IMA Offers Artists' Forum

The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park opens June 20, and the IMA has scheduled a bazillion grand-opening events to celebrate the 100-acre project. Among them is the 100 Acres Artists' Forum, featuring the eight artists who created outdoor art installations for the park.

At 11 a.m., Saturday, June 19, the artists will discuss their work with the museum's CEO, curators of contemporary art, and other IMA staff involved in the park's development. The forum is free, but tickets are required.

Remembering the Parks Department

In a frigid month like this one, it's tempting to skip educational opportunities and instead watch another "Top Chef" marathon on Bravo. After all, who wants to go out in this weather?

If you need an educational jolt, head to an unlikely place: your local parks department. Most of the winter/spring classes are held indoors, thank goodness, and these classes are just what you need to get your brain working again.

Take, for example, the upcoming classes at the Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation Department. You can learn to paint or draw, study art history, make a short film, upgrade your cooking skills or become a better writer.

Likewise, Indy Parks and Recreation is offering classes in art, fitness, dance and more. If your New Year's resolution was to "go green," consider one of the organization's environmental education programs.

It seems your local park really can be the best place to spend an inhospitable January day.

Fall Classes: Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation

Carmel-Clay Parks & Recreation has posted its fall calendar. Sports are well represented, as you might imagine (although, is a cornhole league a sport?), but there are some other fun classes, too:

• Beginning and advanced calligraphy classes.
• A variety of painting and drawing classes.
• Cooking classes, including making candy apples, dipping cookies and making candies.
• Random classes on making wine, playing bridge, tracing your genealogy and de-cluttering your life.

Welcome new readers!

Welcome to readers of Carmel Magazine! This month's issue includes my article about adult continuing education opportunities in Carmel. I profiled five Carmel women who took classes at the following venues:

• Artisan Masterpiece (painting classes).
• Kiss Z Cook (cooking classes).
• Carmel Community Players (acting classes).
• Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (fitness classes).
• IUPUI Community Learning Network (misc. classes).

Need some inspiration to sign up for a fall class? Check out the article to see how adult continuing education can enrich your life.

Classes with Carmel Clay Parks & Rec

Last week, we covered the summer classes available through Indy Parks. For our north-side readers, don't forget that Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation has some great classes, as well.

The focus is on fitness, dance and art, as you might expect, but there are some random classes scheduled, too. One of the most interesting: a series of astronomy hikes. Neat.