Art Classes and Workshops

Led by our Life Enrichment Team, “Art for Everyone” classes are for all ability and skill levels. Drop in to learn new techniques and build collaborative art with your neighbors.

Upcoming curriculum may include:

Cardmaking with Claudia Henderson:

National Scrapbooking Day is coming this May and we’ll be learning techniques for making handmade greeting cards from Claudia Henderson. She has a lifelong passion for taking photographs and preserving memories. For Claudia, the most satisfying thing is knowing she made someone smile with her unique, thoughtful cards made with love.

Photography Workshop with Angela:

Angela Swan has been a fine art and portrait photographer for over 20 years. During her 7-year career as a wedding photojournalist, she honed skills to make you and your loved ones look great! She will teach us how to find flattering light sources for taking people pictures and basic editing on smartphones.

Wooden Flower Bouquets for Mother’s Day:

These lightweight balsa wood flowers are dipped in acrylic paint to make some of the most realistic faux flowers we have ever seen.

Intentional Etegami:

In recent years, the popular Japanese art form “etegami” (e= image; tegami= letter) has captured the interest and imagination of artists all over the world. The simplest English definition of etegami may well be “Japanese postcard art.” Etegami was conceived in the 1960s, when calligrapher Kunio Koike became exasperated with the rigid traditions of his field. He envisioned an art form that could be spontaneous, honest, and personal without being self-obsessed. Koike began combining simple images with brief but thoughtfully chosen words on washi postcards. He sent these postcards, called this idea “New Year’s cards in their everyday clothes,” and created the slogan “Heta de ii, heta ga ii” which can be translated as “It’s okay to be awkward. Awkwardness has charm.” This welcoming slogan encouraged people who wanted to make art but felt they lacked the talent to do so. Come explore and expect to be delighted by your own authentic Etegami!

MONDAY CERAMICS WITH MEG

Join University of Michigan Penny Stamps School of Art and Design alum Meg Gizzi and create your own pinch pot and slabwork bowls, vases, trays and more. Beginners welcome.

OPEN POTTERY STUDIO

Self-organized time to finish residents’ own independent projects.

COMMUNITY SERVICE ART PROGRAMS

Create art with a purpose! Artistic projects, suggested by the resident Community Service committee and Life Enrichment Team, will again include silk flower creation and arrangements for Promedica Nursing Center, our neighbor. They enjoyed the bright pop of color on their dining room tables all last year! For Mother’s and Father’s Days in May and June, join us to create Mini Tissue Tapestries and Bookmarks for local Meals on Wheels recipients.