The Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences free and no-fee programs for Fall 2018 are listed below. Programs with a fee often offer a discounted members-rate and a rate for general public. All are welcome at Imperial Center.
The Imperial Centre, located at 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount, North Carolina, offers a variety of programs, workshops, and special events. With a theatre, science center, arts center, planetarium, and exhibits, Imperial Centre is one of the city’s premier facility for events any day of the week.
For paid classes and more information, visit imperialcentre.org. Online registration is available; or register by calling 252.972.1266; or stop by and register in person.
Ongoing Programs
Yoga in the Galleries
Thursdays, September-December, 2018 @ 5:30-6:30pm
Bring a yoga mat and join their yoga classes each Thursday surrounded by the art within their galleries. Classes are led by a certified yoga instructor. Open to professionals, beginners, and advanced yogis.
Fee is $5 per person for each class.
Make Art: Drop-in Workshops
Every-other Saturday, October 6-December 15, 2018 @ 11am-1pm
Join the fun and experiment with different types of art. Children are guided around Imperial Center’s Art Gallery and Art Education Building to see the sculptures, phtography, art, and more displayed, and then may make their own with hands-on activities. Instructor is April Dickens.
This drop-in program is free and open to age 6 and up. Registration is not required, but workshop maximum size is 25 participants.
Family Sundays
Every-other Sunday, September 30-December 23, 2018 @ 2-4pm
Sundays are for families. Bring your family to the Art Gallery for an afternoon full of family-friendly activities instructed by April Dickens. Drop into the gallery for art making, interactive play, gallery sketching, or go on your own exhibition tour! Registration is not required, drop-ins of age 3 and up with accompanying adults welcome.
Family Sundays are free.
Lunch and Learn
Selected Fridays, noon-1pm
Bring a lunch and interact with artists in the Imperial Centre Art Gallery. From painters, to photographers and all artists in between, learn about process, discuss projects, and ask questions during an hour-long interactive gallery talk and demonstration. Open to all ages, all materials provided; no experience necessary. Registration is suggested by the Wednesday before each program. Dates are:
- October 5, 2018: Sculpture Talk & Draw
- October 19, 2018: Mary-ann Prack
- November 16, 2018: Karen Healy
The educational program is free. If you’re not bringing a lunch, lunch is available for a fee.
Workshops for Children, Adults, and Families
Watercolor Workshop
Thursdays, September 13 & 20, 2018 @ 10:30am-12:30pm
Join the Imperial Centre to learn basic techniques of painting with watercolors. Perfect for beginners, play and explore with color, bushes, and how to mix, blend and apply this exciting art medium. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Registration is required by September 10. Limited to 20 participants. Instructor is Preference Evans.
This event is held at the Rocky Mount Senior Center (not at Imperial Centre).
Fee is $14 resident/$21 non-resident
Draw Buildings! Family Workshop
Saturday, October 6, 2018 @ 1-4pm
Discover the special architecture inside and out of the Imperial Centre. Learn and practice fundamentals of drawing and create your own observational artworks. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Age 6 and up with accompanying adults Registration is required by October 1. Limited to 20 participants. Instructor is BJ Hawley.
Fee is $18 resident family / $27 non-resident family.
Or, individual fee is $6 resident/$9 non-resident.
Mugs and Bowls
Saturdays, October 6 & 13, 2018 @ noon-4pm
Create functional clay wares for your kitchen in the Art Education Building. This 2-part workshop focuses on handbuilding techniques including pinch, coil, slab, and pattern making to build usable ceramics. Experiment with surface texture, design, and glaze and take home multiple unique and special treasures. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Age 12+. Registration is required by October 3. Limited to 20 participants. Instructor is Grace Joyner.
Fee is $43 resident/$64 non-resident.
Jewelry Making! Family Workshop
Saturday, October 13, 2018 @ 1-3pm
Design and make funky rings, bracelets, and necklaces using traditional and recycled materials. Held in the Art Education Building, all materials are provided; no experience necessary. Age 6+ and adults. Registration is required by October 10. Limited to 20 participants. Instructor is April Dickens.
Fee is $24 resident family / $36 non-resident family.
Or, individual fee is $8 resident/$11 non-resident.
Jewelry Making Workshop
Thursday, October 18, 2018 @ 10:30am-1pm
Design and make funky rings, bracelets, and necklaces using traditional and recycled materials! All materials provided; no experience necessary. Age 18+. Registration is required by October 15. Limited to 20 participants.
Instructor: Preference Evans
Location is the Rocky Mount Senior Center (not Imperial Centre).
Fee is $15 resident/$22 non-resident.
Clay Ornament Workshop
Saturday, November 3, 2018 @ noon-4pm
Create beautiful every day and holiday decorations at this workshop in the Art Education Building. Form, cut, and color your own clay. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Registration is required by October 31. Limited to 20 participants. Instructed by Grace Joyner.
Fee is $20 resident/$30 non-resident.
Color Exploration: Painting Workshop
Saturday, November 3, 2018 @ 10am-4pm
Understanding the world of color is important for all artists. Held in the Art Education Building, this workshop is open to artists of any media. Experiment with the principles of color theory through mixing, palette development, and build a foundation in the special qualities of color. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Registration is required by October 31. Limited to 20 participants. Instructor is BJ Hawley.
Fee is $40 resident/$60 non-resident.
Design Cars! Family Workshop
Saturday, November 3, 2018 @ 1-4pm
Find inspiration from all things that go in the Art Education Building and around the Centre. Families are invited to design and create their own special transportation using color, shape, and line. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Age 4+. Registration is required by October 31. Limited to 20 participants. Instructor is Preference Evans.
Fee is $18 resident family/ $27 non-resident family.
Or, individual fee is $6 resident/$9 non-resident.
Design Stamps: Card Making Workshop
Saturday, November 10, 2018 @ 1-4pm
Create unique cards for any occasion in the Art Education Building. Experimenting with printmaking, carve your own stamp, and construct cards and envelopes. Age 4+. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Registration is required by November 7. Limited to 20 participants. Instructor is Preference Evans.
Fee is $12 resident/$18 non-resident.
Clay Ornaments Workshop
Thursdays, November 29 & December 6, 2018 @ 10:30am-12:30pm
Create beautiful every day and holiday decorations in the Art Education Building. Form, cut, and color your own clay ornaments. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Age 18+. Registration is required by November 26. Limited to 20 participants.
Instructor: Preference Evans
Fee is $20 resident/$30 non-resident.
Classes
Intro to Painting
Tuesdays, October 16–November 20, 2018 @ 10am-1pm
Study the language of painting in the Art Education Building. Explore techniques, materials, and the elements of art to build a foundational understanding of the medium. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Age 16+. Registration is required by October 12. Limited to 20 participants. Instructed by Preference Evans.
Fee is $103 resident/ $154 non-resident.
Intro to Painting
Tuesdays, October 30–December 4, 2018 @ 5:30-8:30pm
Study the language of painting in the Art Education Building. Explore techniques, materials, and the elements of art to build a foundational understanding of the medium. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Age 13+. Registration is required by October 27. Limited to 20 participants. Instructor is BJ Hawley.
Fee is $103 resident/ $154 non-resident.
Beginning Wheel Throwing
Tuesdays and Thursdays, October 30–November 15, 2018 @ 5:30-8:30pm
Perfect for the complete beginner to learn the basics of clay in the Art Education Building. Practice wedging, centering, trimming, and glazing. All are welcome to work at their own pace and make a variety of cylinders and bowls. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Age 16+. Registration is required by October 26. Limited to 12 participants.
Instructor: Grace Joyner
Fee is $117 resident/$175 non-resident. Note: Limited free recycled clay available, or bags of clay may be purchased for $20 each.
Beginning Handbuilding
Mondays, October 29–December 10, 2018 @ 5:30-8:30pm (No class November 22)
Pinch, coil, and slab in the Art Education Building. Experiment with handbuilding techniques to create a range of sculptural and functional clay pieces. Practice wedging, construction techniques, finishing and glazing. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Age 13+. Registration is required by October 26. Limited to 20 participants. Instructed by Brittany Moore.
Fee is $117 resident/$175 non-resident. Note: Limited free recycled clay available, or bags of clay may be purchased for $20 each.
Beginning Handbuilding
Wednesdays, October 24–December 5, 2018 @ 10am-12:30pm (No class November 21)
Pinch, coil, and slab in the Art Education Building. Experiment with handbuilding techniques to create a range of sculptural and functional clay pieces. Practice wedging, construction techniques, finishing and glazing. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Age 13+. Registration is required by October 21. Limited to 20 participants.
Instructor: Brittany Moore
Fee is $90 resident/$135 non-resident. Note: Limited free recycled clay available, or bags of clay may be purchased for $20 each.
Guild Meetings
The Imperial Centre partners with several local community guilds celebrating arts of different disciplines. Each holds monthly public meetings and special member workshops.
For information, call Art Education at 252.972.1632.
Visitors/guests and beginners are welcome at all guild meetings.
Tar River Basket Weavers
This guild is dedicated to the art of basket making. Teaching is accomplished through shared experience and knowledge.
Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 4pm.
For more information on this guild, visit www.ncbasketmakers.com.
Tar River Piecemakers Quilting Guild
Established in 2000, TRPQG promotes the love of quilts, sewing and making. This guild is passionate about fabric, design, and art which is shared with the community through donations to charitable organizations.
Meetings are on the second Saturday of the month at 9:30am-noon.
More information at www.trpqg.com.
Embroiderer’s Guild of America, The Tar River Chapter
EGA provides servers as a convener for community stitchers, through monthly meetings, special programs, and social activities. Stay in touch with chapter’s newsletter, and participate in region activities.
Meetings are held on the third Saturday of the month at 10am-3pm.
See www.egausa.org.
USA Dance
The Rocky Mount Chapter of this national organization strives to promote ballroom dancing in the local community and to educate the public regarding the physical, mental, and social benefits of ballroom dancing.
Meetings are on the second Saturday of the month at 7:30-10:30pm.
Fee is $5 members/$8 general.
See the Rocky Mount Chamber online at www.rockymountusadance.org.
Source: Tracy Grosner, Imperial Centre
