Full Event Calendar

The Family Center: Preschool Playtime
Structured playtime including games, songs, stories, and more! Parents and caregivers join in the fun as little ones play, sing, and dance. This is a great opportunity for kids to socialize and adults to meet one another.

A Morning Out: Every 1st and Third Tuesday
Talk about art. Share your memories.
Create your own art. Take your art home to enjoy.
10:30 am - noon,
First and third Tuesdays of every month

An Evening Out for Vets : Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday
Winston Churchill: "Painting came to my rescue in a most trying time."
The program is free and open to all veterans and their families on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.
All materials are provided.

The Long Vietnam War
Explore the complexities and history of the Vietnam War at an exhibit that aims to educate the community on this conflict and its legacy.

The Family Center: Evening Community Yoga
Free Wellness Classes!
Breathe, stretch, and de-stress with our incredible yoga instructors. Classes are free but registration is requested. Don’t forget your mat and water!

Schaap Center Town Hall
Hosted by Executive Director, Jaime Rae Turnbull, and Schaap Center program partners, this town hall invites our community members in for a chance to have their opinions heard.

The Family Center: Morning Community Yoga
Free Wellness Classes!
Breathe, stretch, and de-stress with our incredible yoga instructors. Classes are free but registration is requested. Don’t forget your mat and water!

Landscapes In The Style of Claude Monet with Donald Cronkhite
One of the best ways to learn posthumously from a master painter is to paint a “master copy."
In this workshop we will study Branch of the Seine near Giverny (Mist), one of 18 works in Monet's Mornings on the Seine series. He painted the works from a flat-bottomed boat anchored to the riverbank where the Epte River flows into the Seine. As the light changed fro dawn to day, he worked on one canvas after another.To keep them in order, he numbered them, placed them in grooves built into the boat and had the gardener, whom he enlisted as his assistant, hand them to him.

Life Directions Spark of Hope Gala
Join Life Directions on Friday, April 25 at The War Memorial for Spark of Hope- a benefit for Life Directions. This year’s Guiding Light Honorees are Joe & Rosalie Vicari, with Patrick A. Rugiero being recognized as the Lifetime Achievement Honoree.

Introduction to Kirie, the Japanese Art of Paper Cutting with Nobuko Yamasaki
In this workshop Nobuko Yamaski will teach Kirie, the ancient Japanese art of paper cutting. A noted cutout picture artist is the late Takidaira Jiro.
To make Kirie art, the class will cut out a simple design in black paper, then lay it on a sheet of Bristol paper colored with pencils in bright colors.

Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra Concert
The Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra is a community orchestra dedicated to providing live, classical symphonic music to the community while providing an opportunity for local professionals and accomplished amateurs to perform the classics.

Intermediate Watercolor with Paula Fiebich
Paula Fiebich has won a Gold Medal of Honor from the American Watercolor Society for her work. She was a board member of the National Watercolor Society, serving as director of development and awards. Paula Fiebich has shown work nationally and internationally and she is a signature member of both AWS and NWS

Portraits In The Style of John Hoppner with Donald Cronkhite
One of the best ways to learn posthumously from a master painter is to paint a “master copy." In this workshop we will study John Hoppner's portrait of Susannah Edith Lady Rowley by John Hoppner. You can see it at the Detroit Institute of Arts. It was given to the DIA by Mrs. Horace Dodge in honor of her husband.

Intermediate Watercolor with Paula Fiebich
Paula Fiebich has won a Gold Medal of Honor from the American Watercolor Society for her work. She was a board member of the National Watercolor Society, serving as director of development and awards. Paula Fiebich has shown work nationally and internationally and she is a signature member of both AWS and NWS.

Explorations in Abstraction with Valerie Allen
Brought to you by the Grosse Pointe Artist Association:
Join artist Valerie Allen for a two-day workshop using the power of process to create paintings in acrylics.
As a Certified Working Artist for Golden Paints, Val will bring an array of acrylic products including colors, gels, pastes and other mediums for you to use, offering you the opportunity to explore the versatility of acrylic products and increase your confidence in painting abstractly.
Working on 12”x12” panels that will be provided for you, Val will motivate you with demos and discussions on developing your visual language through intuitive mark-making, telling your authentic story with art, and cultivating your spirit of adventure with each painting.
You will be working on three projects simultaneously within an agenda which Val carefully planned to allow drying time for the thicker applications of gels and pastes.
A lunch break is scheduled each day at 1:30pm for an hour. You can use the time as you wish.
Here is the exciting news!
The workshop includes all new projects for 2025.
So, if you've taken Val's class before, you are in for new material. The timeline is fast-moving with opportunity for question-and-answer sessions each day. All paints, gels and panels will be provided.
Beginner artists thru advanced artists are invited.

"Nostalgia“ a Japanese Woodblock Workshop with Nobuko Yamasaki
Everyone has childhood memories. Sometimes a small toy or special item can lead you back in time.

Encaustic and Collage Workshop with Candace Law
Brought to you by the Grosse Pointe Artist Association:
We can thank Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso for introducing collage in the early 1900s.
In this class we'll follow their lead on collage, but add encaustic (hot wax) that can be used both as an adhesive and as a paint.
We will review the basics of encaustic:
* priming
* applying and fusing the wax
* and safety.
If you are new to the medium, this is an opportunity to learn more about painting with hot wax.
For the more advanced, this is an opportunity to push your creative process.
Demonstrations will be combined with one-on-one time with the instructor and individual work time so you can learn additional ways to incorporate encaustic into your own artistic projects.
We are inviting you to spend a creative day learning more about this lovely, versatile medium and how to blend it with other materials.
Supply List:
All equipment, paints, and most materials are supplied by the instructor.
Wood panels (sizes 6” x 6” to 9” x 12”) will be provided for painting; a selection of papers and items for collaging or embedding will be also available. Participants are welcome to bring along any additional personal items they might like to work with, such as small drawings, decorative papers, or other ephemera.
Please wear studio clothes with long sleeves, and bring a bag lunch or snack for a midday break.

Special Needs Resource Fair
The Special Needs Resource Alliance is a collaboration of local non-profit organizations, school systems and service providers who work together to offer exceptional support for individuals with special needs in Southeast Michigan, sharing the goals of embracing, supporting and developing social and educational opportunities for individuals with special needs and their families

Grosse Pointe Veterans Club Meeting
Join the Grosse Pointe Veterans Club for its meeting on Feb. 13 at 2 p.m.

YOUR OLD MANSION: Ford Power on the Water
For the fifth and final lecture of the series on April 6, historian Mike Kroll will offer a side of Edsel Ford that isn’t often talked about. You probably already know he introduced fine lines and fast motors to the cars produced on the Ford assembly lines, and he paid for the famous Rivera murals at the Detroit Institute of Arts. But did you know he also enjoyed racing powerboats? He used one of them to commute from his home on Lake St. Clair to the office at the Rouge Plant in Dearborn.

Graphite Pencil Basics with Saveria Giovinazzo
In this class, we will learn how there is so much more to know about graphite pencils!
Can't draw? No worries! You will be given printed images to work with as we explore the different degrees of graphite, their uses, and how to apply them to artwork.

Thriving through Divorce
Join us for this unique workshop designed to help you navigate the emotional and practical challenges of separation with clarity, confidence, and support.

Portraits In The Style of Max Beckman with Donald Cronkhite
One of the best ways to learn posthumously from a master painter is to paint a “master copy." In this workshop we will study Max Beckman's Self Portrait in Olive and Brown. You can see it at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Beckman is one of the leading German expressionist painters. He escaped Nazi German in 1937 and lived in exile in Amsterdam during the war. He started painting this portrait after the German troops withdrew from Amsterdam at the end of the war. He completed it on Nov. 29, 1945, noting in his diary -- "Germany is dying, et moi -- self-portrait 1945 finished.

Kids Coalition Against Hunger Packing Event
The War Memorial partners with Grosse Pointe Memorial Church for a Kids Coalition Against Hunger packaging event. Be a part of this humanitarian food aid effort.

Grosse Pointe Veterans Club Meeting
Join the Grosse Pointe Veterans Club for its meeting on Feb. 13 at 2 p.m.

Landscapes in Oil for Beginners with Linda Boyle
Explore the captivating world of landscape oil painting in this beginner-friendly class!
Designed for those new to oil painting, this course will guide you step by step through the essentials: color theory, composition, layout, materials and tools.

YOUR OLD MANSION: Remembering the Celebrated Career of Mickey Mouse
Be ready to celebrate the long career of Mickey Mouse, who sailed into our lives on Nov. 18, 1928, as Steamboat Willie in an animated black-and-white short that premiered at the Colony Theatre in New York City.

Grosse Pointe Artists Association: Make a Special Print: Japanese Woodblock Print Workshop With Nobuko Yamasaki.
Everyone has a memorable small item sitting around at home. For this workshop bring your special souvenir or important item to sketch. We will then carve the sketch into a special 8inx10in board for printing. Our final step will be printing in one or two colors.

Introduction to Watercolor Pencils with Saveria Giovinazzo
No experience necessary!
Saveria Giovinazzo, a respected artist and experienced teacher, has developed this class to introduce watercolor pencils, a convenient medium that can produce "wow" results.
She has planned multiple exercises and small projects with a focus on encouraging students to explore how they can use the medium to suit their own artistic style.
During the classes, students will practice the application of the watercolor pencil to paper, color mixing/blending and layering/glazing.

Tek Ready Workshop: Technology for Seniors
Join us for an engaging and informative workshop designed to help seniors master essential technology skills! This hands-on session will cover the basics of using smartphones, creating and managing email accounts, and accessing telehealth services. Our goal is to empower seniors to stay connected with their loved ones and easily access important resources that enhance their daily lives.

Grosse Pointe Artist Association: Needle Felting Small Creatures with Ann Jacob
At the end of this workshop, you will have critters to take home and share, including owls, dogs, birds and more. Plus you will an understanding of the needle felting basics and skills needed to make other creatures on your own.

Grosse Pointe Artist Association: Dyeing with Indigo and Other Natural Dyes with Ann Jacob
Learn to dye cotton fabrics using materials from nature. We will explore dyeing with indigo, plant material, rust and more. The first portion of the class will focus on precise folding, clamping and gathering of fabrics to get dramatic patterns such as kumo (circular motifs), shibori and geometrics.

Grosse Pointe Artist Association: Landscapes in the Style of Pierre-Auguste Renoir with Donald Cronkhite
One of the best ways to learn posthumously from a master painter is to paint a “master copy." In this workshop we will study Clearing in the Woods by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. You can see it at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

YOUR OLD MANSION: Lessons Learned from the Old Masters
Artist, art historian, popular tour guide and instructor Donald Cronkite will take the podium on February 16 to help explain the influences of the Old Masters like Rembrandt and Monet on the artists of today.

Grosse Pointe Artist Association: Incising Marks in Encaustic with Candace Law
This workshop is for artists who want to add to their creative voices by creating "marks" to express themselves.
In the workshop, we will explore what kind of marks you would like to make and specifically how to incise or cut them into an encaustic surface. We will try a few different techniques, so you will be able to find the one that suits you.

Grosse Pointe Veterans Club Meeting
Join the Grosse Pointe Veterans Club for its meeting on Feb. 13 at 2 p.m.

American Red Cross Blood Drive
All Blood Types Needed! Register today for the American Red Cross Blood Drive, taking place in the War Memorial Ballroom on February 13 from 12pm-6pm

The Family Center: Health For Her – Heart Health
This new program series tackles medical topics of special interest to women. It’s a “girls night out” vibe coupled with the health education you need! This session tackles HEART HEALTH. Our experts will share the latest information on this important topic.

The Family Center: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
Join The Family Center an engaging and informative discussion with a panel of local experts.

Heroes' Movement Inaugural Gala
The night will feature an exciting live auction, with all proceeds directly supporting Veterans’ strength and conditioning programs. Please help us make a lasting impact as we honor those who served.

Grosse Pointe Artist Association: The Possibilities of Oil Pastels with Saveria Giovinazzo
In The Possibilities of Oil Pastels, students will be introduced to the preferred medium of masters such as Edgar Degas, Jean Francois Millet and Vincent Van Gogh and encouraged to develop their own style using the medium.

Grosse Pointe Artist Association: The Art and Science of Color -- Understanding and Applying Color Interaction with Mihir Sharma
In this course, students will dive into the complex and fascinating world of color theory, learning how colors interact and influence perception.

Grosse Pointe Artist Association: Portraits in the Style of Berthe Morisot with Donald Cronkhite
One of the best ways to learn posthumously from a master painter is to paint a “master copy." In this workshop we will study Woman at Her Toilet, 1875-1880, by Berthe Morisot, considered one of the five top Impressionist painters.

The Healthy Grosse Pointe/Harper Woods Coalition
Join us as Dr. Flores defines disordered eating, shares who is at risk and the warning signs, and discusses prevention and treatment.

YOUR OLD MANSION: Our Hike up Mount Kilimanjaro
Artist Melissa Stieber and her husband photographer Patrick Stieber from Owen Sound, Ont., Canada hiked to the summit Mount Kilimanjaro at the border of Kenya and Tanzania. Rising from the acacia forests and scrublands at the border of Kenya and Tanzania, Kilimanjaro is 19,343ft, making it the world’s tallest freestanding mountain.

Grosse Pointe Artist Association: Venturing into Abstract and Non-Representational Art with Marcia Hales
What is the difference between abstract and non-representational art? In this workshop we will explore both and the techniques used in each to add expression to artwork with an emphasis on concept, composition, color and personal style.

The Family Center: Picky Eaters Workshop
DO YOU HAVE A PICKY EATER?
LEARN TIPS FROM OUR EXPERTS THAT WILL MAKE MEALTIMES HEALTHY, DELICIOUS, AND STRESS-FREE

The Family Center: Community Yoga
Breathe, stretch, and de-stress with The Family Center’s incredible yoga instructors.