Several free classes at Richland Academy of the Arts are available for adults 60 and older.
Early registration is recommended because classes fill up quickly, said Pam Madore, the academy’s business manager.
“These classes are so popular,” she said. “As soon as we tell our previous students that our classes are opening for registration, our classes are usually full within a week.”
There are 10 classes available for older adults this spring. Those classes have been sponsored by grants from the Area Agency on Aging and the Ohio Arts Council.
To receive free tuition, students must be residents of Richland County.
Registration can be done online at richlandacademy.com. For help, call 419-522-8224.
Classes funded by the Area Agency on Aging
Richland Academy of the Arts started hosting programs for older adults in the early 2000s.
“Since COVID, back in 2020, we have seen a great increase in enrollment and interest,” Madore said. “The Area Agency on Aging has continued to help us create new programs.”
Nearly 100 students age 60 and older attend classes at the academy every season. Thanks to the grants, that experience is free for attendees.
“What the agency covers more than anything is the instructor payroll,” Madore said. “And they cover a good part of the material fees, so those are those are the two big chunks.”
Potential students may still have the chance to take a class even if it is filled.
“We do offer a wait list for all of our classes,” Madore said. “If a person drops a class and you’ve put yourself on a wait list, we will give you a call.”
Several classes available for Richland County residents
Classes this spring will be on a range of subjects.
“We have a stretch class,” Madore said. “I don’t want to call it yoga, because it truly is stretching.”
The stretching class was developed to improve physical and mental health of participants. The class is designed to reduce anxiety, protect joints, build balance, boost mood, lower blood pressure and strengthen bones.
“And then music classes,” Madore said.
There are separate classes this spring for guitar, keyboards and drums.
“We have an art class called Altered Book Workshop,” Madore said.
Students in that class will select a “well-loved and reused book of their choosing” to “create a multi-dimensional work of art.” They will create poetry and prose to accompany their visual art. Attendees should bring their own book.
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Another class is titled “Alternate Mediums.”
“This class is designed to focus on the visual mediums of pastels, drawing, painting and other medium explorations,” the course description reads. “Students will learn how to apply skills while exploring their creative side.”
A ceramics class will allow students to explore various ceramic techniques.
“Students will learn various hand-building techniques like pinching, coil building and slab building,” the course description reads. “They will also learn how to use a variety of hand tools to cut, smooth, and add texture to the clay.”
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