About the class

“Everyone has something of value to say.”

Everyone has a story… and I want to hear yours!  We will read stories that other people have written from their lives while you are writing yours. We will share our stories in this safe place and learn how easy and fascinating it is to relate to others’ lives, too. We are here to express. And we are unique individuals. Bring a story or a start of a story to the first class on paper, please.

Please share any special considerations (medical, physical, learning) that will help your instructor make your class accessible and accommodating for you. You can share these considerations when registering or by emailing Sean at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org.

About the instructor

Isabell Van Merlin

instructor

Isabell Van Merlin is a dedicated educator. With an MA in Creative Arts from San Francisco State, she has taught everything from English as a Second Language, Spanish, Creative Writing, and Photo Silk-screen Printing to Dowsing and alternative healing therapies. Isabell founded and hosted an open mic for the spoken word for ten years, producing eight anthologies from this group. She is passionate about education and is known for her ability to inspire students to create and achieve goals they never dreamed of. Isabell has also traveled extensively and learned from and taught students from many different countries and cultures.

Questions and Answers

What skill level is right for me?

• All Levels
• Welcomes participants from beginning through advanced. Instructor provides a balanced and flexible curriculum suitable for participants with any level of experience.
• Beginning
• Participant has little to no experience with this medium and needs or expects guidance at every step during the class. Participant wants to learn about materials, techniques, and vocabulary of the medium.
• Intermediate
• Participant is comfortable with the medium and expects both guidance and time to work alone with the medium.
• Advanced
• Participant is very confident with all aspects of the medium. Participant is self-motivated; ready to experiment and develop their artistic voice.

Is there a building map so I can find my room ahead of time?

You can click on the images below to expand them.

What is the process for cancelling my registration?

We ask that you notify us at least 10 days in advance of a class if you need to cancel your registration. You may cancel by phone or email and we will gladly offer you a refund or credit toward a future class. If you cancel with less than 10 days’ notice, we will not be able to provide refunds, due to our contractual obligations and material purchases for each class. 

Sometimes, the Sonoma Community Center has to cancel a class due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or health emergency. If this happens and we do not offer a reschedule date, you will be refunded 100% of your registration fee, or credit towards a future class. If we are able to offer a reschedule date but you are unable to make the new date, we will gladly offer credit towards a future class.

Do you pro-rate late additions to classes?

Late additions to any program, class, or workshop that has already begun will be allowed on a per-case basis depending upon the Program Director & instructors approval. Late additions will have to pay the full registration cost of the class, along with any materials fees, and will not be prorated for the time missed. You may reach out to the program directors directly, or the Program Associate Sean Baskin at sean@sonomacommunitycenter.org to request a late addition.

I am interested in teaching, where can I find more information?

We are always looking for new instructors. You can find more information about the process here, or fill out the form directly here.

Where can I find your full class policies and guidelines?

You can view our full class policies and guidelines here.

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