SMARTS
The SMARTS Program (Shiawassee Mobile ARTS for Seniors) provides hands-on experience in artistic creation to dozens of Shiawassee County seniors each month. This program allows them to express themselves, includes them in the community, and improves their quality of life. By way of professional artists/instructors, this program also extends opportunities for the kinds of creative experiences that can help seniors grow, further their well-being, and enrich their lives. This Program is possible due to the generous support of the Shiawassee Council on Aging and the Cook Family Foundation.
For more information about the SMARTS Program and schedule of classes call the Shiawassee Arts Center (989) 723-8354.
All classes are $4 for seniors and $6 for family or friends under age 60 who are accompanying a senior.
*Seniors can receive one free class during their birthday month!*
Funding for the SMARTS Program generously provided by the Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation and The Curwood Festival.
Multi-Media Classes
Shiawassee Arts Center: Two Mondays per Month, 10-11:30am & 1 pm – 2:30 pm | RSVP: (989) 723-8354
Owosso Senior Center: Two Tuesdays per Month, 10 am – 11:30 am | RSVP: (989) 723-8875
Morrice Senior Center: Two Wednesdays per Month, 12:30 – 2 pm | RSVP: (517) 625-4270
Durand Senior Center: Two Mondays per Month, 10 – 11:30 am | RSVP: (989) 288-4122
Schedule listed below:
Sign Up for a Class
February
- February 9 – Primrose Drawing -Learn to layer and blend erasable color pencils while drawing rich and vibrant primrose flowers. Philip Ruehle, Artist/Instructor
- February 23 – Celebrate National Tile Day – Create a clay tile with your own design and texture. Glazing to finish will take place on March 23. You will be automatically signed up for Glazing if you take the tile class. Marie Gougeon, Artist/Instructor
- February 2- Tea Time Heart Wreath – “Will that be one lump or two?” Make a Victorian style 12″ heart shaped wreath in red, pink or mint green ribbon. Use tulle to imply tea is pouring. Learn how to make a petit four using a fast drying, colorful air dry clay. Add a Victorian style calling card, silver spoon and flowers. Dorothy Neaton, artist/instructor
- February 16 – Bleeding Heart Beaded Plant – No blood shed here, just a dainty pink flower created with beads on wire, tucked into a mini clay pot. Additional beaded leaves and fiddle ferns make this an adorable plant that never needs watering. Finished size 4″ x 3.”. Dorothy Neaton, Artist/Instructor
- February 3 – Watercolor & Ink Bird – This is National Bird Feeding Month. Create your favorite bird in watercolor, then add a touch of ink. Linds Van Cise, Artist/instructor
- February 17 – Random Acts of Kindness Day – Create a gift to give away!. Linda Van Cise, Artist/Instructor
- February 11 – Hearts in Oil Pastel -In an Andy Warhol style, create four similar hearts on a square, textured pastel paper after practicing different techniques. Linda Justice, Artist/Instructor
- February 25 – Putting it all Together…Collage Like Crazy! – Experiment with mixed media. Acrylic paint, tissue, pastels, bubble wrap, resist with tape, rubber stamps, textures, lace, twine & more! Linda Justice, Artist/Instructor
March
- March 9 – Fly into March -The Robin is the bird of the month, representing spring and fortune! Develop a drawing of a Robin while learning to blend and layer with erasable color pencils. Philip Ruehle, Artist/Instructor
- March 23 – Glazing Clay Tiles –Put the glaze finish on tiles created on February 23. Tiles will be fired again in the kiln and available for pick up at the next SAC Smarts class. Marie Gougeon, Artist/Instructor
- March 2 – Lucky St. Pats Charm Bracelet – Don’t get pinched by a leprechaun this St. Patrick’s Day! In the olden times, it was thought that wearing green made you invisible to the mischievous sprite. So protect yourself by stringing green glass beads and silver colored charms on an elastic string. It’s fast and fun. This project is short and sweet, so there will be a mystery mini craft, as well. Dorothy Neaton, Artist/Instructor
- Mach 16 – Needle Punch Wool Bird – Our winter weather can’t stop these colorful birds from flying home! Perfect for beginners, this needle felted wool class starts with rolling and punching a wispy piece of wool with a barbed needle while on a foam platform. Add a contrasting color while shaping the bird’s head and tail. Add two wings, eyes and a beak…Voila! You have a finished bird nesting on scraps of ribbon atop a wood spool. The bird is 3” x 6”, plus 4” base. Dorothy Neaton, Artist/Instructor
- March 3 – Butterfly in Watercolor -Nat’l Learn About Butterflies Day is celebrated annually on March 14 to encourage the study and appreciation of these pollinators as they begin spring migration. We will paint a Monarch Butterfly. Linda Van Cise, Artist/instructor
- March 24 – Celebrating Spring – We will create a mini hanging ornament with a wood tree cookie with a mini vase of flowers. Linda Van Cise, Artist/Instructor
- March 11 – Mini Succulent Painted Pot -Although we are hoping for live succulents, the weather may not be permitting, so we’ll use artificial ones if we must! Linda Justice, Artist/Instructor
- March 25 – Bunny Project – Using Watercolor, paint a sweet bunny in a field of spring flowers. Linda Justice, Artist/Instructor
APRIL SAVE THE DATES
Owosso Senior Center (Tues) April 7 & 21
Shiawassee Arts Center (Mon) April 13 & 27
Morrice Senior Center (Wed) April 8 & 22
Durand Senior Center (Mon) April 6 & 20
Seniors can receive one Free Class during their birthday month!
Pre-registration at the appropriate location is required
SMARTS Classes – $4 for Shiawassee County Seniors/$6 for those not aged 60 or from out of county.
Learn more about our programs
We are only a call or email away with answers.
206 Curwood Castle Drive
Owosso, MI 48867
989-723-8354
sac@shiawasseearts.org
HOURS
Mon-Fri | 10-5 pm
Sat | 12-3 pm
Non-Profit 501(c)3 organization
Celebrating 54th Anniversary in 2026
Proudly Supported By:
