This course provides watercolor painting instruction for beginners. You will need to purchase your brushes, watercolor paints, and watercolor paper. No prior painting experience is necessary, but any kind of drawing experience will be helpful. The main focus of the course, though, is simply to remove fear or inhibitions to creativity. Limit 20.

Cherry Taylor
1:00—3:00 P.M. Monday, Starts Sept. 14
United Christian Church
3500 W. Parmer Lane (78727)

This class is a “Buy One Get One Free” session! You will learn two different skills and maybe even more! For the first 4 weeks, you will learn a traditional technique in hand quilting called Kawandi that originated in the western part of India where lightweight scrap fabrics and even old saris are used to create unique pieces. If you can thread a needle and work a running stitch, you can master the art. In fact, if you have never sewn anything, you will easily pick this up in minutes! The following 4 weeks will be dedicated to using scraps (again!) to make one-of-a-kind fabric postcards or greeting cards with any technique you prefer or want to combine—hand- or machine-sewing, embroidery, applique work, beads, rhinestones, fabric paint, ribbons, laces and anything else you can think of. Please bring $5 to the first class for course materials. Limit 14.

Terry Lawson
1:00—3:00 P.M. Monday, Starts Sept. 14
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin, Room 13
4700 Grover Avenue (78756)

This class will cover basic concepts and practical applications for any of your devices—laptop (PC or Apple), Android or iPhone, or tablets. You’ll learn how to make the most of your electronic devices, simplifying everyday tasks. Topics include the cloud, smart phone basics, passwords, backups, upgrades, security, sharing data between devices, and others requested by students. The instructor uses real-life examples and makes the complex simple. Limit 20.

Linda Gibson
1:00—3:00 P.M. Monday, Starts Sept. 14
Violet Crown City Church
1300 Morrow Street (78757)

Discover the world through rhythm and hand drumming! This course offers an exciting and accessible entry point into global music traditions, blending cultural exploration with the joy of active music-making. Together, we will explore selected traditions from South Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas using one of the world’s most ancient and universal instruments: the frame drum.

In each of the 8 sessions, you will:

• Discover the unique sounds and characteristic features of vibrant musical traditions through guided listening and discussion,

• Learn about the social, cultural, and historical contexts that shaped these traditions through visual presentations with audio and video examples, and

• Perform the characteristic rhythms of selected music traditions yourself using basic frame drumming techniques.

Our instructor is an ethnomusicologist, percussionist, and music educator with more than 20 years' teaching experience. She specializes in creating engaging, hands-on music learning experiences for all ages and audiences. No prior music or percussion experience is required. All skill levels and abilities are welcome. Frame drums will be provided for use during class. Just bring your curiosity and your hands! Limit 15.

Myranda Harris
1:00—3:00 P.M. Monday, Starts Sept. 14
The Church at Highland Park, Burchette Room
5206 Balcones Drive (78731)

This course is for students who took Italian Beginner 1 or have some knowledge of basic Italian, for example how to introduce oneself, numbers, days of the week, months of the year and basic verbs like to be and to have. We will add essential verbs and vocabulary this term, and practice easy conversation in every class. The book that we use is Italian Now, Marcel Danesi, published by Barron’s. Please bring $4 for course handouts. Grazie e arrivederci. Limit 15.

Tina Polo
1:00—3:00 P.M. Monday, Starts Sept. 14
Triumphant Love Lutheran Church, Upper Room
9508 Great Hills Trail (78759)

Tatting is one of the easiest methods of making lace. With one tool, one knot, and a ball of thread, you can create amazing heirloom lace, jewelry or ornaments. It’s both old and new, familiar and international. In this course you can learn as a beginner, brush up on your skills, or try some of the newest techniques and designs. Contact the instructor at pat@tittizer.us for more information. Limit 12.

Pat Tittizer
1:00—3:00 P.M. Monday, Starts Sept. 14
United Christian Church, Classroom 10
3500 W. Parmer Lane (78727)

What is Philosophy? What good is it? What do philosophers think about? If these questions keep you awake at night, this class is for you. It will give you an overview of western philosophy, covering the big philosophical questions and the great thinkers who have pondered them. You’ll learn what the greatest minds of western civilization have said about existence, meaning, knowing, theology, science, politics, and ethics. Those thinkers include Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Descartes, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Kant, Marx, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, and others. If you’ve ever wondered who these people are, you’ll finish this class knowing. All of this, with no homework and no required reading. Each class will be one part lecture, one part video watching, and one part class discussion. If you have questions, call the instructor at 512-694-3669. Come join us! Limit 30.

Leonard Hough
1:30—3:30 P.M. Monday, Starts Sept. 14
Unity Church of Austin
5501 West US Hwy 290 (78735)