Bi-weekly News: May 6 edition

May Potluck:  Wednesday May 7 from noon – 1pm
Learn about the world of miniature art while sharing food with friends. The special guests for the May potluck will be Julie J. McGowan, Ph.D., President, Miniature Art Society of Florida and Lynnette Vaughan, Director of the MASF Annual International Exhibition.  (Bringing miniature food items is optional.)

REGISTRATION DEADLINE TOMORROW (Wednesday, May 7) for this Saturday’s Mother’s Day Paint-along Workshop (see below for details)

May Workshops

• MOTHER’S DAY PAINT-ALONG WITH ARLEEN: Looking for a unique gift for Mother’s Day?  Come to this LEC paint-along on Saturday, May 10 from 10am – 12pm, and create an original gift for your favorite mom, mother-in-law, or mom-like person.  Better yet, invite your mom to share the experience and paint a diptych (a work made of two matching parts).  Beginners welcome.  Pay on or before Wednesday, May 7 to guarantee your seat.  Register online here, or you can email info@lectampa.org, call (813) 932-0241, or sign up in person.

• WATERCOLORS WITH LIONEL SANCHEZ:  On Saturday, May 24 from 10am – 1 pm, instructor Lionel Sanchez will show you how to paint a pastoral landscape during his in-person workshop.  Pay on or before Friday, May 16 to guarantee your seat.  Register online here, or you can email info@lectampa.org, call (813) 932-0241, or sign up in person.

May Class News

• QUILLING ON CANVAS WITH JULIA MACEK: Julia Macek, the quilling artist who was the guest at April’s potluck, will be offering a class at the LEC! Over the span of 4 weeks, learn the different shapes that quillers use to create their artwork while creating an underwater scene on an 8“ x 8“ canvas. The class will meet on Thursdays from 10:30am – 12pm beginning May 29.   To guarantee your seat, pay in full ($80) on or before Thursday, May 21.  Register online here, or you can email info@lectampa.org, call (813) 932-0241, or sign up in person.

May Club News

• UPCOMING PHOTO CLUB OUTINGS:
  • On Tuesday, May 13 the Photo Club will meet at Zoo Tampa at 10am. If you arrive a little before then, you can catch the 10am Macaw flyover. The traveling Dinos Unearthed exhibit is different than the Dino show hosted last year.
  • On Wednesday, May 28 the Photo Club will sneak in their June trip to Ybor City a week early while it is still May. They will meet in Centennial Park at 10am by the bronze statue across 9th Ave from the Ybor City Museum State Park.
  • Everyone is welcome on these outings; they are not just for Photo Club members. They are great opportunities to learn how to use your camera and to photograph reference photos for future projects.  Call or email if you have questions or want more information.

• MAY PHOTO CLUB MEETING: The Photo Club will meet online from 1:30 – 3 pm on Wednesday, May 21.  Register here or email info@lectampa.org for the Zoom link.

• A NEW READ: The Book Club 2.0 selection for May is Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind (John E. Woods, translator). (Note: This is a suspense novel and may have content not suitable for all readers.)

FIELD TRIP POSSIBILITIES:
Are you interested in a field trip to Sweetfield Farms’ sunflower maze in Masaryktown (Saturday, May 17 $15)? Perhaps you would like to go on a mid-June group shopping expedition to Bottom of the Bin and Creative Junk Therapy in Brandon? If so, please let us know soon so we can schedule them! You can call (813) 932-0241, email info@lectampa.org, or tell us in person. (Also let us know if you are willing to drive.)

Other LEC News

• MEMBER SHOUT-OUTS: Shout-outs to our newest members: Peggy, Dottie, & Kyle!  We look forward to seeing you at the LEC.

• CALL FOR MANUSCRIPTS: The latest volume of Creative Fire: Embers and Ashes, a literary magazine published by the LEC, is now accepting original works of writing in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Do not submit artwork at this time!  Submissions must be from LEC members and will not be returned.  The deadline for submissions is August 25, 2025.  Late submissions will not be considered.  If your work is accepted for publication, you will receive one free copy of the printed anthology.  Submission details are available at the LEC.  Email info@lectampa.org if you have questions or would like more information.

• VOLUNTEER AT THE LEC:  Volunteers are needed for 2-hour shifts on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Fridays. If you are interested or would like more information, email info@lectampa.org, call (813) 932-0241, or let us know in person.

• The L.E.C. will be CLOSED on Memorial Day (Monday, May 26).  Only the Stamp Club will meet in the building that day (6-8pm).

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR SUMMER FUN!

• June 4: Potluck (Poetry Slam featuring the LEC Poetry class)
• June 7: Partner Massage (re-scheduled from April 5)
• June 9: Watercolors with Roxanne Tobiason
• June 28: Acrylic Pour
• July 12: “Christmas in July” alchohol ink ornament-making
• July 19: Colored Pencils with Mark Menendez
• July 26: Pastels Workshop (all levels)

Call or email if you have questions, want to pre-register, or would like more information.