The New Year brings many types of resolutions.

While some people jump on the quit-smoking or exercise bandwagons, others might be looking to try something new in 2006 like belly dancing, pottery or alternative photography for example.

Penn State's Center for Arts and Crafts adult art classes and workshops begin this week, offering a variety of classes to help students and community members improve their artistic abilities.

Melanie Brockway, staff assistant for the Center for Arts and Crafts, said the classes are available to people who want to try out different kinds of art or improve their artistic skills.

"You can have no experience at all and still absolutely do this," Brockway said. "We have beginning level classes and then some are more advanced for those who want a challenge."

Brockway said some of the classes include pottery, stained glass, drawing, book making and the popular belly dancing class.

"The response to the belly dancing class is wonderful," she said. "It's really cool to watch them. It's something different, and I don't think there's a lot of classes like that open to the public."

Brockway said anyone interested can still sign up for classes either online or in the HUB-Robeson Center. Information about the various classes and costs can be found online at www.sa.psu.edu/usa/craftcenter.

Program Director Stephanie Gush said she thinks these classes offer an outlet for students outside the normal classroom day.

"These classes complement what students learn through Penn State classes but outside of the classroom experience," Gush said. "They're inexpensive and a provide experience about different things most wouldn't normally get in a classroom situation."

Gush said the classes usually run about six weeks, and there is a cost to cover most of the supplies and instructing, but Penn State students do get a discount on classes.

"We have some professional artists and some Penn State students instructing," she said. "We actually have an art exhibit coming up where our instructors put their work in display at the HUB."

Lauren Bailey (junior-art) is teaching her first workshop in pottery painting this semester.

"I think it's always nice to learn something wildly different from what you normally learn in school," Bailey said. "It can be a lot of fun and a great stress reliever."

Bailey said she thinks that everyone has some artistic ability even if they aren't aware of it.

"I think everyone can learn to draw if they practice enough," Bailey said. "People who say they aren't artistic just haven't spent a lot of time practicing. I think everyone has a hidden talent they don't know about."