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Beginning Drawing from Nature
with Sally Walsh
Experience Level: Beginner
Learn the basics of drawing the natural world at Drawing from Nature on Thursdays, Feb. 27 through March 20 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in The Studio.
This course, led by retired art teacher Sally Walsh, is aimed at the beginner who has no drawing experience. Students will learn how to bring items from nature to life with shading and blending.
$65/person*. Register by Feb. 24. All sales are final.
*Students should bring:
— Spiralbound mixed media sketchbook in preferred size (9x12 is standard)
— No. 2 pencil
— Clear plastic ruler
— Kneaded eraser
— Pencil blending tool
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.
About the instructor
Sally Walsh is a retired art teacher from Richland Community College in Decatur. She has more than 30 years of teaching experience and has led previous art classes at Allerton.
Dances of the Gilded Age (March 3)
with Jeanette Watts
Experience Level: Beginner
Step back in time with turn of the century dances at Historical Dancing on Mondays, Jan. 27 through March 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion.
In this elegant setting, instructor Jeanette Watts will teach1900-era ballroom styles including the waltz and two-step, reflecting the graceful movements that captivated society early in the 20th century. Perfect for history enthusiasts and dance lovers alike, this course offers a unique opportunity to experience the elegance and charm of the Gilded Age.
$90/person for the entire series or $30/class. Register for the series by Jan. 24 or three days before each class. All sales are final.
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the instructor
Jeanette Watts has been teaching historical dances for over 20 years. She is the founder of the Terpsichorean Delights Dance Assembly in Dayton, Ohio, Queen City Vintage Dance in Charlotte, North Carolina, and spent covid writing an 8-volume series of instructional dance manuals for historical museums.
Santorini Stone Painting
with Sara Gentry
Experience Level: Beginner
Learn to paint on a beautiful surface at Santorini Stone Painting on Wednesday, March 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion Solarium.
Mined in Greece, Santorini stone is a strikingly white and sparkling natural stone. It is often cut and polished for construction and landscape purposes.
In this course, instructor Sara Gentry will show how this smooth and sparkled surface makes it a uniquely wonderful canvas for painting!
$50/person. Register by Feb. 26. All sales are final.
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
Circular Weaving
with Macy McCall
Experience Level: Beginner
Create your own unique wall hanging at Circular Weaving on Friday, March 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in The Studio.
Macy McCall of TwinFringe will share beginner weaving techniques and students will create their own weaving on a steel circular frame. A variety of colors and fibers will be available to help make each take-home piece unique!
$75/person. Register by March 5. All sales are final.
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the instructor
Macy McCall, a fiber artist in Champaign, started her fiber art journey in 2018 when she first learned about macramé. By 2020 she started her small business, TwinFringe, in which she sells her artwork and teaches a variety of workshops.
She has taught in many different locations such as Parkland Community College, Allerton Park, local plant shops, and private events. Besides macramé, Macy is learning how to weave as well, which has been an exciting endeavor as she continues to explore the beautiful world of fiber art.
Will run
Foraging Walk (March 8)
with Michael Baker
Former Allerton In-Residence naturalist Michael Baker will return to the Park to conduct a Foraging Walk from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 8 at the Sun Singer.
Baker, a professional forager, will give demonstrations of the current uses of edible plants and mushrooms during the walk. Participants will be introduced to a variety of wild edible plants and mushrooms and be instructed on which plants to avoid.
$35/person (all ages). Register here by March 5. All sales are final.
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.
About the instructor
Michael Baker is a professional foraging educator and podcaster in the Chicago suburbs. His show, the Wild Edible World podcast, seeks to educate anyone who will listen on edible plants and fungi, what they taste like, and where you can find them. He is also a co-founder of Remnant Roots non-profit which seeks to adopt vacant lots and turn them into native plant sanctuaries.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, wellness, outdoor education, storytelling, and science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
Foraging Walk (March 9)
with Michael Baker
Former Allerton In-Residence naturalist Michael Baker will return to the Park to conduct a Foraging Walk from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 9 at the Sun Singer.
Baker, a professional forager, will give demonstrations of the current uses of edible plants and mushrooms during the walk. Participants will be introduced to a variety of wild edible plants and mushrooms and be instructed on which plants to avoid.
$35/person (all ages). Register here by March 5. All sales are final.
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.
About the instructor
Michael Baker is a professional foraging educator and podcaster in the Chicago suburbs. His show, the Wild Edible World podcast, seeks to educate anyone who will listen on edible plants and fungi, what they taste like, and where you can find them. He is also a co-founder of Remnant Roots non-profit which seeks to adopt vacant lots and turn them into native plant sanctuaries.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, wellness, outdoor education, storytelling, and science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
Creating from Colorful Coiled Fabric
with Billie Theide
Experience Level: Beginner
Learn the techniques of spiral coil weaving at Creating from Colorful Coiled Fabric on Wednesday, March 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. in The Studio.
At this workshop, instructor Billie Theide will walk students through the process as they make colorful coiled fabric bowls, vases, placemats, coasters and jewelry. Students will be introduced to a variety of materials and edge finishes.
$100/person (Ages 13+; 13- to 17-year-olds must be accompanied by a registered adult). Register by March 5. All sales are final.
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the instructor
Billie Theide is a former chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she is Professor Emerita. Theide is a metalsmith, jeweler and ceramicist. Her work is in public art collections around the world including the Smithsonian, Museum of Arts & Design in New York City, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the Racine Art Museum, among others.
She is the recipient of a Visual Arts Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and five Artists Fellowship Grants from the Illinois Arts Council. Theide has been recognized for her excellence in teaching and is a Distinguished Member and Past-President of the Society of North American Goldsmiths.
Wines of the World (March 12): Sense of Place
with Mike Lee
Experience Level: Beginner
Take part in a delicious series with an international flavor at Wines of the World on Wednesday, March 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion Solarium.
Renowned wine educator and television personality Mike Lee will lead this delightful and delectable wine class, where he takes students on an enchanting journey through the vineyards both domestically and across the globe. With a wealth of knowledge and passion for introducing students to tasting, talking, and understanding wine, Mike’s engaging style immerses students in wines of the world.
Mike’s class is for beginners and wine lovers alike, from the refined elegance of Bordeaux to the inspiring hills of Tuscany, the bold flavors of Rioja and the full, rich vintages of California. Each class will include tastings of 5 to 6 wines (see below for details on varieties).
$200/person for the entire series* or $60/class (Ages 21+). Register by Feb 12th. or one week before each class. All sales are final.
Registration links:
— Feb. 19: Navigating Blends/The Art of Winemaking — discover the world of blended wines and why winemakers choose to blend
— March 12: Sense of Place — a class contrasting wines from regions across the globe
— March 26: Oregon and Washington — exploring American winemakers outside of California
— April 9: Choosing Wines for Any Occasion — Match wines to seasons and occasions
*Sign up for all four classes individually and use the promo code “WINE40” to get $40 off at checkout.
Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the Instructor
Mike Lee is an accomplished wine, spirits, and beer educator with 9+ years in the alcohol industry. Having achieved the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (London) Certified Educator achievement in Wine, Lee is certified to teach levels 1 and 2 internationally. With experience with class sizes large and small, he is known for his ability to adapt to any learning environment with excellent facilitation skills.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, health & wellness, history, nature & outdoor education, or science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
See the complete Spring Session schedule here.