Making and Growing

Join Lifelong Learners as we enhance our lives with activities of making and growing. Explore the culture of Uruguay and Paraguay through cuisine with Chef Gasaway and taste our guest Mystery Chef's favorite food. Engage in classes encouraging creativity and practical skills, from crafting homemade seasonings and decorating delicious cupcakes to discovering the art of meal prepping and painting with watercolors. Whether you're interested in designing a custom decorative pillow, trying your hand at macrame, or learning crochet techniques, there's something for everyone. Unleash your inner artist, learn new skills, and savor every moment as we celebrate the beauty of making, growing, and sharing life’s delicious experiences.

Art Trading Cards: Dive into a hands-on exploration of mixed media in this fun, creative workshop with Diane Niewohner. Experiment with marble rolling techniques in ink and bring dynamic textures to your work.

Create a Custom Decorative Pillow: Learn how easy and relaxing crafting can be. Join Brenda Wright to add a personal touch to your home with custom decorative pillows.

Crochet a Cardigan: In this hands-on course with Crystal Huls, participants will learn to crochet their very own cardigan, perfect for layering throughout the seasons.

Cupcake Decorating: Join Brenda Wright from Brenda’s Baking Company for an introduction to cupcake decorating. Get ready to unleash your inner artist with frosting in this fun, hands-on class.

Guest Mystery Chef: Enjoy a night of mystery in the Western Iowa Tech Community College Cooking Demonstration Lab with a Guest Chef sharing one of their favorite culinary discoveries.

Knit a Sweater: This course is perfect for those interested in creating their own cozy, hand-knit sweater. Participants will have the choice of knitting either a cardigan or a raglan pullover sweater.

Laundry Soap Making: Join Brenda Wright to make your own laundry soap and give back to the community. In this hands-on class, you’ll make soap from scratch, package it for the college pantry, and take one home to try.

Macrame - Advanced: Our advanced afternoon class will focus on crafting a stylish plant hanger and an elegant 3-leaf wall hanging.

Macrame - Beginner: Discover a fresh take on a beloved craft. Spring brings the perfect opportunity to infuse your space with vibrant, handmade decor.

Make Your Own Mixes: In her class Brenda Wright teaches participants how to craft their own seasoning mixes, providing an economical alternative to store-bought options.

Meal Prepping for Summer Grilling: Prepare hassle-free summer grilling by freezing ready-to-go marinated proteins. Brenda Wright guides you through creating various marinades and seasonings.

The Writer Within: Free the writer within you. Tell your story. Explore the world as a writer with guidance and encouragement from instructor Kay Frances Scott. Embrace the art. Master the craft. Free your writerly voice.

Unlock the Secret to Indoor Blossoms: Are you ready to bring nature indoors after a long winter? Join Laurie Taylor, Iowa Master Gardener, owner of Living Treasures Flower Farm, and manager of Southdale Nursery and Garden Center, to learn how to add some uplifting spring color to your life.

Uruguay and Paraguay Cuisine: Take your taste buds on a South American adventure. Join Chef Gasaway for an exciting culinary exploration of the unique flavors of Uruguay and Paraguay.

Watercolor Painting: This beginning/intermediate watercolor class teaches you the art of watercolor painting with this pink crab apple blossom.

Winter Soup Meal Prep: Step into the kitchen of Brenda Wright, from Brenda’s Baking Company, and learn how to prepare and freeze three different types of soup.