Adult Creative Education

The Adult Classes at TAF is a program designed to bring affordable art courses to adults in the Greater Lafayette area. Arts organizations and artists in the community have partnered with TAF to provide the public with a variety of classes that are accessible to beginner and experienced people interested in creatively expressing themselves. Classes vary in length and can include everything from fine arts to music and dance. A new schedule is posted seasonally throughout the year. Please note that all classes and workshops are held at the Wells Community Cultural Center, located at 638 North Street in Downtown Lafayette.

Current Classes:

Creating With Nature

If interested, please email sam@theartsfederation.org

Join us for another found art class with Lilwen Jones! In this class, you’ll learn: How to identify and create with native plants and flowers How to turn their petals into beads The differences between pressing and drying, and their respective benefits How to create jewelry from local rocks and more!

This course is all about training your eye to see the hidden art in nature, also teaching you how to respectfully forage and create with the many unique materials found within the prairies, creeks, and forests of our home.

Remaining Classes:

• November 24, 1:00-2:30 pm
• December 1, 1:00-2:30 pm
• December 8, 1:00-2:30 pm
• December 15, 1:00-2:30 pm

Musical Sculpture

Have you ever looked at an old, broken musical instrument and thought, "What a beautiful object, I wish I could make something with it," or "This is too cool to throw away... my wife is gonna kill me." Whether you're an experienced sculptor looking for a new medium, a musical fiend looking to try all the things you were told never to do, or just someone who likes taking things apart and putting them back together wrong, we have a class for you! Join local artist and educator Charmaine Renee for an 8-week session of collaborative exploration of sculpture with musical instruments.

The best part is - we'll provide the instruments for you to work with! Select which instrument you'd like to base your project on when you register.

Class Schedule:

• January 16, 6:30-7:45 pm
• January 23, 6:30-7:45 pm
• January 30, 6:30-7:45 pm
• February 6, 6:30-7:45 pm
• February 13, 6:30-7:45 pm
• February 20, 6:30-7:45 pm
• February 27, 6:30-7:45 pm
• March 6, 6:30-7:45 pm
• March 13, 6:30-7:45 pm (Makeup session, if needed)

Examples of what you could make in each class:

Creating With Nature:

Musical Sculpture

Meet the Instructors:

Lilwen Jones

Creating With Nature Instructor

My creations have always been interwoven with my love of nature. Metal-smithing, found object artistry, sculpture work, photography. With each new medium, I inevitably return to my original muse. I’m always inspired by this idea of combining my handmade creations with the naturally occurring beauty found in the world around us. Bright berries, a sparkly stone. weathered bones. I’m forever seeking earthly trinkets that catch my eye. This desire to collect bits of the wild is what drives me as an artist. My work is created to show others how to see and appreciate these treasured gifts. In its purest form, my art is crafted to inspire your innate interest in nature. This ethos is the beating heart found within my artistry.

Charmaine Larkey

Musical Sculpture Instructor

Charmaine (Charlie) Renee has taught children, teens, and adults for the past 10+ years with experience ranging from Purdue University, Logansport Highschool, The Dayton Art Institute, to Flourish Classroom & Studios. They graduated with an MFA from Purdue University in 2021. Charmaine's artwork revolves around the making of family, domesticity, and queering craft.

A.C.E Interest Form Survey

Click here to register for Musical Sculpture