Jane Flanders sculpts a coil pot in the Lawrence Arts Center ceramic studio, 940 N.H. Flanders is enrolled in several adult classes at LAC to further her adult art education.

Art class and dodgeball aren’t just for schoolchildren anymore.

Through classes offered in the city, adults of all ages can call upon their youthful ambitions and enthusiasm. Lifelong learning and health is encouraged through the Lawrence Arts Center and the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department.

Charlie Neuringer, a 75-year-old retired psychology professor from Kansas University, tried his hand at ceramics four years ago.

“I have to admit I loved it,” he said. “It probably saved my sanity. For me, it was great therapy.”

Several years ago Neuringer’s wife of 42 years died, and he was home alone every day, “feeling sorry for myself.”

A friend suggested he try an art class to get out of the house.

“I had a long history since an adolescent of doing art,” Neuringer said. “I even had a scholarship to go to art school but decided it was probably not good careerwise.”

He ended up a psychology professor at KU, where he taught for 34 years. He never intended to study psychology – he sort of fell into it. Neuringer was actually set on becoming a physicist like other members of his family. However, when he was enrolling before his freshman year of college in New York, when students stood in lines to select their classes at a table, he ended up in the wrong line.

“The physics line was too long,” he said. “I thought, ‘Well why not?’

“Perhaps one of the best things that could have happened to me is getting in the wrong line.”

That same attitude helps Neuringer in the ceramics room at the LAC. He said he’s a “terrible potter,” but he enjoys that he doesn’t need much skill to create a final product.

“Take clay, just mush it, and you’ve got something,” he said.

Neuringer’s house is decorated with some of his pieces, such as a remote control holder, bowls and one of his favorites, a Renaissance helmet.

Accessible for everyone

“I’m a firm believer in lifelong learning,” said Kris Hermanson, art education program director for the LAC. “I think it’s important for people to pursue intellectual and creative endeavors. We don’t stop learning as we age.”

For people who may be interested in art, but don’t know which area to focus on, they can take the Art for Everyone introduction class, Hermanson said.

She said there are a number of new classes at the LAC this fall. Enrollment began Aug. 17 and will continue until classes begin. The start time for each class varies.

Ben Ahlvers, arts center education coordinator, said student motivations vary.

“Some try to dig a little deeper into art or their craft, and others want something to do Friday mornings,” he said. “What’s cool about the Lawrence Art Center is anyone can come in and get something out of it.”

For Jane Flanders, who spent 20 years raising two children who are now KU students, she was ready to focus on herself. Flanders earned a fine arts degree from KU in 1979 and is emerging back into art. She is enrolled in a ceramics course for the second year as well as a life drawing course.

“Sometimes older people invent obstacles in going out and getting what they want in life,” she said. “I’d encourage people to figure out what they want and go out and get it.”

The courses are reasonably priced and “encourage inclusiveness in the community,” she said.

The Parks and Recreation Department offers an outlet for people wanting physical activities. There are several exercise and lifelong recreation classes, such as yoga and dancing.

Jo Anne Zingo-Hargis teaches belly dance and has been with the department for 10 years. She said she’s going to start a class for seniors in January.

The 57-year-old said she’s had a woman in her 70s dance in her class.

“I have a fair number of people who had some kind of injury, and their doctor said this would be good exercise,” she said.

For seniors, Zingo-Hargis said the class is good for mobility, range of motion and gentle exercise for the hips and knees.

“Joints are a problem for a lot of older people,” she said.

No matter how their age or level of fitness, Zingo-Hargis makes sure students are comfortable and have a good time.

“I believe everyone can dance some way, shape or form. This is a really easy form to learn if you are comfortable with your body,” she said.

Some of the fall classes with Parks and Recreation are still open for registration.