The McKinney Center and Jonesborough’s Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts has announced their fall schedule of over thirty classes and workshops. Registration is now underway for all upcoming classes.  All classes and policies can be found at mckinneycenter.com.

The Fall Open House on Saturday, Aug. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will give visitors a look into what classes will be offered this semester.

“The Open House is a good time to meet your instructor and to really see what you will get out of taking a class here at the McKinney Center,” said McKinney Center Director Theresa Hammons.  Teachers will be doing demos while prospective students can tour the classrooms, ask questions and register for classes.

For children, the program offers courses for young artists ready to explore.  Younger students may take general visual art classes such as Art Adventures and Creative Constructions, or more specialized classes such as Pottery, Mixed Media, Drawing, Metals, Theatre Make-Up, Guitar, Dance Discovery and more.

For older teens and adults, choices include an array of pottery classes, Mixed Media Drawing, Zentangle, Adventures in Drawing, Online Watercolor, Color Mixing Basics for Oil and Acrylic, Brush & Pallet Knife Workshops, various mosaic classes, Metals, Acoustic Guitar, Tap, Gyrokinesis, Story Collecting, Basics of Theatre Make-Up, Creative Writing and Glass Fusion workshops.

According to McKinney Center Director Theresa Hammons, the McKinney Center experienced a record number of student registrations this past Spring. “We had 236 registrations during our spring semester.  We had so many people on waiting lists for some classes we had to add classes to the schedule,” stated Hammons.  It is recommended to register early for classes due to popularity and limited class sizes.  When asked what some of the most popular classes are, Hammons stated that the pottery classes are always popular.  Pottery classes are offered for all ages, starting with kids as young as five years old.

Most classes are on a week day, evenings or on Saturdays, but there are also daytime options as well, including two classes specifically designed for homeschoolers; Art Adventures for K-2nd grade and Creative Constructions for grades 3rd – 5th.  There are also daytime pottery classes for 5th grade – adult.  The Creative Writers Group also meets during the day for students ages 14 to adult.

“There is something for everyone here at the McKinney Center.  Most of our classes are for beginners and class sizes are small. So, if you are more or less skilled, the instructor has time to work with you one on one,” stated Hammonds.

Save money and register early.  Early registration secures a spot in class as well as a $10 discount through August 13. Individual class costs vary and the early bird discount does end on Saturday, August 13 at 3 p.m. Faculty will be present for questions and demonstrations. The last day to register for classes is Sunday, Aug. 21, at 5 p.m.

The McKinney Center also has scholarship opportunities through the Ernest L. McKinney Memorial Scholarship fund for students K-12th grade who have a financial need.  Scholarship applications can be found at mckinneycenter.com/scholarships/.

Staff welcome all visitors to the McKinney Center, take a class, participate in an exhibition, come to a lecture, volunteer your time, attend a workshop, or set up an easel on the grounds and paint.  Please check the McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School Facebook page throughout the year for information about our exciting programs and events.

Full descriptions of class offerings can be found online at www.mckinneycenter.com or by stopping by the McKinney Center, Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to pick up a catalog.  For additional information contact McKinney Center Director Theresa Hammons at[email protected] or call 423.753.0562.

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