Weekly classes for adults at The Spring

“Reeling and writhing and fainting in coils” was how the Mock Turtle described his lessons to Alice in Wonderland. In The Spring’s summer brochure you’ll find a fair stab at these branches of the arts.

Representing “fainting in coils”, we have Oil Essential Skills on Tuesdays from 10am to 12 noon. Experienced tutor Heather Gray-Newton will provide instruction in the basics of techniques, material and colour work.

Also on Tuesdays from 1pm to 3pm, there’s Pastels Essential Skills with tutor Robyn Cheyne. Participants will acquire a basic knowledge of techniques for soft and oil pastels, including blending, scumbling and feathering.

Watercolour and drawing skills are included too, with Drawing Essential Skills on Wednesdays from 10am–12 noon, for those who are new to drawing or just starting to learn, and Watercolour Projects from 1pm–3pm. This is an opportunity for individuals to develop their own style under the expert guidance of Heather Gray-Newton. Heather is also the tutor for two classes on Fridays: Watercolour Essential Skills from 10am–12 noon, and Drawing Projects from 1pm–3pm.

But back to “reeling and writhing”: Much more elegant are The Spring’s Posture Pilates classes with tutor Sarah Calton, on Fridays from 2pm–3pm and 3pm–4pm. Pilates consists of a series of flowing movements designed to strengthen and mobilise the spine, tone the body and improve posture. Sarah has been working in the fitness industry for ten years, and is also the tutor for Zumba Gold on Thursdays from 10.30–11.30am. Deservedly popular with “regulars” at The Spring, this class is tailored to suit your fitness level, and is gentler than regular Zumba.

Prices for all art classes are £88 per ten-week term (£79 concessions); summer term dates are week commencing 22 April to week commencing 30 June, with half-term week commencing 26 May.

As a special bonus, all art-based classes will have the opportunity to work towards exhibiting in the Upper Mezzanine Gallery for the May Day Arts Trail 2014.