April kicks off the class season at Oliver Art Center! With several new instructors, this year promises to be the best yet. OAC’s ceramics program is seeing growth with a Spring Concentration class with instructor, John Dietsch. Taking place every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, for three weeks starting April 20, the class will offer the opportunity to study the native plants of the northern Michigan woodlands and incorporate plant anatomy into natural clays found in Michigan. Individual studio time, demos, slide talks and individual as well as group critiques allow for critical thinking and inspired problem solving. Appreciating both the art and the science of clay, and the study of native Michigan plants, the workshop explores the juxtaposition between natural growth in the woodlands and artistic growth and development.

Local chef Serkan Eginkara has made a big name for himself with his Turkish fare at Frankfort Takeout and as a top chef at Crystal Mountain Resort’s “Thistle” restaurant. “I can cook almost any kind of cuisine,” he says, “and I want to share that knowledge with our community.” In this series of seven cooking classes at Oliver Art Center, Serkan will offer a surprise global menu each month in a vibrant class setting. Expect to learn about new flavors and techniques, and to get inspired about incorporating fresh ideas into your own home cooking. Many of Serkan’s recipes scale up wonderfully for entertaining larger groups.

Rounding out April is a two-Saturday workshop on stained glass. What was considered a luxury in the first century, today is an artist’s medium. However, the process of stained-glass artwork has not changed much since. In this workshop, you will use silver soldering and copper foiling techniques to create 2D or free standing 3D pieces with various types of stained glass. Participants will learn glass cutting, scoring, breaking, pattern making, and more. All materials and tools will be supplied.
Parking at Oliver Art Center is limited. Overflow parking can be found along the east side of Second Street, which leads to Oliver Art Center, as well as on Main Street. Parking is prohibited in the adjacent lots of Harbor Lights, The United States Coast Guard Station, and at other condominiums.

The Oliver Art Center exhibits are open to the public Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sun. 12 p.m. -4 p.m. Please visit www.oliverartcenterfrankfort.org or contact 231-352-4151 for more information.

Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts
132 Coast Guard Rd., Frankfort, MI 49635

Photo by Aubrey Ann Parker.