Explore Your Creative Side
The New Orleans Jewish Community Center (JCC) will have a new Adults Creative Arts program series offering a semester-long variety of classes including painting, theater, creative writing, and movement.
Art has held strong roots in New Orleans culture since the late 1800s, beginning with the first known impressionist work of Edgar Degas. While many other cities have experienced a slow decline in the creative arts scene, New Orleans has continued to keep the spirit and tradition alive and well. When it comes to an impressionist painting or creative expression through music, we excel and remain at the forefront of the artistic movement.
History of Arts at the Center
For years, New Orleans JCC has leveraged its platform to promote and ensure the well-being of the Jewish community and to instill an understanding of Judaism's heritage. The JCC was founded in 1855 by the Young Men's Hebrew and Literary Society and has since expanded into the community center that we know and love today. It is a center that provides quality initiatives in the areas of pre-school education, fitness education, political forums, lectures, public affairs, and, most importantly, Jewish education.
Programs on Offer
Acting/Scene Study Workshop
The new acting scene study program will be held starting Wednesday, January 15 and running until March 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Registration for this eight-week acting class will end on January 15. Seats for Joanna Russo's class are available now to non-members and members to experience. The registration fees are a set price of $160, regardless of membership. Classes will be held on every Wednesday, except for Ash Wednesday on March 5.
Painting Workshop
The new adult painting program will be held starting Monday, January 27 and running until March 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Registration for this eight-week painting class will end on January 27. Seats for Madeleine Kelly's class are available now to non-members and members to experience. The registration fees are a set price of $180, regardless of membership. Classes will be held on every Monday, except for Lundi Gras on March 3.
Improv Workshop
The new adult improv program will be held starting Monday, January 27 and running until March 24, 2025 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Registration for this eight-week painting class will end on January 27. Seats for Grace Blakeman's class are available now to non-members and members to experience. The registration fees are a set price of $160, regardless of membership. Classes will be held on every Monday, except for Lundi Gras on March 3.
Stained Glass Workshop
The new stained glass program will be held starting Thursday, February 20 and running until May 8, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Registration for this 12-week painting class will end on February 20, 2025. Seats for this class are available now to non-members and members to experience. The registration fees are a set price of $240, regardless of membership. Classes will be held every Thursday, and the gallery showing will be Wednesday, May 14.
Personal Essay/Memoir Workshop
The new personal essay/memoir writing program will be held starting Wednesday, March 26 and run until May 14, 2025 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Seat availability and registration information for Joanna Russo's eight-week class is coming soon. The class will be open to non-members and members. Classes will be held every Wednesday.
Community Choir Workshop
The new community choir program will be held starting Friday, March 14 and will run until May 9 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Seat availability and registration information for Dr. Penny Robert's class is coming soon. The free nine-week class will be open to non-members and members. Classes will be held every Wednesday, with the performance on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
Joyful Movement with Strength and Ease
The new joyful movement with strength and ease program will be held starting Tuesday, April 15 and runs until May 27, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Seat availability and registration information for this seven-week class is coming soon. The class will be open to non-members and members. Classes will be held every Tuesday.
All classes will take place at at the Jewish Community Center's Uptown location on 5342 St. Charles Ave. If you want to learn more about any of the classes or would like to inquiry about registration, call the JCC at (504) 897-0143 or visit nojcc.org/creativearts.
