Maybe you're looking to brush up on your art history. Or learn more about animals native to Sarasota and Her Islands. Luckily, local attractions offer classes galore for both kids and adults - in everything from watercolor painting to kayaking. So hit the books!

Most of the following classes require reservations and fees, but many attractions give fee discounts if you become a member.

Mote Aquarium's family program teaches children about marine life. Photo courtesy of Mote Aquarium

Develop an eye for photography or botany at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. The site offers several art, photography and horticultural classes, as well as off-site classes and programs for families. The watercolor painting class (offered at both beginner and intermediate levels) is popular, as are Selby's photography classes, which involve taking pictures in both the botanical gardens as well as seasonally on the grounds of Myakka River State Park.

Become an art expert at The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Adult art programs include "Spotlight" classes, which take place in the renowned museum's galleries, and single-day and multi-day courses on topics as varied as Japanese woodblock prints and P.T. Barnum. The museum's new "Handz-On Family Program," offered on Sundays, is for kids aged 5 to 10. Activities will change monthly.

If your kids love animals, head for Sarasota Jungle Gardens. The park's Junior Zookeeper Club for kids aged 3 to 10 meets twice a month. Club members learn what animals are like in the wild, prepare food for and feed the animals and clean enclosures. The annual club membership fee includes an annual pass to Jungle Gardens for the Junior Zookeeper.

Learn more about butterflies and butterfly gardening at The Sarasota County Butterfly Club. Various programs are offered at the Sarasota Garden Club and other locations September

At Crowley Museum & Nature Center, kids can take nature-related art classes and get to know the animals first-hand.

through May.

Discover flora, fauna and fishing inside Myakka River State Park. The park's citizens support organization, the Myakka Friends, offers classes at the park called the Nature Adventure Series. Topics include Myakka's fishing hot spots; allergy plants; raptors; plein-air oil painting; nature photography; canoeing and kayaking; Myakka's reptiles and amphibians; flowers, seeds and fruit; and the park's butterflies.

Dissect a shark at Mote Aquarium. The Aquarium offers a family program - geared toward children aged 6 to 12 and their adult companions - from 9 to 11 a.m. the second Saturday of each month from November to July. The "Sharks: Up Close & Personal" class includes dissecting a shark. Other class topics are manatees and dolphins. The Aquarium also offers the Mote Special Lecture Series for adults in January, February and March. Previous lectures have explained sharks' immune systems and the sensory world of manatees.

Engage in ecology-inspired arts and recreation at the Crowley Museum & Nature Center. This home to nature trails, a museum, an observation tower and historic structures offers programs (usually on Saturdays) that are generally free with admission. Programs include bird and plant walks and educational children's classes such as "Eco Art," which allows children to make "eco-collages" using materials from nature and watercolors, and "Backyard Birdhouse," which teaches children about Florida birds and participants can decorate a bird house.

Go back to school - fishing school, that is - at CB's Saltwater Outfitters. CB's occasionally offers one-day fishing schools. Topics have included fly-casting, snook and tarpon fishing.

Kayak like a pro with Dolphin Dive & Kayak in Sarasota. In the Introduction to Kayaking class you'll learn basic paddling strokes, how to sit and kayaking safety. Group classes meet from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays. Reservations are needed, but equipment is provided. Private intermediate and advanced classes are also offered by appointment (you provide your own equipment). You'll learn rescues, Eskimo rolling, surfing and kayak outfitting.

Dive on in, Kids of all ages! Florida Underwater Sports offers classes for kids 8+ and adults. If you have ever wanted to learn to dive Florida Underwater Sports is Sarasota's premier PADI 5-Star Dive Center. Their exceptional, professional staff and high level of customer service, allow them to offer the best education, equipment and excursions to meet your diving and snorkeling needs.

If you go:
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: 941-366-5731, www.selby.org
The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art: 941-359-5700, www.ringling.org
Sarasota Jungle Gardens: 941-355-5305, www.sarasotajunglegardens.com
Sarasota County Butterfly Club: 941-955-0875, www.sarasotabutterfly.org
Myakka River State Park: 941-316-8139, www.FloridaStateParks.org/MyakkaRiver
Mote Aquarium: 941-388-4441, www.mote.org
The Crowley Museum & Nature Center: 941-322-1000, www.crowleymuseumnaturectr.org
CB's Saltwater Outfitters: 941-349-4400, www.cbsoutfitters.com
Dolphin Dive & Kayak: 941-924-2785, www.floridakayak.com
Florida Underwater Sports
941-650-1820, www.floridaunderwatersports.com