The City of Marquette Senior Arts program is a comprehensive arts education program presented by the City of Marquette Senior Center in partnership with the Office of Arts & Culture. The goals of the Senior Arts Program are to offer community members affordable and accessible opportunities to engage with the local arts scene, facilitate lifelong learning and the development of creative practices, and break down barriers to participating in the arts.
Senior Arts programming is free and open to all individuals ages 50+ residing in the City of Marquette, Marquette Township, Chocolay Township, or Powell Township.
The 2025-26 City of Marquette’s Senior Arts program is made possible with the support of the Michigan Arts & Culture Council. Michigan’s vibrant arts and cultural scene are important to the state’s communities, excellent quality-of-life and thriving economy. MACC is the state’s key conduit for arts and cultural information, grant funding and more.
Senior Visual Art Classes
Senior Visual Art Classes are offered at least twice a month at the City of Marquette Arts & Culture Center, typically on the first and third Wednesdays from 1:00pm-3:00pm. Each month features unique classes that introduce students to a wide array of artistic mediums, intended to offer everyone, regardless of prior art experience, a low-barrier way to explore and practice their creativity. From watercolor to oil painting, metalsmithing to sculpture, even special projects like kite making and eco-printing, there’s something for everyone!
Interested in signing up for or learning more about our Visual Art Classes? Please contact Tristan at (906) 225-8655 or tluoma@marquettemi.gov. Classes are free and open to residents of the City of Marquette, Marquette Township, Chocolay Township, and Powell Township. Non-residents may attend for a suggested $5 donation to help offset the cost of supplies. NOTE: Classes tend to fill up quickly. In the event that a class is at capacity, we encourage you to join a waiting list; we will get in touch prior to the class should any spots open up.
Interested in teaching a class? We’re always looking to hire new teachers and expand our curricula! Please reach out to Tristan at tluoma@marquettemi.gov and include some information including your background, prior teaching experience, areas of expertise/preferred mediums, and any ideas you have for potential class projects. Teachers must agree to teach both of their assigned month’s classes; the same class structure and end project should be offered on each of the two dates to accommodate as many students as possible. Instructors receive a fixed stipend, plus supply cost reimbursement.
Upcoming Classes
Gelli Printing with Cindy Dupee
Wednesdays, July 1 and 15, 2026
1:00pm-3:00pm
Peter White Public Library Lower Level Studios
Cyanotype with Mavis Farr – FULL
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
1:00pm-4:00pm
Presque Isle Pavilion
Collaborative Paper Crane Mobile with Colleen Maki
Wednesdays, July 22, 2026
1:00pm-3:30pm
Presque Isle Pavilion
Acrylic Painting: Lake Superior Waves with Gene Bertram
Wednesdays, August 5 and 19, 2026
1:00pm-3:00pm
Peter White Public Library Lower Level Studios
Cyanotype with Mavis Farr
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
1:00pm-4:00pm
Presque Isle Pavilion
Reverse Glass Painting with Colleen Maki
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
1:00pm-3:00pm
Peter White Public Library Lower Level Studios
TBD with Mavis Farr
Wednesdays, September 2 and 16, 2026
1:00pm-3:00pm
Peter White Public Library Lower Level Studios
(Registration opens August 1)
Previous Classes
April Showers Bring May Flowers: Acrylic Painting with Gene Bertram
Wednesdays, April 1 and 15, 2026
1:00pm-3:00pm
Peter White Public Library Lower Level Studios
Oil Pastels a la Georgia O’Keeffe with Colleen Maki
Wednesdays, May 6 and 20, 2026
1:00pm-3:00pm
Peter White Public Library Lower Level Studios
Recycled Materials, Renewed Creativity with Marlene Wood
Wednesdays, June 3 and 17, 2026
1:00pm-3:00pm
Peter White Public Library Lower Level Studios
(Registration opens May 1)
Senior Theatre Experience
The Senior Theatre Experience (STE) encourages discovery, learning, and having fun while exploring different aspects of the world of theatre by offering unique experiences which illuminate the creativity, collaboration, and innovation behind the curtain. Participants in the Senior Theatre Experience enjoy twice-monthly theatre workshops with discussions, games, lectures, writing, sharing, and more; opportunities to get a glimpse behind the curtain with backstage tours, technical design, and rehearsals; and free tickets to local theatre company productions.
The STE is directed by Moiré Embley, and supported through partnership with the Northern Michigan University Department of Theatre and Dance.
Interested in getting involved with the Senior Theatre Experience? Please contact Tristan at (906) 225-8655 or tluoma@marquettemi.gov, or simply drop-in during one of our workshops! Workshops are typically held on the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Marquette Senior Center, with additional experiences and performances planned on a rolling basis.
Upcoming Classes & Programs
STE Monthly Workshops:
Mondays, July 13 and 27, 2026
Mondays, August 10 and 24, 2026
4:00pm-5:00pm
Marquette Senior Center – Room B, 300 W Spring St.
STE Experiences:
STE Performances:
9 to 5
Thursday, April 16, 2026
7:30pm
NMU Forest Roberts Theatre
Senior Dance Classes
Senior Dance classes are offered weekly on Tuesdays from 4:00pm-5:00pm at the Baraga Gym, taught by City of Marquette Senior Services Manager Maureen McFadden! These are beginner-level classes designed for folks who are looking for a fun and engaging, low-intensity workout with a variety of dance moves and techniques, including but not limited to Salsa, Jazz, Ballet, Ballroom, and Hip Hop. All steps are thoroughly described with ample practice time between songs. Students learn a warmup, technique, and chorography! No prior dance experience is necessary, and you do not need a partner to attend.
Dance classes are currently not offered on the first Tuesday of each month.
Interested in attending Senior Dance Classes? Pre-registration is not required – drop-ins are welcome – but is encouraged so we can get a hold of you in the event of cancelations or other changes to the schedule.
Upcoming Classes:
Tuesdays, July 14, 21, and 28, 2026
Tuesdays, August 11, 18, and 25, 2026
Tuesdays, September 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2026
4:00pm-5:00pm
Baraga Gym (above the Marquette Senior Center), 300 W Spring St.