A Japanese brush painting is completed last year during a class in the art held at the Maridon Museum.

The annual Japanese brush painting classes at the Maridon Museum welcome back as their teacher Laurie Bloomberg of Slippery Rock who learned "sumie" painting while living in Japan.

In this series of five classes, students receive instruction in how to use ink stick and slate stone to achieve black and gray tones and how to apply proper brush strokes.

Classes will begin on April 15 and be held every Thursday through May 13. Fee per class is $13 for nonmembers and $10 for members. All materials are provided.

Reservations are required. Call 724-282-0123.

Other activities coming up at the Maridon include:

n Spring garden lecture, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 17.

Dixie Lipnichan, Japanese language and world cultures teacher at Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School, will present a lecture on the "Symbolism of Asian Flowers." The day will consist of the lecture, a tour of the museum and a luncheon.

The cost for this adults-only event is $20 for nonmembers, and $15 for members. Reservations are required.

• Spring garden lecture, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 22.

The Maridon will continue its garden lectures with "Adding Elements of a Japanese Garden into Your Garden" by Jonathan Dreher, owner of Dreher Garden Design.

The cost for this adults-only event is $20 for nonmembers and $15 for members; lunch is included. Reservations are required.

• Kusudama Ornament Origami class, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 7.

Kusudama, which means medicine ball, is a beautiful ball-shaped ornament. Dixie Lipnichan will instruct this adult origami class.

The cost is $30 for nonmembers and $25 for members. All materials and lunch are included. Space is limited. Reservations are required.