Community Calendar

Test the waters with oil pastel, a low-mess, approachable medium with instructor Annie Croft. Students will have a chance to experiment with their pastels, practice some drawing techniques, and then select a nature picture of their choice. Annie will lead students through the steps of recreating their image and will assist students with finding the right colors and blending for their individual projects. No experience needed!

This workshop will be held from noon-2 pm on Wednesday, October 22, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended ages: Adults & teens

Join instructor Cheryl Meyer for an exploration of free painting in watercolor. You’ll experiment with free-form painting and then identify shapes or creatures from what you see in the paint. This two-session class uses watercolor, then pen/marker to create a surreal, dreamlike painting. No experience necessary.

This two-week class will be held from 2-4:30 pm, Wednesday, October 22-29, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: 16 and up

This is the final course of the four-part Fundamentals of Drawing series with acclaimed artist and instructor Julie Tyslicky. Throughout this course, students will focus on the importance of developing a series of work. We will be discussing why this is important in your development as an artist. You’ll discover how working in a series can broaden and hone your skills. We will touch on Artists’ Biographies, Artists’ Statements, and the difference between the two. You will be guided on how to enter a juried show. Please note- completion of Drawing 1-3 is required to participate in this course.

This 12-week course will be held from 6-8:30 pm on Wednesdays, September 17-December 3, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended ages: Adults only

Summon the spooky season with a series of flying creatures rendered in watercolor! Led by instructor Cheryl Meyer, you’ll focus on capturing the form and personality of birds & bats through expressive painting techniques. Each week in this 3-session course will feature a different harbinger of the dark, and this class will guide you in bringing them to life on paper.

Perfect for beginner to intermediate artists, we’ll explore watercolor fundamentals such as wet-on-wet, layering, and texture while also learning how to sketch dynamic forms, render feathers and wings, and create harmonious backgrounds.

The class will be held weekly from 2-5 pm on Thursdays, October 9, 23, and 30 in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway, Mt. Pleasant, MI. You may select individual classes or enroll in the series for a discounted rate!

October 9: Barn Owl

October 23: Bats

October 30: Raven

Recommended age: 16 and up

Reimagine Van Gogh in mixed media with instructor Cheryl Meyer. Students will be guided in recreating Van Gogh’s early work, “Skull of a Skeleton with Burning Cigarette,” on black paper. Originally created in oil, you’ll render the image in watercolor, chalk pastels, and inks for a mixed media project just in time for the Halloween season. All skill levels are welcome.

This class will be held from 5:30-8 pm, Thursday, October 23, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant

Recommended age: 16 and up

Writer, humorist, and master of satire David Sedaris is coming to Kalamazoo for an evening of readings and recollections, Q&A, and book signing. One of the country’s preeminent humor writers, beloved for his personal essays and short stories, Sedaris writes in a style both autobiographical and self-deprecating, ruminating on family life, his middle-class, suburban upbringing, homosexuality, drug use, and obsessive behaviors. Several of his books have graced national bestseller lists, including Calypso, Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, and Happy-Go-Lucky.

David’s books will be on sale in the lobby before and after the show. David will sign books for patrons before and after the show.

Join instructor Annie Croft to experiment with painted papers, collage and assembly fun. This is a fun and stress-free artform where students get a peek into the life of children’s author Eric Carle as well as his art methods. Students will be supplied with all the materials they need to create at least one collaged image, utilizing acrylic, watercolor, pastel and paper scraps for a whimsical take on his iconic artworks.

This workshop will be held from 10 am-12:30 pm on Friday, October 24, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended ages: Adults & teens

From the beloved anthem I Was Glad by Sir Hubert Parry to Handel’s iconic Zadok the Priest, the Midland Center Chorale presents a powerful program of timeless music performed at British coronations for centuries. Conducted by Dr. Letícia Grützmann, this concert features collaborative keyboard artist Collin Whitfield and the magnificent pipe organ of Memorial Presbyterian Church – 1310 Ashman Street, Midland, MI.
Tickets (plus $3 MCTFA fee)
$16 at the door
$8 advance tickets via: https://cart.midlandcenter.org/events/32435,32442,32571,32444?hidedate&promo=choral50

Teen Open Studio is a relaxed, creative night just for teens—perfect for hanging out, making art, and enjoying some pizza. Whether you're into painting, drawing, or want to try something new, this is a great space to explore your creativity and meet other teen artists. Teen Open Studio runs from 6 to 8 pm on Saturday, October 25, and takes place on the fourth Saturday of every month.

This program is a Teen Advisory Group (TAG) initiative designed to give teens space and support to explore their creativity.

Recommended age: 13-19