Local artist offers art classes in Carlisle
Coloring books for adults were a big seller this past Christmas.
Researchers have proclaimed numerous health benefits when we doodle, color, draw or paint and say that doodling can actually help with concentration in a meeting or class.
To help get your own creative juices flowing, Louise Zachary will be offering art classes at the Gallery Z in Nicholas County.
Every Thursday at 10 a.m. students can attend class to do a project with Zachary to learn a new technique or medium.
After a lunch, students can finish their project or work on a landscape, still life or floral arrangement of their own choosing until 4 p.m.
Many students have brought in pictures of a scene they wanted to paint and have used the time to get tips from Zachary or help with “finishing touches” on their art work.
There is a small fee for the class that includes all the supplies needed to complete an art project.
The art class is an opportunity for students to try their hand at painting or drawing and a chance to decide if they want to continue with their artistic endeavors.
There is room for up to 10 students at a time and students can attend once, weekly or as often as their schedules allow.
Zachary has been taking lessons in Lexington for the past 14 years and decided to share all she’s learned with the community and can often be seen working on a painting in the front window of the gallery on Friday and Saturdays when the gallery is open.
Zachary said classes will continue as long as students continue to show an interest.
The studio will take a break over the summer when the elementary school summer program is in session four weeks in July.
Classes are free to students age 7-15. The Art Guild raises the money to sponsor the program. Pieces the students produce are displayed each year at the annual art show at Blue Licks Resort State Park sponsored by the Art Guild. It’s held each April and includes works by students from Nicholas and surrounding counties.
Zachary said she has heard people say “I couldn’t do that” when they first come in, but most times they find they do much better than they ever expected, especially with her special help and guidance.
The Gallery is currently featuring Homemakers pen and ink “roughing” art on display. Roughing involves overlaying pen and ink with oil paint with the end product resembling watercolors.
Many pieces are available for sale. Display themes are changed frequently throughout the year with a special show and sale for the holidays for people looking for unique gifts. Other gift items available are canes, woodwork, quilts, fiber art, photography, crochet and knitting items.
Gallery Z also does a quilt show each year July 4 at the Blackberry Festival and offers extended hours and a special exhibit during Saturday in Carlisle the last weekend in September.
Gallery Z is open Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-noon at 116 E. Main Street, Carlisle.
You can find more information at http://www.carlisle-chamber.com/Gallery%20Z.html.
