Women’s Only Needle Felting: Sculpting & Painting with Wool

with Grace McFetters

March 9th to 23rd, 2026

$25 More Info

Instructor: Grace McFetters

Location: AMERICAN LEGION POST 187; 225 E Holding Ave, Wake Forest, NC 27587

When: Mondays, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Dates: Mon: 3/9; 3/16; 3/23

Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older. This particular class is for military-connected women over 18 years or older.

Wool can be used as a medium to paint a landscape or a portrait or be sculpted into a 3-dimensional piece of art! This unique art has been used to illustrate children’s books and in stop-motion animation. Artists have begun to truly appreciate the practicality of using this inexpensive natural resource in ornaments, pin cushions, pillows, hanging art, and much, much more!

In this class, students will learn the techniques to make both a flat, 2-dimensional picture and a 3-dimensional sculpture piece. Students will develop self-expression through manipulation of colors and textures of wool.

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org to receive the scholarship promo code with your name and email address.

A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.

Registration closed

In-Person Photography

with Ian Slade

March 11th to April 15th, 2026

$25 More Info

Instructor: Ian Slade

Location: American Legion Post 187; 225 Holding Ave, Wake Forest, NC 27587

When: Wednesdays, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Dates: Wed: 3/11, 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/8, 4/15 MAKE UP: 4/22

Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.

This photography class is tailored for both beginners and intermediate enthusiasts. Whether you're just starting out in the world of photography or looking to enhance your existing skills, this class is designed to provide you with a comprehensive learning experience. Led by a local professional photographer, you'll have the opportunity to dive into the fundamentals of photography while also gaining practical hands-on experience.Throughout the class, participants will explore essential topics such as understanding camera settings, composition techniques, lighting principles, and more.

Beginners will receive a thorough introduction to their cameras, and learn how to navigate manual settings.Intermediate photographers will have the chance to refine their skills, diving deeper into advanced techniques such as manual mode shooting, mastering the exposure triangle, and experimenting with creative composition. One of the highlights of this class is the hands-on session where participants will work closely with the instructor to apply what they've learned. This interactive experience allows attendees to practice adjusting camera settings, framing shots, and capturing images under the guidance of an experienced mentor. Whether you're aiming to improve your landscape photography, or portrait skills, or simply want to better understand your camera, this class offers a supportive environment for growth and learning.

Join us and take your photography to the next level!

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org to receive the scholarship promo code with your name and email address.

A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.

Virtual Photo: The Photographic Art of Abstraction

with Flossie Hoy

March 12th to April 16th, 2026

$25 More Info

Instructor: Flossie Hoy

Where: Online via Zoom

When: Thursdays, 2:00-5:00 pm, EST

Dates: Thurs: 3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9, 4/16 MAKEUP: 4/23

The Art of Photographic Abstraction is a beyond-basic course that will explore abstraction through a variety of shooting techniques and subject matter. Students will experiment with Intentional Camera Movement (ICM), extreme closeups, zoom bursts, in camera multiple exposure and Adobe Lightroom Classic or Adobe Photoshop.

Prerequisites: Photo 1, access to and a working knowledge of either Adobe Lightroom Classic or Photoshop.

Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.

Participants must have taken a previous TJF Photo 1 Class or have permission from the instructor.

A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. To receive the scholarship promo code, email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org with your name and military connection.

Virtual: The Art and Business of Creative Writing

with June Guralnick

March 13th to April 17th, 2026

$25 More Info

Instructor: June Guralnick

Location: Online via Zoom

Fridays, 11:00am - 1:00pm

Dates: 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, 4/17 MAKE UP: 4/24 (GOOD FRIDAY IS 4/3)

Have you completed a draft of a work and want to know how best to complete and move it forward? This class is for you! Focusing on a work you’ve drafted (fiction, nonfiction, plays, and/or poetry), participants will delve into sharpening the building blocks of scene structure, character development, language and plot as well as establish clear goals to progress the work. The class will also offer tips on the business aspects of publishing, marketing and promotion – the practical knowledge needed to move a work out into the world! Offering a safe, supportive online group environment, the class welcomes veterans, current active duty, and reserve members of the armed forces as well as veteran caregivers and immediate adult military family members.

The class is open to individuals who have previously taken a TJF writing class or with permission of instructor. Recommended class reading: The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published by Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry.

Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.

Please make sure to provide a mailing address for a copy of The Essential Guide to Getting Your Book Published by Arielle Eckstut and David Henry Sterry via mail.

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org to receive the scholarship promo code with your name and email address.

A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.

Waiting list available

Women Only – One Day Workshop: Sewing 101

with Grace McFetters

March 22nd, 2026

$10 More Info

Title: Women Only One-Day Sewing 101 Workshop

Instructor: Grace McFetters Caldwell

When: Sunday, March 22, 10 am - 4 pm

Where: American Legion Post 187, 225 Holding Ave., Wake Forest, NC 27587

If you have ever been intimidated to learn to sew on a sewing machine, now is your chance to learn with The Joel Fund! In the no-nonsense class, instructor Grace McFetters Caldwell will take you through the basic mechanics of your sewing machine, then teach you how to use it step-by-step. Students will learn the fundamentals of sewing in easy to digest project that will have their confidence up so they are ready to head home and conquer their own sewing projects!

Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected women who are 18 years or older.

PLEASE NOTE: Typically, TJF fiber arts classes and workshops are for women only, but this workshop is open to any military-connected individual.

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org to receive the scholarship promo code with your name and email address.

Waiting list available

Virtual Watercolor II

with Reuben Mabry

March 24th to May 5th, 2026

$25 More Info

Instructor: Reuben Mabry

Location: Online via Zoom

When: Tuesdays, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Dates: Tues: 3/24, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28

Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.

Virtual Watercolor II will be a continuation from Spring Session I virtual painting class with a greater emphasis on individualized research projects. We will be experimenting with different techniques and concepts related to both materials and styles. We will explore both representation and abstraction in our lectures and research to help us develop our projects at an individual level. Each student will be given the opportunity and assistance in drafting sketches, concept drawings, and research notes to create a final project that will be shared with the class at the end of the course. In all, we will be evolving our skills from previous classes to create pieces that present the amalgamation of research, exploration, and fun!

This class is an upper-level painting class and requires prior approval from the instructor to attend.

Please make sure to provide a mailing address to receive all supplies via mail.

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org to receive the scholarship promo code with your name and email address.

A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.

Registration closed

One-Day Ukrainian Easter Eggs Workshop

with Grace McFetters

March 28th, 2026

$10 More Info

Instructor: Grace McFetters

Location: American Legion Post 187, 225 Holding Ave., Wake Forest, NC 27587

When: 9:00am - 4:00pm

Dates: Saturday, March 28

Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.

Join The Joel Fund in making your own Ukrainian Easter Egg! “Pysanka” is the art of writing on eggs using a series of wax-resist submersion dye technique to create the world’s most beautiful Easter Eggs! And don’t let the beauty of the intricate designs fool you. If you can hold a pencil, you can create your own beautiful egg!

In this class, students will make two eggs: one to learn the process and one to express individual creativity with the art. Students will have two eggs to show off at Easter, or follow the tradition to have the eggs blessed and gifted.

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org to receive the scholarship promo code with your name and email address.

A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.

Virtual Creative Movement Lunch Hour

with Annelies Gentile

April 1st to 15th, 2026

$25 More Info

Instructor: Annelies Gentile

Where: Online via Zoom

When: Wednesdays, 12PM - 1PM, EST

Dates: Wed: 4/1, 4/8, 4/15

Wednesday Wellness Creative Lunch Hour: Interplay Movement with Annelies is a creative community-building experience unlocking the wisdom of the body for wellness. Join us to play with forms such as movement, laughter, conversation, storytelling, song, and music as we cultivate shared joy and wellbeing. No experience needed, come as you are!

Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.

A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. To receive the scholarship promo code, email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org with your name and military connection.

One-Day Smartphone Photography Workshop

with Stacey Sprenz

April 11th, 2026

$10 More Info

Instructor: Stacey Sprenz

Location: American Legion Post 187; 225 Holding Ave., Wake Forest, NC 27587

Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026

Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm

Getting the Shot: Mastering Smartphone Photography - Smartphones are great tools for photographers but knowing how to maximize their potential is key to getting the shots you want. This 2-hr class will touch on the basics of great photography, tailored for using a smartphone to capture your images. Through a hands-on approach, students will create and photograph various scenes using tips, editing techniques, and creative applications shared by the instructor. By applying what they learn, the students will develop skills necessary for great smartphone images every time. This class is designed for beginners and those with basic knowledge of photography on a smartphone.

Please make sure to bring a fully charged smartphone.

Please Note: All classes and workshops are for Military Connected Individuals who are 18 years or older.

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. Email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org to receive the scholarship promo code with your name and email address

A make up date will be used if a class is canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late to class, or will miss a class, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919.213.0054.

One-Day Lightbox Poetry Playshop

with Annelies Gentile

April 11th, 2026

$10 More Info

Instructor: Annelies Gentile

When: 1:00-4:00 pm

Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026

Location: American Legion Post 187, 225 Holding Ave., Wake Forest, NC 27587

Enjoy poetry in 3-D! Join us as we explore fun and fluid play with watercolor and words through haiku. You'll be guided to paint, then create a cube and design it with your own original poetry, and illumination. Poems will come from your own life experiences. Haiku is an easy pattern of 5 syllables in the first line, 7 syllables in the second line and 5 syllables in the third line. Easy to do! No experience needed. In a nutshell, LightBox Poetry is an artistic reminder to keep holding the light of life in your hands. Facilitated by Artist and Integrative Life and Leadership Coach, Annelies Gentile, MA, PCC.

We offer scholarships for those who cannot afford the registration fee. To receive the scholarship promo code, email the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org with your name and military connection.

A workshop will be canceled due to the instructor's illness, inclement weather, or an emergency. If you are running late or will miss the workshop, please contact the instructor directly or the Operation ART Program Manager at isabella@thejoelfund.org or 919 200 0886 or Operation ART Program Assistant at stephanie@thejoelfund.org or 919-213-0054.