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Best Casual Art Classes In Sacramento

Photographer and filmmaker Paul Strand once said, "The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away.  It is always on his doorstep." There is no place where this is more true than in Sacramento, where even beginners can learn a multitude of ways to express their inner artiste. Warning: those seeking to become "tortured artists" will be sorely disappointed, as the following classes are sure to bring a lot of fun and enjoyment to all who attend them.


Beginning Blues Harmonica
Feb 19 to March 11, 2012
Price: $94.00 to $99.00
Hours: Sundays- 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Ever dreamed of jamming on stage with B.B. King, Muddy Waters or John Lee Hooker? The Learning Exchange can't promise that, but the Beginning Blues Harmonica class will have you out shopping for dark suits and sunglasses. Famed Sacramento blues-rocker Mick Martin leads this fun course which will have you singing anything but the blues. Students must bring their own harmonicas; see the website for details.

The Learning Exchange also has classes available for anyone who wishes to paint "The Bob Ross Way." Beginning daubers can follow the quick-study techniques the artist taught for 12 years on his PBS television series "The Joy of Painting."

vintagevalentine_crocker
(credit: Crocker Art Museum)


Vintage Valentine Party
Sat Feb 11, 2012 at 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Price: $12.00 to $15.00 for one child and one adult/5.00 to $7.00 for each additional person

True romantics will love celebrating the holiday in an "old school" way by signing up for the Crocker Art Museum's Vintage Valentine Party. Guests will make their own Victorian-style greeting cards, adorned with embossed paper, metallic trim, lace, and embroidered flowers. What better way to show that your love will last? And since sweets are for the sweet, everyone also gets to decorate a cupcake to eat or give away.

Related: Top Spots for Free Art in Sacramento 

theballroom
(credit: The Ballroom of Sacramento)


Wedding Dance classes
Price: Packages from $90.00 to $325.00
Hours: By appointment

Engaged to the perfect bride or groom but can't dance worth a darn? Anyone with two left feet will love this opportunity to have private dance lessons in time for their wedding. Learn a specially choreographed dance created just for the happy couple or get group lessons for the whole wedding party. Then the only thing left to do is buy rice to throw.

pottery_thinkstock
(credit: Thinkstock)


Adult Pottery Classes; Beginning Wheel Throwing
Price: $169.00, includes clay, tools and firing
Hours: Feb 21, 2012 to March 27, 2012 Tuesdays- 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

If you loved the pottery wheel scene in "Ghost," you'll want to get in on this great art course for beginners. Learn about wedging, centering, pulling, trimming and other pottery things you never knew existed, all on the way to creating your own gorgeous pots.

adrianehennaandbellydance
(credit: Adriane Henna and Kohl Bellydance Studio)

Henna and Kohl Bellydance Company

4200 Temescal St.
Fair Oaks, CA 95628
(916) 225-5599
www.adrianedance.com
Beginning Belly Dance Class
Price: $66.00 to $69.00
Hours: Feb 28 to March 3, 2012 Tuesdays- 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Express yourself physically and emotionally while learning the exotic art of belly dancing. Award-winning dancer Adriane and her staff provide a fun, supportive environment for women to spread their artistic wings and learn to fly. Classes range from private coaching to group workshops and the dance company will even show up for corporate events, school assemblies and weddings.

Related: Best Amateur Theater in the Sacramento Area

Valerie Heimerich is a freelance writer out of Sacramento. She typically covers animals and community issues. She has volunteered and worked for many organizations helping animals and people. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.


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