The Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce is organising a number of courses on various areas of floral art. Courses will cover modern to abstract floral designs, church flowers, bouquets for the bride and bridesmaid, classical and modern spray, Victorian and others, head-dresses using diamanté and pearls, imitating sculpture using grounds, flowers, fruit, angels and fabric, and special Christmas floral courses, including hand-made poinsiettas, crackers, wreaths and other ideas.

Morning and evening courses, which start in October, will be conducted by Nadine Micallef Grimaud.

The society is also holding courses on stone and clay sculpture. The stone sculpture course will be run by well-known sculptor Charles Bonnici and has two levels - beginners and intermediates. The students will be introduced to the tools required and sculpture techniques. They will eventually sculpt a detailed work from rough stone and will use drawing and full size patterns.

Clay sculpture, a beginners' course, will cover pinch pots, coil jars, slab work, relief with clay, drawing on clay, modelling a human bust, modelling a human figure, abstract sculpture in clay, and making a relief mould with clay and plaster.

Classes will run, on a weekday two-hour evening session basis, for 10 weeks, starting in October. The cost for the whole course is €21. Materials are to be provided by the student but the tutor will advise what materials are required.

Application forms, registrations and more details can be obtained from the society at Palazzo De La Salle, 219 Republic Street, Valletta, from Monday to Friday, between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Call 2124 4339 or 2124 4400, e-mail info@artsmalta.org or visit www.artsmalta.org.