Your browser is not optimized for viewing this website.

More information »

Old Orchard Beach/Saco Adult and Community Education



Creative Arts

Brushes & Brews

$35

with Victoria Gordon

Calendar Mar 21, 2024 at 6 pm, runs for 1 week

Paint Your Pint!​

Tip a brew with friends at Banded Brewing while exploring your creative side. Enjoy a casual, fun opportunity to design and paint your pint glass to take home. Tuition includes ​paint materials, a pint glass and one 8-ounce beer, soda or seltzer. Registration closes at noon the day of class. Proof of registration required.

Tory Gordon is a watercolor/pen & ink artist living and working in Biddeford. She is inspired by people, places and things which lends a fluid style to her art. She believes everyone has an inner artist waiting to express themselves in beautiful, surprising ways.

Will run

Handmade Paper Bowls

$39

with Gayle Fitzpatrick

Calendar Mar 23, 2024 at 10 am, runs for 1 week

Seize the opportunity to create beautiful handcrafted paper bowls! These unique bowls make fantastic presents or home decor. Decorative papers, handmade papers and adhesive are provided.

Required: Proof of registration, please bring a small plastic cereal bowl.

Gayle Fitzpatrick has taught in public and private schools, colleges and adult and community programs for 30+ years. She also works as a practicing artist, producing and showing paper, print, and painted pieces.

Full Course

Floating Embroidery

$29

with Sarah J deGrandis

Calendar Mar 27, 2024 at 6 pm, runs for 1 week

Create a piece of embroidery that seems to be "floating" in the air! Learn basic embroidery stitches on tulle in a 6-inch round embroidery hoop to create beautiful artwork for your home or as a present. All supplies are provided and all skill levels are welcome.

Note: Date change (from 3/13) due to instructor illness.

Sarah deGrandis is a formally trained artist and lifelong crafter with a BFA in New Media from the ME College of Art. She is passionate about learning different crafts and using modern, fun takes on traditional techniques.

Will run

Miniature Punch Needle Rug Hooking

$47

with Janet Conner, BS

Calendar Apr 6, 2024 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

This antique art resembles hooked carpets but in miniature dollhouse proportions! Discover how to complete and display this lovely and handy fiber craft. Kits are $25 each, payable to Janet in class and contain original folk art designs, hand-dyed and natural wool threads and instructions. Review designs/kits at jconnerhookedrugs.com and email jconnerhookedrugs@gmail.com at the time of registration, specifying your kit choice(s).

Required: Proof of registration, a bag lunch, small sharp fabric scissors, an Ultra-Punch Small Punch needle ($27 apprx.) and a 7” Morgan-brand locking embroidery hoop ($15 apprx.). Both available from instructor.

Janet Conner, BS in Art Education from Moore College of Art & Design, is a member of the Saco Valley Fiber Artists and exhibits regionally and at ME Fiber Arts Center. Her hooked designs, as well as those of her students', have been highlighted in Finishing Hooked Rugs and Rug Hooking Magazine. In 2016, Janet co-authored the book Rug Hooking Traditions with James and Mercedes Hutchinson. She released Magnificent Hooked Rugs, which were influenced by Western art history, in 2020.

Hardcover Accordion Book

$39

with Gayle Fitzpatrick

Calendar Apr 13, 2024 at 10 am, runs for 1 week

Create a hardcover accordion book that ties closed with a ribbon, using a heavy mixed-media paper suitable for painting, drawing and other media. These charming books are wonderful for displaying photos, writing stories and poems and creating artwork. What a wonderful gift for a creative friend! Proof of registration required.

Gayle Fitzpatrick has taught in public and private schools, colleges and adult and community programs for 30+ years. She is a practicing artist, producing and showing paper, print, and painted pieces.

Beginner Digital Photography

$125

with Geri Lynn Smith

Calendar Apr 24, 2024 at 6 pm, runs for 5 weeks

Unlock the full potential of your Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera. By becoming familiar with and practicing the camera's controls, you can learn how to take photographs. Gain an understanding of composition, design and discover how to download and edit your images so they're ready for sharing.

Note: This class is not for point & shoot only digital cameras.

Required: DSLR camera, fresh batteries, memory card and your questions! Laptop computer (optional).

Geri Lynn Smith, an award winning photographer shooting in the New England area, shares her knowledge from personal experience through practical application and entertaining anecdotes.

Wire Wrapped Sea Glass Jewelry

$45

with Jessica Muise

Calendar Apr 24, 2024 at 6 pm, runs for 1 week

Twist, wrap and loop your way to a necklace or set of earrings using design elements drawn from the sea. Combine found materials with metal and learn easy wire-wrapped loop techniques to create your own unique jewelry. Bring your own sea glass or choose from instructor’s collection. Leave with a completed piece reflecting your creative design and resources to continue making similar jewelry at home. Registration closes at noon on 4/23.

Jessica Muise, a multidisciplinary artist and educator has been teaching and making art throughout New England for the last 15 years. She is passionate about using the arts as tools for social change and serves as a creative economy advisor to several arts organizations and artist-led coalitions.

Watercolor Basics
Registration Unavailable

Watercolor Basics

$125

with Russel Whitten

Calendar Apr 25, 2024 at 6 pm, runs for 5 weeks

Studying color theory by blending and the using pigments to build a solid foundation in watercolor painting. Create the illusion of distance and composition by demonstrated technique. You will be guided through the process as you create your first painting - after that the possibilities are endless! Russell will assist you in building skills and confidence throughout the course.

Required: 1 small tube each: cadmium yellow (light), cobalt blue, alizarin crimson, 1 paint palette (Russel says folding ones are ideal!), 1 round #10 watercolor brush; 1 inch wide flat brush, 1 drawing pencil #2H, 1 eraser, 1 light board or piece of cardboard; and two sheets of Arches watercolor paper, 140 lb. cold press (approx. $80). Note: Please purchase Arches, as the quality of watercolor paper is essential for handling the techniques you will be taught in class. Please bring any colors you already have.

Russel Whitten, a local artist and teacher, studied at The Art Students League of New York, Heartwood College of Art, and is a member of The Ogunquit Art Association/Barn Gallery. Students adore his laid-back, encouraging demeanor.





Forgot password?
Staff Log In