Senior citizen center art classes resume

This fall, local artists Laura Reichert and Kathy Prince are challenging seniors’ ideas of what they can and can’t do. The Trussville residents resumed their monthly art classes at the Trussville Senior Citizen Center, 504 Cherokee Drive, on Aug. 25.

Last year, the classes covered topics such as colored pencils and watercolors, and Prince said she and Reichert have plans to teach media like acrylics. “We’ve just kind of been real freeform about all of this,” said Prince. “So it’s just been all over the map.”

The classes are open to any Jefferson County resident age 55 or older. While most sessions will cost $5 to cover supplies, some free sessions will offer students a chance to work on projects from home.

Reichert and Prince said they enjoy teaching community members who, in many cases, haven’t created art since grade school. 

“So they’re engaged, and it’s good,” Price said. “I think it helps to not only pass the time away, but engage their minds in a new way.” 

Reichert said one of their goals is to alleviate students’ fears. “[P]eople come into these classes saying, ‘I can’t do this; I can’t draw a straight line,’” she said. “And we kind of try to erase that out and say, ‘Well, here’s a list of things that you can do.’”

While the classes usually take place one Friday a month at 9:30 a.m., Reichert said session times are flexible depending on the schedules of the students and the center. 

For more information, email her at Artypants@aol.com or Prince at KPrince109@gmail.com.