Love these upward climbing flowers, known as “Morning Glories”? Well, now is your chance to paint them. Known for their vine-like structure, they climb walls, wrap around mailboxes, and even cover fence posts. They can be found in any sunny location, but when the sun goes down they close up tight for the night. This trumpet-like flower ranges in a wide variety of colors, from dark purples to soft pinks. No painting experience needed, Shirley Anderson will guide you step by step. Canvas and paints are supplied.

Dive into the flavorful world of Maine oysters with our friends from Blackstone Point Oysters! Join their expert farmers as they reveal the secrets of oyster cultivation in the renowned Damariscotta River - learn the art of shucking, savor the flavor of fresh Maine oysters in a taste test comparison between oysters from different farms on different parts of the river, and discover the stories of the Mainers responsible for bringing this coastal delicacy to your plate. Bring your questions—they've got the answers! If you've been curious about Maine oysters - or aquaculture - but don't know where to begin, this introductory class is for you! By the end of the class, you will have a new understanding and appreciation of oyster cultivation and the ways farming techniques impact quality and flavor - you'll be ready to go out into the world and act as an ambassador for one of Maine's most prized aquaculture products! Taught by Blackstone Point Oysters, Presented by Maine Tasting Center.

Learn to create your own special record of your travels through art. Drawing and painting during trips creates more vivid memories than photographs alone. Students will meet on location to learn how to create a watercolor sketchbook memory. All materials will be provided: watercolor paints, pencils, pens, erasers, watercolor pencils, and brushes. You'll receive a hardcover Watercolor Journal with professional-grade paper (30 sheets) to take home. This one-day workshop features two sessions with a lunch break in between. Morning session: 9am–12noon. Afternoon session: 2:30–5pm. Participants will have time to explore Brunswick and enjoy lunch during the break. Total workshop time: 5½ hours. We'll meet at two different locations—ideally combining a natural setting with a town center. Possible locations include the Maine Maritime Museum, Head of the Tide Park, downtown Brunswick, Candance River Preserve, or Thompson Point Beach and Campground. A materials fee of $45 must be paid to the instructor on the day of the workshop. *Rain Date: 6/15.

White pine, Maine’s state flower, and Red pine, are ubiquitous throughout the state and provide a vital pool of resources for human and nonhuman Mainers alike. Pine needles are beautiful and strong! They can be coiled and sewn together to make hats, lovely usable baskets, and/or adorably tiny ones. Learn to identify, regeneratively gather and harvest, properly store and process, and weave with pine needles. We'll cover the basics of coiled basketry, which is a global, ancient human skill, and create a wonderful pine-needle basket. Every participant will make a basket to take home.

It’s summertime, and for Ed Higgins’ students that means one thing: plein air season is here. Ed thinks nothing is more healthy for artists than to get outside and work in the wild. We will meet at a different location in and around the midcoast. In case of extreme weather, we’ll have an alternate indoor location, but for light drizzle and such, we’ll try to meet at spots with a covered shelter option. Material requirements are a plein air easel or French paint box or pochade, palette and palette knives, brushes, Liquin original gel oil painting medium, odorless thinner in a sealable plein air container, a set of oil paints (landscape colors), and plenty of rags. Wear a hat and old clothes, bring sunscreen, insect repellent, hydration, and lunch. **Special note about art materials: Please do not call our office about materials. Come to the first class with your favorite sketchbook and drawing pencils & pens. Suggested materials will be discussed by the instructor on the first day of classes. Thank you.

In this iteration of Ed Higgins’ abstract class, The atelier will explore new and exciting ways to get paint onto the canvas. Everything from working on the floor and casting paint, to inventing innovative delivery systems, building our own custom brushes, gravity tubes, and pouring vessels. You will need to wear old clothes, bring a drop cloth (or two), assemble surfaces to paint on, and collect all your half-used paints, because my guess is, you’ll use them up! We will continue to spotlight and discuss an abstract artist at the end of each class. **Special note about art materials: Please do not call our office about materials. Come to the first class with your favorite sketchbook and drawing pencils & pens. Suggested materials will be discussed by the instructor on the first day of classes. Thank you.

Ed’s popular plein air Pastel class is back. Students will work outside at various scenic locations around the midcoast. An email will go out prior to every Wednesday class with the particulars about the meet up location in and around the midcoast. You’ll need a plein air easel, a set of soft pastels, plus pastel pencils or Nupastels, sanded surfaces or papers and boards to paint on, blenders, and glassine paper. Gloves, wet wipes or a damp sponge. Wear old clothes and a hat. Bring sunscreen and insect repellent, hydration and lunch. See you in the wild! **Special note about art materials: Please do not call our office about materials. Come to the first class with your favorite sketchbook and drawing pencils & pens. Suggested materials will be discussed by the instructor on the first day of classes. Thank you.

Nearing or entering retirement? Maybe you're just thinking about it? Join us to learn how developing a customized strategy can assist you in identifying considerable risks to mitigate them while making the most out of your benefits and assets. This can help you plan for a financially secure retirement!