Art by Zee

The Alki Bathhouse (at 2701 Alki Ave SW) is a great place to go do some art; with its windows facing out onto Puget Sound, it has a great and inspiring ambience. That’s why Seattle Parks & Recreation uses it as a classroom to offer a variety of art and craft classes for Seattle residents both young and old:

Wreath Making Workshop

Learn how to make your very own wreath to take home for the holidays. All materials are provided.

Saturday, November 6, 10 a.m. – noon

Ages 16 and up

Cost: $15 fee

Registration deadline is October 31, 2010.

Beginning Knitting Class

Discover the craft of knitting. Learn the history of knitting, yarn weights, gauges and measurements. Bring the following to class: size 10 knitting needles, two skeins of worsted-weight yarn, jumbo darning needle, and knitting bag to hold supplies.

Tuesdays, 5 – 6:30 p.m., November 9 – December 14

Ages 16 and up

Cost: $25 fee.

Registration deadline is November 2, 2010.

Ceramics Painting Class

Choose an unpainted ceramic piece and paint with non-toxic glazes for a personalized keepsake or gift. Leave it with us for firing, and pick it up after a week.

Saturday, November 13, 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Adults, and children ages 3 and up with adult

Cost: $20 fee.

Registration deadline is November 6, 2010.

Puppet Show: Thistle Theater presents “Little Red Riding Hood”

Little Red Riding Hood goes to Grandmutter’s House with a basketful of goodies and stumbles into an armload of adventure. This very funny version of the classic tale is set in Bavaria and includes an interactive song in which children are invited to sing and operate puppets with Little Red Riding Hood.

Saturday, November 20, 1 – 2 p.m.

Children and adults are welcome; recommended for Pre-K to grade 3.

Cost: $5 in advance, $8 at the door. Admission fee for ages 1 and under.

Pre- registration deadline is 12:15 p.m. on November 20, 2010.

Affordable Art Sale – Vendor Spots Available

All items must be handmade by the vendor. Bring proof of City of Seattle Business License for $5 discount. A 10% Commission will be collected, payable to the City of Seattle.

December 4, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Cost: Reserve your table today for $27.

Registration deadline is November 27, 2010.

Home School Kids Pottery

This course is an introduction to clay basics for youth. Using hand-building techniques, students learn to pinch and coil and how to build pots, forms, cups, animals and more. All materials provided.

Mondays, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m., November 1 – 29

Ages 5 – 10

Cost: $80 fee.

Registration deadline is October 25, 2010.

Beginning Kids Pottery

This course is an introduction to clay basics for youth. Using hand-building techniques, students learn to pinch and coil and how to build pots, forms, cups, animals and more. All materials provided.

Mondays, 4 – 5 p.m., November 1- 29

Ages: 5 – 10

Cost: $80 fee.

Registration deadline is October 28, 2010.

Advanced Kids Pottery

Kids continue to build skills with clay, learning to use a pottery wheel to make cups, bowls, plates and vases. All materials provided.

Tuesdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m., November 2 – 30

Ages: 7 – 11

Cost: $110 fee

Registration deadline is October 28, 2010.

Beginning/Intermediate Wheel Pottery

Learn to throw on the wheel in a relaxed and supportive environment. Beginners and students who have limited experience on the wheel but want to work on specific challenges are all welcome. Fee includes 25 lb. bag of clay, glazes and firings.

Wednesdays, 6 – 9 p.m., November 10 – December 8

Ages: 18 and up

Cost: $165 fee

Registration deadline is November 3, 2010.

Open Painting Studio

This open studio is for artists and crafters looking for an inspiring place to work on their projects, bring supplies and spread out on one of our tables. Enjoy the view of Alki Beach and the company of fellow creative people. Hazardous or toxic materials not allowed.

Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., and Thursdays, 5 – 9 p.m., now through December 15

Ages: 18 and up

Cost: $50 fee.

Paint Your Heart Out

Explore your creative process with acrylic or oil paints. We’ll focus on loosening up, getting rid of stress, and recognizing personally meaningful symbols. Some materials provided. Bring your paints if you have them.

Wednesdays, 6 – 9 p.m., November 3 – December 1

Ages: 16 and up

Cost: $100 fee.

Registration deadline is October 28, 2010.

Register in person at Alki Community Center, 5817 SW Stevens St.; by phone 206-684-7430; or online using SPARC link at seattle.gov/parks.

Pacfic Science Center celebrates the important role that educators play in our society by hosting a free science sampler at the science center’s Educator Open House on Saturday, October 2.

That day teachers will receive free admission to the science center which includes access to current exhibits, laser shows, IMAX films, the Willard Smith Planetarium, and the Tropical Butterfly House.

More than 57,000 students, teachers and chaperones visited Pacific Science Center last year and the center hopes to attract even more this year, giving kids a chance to discover and explore and to inspire a life-long love of science.

Educators who take advantage of this offer will get a first look at the newest traveling exhibit, Mindbender Mansion, which features math and problem solving in the form of puzzles, brainteasers, and interactive challenges.

If you’ve got kids aged 6 to 9 or 9 to 12 years old, Seattle Parks is offering some exciting art classes for them this summer at the Alki Bathhouse.

Artist Talese Heckler leads classes in drawing, painting, fashion design, journaling and urban art for the two age groups; each class runs a week long. To register, go online to the Seattle Parks site; you can get more info on the classes by calling the Alki Community Center 206.684.7430

Week #1 – 6/28/10 – 7/2/10

Fashion Design and Sewing 101

Ages: 9 -12

Week #2 – 7/6/10 – 7/9/10

Mythology, Legends and Watercolor

Ages 6 – 9

Week # 3 – 7/12/10 – 7/15/10

Pop Art 1950’s – 1980’s Painting and Drawing

Ages 9 -12

Week #4 – 7/19/10 – 7/23/10

Fashion for Youth

Ages 6 – 9

Week #5 – 7/26/10 – 7/29/10

Urban Art: Street-to-Canvas

Ages 6 -9

Week #6 – 8/2/10 – 8/6/10

The Diorama and Terrarium

Ages 9 – 12

Week #7 – 8/9/10 – 8/12/10

Creative Writing and the Artists Journal

Ages 9 – 12

Week #8 – 8/16/10 – 8/20

Girl Power

Ages 6 – 9

One of the Northwest’s most talented musicians is Carrie Akre who has a long history of brilliant musical work with Hammerbox, Goodness and her own singer-songwriter career. Carrie has a massive amount of musical intelligence and now you can learn from her: Her six week singer/songwriter course begins February 24 and runs for six weeks at EMP/SFM. EMP members pay a mere $135 for the course; non-members pay $160. In either case, it’s a genuine bargain for the opportunity to learn the basics of writing and performing your own songs in a friendly, encouraging, and artistically challenging environment with one of the best instructors you could ever imagine.

For more information on the class, check out the class listing online.

One of my coworkers just got back from Kenya, a place I’ve always wanted to visit, so the flyer I just got about filmmaking seminars to be held in Kenya, and in Panama, too, are timely.

Well, if I ever get into filmmaking myself, I hope to produce, but wouldn’t it be fun to learn to shoot a movie in such lovely landscape?

Elevate Destinations is the organization providing these classes with experienced teachers whose pedigrees include winning Emmys and being affiliated with respected academic institutions. The Panama class takes place in May, the Kenya class takes place in August. Both classes include expert instruction on cinematography as well as trips to see the local flora and fauna up close.

For more information, visit their website, e-mail elevatedestinations.com or phone 617.661.0203