HealingNewtown.org has welcomed spring with enthusiasm, with the continuation of popular workshops and the introduction of another new offering.

Workshops are offered at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street.

Visit HealingNewtown.org to make reservations for any program. Contact Director Valerie Culbertson with any questions at artshealingnewtown@gmail.com.

New Offering

Connor Taylor will be presenting a Hands On Ukulele Workshop on Sunday, June 1, from 1 to 2:30 pm.

A guitar, bass, and ukulele instructor at Guitar Center Studios in Danbury, Connor has been  studying every genre from country to jazz for 11 years.

He has performed with various acts throughout New England, including with his recent project, Brass Tax.

In addition to playing and instructing, Connor composes and performs music for aspiring hip hop and electronic producers throughout the area.

Suggested donation is $5, and registration is requested.

Returning Favorites

*Asian Brushwork Painting with Mary-Barrett Anders returns for five classes.

For ages 9-90, classes will be offered on Saturday, April 5; Sunday, May 25; Saturday, June28; and Sundays, July 13 and August 17. Each class will run from 1 to 3 pm.

Suggested donation is $10, and registration is appreciated.

In addition Open Studio Fridays will be hosted by Ms Anders on April 11, May 30, June 27, July 25 and August 29. The studio will be open those days from 11 am until 1 pm.

Suggested donation for these sessions is $5, payable at the door.

*Open Studio: Close-Knit Group will begin Thursday, April 10.

Show and share your passion for hand work including knitting, crocheting, weaving, embroidery, tatting, traditional or rug hooking. Learn something, teach something, and have fun with other folks who enjoy making things by hand.

Bring current projects to work on, or browse our stash of donated yarns and get inspired to create something new.

Not a class, though beginners are welcome and more experienced crafters can mentor.  Group members should bring their own needles, hooks, etc. HealingNewtown will have a sampler loom available for Hanna Roehrs, resident weaver, to show anyone curious about the process. Ms Roehrs is also well-versed in knitting and crochet, among other skills.

Suggested donation is $5 at door. The studio will be open weekly from 10 am until 12:30 pm.

*Reggie Marra, educator, writer and poet, will lead  his Creative Writing From and For The Heart for adults on Saturdays, April 12 and 26. Each session will run from 10 until noon, with the theme “Self Compassion/Acceptance II.”

“Our point of departure will be three brief, late-20th Century depictions of love that appeared in M. Scott Peck’s The Road Less Traveled, Br David Steindl-Rast’s Gratefulness: The Heart of Prayer, and A Course in Miracles,” says Mr Marra. “You'll have to attend to find out what they are.”

Suggested donation is $10, and registration is appreciated.

*The very popular Clay Dates with Karen Pinto and Rosiland Liljengren, suitable for ages 9-90, also return this month.

The next session is Saturday, April 12, from 1-3 pm.

Meant for both beginners and experienced potters, participants will work on their own projects while exploring slab-building. Finished pieces will be picked up at a later date once they have been fired.

The class is limited to 14 participants, and registration is required. Students under 16 must be accompanied by participating adults. All materials and supplies are provided.

Requested donation is $5, with 15 percent of the proceeds to benefit Healing Newtown Summer Art Programs.

Reminders

*Collage Workshop: Share Your Story is set for Sunday, April 27, from 1 to 3 pm.

The first 90 minutes will be devoted to collage, and then participants (the workshop is for ages 18 and up) will spend the final 30 minutes sharing their work. 

Class size is limited to 15, and registration is strongly suggested. Suggested donation is $5 at the door.  

*Girls and boys ages 6-12 are invited to bring their mothers and grandmothers for a special afternoon full of games, crafts and treats.

American Girl Illustrator Christine Kornacki will be the special guest for an Elegant Mother’s Day Tea Party on Saturday, May 10, from 10 am to 1 pm.

Ms Kornacki will do a presentation showing how she illustrated the books for New Orleans dolls Marie-Grace and Cecile. On view will be several of the paintings, along with sketches and hand sewn dresses she made while illustrating the books.

Children are encouraged to bring their dolls, dressed in their best outfits, and bring their American Girl books for autographs or buy the Marie-Grace and Cecile books at the party ($6, cash only).

Cost is $35 for a family of four. Space is limited, and reservations are required.

*“A Different Artist, A Different Day” will be the theme of the HealingNewtown Summer Art Camp. The camp will be July 7-11 for ages 7-11 and July 14-18 for ages 12-15.  Hours for each session are 10 am to 1 pm, and cost is $50 per child.

Each day will focus on a specific artist and project: Mondays will be dedicated to Mondrian; Tuesdays, Alexander Calder; Wednesdays will host visiting artists, with  American Girl Illustrator Christine Kornacki on July 9 and Braille Book Designer Charlotte Gray on July 16; Thursdays will be devoted to the art of Cezanne; and Fridays, Pollock.