Bring Out Your Creative Side

Bring Out Your

Creative Side

What do you love? Do more of it in 2019 when you join a club!

Joining a club or society is on many people's bucket list every new year. Why? It is a great way to start something new that you will look forward to all year long, give you a fresh perspective and let you dig into your creative side! Here are four benefits of becoming part of a club or organization:

1. 2. 3. 4.

Have More Fun!

QU POLIS Classes

Quincy University’s Pursuit of Learning in Society (POLIS) offers senior citizens an opportunity for lifelong learning in a casual environment on a varity of topics.

The cost of a POLIS membership is $15 per semester, and each two-hour class is $4 to attend. Anyone is welcome to bring friends and attend one class free of charge. To register, please email your name and address to polis@quincy.edu or call 217-228-5594. See the full class schedule at quincy.edu/polis.

QAC Classes

This spring, the Art Center has classes for everyone! Broken into groups including Pre-K, early elementary, late elementary, high school and adult, everyone can find an activity that interests them!

A highlight of the spring schedule will be one day workshops on creative process by visiting artists Ann Coddington on March 2 and Kelsey Viola Wiskirchen on March 16. The Art Center will feature exibitions by both artists later this year.

For more information about classes or to register, visit quincyartcenter.org or call 217-223-5900.

Youth Scholarships Full youth scholarships are available to The Art Center. Contact Kayla Obert, kobert@quincyartcenter.org, with questions on how to apply.

Team Building with QCT

Quincy Community Theatre is now offering workshops to local businesses and community groups that are seeking opportunities for professional development.

QCT’s team-building workshop uses theatre activities to promote communication, collaboration and creative problem solving skills among co-workers. The public speaking workshop will cover techniques for breathing, enunciation, and other skills needed when giving a speech.

“Theatre allows for some great storytelling, but it also provides insight into valuable life skills,” says Kelsey Celek, Head of Education. “No matter what career path you’re in, there’s still use in practicing communication skills. We’re looking forward to using these

theatre workshops to make these skills feel more accessible for local businesses.”

Both workshops are 90 minutes long. Fees are $200 per workshop. For more information or to schedule a workshop, email kelsey.celek@1qct.org.

Fine Arts and Education Classes at the Kroc Center

Did you know The Salvation Army Kroc Center offers the public more than just a place to work out, swim and have meetings and parties? There are Fine Arts and Education classes available all year long!

"At The Kroc Center, the public has the opportunity to take a variety of classes in the fine arts and other community education classes," says Keith Wiemelt, Education and Fine Arts Specialist.

This winter/spring session will offer creative sessions on topics including book folding, pebble art, painting and photography. According to Kroc Center member Debbie Holtz, “I take fine arts classes at The Kroc Center because I believe it’s very important to be both physically healthy and mentally healthy.” Holtz says that her favorite class she has taken so far was oil painting. “The instructor made the class fun and exciting,” she said. “Through praise and constructive criticism I really learned a lot and improved my artistic skills.”

Another Kroc Center member and instructor Kate Shuker says, “I absolutely love the book folding class, it’s so therapeutic! My mother, daughter and I have gone through the course two times because it is so much fun. It gives us an outlet to get creative and a chance to bond together as a family.”

Kroc classes don’t stop with the visual arts. Wiemelt teaches music lessons to groups and individuals. "You can

learn to play the piano, guitar, ukulele, percussion, brass and woodwind instruments," he said.

Shuker’s daughter participates in both the ukulele and piano classes. “By taking lessons, my daughter can try something new and discover what she likes or doesn’t like. Then she can use her energy to pursue the activities that pique her interest.”

According to Shuker, “It’s great The Kroc Center offers more than just

“By taking lessons, my daughter can try something new and discover what she likes or doesn't like. Then she can use her energy to pursue the activities that do pique her interest.”

fitness classes because the fine arts, music and certification courses provide a variety of other options for its users and makes the facility feel more like a community.”

This spring, youth ages 12 and over are welcome to join a new Beginner Dance class. “This class is a great option for anyone who is interested in auditioning for some of the upcoming shows at Quincy Community Theatre,” says Wiemelt. “Some of the upcoming musicals will require actors with talent in song and dance. This class will be a great opportunity for anyone who plans on auditioning for shows like Bye, Bye Birdie or for someone who just wants to try something new!”

For a full list of classes and activities, call 217-222-5762 or visit thekrocquincy.org.

AAUW Coffee Hour

Start 2019 off by becoming involved in an organization that has been empowering women as individuals since 1881, the Quincy branch of AAUW! Formally known as the American Association of University Women, the group has worked together as a national grassroots organization to improve the lives of millions of women and their families for more than 130 years. The local group is currently welcoming both men and women to a membership coffee hour Saturday, Feb. 2 at 10 am at the home of Liz Schlembach, 1866 Grove Avenue, in Quincy to learn about membership.

The Speaker’s Series is free and open to the public. The spring 2019 programs include: February 9: Jeanna Moschenrose, Ph.D. M. DIV Mental Health Therapist at WERRCC presenting “How to be Happy, Living Free and You can Overcome Addiction.” March 9: Members of the Canton AAUW presenting “Women’s Suffrage: Song and Story.” April 13: Nikki Clompien, Art Teacher, presenting “Importance of Creative Arts for Women,” and "Use of Art Therapy.” May 11: Mary Lou Mclaughlin, retired Midwife/Doula Practitioner, Marriage and Family Life Consultant presenting “My Experience with Asia.”

For more information, contact Liz Schlembach at 217-222-5295 or visit the national website at aauw.org.

Photography for Beginners at JWCC

John Wood Community College’s Community Based Outreach will offer photography for beginners in March at the JWCC’s Quincy campus.

"Tips to Capture Precious Moments," will be held Tuesday and Thursday, March 19 and 21, "Editing Your Digital Photos" will be held on Monday, March 25 and "Converting Your Memories" on Wednesday, March 27. The instructor is John Gebhardt.

For more information on these and other Community Based Outreach classes, call 217-641-4941 or visit jwcc.edu/communityed.

Regularly Scheduled Organization Meetings

American Association of University Women: 2nd Saturday of the month, Sept.– May at 10:15 am Women’s City Club, 1550 Maine St. 217-223-6175

Great River Genealogical Society 2nd Thursday of the month, Sept.–April at 7 pm Lutheran Church of St. John Life Center, 3340 State St. www.gr-gs.org

Great River Watercolor Society Last Tuesday of the month at 4:30 pm Aug.-Oct. & Jan.-April Quincy University Brenner Library, 1800 College Ave.

Quincy Artists Guild Mondays at 10 am Quincy Art Center, 1515 Jersey St. gulyas@adams.net

Quinsippi Needleworkers 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7 pm First Union Congregational Church, 12th & Maine

Quincy Woodworkers Guild 1st Monday of the month quincywoodworkersguild @gmail.com