Relaxation, friendship is part of art class
Members of the Butler County Community College art class will be displaying their works from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
The ninth annual art exhibit and reception also will feature works from Marion High School art students, and home schooled art students. The exhibit and reception will be held at Butler of Marion, 412 N. Second Street, Marion.
The class, taught by Pat Wick of Ramona, has 17 students who are auditing the class.
"They have exhausted the credit potential," explained Wick.
Most of the students use water color in their paintings, with some using oil, acrylic, and pastels.
Lenora Dieter of Marion enjoys colors.
"I love to work with colors," said Dieter.
Camaraderie and companionship among the class members are apparent.
"We're like one big, happy family," said Mary Alice Jolley of Marion.
Spouses take the class to paint together, like Eugene (Gene) and Doris Gerstner of Emporia.
The Gerstners have been coming to Marion Monday afternoons the past two and one-half years for the painting class.
Gene has been painting since 1974 and selling his work since 1980. Doris has been painting since 1984 and selling her work since 1990.
The Gerstners' art pieces are displayed in Olpe Chicken House and they also do commissioned work.
All of the students agreed that people need something to do, especially after retirement.
Most of the students paint as a hobby.
Wick said she has seen improvement in the students.
"We started with making paintings from scraps with step-by-step instruction," said Wick. "Now they are doing their own things."
Spouses who aren't painters assist. Don Jolley, husband of student Mary Alice Jolley, assists by providing custom-made matting and framing for the art pieces.
The class members are of retirement age but certainly are not resting on their laurels.
For more information about the exhibit or class, call 620-382-2183.
