the Program in a safe manner. Finally, I assert that I have accident/health insurance coverage that will apply in the event of injury as a result of my participation in the Program.