Experience Level: Beginner Learn how to improve your health by letting go of highly processed foods at Basics of Plant-Based Eating on Sunday, Feb. 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. in The Studio. Instructor Karla Freeze will share the story of how she regained her health by adding more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds to […]

Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced (need to know how to knit and purl) Take your knitting skills to a new level at Advanced Knitting: Cables on Monday, Feb. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. The Studio. Students will learn the background of cable knitting from instructor Charlie Rainbow Wolf, then get hands-on practice on how […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn all about running, from injury prevention and the power of nutrition to race-day preparation and post-race recovery at The Resilient Runner on Mondays, Feb. 2, Feb. 23, March 23 and April 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Mansion Library. Instructor Dr. Laura Cayce — who holds a doctorate of […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn a life-long skill you can continue to practice on your own at Learn To Draw on Wednesdays, Feb. 4 through Feb. 25 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in The Studio. Instructor Sally Walsh will guide students in various drawing techniques to gain a basic understanding of drawing, including shading properly to […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn to draw, shade and create texture at Beginning Pen & Ink on Wednesdays, Feb. 4 through Feb. 25 from 12 to 2:30 p.m. in The Studio. Instructor Sally Walsh will teach the basics of hatching, dots and varied lines to help students learn how to create texture and visual interest. $70/person*. Register […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn the foundational skills of watercolor at Beginning Watercolor on Thursdays, Feb. 5, Feb. 12, Feb. 19 & Feb. 26 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. in The Studio. Instructor and former art educator Sally Walsh will walk students through new techniques each week to create paintings focusing on landscapes, flowers, fruit, glass and special […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn the foundational skills of watercolor at Beginning Watercolor on Thursdays, Feb. 5 through Feb. 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in The Studio. Instructor and former art educator Sally Walsh will walk students through new techniques each week to create paintings focusing on landscapes, flowers, fruit, glass and special effects. $70/person*. Register […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn the foundational skills of watercolor at Beginning Watercolor on Thursdays, Feb. 5 through Feb. 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in The Studio. Instructor and former art educator Sally Walsh will walk students through new techniques each week to create paintings focusing on landscapes, flowers, fruit, glass and special effects. $70/person*. Register […]

Basket Weaving: Country Catch All Experience Level: All Learn the basics of weaving and take home a basket at Basket Weaving: Country Catch All on Friday, Feb. 6 from 12 to 4 p.m. in The Studio. Instructor Bonnie Rideout will lead students in laying out a woven, filled base and tuck the filler spokes with the […]

Basket Weaving: Country Catch All Experience Level: All Learn the basics of weaving and take home a basket at Basket Weaving: Country Catch All on Friday, Feb. 6 from 12 to 4 p.m. in The Auditorium.  Instructor Bonnie Rideout will lead students in laying out a woven, filled base and tuck the filler spokes with the […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn how to use the pattern originally used in armor for jewelry making at Link it! Chainmaille Jewelry on Sunday, Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in The Studio. Historically, chainmaille was used as protective armor, as the linked rings resulted in a strong, flexible fabric. Jewelers have adopted the repeatable pattern […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn about the process of making sourdough bread at Beginner Sourdough Breadmaking on Sunday, Feb. 8 or March 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Mansion Kitchen and Carriage House. (Each class covers the same material.) Instructor Hannah Fink will cover the basic biology of a ferment and what it means to a sourdough […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn about the process of making sourdough bread at Beginner Sourdough Breadmaking on Sunday, Feb. 8 or March 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Mansion Kitchen and Carriage House. (Each class covers the same material.) Instructor Hannah Fink will cover the basic biology of a ferment and what it means to a sourdough […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn the basic mechanics of using a spinning wheel to make your own yarn at Learn to Spin Yarn on Thursday, Dec. 11, Wednesday, Feb. 11 or Thursday, April 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. in The Studio. (All courses cover the same material). After a brief introduction from instructor Stephanie Block, students […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn the basics of working with a loom at Beginning Weaving I (Morning) on Saturdays, Feb. 14 through March 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium. This 5-week class led by Sharon Bowles will encompass all aspects of beginner weaving as students create a table runner. Participants will become familiar […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn the basics of working with a loom at Beginning Weaving I (Afternoon) on Saturdays, Feb. 14 through March 14 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium. This 5-week class led by Sharon Bowles will encompass all aspects of beginner weaving as students create a table runner. Participants will become familiar […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn the basics of working with a loom at Beginning Weaving I (Afternoon) on Saturdays, Feb. 14 through March 14 from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium. This 5-week class led by Sharon Bowles will encompass all aspects of beginner weaving as students create a table runner. Participants will become familiar […]

Experience Level: Beginner Make time for some moving meditation followed by a drink and conversation at a special Heart Opening Stretch ‘n Sip Yoga on Sunday, Feb. 15 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Mansion Library. Led by Josie Heck of Yoga Off the Square, this session will focus on heart opening postures. This event is open […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn how fancy lace doilies are made at Tatting 101 on Sunday, Feb. 15 from 12 to 4 p.m. in The Studio. Instructor Billie Theide will walk students through the basics of tatting and the historical craft of creating knotted lace. Students will learn how to shuttle and needle tat, select yarn, […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn how fancy lace doilies are made at Tatting 101 on Sunday, Feb. 15 from 12 to 4 p.m. in The Studio. Instructor Billie Theide will walk students through the basics of tatting and the historical craft of creating knotted lace. Students will learn how to shuttle and needle tat, select yarn, […]

Experience Level: Beginner (all ages; parents/guardians are not required to register with their children, but they are encouraged to be present for those 13 and younger.) Create a unique piece of art out of locally sourced alpaca fiber at Needlefelt Robin on Monday, Feb. 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. in The Studio. Stephanie Block of Sundrop Alpacas will […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn about the art of stained glass at Intro to Stained Glass: Birds on Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. in The Studio. Instructor Kari Keller will teach students how to cut, shape and assemble a stained-glass bird to take home. Grinding, fitting and soldering will be covered. $100/person*. Register here. Registration […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn about the art of stained glass at Intro to Stained Glass: Birds on Wednesday, Feb. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. in The Studio. Instructor Kari Keller will teach students how to cut, shape and assemble a stained-glass bird to take home. Grinding, fitting and soldering will be covered. $100/person*. Register here. Registration […]

Experience Level: Beginner Learn about an important landscaping skill at Intro to Tree Pruning on Monday, Feb. 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the llinois Arboretum (1800 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana)*. Young shade trees face a variety of challenges in the landscape which can lead to low survival rates. Extension Educator Ryan Pankau will help […]

Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced (need to know how to knit and purl) Learn about a traditional British Isle form of knitting at Advanced Knitting: Fair Isle Patterns on Monday, Feb. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. in The Studio. Fair Isle Knitting uses only two colors per row, worked in the round to make […]

Experience Level: Beginner Weavers of all skill levels can benefit from Decorative Off-Loom Weaving on Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 12 to 4 p.m. in The Studio. Can you imagine weaving without the need for a large and costly loom? Learn how from instructor Billie Theide, who will walk students through this portable weaving skill and help […]

Experience Level: Beginner (all ages) Learn more about birdwatching and how to contribute to important research at Intro to Birding and eBird on Friday, Feb. 27 from 9 to 11 a.m. in The Studio and outdoors. Allerton Natural Areas Manager Nate Beccue will help students learn about bird identification during the cooler months, when fewer species […]

Experience Level: Beginner Join the barn quilt movement by creating your own painted quilt block to use on the inside or outside of your home at Barn Quilt Painting on Saturday, Feb. 28 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in The Studio. Students will begin with one of three options on a pre-primed board with their choice of […]

Experience Level: Beginner Join the barn quilt movement by creating your own painted quilt block to use on the inside or outside of your home at Barn Quilt Painting on Saturday, Feb. 28 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in The Studio. Students will begin with one of three options on a pre-primed board with their choice of […]