IU Northwest: Adult Education

Adult Education

Personal Development

Floral Design

This is your opportunity to be creative and design a series of four silk floral designs for your home or to give as gifts. Classes will explore design techniques, color, shapes, containers, and finishing touches. The arrangements will include a window box, formal centerpiece, an Easter centerpiece using the European garden technique, and a spring wreath. Some of the techniques can also be used in garden blooms for the outdoors. An instructional guide will be given for each project. A supply list will accompany the confirmation letter for students to purchase before class. The instructor will collect $30-35 per class directly from students for the cost of the arrangements. All skill levels are welcome to attend.

Saturdays, February 27, March 6, 13, and 27, 10-12 p.m., $120 (does not include student supplies and project costs)

Design a Spring Window Box and Learn about Principles of Color Theory
Create a colorful window box display with seasonal imitation bulb plants in blues, purples, and yellow. This is a one-sided piece ideal for your front porch or an open space in your home that could use a splash of spring flowers. With Charlene, you will learn the basic fundamentals of skilled floral design and finishing techniques. You will also learn about the use of color in arrangements as we will be reviewing the color wheel. A color wheel is a visual representation of colors arranged according to their chromatic relationship and you will receive one to keep. All skill levels may attend this class. An instructional Step-by-Step guide will be provided to students as a resource that can be used as a reference for future designs.

Design a Formal Table Centerpiece and Learn about Container and Display Shapes
Design a Grecian inspired pedestal arrangement that is perfect for a dining room or coffee table. This elegant centerpiece will have trailing greenery, roses and hanging fruit. This is an all-around arrangement done in neutral colors that will be a great addition to any home. You will learn the basic fundamentals of skilled floral design and finishing techniques. We will also discuss container selection and coordination of display shapes that will be appropriate for container shapes. An instructional Step-by-Step guide will be provided to students as a resource that can be used as a reference for future designs.

Make an Easter Centerpiece using the European Garden technique
This is a festive piece in a low basket that has moss, Easter eggs, daffodils, hyacinths, and ornamental cabbage. Peter Rabbit would be proud. This is a mossy nest design done in pretty pastels. You will learn how to arrange the flowers to create a garden look ideal for springtime. Basic fundamentals of skilled floral design will be applied. We will also learn the techniques used in a European garden floral design. These principles may also be applied to your fresh potted plant displays and to blooming plant displays bundled in baskets. An instructional step-by-step guide will be provided to students as a resource that can be used as a reference for future designs.

Make a Spring Wreath and Learn about the History of Floral Design.
This 12” wreath is decorated with yellow forsythia branches to create a very springy feel. This is an eye-catching piece for your front door or foyer. We will also use spring flowers throughout the wreath as fillers and we will create a tailored bow for the lower left side of the wreath. You will learn about the history of floral design and the symbolism of wreaths. Basic fundamentals of skilled floral design will be applied. An instructional step-by-step guide will be provided to students as a resource that can be used as a reference for future designs.

Saturdays, February 27, March 6, 13, and 27, 10-12 p.m., $120 (does not include student supplies and project costs)

Gods, Goddesses, Myths, and Religions

What beliefs helped our ancient ancestors develop laws and cultures that gave rise to the modern world? What religions existed before, or separate from, Christianity, Judaism and Islam? Meet the Druids, the Aztecs, the Vikings, and the Goddess-cultures of early Europe among others. Get a quick, useful introduction to Buddhism, Native American shamanism, and other little-known religious beliefs and practices that still exist today. This fun and informative course will expand your horizons and introduce you to the gods.

Tuesdays, March 9-April 6 (no class March 16), 5:30-6:45 p.m., $75

Harmonica Workshop

Learn to play the 10-hole (Diatonic) blues harmonica in styles that can be used to play Blues, American Folk, Jazz, Gospel, and Country Music. After learning the basics, you will play your tunes using a microphone and guitar amplifier. Discussions will include the history, cultural aspects, and master artists of the Harmonica. Details for purchasing your harmonica (about $28) will be mailed to you.

Saturdays, March 27-May 1, 10-12 noon, $135 Register after March 17 - $145

Interior Design

Interior design is the joy of creating an environment which reflects your lifestyle and personality. This class will be packed with user friendly ideas on space planning, color and lighting, upholstery fabric, furniture selections, window treatments, and accessories. With your budget in mind, you can transform the white box room into a functional and beautiful space. Two classes will be held in retail locations.

Monday, March 1-April 12 (no class March 15), 7- 9 p.m., $139

Line Dancing

Men and women of all ages will have fun, meet new people, and socialize while learning line dancing. New dancers and those who want to brush up on their skills will enjoy the exercise and excitement of this class. Dances will be taught in parts and then done as a whole to music. The instructor recently won first place in Chicago’s 2009 World's Largest Stepping Contest. Come join the fun!

Saturdays, February 27-April 17 (no class March 20 & April 3), 1-3 p.m.,$50

Photography – The Basics

You will learn techniques to produce great portraits and better scenic pictures. Course highlights include photography demonstrations, shooting assignments, and creative digital imaging. An evening of Photoshop techniques will be introduced. Topics may be added based on a student driven curriculum. You will need a SLR (single lens reflect) film or digital camera. Optional equipment: flash and hand held light meter. There will be a Saturday outdoor on location shoot. Both internationally noted lecturers and Master Photographers Bill Eaton and Edda Taylor will teach the course, with others making guest appearances. If class size permits, you may have a class at Edda Taylor's studio in Crown Point.

Tuesdays & Thursdays, March 25-April 8, Saturday outdoor photo shoot April 24 (Time and location to be discussed), 7:00-9:30 p.m., $135

Photography – Intermediate

Amateur or professional photographers with intermediate to advance knowledge will learn to make great images from portraits, fine art, illustrative, glamour or everyday photography. The course will include intermediate to advanced techniques of your camera equipment, lens films/digital, metering for corrective lighting, and professional techniques to make your images look outstanding through better subject posing, correct subject placement, color harmony, composition, lighting (indoor/outdoor), metering, and lens usage. A discussion will include the different computer programs that you can use to correct and enhance your images. Students will need to provide a 35mm or larger format camera and lens, film and processing fees, flash, light meter if you have hand held type, and samples of their work if available. There will be a Saturday outdoor on location shoot. The time and location will be discussed. Both internationally noted lecturers and Master Photographers Bill Eaton and Edda Taylor will teach the course. A lighting demonstration and hands on photo shoot will meet at the studio at Edda Taylor studio if class size permits.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 27-May 11, Saturday outdoor photo shoot May 15 (Time and location to be discussed), 7:00-930 p.m., $135