From learning the basic fundamentals of drawing to upcycling would-be items of trash and turning them into abstract works of art, area residents have no shortage of opportunities to explore their inner selves through the joys of self-expression and creativity.

Community arts organization Art Reach of Mid Michigan has been providing the region such opportunities since 1981 and this month is no different.

On Thursday, Sept. 12, the Michigan-themed Making Michigan painting class will be held at the organization’s downtown Mt. Pleasant headquarters. For $30 or $25 for members, paint Michigan scenery and landscapes alongside your neighbors.

Learn the “fluid painting” technique at Fluid Painting with Acrylics, a two-hour workshop. Scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 14, with prices starting at $20 for members and $25 otherwise.

Beginning Monday, Sept. 16, a four-week course titled Reflective Art Journaling has Michigan-native Brandy Boyle guiding students with prompts and materials to create therapeutic journals with goals and motivations in mind. No art experience or proficiency is required. Cost: $80 or $75 for members.

A mixed media workshop, Radical Recycled Art: Words to Live By, encourages participants to blend inspirational words with shreds of paper, old magazines, found objects, stickers, and paint. The class takes place Tuesday, Sept. 17, for $35 or $30 for members.

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, participants ages 6 and older are invited to take part in Mini Masters, a guided acrylic painting class. Treats are included with the cost, which is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

Two eight-week courses beginning Thursday, Sept. 19, Drawing Fundamentals 1 and Drawing Fundamentals for Teens, 6 to 8 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m., respectively, teach the basics of drawing. Each course costs $150 and $140 for members.

Abstract Acrylics occurs on Friday, Sept. 20, and teaches the basics of both acrylic and abstract painting. The course costs $25 or $20 for members.

Beginning Saturday, Sept. 21, artist Kris Moore leads a four-part workshop on painting Flower Portraits with acrylics. The cost is $90 or $85 for members for all four courses or $30 or $25 for members for each course.

Art Reach of Mid Michigan is located at 111 E. Broadway in downtown Mt. Pleasant.

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