March Classes at The Art Center

The Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association announces the following classes for the month of March.

Kudzu Bread Basket w/instructor Melissa Winstead- Mitchely, Wednesday or Saturday, March 5 from 10:00 - 12:00. Create a 9" long breadbasket out of kudzu vine.

Beaded Calla Lily Pendant w/instructor Claire Groff, Saturday, March 8, 1:00 - 4:30. Stop by The Art Center to see an example of this beautiful pendant and more work by Ms. Groff. Students must register by February 29 for this class.

Digital Photography - Basics and Then Some w/instructor Joyce Dumas, Thursdays March 6 - April 10, 3:00 - 5:00. A basic photography class for users of digital cameras with manual capabilities, including SLR's. topics covered will be camera functions, techniques, manual shooting, lighting, composition and exposure, digital imaging and field shoots.

Digital SLR Photography w/instructor Joyce Dumas, Saturday & Sunday, March 8 & 9, 9:00 - 4:00. Basically the same class as the six week course above, but covered in a weekend workshop.

Gourdeous Giraffes w/instructor Fonda Haddad, Thursday, March 13. 10:00 - 3:00. These adorable creatures are made out of long-neck gourds. The body is painted in a giraffe pattern and the face is air-dried clay and false eyelashes.

Adult Fitness w/instructor Lillian Stevens, Tuesdays and Thursdays March 13 - May 1, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.. Stretching, light aerobics, resistance bands and hand weights will give a great low-impact workout.

Watercolor Tips & Tricks w/instructor Ken Umbach, Saturday. March 15, 9:00 - 4:00. This class will explore various watercolor techniques such as using different papers or supports to paint on. Using gels, collages, masques, alcohol, salts, foams, glues, etc. students will create a variety of effects. This is not a realistic watercolor painting class, but a more free-flowing, loose approach.

Digital Nature Photography w/instructor Joyce Dumas, Saturday, March 15, 10:00 - 4:00. A one-day seminar for amateur photographers who love to capture nature's images. Topics included are: Attracting butterflies, birds and other creatures to your yard, camouflaging bird feeders, composition in the garden, landscape techniques, specialized equipment and resources.

Photoshop Elements w/instructor Joyce Dumas, Tuesdays, March 18 - April 22, 3:00 - 5:00. Learn the most popular program for enhancing and altering photographs. If you have a laptop with any recent version of Photoshop Elements, bring it, but it is not necessary.

Kudzu Melon Basket W/instructor Regina Hines, Saturday, March 22, 9:00 - 4:00. Weave an 8" x 10" melon basket using frame and vines supplied by the instructor. Learn God's eye lashing, feathering and wrapping. Students will also complete a second project which will be a twinned basket. Learn to identify other native vines useful in basketry along with safe gathering techniques and variations on different types of baskets.

Pen & Ink w/instructor Alan R. Young, Saturday, March 22, 10:00 - 5:00. Explore rapidograph and ballpoint methods, learn techniques, experiment with different textures and contrasts as they relate to nature. Beginning and intermediate students.

Woodburning on Gourds w/instructor Claire Groff, Saturday, March 29, 10:00 - 4:00. Learn how to transfer a flat design onto the curved surface of a gourd, subtle shading and shadowing techniques and, if time permits, add color to your design using watercolor pens.

For more information, please contact the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association, PO Box 1016, 420 West Main Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513, or call 706-632-2144.