Stay Smart With Art – A Fun Way to Learn Art

By Abbey Snow

Stay Smart With Art – A Fun Way to Learn Art

Stay Smart With Art is a free program for adults offering four classes a year at the Mesquite Fine Art Center with a focus on different art forms. The goal is to create a comfortable and fun environment where learning something new is not intimidating.

The classes are geared to introduce adults to both appreciate and understand the process of how some art forms are created and to inspire them to create some of their own. SSWA teachers hope the classes will inspire students to continue on their own journey of creativity.

The Virgin Valley Artists Association Educational Programs Director, Linda Harris, said the free Stay Smart With Art program is not specifically funded by any particular grant but is funded in part by the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

“It allows them to discover their own creativity in a relaxed environment and engage socially with others from diverse backgrounds,” Harris said. “ The objectives of SSWA include adults learning something new, taking risks, engaging in critical thinking and problem solving, and socializing with their peers. The VVAA hopes that adults who participate in the program will enjoy creating a piece of art and gain a new appreciation of the various educational opportunities provided at the Mesquite Fine Arts Center.”

Instructor Loesje Lindberg first volunteered to be on the Stay Smart With Art program and later became the SSWA Committee Chair in June 2021.

“My husband and I are retired and we have had our winter home here in Mesquite for just under two years now,” Lindberg said. “ I joined VVAA in February 2021. I was very excited to see such a wonderful artist community here. I enjoy painting oil and acrylics, photography, and jewelry making. Since being involved with the gallery, I’ve definitely been more inspired to create again, picking up those brushes and camera.”

Lindberg said that Stay Smart With Art is a program that introduces adults to the different art mediums. She said the program wasn’t running for a few years until last year it got started up again at the art center.

“Thanks to those who volunteer their time, people who have donated art supplies to our program, and partly through grants we are able to offer this program free,” Lindberg said. “Currently we register about 20 people but encourage those to get on a wait list. When it gets closer to the date, depending on supplies and room we may open more spots to participate.”

“I was very excited to be part of SSWA as I think a lot of adults are a bit intimidated by the thought of art classes,” Lindberg said “ SSWA is a way to have a fun, hands-on experience with an art project. We try to show different types of art, as we hope to inspire some to maybe start creating at home. This is such a good way to learn something new in a social atmosphere. We try to keep the classes in the evening, as most of the Art classes offered in the Gallery are during the day. We want to reach out to those in the community who, again, are a bit hesitant to try “art”. We had wonderful success last year. We did four classes, sponge painting on canvas (Aspens), a rainbow abstract on black canvas, doodling class, and salt dough wreath creations. We had many positive comments, as a matter of fact the doodling class is now being offered more regularly.”

Lindberg will be teaching the first SSWA class on abstract painting on Aug 25th.

“I love abstract as it is a fun way to create something colorful and unique,” Lindberg said.”My method includes using tape on the canvas and painting around it. Can’t draw a straight line? No problem, the tape is straight! The exciting part is that it is like unwrapping a present when you remove the tape and reveal what you have created! No matter how I think my painting may turn out, it is always a surprise! I love that about abstract art. I hope to kindle an excitement to my participants in this class to know that anything they create is their very own.”

“I really hope the community comes out and supports the Mesquite Fine Arts Center, “ Lindberg said. “ Whether that is joining the membership and participating in classes, or just coming into the Gallery and seeing the wonderful works that are currently being shown. It has been a pleasure to work with all the wonderful volunteers who keep this gallery alive with art. I am looking forward to taking more of the classes this winter myself. I enjoy learning more and keeping my creative journey going.”

There will be four SSWA classes taught and they will be:

August 25th – Abstract art with acrylics with Loesje Lindberg

November 10th – Intro to Pastels with Renate Riggs

January 19th- Reuse and Recycle Art with Char Lang

April 13th – Topic to be Announced with Wendy Douglas

Classes are free and supplies are provided. For those interested in signing up for one of the classes, please visit the Mesquite Fine Art Center website at the following link: https://www.mesquitefineartscenter.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=590375&module_id=481015 You can also call 702-346-1338 with more questions.

The following photos are art projects that the instructors from last year did. Photo Credit: Loesje Lindberg