With the addition of art instructor, Donna Bailey, the new oil painting classes at The Active Life recreation center are giving participants the chance to develop their painting skills in a relaxing and creative environment.
The Active Life recreation center’s oil painting classes on Fridays from noon to 4 p.m., are creating quite a stir. Under the guidance of Bailey, who is both an accomplished artist and an experienced instructor, participants are given the opportunity to explore oil painting at their own pace.
Bailey’s background is typical of the caliber of instructors that the center is so fortunate to have. Bailey has a Bachelor of Arts degree in commercial art from California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, Calif. and an Associate in Art degree from Stephens College in Columbia, Mo. She was a commercial artist for 15 years with a small town newspaper and taught art in Sonoma Valley Adult Education for several years. She is currently teaching art classes and paints commissioned portraits of people and pets. Bailey is a patient and encouraging teacher.
” I love to teach. I enjoy people who have never painted before and then get to leave with something that they have created that they can hang up or give as a gift. Everyone comes in with a different level, so I work with the individual and give them an opportunity to try and to improve,” Bailey said.
The participants who attended last Friday’s class were all engrossed in working on their paintings and gave Bailey and the class high marks.
Kay Davis, who was working on a painting that she plans to give as a gift, told of her initial reservations concerning the class.
“I have been excited about these classes, but I didn’t know if I could paint with oils,” she said. “Donna just said to draw a picture, prepare the board and then she had me started, and you know, it was fun. It is also the fellowship each week that makes the class fun. We all love doing this and she (Bailey) loves doing this, she is not a pusher, she helps us one at a time,” Davis said.
Jerry Alford was working on the details of the fence in his landscape and has been quite pleased with the classes.
“I never painted before but I like to sketch so I thought that I would try it. I like it and I enjoy it,” Alford said.
Dan Wooten, the director of The Active Life is pleased that the oil painting classes are fitting in so well with the overall philosophy of the center.
“We have a three-fold vision or purpose here at The Active Life: improve the quality of life of older adults, encourage their Independence and through our nutrition and exercise programs to try to extend their life spans,” Wooten said. ” We are glad that we could add the addition of the oil painting classes to the center,” he said.
Besides the painting classes, the center offers an impressive array of classes, activities, and events. The center’s monthly trips are very popular and are filled rapidly on a first come first serve basis. This month the center’s Wii bowling team is travelling to Denver to compete in the national Wii competition and there will be a costume contest on the 31st.
The center’s monthly newsletter lists the everyday, weekly and monthly events and includes a “Month-at-a-Glance” calendar that is very helpful. All of the center’s rooms are multipurpose and are used on a regular basis. Friday’s oil painting class is held in one end of the craft room while a the other end of the room is being used by a group of women working on a quilting project that they are doing for charity. The computer room and the wellness center are also very popular.
Presently there is still room in Friday’s oil painting classes for additional participants. If you are 55 years of age or older, please call or stop into The Active Life recreation center to register and obtain a list of the supplies that you will need for the class. There is a ten dollar charge for each class.
The Active Life is located at 104 Ragland Street, and can be reached online at www.theactivelife.org, or by phone at (706) 883-1681. You may also contact the instructor by email at dcb13h@von.com.
Post a Comment
