Filter by Category
Our Classes
The Cycle of Nature: Connecting with Our Environment through Art (Early Spring)
with France Hilbert

In this year-long series of art classes, we'll explore nature's rhythms across the four seasons: winter, spring, summer and fall. Each class session focuses on observing and capturing seasonal changes in plants, animals and weather through drawing, watercolor and ink. Students will connect with the environment through hands-on activities, embracing the stillness of winter, renewal of spring, abundance of summer and transition of fall. Join us for one season or experience the full cycle. Each session offers a deeper appreciation of nature's constant transformations. For supplies, we will use large drawing pads, pencils, pens and charcoal.
France Hilbert has taught classes at College of the Atlantic since 2018. She is a professional artist and art educator with an extensive resume of training and experience including major commissions and installations. Her artistic education began at the age of seven, when she was taught by her grandfather, the late artist Jaro Hilbert. From him, she received a thorough education in the classical tradition. She pursued her formal education at the National Fine Art Academy of Paris, France, (ENSBA), was an artist in residence in Copenhagen, studied German Expressionism in Berlin, and traveled extensively to paint and study around Europe and abroad. At the Art Students League of New York, she received a Merit Scholarship to master portraiture in painting and completed a Certificate in Sculpture. She was selected for “Model to Monument”, a sculpture program at The Academy of Art, Newington Cropsey Foundation, Hastings on Hudson, NY and received an Edward G. McDowell Travel Grant from the Art Students League of New York. Of her many public and private commissions, some are permanent installations. “Talma”, a 7-foot bronze sculpture is installed in the public square of the Theatre of the Valley of L’Yerres, in Brunoy, France. A pair of 4-foot bronze relief sculptures entitled ”The Calling” are installed at the Georgetown University Medical School building in Washington, DC.
Homemade Salad Dressings-Dress Up Your Dressings for Summer
with Annie Sargent

We have cookie swaps, but how about going healthy and sharing ideas about how to dress up a salad? Let's learn from each other about creating dressings that will make you and your loved ones look forward to eating healthy greens and vegetables!
Whether you're new to homemade salad dressings or just love to share cooking ideas, this workshop is for you. Annie Sargent will bring some of her favorite recipes and tips, and we hope if you have some favorites you will do the same. This is an in-person class.
Zumba Gold is Bold! (Mar)
with Lisa Elliot

Zumba Gold is Bold! is designed for all ages - for those new to Zumba, for those who have had an injury, or those who love Zumba, but would like a modified version. Zumba Gold runs for 45 minutes, unlike Zumba that runs for an hour. There is verbal cuing as well as non-verbal cues. The music is the same great, fun, upbeat music. You will sweat and you will receive the many benefits of dancing. The only change is the movements will be less stressful on your joints and your body. It’s a class where you are exercising, but having fun doing it!!
Lisa Elliot has been a licensed Zumba and Zumba Gold instructor since 2015. Her specialty is Zumba Gold. She thoroughly enjoys getting to know those that come to her classes and seeing them have fun and getting the health benefits of dancing!
Quickbooks: Basic Accounting Principles & Quickbooks Online (Apr)
with Val Landry

During these three sessions, you will learn basic accounting principles and how to apply them to setting up QuickBooks Online for a small business or organization. This is a live, online class using ZOOM.
- Your instructor will assist you in accessing a free year long subscription to Quickbooks Online.
- When you register for the class you'll receive a link to a survey. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey so the instructor can tailor the course for individual learners.
The design of the course is that you'll attend the class and also do 2-3 hours of work with the software between sessions which greatly enhances your learning.
You will receive a link to a brief pre-assessment with your email receipt. This will assist the instructor in meeting your goals for the class.
Val is a lifelong business educator and academic advisor focused on helping enrich and enhance students' educational and life purposes. He is experienced in college management and as an adult educator having taught at Mid-State College and Kennebec Valley Community College. His teaching experience covers over 45 years in the areas of computer applications, accounting, and Quickbooks training workshops.
Drawing From Memory-Capturing Daily Scenes
with France Hilbert

Sharpen your observational and creative skills by learning to draw scenes from memory! In this class, you'll practice observing your surroundings during the day and translating those experiences into expressive drawings Through guided exercises, you'll develop techniques to recall details, capter the essence of a moment, and infuse your work with personal interpretation. Whether you're sketching a bustling cafe, a quiet park, or a fleeting interaction, this class encourages mindfulness and creativity while improving your drawing abilities. Open to individuals of all skill levels, the course provides a supportive environment for exploring memory as a souce of artistic inspiration. This is an in-person class.
France Hilbert has taught classes at College of the Atlantic since 2018. She is a professional artist and art educator with an extensive resume of training and experience including major commissions and installations. Her artistic education began at the age of seven, when she was taught by her grandfather, the late artist Jaro Hilbert. From him, she received a thorough education in the classical tradition. She pursued her formal education at the National Fine Art Academy of Paris, France, (ENSBA), was an artist in residence in Copenhagen, studied German Expressionism in Berlin, and traveled extensively to paint and study around Europe and abroad. At the Art Students League of New York, she received a Merit Scholarship to master portraiture in painting and completed a Certificate in Sculpture. She was selected for “Model to Monument”, a sculpture program at The Academy of Art, Newington Cropsey Foundation, Hastings on Hudson, NY and received an Edward G. McDowell Travel Grant from the Art Students League of New York. Of her many public and private commissions, some are permanent installations. “Talma”, a 7-foot bronze sculpture is installed in the public square of the Theatre of the Valley of L’Yerres, in Brunoy, France. A pair of 4-foot bronze relief sculptures entitled ”The Calling” are installed at the Georgetown University Medical School building in Washington, DC.
Spring Into College Savings: The Alfond Grant and Maine’s College Savings Program
with FAME Team

Joining us is College Savings Superstar Alfond Foundation member, Caroline Palmatier. Maine families have access to two valuable programs to assist with saving and paying for education after high school: the $500 Alfond Grant and Maine’s College Savings program. While these initiatives offer great benefits, understanding each of their features can sometimes be challenging. Whether you’re a parent, guardian, or student, this session will provide you with information to make the most of these valuable resources. Join us to improve your understanding and take steps towards a successful educational future! This is a live, online class using ZOOM.
Microsoft Excel Advanced (Apr)
with Val Landry

Learn how to hide data, split and freeze a window, create ranges, understand the name manager, learn additional functions, copy and paste, sort data, and learn the power of filters. Some examples of using Microsoft Excel as a practical tool include the amortization table, 20 top functions companies want their employees to know, and pivot tables. This is a live online class using ZOOM. Makeup class, if needed, 04/24/25.
The design of this course includes 2-3 hours of work with the software between classes to gain maximum benefit from the sessions.
You will receive a link to a brief pre-assessment with your email receipt. This will assist the instructor in meeting your goals for the class.
You will want to have Microsoft Excel on your computer for this workshop and many people find it helpful to have two monitors, though it is certainly not necessary to benefit from the sessions. There are two ways to accomplish this: 1) attach an external screen to your computer (contact our program if you need technical assistance with that); or 2) using two computers (one for Excel and the other for the ZOOM meeting).
Val is a lifelong business educator and academic advisor focused on helping enrich and enhance students' educational and life purposes. He is experienced in college management and as an adult educator having taught at Mid-State College and Kennebec Valley Community College. His teaching experience covers over 45 years in the areas of computer applications, accounting, and Quickbooks training workshops.
Let's Talk About Death-It's Inevitable (Apr/Evening)
with Juliette Wilbur

Juliette Wilbur has worked in Probate for 20 years. She is committed to assisting people in breaking down the barriers to discussing preparations for the inevitable. She will share some simple tools and resources to assist people in avoiding the time, energy and pain that can impact families for generations. This is an in-person class.
Will run