By Kathy Collins
The SouthShore Regional Library in Ruskin offers a variety of art classes, all free of charge, to the public throughout the year. For children, teens and adults looking for an interesting class, there is sure to be something for everyone. Classes do fill up, so registration is required by calling 273-3652 or stopping by the Information Desk at the library.
There are about 18 art instructors at the SouthShore Regional Library and all come from various backgrounds. Many of them teach at the university, high school and elementary levels. All of the instructors are professional artists who show their work throughout the United States.
The art instructors include artists such as Michael Parker who teaches painting and the elements of colors is well known for his public murals. Bruce Marsh is a retired University of South Florida art instructor and accomplished painter. Phyllis Alexandroff, who teaches many of the adult/teen art classes, was the art chair for Hillsborough County Public Schools and taught art in high school. She now teaches at the University of Tampa.
Classes are broken down into age categories including Adult/Teen; Expressive Artists (11 years old and up); Creative Artists (seven to 11 years old); and Wee Artists three to six years old.
Some of the classes that are set for September include Painting/Mixed Media, Adult/Teen Drawing with Bruce Marsh, Adult/Teen Painting with Arthur Dillard, and Adult/Teen Collage with Anne Walker. For the younger artists, art coordinator for the SouthShore Regional Library, Laurie Burhop, will teach children Drawing Holiday Note Cards.
Burhop explained, “Each year, the Friends of the Library holds a Holiday Note Card Contest with the area schools. They wanted to get the library involved, so I offered a class that will show children how to design a holiday note card, and then we will enter what is made into the contest.” The Friends of the Library’s Holiday Note Card Contest is open for children six to 12 years old.
The SouthShore Regional Library is located at 15816 Beth Shields Way in Ruskin. For more information on the art classes, call 273-3652.
