MARION — In February, the Marion Art Center will add a new five-week Beginning Drawing course, one of several courses that are now open for registration. Instructor Catherine Carter will lead the class on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. from Feb. 4 to March 3. Students will learn the basics of realistic drawing using pencil and paper, while developing observational and mark-making skills through traditional exercises.The cost is $135 for art center members and $155 for non-members.

The art center will hold Continuing and Advanced Watercolor Painting with instructor Jay Ryan on Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon beginning Nov. 15. The class will also run for an eight-week winter session, beginning Jan. 10, 2020. This course is a perfect next step for those who would like to explore watercolor painting beyond a basic understanding of color and brush strokes. A four-week session costs $105 for art center members and $125 for non-members while an eight-week session costs $195 for members and $220 for non-members.

Registration is also open for Botanical Drawing with Catherine Carter and Beginning Watercolor Painting with Patricia White, both starting in March 2020.

The Marion Art Center’s Dance Academy spring session begins Monday, Feb. 24 and runs through early May. Classes are available for children aged 2 and a half to 8 years. The cost is $160 for art center members and $185 for non-members. This low-key, low-cost 10-session program provides dance instruction by Teah Keogh in ballet, tap, and jazz, and explores other genres including contemporary, hip-hop, and gymnastics. All girls and boys are welcome. There will be a small recital at the end of the spring session in the MAC Theater. Register for dance online at marionartcenter.org/classes/mac-dance-academy.

The next meeting of the Open Poetry Club will be on Thursday, Nov. 7. Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. except January 2020 when it will meet on Thursday, Jan. 9.

To find out more about these classes or to register online, visit marionartcenter.org/classes/art-classes