Bi-weekly Announcements: Dec. 31 edition

January Potluck

• FOOD WITH FRIENDS: The January Potluck will take place on Wednesday, January 8. Paint Your Heart Out Tampa (PYHOT) will be the guest.  If your house needs a new coat of paint and you are a low-income senior who owns your home, PYHOT may be able to paint your home for free! You can also recommend someone who fits the qualifications.  Click here to view the requirements.

Florida State Fair 2025 Art Submissions

• DEADLINE: If you submitted your Fair participation form to the LEC, all artwork needs to be at the LEC by January 8.

• WIRING HELP: Tim Gibbons will be available on January 8 from 11am – 1pm to help correctly wire art for display at the Fair.

New Year, New Opportunities

• DRAWING: Tim Gibbons will be offering a 6-week Beginning Drawing class on Thursday mornings (10am-12pm) starting January 9.  Learn perspective, shading, shadowing, and different uses of materials. Come out to have a fun time turning on your imagination. No experience necessary. Register online at lectampa.org, email info@lectampa.org, call (813) 932-0241, or sign up in person.  The supply list will be provided at the first class.

• POETRY WRITING: Mish Murphy will be returning with an 8-week Poetry class on Thursdays from 10:30am-12pm starting January 9.  The class will be in person and online.  Register online at lectampa.org,  email info@lectampa.org, call (813) 932-0241, or sign up in person. No experience necessary.

• ACRYLIC POUR: Mary Eastman will be leading an Acrylic Pour Workshop on Saturday, January 18. Spaces are limited, so there will be NO walk-ins for this workshop.  Payment must be received by Friday, January 10 so that we can prepare supplies. Register online at lectampa.org, email info@lectampa.org, call (813) 932-0241, or sign up in person.

• COLORED PENCILS: Award-winning artist, Mark Menendez, will be the guest instructor a Colored Pencils Workshop on Saturday, January 25. The image for the workshop is an Eastern bluebird sitting on a flowering dogwood branch.  Techniques learned in this class can also be applied to pastels. Register online at lectampa.org, email info@lectampa.org, call (813) 932-0241, or sign up in person.  To reserve your seat, you must sign up and pay (in person or online) by Friday, January 17 so that we can order supplies. No walk-ins for this workshop!

• SPANISH: Learn Spanish in a casual setting with Ricardo Cruz and Cathy Peltzman. Starting on Monday, January 27 from 10 am – 12pm, Ricardo will lead a Beginning Conversational Spanish group.  The group will use a combination of the Duolingo app and short stories to build conversation skills.  No experience with Spanish is necessary. Free for LEC members. Register online at lectampa.org, email info@lectampa.org, call (813) 932-0241, or sign up in person.

Club News

• We’re walking! Come be a member of the LEC’s new Walking Club.  We will meet on Monday, January 13 at 9am at the LEC and will carpool to Carrollwood Village Park for a nice 45-minute walk.  Wear your walking shoes, bring water, and get ready for fun. There’s no cost, but please register online at lectampa.org, email info@lectampa.org, call (813) 932-0241, or sign up in person so we know to expect you.

• Mermaid Photo Date: The Photo Club will photograph the unveiling of the new mermaid statues at Weeki Wachee on Saturday, January 11 at 11:30am.  Photos will be shared at the January 15^th Photo Club Zoom meeting. Register online at lectampa.org to receive the Zoom link.

Other LEC News

• FIELD TRIP: A field trip to the 50^th annual International Miniature Arts Show is planned for Friday, January 31. The Show is in Largo this year. Sign up on the Resource table, email info@lectampa.org, or call (813) 932-0241. Drivers are needed, so please indicate if you are willing to drive.

• PLEIN AIR GROUP:  Interested in taking your art outdoors?  A small group of LEC artists would love for you to join them for weekly plein air art (Free!).  They usually on Monday mornings at local parks.  Any medium welcome.  Bring all your own supplies. Dates, times, and locations will be posted in the LEC Weekly. Email info@lectampa.org or call (813) 932-0241 if you have questions or would like to join the group.