Arts: Visual Arts   

Transform a memory into a meaningful short story in this eight-week course for photographer-storytellers. For those who have decades of rich experiences (and the photos to prove it) but struggle to share them meaningfully, this course will explore how to use multimedia e-books to accomplish that. Unlike traditional memoir writing, this course will focus on telling a single story as a relationship-building tool. Learn to select a personal experience that inspires, craft a short story that invites reflection, use personal photos and maybe short voice clips to enhance your text and host a follow-up conversation with readers. Come develop these essential skills for your third act. Leave a legacy of shared wisdom and connection that inspires long after your story has been told.  

NOTE: Participants need their own late-model laptop (Mac preferred but Windows or Android also work with BookCreator). Participants need to know how to copy and paste between documents, use the audio and video tools built into their laptops and how to access their digital photos. To use the AI prompts from the instructor, participants also need their own Claude AI account (the free version is fine). 

Let’s say you’ve moved beyond “total beginner” as a watercolor painter and are ready for a new challenge. You’ve been told to focus on major shapes and values to create good compositions, but you’re not sure how. You’ve heard about negative space, but no one has shown you how to work with it. For many watercolorists, negative painting is the game-changing technique that helps them start seeing major shapes and understanding how to use the spaces in between them. Each live, two-hour Zoom class (with breaks) begins with a PowerPoint lecture, discussion and Q&A, followed by an in-class painting session. Outside class, plan to spend two-plus hours watching online videos, reading articles and painting. Experienced beginners and intermediate painters are welcome. 

NOTE: Students will need to use a private Padlet online bulletin board and be able to download and print materials. The instructor will send a detailed syllabus, suggested supply list, instructions and outline drawings for projects. Students can use their existing watercolor materials. Additional material costs will vary. 

Discover the art of creating with clay in this hands-on, beginner-friendly ceramics course. Over eight weeks, students will explore the fundamentals of hand building techniques, including pinch, coil and slab construction, while learning how to shape, texture and join clay. The course will also cover surface decoration methods, glazing and an introduction to the firing process. Each week builds on core skills, guiding students from simple functional forms to more creative, sculptural projects. By the end of the course, participants will have completed a collection of unique ceramic pieces and gained a strong foundation in working with clay. No prior experience is needed, just a willingness to get a little messy and experiment!

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $200 ($25 per session). Signed liability waiver required to participate.

Transform nature into sparkling silver! Discover the magic of turning leaves, flowers and found treasures into stunning, fine silver jewelry. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to capture botanical textures and natural forms using art clay silver — a versatile fine silver clay. Create your own one-of-a-kind pendant inspired by the beauty of the world around you. No prior experience is needed — just your curiosity and a love of nature. Let your creativity take root and blossom into timeless silver pieces you’ll be proud to wear or give as a gift.

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $120 ($30 per session). Signed liability waiver required to participate.

Develop a passion for printing in this hands-on art class that includes art, design and printmaking. We will focus on a variety of mediums; including cyanotype, gelli prints and screen printing. Each week students will learn different aspects of what makes a good design based on composition principles such as golden ratio, the rule of thirds and the use of positive and negative shapes. Students will learn how to digitize and edit designs for screen printing using an iPad. Additional printing methods will be introduced.

NOTE: Total cost to participate is $200 ($25 per session). Signed liability waiver required to participate.