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Take your acrylic painting to the next level! Move into increasingly experimental stages, learning to expand your creativity and express yourself in a more intuitive style. Free your artistic self. Focus will be on the elements of design and color, line, and shape with demonstrations, tips and activities. Designed to meet the needs of those who already possess some acrylic experience, but all levels are welcome. 

Supply List

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It's 1783 and "The Cause" is won! Examine what it took to create a new democratic republic - and write a constitution that began with "We the People". Explore the Founders from the famous to the more obscure - and how they formed a more perfect union. Learn about the Constitutional Convention, Washington's Presidency, the Cabinet and diplomacy, plans for the Federal District, the Federalist Papers, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, Shay's Rebellion - and how finance, debt and trade were handled.

Explore how fear, rivalry, and diplomacy shaped everyday life during the Cold War. Through topics like The Geography and Psychology of the Cold War, Proxy Wars & Peace Talks, and Duck, Cover, & Diplomacy. Discover how global tension influenced politics, culture, and the human mindset in a divided world.

Creative Writing for the Absolute Beginner is the class you've been wanting to take. Have you ever promised yourself that you would 'someday' write a book of fiction, a young adult book, or romantic historical fiction? What about the short story sitting in your mind and wanting to be told, but you don't know how to begin? This class will provide you with the foundational skills to write creatively for any number of applications. We will share our stories as we create a portfolio of inventive, original works of fiction that will impress your family and friends.

In the event of a major earthquake here in the Pacific Northwest, are you ready? Empower yourself and take simple steps to help prepare your family and home for a potential disaster. Learn the basics: how to build an emergency kit, how to get your friends and neighbors involved, and what resources - both local and national - are available to help you prepare.

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Discover the expressive power of one of the world's oldest and most versatile drawing mediums. In this class, you'll learn to create everything from soft, atmospheric shading to bold, dramatic contrasts. Experiment with line, texture, and tone as you transform flat surfaces into drawings that appear three-dimensional. Whether you're new to charcoal or looking to refine your technique, this class will help you see, and draw the world in a whole new way.

Supplies

Viens, on va parler: This conversation-based class focuses on building confidence in speaking and listening. Through engaging, real-life role-playing activities, you’ll practice your French in a supportive, low-pressure environment. Ideal for students who have completed French for Beginners and French for Beginners: Continuing, or for those who already have a solid grasp of the basics of the French language.

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Oui, c’est possible. This French for beginners class it for adult learners with no previous knowledge of French and also for people who have studied French in the past and want to brush up their skills. In this class, you will learn the basics of pronunciation, vocabulary, grammatical structure, and dialogues. Reference book: French in 3 months by Ronald Overy and Jacqueline Lecanuet (edition 2022). Taught by a native speaker.

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Discover the fascinating geological history that shaped the Pacific Northwest's iconic national parks. From volcanic peaks to rugged coastlines and ancient forests, explore how natural forces have created some of the region's most stunning landscapes.

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Explore the geography, history, culture, and people of Greenland, the vast Arctic land with rich Inuit traditions, dramatic ice-covered landscapes, and a unique place in the modern world. Learn about its environment, heritage, and contemporary life.

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This workshop helps participants see communication as a series of interconnected systems: self, interpersonal, and organizational. By exploring how internal thoughts, emotions, and "parts" shape outward dialogue, attendees learn practical techniques for self-regulation, empathetic listening, and creating psychologically safe environments. The session blends theory, experiential exercises, and concrete frameworks so participants leave with actionable habits they can apply instantly at work and in personal relationships.

Have you ever wanted to dive deeper into art history and actually use that knowledge to expand your own artistic expression? In this part history, part studio class, students will learn about specific eras of art history, including notable artists, artistic techniques, and the connection the art had on society while applying that information to create several original works of art. The chosen medium (drawing, watercolor, acrylic, etc.) will be up to each students' preference.

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Write Your Memoir and give this gift of love to your family. This class will provide you with the roadmap to write like a pro. Every memoir has a greater purpose: a lesson or lessons that you learned and want to share with your family and friends. Let's capture those moments. Or perhaps you want to grasp a flash of time like a photograph and write it down before life changes so much that it's forgotten. We will write these unique experiences to entertain your family, enlighten the next generation, inspire others to do great things, instruct those curious about your journey, or for catharsis, and to get your remarkable story on paper.

Explore the geology, plants, fish and wildlife and human history of a world-class active volcano here in our backyard. This course is led by a Geologist who has studied and visited our volcano many times.

The cry of Black blood runs through America: a force born of oppression, resilience, and the unyielding demand for justice. In America's Moral Reckoning: Race, Trauma, Justice, and Ethical Responsibility, Rev. Michael Jones Jr. confronts the systemic inequities, generational trauma, and ethical failings that shape who belongs, who suffers, and who carries the weight of history. The weight of this history is carried in bodies, communities, and daily life, yet so too is the power of survival and liberation. These reckoning challenges each of us, our choices, our silence, and our responsibility, to confront the truth of America's promises and failures. From housing and voting to immigration and civic life, this is a raw, unflinching conversation about liberation, accountability, and moral responsibility. It is a call to witness, reckon, and act for a more just and equitable America.

Held at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C Street.

 As America turns 250 this year, let's ponder what the concept of freedom meant to the 'Founders' of our democratic republic. It would be a mistake to say that they saw freedom in the same way it has come down to the 21st century; this is why you could hold people in bondage and yet proclaim liberty for all. Liberty was the word of the day in 1776, it remains the hallmark of our national belief system along with religious freedom. When our ancestors fought for liberty, did they also fight for equality and freedom?

Held at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C Street.

Too often, LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer/questioning) identities are framed primarily through struggle. This interactive talk flips the script, centering joy and strength within LGBTQ+ lives and our shared history. In preparation for Pride Month in June, we will celebrate what makes the LGBTQ+ community powerful and resilient.

Held at Vancouver Community Library, 901 C Street.

Do you want to rekindle your fascination with the starry night sky? Learn how to navigate the night sky – a cosmic parade of seasonal constellations/stars, planets, Moon, comets, and meteor showers with star-charts, binoculars, and telescopes. Understand how and why the stars and planets move the way they do.

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Cemeteries are outdoor history books. In this three-week class, students explore why cemeteries matter to historians and genealogists while learning about burial practices, gravestones, and cemetery research methods. Through guided discussion and exploration, participants become familiar with historic cemeteries in Clark County and gain insight into cemetery administration, districts, and community oversight.

Dive into energized journaling techniques to connect with your highest inner self. Learn new styles and artful skills to transform journaling from merely reviewing past experiences to embodying and empowering your present and future experiences.

Please bring a pen, paper, notebook, or a laptop. Art supplies are highly recommended, such as colored pencils, crayons, pens, water colors, or stickers. Last of all, select a poem, song lyrics, famous speech or document that inspires you.

 

Some of our most important and unappreciated animals are insects. In this class we'll look at some "scary" ones: the wasps, hornets, ants, and bees. They are all related through evolution and they share some similarities. We'll learn how they live, how they are related and why you will find them in your yard. I suspect that by the end of the class, you will be HAPPY(!) to see these marvelous creatures in your gardens, shrubs and trees. We'll investigate their biology, evolution, and life history through a lens of biology and interest! [Note: We'll dive into biology but no prior knowledge is necessary - everything will be explained in a way that is both accessible yet sophisticated.]

Learn basic weather reading skills to help the Gardener, Hiker, or outdoor person.  Learn to read weather maps, interpret cloud formations, understanding our local climate, and gain practical weather knowledge.  Taught by a USDA-Graduate School certified Meteorologist and former NOAA/NWS forecaster. 

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This class is a continuation of Weather 101 (and a prerequisite). Additional topics in weather and climate science will be presented. Students will continue doing weather map analysis and interpretation. Taught by a USDA-Graduate School certified Meteorologist and former NOAA/NWS Portland office forecaster.