Get creative in the new year

If you’ve resolved to be more creative in 2018, you might want to check out the Moab Arts and Recreation Center’s roster of classes that are being offered in January and February.

There’s much to choose from, including drawing, pottery, dancing, sewing and more. All classes are held at the MARC, 111 E. 100 North, except for the ceramics classes, which will take place at Desert Sun Ceramics, 1320 S. U.S. Highway 191.

Gallery Moab member Deborah McDermott is teaching two sessions of “Explore Painting,” for beginners. Each session consists of three two-hour classes.

“It’s for people who would like to paint but have never started,” McDermott said. “I want to start people out in a good, uninhibited way … If we could all be as uninhibited as children are, we could save a lot of time.”

McDermott said she will lead the class in activities that will “loosen people up,” with the intention of promoting the “enjoyment of painting for its sensual qualities.”

Participants will learn art concepts while having fun, she said. Some people may want to attend both sessions and go further with their painting, McDermott said. All art supplies are provided.

McDermott shows some of her acrylic paintings and linoleum block prints at Gallery Moab. She taught art to children for 17 years.

Another art instructor, Katrina Lund, is teaching two drawing classes. “Ooh La La Line Drawing” is a beginner, basic drawing class that is open to all levels of experience.

“I believe drawing makes your life better, and that anyone can draw – drawing is about observing,” Lund said. “Anyone can observe. To draw you have to really see it. Because when you draw you see things in a new way – it’s a new lens to look at the world around you.”

This will be Lund’s second year teaching the drawing class – last year’s class was full.

“we had such a good time,” she said.

Lund’s second session, “Beyond the Line,” is a natural progression from the first class, she said.

In “Beyond the Line,” students will learn to use shading and colors in their completed line drawing to take the piece to the next level. Anyone with solid drawing skills can take the second class – you’re not required to take the “Ooh La La” class first, Lund said. Each class is limited to 25 participants.

The late John Lennon once said, “Every child is an artist until they’re told they are not,” Lund said.

Other classes at the MARC include “Sewing 101: Pillowcases” and “Sewing 102: Comfy Pants” with Susan Baffico; “Beginner Guitar,” taught by Sand Sheff; “Line Dancin’” Friday nights at the MARC; “Art and Astrology” by Moab astrologer Shari Zollinger and MARC Director Meg Stewart. “Astrology 101” will also be offered.

The “Play with Clay” classes at Desert Sun Ceramics include beginning and intermediate throwing with Barb Gregoire; “Hand-building with Texture and Templates,” taught by Clair Smith; and “Creating a Standing Critter Glyph” with Shari Michaud.

Call the MARC at 435-259-6272, or visit www.moabarts.org/classes/ to learn more, or register for classes. For the ceramics classes, call 970-819-7938, or email: desertsunceramics@gmail.com. Each class requires a specific number of participants to make it happen.

MARC hosts winter art classes in January, February

“I believe drawing makes your life better, and that anyone can draw.”

Where: Moab Arts and Recreation Center, 111 E. 100 North

When: January and February

Cost: Fees vary depending on class

Information: www.moabarts.org/classes/ or 435-259-6272