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Let it Out
By Christina Weaver
Special to the Coastal Point
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Coastal Point • CHRISTINA WEAVER
Partcipants get into the swing of things at the Millsboro Art League.
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Every month, the Millsboro Art League hosts a painting workshop that is open to both its members and community participants. With its large open room, high ceiling and tall windows that fill the room with natural light, the League’s old building at 203 Main Street in Millsboro provides a perfect location for beginners and experienced artists alike to let their creative juices flow.
“We have about twenty participants for each workshop. It’s always a wonderfully supportive group of people who paint at all levels and have fun while being serious about what we do,” noted Dorothy Chmielewski, a former commercial artist from New York, who now serves as the league’s vice president. Like other students at the April workshop, Chmielewski was painting a lighthouse with watercolors under the tutelage of instructor, Sonia Hunt.
Hunt is one of several instructors who regularly teaches in Millsboro. Originally from England and living in Lewes, Hunt also teaches art at other area Art Leagues as well as at the Southern Delaware Academy of Life Long Learning. For this occasion, she has given each student a copy of a picture of a lighthouse positioned on rocks against an overcast sky. Painting the lighthouse as she teaches, Hunt demonstrates some of the techniques she uses to bring life to her work. A tip that was new to many of her students was using the edge of a broken credit card to create the craggy effect of rocks from layers of gray paint. Although most of the class painted rocks ready for climbing, one preferred the look of flowers amongst the rocks and several had rainbows in their skies.
“I love to teach,” Hunt said. “The feedback I get from the excitement when people create something different is so rewarding.”
Peggy Richards, who sat between Shirley Legg and Linda Stigile at one of the long, plastic-covered tables in the front of the room, is typical of many of the Art League members.
“I became a member after we moved to Millsboro two years ago,” she said. “Painting is what I always wanted to do after I retired.”
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Coastal Point • CHRISTINA WEAVER
Dorothy Chmielewski and Sonia Hunt enjoying the day.
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Annual dues for a single membership are just $20, and $25 for a family. In addition to the workshops, the League sponsors art exhibits in its gallery as well as at local public libraries, restaurants and art shows, and holds quarterly contests. Treasurer Ronald Lightcap is one of the members who is often at the gallery to welcome visitors on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays when the building is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. His oil painting of a local ferry crossing won the winter contest. Like all members he speaks enthusiastically of belonging to the group and encourages others to join. Handing out the latest newsletter, Lightcap pointed out that there are Open Paint Groups where members bring their own supplies and socialize as well as paint on Thursday and Saturday mornings. There is also a very reasonable mat cutting service so members can show their work to its best advantage.
Words don’t do justice to the process of art. If you have ever had a hankering to paint or are ready to let others peak at your own works of creative expression, including photography, pottery and quilt-making, check out the Millsboro Art League for yourself. Those interested could start by signing up for the next workshop on May 12 and 13. Taught by popular teacher Tom Jones, the topic will be Composition and Perspective.
The telephone number for information is (302) 934-6440 and the Web site is www.Millsboroartleague.org.
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