Expand Your Horizons   

In these two lectures, Jess Velona explores how Putin's autocracy and invasion of Ukraine have strong parallels in modern Russian history. Examine how Tsarist and Soviet Communist regimes, for all of their differences, exhibited a common penchant for imperial expansion, suppression of ethnic and national traditions, scorn for democracy and individual rights and, at times, military defeat. Then, through interviews of survivors, see how this culminated in the Gulag, the Great Terror, and deliberate famine in Ukraine. Finally, learn how, following the Soviet collapse, Russia's embrace of pro-Western and democratic values proved fleeting, and it failed to come to terms with the crimes of Stalin and others. The result under Putin has been a renewed autocracy fighting to restore Russia's imperial glory, and yet accomplishing little beyond causing widespread human suffering.

In this five-week course, students will explore the exciting world of cartooning from the ground up. Starting with beginner drawing techniques, they’ll learn how to sketch expressive faces, dynamic poses, and unique character features. Each week builds new skills—from shaping personalities and story concepts to refining line work, proportions, and style. By the end of the session, every student will design and complete their own original cartoon character, ready to leap off the page in full color. 

Take a look at some pictures from Honest Art's past classes here.

The Village of Bronxville’s Green Committee presents a special evening with landscape experts Bram Gunther and Leslie Needham.  Learn how to achieve a beautiful yard that is healthy and beneficial for your family, neighbors, pets and the planet.

Your Yard, Reimagined The truest sign of a healthy yard is the life it supports: the full range of essential insects, microscopic soil dwellers, wild bees and birds. With this life comes direct benefits to you: carbon captured and stored in your plants, stormwater managed by the roots and soil of your habitat. Bram Gunther will share techniques his firm Plan it Wild uses to integrate native plants into lawns and gardens. Learn to think beyond “mowing & blowing,” reduce pesticides and other harmful practices and, instead, reintroduce native plants. Find out your yard’s Wildr Score™ and come away with a practical tool set to begin restoring nature in your backyard. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress.

Perfection Reimagined: Embracing the New Gardening Ethos What makes a garden beautiful? This age-old question is evoking new answers as gardeners everywhere deal with shifting realities, from extreme weather to crashing populations of pollinators and birds. It can be overwhelming. Yet, embracing these challenges can allow us all to be active agents of positive change. Leslie Needham will share her healthy garden practices and design principles, illustrated with images of her many projects, including her own garden – River Hills.

Presentations will be followed by audience Q&A.

Unlock your creativity with Canva, the user-friendly design tool that is changing the way we create digital designs. This course is designed for beginners and will explore how to create an account with Canva and use its simple tools to create invitations, posters, fliers, and anything else you can dream up.

This 6-session evening course offers adults a hands-on, project-based introduction to sewing by machine, with a focus on sustainability, creativity, and mindful making. No experience is necessary, and all materials are provided, including natural fabrics (cotton, linen), fabric scraps, and upcycled textiles. Students will build skills progressively to complete a Denim Tote by the end of the course. Whether you're new to sewing or returning to the craft, this course offers a relaxed and rewarding way to build your skills, one stitch at a time! For both beginners and returning students. 

Projects:

• Felt Pouch – machine intro + confidence booster (Week 1)
• Coin Pouch – introduces woven fabric, interfacing, and buttonholes (Weeks 2–3)
• Denim Tote Bag – includes lining and pocket(s) and box bottom. (Weeks 4–6)

Do you feel inspired to develop your own psychic abilities? If you answered yes, this hands-on series of classes is designed for you. We’ll begin with the mechanics of psychic readings and the methods for perceiving information. You will learn about the meaning of color and symbols. You will build and practice your psychic skills by engaging in targeted and varied exercises with other students. You will learn about and experience remote viewing and be given clear information, directions, and tips for deepening your intuitive awareness. Each session will include a guided meditation to expand your consciousness. You will receive individualized attention, coaching, and mentoring. At the end of the 3rd session, you will feel empowered from experiencing your own psychic abilities and be able to plan the next steps in your development. This series is excellent for both beginners and those with prior experience. Each student will be gently encouraged to stretch beyond their present level of psychic ability.