Bring your body and mind together in the rhythm of life! Zumba® is a dance-based fitness program that uses Latin and World music. Slow and fast rhythms help to tone the body and at the same time provide interval training that can boost aerobic fitness. Experience the joy of movement with Wendy, a licensed Zumba® instructor with a long background in dance-based activities.
Session 1: 10 Mondays - Apr 7 - Jun 16 (no class on May 19)
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $90 per session
Session 2: 11 Wednesdays - Apr 9 - Jun 18
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $99 per session
or $168 when registering for both session 1 & 2
Drop-in fee: $12 per class
Zumba® will be held in the upper level Theatre of The Refinery
Maximum 12 participants per session;
Monday - This session is full
Wednesday - This session is full
A vibrant and accessible arts community is one of the many gifts that our city offers us. We are grateful to have several local artists sharing their time and talents with us this spring. We hope you are able to participate and create 'art with artists' in our space!
In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the brush and ink medium, with a special focus on its expressive capabilities. Along the way, participants will learn a handful of foundational principles and techniques, such as line and pattern, tonal values, and brush handling and application. This workshop is open to artists of all skill levels who want to explore their creative sides in a supportive environment where individual expression is highly encouraged.
Robin Adair is a visual artist and art educator who has been teaching in Saskatoon for the past 20 years. He teaches adult and youth classes in painting, drawing, and art journaling for the Community Arts and Artisanship Program at the University of Saskatchewan and facilitates school workshops and community outreach programs at the Remai Modern in Saskatoon. Robin holds a BFA in Visual Art and a PhD in English literature.
Saturday, Apr 5
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $50, including materials
Explorations in Brush and Ink will be held in the lower-level hall of Emmanuel Anglican Church.
Maximum 12 participants; Closed
This four-week course is designed for everyone from those who have little or no experience in watercolor to more experienced painters. It will focus on getting comfortable with watercolor painting techniques and enjoying the process of painting. The basics of materials, techniques and "seeing" your subject will be explored.
4 Mondays - Apr 14 - May 12
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $ 90, materials are not included. A material list will be sent to participants at time of registration.
Watercolor will be held in the lower-level of the Refinery. Any changes to room location will be communicated.
Maximum 12 participants; 1 space remains
T'ai Chi Chih (TCC) is a mindfulness moving meditation. The set of 19 movements and one pose is soft, flowing and easy to learn. Benefits may include peace of mind, improved health and simply, joy.
The most powerful way to come to understand TCC is by taking a class with an accredited teacher so that the movement of energy can be felt first-hand.
TCC practice allows the essential energy, or Chi, that moves within us all to circulate and balance. That in turn improves our health and sense of well-being.
Accredited in 2002, Donna Aldous, has enjoyed teaching TCC and seeing how it can change peoples lives. Her morning practice keeps her grounded and in the moment for a large part of the day, not a small thing.
Class #1: Tuesday, Apr 22
Class #2: Tuesday, May 27
Class #3: Tuesday, June 24
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $20 per class
T'ai Chi Chih will be held in the Refinery building. Any changes to room location will be communicated.
Maximum 12 participants;
Apr - 5 spaces remain
May - 6 spaces remain
Jun - 8 spaces remain
Join us for a sound journey experience with The Sound of OM. Naomi is an enlightened sound practitioner, who focuses on the unique emotional relationship between different notes, to take you on a captivating sound journey.
A vast majority of society has their central nervous system sitting in fight, flight or freeze mode, which is hugely triggered by stress. The sound of the crystal singing bowls help create a deep state of relaxation so the central nervous system can surrender to rest, digest & reset. In his book, The Healing Power of Sound, Dr. Mitchell Gaynor states “what happens to us on an emotional and spiritual level affects us physiologically. One of the most powerful ways to manifest health and well-being is to conjure an image of your own essence and then animate that image with sound and breath.”
Join Naomi to embrace the beauty of the sounds that she creates with the crystal singing bowls. Breathe with intention, ground your emotions, and release anything that isn’t serving you. Re-connect with your inner song, your sound of home.
Class #1: Tuesday, Apr 29
Class #2: Tuesday, May 27
Class #3: Tuesday, Jun 24
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Class Fee: $25 per class
The Sound of Om will be held in the upper-level theatre. Any change to room location will be communicated.
Maximum 12 participants;
Apr - 7 spaces remain
May - 6 spaces remain
Jun - 7 spaces remain
Gather with community and get creative! Gift yourself the time and space to work on your own creative project using your own materials. Bring a project you’ve been meaning to start or one you are anxious to finish…bring something that brings you joy! The energy of creating in a group setting can truly inspire us.
Come and go as it works for you during the day. Bring a bagged lunch or dine out as desired. Light refreshments will be offered throughout the day.
Saturday, Apr 26
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Fee: $15 - participants bring their own creative project and their own materials
Open Studio time will be held in the lower-level hall of Emmanuel Anglican Church.
Maximum 16 participants; Cancelled
Be still, and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10
Centering Prayer is a receptive method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship.
Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer. Rather, it adds depth of meaning to all prayer and facilitates the movement from more active kinds of prayer into a receptive prayer of resting in God. Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Christ.
During the in-person sessions, you will be introduced to Centering Prayer through lectures and slides, and you'll also have the opportunity to ask questions. We will practice Centering Prayer together to experience the support and enrichment of a group.
You will receive a book as part of the course: "Forty Days to a Closer Walk with God" by J. David Muyskens. You are encouraged to use it to develop a daily practice. In addition, you will be invited to join a weekly Zoom call where themes from the book are further developed, and where we practice Centering Prayer together from the comfort of our homes.
Your instructor is Ana Gheyssen. Ana has been a practitioner of Centering Prayer for over ten years. She holds a Masters of Psychotherapy and Spirituality from St. Stephen's College and has been interested in the intersection of an active life with a contemplative one for many years. Her attraction to silence has led her to participate in 14 silent retreats where she has followed Jesus' instruction:
But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6
Saturday, May 10
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Option 1: Participate in-person
Fee: $40, including "Forty Days To A Closer Walk With God" book - $20 value
Option 2: Participate via Zoom
Fee: $20 - note: book not included in this option.
Introduction to Centering Prayer will be held in the lower-level hall of Emmanuel Anglican Church.
Maximum 15 participants; 5 spaces remain
In every culture, the tradition of weaving has been passed on through Motherlines, and in the cloth are held stories. This particular time together will be one of learning some herstory through folktales, traditions, secrets in textiles. While we consider stories carried forward in the handwork of women, participants will learn to weave simple pieces on cardboard looms with a variety of materials. As you weave your own art/spirit cloth, you weave a story of your own into it.
Monika Kinner is the daughter of a land based artist & refugee who was brought to Canada as a child with her parents. She lives and works on Treaty Six Territory and as such, has a deep gratitude for the Prairie which is her home. Monika has worked full time as a land-based Artist, specializing in Embroidery, recreating everything she loves about our beloved Prairie with needle and thread. She teaches and lectures across Western Canada. In 2015, she began working in Soft Pastel also, the medium of her late mother. Monika award winning work has been exhibited, published, and commissioned locally, nationally and internationally. The passion she has for her work is twofold: to impress up the public the validity of textile (a traditional medium of Women’s work) as an art form, and to enchant the viewer with the overwhelming love she has for the often undervalued and belittled Prairie landscape. She feels validated in all her callings as they come full circle in support of each.
Monday, May 12
7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Fee: $60, including materials. *Participants are asked to bring any item, strand, piece of cloth keepsake that you might want to weave into your piece.
Weaving Her-Story will be held in the lower-level of the Refinery. Any changes to room location will be communicated.
Maximum 13 participants; 13 spaces remain
The theme of this class is twofold. Physically, we will slow down and draw items from nature, using a variety of techniques and exercises to engage deep focus on the subject matter. This will enhance the understanding of what one is observing and improve drawing skills with practice.
On a therapeutic level, Monika will share what we can draw from nature, based on her studies with the Biophilium Artists residency one year ago. Her goal for this class is to give participants some tools and a pathway for an emotionally healing journey of self discovery this summer, whether you are away on vacation, walking through the Meewasin, spending time in your garden, or tending to houseplants in your home.
**This is not a class for becoming a great artist, although that might just happen. There will be plenty of drawing tips. This is a class for finding our what a great teacher Nature is.
Monika Kinner is the daughter of a land based artist & refugee who was brought to Canada as a child with her parents. She lives and works on Treaty Six Territory and as such, has a deep gratitude for the Prairie which is her home. Monika has worked full time as a land-based Artist, specializing in Embroidery, recreating everything she loves about our beloved Prairie with needle and thread. She teaches and lectures across Western Canada. In 2015, she began working in Soft Pastel also, the medium of her late mother. Monika award winning work has been exhibited, published, and commissioned locally, nationally and internationally. The passion she has for her work is twofold: to impress up the public the validity of textile (a traditional medium of Women’s work) as an art form, and to enchant the viewer with the overwhelming love she has for the often undervalued and belittled Prairie landscape. She feels validated in all her callings as they come full circle in support of each.
Tuesday, May 13
7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Fee: $50, including materials. *Participants are asked to bring a large size sketchbook, your favorite drawing pencil(s) or pen(s) and one or two flowers or a couple of leaves and blades of grass, if you have them. Monika will supply any other materials needed.
Drawing from Nature will be held in the lower-level of the Refinery. Any changes to room location will be communicated.
Maximum 13 participants; 9 spaces remain
This workshop is an opportunity to explore the “Threads of Our Lives.” We will consider the interweaving of being made in the image of the Divine with all the various threads that make up our identity. There will be time for individual reflection, small group discussion and sharing, and creative expressions.
Fran Schmidt is a daughter, sister, writer, singer, seeker, pastor, and spiritual director. She is the Priest at Emmanuel Anglican Church with The Refinery Arts & Spirit Centre. Fran is a graduate of the Haden Institute, receiving her Spiritual Direction certification in January 2023 and is currently enrolled in their Dream Work program. Her deep interest is in the area of Jungian psycho-spirituality and helping others connect with their soul space.
Saturday, May 31
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Fee: $55, including materials.
Threads of Our Lives will be held in the lower-level hall of Emmanuel Anglican Church.
Maximum 15 participants; 7 spaces remain
This four-week course led by Marsha Matheson will guide participants as they create a Works of Art Journal. Art Journals combine elements of both writing and visual art. Various art materials and techniques will be explored. Art Journals are a personal space to express yourself. Art Journals are a place to document your soul journey. Along the way, kismet and serendipity will come up to meet you! No previous art experience is needed to travel on this creative soul journey.
Marsha Matheson is a self-taught artist and owner operator of Works of Art Studio. For over
20 years she has been sharing the healing power of art with children, teens and the
community. Using a holistic approach, she brings together the mental, physical,
emotional and spiritual aspects of her students. Marsha has a background in Waldorf and Montessori philosophies. She is known for spearheading art programs that integrate the Saskatchewan visual arts curriculum. With deep roots in the community, she has delivered art programming for CreativeKids, The Saskatchewan Intercultural Society, The “Dreambroker” Program and SCYAP. Marsha currently works for Behavior Specialists Saskatoon where she leads
the teen Art Therapy Group.
4 Mondays - Jun 2, 9, 16, & 23
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fee: $110, including materials. * Participants are asked to bring a re-purposed book - discarded library book, a book from home or thrift shop. The theme of the book can be meaningful to each individual. For this course we will use hard cover large format books, approximate size 9" x 11", or larger.
Works of Art Journals will be held in the lower-level of the Refinery. Any changes to room location will be communicated.
Maximum 12 participants; 5 spaces remain
Join Chris Relitz to learn the intriguing process of making coffee paint and some of the techniques used to create paintings with coffee. Participants will each create their own version of a woodland sunset painting.
After a workplace injury ended a 25-year career as a Registered Nurse, Chris Relitz discovered, rather by accident, that he was pretty okay at painting. His primary medium is coffee. After just two years of painting his artwork can be found in some of the top galleries around the world.
Wednesday, Jun 4
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fee: $35, including materials.
Introduction to Coffee Painting will be held in the lower-level of the Refinery. Any changes to room location will be communicated.
Maximum 12 participants; 3 spaces remain
EcoPrinting/botanical printing creates unique prints of leaves, flowers, grasses
and seeds. The process transfers the shapes and colors of botanicals to watercolor paper or fabrics. In this basic print class, we will use watercolor paper, a mordant solution, white vinegar, heat and moisture to create prints.
Materials and some botanicals will be provided, however:
1) please bring a variety of fresh botanicals. Keep moist by wrapping in a damp
cloth or paper towel inside a plastic bag or container. The prints created will be
15 cm x 15 cm or 6” x 6”. Try to have leaves that will fit in that frame space.
2) Watercolor paper will be provided. If you have watercolor paper you’d prefer to
use, please cut or tear to 15 cm x 30 cm or 6” x 12”.
3) Dried plants can be used BUT must be rehydrated, at least over night in plain
water. Keep and bring to class in the water.
An additional activity is planned for participants to do while the leaves and
paper are processed for approximately an hour. All materials will be provided.
Saturday, Jun 21
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Fee: $45, including materials.
Eco Printing on Watercolor Paper will be held in the lower-level hall of Emmanuel Anglican Church.
Maximum 10 participants; This session is full
wâpikwaniy mîkisihkahcikêwin naspasinahikewin
Join Elizabeth Zdunich and "bead" with paint. Create your own dot art mini painting using traditional Cree beadwork floral templates. Elizabeth will offer step by step instruction and guidance. Participants will select one template from several traditional floral pattern options that reflect and honour nature. Learn the cultural significance of spirit beads and of creating art with good thoughts. No previous experience needed.
Elizabeth Zdunich is a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and is a descendant of Rock Cree and Scottish ancestry. A northerner at heart, Liz now lives on a grain farm with her husband, three children and a herd of bison.
Inspired by the strong women in her family lineage, Elizabeth continues to learn about traditional uses of medicinal plants and the Cree language. She shares rich cultural knowledge through art, story and nature. She holds a Certificate in Indigenous Languages, a B.Ed, and a B.A.(Hons.) from the University of Saskatchewan.
Wednesday, Jun 18
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Fee: $55, including materials.
Flower Beadwork Style Dot Art will be held in the lower-level of the Refinery. Any changes to room location will be communicated.
Maximum 13 participants; 4 spaces remain
A Time for Slow Stitching is not an instructed class, but more an opportunity to slow down and gift yourself time to slow stitch in a small group with a beautiful and unique project as the creative outcome.
We will slow stitch using the beautiful Tree of Enchantment kits that were the result of a creative collaboration between Canadian Kitras Art Glass Studio and Australian Family-Owned Wattle&Loop. Each Tree of Enchantment pattern was inspired by our natural four seasons - spring, summer, autumn and winter. No two kits will be exactly alike but will offer you a vision and a spectacular end result to display and enjoy. By combining the textile pieces with slow stitching and appliqué you can make a truly beautiful textile collage of your own that is completely unique.
Knowledge of fancy stitching is not necessary. If you can do a simple runnning stitch, or are willing to learn one, you can create an amazing Tree of Enchantment collage. If you do know some fancy stitches and have interest in sharing them with the group, that would be wonderful!
Come and slow down, hand stitch and enjoy a bit of creative freedom.
Wednesday, Jun 25
6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Fee: $40, including materials.
A Time for Slow Stitching will be held in the lower-level of the Refinery. Any changes to room location will be communicated.
Maximum 15 participants; This session is full