Smart Living
Last month, we gave you our Smart Living Guide to Summer Camps, filled with ways for kids to have fun while they learn this summer. This month, it’s your turn. There are numerous educational classes for adults throughout our city—from Samford’s After Sundown program and Jeff State’s Community and Corporate Education classes to offerings at your local library or favorite camera shop. Here, we’ve pulled a sampling to get your wheels turning. But if summer’s not the right time for you, don’t worry. Unlike summer kids’ camps, many of these adult classes are offered in sessions yearround.
College class without the grades
Samford After Sundown
On a recent Wednesday evening, I slipped into the back of a Samford classroom and watched as Instructor Kim Riegel taught a Samford After Sundown photography class to a group of about 15 students, ranging in age from young adults to retirees. Although it was the first day of this particular class, Riegel already knew many of her students by name. “Photography classes are by far our most popular,” Suzanne Montgomery, Samford After Sundown director, had explained to me earlier.
For more than 20 years, Samford has offered the After Sundown program, allowing Birmingham residents the opportunity to learn new skills and hobbies from talented photographers, writers, artists and others. “We want to give students the best experience possible and help them develop their passions,” says Montgomery. While the majority of courses are arts- and humanities-based, computer courses (most offered online) and other classes are also offered from time to time.
New After Sundown classes this summer include: Drawing the Human Head, Yoga for Moms and Daughters, Photographing Waterfalls, Fundamentals of Creative Writing, Beginning Birding and Urban Wildflowers, among others. A wide variety of online courses are also offered.
After Sundown students come to Samford from throughout the metro area and represent a variety of backgrounds. Engineers and accountants who use the left side of their brain during the work day switch to right brain thinking when they attend a photography class at night. Class dates, times and fees vary. For more information or to register for non-credit Samford After Sundown classes please visit samford.edu/sundown or call 726-2739.
Samford also offers a separate adult degree program with evening classes for degree seeking students. For more information about this program, visit samford.edu or call 726-2898.
Jefferson State Community College
With a 15 page course catalog and hundreds of classes offered in a classroom or online, Jeff State offers the most options for non-credit classes in our area. “We believe in life-long learning,” says Jeff State Director of Community and Corporate Education Kay Potter. “Community education includes noncredit training for workforce development to help people find entry level work, training for existing businesses and industries, professional development for those who need to enhance their skills or meet professional education requirements, and lastly, personal development for new hobbies or other new personal skills.”
While the career programs are their most popular, the hobbies and personal skills courses are what intrigued us—with classes from Fly Fishing, to Instant Piano for Busy People and Beginning American Sign Language. New courses for summer 2009 include: How to Learn Guitar in One Evening, Saving Big Everyday, How to Start Your Own Business in Floral Design, Interior Decorating and Social Networking for the Beginner.
The course catalog, which is available on the Jeff State website, is divided into on-campus education (with most classes offered at the Jefferson or Shelby-Hoover campuses) and online education, so you can easily find the style of learning you’re looking for. The average class size is 11 students, so you are sure to get plenty of personal attention from the instructors.
Class dates, times and fees vary. If space is available, registration is accepted up until the first day of class. However, registration must be done in advance (no walk-ins). To find out more, visit jeffstateonline.com and click on Community & Corporate Students or call 856- 7710.
In addition, Kay Potter, director of community and corporate education notes, “We offer many career programs that are designed to quickly get people into entry level jobs. In the failing economy this type of training can be invaluable to families.”
University of Montevallo
This summer, Montevallo offers two continuing education classes, Morning Water Exercise and Morning Weight Training, taught by UM Professor Carolyn Miller Kirby. To register, call Christy Bratton at 205-665-6283 or email her at brattonca@montevallo.edu. Also, check back later on in the summer for fall semester offerings by visiting montevallo.edu.
Miles College
Summer continuing education classes at Miles had not yet been finalized when we went to press. Please visit miles.edu for information. Other classes around town:
Dig in at the BBG
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens offers Saturday morning classes for gardeners of all skill levels. This month, Master Gardener Hope Long will teach a Mosaic Stepping Stones class (May 2) or sign up for the Vegetable Gardening in Small Spaces class (May 16). Class sizes are limited and fees apply to most classes. Register online by visiting bbgardens.org.
Snap to it
Cameras Brookwood (now “cleverly hidden under Pier 1 in Vestavia Hills”) regularly offers Saturday workshops covering a variety of photography related topics for all skill levels. These two hour courses (offered either from 9 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 3 p.m.) include classes such as:
Survey of Studio Equipment; Table Top Photography; Studio Portrait Techniques; Intro to Photoshop; and Metering, White Balance and Color Calibration among others. Most classes are in the $40 to $90 price range with substantial “bring a friend discounts” offered for a buddy when they tag along. Visit cameras brookwood.com for more info.
Art Appreciation
Visit the Birmingham Museum of Art for a variety of educational offerings, no matter how hectic your schedule. ArtBreaks, designed for the busy professional’s lunch hour, are 30- minute gallery talks with BMA curators or guest experts that explore a particular subject matter represented in the permanent collection or a traveling exhibition. (free, noon-12:30 p.m., second Tuesdays.) Art & Conversations are similar to ArtBreaks but are designed for retirees and those with a very flexible schedule. ($5 for museum members; $10 for non-members, includes coffee and sweets. 10:30 a.m., first Thursdays.) In addition, check out free Sunday topic tours led weekly by BMA docents, Museum studio experience (spring and fall only) as well as lectures that accompany major exhibitions.
There are also free Sunday topic tours led weekly by Museum docents. These guided tours include in-depth looks at temporary exhibitions drawn from the Museum’s permanent collection and traveling exhibitions. But remember, “Even outside of our formal programs, the Museum is always a great place to learn about art, history, and a world of cultures, including our own. Think Folk Art!” says Julie Mann, assistant public relations director at the BMA. Visit artsbma.org for more information.
More than Books
We know we tout the offerings of our local libraries quite regularly but the recognition is inarguably well deserved. With classes on finances, knitting, gardening, genealogy, computer and photography, you’re sure to find a class that’s right for you. Visit jclc.org or shelbycounty-al.org for more info and the full calendar listing.
Parks & Rec
Visit your community’s parks and recreation website to find out about classes from belly dancing to dog obedience, tai chi for seniors to prenatal yoga. Recently, my own neighborhood parks and rec even offered a class explaining the benefits of a vegan diet.
Cook it up
Culinard, the Culinary Institute of Virginia College, offers cooking classes, most on Saturdays. The school’s internationally-known chef instructors teach a range of offerings from exotic dishes to new interpretations of traditional favorites like barbecue or holiday fare.
Classes are held at Culinard’s teaching kitchens, located at The Venue at Culinard, formerly The Restaurant at Culinard, at 195 Vulcan Rd., just off I-65 at the Oxmoor Road West exit.
Classes are $100 per person for each session. For reservations or more information, contact Kathleen Ryan at 414-1284.
