Community Calendar

Teens looking to further hone their acting skills in theater, improv, and more are invited to join Mount Pleasant’s own Tena Gilbreath, a professional actress in Hollywood theatre and Second City improv. Students ages 13-18 who have completed the first course in this series can gain further insight into the theater world and practice the fundamentals of acting through improvisation, scene work, voice acting, character development, and performance techniques. Actors will continue their practice by improving on techniques learned in the first course and build performance experience through creative exercises and theater games.

This 6-week course will be held from 6-9 pm on Wednesdays, September 2-October 7, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway, Mt. Pleasant, MI.

Recommended age: 13-18

A snack will be provided midway through each session. Students with food sensitivities should bring a snack from home.

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

This is the second course of four in the Fundamentals of Drawing series with award-winning artist and instructor Julie Tyslicky. This course will build upon the skills learned in course 1 to further advance your technical art skills. Participants will learn how to utilize tools to sharpen their skills in drawing. You will learn more about observation with site measuring. Students will also learn technical skills in using grids, their many uses as a tool, and how it assists in portrait drawing, as well as one & two-point perspective drawing.

Fundamentals of Drawing 1 is required before taking Fundamentals of Drawing 2.

This 12-week course will be held 6-9 pm, Wednesday, September 16-December 2, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: Adults only

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Explore the world of theater, improv, and more with Mount Pleasant’s own Tena Gilbreath, a professional actress in Hollywood theatre and Second City improv. Students ages 13-18 can gain insight into the theater world and learn the fundamentals of acting through improvisation, scene work, voice acting, character development, and performance techniques. You’ll gain confidence in public speaking, storytelling, and exercising creativity while having fun in a supportive environment. Expect to improve your acting technique and build performance experience through creative exercises and theater games, culminating in a showcase of your skills at the final session.

This 6-week course will be held from 6-9 pm on Thursdays, September 10-October 15, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway, Mt. Pleasant, MI.

Recommended age: 13-18

A snack will be provided midway through each session. Students with food sensitivities should bring a snack from home.

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Three ways to mark the day...

8:30 am Join us on a Guided Bird Walk at Tawas Point
Park. We will meet at the Feeding Station near the
lighthouse.

Tawas Point in Michigan is a premier birding destination, especially in May during the spring migration when many species stop to rest and refuel along the shoreline. It is known as an Important Bird Area due to its location, making it a hot spot for viewing a variety of migrating birds, including songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds. Visitors can also find birding hotspots in the surrounding areas, such as Tuttle Marsh, Iargo Springs, and Lumberman's Monument.

11 am Join us for one or two presentations at the
Tawas Senior Center at 312 Newman St. East Tawas
• 11 am, Nick Theisen, from Huron Pines will present "Piping
Plover Recovery in 2025". Learn what is happening in
your community and how you can help with the
recovery efforts.
• 12 pm, Pam Carter, from the AuSable Valley Audubon will present "Making your Home Safe for our Feathered Neighbors"

2-4 pm Join us at Riverbank Park (301 N. Lake St. Oscoda, Michigan)
For an invasive species pull led by Russ Williams from the Conservation District. Bring gloves and clippers. ausablevalleyaudubon.orq

Explore colored pencil drawing in an in-depth, skill-building course with award-winning artist and instructor Julie Tyslicky. She will teach you how to effectively use artist-quality colored pencils by exploring layering and blending, with color theory as the backbone of the techniques learned. This course does not specifically teach basic drawing techniques (other than how to shade a sphere); therefore, an understanding of basic drawing and greyscale values is advised. Students will learn to draw spheres and eggs primarily as subject matter in a hands-on and in-depth manner through assignments and in-class discussions. Students will be provided supplies for the first session and instructed on required supplies for future sessions.

This 8-week course will be held 3:30-5:30 pm, Monday, September 14-November 2, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: Adults only

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Discover the luminous and versatile world of encaustic painting in this beginner-friendly workshop. Learn the fundamentals of working with heated beeswax, pigment, and mixed media to create captivating works of art.

No prior experience is necessary – just bring your curiosity and a willingness to explore! Returning students are also welcome in this session and can expect open-studio style freedom, use of equipment, supplies and instructor support. All materials are provided.

Night 1: The Foundations of Encaustic Collage
Night 2: Unveiling Photo Transfers & Mixed Media
Night 3: Mastering Hot Tools & Creative Freedom

With Kristianne Tefft, an award-winning artist whose work has been featured in exhibits locally and nationally, showcasing her unique approach to encaustics.

Mondays, Sept 28, Oct 5, 12 / 6:00 - 8:30 pm / $90, plus $45 materials / Ages 16+

Explore the practice of abstract painting with artist and instructor Tena Gilbreath. Regardless of painting experience, students can delve into acrylics while engaging in a variety of methods to experiment, consider, and create abstract art. We’ll approach each week with a new concept and project, intended to force you to reconsider how you create, regardless of your usual chosen media. Expect a new exercise each week, addressing themes such as sound map painting, gesture painting, collaborative improvisation painting, and more. All skill levels are welcome, and all supplies are provided!

This 4-week course will be held weekly from 1-4 pm, Tuesdays, September 22-October 13 in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: 14 and up

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 pm Sep 15, 22, 29, Oct 6, 13, 20 / $100

You don’t need to be funny . . . you just need to be there!

Improv is a lively, active, team sport that encourages us to live in the moment! Connect with teammates and explore the spaces outside of your comfort zones with coach Ariel Rak who will get you up and playing right from the start. Through games and exercises we develop creativity, flexibility, friendships, and thinking skills in a safe and nurturing environment. For those with no improv experience or those who just miss it.

Engage in dynamic games and exercises fostering teamwork, trust, and spontaneity in a supportive environment. Embrace failure as you develop your ability to stay present and seize the unexpected.

Coach Ariel Rak studied and performed short and long form improv with Magnet Theater (NYC) and the N.J. School of Dramatic Arts and was a member of ComedySportz before moving to Midland. Ages 18+

This is the second course of four in the Fundamentals of Drawing series with award-winning artist and instructor Julie Tyslicky. This course will build upon the skills learned in course 1 to further advance your technical art skills. Participants will learn how to utilize tools to sharpen their skills in drawing. You will learn more about observation with site measuring. Students will also learn technical skills in using grids, their many uses as a tool, and how it assists in portrait drawing, as well as one & two-point perspective drawing.

Fundamentals of Drawing 1 is required before taking Fundamentals of Drawing 2.

This 12-week course will be held 6-9 pm, Wednesday, September 16-December 2, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: Adults only

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Explore the world of theater, improv, and more with Mount Pleasant’s own Tena Gilbreath, a professional actress in Hollywood theatre and Second City improv. Students ages 13-18 can gain insight into the theater world and learn the fundamentals of acting through improvisation, scene work, voice acting, character development, and performance techniques. You’ll gain confidence in public speaking, storytelling, and exercising creativity while having fun in a supportive environment. Expect to improve your acting technique and build performance experience through creative exercises and theater games, culminating in a showcase of your skills at the final session.

This 6-week course will be held from 6-9 pm on Thursdays, September 10-October 15, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway, Mt. Pleasant, MI.

Recommended age: 13-18

A snack will be provided midway through each session. Students with food sensitivities should bring a snack from home.

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Explore colored pencil drawing in an in-depth, skill-building course with award-winning artist and instructor Julie Tyslicky. She will teach you how to effectively use artist-quality colored pencils by exploring layering and blending, with color theory as the backbone of the techniques learned. This course does not specifically teach basic drawing techniques (other than how to shade a sphere); therefore, an understanding of basic drawing and greyscale values is advised. Students will learn to draw spheres and eggs primarily as subject matter in a hands-on and in-depth manner through assignments and in-class discussions. Students will be provided supplies for the first session and instructed on required supplies for future sessions.

This 8-week course will be held 3:30-5:30 pm, Monday, September 14-November 2, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: Adults only

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 pm Sep 15, 22, 29, Oct 6, 13, 20 / $100

You don’t need to be funny . . . you just need to be there!

Improv is a lively, active, team sport that encourages us to live in the moment! Connect with teammates and explore the spaces outside of your comfort zones with coach Ariel Rak who will get you up and playing right from the start. Through games and exercises we develop creativity, flexibility, friendships, and thinking skills in a safe and nurturing environment. For those with no improv experience or those who just miss it.

Engage in dynamic games and exercises fostering teamwork, trust, and spontaneity in a supportive environment. Embrace failure as you develop your ability to stay present and seize the unexpected.

Coach Ariel Rak studied and performed short and long form improv with Magnet Theater (NYC) and the N.J. School of Dramatic Arts and was a member of ComedySportz before moving to Midland. Ages 18+

This is the second course of four in the Fundamentals of Drawing series with award-winning artist and instructor Julie Tyslicky. This course will build upon the skills learned in course 1 to further advance your technical art skills. Participants will learn how to utilize tools to sharpen their skills in drawing. You will learn more about observation with site measuring. Students will also learn technical skills in using grids, their many uses as a tool, and how it assists in portrait drawing, as well as one & two-point perspective drawing.

Fundamentals of Drawing 1 is required before taking Fundamentals of Drawing 2.

This 12-week course will be held 6-9 pm, Wednesday, September 16-December 2, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: Adults only

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

Explore colored pencil drawing in an in-depth, skill-building course with award-winning artist and instructor Julie Tyslicky. She will teach you how to effectively use artist-quality colored pencils by exploring layering and blending, with color theory as the backbone of the techniques learned. This course does not specifically teach basic drawing techniques (other than how to shade a sphere); therefore, an understanding of basic drawing and greyscale values is advised. Students will learn to draw spheres and eggs primarily as subject matter in a hands-on and in-depth manner through assignments and in-class discussions. Students will be provided supplies for the first session and instructed on required supplies for future sessions.

This 8-week course will be held 3:30-5:30 pm, Monday, September 14-November 2, in the Idonea Hersee Classroom at Art Reach, 111 E. Broadway in Mount Pleasant.

Recommended age: Adults only

Please note: An active membership is not required to register. Active members receive a 15% discount on classes.

6:30 – 8:00 pm / Oct 27, Nov 3, 10, 17, 24, Dec 1 / $100

You don't need to be funny… you just need to jump into character!

Take your improv journey to the next level! Build on the foundations of Level I and dive into improvised scene work - the heart of improv. Through engaging exercises, we'll develop characters, highlight relationships, and craft meaningful (and hilarious) scenes together. Strengthen your ability to "Yes, And…" by actively agreeing with and building on your teammates' ideas in a supportive and playful environment. This class is perfect for honing creativity, collaboration, and adaptability. Prerequisites: Improv level 1 or instructor approval.

Coach Ariel Rak studied and performed short and long form improv with Magnet Theater (NYC) and the N.J. School of Dramatic Arts and was a member of ComedySportz before moving to Midland. Ages 18+