Here's a summer vacation idea for you: Consider taking one of the many upcoming workshops at the Craft Center, which is offering a 50 percent discount to faculty, staff and students.

A workshop participant works on a woodturning project.

Five-day classes in ceramics, fiber arts, blacksmithing, woodworking, metalsmithing, glass, watercolor and photography feature something for every interest and every skill level, from beginner to advanced.

“The Craft Center is busy throughout the year with our academic and outreach programs, but the summer comes to life with the happy faces of visitors from across the United States and abroad,” says Gail Gentry, workshop and event coordinator.

Room and board is available at the Craft Center, where workshop participants — in addition to their craft classes — can enjoy hiking on the 500-acre property, swimming and canoeing in Center Hill Lake and dining at the Craft Center’s on-site restaurant, The Walkway Café.

“Our workshop programs are great opportunities for people to come to the Craft Center and enjoy our fabulous facilities, gorgeous environment and meet and work with more than 50 visiting workshop instructors,” says Gentry.

TTU discounts are available for classes that haven't already filled. You need to sign up sometime in the month before the workshop is scheduled to begin. To find out which upcoming classes still have openings, call Gentry at 3051.

Another participant sculpts a clay elephant in one of many ceramics workshops.

The 50 percent discount for faculty, staff and students also includes the Craft Center's evening and weekend workshops, which are offered during the fall and spring semesters.

More detailed information about the summer workshop schedule is available online at www.tntech.edu/craftcenter. For more information, call the Craft Center at 3051 or 615-597-6801.