CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — Patricia Goodrich was a working artist for 30 years, exhibiting her two- and three-dimensional art in galleries around the world, when she decided to try something new.

Tim Reilly of Breinigsville is an athlete — a former cyclist and current rower who had an interest in metalsmithing and making jewelry. Two years ago, he decided to get more serious about his art and began researching programs in the Lehigh Valley.

Another artist named Diane has found deep satisfaction in metalsmithing, as well — primarily jewelry — and has broadened her scope to include 3D printing.

These three students are among the hundreds of adult learners putting their artistic passion into practice through the Penn State Arts Project, a continuing education program offered by Penn State Lehigh Valley (PSU-LV) for adults seeking enrichment in various areas rather than taking courses for a grade.

Ann Lalik, director of the Ronald K. De Long Art Gallery and arts coordinator at PSU-LV, has led the program since its inception in 2011.

“When I came to Penn State as an administrator, I had come from the Baum School of Art where I’d had a pretty good run with noncredit jewelry courses, many of which I taught myself. When I came to Penn State, many of the students who’d been studying with me for years were asking if they could take these courses. At the time, we didn’t have the Arts Project but we did have the Writing Project, which was offered through continuing education mostly to educate teachers at the K-12 level on best practices in teaching writing. I thought, why couldn’t we do this with art?”

Lalik was teaching jewelry making, Ronald K. DeLong (the gallery’s namesake) was teaching drawing and painting on campus, both instructors had full classes — creating a formal program seemed like a natural next step.

Goodrich’s passion is hands-on art. She worked with steel and took welding classes to get comfortable with the raw materials. She recently had an exhibit of her work in Romania and has an upcoming solo exhibition of bronze sculpture at the National Museum of Constantin Brancusi in Targu Jiu, Romania. Goodrich worked in sculpture for many years but was interested in learning about lost wax casting. Lalik did a demonstration of this technique during a community workshop and Goodrich found an entirely new medium in which to work. Goodrich met Lalik several years ago and speaks highly of Lalik’s teaching methods and encouraging nature.

“The Arts Project opened up a whole new window to go through for me,” she said. “There’s a real sense of community, and frankly Ann is at the center. I’m not looking for college credits, but I am looking for knowledge. I’m really fortunate with the people I’ve gotten to meet. Ann is so knowledgeable and open to the possibilities of what I can do. We are so lucky here.”

The Arts Project makes it possible for artists at all levels to try something new or expand what they are already doing.

“It’s a place where students can come to discover their creative side. It’s a way to experiment and explore without making a huge time or financial commitment,” Lalik said.

Reilly has found tremendous value in the program’s courses and camaraderie.

“I come up with designs and ideas, but sometimes I don’t," Reilly said. "Sometimes I’ll have an idea, and I’ll sketch it out on paper and work on it for awhile. Sometimes I’ll go to class without an idea and I’ll pick up on some of the scrap metal techniques Ann is teaching us. That’s what I’ve been doing for the last two years — from etching to lost wax casting to soldering techniques. It’s a learning process that will accumulate to a finished design.”

The students work on individual projects but also learn from each other.

“Sometimes the ideas are there but they don’t come out as well as you think they should,” Reilly said. “Ann is a fantastic teacher. You’re also learning camaraderie, fellowship, and social activity. You’re seeing how your friends are doing, and how long they’ve been doing it. There are so many things you can learn.”

Diane has a background in computer science but said she has fully embraced her inner artist, applying the techniques she’s learned through the Arts Project to courses of her own. The Arts Project has been a huge game changer in her own work.

“It’s a great way to dip your foot in and try something new. Ann is incredibly patient, and incredibly supportive and welcoming. If somebody is looking to try something new or different, they won’t regret it,” she said.

Lalik said PSU-LV offers the community a rare, valuable resource through the Arts Project and their arts studios.

“The whole idea behind Penn State as a land grant university is to support the community in what we do,” Lalik said. “The courses are accessible and reach people at all levels — you don’t have to have experience, or maybe you have years of experience in one medium but want to try something new. To me, that’s what’s really great about it.”

The Arts Project’s fall classes included beginning and advanced jewelry making, ceramics, and introduction to 3D printing. For more information, visit the Arts Project website at Arts Project — Penn State Lehigh Valley.