It may still be February, but it’s not too soon to look ahead and save the dates for upcoming March activities. Ready to register? Call DCA at 410-228-7782 or stop by 321 High St. in downtown Cambridge.

DCA is offering a new Home-Schooled Students Art Program beginning in March. This series will provide structured art sessions with an art professional on the third Thursday morning of every month and may include instructional arts in a variety of mediums, gallery talks, or art history discussions.

Class dates are March 15, April 19, May 17, and June 21. The program hours are 10:30 a.m. to noon on each of those dates. Students must be registered no later than the 1st of every month in which they wish to participate. Registration is $10 per child. For families with multiple children, registration for each additional child is $5.

Adults will find new arts experiences in March as well. Stained Glass for Beginners and Intermediates with instructor Jan Boettger provides students with the opportunity to learn basic or intermediate techniques for creating a stained glass panel. Instruction includes design, cutting, foiling, and soldering. Stress free, excellent instruction with beautiful results!

10-week session begins March 20, with classes meeting weekly on Tuesdays. Two options: 4-6 p.m. or 6 – 8 p.m. Class tuition is $130 for DCA members, $170 for future members, plus $75 – $125 (depending on size of project) supply fee payable to instructor.

Master screen painter John Iampieri brings his talents to DCA for a one-day workshop “The Art of Screen Painting” on March 24, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. According to the Painted Screen Society of Baltimore, this unique folk art form premiered in the summer of 1913 when the corner grocer in the heart of Northeast Baltimore’s Bohemian (Czech) community was the first person to introduce colorful scenes on woven wire. William Oktavec painted the front doors of his shop with images of the meat and produce he sold inside.

As the story goes, a neighbor admired his artwork as well as the fact that passersby could not see in his store, while she could see outside. To maintain privacy in her rowhouse, she asked Mr. Oktavec to paint a screen for her front window and provided him with a colorful scene from a calendar to use as the subject matter. Each of her neighbors then demanded their own, and before long new artists emerged in the surrounding communities eager to engage with the new trend.

These traditional methods have influenced John’s work, and his art has been exhibited throughout Maryland, in feature films, on TV commercials, and in magazines and papers. In this workshop students will learn the history, tools, techniques, and functionality of the art form and create their own personalized screen. This workshop is a perfect multi-generational activity, fun for both children and adults.

Students under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. All supplies are included. $70 DCA members, $110 future members.

For a bit of March music, DCA offers the Gallery Stage performance “Smooth Melodies with Phil Kirkland” on March 23, 7 – 9 p.m. Mr. Kirkland is a pianist, singer, and songwriter - born in Beaver Falls, Pa. - who comes to DCA by way of Philadelphia.

He grew up under the influences of many genres which have forged his own unique approach to composition. Tickets are $10 for DCA members, $12 for general admission. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Come back to the Gallery Stage as the March arts wrap up with the Friday Night Live Coffeehouse Open Mic on March 30, 7-9 p.m.

For more information on these and other activities at DCA, stop by 321 High St., call 410-228-7782, or visit online at dorchesterarts.org. Programs at DCA are supported by the Maryland State Arts Council, celebrating 50 years of service to the arts. Like us on Facebook!

Editor’s note: Spectrum is the weekly column of the Dorchester Arts Center. It is written by Barbara J. Seese, executive director.