Class #1606.   Age Level: adult.  There is no greater reward than writing for children. The stories you craft can fill kids with laughter or help them work through problems. You truly can make a difference in how children see themselves and how they view the world. But first, you need to learn how to craft stories children—and children's editors—will love. This practical, hands-on course will discuss beginnings, point of view, conflict, dialog, choosing a target audience.

Class #1603.   Age Level: adult.  There is no greater reward than writing for children. The stories you craft can fill kids with laughter or help them work through problems. You truly can make a difference in how children see themselves and how they view the world. But first, you need to learn how to craft stories children—and children's editors—will love. This practical, hands-on course will discuss beginnings, point of view, conflict, dialog, choosing a target audience.

Class #1602.   Age Level: adult.  Learn and explore the fundamentals of this exciting new medium! Developed by Japanese scientists in 1991, precious metal clay consists of pure silver or gold in tiny particles suspended in an organic binder. During firing, the binder burns away and the precious metals sinter, leaving .999 silver or 24K gold. This is an exciting class where students will mold, sculpt and use household tools to create earrings or pendants. Students are encouraged to experiment and develop new designs with this new medium. We will create pieces on the first day of this two-day workshop, and finish the pieces on the second.

Class #1600.   Age Level: adult.  Water mixable oils are now readily available and have become very popular medium. You can create a rich and lasting painting using these user-friendly paints. Come join us for an introductory session where helpful instruction on painting techniques and color mixing will be included. Beginner and experienced painters welcome. A material list will be sent.

Class #1601.   Age Level: adult.  Water mixable oils are now readily available and have become very popular medium. You can create a rich and lasting painting using these user-friendly paints. Come join us for an introductory session where helpful instruction on painting techniques and color mixing will be included. Beginner and experienced painters welcome. A material list will be sent.

Class #1597.   Age Level: adult.  As artists we are always on the lookout for what might be the next best thing that will help us in our endeavor. Trying everything is costly and unnecessary. Learn how to discover which paper, brushes and paints work best for you and gain a discriminatory eye to differentiate what you really need from the marketing hype. You will learn what gives particular qualities to these different materials, how to discover them yourself, and the best way to experiment with new materials. We will talk about the “art market” and how to buy supplies effectively. Bring your own supplies. Additional materials will be supplied, including different types of paper, different brands of paints and a variety of brushes.

Class #1605.   Age Level: adult.  Writing a story or article for children is often much easier than getting it published. Marketing yourself and your manuscript takes time, energy, and know-how. This hands-on, practical course will give you the skills you need to get your manuscripts to the top of the slush pile. We'll discuss the six areas of the children's market, how to determine a story's marketability before you've written it, how to target publishers, the difference between queries and cover letters, and the acquisitions process.

Class #1604.   Age Level: adult.  Writing a story or article for children is often much easier than getting it published. Marketing yourself and your manuscript takes time, energy, and know-how. This hands-on, practical course will give you the skills you need to get your manuscripts to the top of the slush pile. We'll discuss the six areas of the children's market, how to determine a story's marketability before you've written it, how to target publishers, the difference between queries and cover letters, and the acquisitions process.

Class #1598.   Age Level: adult.  Watercolor is the perfect medium for painting outdoors as it is very transportable and requires little. We will paint in a lovely location in Concord and discover the advantages and disadvantages of painting outdoors. This is a two day workshop for those who are not used to doing so but would like to try. We will cover a broad range of issues, from what materials to have and how to set up, to how to choose your subject matter, and how to deal with changing light and other aspects of composition and painting technique. All levels are welcomed. Call for materials list and other necessities.

Class #1599.   Age Level: adult.  For Beginners to Intermediate-Level Students. We will look at your work, discuss routine problems, and develop creative approaches to solving them. Each student is asked to bring two or three “unresolved” paintings that they really would like to finish. We will discuss design problems vs. painting problems. Importantly, we will discuss the meaning of “expressive intent,” and discover what we want to say through our painting. We will discover how light and shadow, color, textures, and style give life to a painting, and how subtle changes can make all the difference. This is a problem-solving workshop so come ready to think out of the box, and bring any inspirational materials, ideas, writing, sketches, books, photos, poems, etc., that will help you problem-solve. Bring your own materials. Additional paints and materials will be available for a small fee.

Class #1596.   Age Level: adult.  This workshop is for people who want to experience painting in watercolor and have very little or no painting or drawing experience. If you think you can’t possibly do it, this workshop is for you! Yes, we will paint from the very start and explore creating shapes, shadows, and light; we will discover the power and subtleties of color and learn the meaning of some basic terms such as design, focal point, perspective, mass tone, tint and hue. We will experience the movement of water and pigment as we create many small paintings. Enjoy discovering the unknown artist within you and revel in the act of creation. Bring any question you ever had about painting. We will supply first-quality artist’s brushes, paper and watercolors. All materials included.

Class #1759.   Age Level: 6-10.  Join some of Emerson Umbrella’s most talented and fun teachers for a week packed full of creative activities! Want to paint, draw, make something cool in wood or clay? There’s something for everybody in this exciting four-day program! For ages 6 through 10 — 9am to 3pm, Tuesday through Friday. Bring lunch from home; juice, snack and all-day fun will be provided! Tuition $250. Please register by January 26.

Class #1681.   Age Level: 8-12.  There is more to writing and illustrating a book than having a great idea—although that’s where we start. Join Sue and Ruth for a real authors’ and illustrators’ master workshop and complete a 15-page book with illustrations!

Class #1696.   Age Level: 8-12.  How frustrating to complete your best drawing and yet not be satisfied with the way your dragon turned out! In this class, we will work on drawing basics so that your cat, dog, elephant, airplane, skyscraper, army tank, etc., will look the way you want it to!

Class #1634.   Age Level: adult.  The wheel is our focus—centering is our goal! Along the way we will have fun hand-building and seeing where the clay will take us. For beginners and “experienced beginners.”

Class #1625.   Age Level: adult.  Learn the fundamentals of making stained glass pieces by making a stained glass panel/suncatcher. Skills covered will include cutting glass and grinding pieces, fitting pieces to a pattern, foiling, soldering, and finishing work. During the class, students will be introduced to different glass types, the history of stained glass, and local places to go to see glass art. Materials fee includes book.

Class #1628.   Age Level: adult.  Learn the fundamentals of making stained glass pieces by making a stained glass panel/suncatcher. Skills covered will include cutting glass and grinding pieces, fitting pieces to a pattern, foiling, soldering, and finishing work. During the class, students will be introduced to different glass types, the history of stained glass, and local places to go to see glass art. Materials fee includes book.

Class #1631.   Age Level: adult.  Learn the fundamentals of making stained glass pieces by making a stained glass panel/suncatcher. Skills covered will include cutting glass and grinding pieces, fitting pieces to a pattern, foiling, soldering, and finishing work. During the class, students will be introduced to different glass types, the history of stained glass, and local places to go to see glass art. Materials fee includes book.

Class #1610.   Age Level: adult.  This class is for students who are beginning to paint, those who have some mastery of the medium and is an ongoing foundation painting course. We will learn how to create a good design by practicing such concepts as seeing shapes edges, and values, connecting a visual path through the painting, creating a focal point, understanding the power of positive and negative shapes, and painting light. We will learn how to see and understand color and learn basic color mixing, learn the many uses of the brush and explore artistic concepts and styles. Demonstrations and one on one instruction are part of every class. Students are encouraged to work on their own and to bring work to class for review. Call for materials list.

Class #1693.   Age Level: 8-12.  Create my very own comic book? We’ll explore “how-to,” starting with quick, basic drawing classes and the story you hope to illustrate. The evolution of your final book will involve lessons in figure drawing, color, composition and story lines.

Class #1699.   Age Level: 11-14.  From moss under a tree house to a three-sun sky, we will work to bring to life your own magical or sinister or whatever-kind-of-world you wish to create. We will work on basics such as composition, placement in foreground, middleground, or background, as well as creating illusions. The only requirements for this class: imagination and enthusiasm!

Class #1747.   Age Level: 2-4.  This creative movement class for kids will integrate rhythm, coordination and expression for an hour of fun. Using props along with our bodies and voices, we will begin with a warm-up, then explore movement to the accompaniment of diverse music and classic children’s favorites like “The More We Get Together” and “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.”

Class #1654.   Age Level: adult.  So you think you can't dance? Novices and experienced dancers alike will enjoy the opportunity to move through different styles of dance and enjoy the release and expression that comes from moving your body to music. Modern and jazz dance stretch, ballet, hip/hop, Latin and African are a few of the dance styles that are explored in this class. There is no prerequisite for Dance Flow, and all ages and abilities are welcome.

Class #1637.   Age Level: adult.  You have basic hand-building and wheel skills, now you can to take your work to the next level by developing your own style. This class will expose students to various ways of personalizing their work. We will refine thrown and hand-built forms as well as experiment with surface treatments. The instructor will work closely with individual students to help them develop their work.

Class #1639.   Age Level: adult.  You have basic hand-building and wheel skills, now you can to take your work to the next level by developing your own style. This class will expose students to various ways of personalizing their work. We will refine thrown and hand-built forms as well as experiment with surface treatments. The instructor will work closely with individual students to help them develop their work.

Class #1641.   Age Level: adult.  You have basic hand-building and wheel skills, now you can to take your work to the next level by developing your own style. This class will expose students to various ways of personalizing their work. We will refine thrown and hand-built forms as well as experiment with surface treatments. The instructor will work closely with individual students to help them develop their work.

Class #1687.   Age Level: 8-10.  Learn the basics of line, form, color and composition. This class will focus on the appreciation of rich colors and textures from everyday life. Students learn to draw nature, human forms, objects, and perspective drawing. They will also focus on understanding of color in nature by capturing the richness through pencils, crayons and water colors.

Class #1684.   Age Level: 6-8.  Learn the basics of line, form, color and composition. This class will focus on the appreciation of rich colors and textures from everyday life. Students learn to draw nature, human forms, objects, and perspective drawing. They will also focus on understanding of color in nature by capturing the richness through pencils, crayons and water colors.

Class #1607.   Age Level: adult.  This course will explore the many challenges faced by artists when drawing from direct observation. In-class exercises will help familiarize participants with drawing methods that will enable them to confront with confidence issues concerning light and shadow, one- and two-point perspective, proportion, and foreshortening. Please call for materials list. Call for supplies list.

Class #1726.   Age Level: 5-7.  The introduction to clay: In this super-fun class, we’ll explore clay and make simple shapes using our imaginations, natural materials and wooden tools. Projects in small groups allow the children to work and create together, almost always producing incredible results.

Class #1723.   Age Level: 5-7.  The introduction to clay: In this super-fun class, we’ll explore clay and make simple shapes using our imaginations, natural materials and wooden tools. Projects in small groups allow the children to work and create together, almost always producing incredible results.

Class #1643.   Age Level: adult.  This course is for those who enjoy getting their hands dirty! For students who have had experience with clay and for those who would like to learn — we will explore both wheel throwing techniques and hand-building methods. The course will be student driven: we will concentrate on the things you want to learn.

Class #1622.   Age Level: adult.  Leslie DePaolo has taught every level from kindergarten through university. Here, through a stimulating series of explorations into the wide and wonderful world of arts, we will develop insights into the dynamics of creativity—nature, nurture, gender and age—and how these may be utilized to enhance each individual’s capacity to be “free to be the creative me!”

Class #1755.   Age Level: 6-9.  Introduce your child to a new experience with hands on activities combining art with science and invention! Innovative classes will combine found materials — wood, metal, and plastics — into child-designed gadgets and gizmos and thingamajigs.

Class #1750.   Age Level: 3-6.  Happily Ever Active is a literacy-based creative fitness program for young children. Children participate in a guided physical reenactment of a favorite storybook, followed by a variety of story-themed games. At the end of this class children respond to the story through their own illustrations and written dictation. Happily Ever Active is a joyful way for children to develop and exercise a love for literature, and promotes gross motor development, encourages cooperation, and introduces children to sports and the physical arts.

Class #1645.   Age Level: adult.  For students who are looking for a different approach to firing and decoration. This is especially important if you are interested in functional pottery. The course will be student directed — we will work on projects and forming techniques that you are interested in. Firing will be done in the gas kiln, cone to reduction. Students who are interested in learning firing techniques are encouraged to participate. Call for additional information.

Class #1614.   Age Level: adult.  This is an in-depth course about color. Color is mysterious and very subjective, hence in this course we will SEE color, NAME colors/pigments/chemical classifications, learn and PAINT its many facets, and demystify this subject. In Part One we will cover the basics of the color wheel and how to use it. We will learn to see color as value, and how to create and use mass tone, tint and shade. We will mix complementary hues to create beautiful neutrals and discover the power of visual complementaries through exercises and paintings. We will create mixing tables to learn how to create brilliant and luminous color every time, and unlearn 'mud' painting. Come with questions, photographs, postcards, books of favorite artists, etc. There will be readings and homework. Recommended for beginner to intermediate watercolor artists, or any color media artist. Continuing students will work on assigned projects in painting from still life and landscape. Call for materials list.

Class #1617.   Age Level: adult.  Will be scheduled as needed or TBA In Part 2, we will use the first class for review and questions and answers about color and your work. We will learn the key concept of simultaneous contrast in color using colored papers. We will learn the difference between luminosity and illumination, and how to create pictorial space through color in your paintings. We will apply our knowledge of color values, simultaneous contrast, visual complementaries and more in creating paintings that have color impact. We will discuss color optical illusions and how our eyes work. Recommended for intermediate to advanced artists, watercolor artists, and those who took Part 1. Call for materials list.

Class #1758.   Age Level: adult.  Open to adult ceramics students who have enrolled in 3 regular adult ceramics classes within the last two years. Enrollment in Independent Study Ceramics entitles students to use the Clay Studio during all open studio hours. Work will be fired along with work of students enrolled in other adult clay classes. Clay may be purchased separately.

Class #1708.   Age Level: 7-10.  Sculpture is a way to take hold of the three-dimensional world. After exploring basic principles of sculpture—form, line, light and shadow, texture, contrast, gravity and balance—we will use a variety of natural and manufactured materials—wood, wire, paper, fabric, string, plastic—to make both representational and abstract art objects. No experience necessary.

Class #1705.   Age Level: 5-7.  “Look what we made!” — Discover the satisfaction of making sculpture together. We will explore the three-dimensional possibilities of natural and manufactured materials—wood, wire, paper, fabric, string, plastic. Basic principles of sculpture will be discovered through the creation of both representational and abstract sculptures that are beautiful and meaningful handmade art objects.

Class #1731.   Age Level: 8-10.  A small class where kids can learn to use the potters wheel. We will cover centering and basic throwing techniques as well as alternatives to traditional throwing methods. Parents are encouraged to register children for successive sessions to foster the development and practice of skills. Experienced beginners welcome. Class limited to 4 participants.

Class #1732.   Age Level: 8-10.  A small class where kids can learn to use the potters wheel. We will cover centering and basic throwing techniques as well as alternatives to traditional throwing methods. Parents are encouraged to register children for successive sessions to foster the development and practice of skills. Experienced beginners welcome. Class limited to 4 participants.

Class #1733.   Age Level: 8-10.  A small class where kids can learn to use the potters wheel. We will cover centering and basic throwing techniques as well as alternatives to traditional throwing methods. Parents are encouraged to register children for successive sessions to foster the development and practice of skills. Experienced beginners welcome. Class limited to 4 participants.

Class #1675.   Age Level: 5-7.  Come bring your imagination as we explore the world of mixed media art! We'll use a variety of materials such as clay, paper maché, paint, plaster, wire and drawing materials to make masks, puppets, picture books, mini-theaters and more.

Class #1678.   Age Level: 6-9.  Come bring your imagination as we explore the world of mixed media art! We'll use a variety of materials such as clay, paper maché, paint, plaster, wire and drawing materials to make masks, puppets, picture books, mini-theaters and more.

Class #1702.   Age Level: teens.  In this course learn traditional drawing techniques while creating powerful artwork and building up your portfolio. We will use a variety of drawing media and techniques while rendering a realistic drawing from observation. The goal will be a sense of fluidity in the language of drawing, and at least one masterpiece! No experience necessary to succeed. Basic materials provided.

Class #1619.   Age Level: adult.  Does your art-making need a jumpstart? Are you feeling blocked? Do you just want to find a new approach? With an emphasis on process, discover and explore your creative self. Explore mixed media and ideas through timed and untimed, individual and collaborative mark-making exercises. Group discussions and critiques will be encouraged. Call for materials list.

Class #1613.   Age Level: adult.  Learn and practice the fundamentals of this most traditional medium. Please call for materials list.

Class #1741.   Age Level: teens.  For Middle- through High-school-aged teens. In this class we will explore different ways to build with clay: sculptural as well as functional decorative pieces, hand building, and experimenting with the potter’s wheel.

Class #1664.   Age Level: 20m-3yr.  Share with your child this wonderful experience of discovery as we explore drawing, painting, and collage. As you create together, our fun and stimulating art projects will foster your child’s creative spirit.

Class #1667.   Age Level: 20m-3yr.  Share with your child this wonderful experience of discovery as we explore drawing, painting, and collage. As you create together, our fun and stimulating art projects will foster your child’s creative spirit.

Class #1670.   Age Level: 20m-3yr.  Share with your child this wonderful experience of discovery as we explore drawing, painting, and collage. As you create together, our fun and stimulating art projects will foster your child’s creative spirit.

Class #1690.   Age Level: 8-12.  Whether you want to learn new drawing skills or refine the skills you have, this class is for you. We’ll explore shading, perspective, and positive/negative design, and you’ll learn how to draw a realistic still-life or self-portrait, or how to bring the world of your imagination to life.

Class #1647.   Age Level: teen-adult.  We will read Shakespeare’s plays out loud in the theater, onstage! Students will be given direction in Articulation, Pronunciation, Projection, and Relaying Comprehension. We will cover some lesser-known plays as well as some very popular plays, including Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, The Comedy of Errors, and Measure for Measure.

Class #1744.   Age Level: teen-adult.  We will read Shakespeare’s plays out loud in the theater, onstage! Students will be given direction in Articulation, Pronunciation, Projection, and Relaying Comprehension. We will cover some lesser-known plays as well as some very popular plays, including Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, The Comedy of Errors, and Measure for Measure.

Class #1618.   Age Level: adult.  SpiritSong is a powerful method for using sound as a source of transformation and healing. As you become more and more comfortable letting sighs, sounds and your unique spiritsong flow more freely, your truth, creativity and joy begin to flow with greater ease into the world. Join us for a supportive and transformational six week series of SpiritSong Circles where you will: • Weave singing of simple and powerful chants and songs with processes to unlock the power of your voice to bring health, balance and great joy. • Release stress and built up physical and emotional tensions that create discomfort in the body and block your free flow of energy. • Experience an unparalleled technique for letting go of difficult emotions. • Connect to Source and your creative flow • Find a freedom of expression that will reverberate through your life. SpiritSong is based on the ancient sound healing practice of toning and has more in common with yoga and dance than with western musical traditions. If you can breathe and sigh, you can SpiritSing. This is a great practice whether you love to sing or think you can't sing, love playing with your energy or feel blocked, have anxiety around singing or speaking, or are an artist wanting to open to even greater creative flow in your own medium.

Class #1656.   Age Level: adult.  Stott Pilates is the most fundamentally sound pilates methodology. It provides a progressively more difficult core workout while building strength in a safe and logical manner, using breathing techniques, and postural analysis, and incorporating Stott Pilates props where applicable. The level of class starts with essential, or basic exercises, and moves into a beginner/intermediate mode towards the end of the session. Students will realize better posture and fundamentally stronger abdominal muscles, which in turn releases pressure from the lower back. Please bring mat.

Class #1658.   Age Level: adult.  Svaroopa® Yoga will make you more flexible, stronger, and less stressed. Students report relief of lower back pain, neck pain, and other aches and pains. This meditative style of yoga emphasizes releasing core tensions in the muscles connected to the spine. Props (blankets and blocks), precise alignment, and adjustments facilitate this release. Lesson themes are Daily Practice, Lower & Upper Spinal Release, Abdominals, Backbends, Standing Poses, Forward Bends, Neck & Shoulders, Balance & Inversions, Classical Poses, Vinyasa, and Seated Poses & Twists. Svaroopa Yoga is for anyone age 15 and older, and for all levels. Bring a towel.

Class #1661.   Age Level: adult.  Tai Chi Chuan helps calm your mind, strengthen your body, and improve your outlook on life. Students of all backgrounds and ages are welcome to learn the basics of the Chen family style in a relaxed, friendly, encouraging atmostphere. The instructor has over ten years of experience practicing and teaching Tai Chi and is a student of Chen Zhenglei.

Class #1652.   Age Level: adult.  Dance stretch, Stott Pilates, Ashtanga Yoga, rythmic movement... The combination of all of these assures a complete body workout all in one class. Your body will feel stronger, more flexible, leaner and healthier. The core work provides the inner strength you need to improve your posture and increase your body awareness. Stott Pilates accessories are used to enhance the effectiveness of the core workout. The class ends with rythmic movement which provides a cardiovascular workout and the opportunity to move freely. Classes vary from week to week, with emphasis on different techniques. A wide range of music sets the tone for a thorough and engaging class. Please bring a mat to each class.