Mosaics From introduction workshops to longer term classes where your own designs are transformed into beautiful mosaic art, the Fine Arts Center has a mosaic class that will inspire you. Excursions Watch for announcements in the ArtBeat (also available online) and the Community Services brochure for exciting new excursions to local museums and historical districts. Check the brochures for the upcoming dates. Mosaic Container by Melanie Ellis Lectures Art Treasures of Italy taught by specialist Beth Rasmussen Professional Skills for Artists taught by expert Lisa Lodeski Art History taught by former college instructor and curator Ray Jacob Tea and Lecture When the weather warms outside, we gather in the courtyard for tea and a light dinner catered by Teri’s Teas. After you are served scones, tea, sandwiches, soup or salad, and desserts, a fascinating art lecture with slides will entertain you. A different topic is presented each time. Consult the current ArtBeat or Community Services Brochure for the current dates and topic. Baskets and Gourds Artist Nadine Spier will guide you in making lovely gourd art or baskets from fabric or pine needles. To see fine examples of her art work, visit her website at www.nadinespier.com. Rose Hamner teaches our weaving classes. Choose pine needles and the coiling method or waxed linen and the twining method to create your own special baskets. Culinary Arts featuring Tarla Fallgatter Every session features new recipes and ideas from Cordon Bleu chef Tarla Fallgatter. Choose from either Home Cooking classes or more gourmet style classes. Learn tips and techniques that you can easily use at home. Pine Needle Basket by Nadine Spier Alysia teaches Knitting Basics for beginners and first-time knitters. You will learn the basics of knitting and gain confidence and the necessary skills to create your own knitted projects. Once you are confident with the basics, you can move into Alysia’s Knitting: Beyond the Basics class. You will actually knit a garment in this class!Alysia will teach you all the next level skills such as increasing and decreasing, sewing seams, ribbing, and textured stitches.   Knitting With Alysia Knitting is back and is just as popular as it was when your grandmother and her friends were knitting. Scarves, handbags, mufflers, sweaters, mittens; you can knit your own and reap the benefits of knowing and preserving this skill. Knitting and Wellness: Some benefits of knitting and other forms of needlework are obvious- sweaters, scarves, hats and gift items. Some are not so obvious. All forms of needlework can improve well being, says Dr. Lorette Meske, a Lakewood, WA physician. That’s because knitting has a lot in common with proven health-promoting practices.“Some people feel that knitting is a form of meditation,” says Meske. Meditation focuses attention on an object or thought, which is exactly what happens when you knit. Meditation has been proven to help reduce blood pressure and heart rate, help you relax, and may improve the immune system. Knitting can also divert your mind during stressful or aggravating situations like traveling by plane or waiting in the doctor’s office. -Better Homes & Gardens, June 2005 Also Available: Quilting Feng Shui Silk Painting     Silk Painting by Pam Chant