Sign up now for Fine Line's weaving, ceramics and felting classes

Collaboration between St. Charles' acclaimed Fine Line Creative Arts Center and the St. Charles Park District is bringing new art classes to youth, taught by exceptional artists who are faculty members at Fine Line.

Youth, age 9 to 14, can register for classes in felting with Dorie Blankenship, hand building ceramics with Karen Kloubec, and beginning basket weaving with Ellen Phillips. Registration begins Wednesday, Nov. 25, and space is limited.

"I will be teaching three baskets beginning in January: a round match stick rim basket, a square to round berry basket with handle and a rectangle cracker/snack basket," said basketweaving artist and instructor Ellen Phillips. "We will learn basic basket weaving techniques, basket lay out, twining, continuous weave and start and stop weaving, in addition to handle wrapping, rims and lashing."

Coincidentally, Ellen made her first basket in a class offered through the St. Charles Park District in 1984.

A longtime resident of St. Charles, Phillips has taught at Fine Line Creative Arts Center for 28 years. She said she has always felt the importance of sharing her love of basketry with others.

The three classes being offered through this collaboration may very well introduce these youth to these particular art media and techniques for the very first time, and all ability levels are welcome.

• Felting on Tuesdays, Jan. 12 to Feb. 16, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. (session 001); or Tuesdays, Feb. 23 to March 29, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. (session 002). If you like to try new things, this is the felt class for you. Learn how to paint with fibers! Make felt using a variety of needle techniques. Create a vessel, or sculpture. Beautiful surface designs can be created with simple wool fibers and special felting needles. You can create bold graphic patterns or ethereal watercolor effects, depending on your style. Anything is possible. No experience needed.

• Handbuilding Ceramics on Thursdays, Jan. 7 to Feb. 11, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. (session 001); or Thursday, Feb. 18 to March 24, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. (session 002). Create functional (mugs, bowls, boxes, etc.) or sculptural ceramics pieces from coils, slabs and pinching clay through demonstrations and hands on instructions. You'll also learn to add interest and color to your work through texture, underglaze and glaze. No experience needed.

• Beginning Basket Weaving on Thursdays, Jan. 7 to Feb. 11, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. (session 001); and Thursdays, Feb. 25 to March 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Learn basic weaving skills and base layout for round, square and wooden baskets. No experience necessary! Known for offering an impressive array of art classes for adults, including painting, blacksmithing, ceramics, glass fusing, weaving and much more.

Fine Line is currently offering these classes for youth in response to countless requests. Since 1979, Fine Line has specialized in offering exceptional art classes for adults. A selection of these classes, held in Fine Line's spacious, fully equipped studios, are also open to teens, age 15 to 18.

To register, visit the St. Charles Park District or go online, visit www.st-charlesparks.org.

For more information, visit fineline.org/teen-classes/.

Fine Line Creative Arts Center is located at 37W570 Bolcum Road in St. Charles. Come experience the breathe of memorable experiences this renowned art center in St. Charles has to offer! For information, visit www.fineline.org or call (630) 584-9443.