Moorhead Community Education

Bring us your moms, your dads, your grandparents, your infants, toddlers and preschoolers! We will enjoy our time inside and out with activities, play and learning. Young children learn best by exploring materials first hand. 

Participants will be guided in developing an approach to the organization of information from the subject into a cohesive visual statement. We will discuss composition relative to overall expression (the hierarchy of information), contrast/light, edge/cropping, pictorial space and scale/proportion. We will discuss some of the paintings and drawings in the Rourke Art Museum exhibition related to a group of artists who are inspired by landscape subject matter; examples of work are included in the exhibit. Weather permitting, the location will be at Dike West in Fargo, otherwise still-life objects in the museum will be drawn. Examples of the instructor's work are at Underbrush Gallery in Fargo, Groveland Gallery in Minneapolis, and online at www.carloltvedt.com. All students should bring a set of graphite pencils (H, HB, 3B and 6B recommended), a sketchbook, pencil sharpener, white plastic eraser, rolled paper blending stump, easel, and a small chamois. There will will be an hour break for lunch.

Young children will have hands-on, creative, messy art experiences. Please send children in clothing they can get dirty and paint-y. If desired, a paint shirt or apron also may be sent (nothing too oversized). A parent or guardian is required to stay on premises at all times. Please refrain from interfering with the creating processes of the children participating.

From painting and illustration to photo bashing and pixel animation, this course will cover the basics of digital art. All students should bring a computer or mobile tablet with one or more of the following programs installed: Photoshop CS6 or CC, Krita, GIMP, Corel Painter or Aseprite (specifically for sprite art and animation). The programs listed are the programs the teacher is most familiar with. If students have another program they prefer using, they are encouraged to bring it to class. However, aid the teacher can provide outside of the listed programs is limited. A drawing tablet peripheral (Wacom, Huion, Ugee, etc.) is encouraged if using Mac or PC, but not required. Participants should bring a sack lunch.

Students will develop skills in watercolor while learning the basic 2-D design elements of a landscape. They will draw inspiration from local landscape photographs that will be provided.

After the BEGINNER class, it's time to delve into the dank recesses of your video game's dungeons. No video game is complete without some memorable levels and dungeons. Will there be puzzles that stump and challenge you? Will there be nasty monsters with sharp, pointy teeth and claws? It's up to you, but we'll learn how to do it all to create the dungeons of your dreams... or nightmares? Completion of the Beginner class or previous experience is strongly encouraged. Students will bring a CD of their game home at the conclusion of class. For more information, please visit www.podsgamedesign.com.

Nothing tastes better than a fresh-picked, heirloom garden tomato. Improve your tomato health and production with pruning and staking methods that channel the plant’s energy into fruit production and allow for the air flow necessary to prevent disease. Growing Together Communal Gardens harvests more than 15,000 pounds of juicy, delicious tomatoes each season with their tried and true methods. Class will be hands on and in the garden. Dress appropriately for the weather.

Driving has changed since you first got your license, and taking the SMART drivers course could save you money. The SMART driver course is presented by AARP Driver Safety to seniors to assist them to stay safe drivers, taking into account all the changes that occur as they age. The course has been completely revised with help from Toyota and MIT Age Lab to provide you the research-based safety strategies to reduce your chance of having a crash. We will review vehicle technology and road changes that did not exist when we first started driving. We will discuss how to adjust our driving to remain driving safely as long as possible. We will review transportation options and discuss when driving is no longer safe. Upon completion of the course, participants will be issued certificates of completion to take to their insurance agents as proof of attending the course.The AARP SMART Driver Course is recognized by Minnesota Driver & Vehicle Services as an approved accident prevention course for drivers 55 years of age and older. Insured drivers 55 years of age or older may be eligible for an appropriate reduction in automobile insurance premium charges valid for three years after completing this course. Please check with your insurance company or agent for any additional requirements for eligibility. Minnesota allows repeat course takers (within the past three years) to take the shorter version of the course. NOTE: North Dakota drivers only need to take the four-hour course, and discounts vary by companies. Payment is required at the time of registration. If you are an AARP member, please have your membership number ready when you register.

No matter your experience or ability, you can benefit from a yoga practice. Develop improved strength, flexibility and balance without ever getting down onto a yoga mat. This class series will take place seated on or standing with a chair.