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LEWISTOWN – The ingredients for a fun night include art supplies, good friends and maybe a sip of wine (always optional).
Looking for a chance to unplug from the everyday schedule of work and family life, area residents have been flocking to local art classes for a chance to relax and try something new.
Several area women have embraced the popularity of art classes and have been offering a variety of classes to the public. Local artists Angela Dysinger Niman, Judy Mummau, Jenny Landis, Barbara Nielsen and Daphne Marthouse, are all planning upcoming classes that may tap into someone’s creativity while supporting the local arts.
Barbara Nielsen
Barbara Nielsen, a retired elementary school art teacher and an adult art class teacher for many years, welcomes beginners and seasoned artists to her art classes. Nielsen holds classes at the Lewistown Presbyterian Church every fall and spring provides art books full of ideas and pictures she has accumulated plus art materials for those who do not have various supplies.
Students can do watercolor, acrylic, collage, colored pencils, oil painting, pencil drawing, pen and ink or pastels, or whatever they enjoy. If new to the class, Nielsen will give information on supplies and anything else guests would like to know prior to starting class.
“The class atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly,” Nielsen said.
With the popularity of art ideas on Pinterest, an online visual bookmarking tool that helps you discover and save creative ideas, a lot of interest in the arts has been sparked.
“Art classes are popular because all people have some creativity and at some point in their lives they wish they had some way to express it,” Nielsen said.
Nielsen’s class sponsors an art exhibit at Ohesson Manor nursing home during the month of May. Class participants, as well as artists from Mifflin and Juniata counties, are encouraged to enter their art work.
Her next class starts March 23 and continues on Wednesday afternoons through April 27. The class is held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Lewistown Presbyterian Church. Instruction is given when needed. All ability levels are welcome. Some supplies are available in class, but most participants bring their own art supplies. There is a fee for those taking the class.
For more information, call Nielsen at 248-5732.
Jenny Landis
Pigeonholed as “artsy” early in life, Jenny Landis still doesn’t mind the label. Holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Parson’s School of Design in New York City, and along with taking on some freelance graphic design work, Landis creates one-of-a-kind art, including block printed clothing, needle felted dolls, and most recently, lapel pins and magnets.
As part of the Mifflin-Juniata Arts Council for two years, Landis has been offering Artist Trading Card Workshops, centered around paper collage. ATCs are small pieces of art created in a 2.5 inch by 3.5 inch format. All supplies are provided. Guests start by recreating two of Landis’ original designs and then have plenty of time to make more cards.
The theme for her next class is spring, so expect a lot of flowers.
Landis’ classes focus on craft skills and, along with the ATC workshops, she has also taught classes on how to make confetti bowls.
She encourages everyone to attend her workshops, even though she has a standing rule that guests must be at least 13 years old, although exceptions have been made.
“It’s all about an individual’s ability to focus,” Landis said. “I’ve had younger kids attend with an adults and they not only worked the whole time, they created some really great cards.”
“I think people are looking for new things to experience and art workshops give you not only an enjoyable afternoon or evening, you also get to take your finished piece home with you,” Landis said.
The next ATC workshop is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. April 17 at Gallery 3West, Monument Square. There is a fee, which benefits the Mifflin-Juniata Arts Council.
For more information, contact Landis at jaybeeyell1@verizon.net or call, 248-8078.
Angela Dysinger
Niman
Having always loved art and doodled any chance she got, Angela Dysinger Niman, feels she is lucky to have taught both children and adults in the past 20 years. Her work has also been seen in the community including, helping the late Dwight Kirkland with two of his local murals, painting backdrops for the Margaret McCann School of Dance, creating and drawing on the board at Cricket Wireless and occasionally she takes on a commissioned painting.
She has taught classes on creating mandalas, as well as classes on chalk pastels for adults.
She also taught art at Sacred Heart School and at the afterschool program, Venture Quest, at Lewistown Elementary School.
In addition, for 10 years, Niman ran a youth summer art program.
Niman shares her love of art to encourage others to feel a “certain sense of satisfaction when you create something.” Niman said.
In April, it will be three years since Niman brought the national trend of wine and painting classes to the Juniata Valley. During class, Niman takes participants step-by-step through the painting process.
“I supply all of the materials, they just need to have a desire to relax and try something new,” Niman said.
Her classes are for anyone who has a desire to create something; no experience is necessary.
“When I create the paintings I use, I make sure that as long as I do my job well, everyone will have a great time and end up with a painting they like,” Niman said.
Niman’s next classes are scheduled for March 12, April 2 and 23 at J.P. Edward’s. On March 19, she will hold a class at Country Village Restaurant. Classes are also scheduled on March 18, April 1 and 15 at Gallery 3West in Lewistown. There is a fee for the class. Niman is also available for private parties.
For more information, contact Niman at adysinger@yahoo.com.
Judy Mummau
After several people suggested that Judy Mummau start her own painting parties business, she researched the idea and began “Painting Parties by Judy” in June of 2015. More than 1,000 paintings have been created at her parties in less than a year in Juniata and Mifflin counties and surrounding areas. Mummau credits the success of the business to the classes being fun.
Mummau makes it clear that no skills are needed since she goes through the painting process step-by-step, with each step clear, concise and fun.
“I encourage people not to stress about the details,” Mummau said. “We are all created different, unique, and with value – just like our paintings.”
Mummau makes sure everyone has the same brushes and paint colors so there is no confusion, and sometimes she provides stencils to help guide the process and let the experience be stress free.
“I encourage people to personalize their painting as much as possible to make it special to them,” she said. She loves to see them choose different paint colors, add a cancer awareness ribbon, or include someone’s names.
“I get excited when I see something unique. We all have the same instruction, but the end results are a little different.” Mummau said. “Within two hours, they turn a white canvas into their own personalized masterpiece.”
Even with some good-natured complaining or joking during the process, Mummau said most people are almost always happy and proud of their finished painting.
Mummau said she thinks painting parties are popular not only because they provide an outlet for creativity, but people can do something with their friends and family that involves more than placing an order for a product.
Most of Mummau’s parties are geared toward adults, but she has done parties for all ages. Parties have been popular for events like girls night out, birthday, date nights, mother/daughter and father/son and family generations.
The parties can also be fundraisers for organizations as well. Mummau said a Relay for Life team netted their team a record $1,000 at its party, but the average income is about $500 to $700. Mummau has supplies for 40 people to paint, so the more people they have at the event, the less money they own her for expenses.
Mummau, a former art teacher at Juniata Mennonite School for seven years, loved teaching children and breaking the steps down for them to understand.
“Most pictures can be broken up into simple lines, shapes and colors,” Mummau said. “I think that skill helps me lead a group through a painting.”
The most challenging part of her job is finding time to create new unique paintings. She takes notes on each of the steps, plans what parts of the painting will dry first and makes sure it can be done by all skill levels in two hours.
Mummau’s parties run smoothly with the assistance of her daughters, Julia and Valerie, who help give out more paint or paper towels and make sure their mother doesn’t miss any steps or instructions.
Mummau offers public, private and fundraiser events. The optional wine may be provided by the hostesses, and some events are bring your own wine. There is a fee for the classes.
Canvas choices and photos from parties can be found on Mummau’s website at www.PaintingPartiesByJudy.com and on Facebook.
Daphne Marthouse
After more than 30 years of producing paintings in her private art studio, Daphne Marthouse is going public with her creativity in a new venture called Originals by “U.”
Held at Cafe Madora in Lewistown, the classes provide an opportunity for attendees to participate in a new art project each month.
Given the same materials, each person has the freedom to express individual creativity, which will result in an original and unique work of art.
Marthouse introduces a three-dimensional art project that is intended to ignite an artistic energy she believes lies within everyone.
“One of my goals in developing these projects is to provide an enjoyable and fun atmosphere where each person can experience the good benefits of making art hands on,” Marthouse said. “Creativity helps to reduce stress and increases positive emotions.”
Originals by “U” is a collaborative effort between Marthouse and Jeannie Bush, of Cafe Madora. Bush, an accomplished artist, shares the same vision and broad creative thinking that Marthouse does. Combining Bush’s desire to provide the community with a location for friendly gatherings, and Marthouse’s vision to create happiness through art, makes it a good fit.
“In addition to its wonderful atmosphere, Cafe Madora also provides hot tea and dessert for every class,” Marthouse said.
Having one class under their belt, Marthouse said the results of hummingbird feeder project were as varied as the ages of the attendees. The project included repurposing a cobalt blue bottle, stained glass and copper wire and using the imagination to create the feeder.
“I loved being a part of the creative journey that each person was experiencing,” Marthouse said. “Every hummingbird feeder turned out wonderfully.”
The next Originals by “U” event is 6 to 8 p.m. on April 7. The project for the evening will be creating a living wreath, just in time for spring.
Coming in May, the project will be a mosaic-covered clay pot using various china patterns and colored glass to be used as a piece of art in the garden. There is a fee for classes.
Information about upcoming projects will be featured on Cafe Madora’s Facebook page. To reserve a space at the next class led by Marthouse, call Cafe Madora at 953-9512.
Perry County Council of the Arts
The Perry County Council of the Arts’ mission is to build community through the arts. The council supports artists and celebrates their successes, nurtures the creative spirit in adults and children, enhances the local economy, and implements art education initiatives in seven counties.
Upcoming events for the council include:
March 19-
One-day writing workshop-writing plays, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Landis House-Creative Commons
Beginning basketry 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Landis House-Creative Commons
Music- Autoharp workshop class, 1 to 4 p.m. at Orthey Instruments
Mountain Fling Concert, 7:30 p.m. at Highland United Presbyterian Church
April 2
Drop-in art class, 1 to 4 p.m. at the Landis House
April 7
Lions Community Theatre presents “Once Upon A Mattress”, 7:30 p.m. at West Perry High School (April 8 and 9 too)
April 8 through June 4 Duets Exhibition at PCCA Gallery
April 8
Second on 2nd, 5 to 8 p.m. in Downtown Newport
Mike Fenton concert, 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (April 9 too)
April 9
Writing workshop, A novel idea class, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Landis House
Youth art day, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Susquenita High School
Music-Autoharp workshop class, 1 to 4 p.m. at Orthey Instruments
April 10
Sunday Arts Hour presents Gary and Bernadette Boerckel, 3 p.m. at Landis House
April 13 through May 13
Introduction to carving soapstone, 6 p.m. at Landis House
April 16 One-day writing workshop- So you want to be a writer class, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Landis House
April 20
Perry County Camera Club 6 to 8 p.m at Newport Public Library
18th annual PCCA Awards for Poetic Excellence, 6:30 p.m. at Landis House
April 27
Soldered Cross Bracelet class, 6 to 8 pm. at Landis House
The PCCA Gallery is located at 1 South Second Street, Newport. The Landis House is located at 67 North Fourth Street, Newport.