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Women Only - One Day Workshop: Sewing 101
with Grace McFetters
Title: Women Only One-Day Sewing 101 Workshop
Instructor: Grace McFetters Caldwell
When: Sunday, March 22, 10 am - 4 pm
Where: American Legion Post 187, 225 Holding Ave., Wake Forest, NC 27587
If you have ever been intimidated to learn to sew on a sewing machine, now is your chance to learn with The Joel Fund! In the no-nonsense class, instructor Grace McFetters Caldwell will take you through the basic mechanics of your sewing machine, then teach you how to use it step-by-step. Students will learn the fundamentals of sewing in easy to digest project that will have their confidence up so they are ready to head home and conquer their own sewing projects!
Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected women who are 18 years or older.
PLEASE NOTE: Typically, TJF fiber arts classes and workshops are for women only, but this workshop is open to any military-connected individual.
We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org to receive the scholarship promo code with your name and email address.
One-Day Ukrainian Easter Eggs Workshop
with Grace McFetters
Instructor: Grace McFetters
Location: American Legion Post 187, 225 Holding Ave., Wake Forest, NC 27587
When: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Dates: Saturday, March 28
Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.
Join The Joel Fund in making your own Ukrainian Easter Egg! “Pysanka” is the art of writing on eggs using a series of wax-resist submersion dye technique to create the world’s most beautiful Easter Eggs! And don’t let the beauty of the intricate designs fool you. If you can hold a pencil, you can create your own beautiful egg!
In this class, students will make two eggs: one to learn the process and one to express individual creativity with the art. Students will have two eggs to show off at Easter, or follow the tradition to have the eggs blessed and gifted.
We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org to receive the scholarship promo code with your name and email address.
A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.
Virtual Creative Movement Lunch Hour
with Annelies Gentile
Instructor: Annelies Gentile
Where: Online via Zoom
When: Wednesdays, 12PM - 1PM, EST
Dates: Wed: 4/1, 4/8, 4/15
Wednesday Wellness Creative Lunch Hour: Interplay Movement with Annelies is a creative community-building experience unlocking the wisdom of the body for wellness. Join us to play with forms such as movement, laughter, conversation, storytelling, song, and music as we cultivate shared joy and wellbeing. No experience needed, come as you are!
Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.
A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.
We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. To receive the scholarship promo code, email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org with your name and military connection.
One-Day Smartphone Photography Workshop
with Stacey Sprenz
Instructor: Stacey Sprenz
Location: American Legion Post 187; 225 Holding Ave., Wake Forest, NC 27587
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Getting the Shot: Mastering Smartphone Photography - Smartphones are great tools for photographers but knowing how to maximize their potential is key to getting the shots you want. This 2-hr class will touch on the basics of great photography, tailored for using a smartphone to capture your images. Through a hands-on approach, students will create and photograph various scenes using tips, editing techniques, and creative applications shared by the instructor. By applying what they learn, the students will develop skills necessary for great smartphone images every time. This class is designed for beginners and those with basic knowledge of photography on a smartphone.
Please make sure to bring a fully charged smartphone.
Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.
We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org to receive the scholarship promo code with your name and email address
A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.
One-Day Lightbox Poetry Playshop
with Annelies Gentile
Instructor: Annelies Gentile
When: 1:00-4:00 pm
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Location: American Legion Post 187, 225 Holding Ave., Wake Forest, NC 27587
Enjoy poetry in 3-D! Join us as we explore fun and fluid play with watercolor and words through haiku. You'll be guided to paint, then create a cube and design it with your own original poetry, and illumination. Poems will come from your own life experiences. Haiku is an easy pattern of 5 syllables in the first line, 7 syllables in the second line and 5 syllables in the third line. Easy to do! No experience needed. In a nutshell, LightBox Poetry is an artistic reminder to keep holding the light of life in your hands. Facilitated by Artist and Integrative Life and Leadership Coach, Annelies Gentile, MA, PCC.
We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. To receive the scholarship promo code, email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org with your name and military connection.
A workshop will be canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late or will miss the workshop, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org or 919 200 0886 or Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919-213-0054.
Family Studio Sunday: Springtime Stamping!
with Kristianne Ripple
Title: Family Studio Sunday: Springtime Stamping!
Instructor: Kristianne Ripple
When: 3:00-5:00 pm
Where: American Legion Post 187, 225 Holding Ave., Wake Forest, NC 27587
Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026
Be prepared to have fun and get messy. This workshop we will use food such as oranges, celery and potatoes to make unexpected shapes using colors we choose. You will take home lots of little pieces of art. This is the perfect event for the whole family to come and have fun.
Family Studio Sundays are free workshops for military-connected families with children - including National Gaurd and Reserve families - to create together and take home the craft on the same day. The project will take about 20-30 minutes to complete, so stop by anytime during the workshop, but please arrive by 4:30 pm. We will have coloring pages for children under 4 years old. Registration is preferred but not required.
Creative Movement Wellness Retreat
with Annelies Gentile
Instructor: Annelies Gentile
Where: American Legion Post 187, 225 Holding Ave., Wake Forest, NC 27587
When: Saturday, April 25, 2026 - 2PM - 4PM
Interplay Movement with Annelies is a creative community-building experience unlocking the wisdom of the body for wellness. Join us to play with forms such as movement, laughter, conversation, storytelling, song, and music as we cultivate shared joy and wellbeing. No experience needed, come as you are!
This in person workshop will be held 4/25/26 - in-person from 2PM - 4PM at The Joel Center in Rolesville.
Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.
A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.
We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. To receive the scholarship promo code, email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org with your name and military connection.