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• ACAC Creating Together

  • When
    Saturday, January 24, 2026
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    ACAC 160 D Main St., Ailsa Craig, Ont ( side of Ye Olde Town Hall.
  • Spaces left
    19

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  The ACAC has always been about creating a space where community members could gather, visit and create. A place to share stories and joy. 
  

  Please join us this Saturday, Jan 24th from 1-4 for a creative afternoon. No program- just tea, coffee and time and space to create.

   There is a watercolour station set up for those who would like to try painting with watercolours.  It’s a great chance to work on UFO’s. 

  Materials and info on the ACAC Poppy Project will be available too.

  Enjoy the exhibit “ Painting with Friends” by the ACAC watercolour collective.

  Hope to see you there!

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• Weave a Pair of Willow Swallows- Beginner Friendly Morning Class

  • When
    Sunday, January 25, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    ACAC 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON. N0M 1A0
  • Spaces left
    0

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  Have you been curious to try the beautiful art of willow basket weaving? If so, join us for this beginner friendly workshop on weaving two, graceful swallows out of willow.  These swallows make beautiful wall decor or unique garden sculptures.

  As a side bonus, the joy of working with the fragrant willow in the dark winter months is a thrill not to miss. You'll feel like you've experienced a breath of spring without travelling south.

  We are hosting a morning and afternoon class and these programs usually fill up quickly. Please register carefully as it can be difficult to change up spaces and registration is limited.

  Students to bring their own secateurs please

  January 25, 2026  9:00 am - 12:00 pm

  Active Members: $75 + $10 kit fee* 

  Non Members $85 + $10 kit fee*

  Kit fees are payable to teacher in cash on the day of class.  Please note there is a great deal of work in preparing the willow for weaving which includes, planting distinct weaving varieties, growing, cultivating, harvesting, stacking, drying for approx. 3 months, rehydrating the willow for multiple days prior to weaving and transporting.  We're sure you will agree the kit cost is minimal.

  ACAC's refund policy is refunds may be granted in the case of a medical emergency up to two weeks before the class. As a member based, volunteer, not for profit organization, we invite you to join our membership and take advantage of early class notifications, class discounts and the opportunity to participate in any of our special interest groups.  Adult membership is $45, Senior (over 65 yrs) is $40 per year and Family memberships are $55 per year.  We'd love to see you at the Centre!

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• Weave a Pair of Willow Swallows- Beginner Friendly Afternoon Class

  • When
    Sunday, January 25, 2026
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    ACAC 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON. N0M 1A0
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  
  

  Have you been curious to try the beautiful art of willow basket weaving? If so, join us for this beginner friendly workshop on weaving two, graceful swallows out of willow.  These swallows make beautiful wall decor or unique garden sculptures.

  As a side bonus, the joy of working with the fragrant willow in the dark winter months is a thrill not to miss. You'll feel like you've experienced a breath of spring without travelling south.

  We are hosting a morning and afternoon class and these programs usually fill up quickly. Please register carefully as it can be difficult to change up spaces and registration is limited.

  Students should bring secateurs (garden clippers)

  January 25, 2026   1:00 - 4:00 PM

  Active Members: $75 + $10 kit fee* 

  Non Members $85 + $10 kit fee*

  Kit fees are payable to teacher in cash on the day of class.  Please note there is a great deal of work in preparing the willow for weaving which includes, planting distinct weaving varieties, growing, cultivating, harvesting, stacking, drying for approx. 3 months, rehydrating the willow for multiple days prior to weaving and transporting.  We're sure you will agree the kit cost is minimal.

  ACAC's refund policy is refunds may be granted in the case of a medical emergency up to two weeks before the class. As a member based, volunteer, not for profit organization, we invite you to join our membership and take advantage of early class notifications, class discounts and the opportunity to participate in any of our special interest groups.  Adult membership is $45, Senior (over 65 yrs) is $40 per year and Family memberships are $55 per year.  We'd love to see you at the Centre!

  
  

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• Story Seekers; A creative writing group for youth 9-12 years

  • When
    Wednesday, January 28, 2026
  •  
    6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON

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• Learn Mosaic Knitting and Create A Pair of Cosy Slippers

  • When
    Sunday, February 08, 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON. N0M 1A0
  • Spaces left
    8

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  Make your knitting come alive with vibrant colours and patterns. In this class, Caitlin of Heaven is Handmade, will teach students the art of Mosaic Knitting while working on a pair of cosy slippers.  Students should have a basic understanding of knitting to take this course.

  Students Bring to Class:

  2 balls of worsted weight yarn (min 50 gr) in contrasting colours

  2.75mm and 3.75 mm Magic Loop needles or DPN's

  A stitch marker, stitch holder, darning needle and lunch.

  Cost: Members $85   and Non Members $95

  
  

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• JR YACAC

  • When
    Tuesday, February 10, 2026
  •  
    6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    ACAC 160D Main St., Ailsa Craig, ON, (side of YOTH)

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• Sue Spargo Creative Stitching Workshop

  • When
    Sunday, February 15, 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    ACAC 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON., N0M 1A0
  • Spaces left
    3

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  Sue Spargo Creative Stitching Workshop

  This is a “Creative Stitching Workshop” and should run approximately 5 - 6 hours for participants to obtain the greatest benefit.  We will focus on the stitches in Sue Spargo’s Creative Stitching book Second Edition.  Book is not mandatory to take the class BUT is of great benefit for the serious stitcher – copies are available for purchase from The Cotton Harvest.   We will spend the day applying learned stitches to a wool background with NINE circles appliqued to them (this is part of the kit fee and will be provided the day of the workshop to each student). The shop Eleganza threads will be provided which students can use throughout the day for their stitching.  They should NOT expect to bring home a completed project as the class is geared towards individual skill levels.  Some students will get further along in their project than others.  Threads won’t be supplied to take home but will be available for purchase for those who wish to continue stitching on their project.

  Date: February 15, 2026   10:00 - 3:00 pm

  Cost: Members $90 + $25 kit fee*

  Non Members $105 + $25 Kit fee*

  * kit fees are paid directly to teacher on day of class.

  Trinia will bring a pop up shop as well to further tempt stitchers.

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• Kawandi Notebook Cover

  • When
    Saturday, February 28, 2026
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    ACAC 160D Main St., Ailsa Craig, Beside Ye Olde Town Hall
  • Spaces left
    3

  Register

  

  Kawandi quilting originated with the Siddi people, descendants of enslaved Africans brought to India by the Portuguese 400 years ago. They still live in  relatively isolated communities in India. We will talk a little about the origins of this style of quilting, look at some examples, and then learn the technique.

  The quilts are distinctive for their bright colours and their use of patches of repurposed clothing or fabric. Scraps are put on top of a backing or foundation and hand stitched with a running stitch. The edges are turned under by hand and stitched together with the batting tucked inside. The quilting spirals in from the outer edge and ends in the center.

  It can be relaxing and meditative as you stitch away, and due to its nature is less stressful than the demands of traditional piecing as everything doesn’t have to match perfectly and yet the finished product is attractive.

  We will work to create a small piece of Kawandi style quilting: a notebook cover for a standard composition notebook is the main goal of this class, however if you wish you could also make a placemat, or small hanging. 

  Date: February 28, 2026  1:00 - 4:00 PM

  Cost: Members $25                    Non Members: $30

   For the class you will need:

  o   A backing fabric that is 20” x 11”.

  o   A piece of cotton batting that is 1/2” smaller (length and width) than your backing fabric.

  o   A piece of fabric for lining for the book cover – it should be about 20” x 12” just to be safe.

  o   Scraps of fabric of your choice. It can be recycled clothing or fabric, or you can purchase a charm pack, or 4 to 6 fat quarters (depending on how many colors or patterns you want to include). I will have a tub of scraps with me which you are welcome to use as well to add to your piece.

  o   Thread – you can choose to use regular quilting thread if you do not want the stitches to show as much, or you can use a heavier thread such as embroidery thread or perle cotton if you want the stitches to show. You can choose a colour that compliments your fabrics, or one that blends in.

  o   Needle – this depends on your choice of thread. If using a quilting thread then a quilting needle will work, if using embroidery thread you will need an embroidery needle.

  o   Thimble if you like to use one.

  o   Scissors to cut scraps of fabric and snip thread

  o   Pins or clips to hold fabric in place are helpful.

  You will receive instructions on how to assemble the book cover, but this will NOT happen at the workshop as you will need time to complete your Kawandi piece and that is not likely to happen in our time together.

  Further assistance in completing the book cover will be available after the class if needed.

  The ACAC is a member based organization. Please consider joining the ACAC to receive class discounts, access to our many special interest groups, the opportunity to volunteer and be part of a creative, vibrant community. 

  
  

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• Create a One of a Kind Quilted Vest

  • Start
    Friday, March 06, 2026
  •  
  • End
    Friday, March 20, 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    2 sessions
  • Location
    ACAC, 160 D Main Street, AIlsa Craig (Beside Ye Olde Town Hall)
  • Spaces left
    7

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  Sandra Thomas is back by popular demand to teach a two day course on creating a unique, quilted vest. 

  In this day and age when we are discovering the damage of Fast Fashion, Sandra Thomas is going to show students how to create a stunning, one of a kind vest that reflects their personality, preferred colours and patterns. This project is a great "stash buster"!

  This class takes place over two days and ensures that students have lots of hands on assistance from Sandra.

  Dates: Friday March 6 and Friday March 20th

  10:00 -4:00 PM

  Cost: Members   $95  and Non Members $105

  While Sandra will contact students with a specific list of supplies, students will need to bring their sewing machines, scissors, cutting boards, Olfa cutters, seam rippers, multiple fat quarters or scraps,  batting, thread and cutting rulers.

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• Exciting Pysanky Class

  • When
    Saturday, March 07, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    ACAC 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig (at the side of YOTH)
  • Spaces left
    0

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  Discover the Amazing Art of Ukrainian Pysanky

  The Ailsa Craig Arts Centre is delighted to welcome Janice Cuckovic to teach the amazing art of Ukrainian Pysanky egg decorating.

  In this beginner friendly class, Janice will introduce participants to an art form dating back centuries.  This  class will guide you step by step through the traditional wax-resist (batik) dye process which uses melted wax and vibrant dyes to create beautiful Easter eggs in the Ukrainian tradition. Participants will complete two eggs and all materials are provided. No experience is needed! Ages 13+

  Date: March 7, 2026

  Class Time : 9:00 - 12:00 pm 

  Members: $50    Non Members $55

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• Pet Portrait Watercolour Class with Janice Hyde!

  • When
    Saturday, March 21, 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    ACAC 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, N0M1A0
  • Spaces left
    2

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  Do you have a pet that you would like to immortalize? Janice Hyde will show you how to paint a lovely pet portrait in watercolour to keep your pet close or simply to celebrate your relationship,

  Learn how to paint your pet using watercolours. Class will include watercolours basics, layering colours, painting fur, detailing a point of interest (eye), glazing, adding finishing touches. Depending on your painting speed you may or may not complete your painting but you will leave with the paints that you have used during the class.
  

  Students are to bring

  - an 8" x 10" colour photo of their pet.

  - Watercolour brushes sizes #12, #5, #3, #000

  - a black Uniball micro roller pen or a Sharpie ultra fine point marker or Micron 02 archival ink waterproof marker (3mm)

  Janice will supply professional grade paints and watercolour paper.

  - lunch

  Members:  $55

  Non Members:$65

  Saturday March 21,  10:00 - 4:00

  The ACAC is a members based, not for profit organization. We encourage membership for reduced class rates, early class notification, access to member groups and for volunteer access. Please join and become a member of the ACAC community.

  youth $10   Adults under 65: $45   Seniors:  $40  Family: $ 55/ year

  
  

  Janice Hyde is a wonderful, inspiring teacher whose work is currently on display at the ACAC. Her classes always have repeat students and provide a wealth of information and fun.

  
  

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