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
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
- April 13 – Sweet Pea Flowers -Create a drawing with the vibrant colors of the sweet pea flower. Learn to layer and blend with erasable color pencils. Philip Ruehle, Artist/Instructor
- April 27 – Junk Journaling – Junk journaling is the art of creating personalized, handmade books using repurposed materials like old book pages, maps, tickets, envelopes, often to document memories or as a creative outlet. It focuses on embracing imperfection, making it a low-cost, therapeutic hobby that combines scrapbooking with collage and journaling. Materials will be provided, but feel free to bring photos, or items that you have saved (ticket stubs from shows, etc.) Lora Garcelon, Artist/Instructor
- April 6 – Blooming Glass Painting – Get ready for gardening by tracing a design onto glass using acrylic paint markers. A copper color washi tape will be used to trim the edges. Looks great hanging on a white wall! Super glue will be sent home for attaching the chain hanger. Dorothy Neaton, Artist/instructor
- April 20 – Painting Loose Spring Flowers with Watercolor – Painting very loose watercolor flowers emphasizes spontaneous, expressive and quick brush strokes rather than precise detail. Capturing the essence of the bloom through soft, blended edges. It utilizes wet-on-wet techniques, allowing colors to mingle on paper, often using larger brushes for a more relaxed, playful and less controlled approach. Linda Justice, Artist/Instructor
- April 7 – Daisies in Acrylic – Using heavy body acrylic paint and a palette knife, fill an 8 x 10 canvas with Daisies, one of the April flowers of the month. This is a different but fun technique! Lori Dickerman, Artist/instructor
- *April 21 – Celebrate Earth Day (Actually on April 22) – Painted flower pots with acrylic. Samples and ideas will be available. Potting soil and seeds included. *Time: 9:45-11:15am* Linda Van Cise, Artist/Instructor
- April 8 – Painting Loose Spring Flowers with Watercolor – Painting very loose watercolor flowers emphasizes spontaneous, expressive and quick brush strokes rather than precise detail. Capturing the essence of the bloom through soft, blended edges. It utilizes wet-on-wet techniques, allowing colors to mingle on paper, often using larger brushes for a more relaxed, playful and less controlled approach. Linda Justice, Artist/Instructor
- April 22 – Tiger Lilies in Acrylic – Celebrate Earth Day with an acrylic 6 x 6 inch painting that will also include a ladybug, dragon fly or maybe a grasshopper! Linda Justice, Artist/Instructor
MAY SAVE THE DATES
Owosso Senior Center (Tues) May 12 & 26
Shiawassee Arts Center (Mon) May 4 & 18
Morrice Senior Center (Wed) May 13 & 27
Durand Senior Center (Mon) May 4 & 11
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:
