Winter Class Schedule

 

Chase away the winter blahs and sign up for a winter class at the South Haven Center for the Arts.

 

 Winter classes held at the Center, 600 Phoenix St., range from dance to yoga, to watercolor, Shibori, recycled sweaters and felting. For those looking for a unique holiday gift, giving a gift certificate for one of the following workshops/classes may be the perfect solution.

 

Classical Hatha Yoga, level 1, a six-week class, started Dec. 9, 5:30-6:30 p.m. There are still openings for these classes with Florence Mitchell who will focus on postures, breathing, relaxation, joints and glands. She will explore each of the basic components of yoga. Mitchell says that the skills she teaches will lead to healthy breathing, a strong healthy body and a solid foundation to practice yoga on one’s own. Bring yoga mat, blanket and small pillow. $12 drop-in fee (No member discount), or $50 for six weeks; members receive discount.

 

The Felted Scarf Workshop, a one-day session with Marilynn Mussmann, takes place, 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 19. Participants will learn how to felt a scarf adding yarn to create a one-of-a-kind piece of art to wear. One does not need to know how to knit, spin or crochet. “Felting is a workout,” says Mussmann, so wear something comfortable. Bring an open mind and a sack lunch. All supplies are included along with a directional hand so one can recreate an art scarf at home. Additional supplies will be available for purchase. Fee, $70; members receive discount.

 

Mussmann will also feature a two-day workshop entitled “Rebourne Reconstructed Recycle Redesigned Recycle Sweater Workshop” 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 12 and 14. Mussmann asks, “Want to do surgery on a sweater you no longer wear? Want a new funky cool sweater to wear during the cold Michigan winter? Want to do something good for the earth and keep a sweater out of a landfill? Want a sweater no one else will have?” If you say yes to any of these questions this is a class for you. No experience is necessary; sewing machine is optional but one will be available for use. Bring a good pair of scissors, yarn, scrap material, heavy thread, big safety pin, vintage buttons, scrap fabric, T-shirts, crochet hook (if you know how to crotchet) and a sweater or two which you no longer wear. If you have a wool sweater which you’ve washed and shrunk, bring it with you. Fee $45; member discount available.

 

Jackie Skarritt, from Bangor, will present a one-day watercolor workshop, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 20. Skarritt will concentrate on color theory and composition with participants creating many small paintings. Glazing, resists and multiple brush techniques will be explored. Skarritt says be prepared to have fun and learn new approaches which will enhance your watercolor skills. Fee, $50; member discount available.

 

A one-day Shibori Workshop will be presented by Skarritt from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jan. 30. Participants will explore the ancient art of shape-resist dyeing and will learn five to six different folding and stitching techniques unique to the Japanese Shibori tradition. Dyeing the shape-resist pieces of fabric in indigo produces unique patterned fabrics, says Skarritt. “If people can thread a needle, they will create amazing artworks.” The workshop is open to all ages; wear old clothes because indigo is permanent. Fee, $50; members receive discount.

 

One can explore inspiring dance moves in the African Diaspora Dance Class with instructor Kama Tai. The six-week class, 6:30 to 8 p.m., begins Jan. 18. Tai notes that learning the movements, modalities, rhythms and history of other lands and countries leads to inspiration and mind-opening exercises. “When inspired, humans by nature make healthier personal choices,” observes Tai, who has participated in numerous workshops and classes with Master dancers from Guinea, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana of West Africa, Brazil, Columbia and Haiti. For three years Tai has danced with and created choreography for Dunuya Drum and Dance, a drum and dance ensemble local to southwest Michigan. $12 drop-in fee, no member discount; $50 for six sessions; members receive discount.

 

For those desiring to explore felting, the one-day workshop, 3D Felting, 1 to 4 p.m., Feb. 27 will be full of whimsical discovery. Instructor Aron Lowe will begin teaching participants to create a felted 3D heart, then she will teach embellishment techniques such as lines, dots, words. From there participants will explore a more complex figural form and attach pieces, which have been felted separately, such as a nose or ears, to a face. Fee, $50; supplies included. Member discount available.

 

For more information about classes/workshops, or to enroll, call the South Haven Center for the Arts, 269-637-1041, Monday, noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Log onto www.southhavenarts.org to learn about all the activities at the Art Center.