02/05/2015 – Melonie Flomer
“For the Love of Art” is this year’s theme at Arts Richmond on Valentine’s Day, and with all the activities lined up, there is something for everyone, regardless of experience.
The two art projects Saturday, Feb. 14 are diverse enough that families with children ages 6 and up can make an outing of it. Each class costs $25 per participant and all materials are included, giving visitors a fresh-off-the-street guided art lesson and completed works of art to keep or give as gifts.
The Wood-Burning Paddle Project, and first project of the day, is for ages 12 to adult. Taught by art instructor, Jan Allen — 2013 Teacher of the Year from the Richmond County Schools Ninth-Grade Academy — the class eases would-be wood-burners into the ages-old practice of scorching design into wood.
Each participant will learn wood-burning techniques and create a decorative cedar paddle with a nature theme design to take home. The paddle project’s first run coincided with the opening of the Hitchcock Creek Blue Trail and continues to tie in the area arts scene with Richmond County’s nature tourism.
The second class is a children’s painting event with art instructor Susan Perkins, who has taught art at Richmond Senior High School for more than 30 years. Perkins has held several successful painting classes at Arts Richmond and in other local venues, and they tend to sell out in a hurry.
This class is for ages 6 and older with an accompanying adult or older sibling. Participants will learn basic painting skills and create the “Whooo Loves You Owl” painting with acrylics on canvas.
Advance registration is required for each event and class sizes are limited. Each class costs $25 per person and includes all supplies. Arts Richmond invites the community to sign up for these special Valentine’s Day-themed projects.
Both classes are planned from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 14 at the Arts Richmond Center on 123 E. Washington St.
To preregister, call 910-997-6008. If no one is available to answer, organizers ask that callers leave a message. Calls will be returned as quickly as possible.