Experience Level: Both beginner and those experienced with tarot decks are welcome

Learn about tarot cards and readings at Mystic Mondays: Intro to the Tarot on Monday, Sept. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion Library.

Instructor Charlie Rainbow Wolf will guide students through the history of tarot, what it does and doesn’t do, and how to detangle myth from method when learning to read the cards. Students will then use the cards to determine how to intuitively interpret tarot for their own purposes and learn how to start reading for others.

Tarot cards are included in registration.

$_/person. Registration will close Sept. 7 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations 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

Charlie Rainbow Wolf describes herself as an “old hippie” who has studied the “weird ways of the world for nearly 50 years.” She is happiest with her hands in the mud, either making pottery in an ‘artbox’ or tending things in her ‘yarden’ (yard + garden).

Astrology, tarot and herbs are Charlie’s greatest interests, but she has also dabbled in metaphysical topics in the last five decades — because life always has something new to offer.

She is a contributing author for Llewellyn Worldwide, is a ghostwriter for renowned psychic celebrities, and makes a wicked batch of fudge! Charlie lives in central Illinois with her very patient husband and special needs Great Danes.

Experience Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Achieve that goal of learning to play a musical instrument at Learn Guitar: Get Started the Right Way on Tuesdays, Sept. 15 through Nov. 17 from 6 to 7 p.m. in The Studio.

Leading this course will be musician Rex Parvin, who has a very specific approach to teaching guitar based on a simple terminology he applies specifically to the guitar. It is essentially a 3-step process:

— Learn the notes on the guitar
— Learn how those notes go together to form chords.
— Apply and combine steps 1 and 2 to form chords and play songs, developing your own style and creative expression.

$200/person*. Registration will close on Sept. 11. All sales are final.

*Students should bring their own guitar.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.

About the instructor

Rex Parvin knew from early adolescence that his primary passion in life was music, having taken guitar lessons and learning to read music starting at age five. He learned how to conduct choirs in high school and went to college as a voice major, getting bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education, specializing in voice and conducting.

Rex’s musical abilities and passions led to a 30-year career as a full-time music director, studio musician, conductor, and guitar teacher. He is a “people person” who loves to interact with others and see them grow in their abilities and understanding of music, encouraging them to new levels of excellence. Those who have learned from him have always commented that they learned many new things in ways that were easily understandable and created a hunger to learn even more.

Experience Level: Beginner 

Learn the skills of improvisation, including scene creation and team dynamics at Improve Your Improv on Thursdays, Sept. 10 through Oct. 15 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Music Barn. 

Instructor Kyle Tasch returns to The Farms to teach this popular course, which will be jam-packed with improvisational fun that uses both short-form games and long-form scenes. 

This will not be a class to sit down, hear lectures, and take notes.  Students will be performing as much as possible to emphasize the mechanics needed to act out an entertaining and meaningful scene on the spot with no lines. There are many elements of improv that are not only useful on stage, but also in everyday life – wherever you might be put on the spot! 

Students who have already completed this class are welcome to join again. Beginners and those experienced in improv are all encouraged to join! 

$100/person for the entire series or $25/class at the links below. Registration will close on Sept. 8 for the entire series or two days before each subsequent class. 

— Sept. 10
— Sept. 17  
— Sept. 24  
— Oct. 1
— Oct. 8  
— Oct. 15

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia at 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 

Kyle Tasch is an improvisor, improv teacher, filmmaker, writer, actor, comedian and musician from the Chicago suburbs. He started performing improv in 2004 and has been improvising in front of audiences regularly since 2015. 

He has also taught classes both in-person and remotely at Westside Improv in Wheaton, Illinois. He performs live across the state in various comedy and music acts and has produced hundreds of videos and songs. 

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn what tools to have on-hand when tackling simple home repairs at Fix It! Create a Home Repair Toolbox on Friday, Sept. 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. in The Studio.

In this hands-on course, instructor Lou Ann Koebel will help students learn how to safely use the proper tools for several jobs around the house and take home a list to start building their own toolbox.

$55/person. Registration will close on Sept. 14 or when capacity is reached.All sales are final.

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at 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

Lou Ann Koebel currently leads a weekly dulcimer jam for the East Central Dulcimer Illinois Dulcimer Club at Lincoln Square. She also plays in a local band that visits and performs at local assisted living facilities.

Koebel has taught beginning dulcimer classes for The Farms, where she has had a wonderful time teaching the group and realized her love of teaching and passing on the tradition of playing a mountain dulcimer. Lou Ann also plays at area music festivals.

Experience Level: All Levels (All Ages 16+) 

Explore the magical qualities of the Elegant Writer pen paired with watercolor in Mystical Mushrooms Watercolor on Friday, Sept. 18 from 6-9 p.m. in The Studio. 

Emily Tackitt of Moonbeam Jellyfish will lead this whimsical mixed-media workshop. Students will learn how to sketch their own playful mushroom doodles before transforming them into enchanting woodland-inspired paintings using water-reactive ink techniques, watercolor washes, and expressive linework.  

Students will explore how a simple writing pen can create beautifully moody shadows, soft atmospheric textures, and unexpected magical effects when activated with water. 

$115/person*. Registration will close Sept 11 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

*All supplies will be provided 

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia at 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 

Emily Tackitt is the artist behind Moonbeam Jellyfish and works in mixed media, blending watercolor, acrylic, gouache, ink, drawing, and collage to create whimsical, fantasy-inspired artwork. With a process that is playful and intuitive, Emily is often guided by curiosity, storytelling, and whatever feels magical in the moment. Her classes are designed to feel supportive and accessible, encouraging students to build confidence through a thoughtful, step-by-step creative practice.

All skill levels (ages 16+)  

Learn how to arrange flowers like a pro at Dahlia Flower Arranging on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Arboretum Shed. 

Delight Flower Farm welcomes friends & friendly folks to learn about a variety of fall flowers and the bouquet-making elements as they play with fresh cut flowers grown on the Farm. There will be plenty of the season's star - dahlias! - as well as zinnias, amaranth, celosia and more.  

Vases are included so students can design their own bouquet to take home or gift to someone. 

$65/person*. Registration closes Sept. 12 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Students should bring gardening gloves.  

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations 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. 

Entry Level: Beginner

Be introduced to knitting in the round without juggling single or double pointed knitting needles at Knitting Without Needles: French Tube Scarf on Sunday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in The Studio. 

In this class, participants will make looms from readily available materials. Students will also learn about commercially available looms.  Participants will design and knit a colorful, striped, tubular scarf.  

Bring your imagination and create a unique decorative scarf, winter neck wrap, or a modern necklace. Students will receive a tool kit for this workshop to continue knitting at home.  

 $95/person*. Registration closes Sept. 13 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

 *Students should bring the following: 
--pencil 
--pair of embroidery scissors 
--2 or more skeins (any colorway) of locally available yarn:     
     --Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton or     
     --Loops & Threads Twist Love Cotton OR     
     --Lion Brand Made with Love The Cottony One OR     
     --Yarn Bee Fundamental Cotton OR     
     --I Love this Cotton Crafter’s Secret Cotton 

The following things are optional; bring them if you have them: 
--colored pencil set --bits of left over yarn in any fiber and weight 
--partial skeins of left over yarn in any fiber and weight 
--left over fabric scraps (linen, cotton gauze, cottons, and polyester with no right sides) 

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations 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 Professor Emerita and a former Chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Theide is a metalsmith, jeweler, textile artist, 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.

All skill levels 

Learn how to color, shape, and assemble paper petals in Paper Flower Art: Marigolds on Sunday, Sept. 20 from 2-5 p.m. in the Library.  

In this introduction to the world of paper flower art, students will learn how to create 3 unique marigolds. This fun and relaxing class is suitable for all skill levels and all ages. 

$50/person. Registration closes on Sept. 17 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.   

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations 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 

Cathy Peters love for nature has guided her to the amazing realm of paper art and flowers. She has discovered that this medium is about geometry, dimensions, and modeling—the perfect pairing of science and art.   

As she continues her journey towards perfecting artistic, realistic paper flowers, she has found it rewarding to share what she has learned with others. Her favorite moments are the looks of surprise on a student's face when they finish a flower and realize they turned a pile of paper into a flower!