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.

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:

SMARTS September 2026 Schedule

Mondays
Shiawassee Arts Center
206 Curwood Castle Drive
10am – 11:30am & 1pm – 2:30pm* unless otherwise noted
RSVP (989) 723-8875

September 14 – Black Capped Chickadee – Fly into autumn with a drawing of a black capped chickadee done in erasable color pencils and white chalk. A focus will be placed on learning to layer and blend with pencils. Philip Ruehle, Artist/Instructor
September 28 – Glazing Clay Pillow Vase – created on August 24. Add the finishing colors! Pieces will be fired a second time and available for pick up at the next SMARTS class, Marie Gougeon, Artist/Instructor

Mondays
Durand Senior Center
8618 E Lansing Rd
10am – 11:30am
RSVP (989) 288-4122

September 14 – Rusty Shovel Porch Decor – Just in time for fall, a rusty painted shovel to lean against your fence or place on your porch. A variety of shovels will be available for you to paint a white silhouette of your choice. A sunflower and rafia box completes the look. (leave shovel overnight if you would like it coated with a clear protective spray.) Dorothy Neaton, Artist/Instructor
September 21 – Halloween/Fall Votive Figurine – Created with crumpled foil, masking tape, paper mache clay, Mod podge & wire. Part 2 will be October 5 for painting the dried clay pieces and assembling the body. Finished size 5” x 8.” You must be able to attend both sessions. Dorothy Neaton, Artist/Instructor

Tuesdays
Owosso Senior Center
300 N Washington Street
10am-11:30am
RSVP (989) 723-8875

September 8 – Notan – Western country art from the 19 th century “No” meaning (dark) and “Tan” meaning (light). You will create a Light and Dark painting using simple shapes and/or geometric designs. No artistic talent needed for this project. It is cutting and gluing paper to make your design. Lots of fun and very different. Lori Ann Dickerman, Artist/Instructor
September 22 – Lifting Paint – You will use a pre-colored canvas that I will prepare ahead of time. I will explain this process to you for more projects at home as this step takes a while to dry. You will learn a technique of lifting the paint off the canvas with a brush and water to create fall mums and leaves. Perfect for the changing of the season. Lori Ann Dickerman, Artist/Instructor

Wednesdays
Morrice Senior Center
101 W Mason Street
12:30pm – 2pm
RSVP – (517) 625-4270

September 9 – September Landscape – Paint a September landscape to reflect summer’s end. Acrylic on canvas. Linda Justice, Artist/Instructor
September 23 – September 23 – Decoupage LED Flameless Candle – Decorate with tissue papers and printed napkins to create a beautiful glowing candle for your home. Each participant can make two, five inch candles. Linda Justice, Artist/Instructor

SMARTS October 2026 Schedule

Mondays
Shiawassee Arts Center
206 Curwood Castle Drive
10am – 11:30am & 1pm – 2:30pm* unless otherwise noted
RSVP (989) 723-8875

October 12 – Horse Drawing – Gallop into the autumn season with a drawing of a horse in erasable color pencils on brown paper. A focus will be placed on anatomy and the layering of different colors. Philip Ruehle, Artist/Instructor
October 26 – Fall or Holiday Glass Fused Tile – Create a fall, winter or holiday theme on a 4 inch square glass tile. Tiles will be fired in the kiln and available at the next SAC Smarts class. Linda Ruehle, Artist/Instructor

Mondays
Durand Senior Center
8618 E Lansing Rd
10am – 11:30am
RSVP (989) 288-4122

October 5 – Halloween/Fall Votive Figurine Part 2 – Painting the dried clay pieces and assembling the body. Finished size 5” x 8.” You must be able to attend both sessions. Dorothy Neaton, Artist/Instructor
October 19 – Plaid, Fall Wreath – Starting with a pool noodle for the wreath and wrapping various plaid fabrics around it and securing it with hot glue. Dorothy Neaton, Artist/Instructor

Tuesdays
Owosso Senior Center
300 N Washington Street
10am-11:30am
RSVP (989) 723-8875

October 6 – Weaving Watercolors – Paint two identical paintings on the same size paper. Using a ruler you mark off 1/2 inch lines one vertical and the other painting will be horizontal. Cut the paper on the lines except on the vertical painting. Leave two to three lines uncut on the edge. Then weave the horizontal strips through the vertical strips over and under alternating each row. Tape all edges with blue or green art tape. Lori Ann Dickerman, Artist/Instructor
October 20 – Decorative Harvest Pumpkin – Painting on a thin wood base, then adding ribbon, raffia & button embellishments. Linda Van Cise, Artist/Instructor

Wednesdays
Morrice Senior Center
101 W Mason Street
12:30pm – 2pm
RSVP – (517) 625-4270

October 14 – Quick, Blobby Bird Paintings! A fun and sweet watercolor painting with a touch of ink with Micron pens. Linda Justice, Artist/Instructor
October 28 – Experiment with Alcohol Ink – in the unpredictable, but mesmerizing world of fluid art! Using vibrant dyes to create abstract, fall compositions on the synthetic, Yupo paper and also on a small white ceramic tile. Linda Justice, Artist/Instructor

NOVEMBER SAVE THE DATES

Owosso Senior Center (Tues) November 10 & 24

Shiawassee Arts Center (Mon) November 9 & 23

Morrice Senior Center (Wed) November 11 & 18*

(A week early due to Thanksgiving)*

Durand Senior Center (Mon) November 2 & 16

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.