Iowa City Senior Center September-October 2025 Program Guide

MAKING ART ICSC Nature Journal Club Thursdays, Sep 4, Oct 2, 2-4 pm Location: To be determined Register online or call 319-356-5220 Group leader: Sara Cavic

Watercolor Techniques Workshop Thursdays, Sep 11 - Oct 16, 10 am - 12 pm Location: Room G07 Register online or call 319-356-5220 Instructor: Dr. Hani Elkadi

This class will include independent and collaborative training of various techniques of watercolor usage as an art medium that needs no previous experience. Various activities will focus on two main objectives: the first is still life rendering of composition or an object, and the second is imaginative expression of various ideas and/or emotions as a visual response to an event, a poem, or a story. Students will need to bring good quality watercolor paper, a set of 24 watercolors, and a set of Prisma color pencils. Both new and returning students are welcome. Fee: $140 ($105 for participants in ICSC's low-income membership program); pay instructor.

Meet monthly to journal together, either at a local park or natural area when weather permits, or at the Senior Center in case of inclement weather. Whether you’re already a nature journaler or have never done it before, all are welcome to join this group! No art or writing experience required—but curiosity about the natural world or a desire to observe and know it more deeply is encouraged. Bring any materials you are comfortable carrying and using. Nature journaling can be a combination of art and writing, or just one or the other—whatever you prefer. A notebook and pen/pencil is all you need to get started. Informal instruction in drawing and watercolor will be offered during our meetings for those interested. The goal of the group is to foster community and connection, with each other and with the natural world around us. There will be time for sharing our work, resources, questions, victories, or challenges. Membership required. You Can Draw (Yes, You Can!) Tuesdays, Sep 9 - Nov 25, 9:30-11:30 am Location: Room G07 Register online or call 319-356-5220 Instructor: Garth Conley Learn about observation and drawing what you see rather than what you think you see. This class explains how to see things as basic shapes and turn those shapes into drawings, how light works and how to draw it, and how to create that illusion of three dimensions on a two-dimensional surface. We will explore some different drawing techniques in a variety of projects. Repeat students welcome. Required text: Your Artist's Brain , Carl Purcell (2010). Suggested materials: Ebony or other drawing pencils, white vinyl eraser, kneaded eraser, pencil sharpener, 14x17 drawing pad. If you already have materials, bring those. Fee: $75 ($56.25 for participants in ICSC's low-income membership program); pay instructor. Membership required.

Make a Gourd Night Light Friday, Sep 26, 10 am - 1 pm Location: Room G07 Register online or call 319-356-5220 Instructor: Terri Summer

We'll use small gourds and a night light kit to make your choice of a luminary style night light or a glowing night light. We'll prepare the gourds to fit the night light hardware and decorate them with acrylic paints and/or alcohol inks. All supplies and materials will be provided by the instructor. Discounts are not available for this class. Material fee: $15; pay instructor. Membership required.

Gourd with Oil Candle Insert Friday, Oct 10, 10 am - 1 pm Location: Room G07 Register online or call 319-356-5220 Instructor: Terri Summer

Make a decorative yet functional project using a hard shell gourd with a glass candle insert. Students will decorate their project using a variety of color techniques and carving, if desired. We'll embellish the projects using the student's choice of materials and finish it with a glass candle insert. Students should wear comfortable clothes that they are okay with getting dirty or bring an apron to protect their clothing. All supplies and materials will be provided by the instructor. Discounts are not available for this class. Material fee: $15; pay instructor. Membership required.

icgov.org/senior 319-356-5220 28 South Linn Street, Iowa City 52240

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