Art Guild to offer day-long workshops

The Cheyenne County Art Guild is kicking off a series of art workshops for beginners in February.

Cindi Egging said the guild has been around for more than four decades and in recent years, artists from out of town have been brought in to lead more advanced training sessions.

“This year, we thought, well, we have certain areas we’re all accomplished in – we can lead beginning classes,” she said.

The classes – which include sessions in watercolors, oils, pastels and concept art – are aimed at beginners, she said.

“We’re going to start with the very basics and explain materials and the process,” Egging explained.

Each class will have two components – about an hour instruction on a Monday followed by a full-day workshop on the following Saturday.

“If people really want to get in on the whole thing, they would come to the Monday night introduction and then the full-day workshop that Saturday,” Egging said.

However, if someone already has a bit of experience, they could just show up for the workshop, she added.

“You always hear people say they wish they could do watercolors or oils,” she said. “We’re trying to provide that opportunity.”

The first session – watercolors – is being led by local artist Tish Treinen. The introduction component is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 8, and the workshop will be held on Saturday, Feb. 13.

The oil class will take place in March, pastels in April and concept art in May.

Egging said people can sign up for as many of the classes as they wish. All sessions will be held at the Light Memorial Presbyterian Church in Sidney. The introduction sessions are free of charge and the workshops each cost $20 for students and art guild members and $40 for non members. A $5 material fee, paid directly to the instructors, is also charged.

Annual memberships for the art guild cost $20.

Single or multiple workshops can be purchased at the introductions or start of classes, or through preregistration by calling Egging at (308) 249-4206.