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The McKinney Center and Jonesborough’s Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts has announced their spring schedule of classes of hands-on learning opportunities for both children and adults. Registration is now underway for all upcoming classes and workshops. All courses are led by experienced and supportive faculty. Receive an Early Bird discount for $10 off when using the promocode EBSPRING2025. Class sizes are small, and spaces fill up quickly. Early registration is recommended.

Carla Crader is a new teacher for the Spring 2025 semester at the McKinney Center. Carla has been making jewelry for 21 years, but has always had a penchant for meticulous work, helping her father create a line of handmade fishing lures in the 1970s. Carla began making jewelry while staying with a co-worker in 2003. Within her work, Carla is inspired by the materials themselves, fascinated by what comes naturally from the earth, the sea, and skilled human hands. She enjoys coming up with unexpected combinations – mixing silver with gold or copper, sparkly Austrian Crystal with rough stones from the earth, or pearls with expertly handcrafted lampwork beads. Carla is an accomplished jewelry maker, she’s been the featured jewelry artist in the Fort Worth Cultural Arts District gallery, been commissioned by a world class figure skater, and received instruction from some of the giants of the Metal Arts.

Carla is teaching Eight Easy Earrings this Spring 2025 semester at the McKinney Center. This workshop is intended for those wishing to learn about making quality jewelry and how to use the tools needed to create these earrings. Students will gain knowledge of the various prefabricated components for earrings, then discover how to make many of them by hand. In this class, students will combine natural stones and other materials to create eight pairs of beautiful earrings!

Save money and register early. Early registration secures a spot in class as well as a $10 discount when using the promocode EBSPRING2025 through January 18. Individual class costs vary. The last day to register for classes is January 25. 

Payment plans and scholarships are also available for students, K-12, that have a financial need. Apply for scholarships at:  https://mckinneycenter.com/scholarships/

Full descriptions of class offerings for all ages can be found online at www.mckinneycenter.com or by stopping by the McKinney Center, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., to pick up a catalog. For additional information contact McKinney Center Director, Theresa Hammons, at theresah@jonesboroughtn.org or call 423-753-0562.