Education

Tuesday AM Open Pottery at 10am.

Tuesday AM Open Pottery Studio is a perfect time to rethink the pottery skills that you have and share time with others who enjoy clay. Come in to refresh and expand skills (new and old). To participate in Tuesday AM Open Pottery Studio you must be a member of the Paradise and have previously taken a pottery class or currently be enrolled in a pottery class. Facilitated by Dianne Lockerby.

Potted Ivy Watercolor Class with Marcie Hayunga: Saturday, August 2nd from 12 PM - 3 PM. In this fun and hands-on class, you'll dive into the beautiful world of watercolor art. We'll explore essential techniques such as watercolor basics, how to preserve and create whites, managing water for different effects, the art of glazing, and building stunning backgrounds that bring your compositions to life. Whether you're brand new to watercolor or looking to sharpen your skills, this class is for you! Tuition - Member: $42, Non-Member: $48. (Includes supply fees!)

Acting Fun for Little Ones (Session #2): 8/11, 8/12, 8/13, 8/14, and 8/15 from 10:00am-11:30am. For Ages 4-7, tuition $85. Each day, students may bring a nut-free snack with them, and students will need to bring a nut-free bag lunch to class August 15. There will be a short performance for family and friends on August 15 at 12:00pm. This class is designed to introduce kids ages 4-7 to the world of theater. We’ll play a variety of acting games to explore imagination and character. These young performers will bring short stories to life through imagination, movement, and playful storytelling! Most importantly we’ll have lots of fun! Class can be repeated. (Scholarships are available.) Instructors: Kayla Mollenhauer, Will McIntyre, and Bea Watts.

*This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Triangle Quilt with Artist Julie Fakler: Saturdays, August 23 & 30, 10AM-3PM, 30 minutes for lunch. This class is for someone who knows how to use a sewing machine and iron. Ages 16 and up. Member $80/ Non-Member $90. Supply fee $25. Create a 35” X 50” triangle quilt in two sessions! Students will learn how to piece a quilt top and assemble the three layers of the quilt: quilt top, batting, and back. Students will be given precut triangles, batting, and quilt backs. Students will learn how to sew the triangles together using a sewing machine to create the quilt top, and binding. Between the classes students will tie or hand quilt their quilts. Students will return to class to trim their quilts and add binding. Everything you need will be provided by Julie. Instructor: Julie Fakler.

Please bring a lunch to class. Students will use a sewing machine, iron, and rotary blade and will be using a needle and thread to hand sew. Pat Jarrett and Katrina Deyoung-Harper donated the fabric. Students must register by August 8.

Minnesota Wood Cutout Mosaic Panel with Sushila Anderson 

Saturday, August 23 from 10 AM - 4:30 PM (with a 30-minute break for lunch!) Crast a custom Minnesota masterpiece! Learn the art of glass cutting to create a stunning mosaic design on a wood panel shaped like our beautiful state! Finish it off by grouting your creation to bring your design to life! This class is open to students of all levels of experience! Students must wear closed-toe shoes! Tuition: Member - $110, Non-Member - $122. (Supplies are included in the tuition fee!) 

Watercolor Duck Class with Marcie Hayunga: Saturday, August 23rd from 12 - 4 PM. Join us for a fun and relaxing watercolor class where we'll create a charming duck painting while learning the fundamentals of watercolor technique. In this hands-on session, you'll explore essential skills including how to: control water and pigment for beautiful washes, create white, layer with glazing to add depth, and paint backgrounds to bring your duck to life! This class is perfect for beginners or anyone wanting to build confidence with watercolor. All materials will be provided—just bring your creativity and wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little messy! Tuition - Member: $52, Non-Member: $60. (Supplies Included in tuition!)

Portrait of your Pet in Raku Clay with artist Julie Fakler: September 2 at 5:30 p.m. - 7pm, September 9 at 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., September 13 at 8:30 am. Members: $72, Non-Members: $95 (includes supplies)! Julie will teach you, step-by-step, how to create a portrait of your pet in raku clay. Students on September 2 carve their pet portrait in a slab of clay. Students will glaze their pet portrait with underglazes and raku glazes. The Raku firing will take place on September 13th, starting at 8:30 a.m. and continuing until finished. The clay tiles will be loaded into the raku kiln, and kiln temperatures will be brought up to 1800-1900 Degrees F. Once the glazes melt and smooth out, the pieces are individually removed from the kiln using three-foot-long tongs. Pieces are placed in a metal can with combustible materials, and the heat from the tiles will start the combustibles on fire. A lid is placed on the metal can, and it puts out the fire. Pieces will be cleaned with a propane torch. Participants must wear cotton clothing (no polyester or spandex), wear leather shoes/boots (no sandals), and bring a long-sleeved cotton shirt.  Fire precautions will be taken; a waiver will need to be signed by each participant. There will also be a potluck for participants on September 13!

Fall Mosaic Panel with Sushila Anderson (September Session)  Fridays, September 12 & 19 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM. Bring the beauty of Fall into your home with a Autumn-inspired mosaic on a wood panel! Craft a custom mosaic panel with stained glass pieces. Learn the art of glass cutting with glass nippers to create a stunning mosaic design on a wood panel. Finish it off by grouting your creation to bring your design to life! Try something new! Closed-toe shoes are required! Tuition: Member - $110, Non-Member - $122. (Supplies are included in the tuition cost!) Class is for adults only!

Watercolor Rabbit with Marcie Hayunga: Saturday, September 13th from 12 - 4 PM. Hop into watercolor painting with this beginner-friendly class focused on creating an adorable rabbit! While bringing your bunny to life, you’ll learn core watercolor techniques, including: managing water and pigment for vibrant washes, creating highlights and whites, glazing to add layers and depth, and designing effective backgrounds! This class is great for beginners or those looking to build foundational watercolor skills. All materials are provided. Just bring your curiosity—and wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little paint on! Tuition - Member: $52, Non-Member: $60. (Supplies included in tuition!)

Paint a Portrait of your Pet with artist Julie Fakler, with Wine: Thursday, September 25th from 5:30 - 7:30 PM. (Ages 21 and up!) Artist Julie Fakler will teach you, step by step, how to paint a portrait of your pet. In class, you’ll learn about underpainting, form, shape, and color. Email your pet photo to info@paradisecenterforthearts.org, and we will print it out for you. Wear clothes that can get paint on them. Students must get registered 3 days prior to the start of class. Tuition - Member: $36, Non-Member: $40. (Supplies included in the tuition!) 

Fall Mosaic Panel with Sushila Anderson (October Session)  Fridays, October 10 & 17 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM. Bring the beauty of Fall into your home with a Autumn-inspired mosaic on a wood panel! Craft a custom mosaic panel with stained glass pieces. Learn the art of glass cutting with glass nippers to create a stunning mosaic design on a wood panel. Finish it off by grouting your creation to bring your design to life! Try something new! Closed-toe shoes are required! Tuition: Member - $110, Non-Member - $122. (Supplies are included in the tuition cost!) Class is for adults only!