Painting Oils Using Cold Wax as a Medium with Rebecca Tolle. You will love this technique, for it works well with a process-driven approach to painting. Cold wax (a non-heated and cold creamy-looking substance) is made of beeswax. It is mixed into oil paint. It has a great translucent effect that allows light to pass through previous layers. The exploration of mark-making with diverse tools other than a brush, such as chopsticks, spreaders, window squeegees, and many other tools, can give your painting a sense of history. It is exciting to see the beautiful, quick textures achieved with the addition of cold wax added to oils. Loads of fun, coupled with a sense of discovery and awe will surely influence your painting. Tuesdays & Thursdays, June 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25 & 27 from 10AM - 11:30 AM. Tuition: Member: $120, Non-Member: $144. (Scholarships available!)

Handbuilt Dinnerware Series with Tami Resler. Using stamps, forms, molds and other hand-building tools, participants will create cups, plates, bowls and even a teapot if they feel they are able! They will learn the basics of making and using templates, stamps, and forms, as well as how to ensure their pieces are structurally sound and suitable for use. Join us and create something you will be able to use on a daily basis! Class meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, June 10-12 from 9:30AM–11AM, an hour lunch break, then 12PM - 1:30PM (for making the pieces.) Then Monday, June 17 from 10 AM - 1 PM (for glazing the pieces.) Tuition: Member: $120, Non-Member: $144. (Scholarships available!) 

Creating Sashiko Squares with Suzanne Klumb. Wednesdays, June 19, 26, July 17, 24, 31, August 7, 14 & 21. Class meets from 10AM–12PM at the PCA. Embark on a captivating journey into the world of Sashiko embroidery, a cherished Japanese needlework tradition, tailored specifically for students aged 55+. Over the course of eight enriching sessions, participants will delve into the artistry and tranquility of Sashiko, guided with expert instruction! Under the guidance of Suzanne Klumb, students will learn essential Sashiko stitching techniques, from basic running stitches to more intricate patters, gradually building confidence and skill with every stitch! Discover the joy of Sashiko embroidery and leave each session with a newfound sense of accomplishment and pride in your stunning handcrafted creations! Tuition: Member: $120, Non-Member: $144. (Scholarships available!) 

River Bend Bounty with Judy Saye-Willis

With the sun, prairie, and woodlands of River Bend Nature Center, you can bring new life to your creative work.

If you are a knitter, quilter, painter, artist, and/or naturalist, join us to identify colors you can extract from plants, trees & minerals using it to dye natural fibers during the August Course at River Bend Nature Center(RBNC). Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning August 1 from 9AM-11AM with a concluding event August 29th. Time tbd for the final event. (For Ages 55+) Tuition: Member: $120, Non-Member: 144. (Scholarships available.) If you are a member at RBNC, contact the Paradise to receive the membership tuition price! 

Students are responsible for bringing:

-Walking shoes

-Wearing work clothes

-Small bucket with handles ( Gallon ice cream bucket)

-Notebook and pencils

Portrait of Your Pet Trifecta with Artist Julie Fakler. (Trifecta - White Clay, Raku Clay & Acrylic Paint.) Learn three different ways to create a portrait of your pet with artist Julie Fakler! Julie will teach you step-by-step how to create a portrait of your pet in white clay, raku clay, and acrylic paint. In this class, you will learn about composition, color, shape/form, carving clay, underglazing, and underpainting, while creating multiple images of your pet in different mediums. Students will have time to socialize and share their art-making experience with their classmates. At the end of the class session, students' artwork will be displayed in the K&M gallery at the Paradise Center for the Arts from October 7 – November 16, with an artist’s opening reception October 11, 5pm-7pm for family, friends, and the public. Tuition: Members: $120, Non-Members: $144. (Scholarships Available!)

- Portrait of Your Pet in Clay with Julie - August 13 & 20 from 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM.

- Portrait of Your Pet in Raku Clay with Julie - August 27 & September 3 from 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM. Firing - September 7 at 8:30 AM!

- Paint a Portrait of Your Pet 2.0 with Julie - September 10 & 17 from 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM!

For a Detailed Description of each session, Click Here! 

Acting For Anyone Over The Age of 55 with Julianna Skluzacek. 

Have you always wanted to act but didn't have the time? Maybe you were intimidated by the thought of it. Well, this is the class for you! You won't be required to learn lines. We'll use warm-up exercises to get comfortable, then explore the art of acting with radio play scripts. Whether you're experienced or just starting out, it will be great fun! Mondays & Wednesdays, September 16–October 2 -- 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM. Tuition: Member: $120, Non-Member: $144. (Scholarships available!) 

Accordion Tag Album from Lunchbags with Rhonda Norgaard. 

Participants will create an accordion album filled with tags to place pictures or journals. The album will be made from brown paper bags and expired calendars. They will learn about paper tools, basic design placement, and upcycling paper scraps! Lots of fun goes into making these albums! Tuesdays & Thursdays, October 1 - 22 -- 5:30 - 8:00 PM. Tuition: Member: $120, Non-Member: $144. (Scholarships available!) 

Needle Felted Jellyfish Portrait with Char Johnson. This class will meet Tuesdays & Thursdays, October 22, 24, 29, 31, November 5 & 7 from 2:00PM - 4:00PM. In this fun series of six graduated classes, students will learn the art of needle felting loose animal fibers into 2D portraits of a vibrant jellyfish! Utilizing a single barbed needle, students will gain skills in creatively moving colored fibers, layering, shading, and blending. Students are encouraged to add their own personal artistic expression to their project. Students will leave class with a framed jellyfish portrait. Once complete, the student's artwork will be displayed in the K&M Gallery at the Paradise Center for the Arts with an opening reception for all students and their families, friends, and the community! Tuition: Member: $120, Non-Member: $144. (Scholarships available!)

Beginning Stained Glass for 55+ with Sandra Sargent. 

Class meets Saturdays, January 25, February 1 & 8 from 10 AM - 2 PM. (There will be a 30-minute break for lunch!) Participants will learn to make a beautiful window display using the copper foil technique originally developed by John La Farge and Louis Comfort Tiffany. Students will learn to score and cut their glass, they will learn about grinding, foiling, and soldering techniques as well. Students will have multiple designs available to choose from. No experience is necessary & Tools and glass are included! Tuition: Member: $120, Non-Member: $144. (Scholarships Available!)