All Sticky Finger activities are hands on and Parents/Caregivers are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and get a little messy with their little artist.  Please dress everyone appropriately! 

Session I:  Thursdays, April 8-29, 9:45am-10:30am
Session II: Thursdays, May 6-27, 9:45am-10:30am
During this 45 min interactive class, your child along with you will be introduced to the wonderful world of music, through the use of various instruments, songs, and games, your child’s world will be immersed.

Session I:  Wednesdays, April 7-28, 9:45am-10:30am
Session II: Wednesdays, May 5-26, 9:45am-10:30am
Some of your old favourites are back as well as some new projects that will allow your children to explore the world of colour through the use of markers, crayons, chalk, paint and paper and various other mediums.  All these activities are hands on and Parents/Caregivers are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and get a little messy with their little one.  It is recommended that you and your child come dressed appropriately. 

Tuesdays, May 4-25, 9:45am-10:30am
During this session each class will focus on one well known children’s book. We will read the book and then create using various mediums projects that child will be able to use to read along with the book in class and for the future at home.  All these activities are hands on and Parents/Caregivers will stay and explore the world of books and art with their little ones.  Registration includes a $10.00 materials fee required for your child’s Felt/Magnetic/Chalk board.

Session I:  Fridays, April 9-30, 9:45am-10:45am
Session II: Fridays, May 7-28, 9:45am-10:45am
All the fun of creating and exploring without the mess or setup! Children along with their Parent/Caregiver can come into the studio to create, explore and play with various materials that will be laid out for their use each week.  Please note that things can get a little messy. It is recommended that you and your child come dressed appropriately.

Session I:  Fridays, April 9-30, 1:00pm-1:45pm
Session II: Thursdays, May 6-27, 4:15pm-5:00pm
In this combination class music and art will be intertwined to create an introduction to both worlds. Through the use of various instruments, songs, games, and art mediums your child’s exploration begins.

Thursdays, April 8-29, 4:15pm-5:00pm
An introduction to basic music skills will be taught through a variety of musical instruments, songs, games, and bookwork. 

Wednesdays, March 24-April 28, 4:30pm-6:30 pm
Children will be able to explore their creative side and unlock their imagination by creating a masterpiece on the pottery wheel. Wear grubby clothes to this class!  Gabriele has taught pottery at PDAC for many years and her own pots are in private collections throughout Canada.

Thursdays, April 1-May 20, 6:30pm–8:30 pm
Sessions will include instruction on: Drawing Beginnings with pencil; Perspective and Vanishing Points; Value; Charcoal Drawing; Shading techniques; Drawing People, Animals, and Still Life; Watercolor Techniques and at least one finished painting.

Session I:   Monday, March 29-May 17, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Session II:  Tuesday, March 30-May 18, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Session III: Thursday, April 1-May 20, 10:00am-12:00pm
Create beautiful pottery pieces that are completely functional!  Using a variety of techniques, Gabriele will teach you hand building and throwing on the potter’s wheel.  Learn a variety of decorating and glazing techniques to finish your work.
Equipment required:  Cost includes clay up to 10 kg.  Additional clay can be purchased from the instructor.  Please bring old towel & ice cream pail.   Gabriele has taught pottery at PDAC for many years and her own pots are in private collections throughout Canada.

Wednesdays, March 31-May 5, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Objective: To advance our learning from the beginner classes.  We will learn how to take better photographs with hands on practice using our cameras.
The following topics will be covered:

Requirements: Digital point and shoot or SLR camera or film cameras.  Instructor will bring samples and lighting equipment.

Wednesdays, March 31-May 19, 6:30pm–8:30pm
The basics of drawing and techniques of watercolor will be taught.  The completed pieces ready for framing will include a 14” x 10” bouquet of flowers.
Materials required:
1 sheet of 200lb. watercolor cold press paper
1 sheet of 140lb. watercolor cold press paper
1 jar of misket or frisket
The Arts Centre will supply brushes, pencils, erasers, drawing paper, charcoal paper, charcoal sticks, kleenex, paper towel, and paints.

PHYSICAL ARTS

Tuesdays, April 20-June 8, 5:15pm-6:15pm
This integrative program, developed by Joseph LePage in the US focuses on basic fundamentals of yoga/pilates/somatics/ATM (awareness through movement) and many other elements and techniques.  This form exists as a bridge between classical yoga and North American modern wellness programs.  It is meant to complete the entire wheel of yoga in your daily setting.  The program can be adapted to chair work and is suitable for most people.  Restrict fluids and foods to 1 ½ hours before class.  Wear warm layered clothing and socks.  Bring a mat, a medium size towel and your sense of humour!  Lori is certified as an Integrative Yoga instructor (Alberta in 2003).  She has had accreditation as a fitness leader (1987) and has been practicing as a massage therapist since 1986.  She has had numerous adult continuing education credits in the fitness, health and dance field through agencies such as RWB, U of M, YMCA over the past 30 years, and still continues to have yearly upgrading.  Lori draws on her past and present training to enhance her program.

WEEKEND WORKSHOPS

Saturday, March 20, 9:30am-5:00pm - “Log Cabin”
Join instructor Julie Lamoureux for this fun class and create an oil painting that you will be proud to display, created using Julie’s technique.  If you've always wanted to paint but have been intimidated by the high price of supplies, this class is an excellent opportunity.  All materials, including the canvases, easels, brushes, paints and thinners are provided.  Beginners are welcome!  Classes are designed to be for everyone, even people who think they "can't." This workshop is lots of fun and Julie works hard to make sure that it is a good experience.

Session I:  Saturday, March 20, 9:30am-1:00pm   OR
Session II: Saturday, March 27, 1:00pm-4:30pm
During the workshop participants will be introduced to the ancient art of Pysanka (Ukrainian Easter Eggs). Participants will leave with two completed Easter eggs. Each participant will be required to bring two large, raw eggs and $5.00 for supplies (kistka, wax & design sheet).  Dyes are indelible so children should be dressed accordingly or bring a smock. Helene Lucko has been writing Pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs) since childhood.  She has provided workshops for the Central Plains Tourism Association and instruction at church and at schools.

Saturday, May 1, 11:00am-3:00 pm
Beginner to intermediate levels welcome.  Fee includes art supplies. This workshop offers a step by step approach to learning how to paint a landscape with light and depth by working with color, values, shapes and texture. Students will learn: color mixing for glowing lights and deep darks, different textures to describe the elements of the landscape. Please bring a bagged lunch for our break time.

2^nd  & 4^th  Mondays of the month  The Camera Club meets to share photos, take on photo challenges and the occasional field trip.  Everyone is welcome to join.  Bring your camera. 

The Arts Centre classroom is open to all PDAC member artists as an Open Studio every Wednesday afternoon from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Bring your own supplies to work on your creations in the company of other artists, and enjoy the spacious classroom and networking opportunities this provides.This is a great chance to meet other artists in a collegial environment.

ArtsSmarts Portage is now being run by the Portage & District Arts Centre.
In May 2007, students were invited to create a mosaic brick with a Manitoba wildflower design. The resulting collection of 600 mosaic bricks have been installed in the "Plaza of Possibilities" located at the Portage Collegiate. The students studied the botanical flowers of Manitoba and came to the Arts Centre, prepared to create their designs from cut glass and apply them to the bricks. The "Brick Wildflower Mosaic Project" is a successful collaboration of artists, teachers, students and members of the community.

In 2008, students embarked on a banner making project. Each class studied a different topic related to Portage la Prairie, made preliminary designs, then transferred them to a 25 x 50 inch banner. About 20 banners in all were then hung in Heritage Square and the downtown parking lot.

The 2009 community project asked students to fashion a city block using recyclables. Along with several class projects, another glass mosaic pillar was also made to add to the "Plaza of Possibilities" at Portage Collegiate.

The 2010 community project will be an installation of eighteen copper geese with a 6 foot wing span to be created in collaboration with professional artists and students from the Portage School Division.  These geese will be installed in the Atrium of the PCU Centre in Spring/Summer 2010. 

The Portage & District Arts Council entered into Arts Stabilization Manitoba’s Performance Builder program in 2005 in order to instill "better business practices" into the operations of the Arts Centre.  As a first step, a consultant completed an assessment of the organization which led us through the process of creating a strategic plan and 3 year business plan.  This very positive experience gave the Board and Staff a means to establish long term goals. 

Our next workshop in Fall 2009 will focus on “interpretation” for exhibitions featured in our galleries. 

We are grateful to Arts Stabilization Manitoba and executive director Derek Smith for this beneficial program. 

Jean Armstrong, Manager