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Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education



Arts & Crafts

Smartphone Photography: Advanced

$79

with Steve McGrath

Calendar Next available session starts Oct 20, 2026 at 7:30 pm, runs for 4 weeks

This class is dedicated to helping you understand smartphone photography by teaching you how to take and create great images on your phone, what editing apps to use, and how to share and print your images. Join Steve as we go over how to use essential controls on your phone along with the best free and low-cost tools for editing and image management. *This is an advanced class.

Watercolor Studio: Let It Bloom (Level 2)

$55

with Catherine Scanlon

Calendar Next available session starts Oct 21, 2026 at 5 pm, runs for 2 weeks

Continue your watercolor journey with a soft, confidence-building approach that expands on foundational skills. This Level 2 class invites you to loosen control and explore expressive techniques like intentional blooms, layered washes, and intuitive composition. Through guided exercises and small projects, you’ll refine your brushwork, deepen your understanding of color, and begin creating more dynamic, cohesive paintings. Ideal for those who have completed a beginner course and are ready to grow with watercolor. $20 materials fee; all supplies provided.

Drawing with Colored Pencils for Absolute Beginners

$75

with Elizabeth Sokoloff

Calendar Next available session starts Oct 24, 2026 at 10 am, runs for 1 week

Create a full-color drawing in this workshop! Learn about color theory, value, and how to use the magic layering capabilities of colored pencils to produce a vibrant and realistic drawing, ready to frame. We will follow a simple, step-by-step process designed just for beginners, so absolutely no drawing experience is necessary!

Words Have Power

$65

with Cathi Belcher

Calendar Next available session starts Oct 26, 2026 at 6 pm, runs for 1 week
1 additional session on Mar 1, 2027

Words have power … the power to hurt, help or heal, depending on how we use them. What are some words that have power for you? In this 3-hour workshop, we will explore the process of creating a word collage using paper and glue of your power-word to create a unique piece of word art that will AMAZE you! It can be framed, made into cards, sewn as a patch on clothing, etc. What you need to bring: A word that has meaning for you. No prior experience is necessary. Tea and Snacks provided. *A materials fee of $20 covers the paper, glue, fabric and all other supplies and tools. 1 night class.

Chinese Art Club

$65

with Shufang Liao

Calendar Next available session starts Oct 27, 2026 at 3:30 pm, runs for 3 weeks

Explore the beauty of traditional and modern Chinese art through this 3-week hands-on series. Each week focuses on a different artistic form—Chinese calligraphy, ink painting, and watercolor—allowing participants to experience the aesthetics, philosophy, and techniques behind each style. This course encourages creativity while introducing cultural values such as balance, harmony, and expression. All materials included. *A $20 materials fee is due to the instructor on the first day of class.

Drawing Fundamentals 1

$130

with Michael Branca

Calendar Next available session starts Oct 29, 2026 at 5:30 pm, runs for 6 weeks

Whether you are a complete beginner or looking to brush up on previous skills, this is the drawing class for you. Working in a variety of media, we will cover all of the basics: line, shape, value, proportion, composition, perspective and markmaking. Particular focus is placed on observational skills, learning how to translate the 3-dimensional world onto a 2-dimensional surface. A materials list will be provided after registration. *This session is 6 weeks. **No Class: 11/26.

Pet Portraits Level 2

$155

with Shirley Anderson

Calendar Next available session starts Oct 30, 2026 at 5 pm, runs for 4 weeks

Are you ready to take your pet portrait skills to the next level? This class begins with a pre-sketched pencil drawing, which you will then enhance with appropriate shading techniques. Next, you will create your own custom color palette to ensure a precise match for your pet's unique characteristics. Throughout the class we will focus on capturing the subtleties of real fur texture and expressive eyes, with the goal of producing a remarkably detailed and realistic portrait of your pet. Five clear photos of your pet must be emailed in before class to Shirl.art5050@gmail.com. Canvas and paints are supplied.

Radical Self Care for Makers

$80

with Cathi Belcher

Calendar Next available session starts Nov 2, 2026 at 6 pm, runs for 2 weeks
1 additional session on Feb 1, 2027

All too often we have been conditioned to put others and their needs ahead of our own — from work, to community responsibilities, as well as friends and family. In this fun, informative hands-on workshop, you will be pampered and experience a veritable toolbox of artistic, practical and relaxing practices for a healthy, balanced and creative life. You’ll be introduced to a variety of books, ideas and tools such as The Artist’s Way, relaxation techniques from Movement for Makers, and things like nurturing teas, essential oils, yummy nourishing snacks, musical playlists and much more. Try your hand at a Japanese stitching technique called Sashiko and make a small Healing Meditation cloth to hang on your wall to remind you to B-R-E-A-T-H-E. You’ll learn the meditative form of drawing called Zentangle, and you’ll be able to make a tiny peace flag for your garden. This is NOT a lecture; you’ll be participating in a patchwork sampler of hands-on self-care practices to stop destructive patterns in their tracks before our bodies get the chance to rebel! Tea and Snacks provided.





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