It is the spirit of an artist to make magic out of a blank canvas and in the wake of a challenging year, the Nature Coast Art League is doing just that. Their members are arising like a watercolor phoenix from finely drawn ashes, doubling its membership of talented folks who come together and create.
The mission of the Nature Coast Art League is to increase public awareness of and to promote the visual arts in Hernando County. “The year 2021 has been challenging for all of us. As we move on to a new year, I would like to reflect on some of the accomplishments we achieved during the past year. Since the beginning of January 2021 our membership numbers have increased from 27 to 52 at present. Last winter during the pandemic there were times when we were forced to close our doors and when we were open, very few attended ‘Create Along’,” wrote NCAL president Linda Graves in the NCAL January 2022 newsletter that was shared with us.
Yet as time passed, the league weathered the storm. “Since the vaccines have become more available we see members coming back to join us for our monthly meetings and ‘Create Along.’ Presently, we have an average of 13 people who attend,” Graves wrote.
And they have a fresh new space to create their masterworks. “We have been blessed with a new location at People Helping People. We have extended our hours, have access to WiFi, and a lovely building. Diane Becker has been busy scheduling a full season of demonstrations and workshops that I am sure we will all enjoy,” Graves wrote.
On January 17th, the league’s first general membership meeting featured guest artist Marilyn Wescott, President of the West Pasco Art Guild. She gave a demonstration on “No Excuses Sketching” and will offer a follow-up workshop on January 24th entitled “The Joy of the Limited Palette.” The workshop, set to take place at 1396 Kass Circle, Spring Hill, will be a follow-along paint session of a sandhill crane using two colors. The cost of entry for the workshop is $30 for members and $40 for nonmembers.
“I am very excited to share my passion for watercolor and my love of our gorgeous Florida birds with members of the Nature Coast Art League. The workshop on January 24th will focus on painting one of the area’s ever-popular sandhill cranes using only two colors,” said Marilyn Wescott. “As president of the West Pasco Art Guild in New Port Richey, I am delighted that NCAL and WPAG are taking steps to collaborate in helping people learn and grow in their own creative practice.”
In addition, the league celebrates the accomplishments of two of its own. “Two of our members, Lyn Bechtel and Chuck Simmons have been selected to exhibit their artwork in the 2022 Florida Watercolor Society online show. Please join me in congratulating both of them!” Graves shared.
Graves looks forward to a prosperous season in the Nature Coast Art League. “We are hopeful that our league will continue to flourish as we add new ideas to inspire you. Please let us know what may be of interest to you and any ideas you would like to share. Wishing all of you a very Happy, Healthy and Creative New Year,” she stated, completing her message to her members.
Single Membership in NCAL is $30. Couples Membership is $40. Mail a check to: Nature Coast Art League PO Box 6284 Spring Hill, FL 34611.
