The Brownwood Art Association is offering several art events and classes during the month of August.
The community is invited to attend a Potluck Art Show on Thursday, August 4th from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Art Building located at 215 Fisk Avenue in downtown Brownwood. The Art Association is encouraging the community to bring a dish to share, as well as their own personal artwork to be displayed in the Art Building throughout the month of August. Individuals contributing art do not have to be current members of the association to have their work displayed during this special event. All ages and skill levels are encouraged to attend.
The August “Muse & Merlot” monthly painting party will recreate Vincent Van Gogh’s classic “Starry Night” painting. The painting party will be held Friday, August 12th and a second session is scheduled for Saturday, August 13th. Cost is $35 per painter and includes all supplies and step-by-step instruction. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and painting begins at 7 p.m. Seating is limited, please email museandmerlot@gmail.com to reserve a spot. Currently the August 12th session is fully booked.
Ken Dees, of Brownwood, will demonstrate the Art of Portraiture on Saturday, August 13th from 1:30-3 p.m. The demonstration is free of charge and open to the public. Dees began to show an interest in art at age 10 with encouragement from his step-mother. He continued his artist pursuits with art classes in school as well as college years at Texas Tech and McMurray University. After college, Dees put art study on hold for a 30-year career in structural steel construction across most of the continental US, but never quit drawing. In 1999, at age 60, Dees had the opportunity to take a three-week workshop with Daniel Greene at his studio in North Salem, NY. Daniel Greene is considered one of the premier portrait teachers in the United States.
“I learned more in the first week with Daniel Greene than in the previous 49 years,” Dees says. “I was fortunate to work as one of three class monitors that first year and for the next three summer sessions lasting five weeks each. At Mr. Greene’s request, I returned for one more summer session in 2008.” Since 2008, Dees has done several portrait commissions and taught classes in drawing, painting and portrait drawing and portrait painting.
A live drawing class, collectively known as the “People Painters” meets weekly at the Art Center to sketch, or paint live models. The group is open to Art Association Members as well as the general public, free of charge. Sessions are held every Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, please email brownwoodart@gmail.com
The Brownwood Art Association Photography Group meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. and is open to photographers at any level, no camera equipment is required. The group is free to join and is focused on the love of photography. Mentors are available for amateur photographers looking to improve their abilities. For more information about the group, contact Fred Spencer at fdspencer@msn.com.
The Brownwood Art Association is partnered with A.M.P. (Art, Music, People) to host a monthly Open Mic Night on Thursday, August 18th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Art Building There is no charge for admission, and the community is encouraged to attend. Artists are welcome to set up as well, and create during the evening.
Tuesday evening Art Classes are now being offered to the public. Brownwood Art Association member Claudette Womack will be teaching from 6-8 p.m. at the Art Building. Cost is $12 per class. Contact Claudette at 512-940-1713 for more information.
