Sketching outdoors is one of the best things artists can do for themselves. This year, plein air sketching will be more about the act of sketching than the medium. Use whatever sketching media you prefer. Anything from pencil, to watercolor and ink, Conté crayons and pencils, colored pencils, ink or watercolor alone, watercolor and gouache, or watercolor pencils or sticks. Choose a hardbound sketch book, watercolor or mixed media journal, a collection of brushes (including water brushes) and pencils, erasers, and a watercolor field kit. You will want to wear old clothes, a hat, carry sunscreen and insect repellent; bring lunch and hydration. Recreational seating optional. Ed will email you prior to each class with a location where each class will meet. *No Class: 7/4. **Special note about art materials: Please do not call our office about materials. Come to the first class with your favorite sketchbook and drawing pencils & pens. Suggested materials will be discussed by the instructor on the first day of classes. Thank you.

Celebrate the Summer Solstice by honoring the light while making a joyful noise! Summer is such a wonderful time of year so let's ring it in with joy and music. Bring your rattles, drums. chimes, your voices and anything that you want to make a music with! We will call in the directions, dance, sing, and have FUN!! Bring water to drink, a chair or something comfortable to sit on, something to eat and enough to share, as well as an offering to the earth. An offering can be birdseed, cornmeal, flowers, nuts, lavender, a stone, a song. *There will be a potluck lunch hosted outside the classroom at the end of the program, so bring your favorite dish! Merrymeeting has a refrigerator that participants can use to store food.

Your instructor, Chris Toy is the author of 6 popular cookbooks, a private chef, and has taught Asian-fusion cooking for several Maine community education programs. Cooking students will learn how to prepare a variety of recipes from Asia, Europe, and the Americas incorporating traditional and local ingredients. Each meal will actively engage cooks with the tools, techniques, and stories behind the dishes being created. Step back to a time when President Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor, and their family escaped to their “beautiful little island” in the Canadian Maritimes, Campobello Island. We will be exclusive guests of the international park, staying in historic Victorian cottages. Workshop participants will explore and paint the same coastal scenery enjoyed by the summer residents at the turn of the 20th century. All meals are included in the workshop fee as well as specially planned optional evening activities designed to extend your learning from the day’s workshops. Register for the retreat then call Sherry Mitchell at 506-752-2922 to make room reservations. Acadian Arts Retreats participants will have exclusive overnight accommodations in the park. Comments from recent Acadian Arts Retreats participants: “I learned so much that Chris taught me, and the recipes were attainable." “Chris speaks slowly and encourages questions."

Your instructor, Mary Laury is an accomplished watercolorist and highly esteemed teacher. She encourages all her students to believe they can be successful. Painting is an exciting medium; it flows and moves and does beautiful things. If you have never painted in watercolors, we will start at the beginning. If you have painted before, you will pick up some new tips and tricks as well. We all learn together! Step back to a time when President Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor, and their family escaped to their “beautiful little island” in the Canadian Maritimes, Campobello Island. We will be exclusive guests of the international park, staying in historic Victorian cottages. Workshop participants will explore and paint the same coastal scenery enjoyed by the summer residents at the turn of the 20th century. All meals are included in the workshop fee as well as specially planned optional evening activities designed to extend your learning from the day’s workshops. Register for the retreat then call Sherry Mitchell at 506-752-2922 to make room reservations. Acadian Arts Retreats participants will have exclusive overnight accommodations in the park. Feedback from recent Acadian Arts Retreats participants: “Mary is a wonderful guide and a gifted teacher.” “Very helpful watercolor instruction."

Learn how a laser cutter works, what materials can be cut with it, and how it can expand your making skills and engrave your artwork.

Learn the basics of cutting fabric, using a sewing machine, and the stitches available on most machines.

Take an afternoon to recharge with this mini wellness retreat, blending gentle yoga with Thai massage assists, visual journaling, and mindful clay exploration. Embrace the healing power of creativity and movement in a calm, supportive space. Come dressed in comfortable clothes for yoga and bring a journal or drawing materials if you’d like—though paper and supplies will also be provided.

In this 2-hour workshop, you will learn the fundamentals of hydroponic growing and work hands-on to construct a deep-water culture hydroponic grower to take home with you. Hydroponics is a method for growing plants by immersing their roots in a nutrient rich oxygen/water solution. Hydroponic plants grow faster, yield more produce, and require fewer resources to grow compared to traditional soil grown plants. After you have constructed your system, we will guide you through the process of mixing and balancing a nutrient solution.