In these one-day, three-hour classes, you will have the opportunity to try out the pottery wheel and get a brief introduction to our studio space and community. You will have an accelerated lesson in working with clay and wheel throwing and we will save and fire any pieces you would like to keep. One-day clay classes are perfect if you feel like you want to get a taste of pottery before committing to a full session with us or are just looking for a nice weekend activity with friends or family! All classes are held at the Art and Nature Center at Tannery Brook. 

Session III: Saturday, 3/22, 10:00am-1:00pm, $65

Join us for an afternoon of DIY fun where each participant will make this adorable hedgehog-painted felt hoop artwork. Each participant will get a complete kit to learn to paint with wool, creating this beautiful hedgehog landscape art. This class is meant for beginners.  All tools, instructions, and materials will be waiting for you when you arrive—a $ 15 material fee to be paid in cash on the night of your class. Finished pieces measure approximately 6".   Melissa started her jewelry business, Gem Lounge Jewelry, in 2009 and is a proud 8th-generation Mainer, having grown up in southern Maine before attending college in New Orleans. Upon graduation, Ms. Evans moved back to New England, eventually settling back in her beloved state of Maine and finding inspiration for her creations all around. While her roots in Maine keep her grounded in the beautiful state, wanderlust brings her on travels around the world.

Wednesday, 3/26, 6:00pm-8:00pm, GMS, $40

The CPR class includes adult, child, and infant CPR and AED use, adult, child, and infant choking, and how and when to call emergency services. The course cost includes the use of the manikins, video, certified instructor, practical components, and a certificate of completion. The video portion has been shortened, and the practical time has been increased to ensure everyone has enough time to gain confidence in their skills. This class is taught to the standards established by the American Heart Association. The workbook is not included in this class. If you would like a workbook, please indicate on your registration form (one workbook covers CPR and first aid). The cost is $10 for the book, payable to the instructor.

Session II, Thursday, 3/27, 6:00pm-9:00pm, GMS, $60

Learn the basics of ballroom dances (foxtrot, east coast swing, waltz, and salsa). Along with the steps, you will learn how to lead or follow, improve body awareness, work on non-verbal communication, and start to understand the music choices. This class is for beginners and advanced beginners who want to revisit the basics. No partner is needed.  Elizabeth Converse has been ballroom dancing since 2006 and has experience as both a lead and a follower. In 2019, she began teaching beginners ballroom. She desires to teach students correct movement and to be good partners as much as proper steps. 

Session II (Waltz and East Coast Swing):  6 classes, Mondays, 3/31-5/12  (no class 4/21), 6:45pm-7:45pm, GMS Cafeteria, $90

This is an open studio option for beginners who would like to hone their skills or for more confident makers who would like to have the opportunity to work on a larger piece with the company of fellow makers. Instructor: Christina Thibault. Materials are included. All classes are held at the Art and Nature Center at Tannery Brook. 

Session 2: 4 classes, Tuesdays, 4/1-4/22, 5:30pm-7:30pm, $104

Strengthen and deepen your Tai Chi practice by expanding your basic exercises while putting moves together to create a form. Some meditation practices may be included to aid further relaxation, stress reduction, and pain management. Wear loose-fitting clothing and comfortable shoes. Must have completed Tai Chi I or have approval from the instructor to attend. Laurie has been practicing Yang-style Tai Chi & Qigong for 14 years.  Tai Chi has become her passion, and she finds it to be a perfect exercise that encompasses balance, relaxation, focus, strength, stretching, cognitive stimulation, and discipline. It is a gentle, beautiful, meditative form of expression that is also a true martial art with defensive application.  Laurie has been practicing Yang-style Tai Chi & Qigong for 14 years.  Tai Chi has become her passion, and she finds it to be a perfect exercise that encompasses balance, relaxation, focus, strength, stretching, cognitive stimulation, and discipline.

Session II: 7 classes, Tuesdays, 4/1-5/20  (no class 4/22), 6:00pm-7:00pm, GMS, $69

This is a six-week series to explore the different challenges that we experience in everyday life. We will focus on releasing things that hold us back, such as unnecessary guilt and the wrestling of the "should haves" and the "shouldn't haves." Each week will feature a theme or a topic to dive into, and we will share our thoughts freely without judgment, fixing, or feedback! This empowers women to speak their truths without the fear of being told they are wrong, and it creates a safe space to come together as women to support each other. Elissa "Elle" Nauman, M.S., facilitates guided meditations and women's circles throughout the Portland area and is the creator of Soul Sister Circle Maine. She is an energy healer using the modalities of Reiki and Integrated Energy Therapy® (IET) and is also a certified chakra therapist. It has been said that one million women's circles throughout the world will help shift patriarchy to equality, and it's Elle's passion to contribute to this goal.

6 classes, Tuesdays, 4/1-5/13 (no class 4/22), 6:30pm-8:15pm, GMS, $65

Open studio is offered for those who are interested in using our space and materials to make clay work independently from a class and 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! Registration will include 25 pounds of clay, 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. You are welcome to purchase your own cone 5/6 glazes to use in firings if you want something other than what is provided. All classes are held at the Art and Nature Center at Tannery Brook. 

AM Session IV: 4 classes, Thursdays, 4/3-4/24, 10:00am-1:00pm, $140

Additional, optional work time will be offered for open studio members and current students on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays 10am-1pm and Fridays from 5pm-8pm. Members are welcome to attend as many or as few times during the week as they choose, but Thursdays will be the only day where there is guaranteed space. The extra, optional work time is first come, first serve for available wheel use and table space. The studio will be closed on federal holidays.