Enjoy Kiwanis benefit and new art classes

Alexis Barnick will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Masonic Lodge (near the reservoir). She is doing a benefit for Kiwanis International to help fund its Eliminate Project which provides vaccinations for women and children around the world. The Jamestown College music education major made it through “American Idol” all the way to Hollywood.

Tickets for the event are $20. All funds go toward the health benefit. Wine, cheesecake and an auction will begin about 7 p.m. during the social, so arrive early.

After the benefit those interested should plan to spend a little time learning some new skills at the Arts Center. There will be two classes this month for children and adults.

Starting on April 21 at the Hansen Arts Studio is an introduction to the potter’s wheel. If you have not centered your mind while making a perfectly circular pot, this is an amazing opportunity. You can also make something that is usable in the oven, microwave or outside in the garden.

Pottery classes run $50 for members and $60 for non-members. Clay, tools, glazes and firing are included in the fee. According to the Arts Center news release, cup, bowls and plates are on the agenda. This is a Saturday afternoon class beginning this Saturday from 1 to 3, and also on April 21 and 28. As one who gets into the wheel I’d recommend getting a big, long-sleeved washable shirt dedicated to the wheel. You’ll get delightfully dirty.

I’d recommend buying extra clay and glazes and trying your hand at some garden gnomes or stepping stones, some mosaic tiles for some personal concrete steps or perhaps mosaics or making your own birdbath. Summer will bring new ideas for clay pieces, so stay in touch with the Arts Center and plan to add some fall or winter pottery classes to make those specialty items that are yours alone.

Adult classes are open to anyone 16 years of age or older. And preregistration is required for all classes.

There’s a clay class for kids that starts Saturdays, April 21 and 28, at 10 a.m. until noon at the Hansen Arts Studio. Kids will learn basic hand-building techniques and explore the “wacky world” of artist Robert Arneson. He will have them make self-portraits and add some cool stuff to them. Kids will be using clay and decorating with glazes. Kids in grades 2 to 7 may register. Fees are $25 for members or $35 for non-members.

To register, contact The Arts Center at 701-251-2496 or online at www.jamestow

nartscenter.org.

If anyone has an item for this column, please send to Sharon Cox, PO Box 1559, Jamestown, ND 58402-1559.

Tags: sharon cox, diversions