Rivers forge the language of a place and its people. In this comparative literature seminar, we will explore selected works of Dante, Mark Twain, and James Joyce; tracing their literary connection to rivers, and groundbreaking use of informal, regional dialects. Supplemented with Mary Ann Messick’s History of Baxter County.

Instructor BIO:

Matt Powell is a writer and musician. His writing has been featured in Variety, No Depression, Angels Flight—literary west, Community Works Journal, The Happy Music Center, StyleBlueprint, Scanner Zine, Temporary Detective and Emmys.com. He served for five years as Contributing Music Editor for Humor in America, a blog affiliated with the Department of English at the University of Texas at Austin. He performs music regularly throughout the area, and you can often catch him at an open mic reading from a classic book.  Matt was born and raised in Southern California, but his roots in Baxter County go back to the 1860s. He moved to Mountain Home in 2021 to be around family roots, nature, and good neighbors.

A two session course covering Composition, Light, Landscapes and Portraits. The artistic approach to Photography not the business approach.

 Session 1) Composition + Light, May 6th, 2025

*After registering for the first session, if you would like to take the second session and get the promo discount.  Email hshults@asumh.edu for the promo code.

*Must register for the first class in order to get discount for the second class.

Bring your cellphones, DSLRs, or mirrorless cameras to go over gear and settings. Adobe software will be accessible to everyone to learn post processing. Simple tools and tricks to get started. Editing on iPads or other touch pads will be covered as well.

Only your personal camera devices are needed. While computers and adobe will be provided feel free to bring your own iPad or laptop capable of using Adobe software.

Class for beginner and intermediate on how to handle the medium of water color. Learn to paint a painting in the first class period.

Instructor Bio                                                                                       

I am a graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute.                                     

I have been Art Director for BETTER HOMES & GARDENS magazine in Des Moines, Iowa and Art director for LEE RIDER JEANS & WESTERN WEAR in Kanas City, MO.                                                                                   

I have been teaching water color painting for 60 years and  have taught over 2,000 people to paint.                                                                 

I have an Art Studio and a Gallery with over 800 paintings. 

I love teaching art and watching people who thought they couldn’t paint, get excited as they grow with their new found knowledge.

A two session course covering Composition, Light, Landscapes and Portraits. The artistic approach to Photography not the business approach.

 Session 2) Landscapes + Portraits, May 8th, 2025

*After registering for the first session, if you would like to take the second session and get the promo discount.  Email hshults@asumh.edu for the promo code.

*Must register for the first class in order to get discount for the second class.

Bring your cellphones, DSLRs, or mirrorless cameras to go over gear and settings. Adobe software will be accessible to everyone to learn post processing. Simple tools and tricks to get started. Editing on iPads or other touch pads will be covered as well.

Only your personal camera devices are needed. While computers and adobe will be provided feel free to bring your own iPad or laptop capable of using Adobe software.

Get creative with stoneware slabs!  Make soap dishes, spoon rests, trinket trays, key holders, dresser trays, sponge holders or any other useful item of your choice that can be fashioned from slabs of clay.  Carve, impress, applique, or leave plain.  Add feet or handles.  Use words to personalize if that pleases you.  In this workshop, you will have enough clay to make three or four items, each up to six inches across.   Everything you need will be provided.  First day to make, second day to glaze, delivery on the third day.

*The class will be held at ASUMH Technical Center on Hwy 62 across from Plumlee Tire.