Art museum offering new classes and events in 2015

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

The Ormond Memorial Art Museum continues to revamp its schedule for next year.

Gone are the days of passively strolling through an art museum. At the Ormond Memorial Art Museum, the participants are being anything but passive.

In 2014, the community watched as the museum grew to include class that were more than just acrylic canvas paintings and events that appealed to every age group.

“One of the things that we are really pleased we were able to do is increase the amount of free art outreach that we’ve done,” Museum Director Susan Richmond said. “Sometimes the people who need inspiration the most, can’t always come to the museum. We’ve taken art out.”

Through their Art in Therapy Program with the Florida Hospital and their outreach program for veterans with mental illness. they were able to spend 1,300 hours of free art outreach.

“Those are the things that make a permanent difference somewhere,” Richmond said. “To me, that would be one of my highlights of 2014.”

For the people that are able to come to the museum, its staff has provided plenty of different opportunities to be creative.

“We’re turning the museum more into a center for creativity,” Kristin Heron, curator of arts and outreach, said. “We had a really good response to our colored pencil class.”

The class stemmed from an exhibit from the Colored Pencil Society of America. Viewers of the exhibited were so intrigued by the artwork that they signed up for the class. The museum plans to offer the same partnership in January with its Shibori collection. An ancient art of Japanese fabric dyeing, the museum will have classes to go along with the artwork in its galleries.

“The colored pencils was an example of what was in the museum inspiring people,” Richmond said.

“It’s a really good example of how we can integrate what’s in the museum with the classes,” Heron said. “It really helps people appreciate the art.”

The “Zen Zone: Shibori and Bonsai” will be in the museum from Jan. 9 through Feb. 8 and will showcase the work of Shibori artist Diane Franklin and Bonsai Master Jason Schley. After that, “The Messersmiths: Explorers of Art” will be exhibited from Feb. 13 to Mar. 22. Richmond is particularly excited about this collection because it hits close to home.

“Harry and Fred Messersmith are a part of a local family, a very artistic family,” Richmond said. “Fred was the father. He is deceased now, but he was nationally known watercolorist. Harry, his son, is a metal sculptor. So we’re going to show father and son together.”

This is the first time in Florida that their work has been shown together. Fred’s wife is also bringing a lot of paintings from their home that have not yet been seen in public.

“I think because they are such a longtime, local family that it’s going to be interesting to a lot of people,” Richmond said. “There are a lot of them that haven’t seen Fred’s work in a long time. It’s nice because we’re such a family place, and we love that family connection.”

Also on the museum’s to-do list is to expand the type of kids classes they currently offer. New ideas include a Zentangle class Jan. 14 and Valentine Art and Teatime Feb. 1. There’s one more event that Richmond — and the rest of Ormond Beach — will be looking forward to

“People always ask me, and now I get to say ‘Yes, Dogapalooza is coming back,” Richmond said. “It will be in the spring. Our dog friendly night at the museum, including doggie art projects. We skipped it last year, but we’re excited to bring it back.”

Richmond and Heron both hope that their continued efforts to bring more creativity to the museum will in turn, bring more people to the museum.

“If you haven’t been here, come by,” Richmond said. “So many people come in and say ‘You know I’ve lived here forever, have always driven by and wondered what this was.’ If I had one wish it would be that if you have company in town or are looking for something to do, that you check out the museum. There’s always something going on here.”

Upcoming Classes at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum

Jan. 10

Shibori: The Ancient Art of Japanese Fabric Dyeing — 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Diana Franklin will introduce students to the ancient Japanese tradition of Shibori fabric dyeing. Create beautiful patterns on cloth using Procion MX dyes. You will learn the basics of Procion dye chemistry, be shown how to work with these dyes in a safe manner, and be introduced to the concept of mixing a wide variety of colors from a set of primaries. The instructor will also cover the basics of Shibori dyeing, materials used, and series of Shibori folds. Participants will have an opportunity to experiment with mixing the colors of their choice and use these to dye two scarves, one cotton and one silk. Participants are asked to bring some small supplies like rubber gloves, Ziploc bags, etc. A supply list will be provided. All other supplies provided. Open to participants 14 and older. Cost is $75 for members and $83 nonmembers.

Jan. 12

Jewelry Workshop: Bubbly Baubles Charm Bracelet and Earrings — 6 to 8 p.m. Sarah Heron will show students how to hand stamp a personal message on copper charms and develop a color story through use of glass, shell and wood beads to create a fun bracelet and earring set. Use of headpins, wire-wrapping, and patina will be explored. All supplies provided. Open to participants 14 and older. Cost is $50 for members and $56 for nonmembers.

Jan. 17

Exploring Suminagashi: Japanese Paper Marbling and Bookbinding — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thery McKinney will teach Suminagashi, the art of Japanese marbling, a monoprint technique that creates designs that mimic patterns from nature. This one day workshop is divided into two sessions: morning, to produce several marbled sheets; afternoon, to produce a simple blank book bound by the Japanese bookbinding technique known as side-stab. Between the traditional and contemporary methods of Japanese marbling and bookbinding, each participant will create a simple 5”x7” bound, blank book covered with one of their own finished marbled papers. No previous experience necessary. Advanced students can explore a more complicated binding pattern. All supplies provided. Open to participants 14 and older. Cost is $85 for members and $94 for nonmembers.

Jan. 20

Whimsical Weaving Dreamcatcher Workshop — 6 to 8 p.m. Sarah Heron will teach students how to weave, alter, and apply textiles, yarn, trimmings, feathers, beads, shells, paper, and paint to create a whimsical dreamcatcher that is full of creative intentions and inspiration for the New Year. All supplies provided, but students are encouraged to bring any items they would like to incorporate into their design. Open to participants 14 and older. Cost is $38 for members and $42 for nonmembers.