Education

Tuesday AM Open Pottery at 10am.

Tuesday AM Open Pottery Studio is a perfect time to rethink the pottery skills that you have and share time with others who enjoy clay. Come in to refresh and expand skills (new and old). To participate in Tuesday AM Open Pottery Studio you must be a member of the Paradise and have previously taken a pottery class or currently be enrolled in a pottery class. Facilitated by Dianne Lockerby.

Acting Fun for Little Ones: 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18 10:00am-11:30am. For Ages 4-7, tuition $75. Students will need to bring a nut-free bag lunch to class May 18. Performance for family and friends on May 18 at 12:00pm. This class is designed to introduce kids ages 4-7 to the world of theater. We’ll play a variety of acting games to explore imagination and character. Most importantly we’ll have lots of fun! Class can be repeated. Scholarships are available. Instructor: Laura Velishek.

*This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.*

Raku Pottery Firing -- May 4, 8:30am until finished. Member $45/ Non-Member $50, 5# bag of Raku clay for $10, or 25# bag of Raku clay for $54.00. Students can make their pieces on their own at the PCA pottery studio. Pieces will need to be dry and put on the PCA shelves to be bisque fired by April 10. Pieces will need to be glazed prior to the Raku firing May 4. Raku glazes will be available in the pottery studio starting April 10. The Raku firing will take place at Dianne Lockerby's May 4, 8:30am until finished. The clay pots & sculpture will be loaded in the raku kiln, kiln temps are rapidly increased to 1800-1900 Degrees F. Once the glazes melt & smooth out, the pieces are individually removed from the kiln. Pieces are placed in a metal can filled with combustible materials and the hot pot causes the combustibles to flame. A tight-fitting lid placed on the can smothers those flames and the resulting smoke can cause colors to appear on the pots. Students will leave with their finished glazed pieces. All ages are welcome. Tuition includes one open pottery studio date, the Raku glazing and firing. Children 14 & under will need adult supervision on May 4. Participants must wear cotton clothing (no polyester or spandex), wear leather shoes/boots (no sandals) and bring a long-sleeved cotton shirt.  Fire precautions will be taken, waiver will need to be signed by each participant. Must be registered April 10.

Improv 101: Intro to Improv with Buddy Ricker. (Ages 16+) Saturdays, 12:30 to 2:00 PM, May 11th - June 22nd. Member $70/Non-Member $80. This course will focus on the fundamentals of improv acting with an emphasis on improv comedy.  Through “hands on” exercises and laughter, we will bring out the creative improv-er in you.  The final session will be a chance for you to show off your new skills as you dazzle your family and friends with a course ending show that showcases the improv artist in you.  This is not just a course in comedy; this is a course in life’s social skills.  You will gain confidence (and have fun) as you learn to think quickly, listen, participate in team building, take risks and create and carry out ideas swiftly. Class will end with a performance for friends and family to enjoy! Instructor: Buddy Ricker.

Painting with Kate (Ages 12-17) - Free!

4-5pm Wednesdays June 5th- August 14th (no class July 3rd)

Be inspired by famous works of art this summer as we paint our own masterpieces using a variety of painting techniques. You’ll mix your own colors and get the opportunity to paint a wide variety of subjects. Dress for a mess as the paint is not washable.

*Kate Langlais is a fiscal year 2023 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Painting Class for Families (all ages) - Free!

6-7pm Wednesdays June 5th- August 14th (no class July 3rd)

Join our family painting class for an artistic adventure suitable for all ages. Explore creativity in a supportive environment, fostering collaboration and shared artistic experiences. Dress for a mess as the paint can stain clothing.

*Kate Langlais is a fiscal year 2023 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

June 15th 10:00am – 4:00pm, 30 minutes for lunch. For beginners. Ages 16 and up. Member $55/ Non-Member $66. Supply fee $25. Create a throw size quilt in one day! Students will learn how to piece a quilt top, assemble the three layers of the quilt (top, batting, and back), and tie the quilt. Students will be given precut squares, batting, and quilt back. Students will learn how to sew the quilt squares together using a sewing machine and how to iron the quilt top. All three layers will be sewn together and tied. Students will leave class with a finished throw size quilt, approximately 42”x56”. This is a perfect size for a baby quilt, or a throw for the couch. Kits will be provided and include everything you need to create your quilt. Instructor: Julie Fakler. Bring lunch to class. Students will be using a sewing machine and iron. No rotary blades, fabric will be precut. Fabric donated by Pat Jarrett. Must be registered by June 7.

Wheelwork: (Ages 10 - 100.) Monday- Thursday, June 17-20, 9 AM-10:30 AM. Glazing Day June 26.  Member $80/ Non-Member $92. This class is for the beginner or someone who has been away from clay for a bit. We will start with the basics of centering, opening and go on from there. Each day Dianne does demos and will guide you through the steps of throwing to achieve pieces on the wheel. Small at first, but as skills progress the pots will get bigger and the walls thinner. Persistence pays off here, but it does take time. This class is a taste of wheelwork.  Larger pots require more time than 4 days to learn the skills, but this class allows you to say, "I've thrown a pot!" and gives you an idea as to whether you would like to continue. Come join us, getting dirty and having fun. Bring a towel and wear clothes that can get dirty. Instructor: Dianne Lockerby

Handbuilding 1 class: (For all ages -- although kids 4-7 will require an adult helper). Monday- Thursday, June 17-20, 10:45am - 12:15pm, Dianne will glaze your pieces for you.  Member $72/ Non-Member $84. In this class students will turn their ideas into creations with Dianne's help - from creatures/superheroes/ fairies to games, cups and bowls. Let your imagination be your guide. We will also add color and use food safe glazes so creations can even be used with food. Clay and guidance will be provided. Come dressed to get dirty and have fun. Instructor: Dianne Lockerby  

Handbuilding 2 class: (For all ages -- although kids 4-7 will require an adult helper). Monday- Thursday, June 17-20, 1:00pm – 2:30pm, Dianne will glaze your pieces for you.  Member $72/ Non-Member $84. In this class students will turn their ideas into creations with Dianne's help - from creatures/superheroes/ fairies to games, cups and bowls. Let your imagination be your guide. We will also add color and use food safe glazes so creations can even be used with food. Clay and guidance will be provided. Come dressed to get dirty and have fun. Instructor: Dianne Lockerby 

Mixed Media "In Stitches" with Suz Klumb (Afternoon Session): Tuesday & Thursday, June 25 & 27, 2024. The Afternoon Session will meet from 3:30PM-5:30PM both days! This class will use 8x8" stretch canvas frames, and students will paint, glue, stitch, and embellish. (No sewing machine!) We will use embroidery floss and needles for the stitching portion. Each student will decide how much of each medium they'd like to use. The piece will look a bit like a collage so don't worry about having to know how to draw or paint in a composition format. Yes, it is messy, so wear clothing that you can be messy in! The inspiration comes from Lori Siebert. We will not be copying Lori's work, but we will view Lori's work as a sample of the type of mixed media that uses paint, glue, stitches, textiles, and paper! Tuition: Member: $40, Non-Member: $48. (Supply Fee - $12)

Mixed Media "In Stitches" with Suz Klumb (Evening Session): Tuesday & Thursday, June 25 & 27, 2024. The Evening Session will meet from 6:00PM-8:00PM both days! This class will use 8x8" stretch canvas frames, and students will paint, glue, stitch, and embellish. (No sewing machine!) We will use embroidery floss and needles for the stitching portion. Each student will decide how much of each medium they'd like to use. The piece will look a bit like a collage so do not worry about having to know how to draw or paint in a composition format. Yes, it is messy, so wear clothing that you can be messy in! The inspiration comes from Lori Siebert. We will not be copying Lori's work, but we will view Lori's work as a sample of the type of mixed media that uses paint, glue, stitches, textiles, and paper! Tuition: Member: $40, Non-Member: $48. (Supply Fee - $12) 

Improv 201: Improv Scene Building and Comedy with Buddy Ricker: (Ages 16+) Saturdays, 12:30 to 2:00 PM, July 6th - August 17th. (Prerequisite: Improv 101 or similar improv experience.) Now that you have the improv basics, this session will focus on scene building, character development and stage presence. With an emphasis on building a scene, you will get a glimpse of what an improv scene is made up of and how to add to it in real time. Plus, you will learn a whole new arsenal of games and warm-ups. And this all culminates in an improv showcase for you to show off your new skills to your family and friends on stage at the Paradise! Tuition: Member: $70, Non-Member: $80. 

Acting Fun for Little Ones: 7/15, 7/16, 7/17, 7/18, 7/19 10:00am-11:30am. For Ages 4-7, tuition $75. Students will need to bring a nut-free bag lunch to class July 19. Performance for family and friends on July 19 at 12:00pm. This class is designed to introduce kids ages 4-7 to the world of theater. We’ll play a variety of acting games to explore imagination and character. Most importantly we’ll have lots of fun! Class can be repeated. Scholarships are available. Instructor: Laura Velishek.

*This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.*

Intro to Stained Glass - Copper Foil Method with Sandra Sargent: Wednesday August 7th & Wednesday August 14th, 6pm-9 pm. Member $60/Non-Member $72, supply fee $45. Stained glass has depicted stories, landscapes, scenery, and abstract designs for centuries. Many of our most historical buildings include windows that make vibrant colored sunlight dance across the walls. You can now make your own 5x8 inch panel and experience the art of making sunlight dance. You will learn to cut and break sheets of glass into the shape that fits your piece. Once each piece is cut you will add the copper foil and complete the piece by soldering it all together. You will go home with a zinc framed piece ready to hang in your window. Taught by Sandra Sargent of Bending Sunlight Glassworks.