The Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Greater Columbus, 1125 College Ave., is offering a series of courses this fall designed specifically for adults, ranging from instruction in basic drawing techniques to self-defense for women.
"The JCC is many things to many people," said Debbie Vinocur, Adult and Senior Program director. "For some, it is a place to become physically fit, while for others it is a cultural center, and still others see the JCC as a place to gather and share camaraderie over lunch, or celebrate simchas as a family and community.
"One aspect of the JCC that has been dormant for awhile is that of Adult Programming," she said. "This fall, we are reviving Adult Programming and offering a sampling of classes that we hope will appeal to a wide range of people."
Kicking off the Adult Program schedule on Oct. 28, are two courses – Basic Drawing and Israeli Folk Dance.
Taught by artist Beth Himsworth, the Basic Drawing class will beheld from 10:30 a.m. to noon every Tuesday through Dec. 2. The course will focus on "Still Life and Botanicals." The class also will be offered on Wednesday evenings, from Oct. 29 through Dec. 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
"This is a class for beginners and drawers who want to work on their basic drawing skills," Himsworth said. "Beginning with individual flowers, we will work on line drawing, use of negative space and selection. Afterward, we will develop skills in placement of objects in a drawing, still life perspective, and color."
Fees for the six-week course are $75 for JCC members and $90 for non-members, and includes instruction, sketch book, pencils and erasers.
Those interested in learning authentic Israeli Folk Dance are invited to try the first class free of charge on Oct. 28, from 7 to 8 p.m. "Israeli folk dancing is a fun and collective form of dance that has come to life in conjunction with the modern State of Israel and is performed to Israeli music," Vinocur said.
Noga and Neev Granite will instruct the eight-session class, which will be held each Tuesday evening through Dec. 16. "Noga and Neev are a brother and sister team who were born in Israel and moved to the U.S. in 1991. Both have danced since childhood, and as regular participants in the Israeli folk dance community in Columbus, they will teach beginners new and traditional Israeli folk dance," she said.
Fees for the eight-week course are $40 for JCC members and $55 for non-members.
The following week, three additional Adult Programs will begin – an Oil Painting class and a Women in Self-Defense course starting on Monday, Nov. 3, and a Clay and Wine course beginning Thursday, Nov. 6.
Stacy Lehman will instruct the Oil Painting Course, which will be held Mondays, from 7 to 9 p.m., through Dec. 15. "This class will provide a foundation for the fundamentals of painting with oils, so the class is suitable for beginners as well as those with painting experience," Lehman said.
"Different methods and techniques of painting will be presented to better understand the materials. The class will cover working from the figure, still life and abstraction," she said. "Those in the class will learn to illustrate light and shadow, work on developing your personal style and simply enjoy the process of painting."
Fees for the seven-week course are $80 for JCC members and $95 for non-members, and includes prepared canvas board. A suggested supply list will be given by the instructor at the start of the course.
Tae Kwon Do black belt Gina Fox will instruct the Women in Self-Defense course on Mondays, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., from Nov. 3 to Dec. 15. "The course will offer basic techniques for women interested in learning self-defense skills," Fox said. "The class will build self-confidence, control, discipline, coordination, strength, and agility, as well as defense skills."
The course is conducted under the supervision of Grandmaster Jon Stephens of the American Free Spirit Karate Association (AFSKA) of Reynoldsburg. Fees for the seven-week course are $70 for JCC members and $85 for non-members.
Rounding out the fall Adult Programs will be a "Clay and Wine" course, held Thursdays, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., from Nov. 6 through Dec. 18. Nancy Rosen will instruct the course.
"The course will offer the basic techniques of sculpting clay, including slab, coil, molds, pinched forms, sculpting and glazing," Rosen said. "Pre-thrown clay pieces also will be available to paint and glaze."
Included in the evenings will be a relaxed wine tasting, said Vinocur. Fees are $75 for JCC members and $90 for non-members, and includes clay, glaze, and wine.
"Hurry! Registration deadline for all courses is Friday, Oct. 24, and all classes require a minimum number of participants in order to be held," Vinocur said.
Registration forms are available on the JCC website at www.columbusjcc.org, or by contacting Vinocur at (614) 559-6214. Fees may be paid either via cash, charge, or checks made payable to the JCC of Greater Columbus.
