Community Calendar

Pork Dumplings & Hot Sour Soup
Saturday, April 18 / 9:00 am – 12:30 pm / $65

These demonstrations offer a welcoming opportunity to learn healthy cooking concepts and traditional culinary techniques through clear, step-by-step instruction. Participants will observe the full cooking process, gain cultural and practical insights, and enjoy tasting freshly prepared dishes in a relaxed and engaging environment.

Whether you are curious about Chinese and Taiwanese cuisine or looking to deepen your cultural and culinary knowledge, these demonstrations offer a delicious and informative experience. Ages 12 and up.

Ju-Yu Chen, also known as Louise Chen, is a Taiwanese-born culinary enthusiast. She brings over three decades of experience adapting traditional Chinese and Taiwanese cooking for American kitchens.

Louise has participated in numerous hands-on learning experiences professionally and privately in both Taiwan and the US, emphasizing authentic flavors, healthy techniques, and accessible ingredients sourced from local and Asian markets. Her demonstrations combine cultural insight with practical skills, empowering participants to cook simply, mindfully, and with genuine quality.

Looking to add a handmade touch to your wardrobe? Join instructor Tanya Ehrsam for a crash course in garment construction with a simple skirt project. Students should bring their choice of fabric and pattern selection, and Tanya will lead the class in reading a pattern, cutting fabric, and constructing the skirts. If you have a machine you are comfortable with, you may bring it, or use one of ours. No experience is necessary, and beginners are welcome! This is a great way to learn sewing skills while creating functional, wearable art.

This 2-session course will be held from 12-2 pm on Saturday, April 11 & 18, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended ages: 10 and up

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

New to knitting? Join instructor Tanya Ehrsam for a back-to-the-basics course in introductory knitting. Students can choose between dishcloth patterns or a scarf pattern to hone their skills over this three-week course. Quick learners can also adapt the patterns to learn lacework skills. Students may purchase a needle/yarn kit at the first class session or come prepared with their materials.

This three-week course will be held from 2:30-4:30 pm, Saturday, April 4, and 2:30-4 pm April 11 & 18 in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: 8 and up

Supply list

2 sets knitting needles, flat, circular, or double pointed needles- size 7 & 8 (1 set of each).

2 skeins 100gms of dk or worsted weight cotton or cotton bamboo blend yarn, or 2 skeins worsted weight wool

*If new to knitting, all yarn must be light in color or have good contrast with the needles

Cotton yarn is available in class for $6 each; wool is available in class for $25 each.

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Unwind with an evening of watercolor painting led by Cheryl Meyer! Bring your favorite wine, a friend, and your creativity for this relaxing Saturday workshop. Participants will learn watercolor techniques while painting a guided landscape composition. All instruction and art supplies are provided, making it the perfect opportunity to embrace your creativity.

Wine & Watercolors will be held 6-8:30 pm, Saturday, April 18, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: Adults 21+

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Scratchboards aren’t just for kids! Join instructor Cheryl Meyer to explore the intricate textures, forms, and values that can be achieved with black-and-white scratchboards. After learning some best practices for the medium, students will work on a guided drawing based on a black-and-white photo of Cheryl’s resident farm celebrity, Sherman the goat.

This three-week course will be held from 1-3 pm on Tuesdays, April 7-21, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended ages: Adults & teens

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Join instructor Matt Grimmer for an exploration of gesture drawing. Gestural drawing is meant to allow students to create fast, energetic sketches that truly bring figure drawings to life. We’ll work in a quick, loose style while learning some basics about drawing the human form. A live model will pose for students to work from. When paired with group and individual instruction given throughout the course, it results in student works that are filled with personal style, which maintains its gravitation around life-like representation. Beginners are welcome.

This 3-week course will be held from 5:30-8:30 pm on Tuesdays, April 7-21, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended ages: Adults & teens

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Alternating Tuesdays / 6:30 – 8 pm / $5 drop-in
Jan 13, 27
Feb 3, 17
March 10, 24
April 7, 21

Who doesn’t love to dance? This low-key class taught by local choreographer Kelli Jolly is designed for adults ages 18 and up! A flexible schedule allows you to drop in whenever you want.

Appropriate for ALL levels, from experienced dancer to complete beginner – the class is about having fun and enjoying the rhythm without any pressure.

Classes are 90 minutes and consist of a warmup, skills across the dance floor, and a combination.

Wear any comfortable shoes and clothing.

Club Create is a program created in partnership with Michigan Arts Access for adults with disabilities. Club Create offers adults with disabilities hands-on experiences in the arts, led by professional artists. Club members participate in an art experience at each meeting and also have time to socialize with other club members. Club Create of Mid Michigan meets 10:30 am-12 pm on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Caregivers are welcome to participate as well.

Club Create of Mid Michigan members will meet from 10:30 am-12 pm, Wednesday, April 22, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Celebrate this spring with color, creativity, and a flock of feathered inspiration! Led by instructor Cheryl Meyer, you’ll focus on capturing the charm, movement, and personality of birds through expressive painting techniques. Each week in this 4-session course will feature a different warbler, 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 bird forms, render feathers, and create harmonious backgrounds. This series helps build your skills and confidence in watercolor.

This 4-week course will be held weekly from 3-5:30 pm on Wednesday, April 15-May 6, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway, Mt. Pleasant, MI. Select from the discounted full course or individual sessions.

April 15: Yellow-rumped Warbler
April 22: Black-and-white Warbler
April 29: Blackburnian Warbler
May 6: Black-throated Blue Warbler

Recommended age: 16 and up

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

7:00 – 8:30 pm / $5 covers materials each time, BYOB
Wed. Apr 22, Mon. May 18

Let’s explore watercolor together as both an individual and community mindfulness practice. Watercolor is the perfect medium to teach us how to let go of perfection, to continue when things aren't going exactly as planned, to appreciate one another's creative journeys, and to find flow.

The focus is on the journey rather than the outcome. This is not a class with a teacher, but rather an experience of creativity in community. Zero experience or "artistic ability" strongly encouraged. This experience will create a welcome space for all who wish to participate. Space is limited. Please preregister.