From earmuffs to board games, agricultural implements to modern kitchen appliances, and from a national holiday to a worldwide church, many of the greatest inventions in American history were invented in the Pine Tree State. In this course we will examine these Maine inventors, their inventions, and the impact these innovations, and many more, had on our world today. Join us for this informative 3-week class by author and historian Lori-Suzanne Dell.

Hunting for edible and medicinal wild mushrooms is a fun way to supplement your gourmet food diet and get some exercise in the great outdoors. And, you can beat supply chain issues and rising food prices while learning a new fascinating outdoor hobby. We will focus on safety and identification of common safe edibles in the first class.

Did you know mushrooms are the fruit of the fungi? Just like picking an apple, it does not hurt the organism to harvest them. Join us for discussion on habitat and which trees are symbiotic with which fungi. If you want to find Grifola frondosa (hen of the woods, common name), you must know what an oak tree looks like!

The second class will be a workshop/discussion (students are invited to bring in what they have found on their own) and a chance to sample some cooked edibles. Please plan on 3 hours at the second class. Summer brings the chance of finding chanterelles!! 

Please bring a $5 materials fee made payable to the instructor.

Yes, there are poisonous mushrooms. For this reason no children will be admitted to this class.

Learn the art of printmaking using recycled Tetra-pak. Participants will learn how to make their own plate, how to ink the plate, and pull prints by hand or using a craft die-cutting machine (manual machine, not a Cricut) or pasta maker. After the prints dry, participants will learn how to finish their prints with optional hand-color prints using water-colors and/or colored pencils. This class is suitable for all levels. All materials included.

Remember sitting around the campfire toasting marshmallows and telling scary stories? In this short course with Laurie Notch you will learn the history of the ghost story, why it is popular in cultures worldwide, and how to spin your own spooky yarn for fun and entertainment. Class takes place on Zoom. Students must have reliable internet, and an audio and video enabled computer, tablet or smartphone to participate.

This gnome with his brightly colored hat and cute snail buddy will add color to your indoor or outdoor garden! Michelle Cross is a retired educator who has a lifelong passion for crafting of all types. Creating beautiful works of art with friends is sure to make these classes a pleasure for students of all levels. All supplies provided by Michelle, but please bring your own brushes.

Classes cover sewing basics like the tools you’ll need to get started, threading a needle, sewing by hand, and how to purchase a machine as well as how to choose and use a sewing pattern to put together a wardrobe of basic clothing pieces. We’ll make a drawstring bag in class, and a simple piece of clothing like a skirt, drawstring pants or unisex top. There is a $40 tools and materials fee payable to the instructor on the first night of class (includes fabric for your bag but not for the clothing piece). Additional patterns and materials will be available for an extra fee paid directly to instructor.

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, including a private concert by award winning Celtic Fiddle player, Katherine Moller, in the Victorian parlor of Hubbard House. 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. including a private concert by award-winning Celtic Fiddle player, Katherine Moller, in the Victorian parlor of Hubbard House. 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."