There’s no television and beanbag chair, but the Workspace in the Memorial Union is a basement many students and community members call their own.

Thirty-four classes will be available this semester in dance and movement, jewelry and glass, clay, photography, mat cutting, woods and writing.

The Workspace has been home to arts and crafts since 1969. In the summer of 1970 the center began to offer a set schedule of classes, according to the Workspace Web site, at www.mu.iastate.edu/workspace/workspace.html. The Workspace is the only pay-by-the-day studio in Ames and is open to everyone.

“The nice thing about the mix of students and community members is you get a different perspective aside from the university,” said Letitia Kenemer, Memorial Union arts program adviser.

“You can talk with people from different backgrounds; the two communities have a chance to come together,” she said.

Kenemer said classes are chosen by interest and the amount of participation. If a class is successful, the instructor is asked to teach it again.

The classes usually cost between $10 and $95. Cost is minimal to avoid losing students’ interest, Kenemer said.

Some classes meet one week; others can go up to eight weeks. Classes lasting longer have a higher price to cover materials fees and tuition.

The hand-built pottery class, taught by Theresa Cannon-DeWitt, College of Design academic adviser, is five weeks long. There are faculty, people from the Ames community and one ISU student enrolled.

“I feel like the oddball because I’m the only student,” said Saralyn Ohanian, senior in genetics.

“Maybe, when you get older you appreciate arts more,” said Ohanian, in reference to the lack of students in the class.

On the other hand, students usually fill the dance workshops. The belly-dancing workshop, taught by Lisa Rich-McKelvey, technician at the ISU Instructional Technology Center, usually fills quickly. Another section is offered later in the semester to accommodate more people.

The Workspace is also offering salsa and swing dance lessons.