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Important Notice (3/14/20): DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS: THE BENSON CENTER WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
If there are updates, we will post them here.
12/18/2020 sorry, still closed.
Below is a listing of the Art and Craft Classes that are being given in the 2nd Quarter 2020 (April to June).
3/12/2020 note: Listing below is subject to correction and/or change.
Important Notice (3/14/20):
Due to the CORONAVIRUS, the Benson Center 2nd Quarter Classes and Registration are postponed until further notice.
This is a class for those familiar with the media and wish to gain more skill in painting either representationally or abstractly.
There is a strong focus on art history and the variety of styles and approaches to creating a painting through both traditional and more contemporary methods.
Learn to paint using watercolors as a medium.
Benson participants will learn the basic notes on the keyboard as well as learn to play easy songs.
Benson participants will learn the basic notes on the keyboard as well as learn to play easy songs.
Note: The 4th Thursday class will be in the "Adult Day Dining Hall."
For those who have “never played.”
Mahjongg is an ancient Chinese tile game using 144 tiles.
Participants in this class will review the Spanish alphabet and practice pronunciation of words.
Participants will also learn key words and common Spanish phrases as well as numbers, colors, the days of the week, months of and seasons.
Temperature, climate terms, and names and titles of family members will also be taught.
In addition you will learn direction, location and some geography.
Learn to paint using watercolors as a medium.
We will focus on the fundamentals of drawing in a variety of media.
We will explore line and tone as well as experiment with different approaches to drawing people, places and things.
Students will need a sketch book, pen and cell phone or camera for this class.
There is a $25 model fee for this class.
We will cover the fundamentals of oil painting such as color, composition and values as well as the use of tools such as Palette Knives, Brushes and Mediums to create glazes and translucent passages of color.
This is a studio class designed for those who are not able to participate in the Painting from Life classes.
Bring a sketch book and pen to each class as well as 3 canvases not to exceed 12 x 16 inches.
All other materials will be provided.
A techniques class, students will paint silk "worksheets" with acid dyes learning about ten methods.
All levels are welcome.
We will learn to work with resist lines, trace designs, create texture with salt, and more.
Instructor will steam set your work for permanency.
Students will need to purchase their own silks after the first class.
A techniques class, students will paint silk "worksheets" with acid dyes learning about ten methods.
All levels are welcome.
We will learn to work with resist lines, trace designs, create texture with salt, and more.
Instructor will steam set your work for permanency.
Students will need to purchase their own silks after the first class.
Learn techniques to create your own unique greeting cards using rubber stamps, stencils.
Students need to bring some of their own supplies (these supplies will be discussed in the first class).
A basic hand building clay class with assigned projects for all levels.
Focus will be on forming objects, incorporating surface design techniques and creating functional pieces.
Students will learn to use underglazes and glazes.
We will have a one hour lunch break.
This is not an open studio, students will need to purchase before coming to class a bag of clay "BMix Cone04 6" from Davens Ceramics Supply.
Note: If the first day of a five week session is missed participant “will be removed from the class roster.”
A basic hand building clay class with assigned projects for all levels.
Focus will be on forming objects, incorporating surface design techniques and creating functional pieces.
Students will learn to use underglazes and glazes.
We will have a one hour lunch break.
This is not an open studio, students will need to purchase before coming to class a bag of clay "BMix Cone04 6" from Davens Ceramics Supply.
Note: If the first day of a five week session is missed participant “will be removed from the class roster.”
This class is for those participants who have very little to no experience in working with clay.
We will explore a variety of techniques to create and finish your art piece.
Bring a sketchbook, and pen to each class.
A forum for experienced writers to share various forms of writing with peers to give and receive feedback.
This class will include writing tips and an offsite workshop visiting writing professionals.
Elementary class for cameras only, not for phones or tablets.
Concentrating on basics, composition, and getting you happier with your images.
We will be folding, clamping, tying cotton, rayon or linen fabrics and applying fiber reactive dyes.
Some fabric and one t-shirt will be provided but participants will need to purchase their own fabric or shirts.
If the first day of a five week session is missed, participant will be removed from class roster.
This is a basic sewing class learning how to use the sewing machine focusing on straight stitching to gain confidence.
Projects will include a simple tote bag and other useful items.
Non-beginners are also welcome to improve their skills.
Students will need to bring their own fabric scissors, straight pins, marking tools, seam ripper and preferably their own sewing machines.
Class machines are available for use, but it is better to use your own.
Some supplies will be provided and supply lists for basic tools needed are given out on the first day.
This is an all-day class and we will break for a one hour lunch.
Please note: A computer is necessary for this class - iPads or phones will not suffice.
This program will provide you instructions to access records that will put you onto a road of discovery as to who you really are.
This class will help you to organize family records and pictures.
Discover and document your family history and leave a record for your children.
Recording can also be done by hand rather than computer.
Mahjong is a game of Chinese origin usually played by four persons with 152 Dominos like pieces or tiles marked in suits, counters, and dice, the object being to build a winning combination of pieces.
"Prerequisite" you must have taken at least one session of Beginner Spanish.
Participants in this class will review the Spanish alphabet and practice pronunciation of words.
Participants will also learn key words and common Spanish phrases as well as numbers, colors, the days of the week, months of the year, and seasons.
Temperature, climate terms, and names and titles of family members will also be taught.
In addition you will learn direction, location and some geography.
We will review the fundamentals of drawing in a variety of media, exploring line, tone and texture as well as experiment with different advanced approaches to drawing people, places and things.
Students will need a sketch book, pen and cell phone or camera for this class.
Thre is a $25 model fee for this class.
Prerequisite - Beginner Wheel Pottery, or prior experience, the student should be able to center clay on the wheel with minimum difficulty and have working knowledge of throwing clay on the wheel.
Note: If you have pain in hands, elbow, shoulder or a weakness in arms or back this may not be an ideal class for you.
Learn to knit or join this fun group to knit for charity.
All levels are welcome.
Painting from Life: This class for those familiar with the basics of painting in oils who wish to learn traditional and contemporary approaches to painting from a live subject.
The class will often meet off site to paint both the landscape as well as live models.
Please consider your ability to walk over uneven surfaces as well as transporting equipment to the site you are painting at before registering for this class.
There is a $25 model fee for this class.
"Experienced Needlpointers only."
Come and learn to advance your skills with a variety of unique stitching techniques in a fun setting.
This is a one on one session where Benson participants will learn the basic notes of the keyboard as well as learn to play easy songs.
This is a one-on-one session for advanced students.
This is a one- on-one session for advanced students.
Using polymer Sculpted clay, participants will make small figures or fantasy creatures using awire armature.
These will then be painted.
This class is for beginner students only.
Note: if you have pain in hands, elbow, shoulder or a weakness in arms or back this may not be an ideal class for you.
This is a 10 week class in which we will cover some basic wood working techniques as well as joining and finishing of the projects.
Projects such as boxes, step stools, tool boxes are suggested but be creative and come with some of your own ideas.
Projects will be limited in size to 12” X 12” X 12”.
Materials for the class will be discussed but most basic materials will be provided.
Metal work will be limited to hand hammered items in copper or tin such as hinges, pulls and corners.
Please be sure to bring a sketch book and pen to each and every class.
Also see our Disclaimer.