Xpressive Arts Center Celebrates 4 Years

Express your inner artist at Poway’s . The center is a great place to try new things, from silk painting to jewelry making, with classes for kids, teens and adults.

“It’s a place that people can go to be creative, even if they don’t think they are creative,” said Bonnie Stromer, a registered art therapist, who runs the studio and its programs.

“I started this center to provide arts-based activities to a wide audience," Stromer said. "I firmly believe that the arts are a vital form of communication, and that exposure to the arts helps children and adults develop skills and creativity, as well as providing a relaxing, fun experience to nurture the inner soul."

One of the center’s newest classes, and gaining popularity due to a Groupon, is the Bring Your Own Bottle Painting Class on Tuesday nights. It’s an adult introduction to painting class from 7 to 9 p.m., where students are encouraged to bring their favorite bottle of vino, ale or other. Book clubs and moms-night-out groups have filled the class this month and into October. The one-time class is $45.

Another popular activity at the center is coming up for the Halloween holiday—a free Halloween party on Sunday, Oct. 30, from 2 to 6 p.m.

“It’s a fun, not scary or spooky, Halloween event,” Stromer said.

The event includes Halloween crafts, cupcake decorating, costume contest, games, as well as a free drawing class and art demonstrations.

The center is celebrating its fourth anniversary and the party also serves as an open house. Last year’s Halloween craft event was popular, thus reservations are recommended.  

The Xpressive Arts Center is located in a charming historic building in Poway, 12257-B Old Pomerado Rd. For more information, call 858-679-ARTS (2787) or email bonnie@xpressivearts.com.

Musical arts from the ‘ol West come alive at the Hobo Campfire Sing-Along on Friday. After all, what could feel more like the Old West than sitting around a campfire singing songs and listening to storytelling? 

The city of Poway and the Old Poway Park Action Committee are hosting the sing-along from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at on the banks of Rattlesnake Creek. Powegians can join pioneers and cowboys around the campfire, roast S’mores and sing traditional campfire songs. Festivities will also feature the Poway Folk Circle and its well-known storyteller, Charles Johnson. 

Yeehaw! The Western theme doesn’t end Friday night. Powegians are invited back to Old Poway Park on Saturday for a Traditional Barn Dance in Templars Hall, beginning at 7 p.m.

Cowboys, and girls, are invited to put on their best Western duds and dancing shoes, and join the city of Poway and Old Poway Park Action Committee for a free evening of traditional (barn) dance lessons that will have you kicking up your boots, or heels.

Poway will be dancing the night away, led by the tunes of the Shadow River Regulators. For more information, on both the sing-along and the barn dance, visit Poway.org/oldpowaypark or call 858-668-4576.