I have been asked plenty of times, “What is there to do in the winter in Boothbay Harbor?”

You probably have been asked this, too. “Plenty,” I say, and I give them a litany of events and programs that go on in town weekly. One of them is art classes at the Boothbay Region Art Foundation.

Life Drawing goes on year-round on Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon, coordinated by artist Mark Mellor of the Oak Street Gallery. Drop in with your art supplies and get started.

Painting and drawing classes taught by me, Jim Taliana, beginning Wednesday and Thursday, January 9 and 10 and continuing for 10 weeks, include the Fruits of Winter Exhibition, which is an integral finale of the classes. These classes are for beginners to the more advanced. The are small classes so you get a lot of attention and help.

We cover a lot of art history as classes cover different art styles, techniques and subjects which include the figure, landscapes, seascapes, still life and new this year – collage.

There will be two Wednesday painting classes (oils, acrylics or watercolor), 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 6 to 8:30 p.m., and two painting classes Thursday also, 9 a.m. to 12:30, and 1 to 4 p.m.

Drawing classes are taught by Jim Taliana Thursday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Drawing covers perspective, composition, understanding balance and movement, learning to create patterns, textures, tones and how to use them in creating a work of art. We will be using graphite pencils, charcoal pencils and also pen and ink. And some gluing in creating collage.

Painting and Drawing classes costs $20 per class session for BRAF members; $25 for non-members; paid at each session.

For more information about life drawing, call Mark Mellor at 207-633-0695. For more information or to register for painting and/or drawing classes, call Jim Taliana 207-633-2815.

Classes are held in the upstairs classroom of the Boothbay Region Art Foundation at 1 Townsend Ave. in the heart of Boothbay Harbor. The Boothbay Region Art Foundation is a nonprofit whose mission is to create opportunities for people of all ages to enjoy, learn from and participate in the visual arts. Come and draw and paint this winter.