Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education
Topsham, ME
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- Personal Enrichment (13)
Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education Classes
Colorful & Expressive Pastel Sketching
with Dana Bateman, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education
Designed for beginners but open to all levels, we will use our pastels in a loose, expressive way to create several quick drawings, with the goal of finding new approaches to a very traditional medium. Using expressive mark-making and bold color choices, we will work from a selection of reference photos from our beautiful state of Maine. An array of mats will be provided, with the goal of everyone leaving with something matted that they would consider worthy of display! With this longer workshop format, participants should feel free to bring in a photo they'd like to sketch from as well, but all materials and reference materials are provided. If you have your own pastels you've been meaning to use, please bring them along.
Yin Yoga w/ Heather
with Heather Laffely, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education
Yin yoga is a style of yoga where passive yoga posture(poses) are held for extended periods of time. Typically 3-5 min., sometimes longer. In these passive postures, muscle activity is minimized, with a focus on stretching connective tissues, such as fascia, ligaments and tendons. We will gently settle into postures, supported by yoga props, while deeply connecting to breath. These longer holds allow the muscles to lengthen passively and for physical releases under the skin to occur. This practice supports overall flexibility, circulation, and range of motion in the joints and ligaments. It also is a practice in mindfulness, as conscious breathing occurs, quieting the mind and supporting nervous system health. This class is for those new to yoga, as well as seasoned yogis looking for a deep stretch. Yoga blocks/bolster are encouraged if you have them, otherwise the teacher has props to use during class. *No Class: 11/23.
Tumbled Seaglass & Broken Pottery
with Shirley Anderson, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education
Get creative in this whimsical class, blending tumbled glass and pottery. We have lots of glass and pottery to choose from, come join us for a fun night out and create a keepsake and simply indulge in this therapeutic artistic process. All materials provided.
Book Talk: Daughters of Witching Hill
with Jeannie Sullivan, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education
Join Jeannie Sullivan for a discussion about the book, Daughters of Witching Hill by Mary Sharra. This book takes place during the witch trials in England and is based on true events. You will find out how the witch trials affected Bess and her grandmother.
FLOW 1: Intermediate + Advanced Watercolor
with Deena Ball, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education
Create luminous watercolors with vitality, atmosphere, and presence. In this course, we focus on the expressive power of water, layering, and transparency so you can build paintings that feel alive. What we’ll explore: Using water intentionally to create light, clarity, and glow; Layering and timing for clean, luminous passages; Value and edge control for atmosphere and depth; Color decisions that support mood and structure. We will study master watercolorists such as Sargent, Ruskin, and Turner, alongside contemporary painters including Alvaro Castagnet, Herman Pekel, Andy Evansen and others. We will work to translate what we learn into practical exercises and paintings. Class format: Group critique of homework; Short demo and focused lesson (often with art history); Targeted exercises to explore the day’s topic; Studio time to apply ideas to a painting. Who is this course for? This course is best for adult students who have prior watercolor instruction, solid basic drawing skills, and a willingness to step outside their comfort zone in order to grow and create more dynamic, compelling work. *No Class: 11/2.
How Money Works
with Sarah Blondin, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education
Do you want to eliminate debt? Stop living paycheck to paycheck? Take full control of your finances? Join us to learn how implementing a few simple financial concepts can transform your relationship with money!
Capturing Layered Landscapes with Watercolor and Ink
with Claire Loon Baldwin, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education
Learn strategies for demystifying landscapes, and capture them with watercolor and ink. This all-levels class welcomes students of all experience levels, and builds skills through a series of exercises. Students will learn to use dip pens with ink and build layers with watercolor, utilizing additional tools such as wax crayons to effectively build layers. Students can either buy themselves the required materials or they can buy material kits from the Mix, an art store in Brunswick.
Smartphone Photography: Advanced
with Steve McGrath, Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education
This class is dedicated to helping you understand smartphone photography by teaching you how to take and create great images on your phone, what editing apps to use, and how to share and print your images. Join Steve as we go over how to use essential controls on your phone along with the best free and low-cost tools for editing and image management. *This is an advanced class.