Maybe you're looking to brush up on your art history. Or learn more about animals native to Sarasota and Her Islands. Luckily, local attractions offer classes galore for both kids and adults - in everything from watercolor painting to kayaking. So hit the books!

Most of the following classes require reservations and fees, but many attractions give fee discounts if you become a member.

Develop an eye for photography or botany at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. The site offers several art, photography and horticultural classes, as

Get schooled on the sensory world of manatees at Mote Aquarium

well as off-site classes and programs for families. The watercolor painting class (offered at both beginner and intermediate levels) is popular, as are Selby's photography classes, which include taking pictures in both the botanical gardens as well as on the grounds of Myakka River State Park.

Become an art expert at The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Adult art programs include "Spotlight" classes, which take place in the renowned museum's galleries, and "ViewPoints," which features slide lectures by internationally recognized artists, curators and art historians. The museum's new "Handz-On Family Program," offered on Sundays for kids aged 6 to 12, includes a kid-friendly museum visit with a museum educator, followed by art-making.

If your kids love animals, head for Sarasota Jungle Gardens. The park's Junior Zookeeper Club for kids aged 3 to 10 meets twice a month. Club members learn what animals are like in the wild, prepare food for and feed the animals and clean enclosures. The annual club membership fee includes an annual pass to Jungle Gardens.

Learn more about butterflies and butterfly gardening at The Sarasota County Butterfly Club. Free classes are offered from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Sarasota Garden Club.

Get an exclusive glimpse of artifacts at Osprey's Historic Spanish Point. Home to remains of prehistoric life, pioneer dwellings and elaborate gardens, the Point offers adult education classes including Curator's Luncheons that allow participants to see artifacts that aren't on display for the general public. There's also a

Families learn together through Mote Aquarium's educational programs

native plant walk led by the site horticulturist.

Discover flora, fauna and fishing inside Myakka River State Park. The park's citizens support organization, the Myakka Friends, offers classes at the park. Topics include: Myakka's fishing hot spots; allergy plants; raptors; plein-air oil painting; nature photography; canoeing and kayaking; Myakka's reptiles and amphibians; flowers, seeds and fruit; and the park's butterflies.

Dissect a shark at Mote Aquarium. The Aquarium offers a family program - geared toward children aged 6 to 12 and their adult companions - from 9 to 11 a.m. the second Saturday of each month from November to July. The "Sharks: Up Close & Personal" class includes dissecting a shark. Other class topics are manatees and dolphins. The Aquarium also offers the "Monday@Mote" lecture series for adults in January, February and March. Lecture topics have included sharks' immune systems and the sensory world of manatees.

Engage in ecology-inspired arts and recreation at the Crowley Museum & Nature Center. This home to nature trails, a museum, an observation tower and historic structures offers programs (usually on Saturdays) that are generally free with admission. Programs include bird and plant walks and educational children's classes such as "Eco Art," which allows children to make "eco-collages" using materials from nature and watercolors, and "Backyard Birdhouse," which teaches children about Florida birds and includes decorating a bird house.

Learn about environmentally friendly homes and gardens at the Florida House Learning Center. A model house and yard showcase "green" materials and techniques, and free classes are offered on resource conservation and sustainable living at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays. Seminar topics include tree pruning, Florida-friendly landscaping and environmentally preferable paints.

Go back to school - fishing school, that is - at CB's Saltwater Outfitters. CB's regularly offers one-day fishing schools on Saturdays. Topics have included fly-casting, snook and tarpon fishing.

Kayak like a pro with Dolphin Dive & Kayak in Sarasota. In the Introduction to Kayaking class you'll learn basic paddling strokes, how to sit and kayaking safety. Group classes meet from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays (equipment provided). Private intermediate and advanced classes are also offered by appointment (you provide your own equipment). You'll learn rescues, Eskimo rolling, surfing and kayak outfitting.

If you go:
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: 941-366-5731, www.selby.org
The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art: 941-359-5700, www.ringling.org
Sarasota Jungle Gardens: 941-355-5305, www.sarasotajunglegardens.com
Sarasota County Butterfly Club: 941-955-0875, www.sarasotabutterfly.org
Historic Spanish Point: 941-966-5214, www.historicspanishpoint.org
Myakka River State Park: 941-316-8139, www.FloridaStateParks.org/MyakkaRiver
Mote Aquarium: 941-388-4441, www.mote.org
The Crowley Museum & Nature Center: 941-322-1000, www.crowleymuseumnaturectr.org
Florida House Learning Center: 941-316-1200, sarasota.extension.ufl.edu
CB's Saltwater Outfitters: 941-349-4400, www.cbsoutfitters.com
Dolphin Dive & Kayak: 941-924-2785, www.floridakayak.com


Originally posted 3/1/06