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
SMARTS August 2026 Schedule
Mondays
Shiawassee Arts Center
206 Curwood Castle Drive
10am – 11:30am & 1pm – 2:30pm* unless otherwise noted
RSVP (989) 723-8875
- August 10 – Gladiolus Flower – Celebrate the month of August with a drawing of the vibrant and colorful gladiolus flower. We will focus on how to layer and blend with erasable color pencils. Philip Ruehle, Artist/Instructor
- August 24 – Play in Clay – Project TBA – Marie Gougeon, Artist/Instructor. (Glazing will take place at the Monday, September 28, Smarts class)
Mondays
Durand Senior Center
8618 E Lansing Rd
10am – 11:30am
RSVP (989) 288-4122
- August 3 – Mosaic Flower Cone Part 2 – Grout your mosaic Flower Cone from the July 20th class. A sturdy metal stand is included. Bring a box to carry home safely! Dorothy Neaton, Artist/Instructor
- August 17 – Metal Steamer Garden Flower – Repurpose a metal veggie steamer into a colorful flower for your yard. Paint the petals using outdoor acrylic paint and attach aluminum petals to a 3 ft.tall wooden stem. Sturdy and pretty! Dorothy Neaton, Artist/Instructor
Tuesdays
Owosso Senior Center
300 N Washington Street
10am-11:30am
RSVP (989) 723-8875
- August 4 – Glass Garden Totem – Here is a glassy/classy addition to your garden decor. Stack a mix of clear cut glass and blue & white ceramics. It can be short or tall. Use waterproof silicone glue to secure the pieces. (Please bring a thick towel for the table to prevent breakage if you happen to drop a piece of glass.) Totems will need to be left to dry for 2 days. Then please remember to pick it up as soon as possible. Dorothy Neaton, Artist/Instructor
- August 18 – Mixed Media Sunflower – Brighten your day with a cheerful sunflower. Learn how to combine watercolor wash, acrylic and sharpie or Micron pen techniques to create a unique sunflower painting. Lilly Evans, Artist/Instructor
Wednesdays
Morrice Senior Center
101 W Mason Street
12:30pm – 2pm
RSVP – (517) 625-4270
- August 12 – Tropical Fish in Watercolor – Using watercolor paints and ink, create a tropical fish painting in homage to summer. Linda Justice, Artist/Instructor
- August 26 – Acrylic Flower Garden – Using an unconventional tool, create flower prints with acrylic paints. Linda Justice, Artist/Instructor
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
OCTOBER SAVE THE DATES
Owosso Senior Center (Tues) October 6 & 20
Shiawassee Arts Center (Mon) October 12 & 26
Morrice Senior Center (Wed) October 14 & 28
Durand Senior Center (Mon) October 5 & 19
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:
