Suzi Hudson making a glass bead using lampworking techniques

Newsletter

Spring 2007

“I’m going to paint flowers!”

- Bob Straube

Dear Friends,

Bob Straube was a beloved instructor at WBCA, who passed away last fall. A few weeks ago, our education coordinator, Danielle, brought my attention to the above quote that has been circulating around one of his classes. Anyone who knew Bob, knew his love for painting en plein air (French, for “in the open air”.) Bob’s “buddy” was a plein-air case that he custom designed, so that even after a heart transplant he could wheel his paints and canvas outdoors. Eventually, when he could no longer paint en plein air, he told his students, “I’m going to paint flowers!” This quote is a reminder and inspiration that the glass can always be half-full.

How do you fill your cup? Practicing a creative art brings opportunity to enhance everything else in your life.

This spring, we’re offering so many new classes we added more pages to the catalog! We are growing so you can grow. Thanks to a White Bear Community Service Grant we’ve recently ordered two new potter’s wheels and installed a new ventilation system, so now’s the perfect time to join a pottery class or one of our many other offerings. We continue to partner with Tamarack Nature Center, offering nature oriented art classes such as Earth Gifts: Poems of Celebration, Spirited Watercolors, Nature Printing and Perpetual Art, all in the beautiful surroundings of 325 acres! Go for a hike in the woods first, or find stillness and inspiration in the prairie that surrounds Tamarack’s wonderful building. Our jewelry classes include fine silver, fused glass and the newest techniques in Keum Boo, (silver and gold PMC.) How about inviting a neighbor to take an art class in Exquisite Paper Bowl making, or your teenager to Friday night Tie-Dye? Develop your artistic eye in a new photography class or by studying the art of letters and type. Incorporating these skills and ideas into classes such as Collage, Photo Transfer or Printmaking and your glass won’t be half-full, it will be overflowing! Look inside for new offerings in watercolor and drawing. We’ve added new levels to ensure something for everyone; beginner, intermediate and advanced artists. And did you know we offer classes in creative writing, performance art, dance and movement, as well as many wonderful art classes for children? Of course, parents and grandparents are always welcome!

So, it’s a new year, and there’s so much to explore. How will YOU paint flowers?

See you at the WBCA!

Suzi Hudson
Executive Director