Arts calendar

Classes and workshops

The Art Coop Classes – Wooden Assemblage – Today or April 29, 6-8 p.m., $40. Materials provided. The Art Coop, 4225 N. G St. (private home studio). Reservations required; call (509) 327-3726 or (509) 290-2542 or visit www.theartcoop.net.

Creative Dance for Kids – For ages 3-5. Covers the basics of dance with fun games, improv, stories and other exercises to develop motor skills and creativity. Four-week class is held Mondays, April 26-May 17, 11:15-11:45 a.m. at Lotus Self Defense School, 212 W. Second Ave. Cost is $32. (509) 625-6200, www.spokaneparks.org

Writing Fiction – For ages 14 and older. Covers how to become your own editor and explore ways to finish writing projects. Four-week class is held Tuesdays, April 27-May 18, 6-9 p.m. at Corbin Art Center, 507 W. Seventh Ave. Cost is $49. (509) 625-6200, www.spokaneparks.org

Candle Making Basics – For ages 18 and older. Participants learn how to make personalized tapers and dipped, floating and votive candles, plus learn to recycle candles and containers for making other inexpensive, interesting candles. April 29, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Corbin Art Center, 507 W. Seventh Ave. $36, includes supplies. (509) 625-6200, www.spokaneparks.org

Beginning Soap Making Classes – Hands-on soap making class for ages 16 and older teaches the basics of cold process soap. Participants design their own fragrance and take home more than 2 pounds of soap. Two-part class costs $45, includes all equipment and supplies. Prepaid registration required. May 4-5, 7-9 p.m., Greencastle Soap Company, 203 N. Stone St. (509) 466-7223, www.greencastlesoap.com

Meetings

Artists Fun Group – Meet other artists and practice your skills. Today, 5:30 p.m., On Sacred Grounds, 12212 E. Palouse Highway. Free. (509) 747-6294

The Spokane Novelists Group – Writers support/critique group, open to anyone with an interest in writing fiction. Participants should bring 5 to 10 pages to read aloud and 6 to 8 copies for others to read along and critique. Saturday, noon, Spokane County Library, Argonne Branch, 4322 N. Argonne Road. (509) 590-7316

Riverridge Art Association – This month: Mary McGraw covers wax art painting. New members welcome. Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Spokane Art Supply, 1303 N. Monroe St. (509) 924-4571, (509) 465-0369

Call for artists

Celebrate 40 Years of Earth Day – Recycled art contest; entries must be made up of 90 percent recycled materials. Entries must have their own display. Entry fee is $10 for adults (free for students). Festival is held Saturday in Spirit Lake, Idaho. Call (208) 263-3129 for more information.

Manhole Cover Student Design Contest – The Spokane Arts Commission and the City of Spokane Wastewater Management are seeking decorative designs with local themes for manhole covers to be placed throughout the city. Artists must be citizens of Spokane and ages 18 or younger. Selected artists will receive $100 and their design on manhole covers in Spokane for up to 50 years. Download a prospectus at www.spokanearts.org/ hottopics.aspx. Submissions should be sent by April 30 to Manhole Cover Art Contest, Attn.: Gary Kaesemeyer, City of Spokane, 909 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane, WA 99202. Call (509) 625-7909 or (509) 625-6050 for more information.

Pend Oreille Arts Council Arts & Crafts Fair – Applications are being accepted for the 38th annual juried show, Aug. 7 and 8 at City Beach in Sandpoint. Open to original work by artists 18 and older. Jury fee is $15. Application deadline is May 1; applications are available online at www.artinsandpoint.org or by calling (208) 263-6139.

Avenue West Gallery Juried Art Exhibition – Artists of all media are invited to enter the Juried Exhibition held in August at Avenue West Gallery. Entry fee is $10 per entry, limit of five entries per artist. Entry deadline is May 20. Contact Katie Densley at (509) 647-5480 or ktdensley@centurytel.net, or Dennis Smith at (509) 299-4979 or jamilia1@centurytel.net.

Call for writers

One Act Play Festival – Pend Oreille Players Association is seeking original one-act plays to be produced at the Pend Oreille Playhouse Community Theatre. Up to four plays will be selected for presentation. Plays should be 25-35 minutes long; small casts and simple sets are preferred. Submission deadline is May 1. (509) 447-2750, mail@pendoreilleplayers.org

Lost Horse Press Idaho Prize for Poetry 2010 – National competition offering $1,000 plus publication of a book-length poetry manuscript. Postmark deadline for manuscript submission is May 15 (must include $25 reading fee and SASE). Winner and finalists will be announced Aug. 15. For guidelines or additional information, call (208) 255-4410, e-mail losthorsepress@mindspring .com or visit www.losthorsepress.org.