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AILSA CRAIG ARTS CENTRE


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UPCOMING CLASSES and WORKSHOPS 


Upcoming events

  • Sampler Quilt 2 with Jane Walker

    • Wednesday, October 01, 2025
    • Wednesday, November 26, 2025
    • 8 sessions
    • ACAC 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON., N0M 1A0
    • 2
    Register




    Learn to use your skills that you mastered in Beginner Quilt Class. This class builds on those skills with new techniques. You will learn 9 patch piecing, machine applique, paper piecing, log cabin, curved piecing,  pinwheel stars & borders and more. You will end up with a lap-sized quilt.

    The classes will be on Wednesday afternoons from 1:00 - 4:00 There will be 8 classes . To be successful I don’t want you to rush you so we maybe will be looking at a drop-in class as well.

    Students will buy the pattern from me and will need all the necessary quilting supplies (sewing machine with manual, rotary cutting equipment, pins, needles – both hand and machine, neutral threads to match your fabrics, template plastic, fabric markers and scissors.)

    Fabrics – You could make yours scrappy from fabrics you already have in your stash, or a “planned” scrappy where you would choose a main colour and then choose your smaller pieces to go with the main colour.

    Fabric requirements:

    50 cm of each for medium and light borders

    60 cm of a matching dark colour for border and binding

    Fat quarters of 3 or more light and medium fabrics

    Small amounts (15 cm) of 5 more ligjhts and darks fabrics

    1.35 m for backing fabric  &  40” x 54” of batting

    Jane Walker is a well known quilter and teacher in the North Middlesex area. Past students have praised her classes for their clarity and professionalism.  Jane has offered to go on a road trip to Stratford should students wish help in selecting fabrics.  

    Registration for this class is limited to 5 students to ensure maximum attention is given.

    Students are to bring a sewing machine in good working order and its manual.

    thread, scissors,

    a rotary cutter and mat (the centre does have a mat if a student needs to borrow one)

    A clear quilting ruler for cutting.


    member $190 for 8 classes

    non member $210 for 8 classes

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  • Friendship Star Table Top Runner or Mug Rug

    • Tuesday, November 04, 2025
    • 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    • 160D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON., N0M 1A0
    • 2
    Register



    Rebecca Bender is well known locally for her prize winning quilts and clear, approachable teaching methods.

    Join us November 4th to learn how to create the versatile Friendship Star block featuring half square triangles.  This block can be used individually as a Mug Rug for your own or, gift use. Alternatively,  three blocks can be joined together to create a welcoming, country-style, table runner. 

    Participants will learn different methods for making half square triangles (HST) and get some tips for keeping a project square.

    Option to make mug rugs (approx. 8 x8 ) or table topper (approx..12 x  20 or 38). If you’re ambitious, you can do both!

    Materials needed are:               

    -3 or 4 coordinating fat quarters -will make several mug rugs

    -3.5 m of yardage at least 10” the width of fabric will make a pointed table topper or runner

    -sewing machine

    Rotary cutter and cutting mat not necessary but may be helpful

    November 4, 2025

    Time: 6:30 - 8:30 PM

    Cost Members $25  and Non Members $30

    If necessary, a second evening will be added to support finishing the runner.

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  • November YACAC ! Youth + Ailsa Craig Arts Centre-12-16 years

    • Wednesday, November 05, 2025
    • 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    • ACAC Side of YOTH - 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON
    • 7
    • 5 registrants
    Register


    Registration is now open for the November 2025 YACAC session!

    YACAC!

    (Youth + Ailsa Craig Arts Centre)

     YACAC is an arts focused, youth group for ages 12-16 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 November 5, 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.

    Please note if you have a child 8-11 years of age, please look for and register for the Junior YACAC session that is new this year.  We are delighted to expand the youth arts program for North Middlesex residents and will be able to adjust programming to more age specific capabilities.

    If your child is unable to attend, please notify the ACAC so supplies are adjusted or another child may participate. Should you fail to notify YACAC of your child's absence on two occasions, your child will not be eligible to attend. It is simply not fair for those children on the waiting list.

    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 

    Program cost is a donation to the Ailsa Craig Food Bank.


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  • Make your own cosy, Shearling Mittens

    • Saturday, November 08, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON
    • 2
    Register

    The ACAC is pleased to welcome back Kasper Skinner; our master of leather. This time, Kasper is going to teach us how to create gorgeous shearling mittens. These can last a lifetime and keep your hands dry and warm during harsh Canadian winters.

    Kasper's easy style and deep experience allows him to welcome all levels of leather workers- from complete novices to experienced folk. All will enjoy a day of crafting a luxury item that would make a wonderful gift or a keepsake for yourself.

    Cost for the class is Members $60 and non Members $70

    There is a kit fee of $40 as top quality shearling leather is pricey. Kit fee is paid on day of class directly to Kasper.

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  • Junior YACAC - Ages 8- 11 years

    • Tuesday, November 11, 2025
    • 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
    • 160 D Main Street, The ACAC
    • 6
    Register


    Registration is now open for the November 2025

    new, JUNIOR YACAC session!

    (Youth + Ailsa Craig Arts Centre)

     Junior YACAC is an arts focused, youth group for ages 8-11 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 second Tuesday of the month from 6:30-8:00 pm at the Ailsa Craig Arts Centre.

    Current Session date: Tuesday November 11, 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.

    Junior YACAC is a brand new group that has been launched to expand accessibility of YACAC to area youth while allowing for more age appropriate programming.

    If your child is unable to attend, please notify the ACAC so supplies are adjusted or another child may participate. Should you fail to notify YACAC of your child's absence on two occasions, your child will not be eligible to attend. It is simply not fair for those children on the waiting list.

    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.

    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 

    Program cost is a donation to the Ailsa Craig Food Bank.




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  • Carolyn Stone Teaches Fun with Watercolour

    • Saturday, November 15, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • 0
    Join waitlist


    For this class, the ACAC is pleased to welcome Carolyn Stone who will share with us two different styles of Cherry paintings using  Watercolour paints and techniques.  During the class, Carolyn will teach a simple watercolour pour and how to create a botanical style painting. Students will learn how to create dimension through layering and colour combinations. Carolyn will also address negative painting and how to enhance your composition.

    A student supply list is attached.7AF26757-8CAF-4E51-ABC6-B0DC3045D880.png

    Carolyn is a self-taught artist with over two decades of experience translating emotion and nature into luminous works of watercolour and, occasionally, acrylic. Guided by curiosity and enriched through studies with accredited artists, her practice celebrates both bold vibrancy and quiet subtlety.

    Formerly immersed in the corporate world, Carolyn embarked on a creative path as she lived and travelled throughout different cultures and landscapes, shaping her eye for detail and her appreciation for natural beauty.

    Now rooted in Mount Brydges, Ontario, she paints from her home studio/gallery where blooming gardens, beautiful country side and fond memories continue to inspire her. Her work often features botanicals, birds, and whimsical landscapes—expressions of her deep connection to nature.

    Passionate about teaching, Carolyn shares her knowledge through private and group watercolour classes, encouraging others to discover their own voice with their art. .

    She also welcomes commission inquiries, bringing personal stories to life through custom pieces.

    Carolyn is a member of the London Community Artists group and recently has joined Lambeth Art Assoc.




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  • Get to Know Your Cricut

    • Saturday, November 22, 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
    • 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig. Ailsa Craig Arts Centre
    • 2
    Register


    Cricut's offer a world of creative options to keen crafters but let's face it - they can seem intimidating and they are not inexpensive.

    Cynthia Nowak; a retired teacher and an enthusiastic Cricut user and crafter, has offered to help students of this class unwrap the marvel that is Cricut. Whether you are considering purchasing a Cricut or you currently own one and wish you felt more comfortable with it - this is the class for you. Even if you love your cricut and just want to play with other enthusiasts, we invite you to join us for this one day, comprehensive class on "Getting to Know Your Cricut".

    Agenda

    “Getting to Know Your Cricut”

    Part One

    Focus: Vinyl

    ·        Learn about weeding and various techniques

    ·        Transfer, cut and weed design

    ·        Attach vinyl to a surface

    You will make 2-3 vinyl projects: Notebook Cover, Label a Tumbler and/or Welcome Sign

    Part Two

    Focus: Iron-on Materials (HTV/Heat Transfer Vinyl)

    ·        Working with Heat Transfer Vinyl

    ·        Types of heat transfer vinyl

    You will make 2 iron-on projects: Christmas Towel, T-shirt.


    Part Three

    Focus: Infusible Ink Materials

    ·        Working with infusible ink

    You will make 2-3 infusible ink projects: Zippered Pouch, Tote Bag and/or baby onesie


    Bring:

    *Your IPAD or lap top (Chrome books are not compatible with Design Space)

    Your Cricut machine (if you have one)

    2 extra Cricut machines will be available to use (Cricut Maker 3, Cricut Joy).

    12 x 12 standard cutting mat (green)

    Cricut tools (weeder, tweezers, scissors, brayer etc.) if you have them

    Bring your own tumbler to label (stainless steel, non-textured smooth surface)

    Bring your own blank t-shirt to label (new is easier to work with).

    There is a $40 materials fee payable to the teacher on the day of the class. This will cover vinyl costs and pproject costs. 


    Cynthia Nowak has been crafting since she was a young child. She is always looking for new projects to make: from drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media, digital art, sewing, and cricuting fun fabulous projects. After she received her first Cricut for Christmas a few years ago, she has disappeared down the Cricut rabbit hole and has been pulled in ever since!



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  • Relaxation & Better Sleep Naturally: A Holistic Well-being Workshop

    • Saturday, December 06, 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Ailsa Craig Arts Centre 160 D Main St., Ailsa Craig, ON
    • 6
    Register


    Meet the busy Christmas Season refreshed and well rested. The Ailsa Craig Arts Centre is pleased to invite Paula Nowak to our centre on December 6th, 2025.

    Restless nights, racing thoughts, and tension that lingers long after the day ends, we’ve all been there. When your body can’t unwind and your mind won’t quiet, it’s hard to wake up feeling refreshed, balanced, and ready for a new day.

    In this 120-minute experiential workshop, you’ll explore simple, natural tools to help your body and mind relax deeply, so you can fall asleep easier, stay asleep longer, and awaken with calm, vibrant energy.

    Through a soothing blend of energy medicine, acupressure, EFT tapping, breathwork, mindful movement, qigong, and guided relaxation, you’ll learn how to:

    •  Calm a busy mind and regulate your nervous system
    •  Release the day’s tension and prepare your body for rest and renewal
    •  Apply simple, powerful 2-minute “Better Sleep” techniques for more restful sleep
    •  Build a holistic toolkit of energy-balancing practices for long-term relaxation and deep rest
    •  Create a “Better Sleep” self-care routine to restore balance and renew your energy

    You’ll leave not just relaxed, but reconnected to your body’s natural rhythms, equipped with powerful tools to cultivate deep rest, energy balance, and emotional harmony each night.

    What You’ll Receive

    • A 120-minute live experiential workshop
    • A step-by-step practice guide (PDF booklet) with over 20 techniques for Better Sleep
    • A self-care routine for Relaxation & Better Sleep
    • Bonus: 30-minute qigong, mindful movement, and energy practices video with Paula Nowak

    The Transformation You’ll Feel

    • A calmer mind and more peaceful evenings
    • Deeper, more restorative sleep
    • Balanced, refreshed morning energy
    • Confidence to use simple, powerful energy-balancing techniques that truly work for better sleep
    • A renewed sense of well-being and vitality

    Investment in Better Sleep

    Space is limited — register early to ensure your place.

    Teacher's Bio

    Paula Nowak, M.Ed., is a Well-Being Coach, Advanced Emotional Freedom Technique® Practitioner, and Holistic Wellness Practitioner who helps people transform stress into joyful vitality. With a background in education, integrated movement, and holistic wellness, and training in Dr. Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry® method, Paula gently guides others to balance their energy, release stress, and shift limiting beliefs. Her workshops invite participants to pause, reconnect, and discover simple yet powerful practices that bring more calm, balance, and joy into everyday life. You can learn more about Paula at www.paulanowakwellness.com



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  • Learn To Knit with Caitlin

    • Sunday, January 11, 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • Ailsa Craig Arts Centre 160D Main St., Ailsa Craig, ON., N0M1A0
    • 10
    Register



    Is one of your New Year's Resolutions to learn how to knit and create beautiful gifts for yourself and your loved ones? If so, this is a great class for you. Caitlin is a highly experienced teacher who loves to share her love of knitting with her students. All materials are supplied for this half day class on January 11th, 2025.

    Students will emerge knowing the basic knitting stitches from which most patterns are constructed.  You will leave with the confidence and foundation to continue your knitting journey, a contact at Sarnia's premier knitting store, Heaven is Handmade and you will be well on your way to completing a dish cloth to commemorate your new skill.

    This class is a great foundation for the Mosaic Knitting class we will be offering in February and for later classes in lace making and Cables.  

    Teacher's Bio:

    Caitlin MacSwain is the owner of Heaven is Handmade, Sarnia’s dedicated yarn store.  She has been knitting and crocheting for over twenty years. 

    “I have a passion for colour and texture, so knitting was the perfect fit.” 

    Caitlin teaches a variety of classes in both knitting and crochet and loves to encourage all fibre enthusiasts to challenge themselves and continue to learn the craft.


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  • Explore the Joy of Watercolour with Jane Wright

    • Saturday, January 17, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON., Ailsa Craig Arts Centre
    • 0
    Join waitlist


    For those who have an interest in further exploration of the seductive qualities of the watercolour medium the ACAC is pleased to present Jane Wright; noted watercolour artist and teacher.  Jane has created a 6 hr workshop that will enhance your understanding of what watercolour is and why it behaves the way it does. It will be flexible to build on what you already know of the medium. It will be as technical as you need and hopefully leave you wanting to know a whole lot more.

    MATERIALS REQUIRED :

    • watercolour paper -all or mostly cotton, 140 lb. cold press, several  pieces at least 9x12 or larger  Arches, Fabriano, Canson, Baohong ( from TEMU, reasonable quality for the money, I'm on my 2nd roll of 15 wide)
    • watercolour brushes size 2 or 4 and 6 or 8, squirrel, camel, sable, hog bristle, synthetic ( preferably not oil or acrylic brushes)
    • professional quality watercolour paint (warm and cool primaries, yellow, red, blue and a palette (white plates or styrofoam trays are fine) for mixing (ie:Daniel Smith, Holbein, DaVinci, Winsor Newton)
    • masking tape up to 1" wide, roll of paper towels, pencil, ruler, eraser, permanent fine line pen (like Pentel, Micron, or W)
    • masking fluid is optional, just if you have some
    • 2 water containers
    • old credit card and something for note taking
    • a reference photo
    • Your lunch and beverage. There is a fridge available.

    Optional

    • hair dryer, watercolour or inktense pencils, pieces of sponge, fine mist spray bottle, table salt, pipette, piece of saran wrap

    NB - if people don't have paper or aren't sure what to buy I can bring some for sale.


    Workshop Overview   * PROCESS OVER RESULTS *

    This workshop is designed to build on what you already know about watercolour. The focus will be on watercolour techniques, design elements, and processes to facilitate your personal expression. The goal is NOT to produce a finished painting but to enhance your knowledge and appreciation of what wonderful effects you can achieve with watercolour so that you can expand your 'play' as you work toward finding your own artistic voice. 


    Workshop Topics (in no particular order)

    1. very brief history of the medium, pigments and notable artists for reference
    2. brief overview of colour theory, do some colour mixing exercises
    3. how to avoid muddy colours and how to fix them if they happen
    4. how to see values, do a value sketch from your photo
    5. the use positive and negative space
    6. how to use contrast to make your painting dynamic
    7. types of lines and what they convey, do line exercises
    8. experimentation with different brushstrokes, talk of emotional presence

    Jane was an art teacher in the public and private school systems encompassing all grades in Ontario, and Quebec. She taught adult education for Fanshawe College and in France and has shown her work at the Ailsa Craig Arts Centre to great applaud.








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Ailsa Craig Arts Centre
   160D Main Street,  Ailsa Craig, Ontario 
   Canada   N0M 1A0

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