Bold application of pastel on larger surfaces is what the pastel atelier will be concentrating on this term. This could be a great opportunity for continuing your summer plein air work, or using ideas in your sketchbook to plan and execute larger pastel pieces. This is an independent study class where you pursue your own projects with input and technical assistance from an experienced instructor. Previous attendance in one of Ed Higgins’ classes is recommended, but no prior pastel experience is required. The materials list for the class is a set of artist-grade soft pastels (not oil pastels), and some large individual sheets of good paper appropriate for pastels. Contact the instructor if you have any questions (ed_higgins@icloud.com).

Times of global unrest, rapid changes, and uncertainty, contribute to the spread of collective trauma and heightened levels of uncertainty causing isolation and anxiety in systems and communities. Trainees, from all sectors of the public, will learn current approaches to facilitate respect, safety, humility, and compassion. Special attention will be given to practical skills for mitigating stress and supporting well-being. This training offers methodology for engaging with ambiguity and is based on an internationally recognized model of Personal Leadership. CEUs available. Presented by Marie Sheffield from Bridge to Belong and Tatyana Fertelmeyster from Connecting Differences.

This class is an adjunct or follow up class to any of Ed Higgins’ portrait or figure studios. We’ll concentrate on aspects of drawing (or painting) people that often get overlooked or cause artists stress. Things like hands and feet, and drapery or clothing. We’ll warm up with speed sketching, and then work together to find ways to approach some of the aspects of drawing people that tend to trip us up. The minimum materials list for this class is a sketchbook, pencil, and white vinyl eraser. Contact the instructor if you have any questions (ed_higgins@icloud.com).

Whether you want to sell home baked muffins, start a bicycle repair shop, or sell products online, my class is for you. From integrity to marketing, to creating compelling social media posts, my class is ideal for those thinking about starting a small business, struggling with an existing small business, or expanding a small business. It’s also useful for the curious individual, the Senior, the single parent, wondering how they can create a small business as a side hustle. Objectives include: How to create compelling social media posts, How to overcome fear about starting, growing, reviving your small business, How to know when to walk away from bad business deals and shady deals, & How to maintain cash flow. Taught by Kelum Training and Consulting.

Join Kara Ibarguen of Maine Coast Sea Vegetables for a hands-on cooking workshop designed to increase your knowledge of local seaweed species and get you comfortable cooking with them! Learn to identify a variety of Maine seaweed species through an immersive touch tank experience before putting your aprons on and whipping up a four-course meal featuring seaweed in every dish (yes, even dessert!). Participants will make an appetizer, salad and main course before enjoying a dessert provided by MCSV. All ingredients and equipment will be provided and participants will leave with recipes and product lists – ready to cook up their own seaweed dishes at home. Recipes cooked in this class are vegetarian and can be made gluten free with advance notice.

Working, living with a toxic person can be emotionally, physically, financially demanding. From being controlling, belligerent, verbally abusive, to being manipulative, demeaning, and sneaky, toxic people can derail our plans, dreams, and hopes – if we allow them to. In my class you will learn simple, effective emotional tools to maintain your cool, calmness, and sanity, when you are affected by a toxic person, day in, day out. I am the author of “I Never Said It Was Easy. I Said You Got This: Emotional Intelligent Tools to Deal With Difficult Toxic People and Lead Through Change.” Objectives include: How to lift our mental obsessions about another person;s toxic behavior, How to draw boundaries, How to start changing ourselves and head towards recovery from the toxicity, & How to re-build our new dreams that were put on hold because of another person’s toxicity. Taught by Kelum Training and Consulting.

During an amazing one hour, you will watch, hear, and become mesmerized by the stories, pictures, and people behind American castles. The scandal of William Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies living in Hearst Castle, the overthrow of Queen Lili’okalani in Iolani Palace in Hawaii, rumors of fraud and murder surrounding Barrington House in Massachusetts, General William Palmer’s deep love for his “Queen” wife in Glen Erie Castle, Colorado, and the fascinating story behind Boldt Castle, in Alexandria Bay, New York, among many others will blow you away. The presenter, Preethi Fernando is the author of “Castles and Grand Homes of America.” This is a visually stunning presentation with fun storytelling delivered by the author herself.

From the comfort of your own space, experience the gifts of yoga through awareness of mind and body, attention to movement and breath, explorations in slowing down, down to the ground, and moments of settling into stillness, all to support your journey. Guided by Nicola, with a sustainable approach, and open to all. Nicola Eden is a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher with a Maine State Teacher Certificate.