Learn about rock art in October

Anyone who has ever wondered who made the rock art in the Southwest, what tools they used, and what the designs mean will want to take a five-session class, beginning Oct. 1 at the Deer Valley Rock Art Center, titled “Introduction to Southwest rock Art.”

The classes taught by Peter Welsh, director of the Deer Valley Rock Art Center from 1993 to 2008, will meet from 10 a.m. to noon every Saturday in October.

The class will offer an introduction to the study of rock art as a way to better understand the lives of the people who made the marks. Participants will learn about the forms, media, and techniques of rock art production. The class will explore the styles of rock art in the Southwest and (briefly) around the world.

There will be a consideration of the approaches that have been used to better understand these marks of human expression—stylistic, analytical, psychological, and traditional. Participants will discuss the issues surrounding the recording and preservation of rock art sites. Field trips will be part of the class.

Welsh is co-author of “Rock-Art of the Southwest: A Visitor’s Companion.” He has taught classes on rock art at ASU, and has led field teams in rock art recording on the Agua Fria National Monument.

The cost of the class is $110 for DVRAC members, and $125 for non-members. DVRAC is located at 3711 W. Deer Valley Road, Phoenix.

For more details about the class, please call Casandra Hernandez (623) 582-8007 or visit http://dvrac.asu.edu. A registration form may be downloaded. Deadline for payment is Sept. 16.