Arts & Crafts

Are you a true beginner or have you painted in watercolor, but need help improving your skills? As a beginner, you will be introduced to painting individual elements of the landscape and then put those elements together. You will learn watercolor techniques, such as dry brushing, scraping, and wet-into-wet applications. More advanced students will be challenged with a new exercise each week that includes a step-by-step handout. Classes begin with a helpful critique and demonstration of a new technique. Materials list can be found at www.merrymeeting.org. Class workbooks required for all beginners are available for purchase at MAE office, or on the first day of class, for approximately $25. This class will be offered through Zoom or Webex. Students must have an audio and video enabled computer, tablet or smartphone to participate. Merrymeeting will send you information about accessing the class prior to its start date.

Have you worked in either watercolor or acrylics and would like direction or help with a subject or technique? This class is not for beginners. Students will work on their own projects in either medium. Each class will begin with an open critique discussion about issues each artist is having with their work. There will be an emphasis on composition, color theory and other design considerations. In addition, there will be demonstrations of various watercolor and acrylic techniques such as Decalcomania and blending using acrylic paints. Students are responsible for their own materials. This class will be offered through Zoom or Webex. Students must have an audio and video enabled computer, tablet or smartphone to participate. Merrymeeting will send you information about accessing the class prior to its start date.

Photo taken by photography student Robert Mooney. This two-week beginner-intermediate creative photography class will focus on the essential tools and techniques for capturing the four season beauty of the Maine outdoors with your digital camera. This class will cover the selection of subjects, locations, composition, lighting, and some of the tools and equipment that will help you produce better quality images. No discounts. This class will be offered through Zoom or WebEx. Students must have an audio and video enabled computer, tablet or smartphone to participate. Merrymeeting will send you information about accessing the class prior to its start date.

Photo by digital photograpy student Robert Mooney.  Whether you’ve just purchased your first digital camera or you are an aspiring pro or semi-pro photographer, this crash course will give you the technical skills and creative inspiration to take your work to a new level. You will become progressively more confident handling your camera and choosing settings that will help you produce the quality of images you have always desired. Included will be a combination of very lively lectures, demos, handouts, slide shows, videos, and hands-on practice. Students are encouraged to study and practice on their own with the optional homework assignments. All students should have a digital camera that has manual exposure mode with a fully-charged battery, at least one lens, a tripod and an extra memory card. This class will be offered through Zoom or Webex. Students must have an audio and video enabled computer, tablet or smartphone to participate. Merrymeeting will send you information about accessing the class prior to its start date.

Zentangle® is an easy, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful structured patterns. While drawing simple pen strokes, you will enter a state of increased focus and calm. Though Zentangle art appears intricate and complicated, the method is actually quite simple and engrossing! Many people are astonished with the 3.5” square piece of art they create and share in their first class and go on to practice this accessible art form for fun as well as to calm themselves in stressful situations. Sarah Prescott is a former librarian and ‘non-artist’ who attended her first Zentangle workshop in 2016. Like many others, she was amazed by her creation as well as a sense of well-being after the class. She became a Certified Zentangle Teacher and Restorative Yoga teacher in 2018 and now combines the two methods in her classes. Materials included. Students will pick up materials kit at Merrymeeting Topsham office prior to the start of class. This class will be offered through Zoom or Webex. Students must have an audio and video enabled computer, tablet or smartphone to participate. Merrymeeting will send you information about accessing the class prior to its start date.

Let’s honor our furry or feathery friends with the art of portraiture! This could be a great opportunity to make a handmade gift for a special somebody, or to make a fun bit of decor for your home! All you’ll need are pictures of your pets and the art supplies of your choosing! This class will be offered through Zoom or Webex. Students must have an audio and video enabled computer, tablet or smartphone to participate. Merrymeeting will send you information about accessing the class prior to its start date.