Need a break from the everyday routine? Have some extra time and you aren’t sure how to spend it? Interested in picking up a new hobby? The answer to the questions lies in Helena, Montana. The capital city kicks off a late summer learning extravaganza in 2009 as it hosts the first Helena Institute. Come try a range of courses designed to inspire new talents or delve deeper into established crafts. These aren’t just traditional classroom-based sessions though; participants will experience the classes in a hands-on way for personal enrichment, continuing education credits or just the sheer fun of it.
“Helena has always been simmering with learning opportunities,” said Jena Sabatini, owner, Hampton Inn Helena.“The Helena Institute has rounded up a broad sample of area activities and we’re encouraging everyone to take advantage of what our region has to offer. This is the perfect time to broaden your horizons and discover a new passion.”
The inaugural Helena Institute consists of courses held throughout August and September. There are more than 30 activities to choose from in a range of disciplines. Topics include cooking and food, outdoor recreation, fibers and fabrics, dance and yoga, writing, outdoor and Montana history, musical instruments, art, mosaics, paper arts and many more. For example:
~ Experience Argentine Tango: Pack your dancing shoes and Latin attire and get ready for a rich cultural experience as you learn the social history and different styles of the Argentine Tango. Four classes spread out over two days will prepare you for Saturday night’s culminating event – a Milonga, a Tango social dance, where you’ll put your new moves to work.
~ Fabulous Fly Fishing: Dive into the theory of fly fishing while learning about flies and ties, trout behavior, river safety and just about every other aspect of the popular sport. Jim Stein of CrossCurrents Fly Fishing School provides classroom and individual casting work. Then spend a whole day on one of Montana’s blue ribbon rivers for more instruction. Put your new skills to work, and hopefully you’ll catch a fish!
~ Mold a Moment: Vancouver artist Jeremy Hatch uses slip casting to produce monumental unglazed porcelain installations like a life-size tree and treehouse. Beginners explore a range of traditional and non-traditional mold applications. Demonstrations, hands-on experience and visual presentations cover multiple part and large-scale molds. Learn how to freeze your moment in time!

Each of the classes emphasizes a participatory learning experience – meaning field trips, studio sessions and hands-on training. These do-it-to-learn-it activities will take you step by step through all the skills needed to continue in the future. The classes vary in price and are open to the public. Please visit helenainstitute.com for a complete listing of classes, including descriptions. Advanced registration is required.

Helena is nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and is one of the “best small art towns in America.” The Queen City of the Rockies is a town built by gold and full of nineteenth century architecture, history plus a rich arts and culture scene. For more information and a complete schedule of the classes, please visit helenainstitute.com or e-mail helenainstitute@gmail.com.