Mixed Media & Design   

Class Overview

Gain the knowledge and skills needed to do basic repair and maintenance on your house. You'll feel good learning how to do home projects yourself and you will probably save money as well! 

Learn how to select and safely use tools. Explore various projects, materials and methods, including basic plumbing, wall repair, electrical work, weatherization, home security, kitchen and bath remodels, and remodeling. 

Perform your own home repairs with confidence! This class requires a minimum age of 18.

Learning Objectives

• Learn how to effectively use home power tools
• Get tips and tricks for completing common home repairs
• Gain experience with hands-on, practical guidance

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Homeowners that would like to learn how to handle common basic repairs themselves
• Anyone who wishes to be more handy around the house

Class Overview

Explore the creative, rewarding, fun art of block printing! This class will teach you how to use linocut to create prints.

Learn the basic skills and techniques of woodblock carving and experience the rewarding feeling you get by peeling off a piece of paper printed with your original art! Make multiple copies for greeting cards, gifts, fabric, and decor. Block printing is an ancient art with roots in many cultures that can provide inspiration. Block prints have a unique and artistic look. If you are not good at designing or drawing? Don’t worry! We have several design options for you. 

Use your creativity and curiosity with carving and printing your own one-of-a-kind art! This class is for everybody, from complete beginners to experienced carvers and artists.

Supplies Needed (Students must bring the items listed below to the class)

• Personal safety equipment (thumb guard and/or resistant gloves)
• One clear acrylic sheet plexiglass 8" x 12" (Recommended: YSTIME 8" x 12" Clear Acrylic Sheet Plexiglass Plastic Sheet for Crafts Transparent Acrylic Board with Protective Paper for Craft, Windows, Frame, DIY Display Projects)
• Speedball Super Value Block Printing Starter Kit – Includes Ink, Brayer, Lino Handle and Cutters, Speedy-Carve

Learning Objectives

• Become familiar with block carving and printing basics
• Be familiar with how to design and print
• Be confident in handling carving equipment safely for a small project

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• Anyone curious and interested in trying printmaking and carving
• People who enjoy crafting and making things by hand
• Anyone who would like to do a small creative project with like-minded people
• People who like to draw and would like to translate their drawings to prints
• Everyone is welcome, no experience needed

Class Overview

Would you like a creative outlet and be able to make your own artful cards to give to others? Create unique watercolor greeting cards and make cherished gifts from the heart!

Enjoy learning traditional and fun watercolor techniques. You will be guided in a step-by-step process using a variety of simple techniques that will give you satisfying results. Learn tips for creating beautiful art from a professional artist and educator. No experience is required.

Supplies Needed

Please have the items listed below ready before the class:

Paper:

• Please note: the better the paper, the better your painting experience 
• Arches Watercolor Pad with the black and green cover -- be sure it is not Block! -- any size you choose. 
• Optional if the pad (above) is not available: 1 sheet (or more) of Arches Paper: 140#, 22x30", cold press. 
• NOT recommended: Strathmore yellow cover paper pad

Paint: 

• Transparent watercolor paint set - any brand, except Reeves.

Brushes:

• 1 (one) round pointed #10 synthetic watercolor brush
• 1 (one) sheep hair 2" Hake flat brush
• 1 (one) small cheap flat synthetic brush, max 1/2"

Learning Objectives

• Create your own holiday cards
• Gain skills in traditional watercolor painting techniques
• Become familiar with watercolor painting tools and materials and how to use them
• Express yourself creatively through watercolor painting and card creation
• Create unique works of art

Who Might Enjoy This Class?

• Anyone interested in learning watercolor painting techniques
• People who would like to make their own holiday cards
• Anyone wanting to explore their creativity and have time for creative exploration and expression

Class Overview

Pen and ink have been used for millennia and are still a favorite medium of artists today. These tools have their own personality and can add a unique flair to your drawing style. Learn how to use pen and ink in this fun hands-on class for all levels.

Even though pen and ink are simple tools, controlling the ink, and its permanence of it can be intimidating. In this class, learn the basic steps to get good results from your materials. Explore a variety of pen techniques and practice them to incorporate them into your drawings. Learn about technical pens and brush pens, and practice using dip pens.

We will look at some examples of pen and ink drawings for inspiration. Get ready to “go with the flow” and get creative with ink! 

Supplies Needed

• Pad of paper – Bristol smooth or mixed media
• During the first class, the instructor will bring several dip pens and inks to try; there will be a discussion regarding the other supplies needed to purchase for the class at that time.

Learning Objectives

• Be introduced to basic steps and a variety of pen techniques.
• Practice basic steps and a variety of pen techniques

Who Might Enjoy This Class? 

• Anyone interested in learning how to use pen and ink
• People with drawing experience who would like to try a variety of new pens and techniques
• No experience needed; everyone is welcome

Class Overview

Are you interested in learning how to write a book, but need more information and support to get it done successfully? Learn the art of publishing your book, from writing to editing, design, and final publication.

In this class, the first of a two-part series, we will focus on writing your book and consider all of the questions needed to create excellent content. What is the story you want to tell and how do you tell it? Who is your audience and how do you approach your audience and readers?

Explore storytelling, the editing process, and all of the steps and considerations for writing your book. Consider the visual aspects of your book, including layout, illustration, design, and your book's cover. How do you want the final product to look and feel when it is being held and read?

Next quarter you can take the second class, Publish Your Own Book: Promotion and Distribution, and work towards final publication. Topics will include choosing a publishing house, book promotion, and online retail selling. 

You can publish your book in your native language, whether it is English or another language. Instructor Georgetta Gancarz, explains, "I want students to express themselves in their identity and culture. For me as an artist, freedom of self-expression, including culture, is necessary to be true and creative." She has written and published 20 books to date, and also teaches multiple art classes for Continuing Education.

What You Will Need

Students must have access to a laptop or computer and internet access for this class. You will need to install some free writing programs on your device.  

Learning Objectives

• Understand the steps needed to write a book
• Gain skills in thinking about your audience and future readers
• Acquire knowledge in executing your book, including topics such as storyline, creating chapters, choosing a title, referencing and documenting sources, and editing
• Gain knowledge in creating the visual aspect of a book, including design, layout, illustrations

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• Anyone interested in publishing a book

Class Overview

Do you have Scottish or Irish ancestry or an interest in Gaelic culture, history, and sites?

People around the world feel a connection to the lands of Scotland and Ireland. Many people can trace their ancestry back to Scotland and Ireland, but often the language and culture of those who emigrated have been left behind. The Gaels, the speakers of the Gaelic language, have a long and fascinating history. In this course, gain an understanding of this history and how it manifests itself in the art and mythology of the people. Explore who the Gaels are, the reasons why people left their homeland, and how this was expressed in their art and culture. Discover the relationship between language, culture, and identity for the Gaelic people. Learn about the history of Scotland and Ireland from the Roman period to the present. Gain a greater appreciation of the rich and lively Gaelic culture today.

Learning Objectives

• Define the linguistic and cultural group referred to as the Gaels
• Better understanding of the relationship between language, culture, and identity
• Understand the history of the Gaels and the influence of historical events in the art and mythology of the people.
• Understanding of the history of Scotland and Ireland from the Roman period to today
• Have familiarity with contemporary issues related to the language, culture, and identity of the Gaelic people and culture

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• Anyone interested in Scottish and Irish history
• People interested in history, art, and mythology surrounding the people who speak the Gaelic language
• People with Irish and Scottish ancestry wanting to better understand the Gaelic history

Class Overview

Whittling is a simple and fun hobby that many people all over the world enjoy. In this interactive class, learn how to use the tools, select wood for your project, make the basic cuts and use proper whittling techniques. Enjoy whittling small animals that you will treasure for years and they also make wonderful gifts. In this class, we also learn how to sharpen and hone your tools to keep them razor sharp. Discover a new interest through this fun, hands-on, engaging class! No previous whittling experience required.

Supplies Needed (Students must bring the items listed below to the class)

• Whittler’s detail knife / sharpen carving knife (Recommended: KN13 Flexcut knife)
• Carving gouge set (Recommended: Mikisyo Power Grip Carving Tools 7 Piece Set)
• Thumb guard and/or cut resistant gloves
• Leather honing strop with polishing compound (Recommended: BeaverCraft Leather Honing Strop with Polishing Compound LS2P1SR41 3”x 8”Double Sided Leather Stropping Kit for Knife Sharpening Vegetable Tanned Leather for Stopping Tools)
• Pencil

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Obtain basic knowledge of whittling
• Understand use of tools
• Whittle with confidence
• Be familiar with how to select woods depending on projects
• Make the basic cuts and techniques
• Understand how to sharpen the tools

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• Anyone interested in trying the art of whittling
• People looking for a new hobby, creative outlet or craft to do with your hands
• People who are new in using carving tools
• Anyone who would like to make small animals from wood

Class Overview

Learn how to carve and create beautiful objects! Gain the basic skills to feel successful and safe carving wood and making your own creations.

During this hands-on class, you will be making two spoons. Get started with the basic skills and safety practices while carving a simple and useful kitchen spoon. Continue to hone your skills as you carve a more decorative "love spoon" -- something often given as a gift. Learn about wood selection, preparing blanks, basic carving techniques, and traditional oil finishing. These skills will help you become prepared for future wood carving projects that you can use in another class or at home.

Stir up your creativity and curiosity with carving your own one-of-a-kind wooden spoons! No previous wood carving experience required.

Supplies Needed 
Students must bring these items to class:

• Sweep gouge No. 7 or any carving straight or bent gouge No. 7, between 10–12 mm width with a short or long handle (recommended: PFEIL Swiss Made 10 mm Gouge No 7)
• Whittler’s detail knife / sharpen carving knife (recommended: KN13 Flexcut knife)
• Thumb guard and/or cut-resistant gloves
• F-Clamp (recommended: Yost Tools F112 12” FClamp)
• Pencil

Learning Objectives

• Basic knowledge of wood carving
• How to design and carve spoons
• Confidence in handling wood carving knives safely for a small project
• How to select wood depending on your wood carving project

Who Might Enjoy This Class

• Anyone curious and interested in trying wood carving and whittling
• People who love handcrafting
• Anyone who would like to do a small creative project with like-minded people and guidance from an instructor