Back to school—just for fun

By JONATHAN FOX

REGION — With the winter doldrums about to set in, it’s time to occupy ourselves with distractions that delight. Enrolling in a class or two may be just the answer for those of us who are bored with television and looking for something more interactive, more social and fun to boot. Whether you desire to write that first novel, dabble in watercolors or fire up the kiln with pottery of your own design, there are scads of opportunities out there that will entertain, amuse or enrich our lives in a wide variety to suit every taste. Here’s a sampling of local organizations that can help you find a course that tickles your fancy.

CATSKILL ARTS SOCIETY ( catskillartsociety.org) , 48 Main Street, Livingston Manor, NY, 845/436-4277.

A cornucopia of choices awaits at CAS. Upcoming classes include a watercolor workshop, Chinese brush painting, clay workshops, beading, African dance, kids’ clay workshops, pots for tots, making art out of everyday objects and a slew of others. Photo clubs, lecture series’ and proposals for exhibitions are all on the roster at CAS.

THE CRYSTALS AND WELL BEING CENTER ( thecrystalscenter.com ), 116 Sullivan St, Wurtsboro, NY, 845/888-2547.

“Making inspiration and happiness affordable” is their motto, and the unusual scope of classes includes “transformation” groups, psychic readings, women’s circles, beginning Wicca, metaphysical groups, water fairies workshops and “inspirational events.”

HAWLEY CULTURAL AND CREATIVE ARTS CENTER ( hawleyartscenter.net ), 519 Church Street, Hawley, PA,

Artists and artisans from all around the Hawley area have come together share space at the Hawley Arts Center Studio. They offer classes in dance (570/352-4157), drama ( ginnyhack@juno.com ), music/voice (570/226-7606), karate (570/226-6967) and Zumba (570/906-1156).

THE JANICE CENTER FOR LEARNING THE ARTS ( janicecenter.com ), 5296 State Route 52, Jeffersonville NY, 845/482-3324.

Classes cover a wide swath of territory from art, dance and music to Pilates and Zumba—a recent fitness craze the center describes as fusing “hypnotic Latin rhythms and aerobic movements to create a dynamic workout program.” There is a full listing of programs on the website calendar. Dig in.

NORTH AMERICAN CULTURAL LABORATORY ( nacl.org ), 110 Highland Lake Road, Highland Lake, NY, 845/557-0694.

A retreat center, theatre and arts complex, the NACL offers workshops for both teens and adults and is now accepting applications for performer training as well as preparing for its annual summer festival. Its next winter project is Backstage, a free theatre program for kids ages seven to 18. Classes will begin at the Tusten-Cochecton Branch of the Western Sullivan Public Library on Saturday, January 16. See page 19 for details. More classes for children are planned for April.

THE OLD STONE HOUSE ( oldstonehouse.catskill-life.com ), Hasbrouck Road, Hasbrouck, NY, 845/436-7720.

This gallery offers classes throughout the year. Watercolors, pottery and artistic expression are encouraged for children and adults.

PHILIP HONE GALLERY ( philiphonegallery.com ), 742 Main Street Honesdale, PA, 570/253-5577.

The gallery offers classes and art events such as a drawing circle with a model provided (bring your own sketching tools) on Tuesday, January 12 and a Zentangle class on Saturday, January 23.

PIKE COUNTY ARTS AND CRAFTS ( pikecountyartsandcrafts.com ), Milford, PA, 570/296-2338.

It is part of this group’s mission “to help local artists and crafters of all ages to learn, teach, and exhibit their work,” and the classes it offers are designed to do just that. Classes are held either at the Milford Borough Hall or individual artists’ studios, and topics of January courses include drawing, watercolor painting, stained glass and stenciling.

RED EFT GALLERY ( redeftgallery.com ), 159 Sullivan Street, Wurtsboro, NY, 845/888-2519.

This gallery offers classes to students of all ages in subjects including drawing, oil painting, watercolor and calligraphy.

WAYNE COUNTY ARTS ALLIANCE ( waynecountyartsalliance.org ), 742 Main Street, Suite 201, Honesdale, PA, 570/253-6850.

The alliance is involved in a wide variety of projects in Wayne County, from Roots & Rhythm to the annual Open Studio Tour. They also sponsor an array of classes that changes seasonally. Fall courses have concluded, but winter courses will be starting up in February, and are scheduled to include Elements of Landscape and Watercolor, and Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.

Acting, writing, drawing, jewelry making and dancing are just some of the choices waiting to be discovered in all corners of the Catskills. No time like the present to make some of those shiny new resolutions come to life. As Auntie Mame proclaimed: “Live, live, live! Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!”