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Ellsworth Adult and Community Education



In-Person Classes

Acadian Arts Asian Fusion Cooking Retreat @ Roosevelt Campobello Island Int'l Park, New Brunswick (Jun 2025)

$595

with Chris Toy

Calendar Jun 20, 2025 , runs for 1 week

Your instructor, Chris Toy is the author of 6 popular cookbooks, a private chef, and has taught Asian-fusion cooking for several Maine community education programs. Cooking students will learn how to prepare a variety of recipes from Asia, Europe, and the Americas incorporating traditional and local ingredients. Each meal will actively engage cooks with the tools, techniques, and stories behind the dishes being created.

Step back to a time when President Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor, and their family escaped to their “beautiful little island” in the Canadian Maritimes, Campobello Island. We will be exclusive guests of the international park, staying in historic Victorian cottages. Workshop participants will explore and paint the same coastal scenery enjoyed by the summer residents at the turn of the 20th century. 

All meals are included in the workshop fee as well as specially planned optional evening activities designed to extend your learning from the day’s workshops.

Note:  Fee includes a $50 non-refundable registration fee. 

Register for the retreat then call Sherry Mitchell at 506-752-2922 to make room reservations. Acadian Arts Retreats participants will have exclusive overnight accommodations in the park. 

Comments from recent Acadian Arts Retreats participants: 

“I learned so much that Chris taught me, and the recipes were attainable."  “Chris speaks slowly and encourages questions."

 

 

Will run

Acadian Arts Watercolor Retreat @ Roosevelt Campobello Island Int'l Park, New Brunswick (Jun 2025)

$595

with Mary Laury

Calendar Jun 20, 2025

Your instructor, Mary Laury is an accomplished watercolorist and highly esteemed teacher. She encourages all her students to believe they can be successful. Painting is an exciting medium; it flows and moves and does beautiful things. If you have never painted in watercolors, we will start at the beginning. If you have painted before, you will pick up some new tips and tricks as well. We all learn together!

Step back to a time when President Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor, and their family escaped to their “beautiful little island” in the Canadian Maritimes, Campobello Island. We will be exclusive guests of the international park, staying in historic Victorian cottages. Workshop participants will explore and paint the same coastal scenery enjoyed by the summer residents at the turn of the 20th century. 

All meals are included in the workshop fee as well as specially planned optional evening activities designed to extend your learning from the day’s workshops.

Note:  Fee includes a $50 non-refundable registration fee. 

Register for the retreat then call Sherry Mitchell at 506-752-2922 to make room reservations. Acadian Arts Retreats participants will have exclusive overnight accommodations in the park. 

Feedback from recent Acadian Arts Retreats participants: 

“Mary is a wonderful guide and a gifted teacher.”  “Very helpful watercolor instruction."

Will run

The Cycle of Nature: Connecting with Our Environment (Summer)

$169

with France Hilbert

Calendar Jul 9, 2025 at 9 am, runs for 4 weeks

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.

Acadian Arts Asian Fusion Cooking Retreat @ Roosevelt Campobello Island Int'l Park, New Brunswick (Aug 2025)

$595

with Chris Toy

Calendar Aug 15, 2025 , runs for 1 week

Your instructor, Chris Toy is the author of 6 popular cookbooks, a private chef, and has taught Asian-fusion cooking for several Maine community education programs. Cooking students will learn how to prepare a variety of recipes from Asia, Europe, and the Americas incorporating traditional and local ingredients. Each meal will actively engage cooks with the tools, techniques, and stories behind the dishes being created.

Step back to a time when President Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor, and their family escaped to their “beautiful little island” in the Canadian Maritimes, Campobello Island. We will be exclusive guests of the international park, staying in historic Victorian cottages. Workshop participants will explore and paint the same coastal scenery enjoyed by the summer residents at the turn of the 20th century. 

All meals are included in the workshop fee as well as specially planned optional evening activities designed to extend your learning from the day’s workshops.

Note:  Fee includes a $50 non-refundable registration fee.

Register for the retreat then call Sherry Mitchell at 506-752-2922 to make room reservations. Acadian Arts Retreats participants will have exclusive overnight accommodations in the park. 

Comments from recent Acadian Arts Retreats participants: 

“I learned so much that Chris taught me, and the recipes were attainable."  “Chris speaks slowly and encourages questions."

Will run

Acadian Arts Watercolor Retreat @ Roosevelt Campobello Island Int'l Park, New Brunswick (Aug 2025)

$595

with Mary Laury

Calendar Aug 15, 2025

Your instructor, Mary Laury is an accomplished watercolorist and highly esteemed teacher. She encourages all her students to believe they can be successful. Painting is an exciting medium; it flows and moves and does beautiful things. If you have never painted in watercolors, we will start at the beginning. If you have painted before, you will pick up some new tips and tricks as well. We all learn together!

Step back to a time when President Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor, and their family escaped to their “beautiful little island” in the Canadian Maritimes, Campobello Island. We will be exclusive guests of the international park, staying in historic Victorian cottages. Workshop participants will explore and paint the same coastal scenery enjoyed by the summer residents at the turn of the 20th century. 

All meals are included in the workshop fee as well as specially planned optional evening activities designed to extend your learning from the day’s workshops. 

Note:  Fee includes a $50 non-refundable registration fee.

Register for the retreat then call Sherry Mitchell at 506-752-2922 to make room reservations. Acadian Arts Retreats participants will have exclusive overnight accommodations in the park. 

Feedback from recent Acadian Arts Retreats participants: 

“Mary is a wonderful guide and a gifted teacher.”  “Very helpful watercolor instruction."

Will run

Acadian Arts Asian Fusion Cooking Retreat @ Harbor View House, Prospect Harbor(Sep 2025)

$595

with Chris Toy

Calendar Sep 12, 2025

Your instructor, Chris Toy, is the author of 6 popular cookbooks, a private chef, and has taught Asian-fusion cooking for several Maine community education programs. Cooking students will learn how to prepare a variety of recipes from Asia, Europe, and the Americas incorporating traditional and local ingredients. Each meal will actively engage cooks with the tools, techniques, and stories behind the dishes being created.

Escape to a Victorian Inn, the Harbor View House in Prospect Harbor on the coast of Maine, with an intimate group of artist, cooks and creatives! 

All meals are included in the workshop fee plus special activities to extend your learning from the day’s workshops, including a private house concert by Grammy balloted sing-songwriter, storyteller, and author Gordan Ward. 

Note:  Fee includes a $50 non-refundable registration fee.

For more information about the workshop, call Mary at 207-632-2251.

To book your stay at the inn call 207-963-9122 or visit https://harborviewhousellc.com/.  

Feedback from recent participants: 

“I learned so much from Chris that I can use immediately at home in my own kitchen.”  “Great kitchen hints!”

Will run

Acadian Arts Watercolor Retreat @ Harbor View House, Prospect Harbor (Sep 2025)

$595

with Mary Laury

Calendar Sep 12, 2025

Your instructor, Mary Laury, is an accomplished watercolorist and highly esteemed teacher. She encourages all her students to believe they can be successful. Painting is an exciting medium; it flows and moves and does beautiful things. If you have never painted in watercolors, we will start at the beginning. If you have painted before, you will pick up some new tips and tricks as well. We all learn together!

Escape to a Victorian Inn, the Harbor View House in Prospect Harbor on the coast of Maine, with an intimate group of artist, cooks and creatives! 

All meals are included in the workshop fee plus special activities to extend your learning from the day’s workshops, including a private house concert by Grammy balloted sing-songwriter, storyteller, and author Gordan Ward.

Note:  Fee includes a $50 non-refundable registration fee.

For more information about the workshop, call Mary at 207-632-2251. To book your stay at the inn call 207-963-9122 or visit https://harborviewhousellc.com/.  

Feedback from recent participants: 

“Great instructor!-Mary acts as a guide to develop our own style.“ “Easy no stress instruction.”

The Cycle of Nature: Connecting with Our Environment (Fall)

$169

with France Hilbert

Calendar Oct 8, 2025 at 9 am, runs for 4 weeks

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.





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