Registration Open for New Life Long Learning Classes
San Marcos Parks and Recreation, in partnership with Texas State University’s Retired Faculty and Staff Association (RFSA) continues to offer new Life Long Learning courses for the greater San Marcos area.
People can register for these classes by calling 512.393.8400 or by going to the Parks and Recreation Main Office at 401 E. Hopkins or the San Marcos Activity Center at 501 E. Hopkins.
You can also register online at www.sanmarcostx.gov/activeSMTX. Please search LLL for Life Long Learning classes. The classes are primarily for those age 50 and above, but adults of any age are welcome to register. The classes will begin in January or February. A minimum number of registrants is required for these classes to take place. Course offerings are listed below:
- “The Business of May Next”: The Story of the United States Constitution
Wednesdays: Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22, and March 1, 2017
Time: 1 to 2:15 p.m.
Site: San Marcos Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins
Cost: $10
Course Description: One American historian writes that the story of the Constitution is “a story that Americans ought to keep telling themselves as long as the nation it helped to form may last.” This class will explore in a lecture/discussion format the fascinating story of our Constitution: its makers, its contents, its history and the riveting tale of ratification.
Presented by Jo Snider a veteran of nearly thirty years of college and university teaching of American history. She holds B. A. and M.A. degrees from Texas State University and the University of Texas in Austin. She brings not only knowledge yet a high level of enthusiasm to the study of history.
- How to Listen to and Understand Great Music
Mondays: February 6, 13, 27, March 6, 13, & 20, 2017
Time: 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.
Site: San Marcos Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins
Cost: $20
Course Description: Throughout history, Western music has been a mirror of the social, political, and religious events and aesthetic ideals of its time. In this first course, you will be introduced to the themes, concepts, and terminology used to better understand concert music, classical music, popular music, and Western music explored in this course as well as future courses in our series “How to Listen to and Understand Great Music.”
Presented by Dr. Robert Whalin, Professor Emeritus of Music at Texas State University.
- Depicting Forms From Nature – Art Class (maximum of 15 participants)
Saturdays: Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, & March 4, 2017
Time: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Site: Cephas House, 217 W. MLK
Cost: $45
Course Description: This class will use flowers and natural forms (such as bones, branches, and rocks) as our inspiration and as vehicles for study and expression. The fundamentals of drawing from observation will be explored and individual approaches to drawing process and materials will be encouraged.
Presented by Roxana Tuff. Roxana is a metalsmith and illustrator who holds a BFA in Painting and Drawing and a MFA in Painting. She has taught in the art studio area at Texas State for 14 years.
Materials List: Strathmore 400 Drawing paper (medium 80lb or heavyweight 100lb) 14”x17”; 4B and 6B pencils; extra soft vine charcoal; 1 extra soft charcoal pencil; kneaded eraser; white vinyl eraser; metal pencil sharpener; drafting tape or painter’s tape; 2 large bulldog clips; drawing board or piece of Masonite approx. 18”x24”. Optional for Advanced Students: India ink, watercolors, watercolor pencils, colored pencils.
- Introduction to Colored Pencil Techniques – Art Class (max of 15 participants)
Saturdays: Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, & March 4, 2017
Time: 3 to 5 p.m.
Site: Cephas House, 217 W. MLK
Cost: $45
Course Description: The class will cover color basics, color layering, blending, and burnishing to create rich colorful images in colored pencil.
Materials List: Prisma color pencils set of at least 24 (not Verithin); Prisma color pencils; Strathmore Colored Pencil Spiral Paper Pad 11″X14″-30 sheets; drafting tape or painter’s tape; ?kneaded eraser; 2B pencil; pencil sharpener; Xacto knife; drawing board, or piece of Masonite, approx. 18”x24”; blending stump (tortillion).
Presented by Roxana Tuff. Roxana is a metalsmith and illustrator who holds a BFA in Painting and Drawing and a MFA in Painting. She has taught in the art studio area at Texas State for 14 years.
- Portrait Drawing- a 3 day workshop (max of 12 students)
Thursday, Jan. 19, Friday, Jan. 20, and Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (lunch break noon to 1 p.m.)
Site: Old Fish Hatchery, 206 N. CM Allen Parkway
Cost: $110
Course Description: This three-day workshop will cover the basics of the portrait drawing process with a mix of lectures, demonstrations and exercises.
You will learn the fundamental structure of the human head; to capture the facial features that make a subject unique and recognizable; to build the head, ears, and features using simple shapes; and to use value shapes of light and dark to create dimension.??
Material List: 18×24 newsprint tablet; ?4B and 6B pencils; soft vine charcoal; extra soft charcoal pencil, kneaded eraser; white vinyl eraser; metal pencil sharpener; drafting tape or painter’s tape; 2 large bulldog clips; drawing board or piece of Masonite approx. 18”x24”.
Presented by Roxana Tuff. Roxana is a metalsmith and illustrator who holds a BFA in Painting and Drawing and a MFA in Painting. She has taught in the art studio area at Texas State for 14 years.
About The City of San Marcos’ Parks and Recreation Dept.: The Parks and Recreation Department works to provide the citizens and visitors of San Marcos the highest level of programs, parks, facilities, and services that will positively enhance our vision of the community. The Parks and Recreation Department has a history of providing not only diverse and continuous programs for citizens and visitors alike but also excels in providing maintained parks such as Rio Vista park, educational centers such as the Discovery Center, and many more activities and resources for everyone in San Marcos.
