Community Classes
If you have any questions about classes or have ideas for a class you'd like to see
us do, please call Michelle Bartlett at 907-474-7021, or email summer@alaska.edu.
UAF Summer Sessions & Lifelong Learning offers a variety of non-credit bearing classes accessible to members of the community without the requirements of typical college courses. Many of these courses are practical, hands-on workshop style classes taught by local experts.
To register and pay for a class, follow the link below:
Registration for WINTERmester courses opens on November 24, 10 am.
Texture Techniques: Palette Knife Painting Workshop
Instructor: Allison Juneau
Meets: January 3, Saturday, 10 am - 3 pm
Location: Art 303, UAF ϳԹ
Description: Palette knife painting, sometimes referred to as “impasto” painting,
is a fun and engaging way to create paintings with a beautifully textured and sculptural
surface. Work with artist Allison Juneau to learn methods of mixing and applying paint
with a knife, silicone tools, and even household items to create interesting textures.
This workshop is suitable for both new and experienced painters, and participants
can work with either oils or acrylics. If you would like to work with oils, please
bring your own paint. Impasto medium (for both oil and acrylic) will be available
for everyone to use. Practicing acrylic painters may want to bring their own paint,
but acrylic paint will be available for those who need it. Painting tools and wood
panels will be provided. Everyone should bring an apron.
Cost: $95
Bicycle Maintenance and Repair Introduction to Pickleball
Instructor: Simon Rakower
Meets: January 5 - 9, Monday - Friday, 6 pm - 9 pm
Location: 359 O'Neill, UAF
Description: This comprehensive, practical, hands-on bicycle maintenance and repair
class focuses on road and mountain bikes. We will cover drive chain, shifting, brakes,
wheels (straightening), tires, tubes (flats), steering systems, cable replacement,
and lubrication. We will also review the geometry and physics of the bicycle, the
world's most efficient means of transportation. Students who have taken this class
before or are not new to bicycle maintenance will be able to complete a bicycle project
of their choosing. Students will work with the instructor to map out the project(s)
to be completed during this in-depth course. All students must bring a bicycle to
class.
Cost: $140
Instructor: Kayla Clark
Meets: January 6 - 22, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12 pm - 1 pm
Location: SRC, UAF ϳԹ
Description: Are you curious to try out the fastest growing sport in the USA? Pickleball
is a net sport that takes elements of tennis and ping pong, combining them into a
game that is accessible for kids as well as senior citizens. This course will cover
the basics of serving, dinking, volleys, lobs, rules of game play and more! Six sessions
will have you feeling confident to join in on Open and Relish Play with the Farthest
North Pickleball Club. Beware, this game is quite addicting and very social too! This
course is ideal for brand new players, or new players looking for more practice. An intermediate class will be coming in February!
Cost: $95
Instructor: Margo Klass
Meets: January 9 - 11, Friday 6 pm - 8:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm
Location: Murie 203, UAF ϳԹ
Description: This workshop explores the historic binding technique of sewing on cords,
re-imagned for contemporary bookmaking. Traditionally hidden within the spine, the
cords in this variation are intentionally exposed, creating a striking spine. Instead
of folded sections, the text block will be built from single pages of richly colored
Japanese Momigami paper. Each page incorporates a thread embedded along the spine
edge, making it possible to sew single pages across, rather than up and down, the
spine. Participants will personalize their elegantly chunky books with content of
their own design using collage, stamping, drawing, or writing.
Cost: $225
Put Your Spin on It!
Instructor: Patricia Carlson
Meets: January 10 - 11, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm
Location: Art 403, UAF ϳԹ
Description: Make a patterned sterling silver spinner ring for yourself in this two-day
beginner-friendly metalsmithing class. Learn to use the tools to pattern, shape, solder,
and finish your personalized ring. Practice in copper first, check your size, and
then use your new skills to make your final sterling project. Bring your lunch and
spend the weekend creating!
Cost: $175
Instructor: Mary Albanese
Meets: January 12 - 16, Monday - Friday, 12 pm - 4 pm
Location: Virtual
Description: Following a brief lecture on the life and style of Sydney Laurence, we will study images of his works and re-create them. We will also discuss Fred Machetanz. Students will explore and learn their styles through their own paintings, capturing and recreating elements of the master's work, focusing on elements of composition, color scheme, and brush stroke techniques. Students are to sign-in ready to paint with paints (oils or acrylic work best), brushes, and canvases. 8 x 10-inch canvases are a good size to start. Recommended paint colors: black, white, yellow ochre, cobalt blue, sap green, alizarin crimson, and yellow hansa.
Cost: $200
Introduction to Pickleball: November Edition
Instructor: Kayla Clark
Meets: November 4 - 20, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12pm - 1pm
Location: UAF SRC
Description: Are you curious to try out the fastest growing sport in the USA? Pickleball
is a net sport that takes elements of tennis and ping pong, combining them into a
game that is accessible for kids as well as senior citizens. This course will cover
the basics of serving, dinking, volleys, lobs, rules of game play and more! Six sessions
will have you feeling confident to join in on Open and Relish Play with the Farthest
North Pickleball Club. Beware, this game is quite addicting and very social too!
Cost: $95
Knitting for Beginners and Beyond Embroidered Birch Bark Ornaments
Instructor: Ginny Kinne
Meets: Monday and Fridays, November 7, 10, and 14, 6pm - 9pm (waitlist only)
Location: Murie 107, UAF ϳԹ
Description: This course is designed for brand-new knitters and those who have recently
learned to knit and want to continue developing their skill set. During this course,
students will learn the basics of knitting techniques, the language used, and the
materials involved. We will discuss the differences between Continental and English-style
knitting, learn the knit and the purl stitch, and understand how to identify and fix
mistakes. The course will also teach you about the materials and tools involved in
knitting and, most importantly, what’s needed and not needed to knit and finish a
project. Brand new participants will knit a hat in class, and returning students will
knit a pair of mittens. Everyone will leave with the skills to keep on knitting! Yarn
and needles will be provided.
Cost: $150
Instructor: Lyndsi Harris
Meets: November 8 and 9, Saturday and Sunday, 1 pm - 4 pm (waitlist only)
Location: Murie 107, UAF ϳԹ
Description: Join Lyndsi of Evolutionary Thread Designs to create a beautiful embroidered
birch bark ornament. Students will select their favorite pattern and work with Lyndsi
to first paint with watercolors, add embroidered details, and finally finish the birch
bark ornament with a beautiful beaded edge. This class is designed for students of
all levels, from complete beginners to advanced embroidery enthusiasts. All materials
will be provided.
Cost: $120
Instructor: Carol Wilbur
Meets: November 15, Saturday, 12 pm - 4 pm
Location: Gruening 412, UAF ϳԹ
Description: Students will explore several simple earring-making techniques in this
fun, hands-on workshop. We will work primarily with beads and wire. The instructor
will provide tools, metal findings, and various glass, metal, and semi-precious beads.
Although materials will be provided, students are encouraged to bring their bead collections
if they have one. Spend the day learning a new skill and making holiday gifts for
friends, family, and yourself!
Cost: $85
Cyanotypes: Handmade Photo Art made with Light
Instructor: Jason Lazarus
Meets: November 22 - 23, Saturday and Sunday, 12 pm - 5 pm
Location: Bunnell 127, UAF ϳԹ
Description: Learn how to easily create art with light-sensitive chemicals safely
within your own home! Cyanotype solution can be applied to a wide variety of surfaces
and you can use anything to create a composition, from your own digital images turned
into analog prints to stencils, cutouts, 3D objects, your own body, etc. This course
will focus on exploring what can be done on a variety of paper surfaces and then dive
further in the creative potential of the process by exploring toning options to drastically
alter the color of these handmade prints with household solutions.
Cost: $160
Cyanotypes is a fundraiser for the UAF Art Department
All registrations for Non-credit Short Classes are completed through CampDoc. Please visit the Campdoc website at to create a profile and register for classes. If you have previously registered with CampDoc, you will not need to create a new profile.
Payment can be made during registration through CampDoc. Please note that Non-credit Short Classes require a $25.00 non-refundable deposit that must be paid at the time of registration. The final payment is due 1 week before the class start date. If you register for a class and decide not to attend, you MUST drop the course via CampDoc a week before the start date or you will be charged for the full class. For additional information contact Summer Sessions at 474-7021 or summer@alaska.edu. How do I register with CampDoc?
If you are unfamiliar with Campdoc, this handy guide might help you get started.
How do I find out more information about Parking?
If your Non-credit Short Class takes place on campus between 8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday, you will be required to have a current parking decal or short term parking permit displayed in your vehicle. Outside of these times, no permit is required. For more information about parking on campus call 474-7275 or view parking locations at uaf.edu/campusmap.