Newly Added Classes   

Just in time for the Christmas season, Sterling Silver Graceful Christmas Tree Earrings.  These gracefully-curved dangle earrings are made from hammer formed wires.   Hanging just 1 ½ inches in length, these earrings are understated and beautiful.  Students will have the option to make long or short ear wires to accommodate their preferred overall length.  

These earrings are simple yet elegant and can be worn from dressed up to dressed down. Hung from handmade sterling silver ear wires.  The hammered facets on the silver reflects and bounces light with each movement of your head. Supply fee: $25

Note: Please be aware that this class requires a certain amount of hand strength and manual dexterity. It is important to know your limitations.  
For safety reasons: No loose fitting clothing, long hair MUST be tied up. Please wear closed-toed shoes.

Step back in time and experience World War II history brought to life through the voices, memories, and treasures of our community.

Visit and experience history as exhibitors share personal collections and displays that commemorate the men and women of the Greatest Generation. From uniforms and medals to letters, photographs, and cherished heirlooms, each exhibitor table tells a story of service, sacrifice, and resilience.

This is more than an exhibition. It is a living tribute to those who answered the call of duty, whether on the battlefield or the home front. Walk through the displays, listen to the stories, and join us in honoring their enduring legacy.

Together, we remember. Together, we honor.

Learn how to make a Christmas Tree of Life ornament for your Christmas tree, wreath or window. The tree of life is a powerful symbol across centuries and cultures. In this class, we will make a 3 inch tree of life using 24 gauge wire and Christmas ball colored beads to decorate. We will discuss the Base the basics Of wire wrapping, the types of wire, and how to choose the best wire and materials, for your project. This class can be completed within 2 to 2 1/2 hours and you will go home with a beautiful ornament that you will be proud of and will be a keepsake for generations. 

Open studio with the opportunity to learn Advanced hand building pottery techniques. IE. Asian style hand built teapots.

Note: Clay can be purchased for $45 per 25 lbs. Don't forget your towel! Prerequisites: Must have completed Intermedia pottery class POT114.

It's time to play in the mud on the potter's wheel! Potters will develop skills for creating wheel-thrown pots of form and function for everyday use. The potter's wheel and ideas will be the foundation for exploring personal expression in these wheel-thrown pots. There will be an abundance of one-on-one instruction for individual skill building in a small class setting. Course cost includes tools, up to 12 pounds of throwing clay and firings.

Please be aware this class requires a certain level of manual dexterity and hand strength.

Open studio with the opportunity to learn Advanced hand building pottery techniques. IE. Asian style hand built teapots.

Note: Clay can be purchased for $45 per 25 lbs. Don't forget your towel! Prerequisites: Must have completed Intermedia pottery class POT114.

Have you ever wanted to dance to Broadway tunes, movie theme songs, or pop favorites? You will learn Jazz choreography to reflect the genre of each particular style of dance. Props may be used such as hats or canes. Jazz shoes or jazz sneakers are appropriate for this class. "Let's take it from the top: 5,6,7,8!!!"

Those interested may participate in a routine that will be recorded on the last day. A link to this recording will be shared by the instructor for participants to enjoy afterwards.

Get ready to move, groove, dance and experience a vibrant dance class. This Beginner Cha Cha dance class is a great place to begin your Cha Cha dancing. You'll learn the fundamental Cha Cha rhythm and steps which are broken down into simple movements. The class focuses on building a solid foundation at a comfortable pace with an understanding of the different ways people get into the Cha Cha steps. 


 

This course is an open studio session chock full of great fun and creative energy for all ceramicists. There is still 1on 1 teaching to help refine what you learned in the basic course It is designed for clay artists with prior wheel throwing experience. Students should have a sufficient understanding of basic methods of centering, throwing and glazing techniques. Projects must have instructor approval. Clay can be purchased for $45 for 25 lbs and glazes included. Don't forget your towel!   Prerequisites: Should have completed Beginner Wheel-POT113.

Note: Please be aware this class requires a certain level of manual dexterity and hand strength.

Get a taste of adventure before you even pack your bags! Join travel guide Patrick Wilkins for an exciting presentation as he takes you on a vivid preview of the new Painted Canyons of the West trip offered through Master the Possibilities by Collette Travel. Hear firsthand about the sweeping red rock landscapes of Arches and Canyonlands, the whimsical hoodoos of Bryce, the towering cliffs of Zion, and the unforgettable journey from Denver to the neon lights of Las Vegas. Through captivating stories, insider tips, and stunning imagery, Patrick will bring this nine-day, five-national park adventure to life-and show you why this is a trip you won't want to miss.

Patrick will also share important details to make booking-and traveling-stress-free. From what to expect in activity levels and terrain, to understanding travel requirements and accommodations, he'll help you feel confident about every step of the journey. With his experience and insider knowledge, you'll leave not only inspired, but assured that your adventure is in capable hands.

Learn More »

Open studio with the opportunity to learn Advanced hand building pottery techniques. IE. Asian style hand built teapots.

Note: Clay can be purchased for $45 per 25 lbs. Don't forget your towel! Prerequisites: Must have completed Intermedia pottery class POT114.

It's time to play in the mud on the potter's wheel! Potters will develop skills for creating wheel-thrown pots of form and function for everyday use. The potter's wheel and ideas will be the foundation for exploring personal expression in these wheel-thrown pots. There will be an abundance of one-on-one instruction for individual skill building in a small class setting. Course cost includes tools, up to 12 pounds of throwing clay and firings.

Please be aware this class requires a certain level of manual dexterity and hand strength.

This is a beginning class for students that would like to learn to pinch coil and slab clay to make fun and interesting pots. 

Note: Students may get dirty with clay, please wear appropriate clothing, a hand towel is handy. No experience is necessary.  Supply fee: $45

This museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the city's history with an impressive collection of fire related memorabilia. Thousands of items are on display including a segment of 9/11 World Trade Center steel, antique fire extinguishers, early medical equipment, a life net, fire alarm boxes, firefighting uniforms, a collection of international fire helmets and so much more. Learn about the devastating Thanksgiving Day Fire of 1883, why fire uniforms are blue in color, and other interesting information during this guided tour.

Registered students meet at: 615 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, Ocala FL 34475. Parking is available for the Ocala Fire Museum near the police station or the fire station. The first responder complex is located just north of the railroad track and Madison Street Elementary school.

Beginners Italian for Travel is a practical, beginner-friendly course designed to help students navigate Italy with confidence. Learn essential phrases, pronunciation, and cultural tips for travel situations like dining, directions, shopping, and hotels. No prior experience needed- just a passion for travel and connection. Perfect for tourists and first-time Italian learners. Buon viaggio!

Warm up your kitchen and your culinary skills in this hands-on class focused on making delicious, homemade lentil soup from scratch. Perfect for all experience levels, this course will guide participants through creating a hearty, flavorful soup packed with protein-rich lentils, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs and spices.  Please bring a pot to cook, frying pan, knives to cut up veggies, a cutting board, cooking spoon and a container to take food home.

Discover Italian from the ground up. This beginner-friendly course offers a traditional yet engaging approach to language learning, with a strong emphasis on speaking from day one. Together, we'll explore essential grammar, build practical vocabulary, and develop confidence in reading and writing. No prior experience is required. Each lesson will guide participants step-by-step, helping them form a solid foundation in Italian that can continue to grow. Whether learning for travel, personal enrichment, or future study, this course will give individuals the tools to begin expressing themselves with clarity and enjoyment.

Join us for special screenings of beloved classic films that celebrate a defining era in our nation’s history. Each timeless story offers unforgettable characters, music, and inspiration. Popcorn and goodies will be served for the full movie experience. Don't miss out on this film extravaganza!

This course is an open studio session chock full of great fun and creative energy for all ceramicists. There is still 1on 1 teaching to help refine what you learned in the basic course It is designed for clay artists with prior wheel throwing experience. Students should have a sufficient understanding of basic methods of centering, throwing and glazing techniques. Projects must have instructor approval. Clay can be purchased for $45 for 25 lbs and glazes included. Don't forget your towel!   Prerequisites: Should have completed Beginner Wheel-POT113.

Note: Please be aware this class requires a certain level of manual dexterity and hand strength.

This is a beginning class for students that would like to learn to pinch coil and slab clay to make fun and interesting pots. 

Note: Students may get dirty with clay, please wear appropriate clothing, a hand towel is handy. No experience is necessary.  Supply fee: $45

This is a short talk where we’ll look at some amazing aspects of the world we live in. We’ll start with a discussion of some everyday things that you may never have considered and then venture out into the unknown…interstellar space. It’s intended as a high-level conceptual discussion to just let one relax and contemplate our lives in this vast, incredible universe. And we’ll conclude with a discussion regarding one aspect we deal with daily which will leave you contemplating and discussing for days after. I look forward to meeting you as we dive into …. Some Amazing Stuff.

This interactive talk wit expert doctors will focus on common pickleball and golf injuries, how to recognize early warning signs, and practical tips to stay active while protecting your joints and muscles.

The goal of the class will be that students will learn and gain a working knowledge of the critical aspects of writing fiction. At the conclusion of the course, each student should have an understanding of how to craft a story. 

Student Learning Outcomes
•    The basic techniques and terminology of fiction writing
•    The basic elements of fiction writing
•    How to identify point of view in fiction and how to write from one specific point of view
•    How to craft a scene with evocative detail and tension
•    How to develop empathetic characters
•    How to identify plot in a story
•    How to tie all the above elements together into a cohesive structure 
•    Each student will complete one story of a minimum of 1000 words.
These outcomes will be achieved through the following work:
•    Critical examination of selected writing examples
•    Examination of student writings created from in class assignments
•    Lecture on various elements of fiction writing to include:
o    Plot
o    Character
o    Point of View
o    Scene/ Summary
o    Dialogue

Have you ever seen a beautiful quilt and wished that you could make one?  Join our introduction to the quilting arts lecture and explore the methods, equipment and techniques required to make your own beautiful quilting blocks. This lecture/trunk show will give participants the information required prior to enrolling in the "Begin at the Beginning:  Quilting 101" course.

Dr. Pulido, a hip and knee replacement specialist, will cover common pickleball injuries, prevention tips, and treatment options to help you stay active.

In honor of the anniversary of the end of World War II and the start of the Cold War, join Francis Gary Powers, Jr for a program
on how the end of World War II led directly to the start of the Cold War. Francis Gary Powers, Jr. is the Founder and Chairman of The Cold War Museum at Vint Hill, VA. He will talk about WWII, VE Day, VJ Day, the origins of the Cold War, the Berlin Airlift, Soviet A-bomb tests, the Korean War, Eisenhower elected President of the US, overhead reconnaissance, and the U-2 Incident.

In this one day course you will create, from a plain 8X10 tile, a one of a kind colorful mosaic piece that can be placed outside. Materials will include glass mosaic tiles, fused glass and other unusual materials to make this decorative piece. We will discuss adhesives and grouting.  All materials are provided and you only need to bring your imagination.

Begin the tour by exploring the Bryant House located at 712 East Fort King Street, which is the home of the Historic Ocala Preservation Society. This Victorian style home built in 1892 is named in honor of William Bryant who was the first owner. After viewing the home take a walking tour around Ocala’s historic Downtown Square and through residential neighborhoods to learn about Ocala’s oldest buildings and the people who occupied them. Learn about the Thanksgiving Day Fire of 1883 which destroyed five city square blocks. As a result, the business district made of wood was rapidly rebuilt utilizing brick and fire resistant construction materials, and thus Ocala became known as the “Brick City.”

Participants should be prepare to walk approximately 2 miles and navigate sidewalks, curbs.  Sneakers or good walking shoes are recommend with a bottle a water.  Location to meet: Historic Ocala Preservation Society, 712 E. Fort King St. Ocala Fl 34471.

Please park in the corner lot of S.E. Fort King Street and Sanchez Ave. 

Learn to paint like Bob Ross in one day. Dan Willcox leads students through creating a beautiful masterpiece, no previous painting experience required. Take home a completed painting. Students are led through every step, from preparing the canvas, how to use the brushes/pallet knives, loading the paint correctly on the tools and then feeling the magic and exhilaration of brush touching canvas. No patterns or tracings are needed for this style of painting. The goal is to teach the process, technique and encourage each student to 'just let out their creativity,' so they will have so much fun, joy, and just love to paint. Any one truly can be successful at this style of painting.

In this course, the participants will learn about pharmacogenetic testing and see if this is something that may benefit them.

Join us for special screenings of beloved classic films that celebrate a defining era in our nation’s history. Each timeless story offers unforgettable characters, music, and inspiration. Popcorn and goodies will be served for the full movie experience. Don't miss out on this film extravaganza!

Want to plan your own trip to Italy or your free days from a cruise or tour?  Join us for this workshop that will cover:  

•    The key to successful travel
•    Elements of a trip
•    How to organize
•    Tips and strategies for navigating Italy independently

Bring a notebook and sense of fun for this interactive workshop.  Buon Viaggio.

An energizing combination of walking and stopping for functional movement and light exercise at regular intervals. The park experience will allow the participant to enjoy outdoor elements like fresh air, sunshine, and the social aspect of group activities in a beautiful park setting.    Note: Class will meet at the pavilion. Please bring a bottle of water and comfortable shoes.

1st Week : Warm-up full body strech, walk as a group for 1/4 mile at a moderate pace. Add fuctional movements. 

2nd Week: Walk another 1/4 mile and add some boxing movements. 

3rd Week: Walk another 1/4 mile while doing the Indian Walk and various movements.

4th Week: Will be a combination of cones, colored discs on the grass, with a progressively harder combination to work on brain power. 

Have you ever wanted to dance to Broadway tunes, movie theme songs, or pop favorites? You will learn Jazz choreography to reflect the genre of each particular style of dance. Props may be used such as hats or canes. Jazz shoes or jazz sneakers are appropriate for this class. "Let's take it from the top: 5,6,7,8!!!"

Those interested may participate in a routine that will be recorded on the last day. A link to this recording will be shared by the instructor for participants to enjoy afterwards.

Join us for special screenings of beloved classic films that celebrate a defining era in our nation’s history. Each timeless story offers unforgettable characters, music, and inspiration. Popcorn and goodies will be served for the full movie experience. Don't miss out on this film extravaganza!

T'ai Chi Chih is an easier form of T'ai Chi to learn.  Regular practice of the gentle movements results in a state of well-being from the inside-out and far-reaching benefits.  Participants will learn fundamentals of how to move, 7 to 9 of the movements and experience a T'ai Chi Chih practice with the instructor.  

Note: Class meet at Sholom Park at 7110 SW 80th Ave, Ocala, FL 34481- Pavilion Area.

Discover the remarkable evolution of U.S. military small arms during the First and Second World Wars. This course will explore how the United States became the "Arsenal of Democracy," supplying not only its own forces but also those of its allies through industrial innovation and mass production.

You'll learn about the design, function, and history of the weapons that helped shape the modern battlefield—from bolt-action rifles and semi-automatic pistols to revolvers and carbines. Topics include:

 

• Weapon types and their intended battlefield roles
• Caliber, dimensions, and technical specifications
• Manufacturing origins, including production years and facilities
• Distribution to various military branches and theaters of war
• Total production numbers and historical context

The instructor will present a curated selection of original U.S. small arms from the era. At the conclusion of the class, participants will have the unique opportunity to view—and carefully handle—some of these authentic historical artifacts.

Whether you're a military history enthusiast, collector, or simply curious, this course offers an unforgettable hands-on journey through America's wartime armament legacy.

Learn to paint like Bob Ross in one day. Dan Willcox leads students through creating a beautiful masterpiece, no previous painting experience required. Take home a completed painting. Students are led through every step, from preparing the canvas, how to use the brushes/pallet knives, loading the paint correctly on the tools and then feeling the magic and exhilaration of brush touching canvas. No patterns or tracings are needed for this style of painting. The goal is to teach the process, technique and encourage each student to 'just let out their creativity,' so they will have so much fun, joy, and just love to paint. Any one truly can be successful at this style of painting.

Have you ever wanted to dance to Broadway tunes, movie theme songs, or pop favorites? You will learn Jazz choreography to reflect the genre of each particular style of dance. Props may be used such as hats or canes. Jazz shoes or jazz sneakers are appropriate for this class. "Let's take it from the top: 5,6,7,8!!!"

Those interested may participate in a routine that will be recorded on the last day. A link to this recording will be shared by the instructor for participants to enjoy afterwards.

Presented by Chairman Carl Zalak, III

Join us for an informative session that takes a closer look at how our community is growing and preparing for tomorrow. Learn about roadway improvements, upcoming projects, and innovative programs shaping daily life. Hear directly about the work of our first responders and how local leaders are planning for the future to keep Marion County safe, connected, and thriving. Don’t miss this chance to stay informed and engaged with the changes and opportunities coming to our community.