Professional Practice:
The Pursuit of Authenticity in the Arts with Epiphany Couch
What does it mean to be an artist today? How do we navigate the changing art landscape? How do we seek opportunities that feel authentic to our goals as artists and creators? This course blends playful exploration with practical skill-building to provide artists with the tools and insights needed to navigate their artistic journey with authenticity, integrity, purpose, and resilience. Through engaging discussions, hands-on exercises, and case studies, participants will emerge with an understanding of how to authentically thrive in the complex and dynamic landscape of the contemporary art scene. Together we’ll tackle topics like project management, new technology, arts writing, and more.
NEW Student Partial-Scholarships
- Partial Scholarships for Artists age 50 & over (Partial-Scholarship Awards of $250)
*Continuing students who are over the age of 50 need not apply, TAAS automatically applies this support to your tuition.
** Payment Plans Available
Jan 19th - March 1st
Fridays
12:30 - 3 pm EST
16
Students Max
$1,250 New Student
$1,000 Returning Student
USD
Epiphany Couch is an interdisciplinary artist, writer, and arts project manager. Her artwork explores generational knowledge, storytelling, and our connection to the metaphysical. By re-contextualizing classic mediums such as bookmaking, beadwork, photography, and collage, she presents new ways to examine our pasts, the natural world, and our ancestors. Couch’s work is unapologetically personal, drawing from family stories, her childhood experience, archival research, and her own dreams. She utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to create images and sculptural works that hold space for reflection, transforming from mere things into precious objects — intimate and heirloom-like.
Couch is spuyaləpabš (Puyallup), Yakama, and Scandinavian and grew up in caləłali (Tacoma, Washington). Her work has been shown at Carnation Contemporary in Portland OR, Gallery Ost in New York City, and Yuan Ru Gallery in Bellevue WA. In 2022 and 2023 she received the Jurors Choice Award for her work included in the Around Oregon Biennial at The Arts Center in Corvallis, Oregon. She lives and works in Portland, Oregon, and is a member of Carnation Contemporary Gallery.
"Reflection" (2010) Paper, linen thread, and resin. 28 x 12 x 3 inches
"Buried by White Ways" (2022) Linen cloth, bookboard, satin, buckskin, paper, linen thread, beaver wood, glass beads and paper doily. 23 x 10.5 x 23 inches
"Ringleader of Disorder" (2021) Paper, rawhide, leather, and metal. 10.5 x 15 x 1 inches
Inside detail: "The History of Forgetting" (2020) Collage, vellum, linen thread, wood, and hair. 7 x 4.5 x 2.25 inches
"Truth Has Another Face" (2010) Paper, vellum, collage, bookcloth, found object, and hair. 7.5 x 3 x 3 inches
More Classes
Live online classes with the world’s best artists and curators
Let’s Make A Show
This course offers an opportunity for artists to work with other artists to make exhibitions together. This course is led by and facilitated by Nato Thompson, who has already had tremendous success in his courses at The Alternative Art School, working with artists to figure out ways to make exhibitions together. The basic motto is: rather than waiting for someone else to give you a show, artists can work together to produce exhibition opportunities. Of course, these will not be classic exhibitions in white cube galleries, but instead provide lower-cost fun ways in the spirit of Fluxus to get their work out into the world and into conversation with new audiences and artists. Past examples include work trades in living rooms or even on refrigerators, WhatsApp exhibitions, PowerPoint shows, PDF exhibitions, collective meditations, postcard campaigns, and more.
Lost & Found:
Artistic Approaches to the Photographic Archive
This two-hour, fully theoretical workshop is designed for those interested in reinterpreting personal or found photographic archives—whether working with printed photographs, film slides, film negatives, or other materials. Through discussions on contemporary artists, alternative techniques, and unique installation methods, participants will gain new perspectives on how to engage with archival imagery. The session will provide inspiration and strategies for transforming archival materials into meaningful artistic expressions.
Crash Course in Adobe Premiere Pro:
Video Editing Basics
This one-day intensive workshop is designed to get you up and running with Adobe Premiere Pro. Learn the essential tools and workflows to create high-resolution, professional-quality video works. We'll cover importing footage, basic editing techniques, timeline navigation, multi-channel video editing, and exporting for different platforms. Perfect for beginners or those looking to sharpen their foundational skills, this crash course will give you the confidence and tools to start editing with clarity and creativity. This course will be recorded for anyone unable to make it LIVE.
