Thomas Merton, an America monk, mystic and poet, once said: “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
Take a break
The president of the Findlay Art League—Janealla Killebew—can relate to Merton’s viewpoint. When you create art, she says, you tap into the unique artistic side of your being. At the same time, you become so absorbed in the creative process that it provides a mental break from the stress and hurry of the world. “I think that’s why we are seeing a surge of interest in the visual arts,” she says. “Almost everything is our world is left-brained and we’re always rushing to complete tasks and meet deadlines. Art is right-brained. It’s a different way of thinking; it is a creative problem-solving. It’s a slow process that’s not only relaxing, but makes us much more well-rounded people.”
Findlay has an abundance of opportunities to gather with friends and paint a canvas or create a handmade craft. In these classes, participants often copy a pattern, explains Janealla. However, many of the classes offered through the Findlay Art League teach the process of art creation. “We teach you how to think through the process to create something personal that comes from within,” she says.
Findlay’s first and oldest arts organization, established in 1947, the Findlay League’s mission is to support, promote and advance enjoyment and knowledge of the visual arts in the community. Its membership includes amateur and professional artists as well as art enthusiasts. “You don’t have to have any art training to be a part of the organization,” says Janealla.
Hosting exhibits
Located downtown at 117 W. Crawford St., the Findlay Art Leagues hosts both juried and non-juried art exhibits, provides arts programming to home-schooled children, supports the visual arts in the local schools, and offers art classes to the general public, with courses in pottery, watercolor painting, drawing and more. In addition, the league has a gift shop and a pottery studio that can be rented by local artists.
Winter Classes at the Findlay Art League
To register for the following classes, visit the Findlay Art League’s website at findlayartleague.org or email findlayartleague@gmail.com
Figure Drawing
Meets the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Mondays of every month. 7-9pm. Bring your own drawing supplies and $10 to pay the model.
Basic Drawing Instruction
Learn various methods to see so that you can draw accurately. Finish with a self-portrait. Instructor: Janealla Killebrew.
Wednesdays (6) – Feb. 12,19, 26, March 4, 11, 18. 7-8:30pm. $70. Materials supplied.
Penguins in Watercolor
January 25, noon-2pm, $25.
Instructor: Jeanne Beutler
Cardinal in Acrylics-Paint & Sip
February 21, 6-8pm, $30. Instructor: Jeanne Beutler
Portraits in Watercolor
Discuss facial proportion, shadows, mixing skin tones. Paint a portrait using a photo you provide. All other materials supplied.
$50. Instructor: Janealla Killebrew
Wednesdays (4) – January 8, 15, 22, 29. $50.
Beginner Pottery Classes
5 Tuesdays beginning January 7; 5 Wednesdays beginning January 8; or 5 Thursdays beginning January 9.
Instructor: Eliseo Escobedo
In January, the Findlay Art League will pay tribute to its long history with a special exhibit that honors the league’s founders and other special artists and individuals who have supported the visual arts in Findlay during the past 70+ years. Janealla hopes that in 2020 more community members will be inspired to check out the Findlay Art League and its offering. “Art is a universal language that everyone can understand,” she says. “We’re always open to new members. We meet the first Monday of every month at 7pm in our space on Crawford Street. Join us!”
