Community Classes
If you have any questions about classes or have ideas for a class you'd like to see us do, please call Michelle Bartlett at 907-474-7021, or email summer@alaska.edu.
UAF Summer Sessions & Lifelong Learning offers a variety of non-credit bearing classes accessible to members of the community without the requirements of typical college courses. Many of these courses are practical, hands-on workshop style classes taught by local experts.
To register and pay for a class, follow the link below:
Zumba Fitness
Instructor: Reina Hasting
Meets: Oct 1 - Oct 31, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3 pm - 4 pm
Location: SRC Group Fitness Studio, UAF Campus
Description: Sign up today for this ten-session introduction to basic Zumba Fitness/Latin
dance. Explore salsa, merengue, cumbia, reggaeton, belly dance, and other international
rhythms. Let the music and the movement energize you in this non-credit fitness course.
You will enhance your fitness and have fun! This class is for all experience levels.
Cost: $125
Knitting for the Beginner
Instructor: Ginny Kinne
Meets: Nov 1 - Nov 8, Fridays and Monday, 6 pm - 9 pm (Waitlist Only)
Location: Murie 107, UAF campus
Description: This course is designed for people who are new to the world of knitting.
During this course, students will learn the basics of knitting techniques, the language
used, and the materials involved. We will discuss the differences between Continental
and English-style knitting, learn the knit and the purl stitch, and understand how
to identify and fix mistakes. The course will also teach you about the materials and
tools involved in knitting and, most importantly, what’s needed and not needed to
knit and finish a project. Participants will knit a hat in class and leave with the
skills to keep on knitting! Yarn and needles will be provided.
Cost: $150
An Intro to Rock Climbing
Instructor: Audrey Piatt
Meets: Nov 4 - Dec 9, Mondays, 5 pm - 6:30 pm (Waitlist Only)
Location: SRC Climbing Wall, UAF Campus
Description: Join us for a fun-filled six-week intro to rock climbing course at the
SRC climbing wall! This course will teach you the basics of rock climbing, so that
you can enjoy this amazing activity. Topics that we will cover include belay technique,
basic climbing movement, how to best use each climbing hold type and how to manage
the risks involved with climbing. We want to set you up for success to enjoy rock
climbing and achieve your goals.
Cost: $125
Intro to Pickleball!
Instructor: Kayla Clark
Meets: Nov 5 - 21, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12 pm - 1 pm (Waitlist Only)
Location: SRC Courts, UAF Campus
Description: Are you curious to try out the fastest growing sport in the USA? Pickleball
is a net sport that takes elements of tennis and ping pong, combining them into a
game that is accessible for kids as well as senior citizens. This course will cover
the basics of serving, dinking, volleys, lobs, rules of game play and more! Six sessions
will have you feeling confident to join in on Open and Relish Play with the Farthest
North Pickleball Club. Beware, this game is quite addicting and very social too!
Cost: $95
One Day Beaded Earring Workshop
Instructor: Carol Wilbur
Meets: Dec 14, Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm Updated!
Location: Gruening 412, UAF campus
Description: In this fun, hands-on workshop, students will explore several simple
earring-making techniques. We will work primarily with beads and wire. The instructor
will provide tools, metal findings, and various glass, metal, and semi-precious beads.
It is recommended that you bring your bead collection if you have one. Spend the day
learning a new skill and making holiday gifts for friends, family, and yourself!
Cost: $80 (materials included)
Ring in Your New Year!
Instructor: Patricia Carlson
Meets: Jan 4-5, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm
Location: Art 403, UAF Campus
Description: Learn to make metal rings for your fingers! We will practice first in
copper by planning a decorated bypass ring embellished with piercings or stamping.
Then, we'll design a band ring in copper that you can stamp or pierce and solder the
ends together. Finally, you can decide which ring you would like to make using silver.
Students will learn fundamental metalsmithing techniques to make their rings, including
sawing, filing, sanding, stamping patterns, soldering, cleaning, and polishing. The
studio's tools will be available for use, but students who need and have magnification
should bring it. Bring safety glasses if you have them. Please wear casual clothes
and closed-toe shoes.
Cost: $175
Fly Tying Weekend
Instructor: Shann Jones
Meets: Jan 4-5, Saturday and Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm
Location: Chapman 104, UAF Campus
Description: This workshop introduces participants to the fundamental artistic skills
of fly-tying and provides the necessary knowledge to make educated fly-tying tools
and material selections. Participants will learn how to build and create fishing flies
for use in Alaskan waters. Join us in January to develop your fly collection for next
summer's fishing season.
Cost: $140
Modern Embroidery: Using Diverse Canvases
Instructor: Lyndsi Harris
Meets: Jan 7-16, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 pm - 8:30 pm
Location: Murie 107, UAF Campus
Description: Take a step away from traditional fabric embroidery in this introduction
to modern embroidery. Students will begin by learning a variety of basic embroidery
stitches that will be used later in the class to create a richly textured finished
piece. We will start our work on paper and progress to stitching birch tree bark.
While watercolor painting will not be the main focus of this course, students will
be encouraged to experiment with adding paint to their pieces to enrich the depth
and texture. This class is great for new and returning students.
Cost: $175
Concept to Completion: Patterns, Textures, and Images form Rubbings
Instructor: Margo Klass
Meets: Jan 10-12, Friday 6-8:30, Saturday and Sunday 10 am - 4 pm (Waitlist Only)
Location: Murie 306, UAF Campus
Description: This workshop is designed to guide participants through the process of
creating a finished artist book inspired by personal imagery. Working with a variety
of papers, including an unusual “rock” paper, we will first create a collection of
patterned papers made by layering various dry media rubbed over stencils, found textures,
and embossing plates. These papers can then be used to create content, realistic or
abstract, with or without text. The book’s scale and design will be determined by
the participant along with a choice of binding - codex, concertina, or screen structure.
Follow-up consultations will be available as needed to complete the book.
Cost: $225
Paint Like Sydney Laurence
Instructor: Mary Albanese
Meets: Jan 13-17, Monday-Friday, 12 pm - 4 pm
Location: Zoom
Description: Following a brief lecture on the life and style of Sydney Laurence, we
will study images of his works and re-create them. We will also discuss Fred Machetanz.
Students will explore and learn their styles through their own paintings, capturing
and recreating elements of the master's work, focusing on elements of composition,
color scheme, and brush stroke techniques. Students are to sign-in ready to paint
with paints (oils or acrylic work best), brushes, and canvases. 8 x 10-inch canvases
are a good size to start. Recommended paint colors: black, white, yellow ochre, cobalt
blue, sap green, alizarin crimson, and yellow hansa.
Cost: $200
Bicycle Maintenance and Repair
Instructor: Simon Rakower
Meets: Jan 13-22, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 6 pm - 9 pm
Location: U Park Gym
Description: This comprehensive, practical, hands-on bicycle maintenance and repair
class focuses on road and mountain bikes. We will cover drive chain, shifting, brakes,
wheels (straightening), tires, tubes (flats), steering systems, cable replacement,
and lubrication. We will also review the geometry and physics of the bicycle, the
world's most efficient means of transportation. Students who have taken this class
before or are not new to bicycle maintenance will be able to complete a bicycle project
of their choosing. Students will work with the instructor to map out the project(s)
to be completed during this in-depth course. All students must bring a bicycle to
class.
Cost: $140
What Color is Winter?
Instructor: Karen Stomberg
Meets: Jan 24-26, Friday 6-8, Saturday and Sunday 10 am - 4 pm
Location: Murie 306, UAF Campus
Description: In this workshop, students will learn to observe and find subtle natural
botanical colors in the Fairbanks winter botanical world. Sticks, seedpods, twigs,
berries, and grasses will be provided, and you are welcome to bring your own winter
botanicals to observe and draw. There will be optional color exercises, demonstrations,
and individual instruction. We will examine traditional and contemporary botanical
illustrations to recognize different styles, media, and uses of color. There will
be a special emphasis on using watercolor and pencil together to layer color and build
up tone. Drawings will be developed from life, adding tonal values and colored pencils.
All abilities are welcome.
Cost: $225
Registration and Payment
All registrations for Non-credit Short Classes are completed through CampDoc. Please
visit the Campdoc website at app.campdoc.com/register/uaf to create a profile and register for classes. If you have previously registered with
CampDoc, you will not need to create a new profile.
Payment can be made during registration through CampDoc. Please note that Non-credit
Short Classes require a $25.00 non-refundable deposit that must be paid at the time
of registration. If you register for a class and decide not to attend, you MUST drop
the course via CampDoc a week before the start date or you will be charged for the
full class. For additional information contact Summer Sessions at 474-7021 or summer@alaska.edu.
How do I register with CampDoc?
If you are unfamiliar with Campdoc, this handy guide might help you get started.
How do I find out more information about Parking?
If your Non-credit Short Class takes place on campus between 8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday,
you will be required to have a current parking decal or short term parking permit
displayed in your vehicle. Outside of these times, no permit is required.
For more information about parking on campus call 474-7275 or view parking locations at uaf.edu/campusmap.