Participants can explore any visual art medium they choose. A small demonstration related to techniques for drawing or painting will be presented. Then each person can create from a still life or photo, the painting or drawing of their choice in the media of their choice. The lessons will focus on the needs of the group. Special - each person must bring their own supplies and photo or picture they will be working from.

Progressing beyond "how do I use my camera" one can then explore the process of seeing and capturing artful images. This leads to the conventional "rules" for artful images, and then beyond the rules and to "lucid seeing." By lucid seeing I mean becoming more aware of how you see, what you are seeing, and of the myriad visual decisions you make. We will explore that process through photo assignments and in-class critiques. Participants should know how to operate a digital camera, including familiarity with the basics of exposure and focusing.

There are many hidden jewels in our area, but the Pinhole Resource - home of artists Nancy Spencer and Eric Renner - is unique. The one hour drive to this Lower Mimbres outpost will transport you to the world's premier pinhole authorities and their collection of pinhole photographs and pinhole cameras. If this were not enough, Nancy and Eric have agreed to shepherd a stroll through their home and folk art collections. Nancy and Eric will also be giving a public presentation on the historical and contemporary use of pinhole photography in the arts and sciences. This free presentation will be at the WNMU Global Resource Center on Monday, April 25 at 6:30 pm.

Join Cindy Neely and the Monsoon Puppet Staff in building a large puppet for the Second Annual, Silver City International Women's Day Parade on Sunday, March 20. Learn professional sculptural techniques such as weaving corrugated cardboard strips, and Papier Mache to create a group puppet that will move and come to life as it is carried.

We will introduce the class to the BASIC SQUARE DANCE moves and dance our mornings away. Get ready for the hoedown.

A basic introduction to guitar for beginners where we will start and work with some simple and familiar melodies and then expand them into alternating bass finger picked arrangements. Some familiarity with basic guitar chords would be helpful but not necessary providing a student is willing and motivated to practice outside of class and learn and pick them up as the class progresses (your fingertips will be sore at the start) . Over the eight one hour class sessions we will pick out the melodies on the treble strings of four to six familiar songs and set those melodies within chords and then also add the thumb as an embellishment in the form of an alternating bass. Once established - the alternating bass technique can be used in a variety of musical styles. Students must bring their own guitars.

This beginning Tango course aims to show the principles of lead and follow for those who have a passionate nature. Learn to move with your partner, improvise and dance to tango music as you have fun on the dance floor. In this class, the basics of body language are explained; basic sequences and a few special steps are taught. Experience the difference of Argentine Tango!

Why crime can reveal more about a people than just about any other societal element is a mystery. But it's the case, at least when the lead investigator knows her way round the social sciences. The facilitator who led a WILL class through the chilling murder and mayhem of Sweden, turns her expert attention to the warmer, and some would say, more congenial climes of Italy. The course will combine fiction — by three masters of the genre: Camilleri, Dibdin and Leon — and journalism, so-called true crime, in Excellent Cadavers, The City of Falling Angels and the movie Il Divo. WILL participants who take this course will gain new appreciation for an intriguing culture and for an entertaining literature. A family therapist by profession, Mary Hotvedt knows Italy and Italians, and she knows her mysteries, for she writes them.

Mark Twain was never wittier, more biting, more observant than when he was stuffed into steerage with a group of righteous Americans or into a stage coach lurching over boulders on the way West. This course will read and discuss The Innocents Abroad, the book that made Sam Clemens into Mark Twain; Roughing It, the book that returned Twain to the world that formed his genius; and A Tramp Abroad, the book that opened Europe to America's most popular writer. What made Twain so funny? Why is he still funny, when other humor of his time is as stale as last week's dinner rolls? Why can we climb aboard the steamer or the stagecoach or the Victorian train and learn things about ourselves in the 21st century? Led by Tom Hester, who counts Huck Finn and Life on the Mississippi among his favorite 10 books and who would, if he could, invite Mark Twain to dinner.

The Arabian Nights are stories that have traveled around the world for hundreds of years. Spend a few weeks rescuing Scheherazade from the clutches of Disney. You won't regret it. And she can take care of herself with the Caliph.

King Lear, at eighty decides to renounce the responsibilities and cares of kingship while retaining its pomp and privileges. He's going to award the biggest portion of his kingdom to the daughter who vows the most love for him. Treachery, madness and murder soon follow. As battle lines are drawn and backs are stabbed, Lear rages against a fearsome storm. One of Shakespeare's greatest plays, it's the timeless tale of scheming children, lost loyalties, and an old man brought to grief by his own folly. The class will watch performances of Laurence Olivier, James Earl Jones and Ian Holm to help understand the play.

Sharman Apt Russell and Patty Reed will facilitate a discussion of the enormously influential and bestselling book Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof and his wife, Sheryl WuDunn, a former Times reporter. Participants will be encouraged to explore questions of individual and social change. Why have women as a group been historically and systemically brutalized? Why are the true-life stories in this book, accompanied by photographs, so powerful? What are our personal connections to these women? Does reading this book lead to despair-or hope? Here in small-town Silver City, how can we be part of large-scale solutions?

Following a period spent examining the world view of the English Middle Ages, the course will devote one period to each of the poem's four parts. Although the facilitator plans to teach and read from Marie Borroff's translation of the poem (conveniently found in any Norton Anthology of English Literature), students may use whatever translations of the work that they find available.

Immerse yourself in the fiery soul of Spain. Award winning Spanish director, Carlos Saura is renowned for his many films featuring Latin music and dance, everything from operas to tangos to fados. At the center of his output are 4 flamenco movies. Three of those were a collaboration with Antonio Gardes who choreographed and played the lead male roles: Blood Wedding (1981), Carmen (1983), El Amor Brujo (1986). The last film, Salome (2002) stars Aida Gomez and Pere Arquillue.

This film series will incorporate 5 movies: Brazil, The Third Man, Alphaville, Purple Noon, and Rififi that illustrate film noir from a European prospective and satire from an American/European viewpoint.

WILL is proposing an exciting theater afternoon and evening in Tucson, Arizon. Ann Marie Elder, Associate Professor of Expressive Arts-Theater at WNMU has agreed to be facilitator for this event.
The tentative schedule is as follows: Leave Silver City on Sunday April 17th at 7:30 AM arriving in Tucson ~ 10:30 AM Tucson time.

After some time for shopping and eating, we will go to the University of Arizona, Mulrooney Theater, at 1PM for the Sondheim musical "Into the Woods" preview performance at 1:30 PM. Following the performance we hope to tour the backstage of the theater(s) with Brian Abbott, Master Electrician and former resident/ theater contributor in Silver City.

After a dinner break, we will proceed to the Arizona Temple of Music and Art on Scott Avenue at 6:45 PM to see the Arizona Theater Company's "The Mystery of Irma Vep" at 7PM. We will leave for Silver City by 9:30 PM.

The musical ANNIE, based on the cartoon script Little Orphan Annie, comes to WNMU this spring. The show premiered in 1976 and ran six years on Broadway and left an indelible place in musical history. The combination of the efforts of WNMU's Expressive Arts Department and Theater Group New Mexico will bring this show to life at the Fine Arts Theater(FACT) at WNMU this spring. Members of WILL who have an interest in musical theater or theater in general are cordially invited to participate in behind the scenes activity leading up to an exquisite presentation. Set design, stage management, lighting and sound activities all form the nucleus of a theater presentation. Come join this exciting class and experience the rewards of participating in musical theater. The facilitator will be WNMU's Associate Professor Ann Marie Elder who has directed numerous plays and the well received "Fiddler on the Roof' at WNMU. Previous experience is welcome but not necessary.

Although Flannery O'Connor's life was brief (1925-1964), she left us a treasure: a small body of work that firmly places her in the distinguished company of the greatest Southern writers including William Faulkner and Eudora Welty. In her short fiction we find characters who, once encountered, are impossible to forget. "For the hard of hearing you shout, and for the almost blind you draw large and startling figures," she once remarked when asked about her motivation for creating such characters. In this course we will explore some of O'Connor's finest work, including her famous stories, "A Good Man is Hard to Find" and "Good Country People." Only one book will be required, The Complete Stories, winner of the National Book Award and published by Farrar, Straus, Giroux.

We will survey a wide variety of meditative traditions, looking for common themes and techniques. From that information we will attempt to formulate a "generalized meditation technique" that could serve as the foundation for anyone who wishes to meditate. In other words, we will work toward building a "non-denominational" approach to meditation.

This course is being offered to Qigong participants of all levels. We will be working with graceful movements, deep breathing, stretching and drawing in our life force energy or Qi. This drawing in of Qi reduces stress, raises metabolism, and brings the physical, emotional and spiritual bodies into optimum health and balance by increasing the flow of energy in the body.

Pilates is the ultimate workout for anyone interested in strengthening their body, improving flexibility, reducing stress and having fun! It has been described as "active yoga" and focuses on developing strength in one's core and can be modified for varying levels of fitness. All you will need to have for class will be comfortable clothes and an exercise mat.

Empower yourself, optimize your health, enhance your joy, & restore your energy with this interactive class of practical self-help techniques for you & your family. Learn to: Nip an illness in the bud, enhance memory & learning, relieve stress/ anxiety/ pain/ fatigue, strengthen bones, do a simple daily energy routine that will help you remain healthier & more balanced & more! Bring: comfortable clothing, yoga mat, pillow, light blanket, water bottle, snack. Call 538-0559 for info

As we age, our risk of heart problems increases. This course is an American Heart Association class designed specifically for those not in the medical field, but will enable the participants to recognize the signs of heart attack and stroke, and to perform CPR when necessary. Participants will practice on a mannequin, which requires kneeling on the floor.

Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement (ATM) lessons consist of verbally directed, sophisticated movement sequences designed to create the conditions for improved functioning. Sensory-motor activity is used to free us from habitual patterns and allow for new patterns of thinking, moving, and feeling. The lessons involve tremendous variety, helping to make the learning intriguing and enjoyable.

Are you concerned about the health of your bones? Bones for Life benefits include: better posture, improved equilibrium and vitality, freedom from back and joint problems, and stronger bones. Gentle weight-bearing movements challenge your bones to be strong and sturdy while improving overall balance and coordination.

This class will explore trends in American quilt making from early America to present day. Quilts from Maureen Craig's collection will be used for study of techniques, patterns, dyes, and quilting. Class members will choose topics for special study.

This class will be a more detailed study of NM history than Ardene Rickman's popular fall 2010 introductory overview of the same topic. Discussion will be encouraged, so if you have questions about topics in the history of NM, bring them along.

Hispanic culture has been in SW New Mexico for 400 years. Spanish entradas left many imprints on the history of Southwestern New Mexico. In the mid 1700's, there were continual explorations, especially in the Silver City area. The Spanish drives to conquer tribes living in the area led to many dramatic incidents. Hispanic customs and lifestyles are still present. The vaquero, food, language, parables, adivinanzas, folklore, medicine, ghost stories, dichos, give SW New Mexico a cultural mix that is in evidence and practice today. Luis Perez will bring this to life with personal tales and reminiscences.

Tour some of the mining district's historic mine sites with Terry Humble, the mining district's premier historian.

Grant County and Silver City claimed many firsts in the Territory of New Mexico. The commitment of its citizens to public education created the first public school and school board in the Territory. Local citizens helped assure the location of New Mexico's first Normal School in Silver City. The availability of public education affected the evolution of Silver City and its citizens. The class will trace the roots of public education in Grant County and New Mexico and how the actions of Silver City citizens influenced other parts of New Mexico.

This class is a continuation of the past two courses on Ancient Egypt. The course will feature discussions related to the life and times of Ancient Egypt concentrating on the Hellenistic and Roman periods from 332 BCE to 313 AD. This time frame includes Alexander the Great, the Ptolemies including Cleopatra VII and the reigns of various Roman rulers. The presentations will include the usual powerpoint and DVDs related to these periods. Topics will include religion, daily life, food as well as a brief review of the first two courses on Ancient Egypt.

This is an introductory course on the more common Butterflies and Moths found in southwestern New Mexico. It will cover the taxonomy of both adult and larvae, with an emphasis on butterflies. The course will conclude with tips for growing a butterfly and moth friendly garden.

What's that little yellow flower? How do you begin to identify native plants? This class will help you to know more than most New Mexicans do about our beautiful native flora. The first class is a presentation, with many photos, of basic plant and flower anatomy, and characteristics of the ten easiest plant families to recognize - no hand lens required! The next day, we'll go for a field trip to look at and identify plants. And, of course, enjoy the beauty of southwest New Mexico.

It is strongly suggested that participants obtain Flowering Plants of New Mexico (5th edition), by Robert DeWitt Ivey (earlier editions are also okay). The book normally sells for about $48. Donna will contact signups to arrange purchasing/sharing/loaning.

Trish will present a PowerPoint of native plants that do well in the Grant County climate. She will cover reasons for utilizing natives - from benefits to wildlife, to their vigor and beauty and to their ability to increase local biodiversity. The second class will be a visit to town sites that have implemented native plants (sites TBA). Please dress appropriately, comfortable walking shoes, and warm layering.

Using gardening to approach mental & physical balance, getting in better touch with our senses, and encouraging inner and outer growth.

Each of the 4 classes in the course will have a different presenter describing their favorite walks or hikes. The focus starts with in-town trails (currently available and proposed), progressing to nearby hikes, to hikes in the Gila, SW New Mexico, and finally, in eastern Arizona. Offerings for all seasons, and difficulties will be described. The walks and hikes are in forest, meadow, grassland, desert, and urban settings and along watercourses, on ridgelines, and to mountain tops. Included is information on the CDC trail, and on trails in lesser-known ranges. Now is your chance to learn where to go when you only have an hour to spare, or ½ a day, or you want an all-day wilderness adventure.

Topographical features, vegetation fuel types, local weather conditions, and prevailing winds determine the risk to your home from a wildfire. Every year, throughout the US, that risk is increasing. Grant County is one of the most "at danger communities in New Mexico." A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) has been developed and implemented. Collaboration between Federal, State, Local governments and private landowners is the solution to reduce the risk to your home. Find out what programs are available to you and what you can do on your own to protect your home.

When you hear Turquoise you probably think of the desert southwest but did you know that the southwestern area of New Mexico is also known for other gemstones such as garnets, carnelian, moonstone, and bytownite? What do you need to look for in the field to find these gemstones and where can you look? Sylveen Robinson-Cook and Kevin Cook will give you a brief geology lesson in gemstone formation and talk about some great local gemstone collecting sites. Be prepared to learn how to find your own rough gemstones!

The sport of Falconry will be described. You will learn how to get involved, and understand the regulations and licenses governing the sport. Some of the Falconry clubs and websites will be described. The birds of prey that are allowed for use will be reviewed, with details of their special features and hunting techniques. At least one live bird will be brought to class. (Participants may register for session A, on Feb. 9, or session B, on Feb. 16)

This one-evening session will introduce students to the Grant County Search and Rescue Team and how it operates under the jurisdiction of the New Mexico State Police. The session will discuss what happens during a typical search and rescue mission, including how search missions are activated and planned, what resources are used, and what key elements lead to a successful mission. The session will conclude with some basics on how to safely travel in the backcountry and avoid becoming the object of a search and rescue mission.

It's out there! The Great Outdoors is calling. If you are interested in any type of outdoors activity, sign up for this course. WILL is scheduling at different levels hikes, bike trips, and other activities for members over the next year. Monthly informational & sign-up meetings for each activity will take place on the fourth Tuesday of the month prior to a scheduled event. We are looking for reliable trip leaders for all kinds of activities. Can you take a group on your favorite hike? Can you canoe? Do you dance with the stars, or are you down and dirty in caves? Contact WILL to set up dates!

A pilgrimage is a journey of physical, moral, or personal significance. This course will explore various pilgrimages the facilitator has taken in the United States and Europe, and help the participants decide where their personal pilgrimages might lead them. The final class will include a walk on the labyrinth on the WNMU campus.

Are you interested in writing fiction? This is the course for you. During the course, we will look at several aspects of fiction. These will include: developing a plot, creating memorable characters, setting scenes through description, writing great dialogue, and developing a personal writing style or 'voice'. In every session, the participants will read and discuss short examples of fiction or memoir and examine how writers achieve certain effects. We will also do 'free writes', the object of which is to get participants working on their own short pieces. These may be shared and discussed if the participants choose. The course will be a pleasant, relaxing series of sessions with a number of enjoyable activities and tasks. Everyone is welcome, from beginner writers to experienced authors.

Learn what is involved in animal communication, and what it is like for the animal communicator in business. Class will include many lively stories about communications with customers, and you will meet your animal totem. Facilitator Gaye Rock spent 10 years as a paralegal and another 25 years as a music educator before deciding to explore the spiritual world. As owner of the Rock Center in downtown Silver City, she offers Pet Grooming, Animal Communication, Reiki Healing, and Metaphysical classes.

This class is a hands on class where those who are already playing bridge are invited to explore most of the current bridge bidding conventions while playing bridge. Please no beginners in this class.

From the two books* the class will read, participants will learn a description of Memoir and how to construct one. Participants will be invited to begin writing an aspect of their life in memoir form and to share each week what they have written. This is not a critical writing class. All writing will be honored as it is written. This is also not a Literary Review of Memoirs that have been written, though participants may wish to read some memoirs and discuss them in terms of their own writing.

In this class we will make a journal including the cover, pages and sewing it together. Using various techniques on watercolor paper, we'll use washes and sprays, exploring color. We'll make the covers by a metal embossing technique and antique it. We'll hand tear the pages, separate them into signatures and sew it together with traditional binding stitches. This will take up two 3 hour classes. The next two classes will be 1 1/2 hour classes using fun and inspirational ideas to practice a bit of reflective writing. We'll use short 5 and 10 minute exercises to loosen up our journal writing skills. One can keep a journal with only one or two sentences a day with a few added creative doodles and a little collaging. It's time to play! No one has to know - it's your journal after all.

Do you long for the time when someone took the time to read stories aloud to you? Then this three session course is for you. We'll get comfy and listen as WILL members read old and new stories to us. And, we'll have milk or maybe hot chocolate and cookies. You can bring a blanket with you to cuddle with or a teddy bear if you want. A variety of stories will be read-mystery, fairy tales, short stories and we'll also take time out for discussion. The Readers will also be taking "orders" from the class members for stories to be read at the next meetings.

A step-by-step instruction in the process of making Greek yogurt, including the utensils necessary. There will be tasting, and recipes will be provided for using yogurt in cooking and making smoothies. Bring a container to take home your yogurt.

The wines of New Mexico are explored in this class. Learn where the wine regions of the state are and what types of wines are produced. Find how the soil and climate of New Mexico impacts the taste of our wines. Discover the award-winning wines and the best of the recent vintages. A list and description of wineries will be provided as well as locations for wine tasting. A calendar of wine-related events will be presented.

What is it like to live and work in Antarctica? Presenter David Berry has been working 6 months at a time in Antarctica for many years, supporting America's scientific efforts. Discover the effort necessary to keep McMurdo Station up and running. Learn about the people who live and work in such an exotic, dangerous, and spectacular location. Lots of photos will be shown of everyday life on the ice, the historic sites, the animals, and of course, the weather, including the legendary storms. "Hands on" items will be brought to class, including extreme weather clothing, parka, boots, pants, so we can see what its like to wear 10-15 pounds of clothing.

What is the difference between a great writer and a lousy one? A great writer writes sentences that sing like Edith Piaf and dance like Merce Cunningham. Sentences by lousy writers neither sing nor dance. If you are a reader and want to become a more acute one or if you are a writer and would like to improve, you may achieve both goals in this session with one of Silver City's best writers and professors. Sharman Apt Russell will talk about context and structure and sounds while dissecting sentences from her Standing in the Light, Hunger, An Obsession with Butterflies and Songs of the Fluteplayer. Tom Hester will host the discussion.

Participants must have familiarity with PC and the internet. This course will cover how to generate horoscope charts and how to use and explore the available options for interpretation. You will also cover the significance of the Moons Nodes and the meaning of the houses and the angles (ascendant/descendent, MS, and IC). The focus will be on the Sun and the Moon as a means of understanding who we are and the directions of our evolution as individuals. Participants will also be introduced to free and extensive on-line astrological information and provided with direction and guidance for the use and navigation of these free resources.

Esta clase avanzada es para personas que ya son un poco proficientes en español y quieren seguir practicando. En la clase leeremos algunas selecciones y tendremos discusiones, habrá oportunidades para desarrollar algunos temas por escrito para las personas que quieran participar en este ejercicio, y también se les presentarán las diferencias entre el español del suroeste y el español formal y de otras partes del mundo. Algunos puntos de gramática se repasarán según los intereses de los participantes. Para más información y para asegurar que este curso es bueno para usted, puede llamar a la Profesora Cano al (575) 590-3016.

Life in Grant County can be good but it is far from perfect. What can we do to improve our community? Participants will identify issues for which they can have an impact and will develop and implement action plans to address those issues.

Guest experts will present ways to improve the energy efficiency and air quality of your home, without spending a small fortune. The products, tips and techniques presented will also apply to new home building. Presenters include merchants, consultants, contractors, and a government council chairperson. Topics include, but are not limited to: choosing green products; solar hot water and photovoltaic systems; ductwork, windows, doors, and insulation; passive solar; tax rebates; HERS ratings; low-cost and no-cost solutions.

The global picture of the interrelated dynamics of energy, environment and economy does not appear encouraging. However, at our local level in Silver City and Grant County, specific efforts are on-going to move our area towards greater community self-reliance. Please join Nick Sussillo, Director, Joint Office of Sustainability for Grant County and Silver City, along with guest speakers, to discuss what's happening now and why it's important (saving money not the least). Current and planned projects and programs will highlight weatherization, energy efficiency, renewable energy and conservation.

How can there be food insecurity when we have bulging grocery stores and the bulging waistlines to go with it? Who's hungry and why? This course will look at food security issues in Grant County, how the industrialized food production system contributes to hunger issues, systemic causes of hunger in a land of plenty and how a small, rural community can turn food issues into healthy abundance and long-term sustainability.

An overview and background on Zero Waste programs and how they are being implemented in other communities and what the opportunities are for Silver City to start work towards becoming a Zero Waste community.