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• Learn to Weave with Marsha McIntyre Davidson

  • Start
    Sunday, April 27, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Saturday, May 10, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    3 sessions
  • Location
    ACAC 160 D Main Street Ailsa Craig, ON., N0M 1A0
  • Spaces left
    0

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  Learn to Weave with Marsha McIntryre Davidson

  NEW Dates April 27, May 4, May 10th

  During this three-day course participants will learn the basic skills required for weaving by designing, measuring the warp, reading the weaving draft, dressing the loom, and finally weaving on a four-shaft table loom. By the end of the three days each participant will have created a handwoven piece measuring approximately 9 inches wide and 24 to 40 inches long.  Your handwoven piece can have a wide variety of uses; perhaps it will line your bread basket, or be featured on your table as a runner or made into napkins, that will be up to you. Each participant will have the opportunity to choose their own colours of cotton yarn and you will be provided with a table loom for the duration of the course. Learning how to read and understand the weaving draft provided will be a key component of the course. If you have ever had the desire to learn the craft of hand weaving this is your chance to try it out.  

  
  

  Program Outline

  Day 1

  • ·       Overview of program
  • ·       Discuss parts of the loom and other weaving accessories and how they work
  • ·       Discuss yarn and choose your colours
  • ·       Determine ends per inch for project
  • ·       Review the different components
  • ·       Measure warp
  • ·       Start dressing the loom

  Day 2

  • ·       Finish dressing the loom
  • ·       Choose weft colours
  • ·       Wind the bobbins for the shuttles
  • ·       Start weaving following the draft
  • ·       Hemstitch the beginning edge of the runner

  Day 3

  • ·       Finish weaving
  • ·       Hemstitch the edge
  • ·       Take your handwoven piece off the loom
  • ·       Learn how to finish the edges with a fringe or a hem
  • ·       Overall discussion of weaving covering the opportunities for joining local guilds, where to buy equipment and yarn, good resource books

  What to Bring

  Each participant will need to bring the following:

  • ·       Your own lunch for the day, or you can purchase something in Ailsa Craig across the street from the Centre
  • ·       Scissors
  • ·       Measuring tape
  • ·       Pen and paper for notes

  What Will Be Provided

  • ·       Four shaft table loom for the duration of the course
  • ·       Detailed draft
  • ·       A wide selection of coloured yarn
  • ·       Shuttles and Bobbins
  • ·       Bodkins for hemstitching

  Members: $200

  Non Members: $225

  Marsha McIntryre Davidson is a warm and experienced weaver and teacher.  This is a wonderful way to learn if weaving is for you and to create something beautiful while you explore this lovely old craft.

  Refund Policy
  

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• Still Terrified? Let's Learn to Draw with Jan McKee!

  • Start
    Friday, May 02, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Friday, May 16, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    3 sessions
  • Location
    160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, Ontario, N0M 1A0
  • Spaces left
    0

  Registration is closed

  
  

  Gaining confidence in your drawing skills will open up a world of creative expression. Jan McKee Sheppard is returning with a follow up class to "Drawing for the Terrified"

  This is a beginner level class and designed to make drawing fun!

  
  

  Building upon the basics explained in the previous class, “Drawing for the Terrified,” the student will learn more about drawing faces, figures, landscapes, and still life using more drawing mediums such as conté, charcoal, ink, felt pens (colour.)  N.B. It is not necessary to have attended the previous class in order to take this class. The instructor will accommodate new students.

  At the conclusion of the class the student will have produced: A number of drawings in different mediums in order to gain confidence in the use of various mediums.  The students will be able to trace their development in drawing.

  

  This class is $50 for members and $60 for non members. Students should bring a sketch book.There is a $10 kit fee payable to the teacher on the first day of class for misc materials.

  Refund Policy
  

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• "Knit & Knatter"

  • When
    Tuesday, May 06, 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    ACAC 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON., N0M 1A0

  Register

  
  

  A reminder for all knitters that the "Knit & Knatter" social afternoon is this Tuesday, May 6, 2025. 

  Jan Bender is the hostess for this group.

  Please bring your knitting or crochet project and enjoy a cup of tea and a snack. It is hoped this group will grow and become a supportive hub for new and experienced knitters to get together,  share their love of knitting and try and help each other with knitting questions.

  When:  First Tuesday of the Month from 1:00 - 4:00 pm

  Where: Ailsa Craig Arts Centre - 160 D Main Street, (at the side of Ye Olde Town Hall).

  What to bring: Your knitting and good spirits

  While we encourage all participants to become members of the Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, it is not a pre-requisite. Come and experience the fun this community gem provides and get to know your neighbours.

  A tooney donation is appreciated.

  
  

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• May YACAC ! Youth + Ailsa Craig Arts Centre

  • When
    Wednesday, May 07, 2025
  •  
    6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    ACAC Side of YOTH - 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON
  • Spaces left
    0
  • Registered
    12 registrants

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  Registration is now open for the May 2025 YACAC session!

  YACAC!

  (Youth + Ailsa Craig Arts Centre)

   YACAC is an arts focused, youth group for ages 10- 15 years of age that offers a space for youth in our community to immerse themselves in the arts! Together we explore a variety of art mediums with the hopes our youth can find a form of creative expression that speaks to them. We will continue to explore a variety of new art mediums and techniques on the first Wednesday of the month from 6:30-8:00 pm at the Ailsa Craig Arts Centre.

  Current Session date: Wednesday May 7, 2025

  Please register for each session that your youth plans to attend so that we can organize supplies. Please note that space may be limited due to volunteers and location. If your child is unable to attend, please notify the ACAC so supplies are adjusted or another child may participate.

  We would like to thank the Optimist Club of East Williams for sponsoring the YACAC so that area youths can participate without any cost for membership, supplies or materials.

  A donation of a canned good for the Ailsa Craig Food Bank would be appreciated each time a youth participates and don't forget to remind your children to say "thank you" at the end of the evening -lol.

  Registration is open to North Middlesex residents only 

  
  

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• Working with Equestrian Leathers to create dog collars, leash or belt.

  • When
    Saturday, June 14, 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON, N0M 1A0
  • Spaces left
    7
  • Registered
    3 registrants

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  Learn how to make practical and highly sought after leather dog collars, leashes or belts using fine equestrian leathers.

  In this class, you'll learn how to create either a beautiful leather dog collar and leash, or a leather belt. You'll learn about equestrian leathers (harness and bridle leathers), hardware, and the skills needed to cut and sew thick cowhide into useable objects. The class will cover the traditional saddle stitching technique, which uses two blunt needles and a length of waxed thread. The objects you'll make during this class will last you a lifetime! No prior experience needed, but it's a good idea to bring an existing belt or dog collar with you to use as a length reference.

  The skills you learn in this class will allow you to make beautiful gifts, create quality items for your own use and help you to repair harness and bridle leathers.

  June 14, 2025  10:00 am -4:00 PM

  Bring your lunch

  A $35 Kit fee is payable to Kasper on the day of the class.

  Class Fee : Members $  60                             Non Members: $ 70

  Why not consider supporting the Arts by joining the Ailsa Craig Arts Centre? Annual memberships are $40 for Seniors, $45 for Adults and $55 for families. We'd love to have you join our community! 

  
  

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• ACAC 2025 Summer Camp! Fun with Fibre

  • Start
    Monday, July 07, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Friday, July 11, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    5 sessions
  • Location
    ACAC 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON., N0M 1A0
  • Spaces left
    2
  • Registered
    8 registrants

  Register

  
  

  Does your youngster love to explore ways to create and express themselves? 

  This year camp creations will focus on such areas as paper making, book making, granny squares, needle felting and print making. As always, Doreen allows some flexibility for the campers and their creative interests so a specific itinerary is fluid.

  
  

  Each day campers are to bring a lunch, drinks, and snacks. Prepare for the outdoors with a hat, sunscreen, water bottle, and a Frisbie.  Campers would be wise to bring a work apron or smock with them and for downtime, a pair of shorts or jeans that they would like to embellish.

  Each day will feature structured learning and outdoor time (weather permitting).  Campers will have the opportunity to play with mixed media and explore their own inspirations to create something unique. We will visit a local park where they can run off some steam or work outside on some of the crafts. Each day includes casual teaching of additional methods based on interest. The possibilities are endless. Look forward to exploring possibilities and your imagination.

  
  

  Camp is suitable for youth aged 9-15 years who are capable of working somewhat independently and respectfully.  The camp will be lead by Ms Doreen Kool; a retired secondary school art teacher for Thames Valley and a talented mixed media artist in her own right.  She is accompanied by a series of volunteers from the ACAC.

  NOTE: ALL YOUTH THAT PARTICIPATE IN YACAC ARE MEMBERS OF THE ACAC AND THEREFORE ENTITLED TO MEMBER'S COST.

  Note: Images shown are representative of projects only not meant to depict specific outcomes.

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