CAC’s Maricopa Center offers quilting and painting classes in March/April

Central Arizona College’s Community Education program will be offering a quintet of classes at the college’s Maricopa Center in coming weeks, all geared toward visual arts and crafts.

Helen Kovac, who previously owned two sewing schools, will instruct three courses during the semester, including two where students can hone the craft of quilting.

Professional artist Megan Abdallah will teach the other two courses, both aimed at painting enthusiasts.

Each course is offered over the course of consecutive Saturdays, from Noon until 2 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

In Beginner Quilt Making, offered Mar. 19 and 26, students will learn the basics of quilt making while constructing a quilt using the latest quick cutting techniques and machine piecing skills. Everything from fabric selection to binding the finished quilt will be covered in this class. Cost is $25.

Quilt Making:  T-shirt Quilt, held Apr. 2 and 9, will give students the chance to learn the basics of quilt making while creating a quilt from old T-shirts. Cost is $25.

Kovac also will instruct Creating Business Presentations and Materials on Apr. 23 and 30. Students will learn the basics of PowerPoint to create professional presentations such as a slideshow, overheads and advertising for businesses. In the second part of the class, students will learn how to create professional-looking newsletters, bulletins, business cards and flyers in Publisher. The class costs $25.

Oil and Acrylic Painting is a course introducing students to composition, form and color using oil and acrylic paints. This class will be offered Apr. 2 and 9. Cost is $25.

Basic Drawing Techniques: Using Watercolors will be in session Apr. 16 and 23, from 9 a.m. until noon. This beginner’s class introduces basic watercolor technique and artwork of well-known impressionist and post-impressionist artists. Cost is $36.

Kovac taught child development and fashion design at South Mountain High School in Phoenix for 10 years. She currently teaches career exploration at Maricopa High School. She holds two master’s degrees from Northern Arizona University.

Abdallah, a native Texan, received her first formal training from Master Carver Jon Russ in Arkansas. She was awarded an Arkansas Arts Grant and continued her studies, creating a series of carved and painted replicas of North American Birds.

Her works are in private collections and permanent displays in Arkansas, Alabama, California, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin, Washington and Barcelona, Spain. Her art can be viewed at www.abdallahart.com.

Those interested in registering for these courses may do so through the city of Maricopa at www.maricopa-az.gov, or in person at 45145 W. Madison Ave., Maricopa, Ariz.

For questions regarding the registration process or about specific courses, contact Maria Billingsley at 520-316-6962 or Verl Long 520-494-6405.