By JENNA RHUDE
Moapa Valley Progress
As always, our community volunteers are the best. And the Moapa Valley Art Guild is at it again, giving back to the community. Every summer the Guild hosts a free 6 week art class for kid’s grades 6-12. During these once a week classes the kids are taught by local artists who volunteer their time.
This year, during the first week of classes, Amie Potts of Moapa taught how to paint with oil pastels. The second week brought water color art introduced to the group by Joy Lamb. Susan Perez has taken on a couple of different weeks, teaching the students water color miniatures.
Tammy Symons is also a talented local artist who took time last week to help the students bring aurora borealis to life with pastels.
“The classes are open to anyone ages 6-12 grade,” said organizer Jackie Worthen. “But they must be serious about learning art. These artists are volunteers who give of their talent and time. We want the kids to appreciate the efforts made by all involved.”
In the class last week, each child was told to draw the same thing. Yet they each created their own interpretation in very different ways; whether it was the colors, gradient shading or size of the objects.
The students were deeply engaged throughout the session. And each one seemed to have a good time with the assigned medium.
“I like drawing. said student Sidalee Peterson. “I can express myself better.”
“The kids really do enjoy themselves,” observed artist Susan Perez. “They are very receptive to the different mediums being taught.”
The MV Art Guild is home to about 35 members. Annetta Romero is president, while Jackie Worthen stands as vice president. Anyone is welcome to attend their weekly meetings which are held on Thursday’s at the Old Logandale School from 10AM-12PM.
The artists gather to share their talents and knowledge with each other. The Guild has told the Progress that you do not have to be an “artist” to attend, you just need to be open to learning and sharing your talents, whatever that may be.
Each November the Art Guild puts on the Pomegranate Festival as a fundraiser for the MV Art Guild Scholarship. This scholarship is available for any MVHS graduate student to apply for. However, they must major or minor in art. Jackie wanted to remind everyone that art comes in many different mediums. You can be a photographer, artist, painter and so much more. Also, you do not need to wait for the Pomegranate Festival to donate to the scholarship program.
