Open studio is offered for those who are interested in using our space and materials to make clay work independently from a class. Our open studio is available for use only by those who have taken at least one ceramics class at our studio or for those with prior experience that has been approved by the studio manager. Open studio members can choose to handbuild, throw on the wheel, or both! Materials will include 25 pounds of clay, the use of wheels and tools, a storage shelf, and the glazing and firing of work made in that month. All clay must be purchased through Gorham Arts Alliance and all firings will be done by the studio manager. Members are welcome to purchase their own cone 5/6 glazes to use in firings if they want something other than what is provided. All classes are held at the Art and Nature Center at Tannery Brook.

PM Session V, 4 classes, Thursdays, 5/2 - 5/30 (no class 5/23), 5:00PM - 8:00PM, $99

Do you use essential oils but want to know more about them? Or maybe you have no experience but are curious? In this one night workshop, we will discuss what essential oils are, how they are made and how they can be used to enhance your life. We will touch upon some of the more commonly used essential oils and will also cover safety precautions. You will learn about the different qualities of essential oils that are on the market and how to make an educated decision when faced with many different brand choices. Participants will have the option to make 2 essential oil roller bottles to take home with them (material fee of $5). Elissa Nauman, MS, is the founder of Restoring Through Nature, LLC. She guides clients to achieve their physical, emotional, and spiritual health goals through the support of essential oils and energy work (Reiki and IET). She has a Master of Science in Counseling and is certified in essential oils coaching, Usui Reiki Level 2, Integrated Energy Therapy, Reiki Crystal Healing and is a Certified Chakra Therapist.

Tuesday, 5/7, 6:30pm-8:00pm, GMS, $29

Are you a do-it-yourselfer who wants to give your yard a simple makeover or design a new garden? Do you need to add curb appeal to the house you are getting ready to put on the market? Or do you simply want to enjoy enhanced beauty in your backyard? Whatever your final goal is, knowing some basic landscape design techniques will make it easier for you. Learn how to assess your needs, evaluate your site, come up with a plan, and select the right plants. Amy is passionate about nature, plants and all things connected to Mother Earth. Officially she’s a Naturalist, Garden Coach, Horticulturist, Educator, and the enthusiastic, Nature Spirit guided, Director of Earth Walkers (www.earthwalkers.me).

3 classes, Tuesdays, 5/7-5/21, 6:30pm-8:30pm, GMS, $69

Woks are one of the oldest and most versatile cooking pans in the kitchen. Join cooking instructor and author Chris Toy and learn 4 ways (roasting, steaming, boiling, and stir-frying) to use woks to make great tasting recipes. Those in the know come hungry and bring leftover containers just in case! Chris will have copies of his popular cookbooks for sale and signing. Chris Toy is a retired Maine educator, cooking instructor, author and Registered Maine Guide. He enjoys beach combing, where he finds his craft supplies. He creates rustic upcycled crafts by combing the coastline for driftwood, beach stone, and recycled wire from political signs. His work can be viewed on Facebook at Acadian Driftwood Arts.

Wednesday, 5/8, 5:00pm-7:00pm, GMS, $45

Please note our policy: Cooking classes require a 5-day cancellation notice as they require the advance purchase of perishable products. No shows and late cancellations will not be refunded.

In just a few hours you can learn enough secrets of the trade to give yourself years of musical enjoyment. How do we do it? While regular piano teachers teach note reading, piano professionals use chords. You can learn all the chords you will need to play any song in one session. Any song! Any style! Any key! Topics include: how chords work in a song, how to get more out of sheet music by reading less of it, how to form the three main types of chords, how to handle different keys and time signatures, how to avoid “counting” and how to simplify over 12,000 complex chords. Beginners can print out a free pamphlet on reading music by going online to http://www.pianofun.com/downloads/notes.html.  Don Pride is a professional musician, teacher and composer who plays throughout the United States. He is a member of the Portland Jazz Orchestra and leads The Don Pride Band. Don teaches at the University of Southern Maine, St. Joseph’s College, the Portland Conservatory of Music and in his private studio.

Wednesday, 5/8, 6:00pm-8:30pm, GMS, $59 (includes $29 book fee)

Let Your Yoga Dance is a joy-based movement practice combining yoga and dance with music from around the world. Offered in a safe, kind, welcoming environment, it is a practice for all fitness levels and ages! No dance or yoga experience necessary. Join instructor, Ren Hawkes, to build your heart health, brain health, and soul health to expand the joy and fun in your life. Ren Hawkes has been studying yoga and movement for over 20 years. A 200 hr. yoga teacher, Ren is certified as a Let Your Yoga Dance instructor, children’s yoga teacher and a Yin yoga instructor. She brings her love of nature and the world around her to everything that she teaches.

Spring Fling, Let Your Yoga Dance, Friday, 5/10, 10:00am-11:00am, Village Yoga at Tannery Brook (10 Wentworth Dr., use back entrance), $22

Students will learn about the tools and techniques needed to create a simple ornament. This class is intended for participants who are interested in learning the process. You will be designing, cutting and grinding your own glass, cleaning and preparing it for soldering, and finally using a soldering iron to complete your piece. Pieces are typically made from 3-5 pieces of glass so please keep this in mind as you think of ideas for your project. This class is also quite labor intensive and you will likely be working the full 4 hours to complete your piece. Instructor: Christina Thibault. Materials included. All classes are held at the Art and Nature Center at Tannery Brook (10 Wentworth Dr.).

Session II, Saturday, 5/11, 9:00am-1:00pm, $75

You’re invited to join in this guided meditation where we will open our chakras (energy centers) and send out love and healing to the world. The meditations may relate to a specific time of the year or event (i.e., Spring Equinox, full moon, solar eclipse, etc.) and may center around that. This is a free event. Elissa Nauman, MS, is the founder of Restoring Through Nature, LLC. She guides clients to achieve their physical, emotional, and spiritual health goals through the support of essential oils and energy work (Reiki and IET). She has a Master of Science in Counseling and is certified in essential oils coaching, Usui Reiki Level 2, Integrated Energy Therapy, Reiki Crystal Healing and is a Certified Chakra Therapist.

Session V, Saturday, 5/11, 10:00am-11:30am, Baxter Memorial Library, $0