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March 29, 2024 1:51 am
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Moapa Valley Summer Art Class Students Display Work

Various drawings created by local student artists were on exhibit at a special event held at the library last week. The work was the culmination of a drawing class held throughout the summer and taught by MV Art Guild member Susan Perez. PHOTO BY ELISE DALLEY/The Progress

For many, art is more than just a painting or a drawing. It is the window to the soul, and a link to the creative mind.

Monday, August 1 was an important day for a group of local artists. Over the summer, this group had worked long hours on a set of drawings. Now they all had the chance to display their art at a special exhibit in the Overton library branch.

This group of local seniors have met each week in a drawing class where they were instructed in basic drawing techniques by Moapa Valley Art Guild member Susan Perez. Classes took place every Thursday morning for six weeks.

According to Perez, the class had a good turnout, with attendance ranging from 5 to 10 students each week.
“I was pleased with the turnout of the class,” said Perez. “I was surprised because I was expecting the students to have some experience, but quite a few were first time students.”

The overall purpose of the class was, not only to teach basic drawing skills, but also to strengthen relationships within the community.

Perez said the state council guild had contacted the library and asked her if she would teach the drawing class. She decided that she would start off by teaching a basic drawing class. Then, from there, if there is interest she could continue on teaching different art classes.

“Some of my students have already told me that they would like to continue on,” said Perez. “So we will be having more classes in the future.”

Perez explained that the class is not just about doing the art. “A lot of it is the benefit of artists being with other artists and there is always something new to learn,” she said.

Perez said that the students have progressed immensely throughout their classes. By the end of the course, the students could show many expressive drawings.

One student, Joy Lamb, explained how much she had benefitted from the class. “I think it’s safe to say this class was a big hit!” Lamb said. “I really enjoyed it.”

Last week’s exhibit was a celebration of all the work the students had done in the classes and all of the progress they had made. From 4 to 5 pm that day, in the back room of the library, art students, their families and even the general public, could come and admire their artwork together. They had the opportunity to mingle with other students, talk about their drawings, and eat the delicious food that had been provided.

For many years, the art guild has done a regular summer art program with kids at the library. But with the COVID pandemic that program had all come to a screeching halt. So one hope of the art guild is to get things started up involving youth again.
“If we don’t get some younger people in the art guild, it’s going to die with us,” said Perez.

The Moapa Valley Art Guild gives scholarships to local students that plan to go to school for art.
“We are going to do other incentives to try to get students to come and join as well,” Perez said.
There will be further information posted regarding future art classes at the Moapa Valley Library branch.

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