We have started to offer workshops in Pioneer Arts. Watch for more workshops this summer!

Registration information:
Pre-registration for all workshops is required. Each workshop is $35.00 for MERA members and $50.00 for non-members (unless otherwise noted). To register, email us at mera@superaje.com or call Marilyn at 259-2269. Send your cheque to MERA at Box 76 McDonald’s Corners, K0G 1M0. VISA payment is available by calling Marilyn. Refunds cannot be provided if cancellations are made after two weeks before the workshop date. Bring your lunch for day-long workshops. Coffee and tea will be provided.

Introduction to Cheese making
When: Saturday, Feb 3rd from 10 am - 4pm
Instructor: Pat Furlong-Brownlee
A Local farmer will lead you on a journey teaching simple and effective techniques for making cheese in your own home. Starting with the pasteurizing of raw milk, students will make yogurt, ricotta and cheddar cheese. You will be able to repeat this process at home in your own kitchen. All material is provided.
About the instructor: Pat Furlong-Brownlee operates with her family the Elphin Gold Farm raising livestock and organic crops.

Warm Wardrobe Boosters
When: Saturday, February 9th from 10 – 4 p.m.
Instructor: Isidora Spielmann
Bring your shrunken sweaters, blankets or any fabric you like and fashion a new hat, legwarmers, vests and even a new sweater – hand sewn, spirited and fun. You’ll spend the whole day playing with shapes and colours, getting infused with joyful creativity and coming away with great new garments!
What to bring: Old sweaters (preferably that have been shrunk, or any favourite garment or fabric velvet, silk, wool you want to bring to life again. Your lunch.
About the Instructor: Isidora Spielmann is a multi media designer/artist. Inspired to hand sew her first dress at age 12 she moved on towards a career in Design at 14. The Viennese Fashion School enabled students to get a High School Diploma while doing their Master's Degree in tailoring. Her free spirit will inspire you!

Ukrainian Easter Eggs
When: Saturday February 16th 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: $25.00 Members, $35 for non members
Learn the Old World technique of Ukrainian Easter Egg decoration using dyes, beeswax and the special tool called a kistka to create beautiful eggs just in time for Easter.
What to bring: at least 6 RAW eggs, a candle in a candle holder and your lunch. There will be extra kitskas available for purchase if you want to make more Ukrainian eggs at home.
About the Instructor: Rosemary Kotze is a well-known local artist who has made these special eggs for over 10 years. Her other art pursuits include woodcarving and working with felt.

The New Skirt!
When: Sunday, February 17th from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Instructor: Isidora Spielmann
Imagine the perfect skirt, just the right fit, shape and colour for you. You will learn to make a pattern and will learn an easy technique so you don’t lose your vision or patience nor your joy or confidence.
What to bring: The fabric of your choice or let yourself be surprised by what Isi will bring. If you have an idea and would like more information call Isi at 273-3359 or email her at spiel@rideau.net

Local Herbs Home Remedies and Nourishment
When: Sat. February 23rd, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Instructor: Meghan Robinson.
We need go no further than our own backyards to find many herbs that will nourish that and were used by pioneers for first aid. Learn how to identify, ethically harvest and prepare ten common herbs as well as learn herbal, botany and healing philosophies. You will make a healing salve, a simple decoction and soothing syrup & a herbal dream pillow to take home with you.
Material fee: $5.00
About the instructor: Meghan Robinson took her long interest in plant ecology, botany and nature to formally study in the Wise Woman Tradition of Healing and with Herbalist Susan Weed.

Hot Rod Guitar Sessions!
When: Saturday, March 1st from 12:30 – 3:30
Cost: $20.00 per person
Join Joey Wright, Dan Whiteley and Mike Bowell for an afternoon of “hot pickin’, lick sharing, discussion and instruction.” This is an interactive music workshop featuring three of Canada’s most dynamic and excellent guitar players. These guys cover jazz, blues, country and bluegrass. Musicians and music lovers welcome. Also, you may call Shadowfax to purchase ‘tickets’

Slide Show of Local Birds
When: Wednesday evening, April 23rd at 7 p.m.
Hosted By: Cliff Bennett
Local birding columnist for the Lanark Era, world traveler and long standing member of the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists, Cliff has vast knowledge of birds, their habits and habitat. This slide show can been seen as a lead in to the Annual Mother’s Day Bird Walk that MERA has hosted for the past 3 years (see below)
Cost: $10.00 Cliff is donating his fee to the MVFN Scholarship fund.

Mask Making & Memory Boxes
When: Sunday, April 27th 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Instructor: Jennifer Ryder-Jones
The mask will be a small, decorated wall piece. The participant will be given a pre-cast form to work on top of, applying paper-clay to form a mask. The memory-box is a wooden box that shall be painted & collaged.
Participants are encouraged to bring beads, feathers, or any things they would like to decorate the mask with. For the boxes, memorabilia, postcards, stamps, or any object that has a special memory.
Supply fee for the 2 projects is $10.00.
About the instructor: Jennifer Ryder-Jones has taught & exhibited extensively in Canada & Europe for the past 35 yrs presently teaching pottery to veterans in the art programme at the Veterans Health Center & art instructor for artswell.ca and is artist in residence for the Mill of Kintail working with the community on a multi-media sculpture project.
Info: call 256-8373

Mother’s Day Bird Walk at Purdon Conservation
When: Sunday, May 11 at 9 a.m.
This popular and informative walk through the Purdon Conservation Area has become an official part of the research being done by the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists who are keeping track of numbers of birds in the area.
We will go back to the Schoolhouse after the walk so bring a lunch!
Cost: $15.00 Cliff is donating his fee to MVFN