No partner required - This fun line dance class will offer a variety of line dance steps and routines--done to all your favorite country songs -- that can go from classroom to dance floor in a flash! Clear instruction, step and combination breakdowns, and plenty of time to practice makes this class perfect for dancers who are brand new to line dancing as well as for those just hoping to learn a few more routines. No class on February 19.

Join Michael E. Vermette for a studio oil painting experience that presents 5 different technical and compositional approaches that are devoted to 5 hours of painting instruction per painting lesson. Students will be encouraged to paint larger 18 x 24 inch oils with a course structure that allows for one lesson to be taught In-class that will be carried over to two class sessions 2 1/2 hours long.

The first part of the lesson will be devoted to 2 1/2 hours of instructional presentation and demonstration by the instructor, and the following class will be all devoted to studio time. Students will also be taught how to set up an Out-of-class studio in their own home to be used over the two-week lesson given.

Michael will demonstrate his sheer enjoyment of painting in an impasto palette knife and brush application technique to create exciting landscapes, each week, painting with his students. He describes reaching a place in oil painting , where “the work takes on a life of its own.” The classes will feature 5 new focuses every other week over the course of ten weeks and will including color theory, making beautiful lines, Describing weight and solidity through form, adding texture, the illusion of depth, creating lost and found edges, and how to use oil supplies such as Black Oil Wax and other mediums to improve the viscosity of the paint.

The course will feature weekly assignments and supportive group critiques each week to help the studio artists develop the power to represent and talk about their work. This class is perfectly suited for the beginner or the more advanced painter alike, who are interested in representing visually the landscapes they are drawn to. Studio artists my choose their own landscape subjects. No previous experience is needed and yet experienced artists will benefit as well from Michael’s friendly and open style of teaching. You will love just how much this inspiring course will teach you about creating an amazing landscapes portfolio.

Art Supply List

1. A minimum of 5 substrates including stretched canvases, boards, Masonite or woodpanels, and canvas panels. Recommended minimum size no smaller the 16 x 20 inches andno larger than 18 x 24 inches.

2. Paint Box and or combination box and easel or separate easel large enough to containyour palette as well as paints, brushes, palette knives, etc.

3. A can or original GO JO or sim ulan hand cleaner found in automotive stores (for cleaningbrushes,) do not buy turpentine. I would recommend a bottle of sun thickened linseed oil. Iwill make available an old Venetian medium to be mixed with oil paint called: Black OilWax medium, that I make myself. This medium makes the oil painting process virtuallysolvent free. You may also use Liquin if you'd rather go with a resin based medium.

4. Oil Paint; including a warm and cool of each primary color and black and white.Depending on how much paint you use, paint with the best you can afford, a paint tubepacked with pigment with only linseed oil as a binder. The brands I use are Willamsburg,Blockx, Old Holland, and Sennelier oils in 35 ml tubes. Less expensive brands includeGrumbacher, Winsor & Newton, Graham, and Daler-Rowney. The colors I recommend arefollowing colors:Cadmium Yellow Light or Aureolin, Cadmium Yellow Deep, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Orange,Cadmium Red, permanent Alizarine Crimson or Quinacridone Magenta, BurntSienna, Cobalt Violet Deep or manganese Violet, Manganese Blue, UltramarineBlue, Prussian or Phthalo/or thalo Blue, Viridian Green , Indigo, Lamp or Ivory Black, and aLarge tube of Titanium / or Flake White is preferred.

5. Brushes; round, flat or filbert oil painting brushes from sizes no.6 to a no.12. Choose atleast three (one small, one medium, and one large). You might also be able to use asmallbrush for detail or your signature.

6. Palette Knives. I use different sizes as with my brushes, from a small 1- inch to a large 4”one. I also use assorted widths from a narrow size to a wide flat to smooth my shapes.

7. A large Oil Painting Palette made of glass or wood.

8. Rags(one per painting); preferably cotton rags because they soak up paint and clean thepalette better than polyester. You can also use paper towels for a cheeper option.

9. Charcoal, graphite or Nero pencils or sticks, or vine charcoal.

10.Wet canvas carrier system, clips or foamboard strips. (They can be made of foamboardstrips and made into a frame taped around the panel or canvas and then duck taped on tothe back of the painting and stacked upon each other with a foamboard divider, stored in asmall cardboard mailer or pizza box for multiple small studies. Refer to my website underinstruction at www.michaelevermette.com.

11. Miscellaneous Supplies, including: a roll of 2" duck tape, foam board strips 1 inch by 16½ inches long, (natural are the best), Sketch book . 2 cups for holding solvents or Black Oil,ex-acto knife and GO-JO hand cleaner.

12. A table top easel large enough to hold your painting.

 

This is the third part of the Spanish for Beginners course. It is an introduction to Spanish in a personalized and fun style. The class is designed to help students acquire a foundation of Spanish vocabulary while learning how to speak and listen to the language for general and practical use. Students are encouraged to speak Spanish whenever possible in the class. The book is additional.

I’m thrilled to invite you to an inspiring art course designed to offer dedicated time and space for diving deep into a variety of art-making techniques. Over the course of seven weeks, we’ll explore watercolor, batik, and printmaking, culminating in a final week dedicated to mixed media where we’ll blend all of our newfound skills. Each part of the course is thoughtfully structured to support mindful and intentional creation, allowing you to slow down, connect with your inner artist, and develop your skills. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just beginning your creative journey, this course is designed to inspire exploration, deepen your practice, and unlock new forms of expression. Course Breakdown: 1. Watercolor (Weeks 1-2): Immerse yourself in the soothing flow of watercolor, exploring techniques such as washes, blending, and layering to create vibrant and expressive pieces. 2. Batik (Weeks 3-4): Dive into the ancient art of batik, working with wax resist and fabric dyes to craft richly textured, layered designs on fabric and paper. 3. Printmaking (Weeks 5-6): Discover the fundamentals of printmaking, including monoprints and relief techniques (gelatin and linoleum) to develop your own series of unique prints. 4. Mixed Media (Week 7): In our final week, bring everything together by combining techniques from the previous sessions. We’ll explore new ways to layer materials, integrate collage, and experiment with found objects, allowing you to create complex, multi-dimensional artworks that reflect your creative journey. Each session will include demonstrations, guided exercises, and plenty of hands-on time to explore the techniques. By the end, you’ll have a portfolio of work and a toolkit of new skills to continue creating on your own. Plus, you’ll be part of a supportive community of fellow creatives to share inspiration and ideas with along the way.

Zumba Gold classes are Perfect For Active older adults who are looking for a modified Zumba® class that recreates the original Zumba moves you love at a lower-intensity. The design of the class introduces easy-to-follow Zumba® choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion and coordination. Come ready to sweat, and prepare to leave empowered and feeling strong. Class focuses on all elements of fitness: cardiovascular, muscular conditioning, flexibility and balance! No class on February 20.

Learn to play the ukulele! It has never been more popular and you don't even have to know how to read music! On the uke you can knock out folk music, rock, blues, jazz, pop, country, tunes old and new -- even classical music. Duncan Perry, who has taught more than 700 students of all ages, will introduce you to essential chords and playing techniques using commonly known songs. Oh, and there are lots of laughs along the way. And, learning to play an instrument is good for your brain! You will need a playable ukulele and an electronic tuner or a tuner app. And when folks hear you play this happy instrument, well, they just have to smile! If you don’t own a ukulele, please contact us for information. What are you waiting for? Grab a uke and get ready for a musical adventure, then spread the joy! Biography Duncan is an experienced multi-instrumentalist who has been performing and teaching folks how play the ukulele for the last 14 years. Having served as a volunteer music therapist in medical and hospice settings, he quickly came to understand that music is medicine and that learning to play an instrument not only sharpens the brain but helps reduce stress. It also brings joy to those who play the uke and to their audiences. Duncan has taught in a variety of Maine communities and did not let the COVID-19 epidemic stop him. He simply moved from teaching in person to an online format and now reaches students all over Maine, New Hampshire and beyond.

Let’s learn how to decode seed catalogs and seed packages! In this class we will discuss the sell by date; # days info; symbols; watering and depth information; heirloom/hybrid; and, how to sow your seeds for an enjoyable gardening experience. Each participant will receive handouts to aid in understanding how to interpret a catalog and follow packet instructions for a great gardening season! Participants are encouraged to bring in seed catalogs, packets, and questions. Open to all skill levels.

Are you having trouble growing certain plants, fruit shrubs or trees? Understanding the needs of what you wish to grow and the conditions which exist in your gardens will help you in placing the right plant in the right spot. In this class we will talk about soil, sun, water flow conditions and steps you can take for a more productive gardening season. Open to all skill levels.