Need a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift? Have spare time and want to let go of some of that second-semester stress? Want to improve your drawing, painting, or sculpting? 

This semester, Penn State’s Center for Arts and Crafts, located in the Ritenour Building, is offering art classes that could help you enhance your artistic abilities and solve any of these problems. Through more than 30 classes offering acrylic painting, jazz dancing, crocheting plush animals, and more, the Center of Arts and Crafts provides it all.

Classes and workshops are open to all students and staff to enjoy and let out their creative side. Each workshop and class will occur throughout the week, leaving you with something to do any day of the week. Although some workshop sessions have already started this month, don’t worry, classes and workshops will continue until the end of April. Registration for all classes and workshops must be completed in person at the Center for Arts and Crafts in 3 Ritenour.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and there’s no better way to show your affection toward someone than by making them homemade cards. On Tuesday, February 8, from noon to 1:30 p.m., students have the opportunity to make their own cards for free, but registration is still required. Any Penn State faculty and staff can also participate in card-making for $10.

If you’re feeling extra artsy, you can even create your own heart-themed painting. Workshops will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 10. The step-by-step painting workshop costs $10 for students and $30 for Penn State employees.

You can even make pieces of art to keep for yourself to hang up in your dorm or apartment, on Thursday, February 10, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the wood-painting workshop. Students can get in for $10, and faculty can do the same for $30. Students and faculty are free to let their imagination run wild with this one and design whatever their hearts desire. 

Not a fan of drawing or painting? No worries. Students and staff can crotchet anything from plush animals, scarves, head warmers, keychains, and gloves on Wednesday, February 2, and Wednesday, February 9. This workshop costs $10 for students and $45 for staff. 

For a comprehensive list of classes and more information, visit the Center for the Arts and Crafts’ website.