Rita Sherwood will demonstrate watercolor, acrylic and pastel. The students can work in any media they choose. She would like to paint the Gila River so students, if they desire, can enter the Gila River Art Show in September at the Lair Gallery in Silver City. The art from this class will be on display at MRAC's Gallery in October.

FACILITATOR BIO: Rita Sherwood was born and raised in Detroit, where she studied Advertising Art in high school and received her BFA in drawing and painting from Wayne State University. She is now attending WNMU, pursuing a Masters in interdisciplinary studies. Rita has worked in the art departments of Detroit Historical Museum and Wayne State University, and taught drawing and painting classes in night school and at recreation departments for many years in the surrounding Detroit area. Before Rita came to Silver City, she taught painting and drawing to Ford Motor Co. employees, through the UAW Union, for stress release and relaxation purposes. Her work hangs in churches, homes and businesses from Windsor, Ontario (Canada) to California. Landscape painting is her passion, especially the Gila River.

We will look at some of the Academy Award Nominated films from 2012, especially those which didn't come to the theater in Silver City. We will have a discussion period after each showing for members to share their thoughts on the film.

FACILITATOR BIO: Jim Huse is the current Chairman of the Curriculum Committee for WILL.

In 1999 an historic cinematic event happened with surprisingly little hype. The film The Matrix (and subsequently Reloaded and Revolutions) seems on the surface just action adventure, special F/X extravaganza. But amid all the action is a rich and vibrant story that has cultural, technological and philosophical implications.

FACILITATOR BIO: Chris Aquino hails from Chicago, IL. He attended the Columbia College Film School from 1983-1986 where he was at the top of his class. His passion for filmmaking has served him well throughout his life. He was running a successful video production company from 1990-1995 until he and his family decided to move west. In 2001 he again started a production company in Fort Collins, CO. He successfully grew that company until 2005 when he moved to Silver City, NM where he and his partner Mary now make their home.

Join us for this three-part BBC TV series to discuss the leadership of women in religion and history, from the goddesses of ancient cultures to women leaders in early Christianity to modern day women rabbis. This course looks at the role of women in religion through the eyes of history, culture and archeology.

FACILITATOR BIO: Doc Campbell has been studying the role of women in history for a long time.

What's that little yellow flower? How do you begin to identify native plants? This class will help you to know more than most New Mexicans do about our beautiful native flora. The first class is a presentation, with many photos, of basic plant and flower anatomy, and characteristics of the ten easiest plant families to recognize - no hand lens required! The next day, we'll go for a field trip to look at and identify plants. And, of course, enjoy the beauty of southwest New Mexico.

FACILITATOR BIO: Donna Stevens is the director of Upper Gila Watershed Alliance and a co-author with Jack and Martha Carter of Common Southwestern Native Plants.

Learn to identify and appreciate a wide variety of Cacti, and how to plant and care for them. After the class, take the opportunity to browse the plants and soils available at Mark & Trish's home nursery.

FACILITATOR BIO: Mark Cantrell is the co-owner of Lone Mountain Natives and is a native cactus expert.

It's out there! The Great Outdoors is calling. If you are interested in any type of outdoors activity, sign up for this course. WILL is scheduling at different levels hikes, birding trips, and other activities for members on an ongoing basis. Monthly informational & sign-up meetings for each activity will take place on the 2nd Tuesday of the month prior to a scheduled event. We are looking for reliable trip leaders for all kinds of activities. Can you take a group on your favorite hike? Can you canoe? Do you dance with the stars, or are you down and dirty in caves? Contact WILL to set up dates!

FACILITATOR BIO: Jeff Boyd has been the facilitator for Outdoor Experience since 2010. He moved to Silver City from Arizona, where he enjoyed hiking and backpacking. Several earlier trips to the Gila and Aldo Leopold Wildernesses motivated him to move to Silver City upon his retirement.

The class will offer a comprehensive guide for maintaining your bicycle. 1. An overview of the rudiments of bike maintenance including a review of the types of bike models available, urban, mountain etc. 2. Lubrication. 3. Tire maintenance including repair, rotation, sizings. 4. Maintenance. 5. Rider maintenance and clothing recommendations. 6. Silver City Bike ride (Last class).

FACILITATOR BIOS: Josh Stretch is the owner of Bikeworks.

Be part of a joint pilot project between WILL and Get Fit Western/WNMU Kinesiology Department! Participants will have an initial evaluation session; a work-out program will be designed specifically for each person to meet his or her goals, and there will be regular follow-ups to evaluate how the goals are working. You will be given free admission to the new facility at the WNMU gym during the five-week period.

FACILITATOR BIO: WNMU Kinesiology Department.

A three session tennis class for players who have played in the past but are rusty and need a refresher.

FACILITATOR BIO: Coach Bob Benevidez is a long standing member of the community and has taught baseball, basketball and tennis at the local high schools and WNMU. He plays senior baseball every year and currently teaches private or group lessons several times per week.

This session will use slides, other visuals and discussion to excite participants about taking a walk on the Camino de Santiago ….. a 750 KM (or less, whatever one wants to do!) pilgrimage through northern Spain for walkers of all ages, sizes and abilities. The class will focus on the "how to's"; the recent adventures of four WILL walkers; and plenty of photographs.

FACILITATOR BIO: Mary Stoecker and her husband Rich Bigelow spent time in Spain in 2012 walking on the Camino de Santiago.

This course will be an overview of energy medicine principles and methods. The objectives include having participants have a greater understanding of energy related to health and ways to facilitate this.

FACILITATOR BIOS: Paul "Pablo" Wright is a professional practitioner utilizing Quantum Energetics Structured Technique. Pablo is also a registered occupational therapist and has treated all age groups. For over 20 years he has also been a tai chi practitioner/instructor as well as a personal trainer, medical exercise specialist, strength and conditioning coach. Pablo is committed to facilitating individual's optimal vitality and sustainable wellness with energy medicine. Allee Anabal has a private practice as an Eden Energy Medicine Advanced Practitioner (EEM-AP) and authorized energy medicine instructor after completing 4 years of training in the field. She has 40 years of experience in health and wellness care, including home birth midwifery, Registered Nursing in multiple disciplines (mother/baby, HIV/AIDS, allergy/asthma, chemical dependency/ adolescent psych, public and home health), and facilitating classes and workshops. By using energy medicine techniques, Allee transformed from being too sick to work to reclaiming her health and leading an active, productive life. She is passionate about teaching people how they too can find optimal health and joy with energy medicine.

Visit Silver City's best kept secret, Silva Creek Botanical Gardens preceded by a visit to the under-renovation Waterworks building, and the newly constructed bridge between the two.

FACILITATOR BIOS: Charles Holmes has a PhD in African Studies; Native Plants.

Nancy Gordon is a semi-retired hydrologist/engineer. She has been involved with restoration of the Waterworks building since 2010, including leading two community service projects in masonry repair, funded by a Freeport McMoRan Foundation grant.

Van Clothier graduated from the University of California in 1982 with a bachelor degree in physics and a math minor. He started his watershed restoration business Stream Dynamics, Inc. in 2002 after various careers including computer modeling of infrared sensor performance, and managing recycling programs in California, Hawaii, and New Mexico.

Visit to St Mary's from 10:00 to 11:30 where we will walk the grounds and find out more about the history of the place and the people who lived there. If time permits, we will walk the labyrinth. Lunch at Bear Mountain Lodge from noon to 1:00 (fee). Tour and history of Lodge from 1:00 to 2:30. Option to hike after the tour.

FACILITATOR BIOS: Doc Campbell and Ted Presler are members of the WILL Curriculum Committee.

We will travel to Glenwood to walk the labyrinths at the Whitewater Mesa Labyrinths. Then go on to Mogollon for lunch at the Purple Onion and to explore the old mining town.

FACILITATOR BIO: Cordelia Rose founded Glenwood Yoga in 2003 and combines the centering and meditative aspects of labyrinths and yoga when teaching. Her first labyrinth was completed in 2002 and now five labyrinths of different designs and the plan of a maze make up Whitewater Mesa Labyrinths. Cordelia has built labyrinths at retreat centers, at museums with Art in Public Places awards, at an international labyrinth conference, and for private clients. She has made short films showing the uses of labyrinths for humans, horses and healing. Renewing interest in equine labyrinths, Cordelia has been leading workshops and riding her horses in her equine labyrinths since 2002.