Fall programming opens up at Hope Bridges
Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter
On Sept. 17 the Hope Bridges Society will begin its regular fall programming for the first time ever. Coordinator Wanda Reinholdt said the time was right to bring it to Strathmore now.
“It’s needed in this community, there’s not a lot of arts programming…and it’s an opportunity for people to take something in their community and get to know people in their community,” said Reinholdt.
The first set of classes to begin is the traditional West African drumming classes being taught by Sarah Lyons. There will be drumming circles and a drumming intensive starting on Sept. 17 for a total of six weeks. All of the classes will be in the evening beginning at 7 p.m. for the drumming circle and 7:45 for the intensive.
The first Thursday of each month will be upcycling, and the second, third and fourth Thursdays of each month will be community upcycling.
“Upcycling is the reverse of recycling, so what you get to do is you get to make something beautiful out of recycled materials. Beautiful and useful,” said Reinholdt.
The materials will be provided; however, they are collecting materials, so people can donate art supplies if they so wish but Reinholdt said the upcycling artist Johanna Jackins also has plenty of materials.
“The community upcycling is very different and very exciting. We’re going to be creating a piece of art for the community with the community out of recyclable materials. So it’s a large piece of art that everyone’s going to be working on together,” said Reinholdt.
She said the art will be created at the Hope Bridges office and she thinks it will be a piece of art made out of gift cards.
Other workshops include Sing Your High Notes, Acrylic Painting and Zentangle & Relax.
“Zentangle is a very easy to learn for everyone, repetitive art. What’s great about it is you do relax, it lessens stress and you can relieve pain by doing this because it’s repetitive and what it does is it relaxes your brain. Everyone can learn to do the art but it looks different depending on who you are,” said Reinholdt.
The fall programs will run from September until November, There are workshop session passes and three month passes available.
“So people can for this regular pass here, they can purchase a spot at a time which is $20 a piece with as many of these as they want, or they can buy a package for $200 so 10 for $200,” said Reinholdt.
Payment can be taken over the phone now, and Reinholdt wants everyone to know the programs are accessible. They are handicap accessible, transportation accessible and financially accessible, as there is financial assistance available if needed. There are also opportunities for sponsorship. Reinholdt said they are looking for workshop location sponsors, participant sponsors and transportation sponsors.
Anyone looking for more information, or wanting to partner with the Hope Bridges Society can contact Wanda Reinholdt at 403-983-3640.