Students will be working from live (clothed) models to develop and reinforce drawing skills related to the human form. Instructor Ed Higgins will provide one on one coaching and assistance Medium will be charcoal and Conté crayon. You will also need large pads of newsprint (18 x 24), kneaded erasers, and an easel (optional). Students are encouraged to tip the model at the end of each class. *No Class: 7/31.

Summer can be full and busy—this 2-hour retreat offers a soft pause to slow down and connect with a sense of spaciousness and ease. With calming mindfulness practices, gentle self-compassion exercises, guided relaxation, and journaling, you’ll explore how to notice and savor small moments of delight in everyday life. This is a quiet, nourishing space to reset your nervous system and reconnect with yourself.

Join me in celebrating the Solstice. We will honor the longest day of the year and set out intentions for the summer season. We will dance, sing, and honor the day with food. Bring a dish to share. Led by Jeannie Sullivan from HeartFelt Energies.

Back by popular demand! Join Shirley Anderson for an unforgettable & fun, Great Horned Owl Paint Night! In this class you’ll learn to capture the majestic beauty of the Great Horned Owl through Acrylic painting. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, Shirley will guide you step-by-step to create your own stunning masterpiece celebrating this beloved bird. Canvas and paints are supplied.

Join Shirley Anderson for a Wood Duck Paint night and discover the art of painting a male wood duck, renowned for its vibrant plumage, this class is perfect for all skill levels. Canvas and paints are supplied.

Work together as a team to conceive, plan, and paint an acrylic mural inside one of the classrooms at Merrymeeting Adult Ed. Build your art skills, learn the process of mural-making and be a part of creating a long-lasting artwork that will be seen by countless visitors to the building. Previous painting experience is a bonus but not required. Ages 11-14.

Part Two: The Sketchbook Habit. Art the old school way means habituating to working in your sketchbook. There is no better repository for inspiration, nor quicker way to mastering the basics of drawing. Sadly, in the modern age, the simple joy of recording your visual ideas on paper in a bound sketchbook is becoming a lost art. With the focus nowadays on influencers, results, clicks and likes, it appears as though individual artistic development and process is taking a back seat to group consensus. Instructor Ed Higgins will help you prepare for your artistic journey by helping you discover and record your experiences through practice and persistence with real media in your sketchbook. *No Class: 7/28.

This is an introductory hands-on class designed to learn the “ins and outs” of the Japanese running stitch technique called Sashiko. We’ll discuss the history of this beautiful and utilitarian stitching; types of fabrics, threads & needles; learn basic traditional patterns and how to transfer them, and use some of the tools that help make this a mindful and enjoyable pastime. We’ll create a small sampler of stitches and patterns, which can then be made into a potholder, a small quilt. Fabric, thread and tools are supplied, along with many handouts that will help you continue your journey long after class is over. *A materials fee of $25 is due to the instructor on the first night of class.