The Arts
Beginning Ukulele
The ukulele is the hot musical instrument to be playing. In Beginning Ukulele, learn about the history, parts, tuning and maintaining, the basics of playing, pointers on strumming or picking style, different ways to play specific chords, and tips on playing with others. Then, strum along and practice playing songs.
You also will learn how to transpose songs to different keys, using different chords or a capo. The instructor will share information on different types of ukuleles, songbooks, helpful accessories, and beginning-to-advanced resources available for free online.
Don't have a ukulele? That's okay. The instructor will provide information on what to look for in a ukulele and where to find one. In the meantime, the instructor has a few "loaner ukes" for use during class.
Intro to Songwriting
Songwriting is a unique and expressive art form that blends creativity with a deep understanding of musical principles. In Intro to Songwriting, you will embark on a journey to explore the essential elements that make up a song, including its form, function, structure, and various patterns. This course will guide you through the intricacies of crafting melodies and teach you how to discover different melodic designs that can elevate your songwriting. You will also delve into the development and arrangement of lyrics. Finally, you will learn how to seamlessly connect the words of your lyrics with the harmonious chords.
Instructor: Jenna DeMartino
Beginner Guitar
Start with the basics of learning to play a guitar. Learn how to hold, tune, and strum your guitar. Then explore fretwork and how it creates different sounds. Lessons will also cover basic notation, musical symbols, open notes, and chords. Understand the fundamentals of playing a guitar and practice learning a new song.
The required textbook, Guitar Method Book 1 by Hal Leonard, is available for purchase on the . A guitar (6-string electric or acoustic), a tuner, and picks are required.
Instructor: Jenna DeMartino
Tree of Life Gourd
The Tree of Life has emerged in multiple art forms. Create your own Tree of Life on a natural gourd. Learn about its history along with the history and functions of gourds. Then, use wire to form the tree structure and adorn with natural stones. Finish your creation with a treated pine needle rim. The course will provide a stained gourd, wire, stones, a rim, and supplies.
Two Seasonal Gourd Ornaments
Create hand-painted gourds just in time for the holidays. Learn about the fascinating history of gourds. Then, draw and paint a seasonal character onto two 4–6 inch gourds. You will have two unique ready-to-hang ornaments to give away or add to your holiday decorations. The course will provide two small gourds, embellishments, paint, and supplies. Examples will be displayed for inspiration; just bring a paint shirt.
Watercolor I
This course introduces you to watercolor — no drawing experience is required! You will learn to utilize watercolor medium in traditional and non-traditional applications; apply fundamentals of color theory, composition, and experiment with textural techniques. Learn how to develop and celebrate your own individuality and creative style while you break through your fears and explore new observational views on environments for inspiration. Each weekly session will include an open forum on famous artists and feedback, Q&A, and your completion of one work of art.
Watercolor II
You will advance toward more complex compositions, pen & ink enhancements and explore "improv" watercolor works! You will utilize basic watercolor techniques in traditional and non-traditional applications; apply fundamentals of color theory, composition, and experiment with textural techniques. Learn how to develop and celebrate your own individuality and creative style while you break through your fears and explore new observational views on environments for inspiration. Each weekly session will include an open forum on famous artists and feedback, Q&A, and your completion of one work of art.
Watercolor III
You will build on your basic techniques to channel the Masters. Each week a different Master artist is revealed to provide you with a spontaneous challenge. By painting and following along, you will learn the techniques of the surprise Master artist, journeying toward finding your own individuality and creative style. You will utilize basic watercolor techniques in traditional and non-traditional applications; apply fundamentals of color theory, composition, and experiment with textural techniques. This course will help you break through your fears and explore new observational views on environments for inspiration. Each class session will begin with open forum and feedback, Q&A, and end with a completed work of art.
Watercolor IV
You will continue to build on techniques learned with the Masters. Each week you have the option to paint your own image or a class provided sample. Are you interested in Impressionism? Abstraction? Atmospheric? Engage in developing your own individual style methods, express your creativity with the freedom of exploration and experimentation, and paint your way in this upper-level course. You will utilize basic watercolor techniques in traditional and non-traditional applications. You will continue developing and celebrating you own individuality and creative style as you break through your fears and explore new observational views on environments for inspiration. Classes will begin with open forum and feedback, Q&A, and end with a completed work of art.
Watercolor Pastels and Pencils
Explore applications and techniques of water-based pastels and pencils in your watercolor artworks. This course introduces you to the tools and materials of watercolor pastels and watercolor pencils. You will learn basic watercolor techniques using dry and wet pastels and pencils, apply fundamentals of color theory and composition, and experiment with textural techniques. Develop your creative style and celebrate your artistic individuality. This course will help you break through your fears and help you observe objects in your environment for inspiration. No drawing experience is required! Each class begins with an open forum discussion and feedback. You will paint one piece of art in each class.
Quick Watercolor Projects with Pen and Ink
Explore the fluidity of watercolor with the line work of ink to yield beautiful and expressive results. This course combines pen and ink with watercolor washes in quick small projects (such as cards, miniatures, bookmarks, etc). You will learn how to apply watercolor and ink in multiple formats. You will utilize basic watercolor and ink techniques learn to apply the fundamentals of color theory and composition, and experiment with textural techniques. Develop your creative style and celebrate your artistic individuality. This course will help you break through your fears and help you observe objects in your environment for inspiration. No drawing experience is required! Each class begins with an open forum discussion and feedback. You will paint one piece of art in each class.
Nature’s Houses: Gourd Bird Houses/Feeders
Discover the trend of using gourds as birdhouses and birdfeeders nationwide. Attract birds to your yard with a beautifully decorated and natural birdhouse or birdfeeder made from a gourd. In Nature’s Houses: Gourd Bird Houses/Feeders, choose a gourd to craft your own natural bird sanctuary. Gourds are prepped and ready for assembly; we provide paint supplies, just bring ideas and inspirational pictures for painting your gourd — as well as a paint shirt. Have fun and enjoy seeing and hearing birds in their new natural and decorated gourd home.
Two Silly Gourd Birds
Go crazy with gourds! This fun, creative art project will inspire your creative self to make a bird of your imagination. In Two Silly Gourd Birds, you will transform two small gourds into artistic birds. Make them silly or make them realistic. You will be provided two 4–6 inch cleaned gourds to decorate. The course will provide paint supplies, colorful wire, dowel rods, feathers, and bases for the birds. Just bring ideas and inspirational pictures for painting your gourd — as well as a paint shirt. Invite a friend or two and have fun bringing your silly gourd birds to life.