For some it is the brackets of March madness and for others it is the sprouting of buds. But sure signs of spring are also evident at the BBAC where the season of creativity blooms April 12 with a new crop of classes designed to refresh and reinvigorate the artist in us all.

Spring art classes can breathe new creativity into life, or help one retool for a career transition. Underscoring that the BBAC provides “art for all,” the spring roster includes 153 classes for adults as well as children as young as preschool in a variety of art media including painting, drawing, book arts, calligraphy, design, ceramics, metals, fibers, glass, jewelry, photography and sculpture.

There is a series of Welcome Classes for beginners. These are adult classes aimed at those who might say they “can’t draw a straight line.” Students with no experience get to see the world through an artist’s eye and learn fundamental tools that can unlock dormant creativity.

The BBAC faculty brings extraordinary experience and perspective. New classes of note are The Beautiful, The Personal and The Inappropriate and New Directions on Watermedia with noted artist Marilyn Derwenskus; and Designing with Acrylic Plastic with Stephen Caliguiri, who was termed “Prince of Plexi” by Barney’s in New York.

Amy Dietrich brings her Seventh Avenue experience to Flat Sketching for the Fashion Industry where she teaches drawing and design specifically for presentation boards and merchandising. The Floral Still Life is taught the former head of Wayne State University’s painting department, Robert Wilbert. John Murphy will teach Wheel Throwing for all levels, among other pottery classes. Murphy will be assuming the role of director of the Ceramic Arts Department at the BBAC.

There are also classes some might be surprised to find at a visual art center: Getting Personal, Memoirs & Personal Essays; Screenwriting; and Songwriting: Methods & Prompts. For the DIY crowd, there is a perennially popular class in Decorative Painted Furniture with step- by-step instructions. The entire spring program book is online at www.BBArtCenter.org.

Registration is ongoing through the week of April 12. Registration and class details are available online at www.BBArtCenter.org. One can also register in person, or by phone at (248) 644-0866. The BBAC is located at 1516 S. Cranbrook Rd. (Evergreen Rd.), Birmingham, MI 48009 between 14 and 15 Mile Roads.